May 1, 2024

Mach 1 Caucus to Advocate for Fighter Jets

Fighter jets have a new ally on Capitol Hill. Four GOP House members, all former military pilots, have formed the Mach 1 Caucus to advocate for policy issues important to the fighter pilot community.

No Budget Bill? Here’s How It Could Affect the Navy

Recruitment

RADM John Gumbleton this week explained in greater detail the scope of the cuts the US Navy is prepared to make should the service be forced to live without a budget.

JPALS Team Earns Top Safety Honors

The Joint Precision Approach and Landing System team overcame COVID restriction obstacles internationally to support five JPALS installations and five Precision Approach Landing System certifications around the globe last year, earning the Naval Air Traffic Management Systems Program Office top safety honors.

US Diplomats & DoD Watch Ukraine

US Secretary of State warns of Russia’s readiness to invade Ukraine, the US ups military defense aid and considers supplying arms to Ukraine.

MQ-25 Stingray Arrives for Carrier Trials

Stingray

The US Navy’s new MQ-25 Stingray carrier-based tanker drone demonstrator is now aboard the USS George H.W. Bush aircraft carrier for the first time to begin deck-handling trials.

Report: Presidential Helicopter ‘Unreliable’ in Emergencies

Presidential Helicopters

A Pentagon report says the new presidential helicopter is unreliable in emergency situations and not “operationally suitable.”

CNO Confident Navy Gets Bigger Budget Portion

CNO

While competition for defense funds is high among the services, Chief of Naval Operations ADM Mike Gilday is confident the Navy Department has a “sound case” for getting a bigger piece of the defense budget.

Russia Tests US in Arctic, Eastern Europe

Russia

Russia is increasing its military presence in the Arctic region and testing new weapons there as well, as upping its saber rattling in Eastern Europe. In the past two weeks, Moscow has moved to test the Biden administration and its allies. US Air Force GEN Glen VanHerck says it’s an attempt by Russia “to reassert on a global stage their influence and their capabilities.”

DoD Issues Report on Its Telework Practices

Telework

The Pentagon releases a new report on teleworking practices since the pandemic sent majority of employees to work from home. Among the findings: 47% of those responding said their productivity increased while working from home during the pandemic, 41% felt they were about as productive while teleworking as they were in the office, and nearly 12% felt their productivity slipped.

DoD Asks to Classify Five-Year Projections

DoD Projections

The Pentagon has asked Congress to classify its five-year Future Year Defense Program, considered essential information to show where DoD expects to invest in the future. The document has been unclassified since 1989.