Navy to Commission LPD 24 'Arlington'
The Navy set to commission the newest San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship, 'Arlington'. The ship is named for the county of Arlington and honors the first responders and the 184 victims who died when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon Sept. 11, 2001. "This ship and her proud name symbolize what is exceptional about the United States," said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. "For the next several decades, Arlington will take Marines and their equipment wherever they are needed, whether to provide humanitarian assistance or lethal combat capability. Gen. James F.
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 to Name Carrier After Ford
The Navy will name its next aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford in honor of the president who was buried Wednesday in his home town of Grand Rapids, Mich., officials said. The Navy had not planned to make the announcement yet, but Donald H. Rumsfeld, the former defense secretary who served in the Ford administration, divulged the news during his eulogy at the funeral. Ford served in the Navy during World War II. source: AP
Gordon England Resigns as Navy Secretary
Acting Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England has relinquished his post as secretary of the Navy, Defense Department officials announced Dec. 29. He will continue to serve as acting deputy secretary of defense, officials said. England has served as Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld's deputy since May, when former Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz left the Pentagon to head up the World Bank. Over two terms as Navy secretary, England served a total of 48 months. His terms were separated by his service as the first deputy secretary of the Homeland Security Department. For the past eight months, he has served in both the Navy post and as acting deputy secretary of defense. Navy Undersecretary Dionel M. Aviles will serve as acting Navy secretary effective today.
New England Shipbuilding's Fate Hangs on Salvage Budget
The fate of New England's shipbuilding industry and thousands of jobs will depend on a series of top-level discussions that began yesterday at the Defense Department, where Navy officials are scrambling to salvage long-term plans to buy new warships and submarines built at shipyards in Maine and Connecticut. The region narrowly escaped the closure last summer of its two largest naval facilities, in Kittery, Maine, and Groton, Conn., but its multibillion-dollar ship manufacturing sector remains in jeopardy, according to defense officials and lawmakers. The Pentagon is seeking major budget cuts to help reduce the federal deficit and finance the priorities of the war on terrorism -- $7 billion worth next year alone -- and is considering further reductions in the size of the naval fleet…
Cullman to Be Honored by Navy Memorial
The U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation will host a reception and dinner for friends at the New York Yacht Club on Wednesday, May 21, 2003, to award Joseph F. Cullman, 3rd, of New York City, with a Lone Sailor Award. A Lone Sailor statue, the symbol of the Navy Memorial, will be presented to Cullman to honor his distinguished career. Mr. Cullman saw combat action as a young naval officer aboard USS Montpelier (CL-57) in the South and Central Pacific in World War II. He is currently chairman emeritus of the Phillip Morris Companies, now known as Altria, Inc. Following his Navy service, Commander Cullman distinguished himself as an enormously successful business leader and an active supporter of charitable organizations and foundations.
