The following is the Oct. 2, 2023, memo from Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. C.Q. Brown: Message to the Joint Force. Read More
U.K. Awards BAE $5B for New Royal Navy SSN-AUKUS Attack Submarine
BAE Image
The U.K. Ministry of Defence awarded shipbuilder builder BAE Systems $4.95 billion in contracts to build its new class of nuclear attack boats for the Royal Navy and eventually Australia, the MoD announced on Sunday. Read More
U.S., India Expand Trade, Security Cooperation, Says Official
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is welcomed to the Indian Ministry of Defense in New Delhi by Minister Rajnath Singh, June 5, 2023. DoD Photo
New Delhi and Washington are venturing into uncharted territory as they begin working together on security, trade, technology and transparency in ways they never have before, said Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s minister of external affairs, on Friday. Read More
Australian Army Shifting Priorities to Amphibious, Littoral Operations
Australian Army soldiers from the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment during a combined amphibious assault exercise on Exercise Alon as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2023 in the Philippines on Aug. 25, 2023. Australian MoD Photo
The Australian Army is slated to shift its focus to the littorals after announcing last week several major changes, which include the redeploying a sizable portion of soldiers and equipment across the country and optimizing several brigades for littoral and amphibious missions. Read More
USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Oct. 2, 2023
USNI News Graphic
These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Oct. 2, 2023, based on Navy and public data. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship. Read More
Continuing Resolution Includes Funds for New Columbia-class Submarine
An undated artist’s rendering of the planned Columbia-class submarine. Naval Sea Systems Command Image
The last-second funding measure that will fund the government until mid-November secures $621 million to ensure the start of construction for the second Columbia-class nuclear ballistic missile submarine but leaves several other programs in limbo. Read More
Navy to Drug Test SEALs for Performance Enhancing Drugs
Navy SEAL candidates walk into the Pacific Ocean for surf immersion during the ‘Hell Week’ crucible of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training on Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, Calif., on on July 11, 2023. US Navy Photo
Naval Special Warfare Command will begin forcewide, random urinalysis testing for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) starting Nov. 1, officials announced today. Read More
Carrier USS Ronald Reagan Underway from Japan After 11-Day Delay
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) underway on Sept. 29, 2023. Photo via X
This post has been updated with a statement from U.S. 7th Fleet.
Carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) got underway on Friday after canceling its departure six times since Sept. 18. Meanwhile, the Navy’s two Ghost Fleet unmanned surface vessel prototypes, which pulled into Yokosuka on Sept. 18, carried out drills on Wednesday with a U.S. Littoral Combat Ship and a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) frigate. Read More
Pentagon Releases Suicide Recommendations ‘Subject to Availability of Funding’
Sailors and Marines conduct a foreign object debris walk-down at dusk on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis in 2009. US Navy Photo
The Pentagon will not address improvements to junior enlisted base housing, expanding transportation access for troops or changing on-base firearm purchase policy as part of its latest suicide prevention plan, Defense Department officials told reporters this week. Read More
UPDATED: 5 Admirals, 7 Captains Punished For Red Hill Fuel Leaks
Fuels director, LCDR Shannon Bencs walks a portion of the 7 miles of tunnels of the Red Hill Underground Fuel Storage Facility on July 17, 2020. US Navy Photo
Secretary of Navy Carlos Del Toro issued three letters of censure Thursday to retired Navy flag officers over the fuel leak at Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. Letters of instruction were issued to two other flag officers. Read More
