Navy Secretary

Navy Secretary: U.S. Needs Cheaper Shipbuilding Alternatives

The U.S. needs a cheaper way to build new ships in small quantities, Navy secretary Donald Winter said on April 4. Winter said the Navy needs to provide more stability for shipyards, while industry needs to improve its balance of long-term planning and short-term, Wall Street-oriented concerns. Industry and the Navy both need to accept that the Pentagon will never again buy new ships by the dozen, Winter told a Navy League conference. Instead, shipbuilders need to streamline operations and invest in new technology to build a handful of high-end vessels. Winter acknowledged that industry will have to make tough decisions. Companies need to pay more attention to current events instead of aiming for business as usual, he said. (Source: MarketWatch)

Wicker Honored With Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award

U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) yesterday received the Distinguished Public Service Award from the Navy for his service in Congress and as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.  Navy Secretary Ray Mabus presented the award.   “I thank our brave men and women at the Department of the Navy for this tremendous honor,” said Wicker.  “I am proud my home state of Mississippi has played a strong and dynamic role in advancing the Navy’s

Pier Construction Project to Help Djiboutian Village

A pier construction project sponsored by the United States will help bring income to this impoverished village and make access to the area easier for U.S. Navy ships fighting the war on terrorism. The first thing you notice about this village on the north coast of Djibouti is the goats. They're everywhere -- on the porches of the houses, in the streets, blocking the roads. It is a sign of the poverty of this area

Navy Official Warns on Cost Overruns

A senior Navy official is warning that rising costs in key programs such as Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics' next-generation surface combat ships could derail efforts by the department to modernize its fleet and aircraft. The Navy has awarded contracts for four ships that initially were estimated to cost $270 million each under the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program, two to Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed Martin Corp. and two to Falls Church, Va.-based General Dynamics Corp

Navy Terminates Lockheed Martin LCS Contract

The U.S. Navy Thursday said it was canceling a widely criticized Lockheed Martin Corp. contract to build a next-generation combat ship after negotiations to control cost overruns failed. Lockheed Martin Corporation expressed disappointment over the U.S. Navy's decision to terminate its contract for construction of the second of two new Littoral Combat Ships (LCS.) The Navy announced the action at the expiration of a 90-day stop work order imposed on the second ship in January to allow

Gordon England Sworn in as 73rd Secretary of The Navy

The Honorable Gordon R. England, right, receives the oath of office during a short swearing in ceremony as the 73rd Secretary of the Navy. Administering the oath is Mr. John H. La Raia, Assistant for Administration to the Under Secretary of the Navy. Secretary England becomes only the second person in history to serve twice as the leader of the Navy Marine Corps Team and the first to serve in back to back terms. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist Craig P. Strawser.

New Navy Acquisition Deputy Appointed

U.S. Congressmen Gene Taylor and Roscoe Bartlett, Chairman and Ranking Member of the Seapower and Expeditionary Forces Subcommittee, issued the following statement in response to the Secretary of Defense nomination of Rear Admiral David Architzel to the grade of Vice Admiral and assignment as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition): "We are pleased to note that the Secretary of Defense has agreed with the position of the Committee on Armed Services

Mullen to Relieve Clark as CNO

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Adm. Mike Mullen will relieve Adm. Vern Clark as the 28th Chief of Naval Operations during a change of command ceremony at the U.S. Naval Academy July 22. The ceremony will take place at the academy in Tecumseh Court, beginning at 10 a.m. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld and Secretary of the Navy Gordon England will deliver remarks. The ceremony will be broadcast worldwide via the Internet on www.navy.mil.

Navy Secretary Departs Office

The 74th Secretary of the Navy, Donald C. Winter, resigned his office as planned on March 13. Winter had agreed to remain in office until March 13, to ease the transition of the Department of Defense.   “As I relinquish my duties as Secretary of the Navy, I count myself blessed for having had the opportunity to serve as your Secretary,” Winter said in a message to the Navy and Marine Corps.  “No period in my professional life can compare to the experiences that I

US Navy Touts Energy Plan, Congress Seeks Cuts

While Congress wants to curb the Navy’s energy initiatives, the service is on the offensive & advocates the long-term cost savings that green efforts will reap Speaking at awards ceremonies recently at the United States Naval Memorial in Washington, D.C., senior officers and civilian officials said new energy initiatives will reduce defense spending without sacrificing capabilities. “Taking the long view is really important,” said Monica Medina