Tag Archives: Chuck Hagel

U.S., Philippines Kick off Largest-ever Balikatan Exercise as Defense, Foreign Affairs Leaders Meet in Washington

U.S., Philippines Kick off Largest-ever Balikatan Exercise as Defense, Foreign Affairs Leaders Meet in Washington

U.S. Marines with 3rd Landing Support Battalion, Army Soldiers, Navy Sailors, and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines listen during a rehearsal of concept brief in preparation for Balikatan 23 at Camp Agnew, Casigueran, Philippines on April 4, 2023. US Marie Corps Photo

MANILA – The Philippines and the United States began the largest iteration of Balikatan, the annual military exercise involving Filipino and American troops, during a Tuesday ceremony at the Philippine military’s general headquarters of Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. Read More

Federal Hiring Freeze Includes Navy Shipyards Despite National Security Exemption Clause

Federal Hiring Freeze Includes Navy Shipyards Despite National Security Exemption Clause

Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Helena (SSN-725) arrives at Norfolk Naval Shipyard for a high-priority docking continuous maintenance availability on Aug. 20, 2015. US Navy Photo

Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Helena (SSN-725) arrives at Norfolk Naval Shipyard for a high-priority docking continuous maintenance availability on Aug. 20, 2015. US Navy Photo

The federal government hiring freeze signed last week by President Donald Trump applies to all Navy shipyards and repair facilities despite an exemption for “national security or public safety responsibilities,” but the Defense Department may make some exemptions before the 90-day hiring freeze expires. Read More

1,500 Layoffs Planned for Newport News Shipbuilding

1,500 Layoffs Planned for Newport News Shipbuilding

Thw aircraft carrier Gerald R Ford (CVN-78) and Enterprise (CVN-65) sit side by side in the South Yard as the sunrise starts to light up the sky. HII Photo

Thw aircraft carrier Gerald R Ford (CVN-78) and Enterprise (CVN-65) sit side by side in the South Yard as the sunrise starts to light up the sky. HII Photo

This post has been updated to include workforce totals at Newport News Shipbuilding.

The sole U.S. aircraft carrier builder is planning on laying off 1,500 employees over the next year-and-a-half as part of a series of cost saving measures, according to a letter sent to employees from the president of Newport News Shipbuilding this week. Read More

Hagel Defends Pace of U.S. Arms to Iraq for ISIS Fight

Hagel Defends Pace of U.S. Arms to Iraq for ISIS Fight

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on Oct. 1, 2014. DoD Photo

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on Oct. 1, 2014. DoD Photo

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel termed Iraq’s prime minister’s comments that the United States was moving too slowly in sending weapons and materiel and providing training to his forces as being both wrong and not helpful. Read More