Tag Archives: West 2018

Challenges Ahead as 13th MEU, Essex ARG Prep for First West Coast F-35 Deployment

Challenges Ahead as 13th MEU, Essex ARG Prep for First West Coast F-35 Deployment

U.S. Marine Sgt. Maj. Allen Goodyear, the squadron sergeant major for Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, signals for an F-35B Lightning II to take off from the flight deck of the USS Essex (LHD-2) during Exercise Dawn Blitz. US Marine Corps Photo

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The first stateside Marine expeditionary unit to deploy with the F-35B Lightning II wrapped up a unit-level exercise last week as Marine Corps and Navy commanders prepare to train their forces at sea ahead of their first deployment with Joint Strike Fighters. Read More

Panel: Navy and Coast Guard Operating More in a Maritime 'Grey Zone'

Panel: Navy and Coast Guard Operating More in a Maritime ‘Grey Zone’

A US Navy visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team, approached a suspected pirate after the Motor Vessel Nordic Apollo reported being under attack and fired upon by pirates in 2011. US Navy Photo

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Between war and peace is the grey zone – a legal status where the rules of engagement aren’t always clear for the Navy and Coast Guard forces increasingly operating there, according to top commanders from the services.

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CNO: 2019 Budget Aims for 'Whole' Fleet, Faster Construction of 355-Ship Navy

CNO: 2019 Budget Aims for ‘Whole’ Fleet, Faster Construction of 355-Ship Navy

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson receives a demonstration of the capabilities of a Mark VI patrol boat from Coastal Riverine Squadron (CRS) 3 on Feb. 7 ,2018. US Navy Photo

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The upcoming Fiscal Year 2019 budget request will support Navy efforts to begin building a 355-ship fleet while also balancing capability upgrades and readiness, the chief of naval operations said on Thursday. Read More

RFP For New Coast Guard Heavy Icebreaker Expected This Month

RFP For New Coast Guard Heavy Icebreaker Expected This Month

USCGC Healy underway in the Chukchi Sea during an annual Arctic deployment on July 28, 2017. Coast Guard Photo

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The request for proposals to build the nation’s next generation heavy icebreaker is expected to be released by the end of the month, the U.S. Coast Guard commandant said on Thursday.

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Panel: Military Wants Accelerated Buys for New Tech But at What Cost?

Panel: Military Wants Accelerated Buys for New Tech But at What Cost?

A Marine with Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, prepares the newly developed “Black Hornet” unmanned aerial system for flight at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. on Aug. 5, 2016. US Marine Corps Photo

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The Marine Corps is moving ahead quickly on equipping its infantry squads with the latest technologies, including small quadcopter drones that will help build their situational awareness on the battlefield. Read More

Marines Revisit Shipboard Group 5 UAS Requirements After Industry Warnings of High Cost

Marines Revisit Shipboard Group 5 UAS Requirements After Industry Warnings of High Cost

The Office of Naval Research and DARPA are collaborating on the Tern project to give forward-deployed small ships the ability to serve as mobile launch and recovery sites for medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial systems that would provide ISR and other capabilities. DARPA rendering.

SAN DIEGO – The Marine Corps is reconsidering the requirements for its large amphibious ship-based unmanned aerial system (UAS), after early industry input showed the service was headed towards something too large and too expensive, the deputy commandant for combat development and integration told reporters today. Read More

New Test Lab Brings Sea Control Ashore for Landing Force Marines

New Test Lab Brings Sea Control Ashore for Landing Force Marines

Col. Robert Bailey, commanding officer of Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity, gives a briefing in MCTSSA’s Landing Force Operations Center lab Aug. 16, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. US Marine Corps Photo

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Tucked inside a pair of shipping containers parked not far from Camp Pendleton’s training beaches is a test-bed where a command staff can practice landing Marines ashore – all without stepping aboard ship. Read More

Navy Information Warfare Effort Set to Expand, Evolve

Navy Information Warfare Effort Set to Expand, Evolve

Cryptologic Technician (Maintenance) Seaman Christopher Payne examines the control card of a ship’s signal exploitation equipment Increment E (SSEE INC-E) system during the SSEE INC-E Maintenance course at Information Warfare Training Command Corry Station on Feb. 1, 2018. US Navy Photo

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -– As it moves into its fourth year, the Navy’s force of information warfare professionals continues to expand and evolve into a greater role supporting tactical warfighters, Vice Adm. Matthew Kohler said on Tuesday. Read More

SPAWAR to Industry: 'We've Got to Go Faster' to Maintain Military Edge

SPAWAR to Industry: ‘We’ve Got to Go Faster’ to Maintain Military Edge

Rear Adm. Christian “Boris” Becker, commmander of Space and Naval Warfare (SPAWAR) Systems Command. US Navy Photo

SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The days of U.S. military supremacy might be over, but not if the military services and industry find ways to quickly innovate and rapidly deliver solutions to the fleet, the head of Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command told a defense industry audience on Tuesday. Read More