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


Army IDs 5 Special Operations Soldiers Killed in Eastern Mediterranean Helo Crash

Army IDs 5 Special Operations Soldiers Killed in Eastern Mediterranean Helo Crash

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(top row left to right) Chief Warrant Officer Three Stephen Dwyer, 38, of Clarksville, Tenn., Chief Warrant Officer Two Shane Barnes, 34, of Sacramento, Calif., Staff Sgt Tanner W. Grone, 25, of Gorham, N.H.
(bottom row left to right) Sgt Cade Wolfe, 24, of Mankato, Minn., Sgt Andrew P. Southard, 27, of Junction, Ariz.

The Army has identified five soldiers who were killed in a helicopter crash in the Eastern Mediterranean on Friday, according to a Monday announcement from U.S. Army Special Operations Command. Read More →

Navy Mulling Large Diameter Sub Hulls After 12 Columbias, SSN(X) Requirements Due Next Year

Navy Mulling Large Diameter Sub Hulls After 12 Columbias, SSN(X) Requirements Due Next Year

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Ohio-class guided missile submarine USS Michigan (SSGN-727) heads out to sea in 2012. US Navy Photo

This post has been updated to correct the anticipated delivery of the first SSN(X).

ARLINGTON, Va. – After delivering the dozen nuclear ballistic missile submarines to meet the U.S. nuclear deterrent, the Navy could keep large diameter hull submarines in production, the service’s director of undersea warfare (N97) said on Wednesday. Read More →

Gen. Eric Smith Making ‘Excellent Progress’ Following Cardiac Arrest, New ACMC Mahoney Now Leading Service

Gen. Eric Smith Making ‘Excellent Progress’ Following Cardiac Arrest, New ACMC Mahoney Now Leading Service

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Gen. Eric Smith, the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, delivers remarks during the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command, change of command ceremony at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, Aug. 1, 2023. US Navy Photo

The commandant of the Marine Corps remains hospitalized after having a cardiac arrest on Sunday but is making “excellent progress” in his recovery, the service announced late Friday afternoon. Read More →

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Now Operating in the Red Sea

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Now Operating in the Red Sea

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USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) transits through the Suez Canal, Nov. 4, 2023. US Navy Photo

This post has been updated with a statement from U.S. 5th fleet.

Carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) entered the Middle East through the Suez Canal over the weekend, U.S. 5th Fleet announced on Saturday. Read More →

Carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Approaching Mediterranean, French Deploy Warships Near Israel

Carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Approaching Mediterranean, French Deploy Warships Near Israel

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Aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) conducts routine operations in the Atlantic Ocean on Oct. 18, 2023. US Navy Photo

The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is more than halfway across the Atlantic on its way to join the mass of U.S. naval forces in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East following the Hamas attacks on Israel earlier this month. Meanwhile, the French deployed an amphibious warship to join U.S. and U.K. ships to deter the conflict from spreading beyond Israel. Read More →