US Army paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade embark aboard the Royal Navy amphibious helicopter carrier HMS Ocean during exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2015 on June 9, 2015. US Navy Photo
Stationing more U.S. forces forward is key to reshaping the American military to deter future Russian and Chinese ambitions in Europe and the Pacific and it can be done now, four defense experts told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday. Read More
Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 2nd Class Jonathan Morel, assigned to USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112), uses a radar tracking system to track surface contacts on Jan. 30, 2017. US Navy Photo
Three congressionally mandated studies outline what the Navy of 2030 could look like and present three very different takes on how the service could tackle its roles and responsibilities in the future. Read More
A U.S. Navy P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft from to the Skinny Dragons of Patrol Squadron (VP) 4 conducts a fly-by with the guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) on Nov. 15, 2014. US Navy photo.
The Pentagon is reviewing an unsafe encounter between a People’s Liberation Army and U.S. Navy surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea, a defense official told USNI News on Friday. Read More
Scarborough Shoal. NASA Photo
This week the Philippine defense secretary predicted China would start building an artificial island on the bones of Scarborough Shoal. Read More
People’s Liberation Army troops patrol an island in the South China Sea. PLA Photo
The Trump Administration’s early comments on the South China Sea and Taiwan could “cause a lot of friction” between China and the United States, but other factors – including upcoming Communist Party Congress elections in China – will likely keep relations between Beijing and Washington stable in the early part of 2017. Read More
Donald Trump speaking with supporters at a campaign rally at the South Point Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Gage Skidmore
The election of Donald Trump as president followed by his “America first” pledge in his inaugural address shocked Japanese political and business leaders, causing them to wonder about the future value of the Washington-Tokyo security and economic alliances. Read More
Lance Cpl. Nick Cox, a powerliner assigned to Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 242 performs maintenance on an F/A-18D Hornet. US Marine Corps Photo
Three budget experts told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday future defense budget priorities must be focused on readiness and modernization. Read More
Philip Bilden
CLARIFICATION: This post has been amended to provide a more complete U.S. military service record for Philip Bilden. Bilden served in the U.S. Army Reserve as a military intelligence officer from 1986 to 1996 achieving the rank of Captain.
The Trump transition team is considering a little-known candidate for Secretary of the Navy with a background in high finance in Asia, several sources have confirmed to USNI News. Read More
Retired Gen. James Mattis testifying before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Jan. 12, 2015. CSPAN Image
Retired Marine Gen. James Mattis placed Russia as the top threat facing the United States – especially with its attempts to break up NATO – during his confirmation hearing to become the Pentagon’s top civilian official. Read More
Shenyang J-15 Flying Shark prepare to launch on from carrier Liaoning
A Chinese carrier strike group has conducted training drills and launched fighters in the South China Sea – a first for the People’s Liberation Army Navy, Chinese officials confirmed on Tuesday in a state-controlled press report. Read More
