Sam LaGrone

About Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone is the editor of USNI News. He has covered legislation, acquisition and operations for the Sea Services since 2009 and spent time underway with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the Canadian Navy.

Recent Posts By the Author


Funds for Navy Repair Facilities, European Defense Initiative Shifted to Border Wall

Funds for Navy Repair Facilities, European Defense Initiative Shifted to Border Wall

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The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) is dry-docked at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) in Portsmouth, Virginia, on April 23, 2019. US Navy Photo

This post has been updated with a Pentagon statement.

Navy repair facilities in Virginia and Washington State, planned port improvements for U.S. ships in Spain and a new treatment center for working dogs in Guantanamo Bay are among the military construction projects that will have their funds rerouted to build $3.6 billion in barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border. Read More →

Marines Considering Flying U.S. F-35Bs Off of Japan’s Largest Warships

Marines Considering Flying U.S. F-35Bs Off of Japan’s Largest Warships

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An F-35B Lightning II with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), prepares to land aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), while another F-35B Lightning II flies over on Dec. 4, 2018. US Marine Corps Photo

THE PENTAGON – Officials in Tokyo have requested Marines deploy F-35B fighters aboard Japan’s largest warships, a U.S. defense official confirmed to USNI News on Friday. Read More →

SECNAV Spencer Expanding JAG Review to Include Marine Legal Community

SECNAV Spencer Expanding JAG Review to Include Marine Legal Community

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Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer speaks during an all-hands call onboard U.S. Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka on July 12, 2018. US Navy Photo

THE PENTAGON – A review of the Department of the Navy’s legal system has expanded to include the Marine legal community, according to a memo from Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer obtained by USNI News. Read More →

CNO Adm. Michael Gilday Takes Command

CNO Adm. Michael Gilday Takes Command

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Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday delivers his first remarks as the 32nd CNO during a change of office ceremony held at the Washington Navy Yard. US Navy Photo

WASHINGTON NAVY YARD – The next head of the U.S. Navy promised to continue the service’s drive to reposition itself as a high-end fighting force with a “sense of urgency,” he said during a brief speech at his change of command ceremony on Thursday. Read More →

Navy Issues Draft Request for Proposal for Large Unmanned Surface Vehicle

Navy Issues Draft Request for Proposal for Large Unmanned Surface Vehicle

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A Naval Sea Systems Command-developed Iraqi 60-meter Offshore Support Vessel. US Navy briefing material indicate that early versions of the service’s large unmanned surface vessels could be based on OSV designs. US Navy Photo

The Navy has put a call out to industry to send in ideas for its planned fleet of corvette-sized unmanned surface vehicles, according to a draft request for proposal announced on Wednesday. Read More →