Category Archives: U.S. Marine Corps

U.S. Officially Ends Special Operations Task Force in the Philippines, Some Advisors May Remain

U.S. Officially Ends Special Operations Task Force in the Philippines, Some Advisors May Remain

U.S. and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) honor guard perform a 21-gun salute during a memorial service in Zamboanga City, Philippines in 2010. US Navy Photo

U.S. and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) honor guard perform a 21-gun salute during a memorial service in Zamboanga City, Philippines in 2010. US Navy Photo

This post has been updated to include additional comments from U.S. Special Operations Command, Pacific.

The U.S. special operations mission to help the Philippine military to fight Islamic militants is coming to a close, U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) officials told USNI News on Thursday. Read More

Navy to Build CVN-79 in 2 Phases; Ditching Plans for Early AFSB-3 Procurement

Navy to Build CVN-79 in 2 Phases; Ditching Plans for Early AFSB-3 Procurement

A unit for the future aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) rests on the assembly platen at Newport News Shipbuilding on March 5, 2014. US Navy Photo

A unit for the future aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) rests on the assembly platen at Newport News Shipbuilding on March 5, 2014. US Navy Photo

In their first budget hearing of the year with the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), Navy officials described their Fiscal Year 2016 plans that include speeding up construction of the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) without changing its delivery date, hurrying to start the USS George Washington (CVN-73) Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) planning to avoid problems down the road, and abandoning hopes of procuring a third Afloat Forward Staging Base early. Read More

Opinion: Maintaining American Seapower

Opinion: Maintaining American Seapower

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) transits the Gulf of Aden in 2014. US Navy Photo

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) transits the Gulf of Aden in 2014. US Navy Photo

Facing an increasing array of threats and demands even as our budgetary situation grows more challenging, it is clear that the Navy and Marine Corps team offers the best value to advance both our global security and economic interests.

Uniquely, the Navy and Marine Corps provide presence around the world, around the clock. We are the nation’s first line of defense, ready for any challenge on the horizon. Presence means we respond faster; remain on station longer; carry everything we need with us; and do whatever missions our nation’s leaders assign us without needing anyone else’s permission. Read More

New Heritage Foundation Study Ranks U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Strength as ‘Marginal’

New Heritage Foundation Study Ranks U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Strength as ‘Marginal’

Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) prepare for a live-fire exercise on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) on Feb. 10, 2015. US Navy

Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) prepare for a live-fire exercise on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) on Feb. 10, 2015. US Navy

A newly created “Index of Military Strength” rates the Navy and Marine Corps as “marginal” in being able two fight two major regional conflicts almost simultaneously while having sufficient reserves to carry out other missions. Read More

Makin Island ARG, 11th MEU to Return to San Diego Tomorrow After 7 Month Deployment

Makin Island ARG, 11th MEU to Return to San Diego Tomorrow After 7 Month Deployment

A Sailor signals an AH-1Z Viper helicopter attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced) to land aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) during routine flight operations in the Pacific Ocean on Feb. 4, 2015. US Navy Photo.

A Sailor signals an AH-1Z Viper helicopter attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced) to land aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) during routine flight operations in the Pacific Ocean on Feb. 4, 2015. US Navy Photo.

The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are scheduled to return to Naval Station San Diego, Calif. on Wednesday after a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operation that included airstrikes against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS or ISIL) in Iraq, the Navy announced Monday. Read More

Navy to Compete LHA-8 and 6 Oilers to HII, NASSCO

Navy to Compete LHA-8 and 6 Oilers to HII, NASSCO

The Navy is looking to compete the detail design and construction work for the T-AO(X) class, meant to replace the fleet replenishment oilers, such as the USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) above. U.S. Navy Photo.

The Navy is looking to compete the detail design and construction work for the T-AO(X) class, meant to replace the fleet replenishment oilers, such as the USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) above. US Navy Photo.

The Navy plans to open a limited competition between General Dynamics NASSCO and Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding for work on the LHA-8 amphibious assault ship, the T-AO(X) fleet oiler replacement and the next generation LX(R) dock landing ship replacement – meant to introduce competition as well as more evenly distribute work in the shipbuilding industry, the service told USNI News. Read More

Iwo Jima at 70: To Love a Lost Hero

Iwo Jima at 70: To Love a Lost Hero

The following is a remembrance of World War II Medal of Honor recipient Marine 1st Lt. Jack Lummus. The piece appeared in Naval History in 1995 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima with the original title, “To Love a Lost Hero.” Before the war, Lummus had played in the National Football League for the New York Giants and had played college ball at Baylor. Read More