Historic Mission Heads Toward the Moon
Artemis II crew members Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, left, and NASA astronauts Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Reid Wiseman walk out of Astronaut Crew Quarters inside the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building to the Artemis crew transportation vehicles prior to traveling to Launch Pad 39B as part of an integrated ground systems test at Kennedy Space Center in Florida to test the crew timeline for launch day. (NASA photo by Kim Shiflett) Morning Coffee is a robust blend of links to news around the internet concerning the Naval Air Station Patuxent River economic community. The opinions expressed…
Top US Military Officers Ordered to Pentagon Summit
The US military’s top officers have been called to Quantico tomorrow, Sept. 30. DefSec Pete Hegseth’s directive did not offer a reason for the gathering of hundreds of generals and admirals from all across the globe. The move has created some confusion and alarm. Some top generals are bracing for possible firings or demotions. Although the White House has been downplaying the event, the president announced on Sunday he would be speaking at it.
DoD Rebrand: US Department of War
The US Defense Department will now be known as the Department of War. “It’s … restoring the warrior ethos, restoring victory and clarity as an end state. Restoring intentionality to the use of force,” DefSec Pete Hegseth said.
Where DoD Spends Its Defense Dollars
The Defense Department’s Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation’s latest report on where the Pentagon spends it defense dollars has Maryland in the No. 6 spot. According to the fiscal 2022 report, $26.4 billion was spent on defense contracts and personnel in the state. Virginia claimed the top spot on the list.
Birckhead New MD Adjutant General
MAJ GEN Janeen Birckhead has assumed her new role as the Maryland National Guard adjutant general. Birckhead succeeds outgoing MAJ GEN Timothy Gowen, who assumed command in 2019.
MD Won’t Send Guard to Southern Border
A growing list of Republican leaders are sending their state National Guard soldiers or other state law enforcement officers to the US border with Mexico. Gov. Wes Moore (D) said last week that “Maryland’s not doing that. Right now, what Maryland is doing — Maryland is focusing on public safety here. Maryland is focusing on our schools here. Maryland is focusing on the myriad of challenges and the myriad of opportunities that we have here in the state of Maryland … .”
2 Super Hornets, 2 Mishaps in 2 Days
Two US Navy Super Hornets suffered mishaps on consecutive days in November at NAS Oceana, VA.
Navy Football Uniforms Honor NASA
For the Dec. 10, 2022, Army-Navy football game, the Midshipmen will be dressed from head-to-toe in NASA-themed gear that pays homage to the academy’s astronaut alums.
Lawmakers Ask for Halt on Nice Bridge Demolition
Three Maryland lawmakers are urging the state Department of Transportation to pause plans to demolish the existing Gov. Harry Nice Memorial Bridge. They want a review conducted to determine the feasibility and cost of repurposing the old bridge for recreational use.
US Space Force Needs a National Guard
A bill introduced in the US Senate would create a Space National Guard. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) said that not establishing a Space National Guard was a mistake when the US Space Force was formed.
