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


SWO Boss: ‘Insidious’ COVID-19 Spread on USS Kidd Shows Evolution of Navy Response to Pandemic

SWO Boss: ‘Insidious’ COVID-19 Spread on USS Kidd Shows Evolution of Navy Response to Pandemic

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Lt. Cmdr. Andrew Sullivan, assigned to Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Medical Readiness Division, center, addresses the medical team while preparing for Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG-100) as part of the Navy response to the COVID-19 outbreak aboard the ship on April 28, 2020. US Navy Photo

When COVID-19 was first detected on guided-missile destroyer USS Kidd (DDG-100) late last month, the Navy put into action a new set of procedures to stem the spread of the virus. Read More →

SECDEF Esper: Theodore Roosevelt Outbreak Probe Will ‘Follow the Facts Wherever They Go’

SECDEF Esper: Theodore Roosevelt Outbreak Probe Will ‘Follow the Facts Wherever They Go’

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Secretary of Defense Mark Esper in the Pentagon Briefing Room on April 16, 2020. DoD Photo

The ongoing Navy investigation into the COVID-19 outbreak aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) could lead to an expanded probe outside the Navy if there are still unanswered questions by senior leaders, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said in response to questions from USNI News. Read More →

VCNO Burke to Oversee Expanded Theodore Roosevelt Outbreak Investigation

VCNO Burke to Oversee Expanded Theodore Roosevelt Outbreak Investigation

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Capt. Brett Crozier, then-commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt addresses the crew during an all-hands call in the ship’s hangar bay on March 3, 2020. US Navy Photo

The Navy’s number two will take the helm of an expanded investigation into the circumstances surrounding the March COVID-19 outbreak on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), the service announced on Thursday. Read More →

Navy to Expand Investigation Into Circumstances Around Theodore Roosevelt COVID-19 Outbreak

Navy to Expand Investigation Into Circumstances Around Theodore Roosevelt COVID-19 Outbreak

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Capt. Brett Crozier, then-commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), addresses the crew during an all-hands call on the ship’s flight deck on Nov. 15, 2019. US Navy Photo

This post has been updated with a statement from Acting Secretary of the Navy James McPherson.

The Navy is set to widen the investigation of the removal of the former commander of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), taking a closer look at the service’s overall command climate in the Pacific, the Navy announced on Wednesday. Read More →

USS Bunker Hill Conducts 2nd South China Sea Freedom of Navigation Operation This Week

USS Bunker Hill Conducts 2nd South China Sea Freedom of Navigation Operation This Week

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USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) transits the Philippine Sea, on March 24, 2020. US Navy Photo

This post has been updated with additional details of Bunker Hill’s freedom of navigation operation.

Guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) conducted a freedom of navigation operation through the Spratly Island chain in the South China Sea, U.S. 7th Fleet announced on Wednesday. Read More →

Sailors Begin Returning to USS Theodore Roosevelt After Quarantine Period on Guam

Sailors Begin Returning to USS Theodore Roosevelt After Quarantine Period on Guam

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Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Nicholas Beemer, from Huntington, Ind., enters a restricted area of the hangar bay aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) to sanitize and secure the space on April 26, 2020. US Navy Photo

The crew of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) is beginning to return aboard the aircraft carrier after almost a month of isolation on Guam designed to combat a major COVID-19 outbreak, U.S. 7th Fleet announced on Wednesday. Read More →

China Says PLA Scrambled Aircraft, Ships to ‘Expel’ U.S. Warship from South China Sea Island Chain

China Says PLA Scrambled Aircraft, Ships to ‘Expel’ U.S. Warship from South China Sea Island Chain

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Seaman Xi Chan stands lookout on the flight deck as the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG-52) transits the Taiwan Strait during routine underway operations on April 23, 2020. US Navy Photo

Chinese authorities said they sortied ships and aircraft to “track, monitor, verify, identify and expel” a U.S. warship from the Paracel Island chain in the South China Sea on Tuesday, People’s Liberation Army (PLA) officials said on Chinese social media. Read More →