Heather Mongilio

About Heather Mongilio

Heather Mongilio is a reporter with USNI News. She has a master’s degree in science journalism and has covered local courts, crime, health, military affairs and the Naval Academy.


Recent Posts By the Author


UPDATED: U.S. MQ-9 Drone Crashes in Black Sea After Collision with Russian Fighter; Recovery Options Unclear

UPDATED: U.S. MQ-9 Drone Crashes in Black Sea After Collision with Russian Fighter; Recovery Options Unclear

MQ-9 Reaper UAV. US Air Force Photo

This story has been updated to add comments from Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder and Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger, as well as information on recovery efforts.

The Pentagon is not yet saying whether the U.S. will try to recover an unmanned MQ-9 Reaper aircraft that ditched into international waters Tuesday after a Russian Su-27 aircraft collided with it midair over the Black Sea.
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Tom Cruise Buzzes USS George H.W. Bush, Carrier Could Play Role in New 'Mission Impossible' Movie

Tom Cruise Buzzes USS George H.W. Bush, Carrier Could Play Role in New ‘Mission Impossible’ Movie

Cmdr. Karrie Lang, Combat Systems Officer aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77), takes a selfie with Tom Cruise during a visit to the ship, on March 3, 2023. US Navy Photo

If the Navy chooses to accept it, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) could get its big screen debut in Tom Cruise’s next “Mission Impossible” movie. Read More

7th Fleet Commander Thomas Nominated to Serve as Director of Naval Intelligence

7th Fleet Commander Thomas Nominated to Serve as Director of Naval Intelligence

Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, speaks to the crew of mine countermeasures ship USS Pioneer (MCM-9) over the ship’s 1MC during a tour, June 9, 2022. US Navy Photo

Current U.S. 7th Fleet commander Vice Adm. Karl Thomas was tapped to be the next deputy chief of naval operations for information warfare (OPNAV N2/N6) and director of naval intelligence, the Pentagon announced Wednesday. Read More

Marine Corps Reenlistment Increased in Year One of Talent Management 2030

Marine Corps Reenlistment Increased in Year One of Talent Management 2030

Marine Corps Cpl. Andrew Broseke, a supply chain management specialist, with Combat Logistics Battalion 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, reenlist into the Marine Corps at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Va., on Feb. 23, 2023. US Marine Corps Photo

The Marine Corps increased the number of first-time reenlistment submissions for top-performing Marines by 72 percent as part of the Talent Management 2030 program, according to an update released Monday. Read More

U.S., U.K. Navies Capture Anti-Tank Guided Missiles From Iran

U.S., U.K. Navies Capture Anti-Tank Guided Missiles From Iran

Anti-tank guided missiles and medium-range ballistic missile components seized by the United Kingdom Royal Navy sit pierside during inventory at a military facility in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations on Feb. 26, 2023. U.S. Army Photo

The Navy helped the United Kingdom Royal Navy confiscate a weapons shipment from Iran, Naval Forces Central Command announced Thursday. Read More

New Navy Guidance Emphasizes Leadership Responsibilities for Sailor's Mental Health

New Navy Guidance Emphasizes Leadership Responsibilities for Sailor’s Mental Health

Sailors man the rails as USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), returns to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, following its deployment to the western Pacific ocean, Dec. 16, 2022. US Navy Photo

The Navy issued what it is calling a technical manual for Naval leaders to address mental health, starting with laying out how commanders should lead conversations with sailors. Read More

Pentagon Not Pursuing Separate Reentry Path For Vaccine Separated Service Members

Pentagon Not Pursuing Separate Reentry Path For Vaccine Separated Service Members

Lance Cpl. Carlos Benitez, assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, receives a COVID-19 booster shot aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) on March 23, 2022. US Navy Photo

The Department of Defense will not issue a separate policy to bring back service members who were separated for failing to get vaccinated against COVID-19, a top Pentagon personnel chief testified to Congress on Tuesday. Read More