An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the “Tomcatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31 launches from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) on June 9, 2017. US Navy Photo
This post has been updated with a statement from Syrian forces.
A U.S. Navy Super Hornet has shot down a regime Syrian fighter near the contested ISIS stronghold of Raqqah, U.S. Central Command said in a Sunday evening statement. Read More
Philip Bilden
This post has been updated to include a statement from Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Philip Bilden.
Financier Philip Bilden has withdrawn himself from consideration to be the next Secretary of the Navy, he said in a Sunday statement. Read More
Adm. Michael S. Rogers, commander, U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) and head of the National Security Agency. US Navy Photo
SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The head of the National Security Agency reiterated that Russia engaged in cyber actions to influence the result of the U.S. presidential election and said the Moscow-directed interference is changing the way the NSA thinks about U.S. critical infrastructure. 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
Former NATO commander James Stavridis speaking at West 2016 on Feb. 18, 2016. U.S. Naval Institute Photo
In a good alliance, such as NATO, there is an alignment of values but there are always difficulties that can make working within an alliance frustrating, retired NATO commander Adm. James Stavridis said on Thursday. Read More
Soldiers from the Ukrainian Armed Forces Airborne Brigade stand in formation in 2012. US Army Photo
“We ought to be providing lethal aid”—anti-tank, anti-armor weapons, unmanned aerial vehicles, and cyber assistance—to the Ukrainian government in its struggle with Russian-backed separatists, retired NATO commander Adm. James Stavridis told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday. Read More
Naval ROTC incoming midshipmen freshmen perform a facing movement during NROTC freshman orientation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on Aug. 15, 2014. US Navy Photo
The head of the U.S. Navy said that service might take a second look at the mix of scholarships it offers to Naval ROTC midshipmen in the next few years. Read More
Russian Mistral Vladivostok under construction on April 22, 2014. U.S. Naval Institute Combat Fleets of the World Photo
The September decision by France to withhold delivery of two Mistral-class Landing Platforms Helicopter (LPH) building for Russia is an opportunity for NATO, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) and for the French shipbuilding industry and economy. France should not suffer economically for taking a stand against Russia’s aggression toward Ukraine. Rather, NATO, France and Canada can benefit if a little mutually beneficial creativity is applied.
While France desperately wants to complete the two amphibious warships — and get paid for them — NATO and Canada need the capabilities these ships can provide. Read More
Russian Mistral Vladivostok under construction on April 22, 2014. U.S. Naval Institute Combat Fleets of the World Photo
The suspended delivery of two French-built amphibious warships to the Russian Navy could give NATO an opportunity to buy a ready-made platform for its planned rapid reaction force, retired Adm. James G. Stavridis — former NATO Supreme Allied Commander — told USNI News on Thursday. Read More
