Ann Phillips Sworn In As MARAD Administrator
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced that Rear Admiral (Rear Adm.) Ann Phillips, USN, Ret., has been confirmed and sworn in as the 20th Administrator of the Maritime Administration (MARAD). Nominated by President Biden on October 21, 2021, Rear Adm. Phillips was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on May 10, 2022. She is the first woman to lead MARAD as administrator.“From her distinguished naval service to her leadership on coastal infrastructure, Rear Admiral Ann Phillips has championed America’s maritime sector throughout her career,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Ann Phillips Confirmed as Next MARAD Administrator
The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Ann C. Phillips as Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD), filling a position that has been left vacant at the Department of Transportation (DOT) since January 2021. Phillips was confirmed by a vote of 75-22.Phillips, a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, takes over as head of the DOT's maritime agency amid continued shipping and supply chain disruption as well as historic levels of government funding for maritime and port infrastructure projects. She succeeds Mark Buzby, who resigned from the role in the wake of the insurrection at the U.S.
Biden Appoints Ann Phillips as MARAD Administrator
President Joe Biden intends to nominate Ann Phillips to serve as Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) at the Department of Transportation (DOT), the White House announced Thursday. The position has been vacant since Mark Buzby resigned from the role in the wake of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in January.If confirmed, Phillips, a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral and currently the first Special Assistant to the Governor of Virginia for Coastal Adaptation and Protection…
US Navy to Delay Planned Frigate Award
The U.S. Navy has decided to delay by a year until fiscal 2020 the awarding of a design and construction contract for a planned new frigate, according to congressional testimony on Wednesday by two Navy rear admirals. The delay resulted from a decision to set up a frigate evaluation team to look at how to make the vessel more lethal and survivable, Rear Admirals Ron Boxall and John Neagley said in their prepared testimony. Navy analyses have determined that the U.S. fleet needs 53 small surface combat ships to supplement the larger aircraft carriers and destroyers, undertaking tasks like antisubmarine warfare and mine countermeasures.
Top Brass Due at Upcoming SNA Symposium
The first big naval professional development event of the year, the Surface Navy Association’s 2014 Symposium, kicks off in Crystal City, Virginia, with the theme, “Surface Warfare…Warfighting First.” Leaders in the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard will speak at the symposium and associated events starting Tuesday, January 14, 2014. The symposium kicks off with the SNA annual meeting and, focusing on the warfighters of today and the future, there will be a series of roundtables for junior officers, enlisted surface warriors and midshipmen from NROTC units and the Naval Academy.
Surface Warriors to Meet at Annual Symposium
The Surface Navy Association (SNA) National Symposium will be held January 15-17, 2013, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Crystal City, VA. The association was incorporated in 1985 to promote greater coordination and communication among those in the military, business and academic communities who share a common interest in Naval Surface Warfare and to support the activities of Surface Naval Forces. SNA provides for its members support, programs and activities which enable professional growth, personal satisfaction and camaraderie.
Bath Iron Works Lays Keel of DDG 1000
On November 17, 2011, General Dynamics Bath Iron Works celebrated the keel laying of Zumwalt (DDG 1000), the first ship in the planned three-ship Zumwalt class of guided-missile destroyers. The keel unit is the 4,000-ton, heavily outfitted mid-forebody section of the ship, which was moved from the shipyard’s Ultra Hall construction facility onto the building ways in late October. The ship is named for ADM Elmo Zumwalt (1920-2000), regarded as the father of the modern Navy. He…
Rear Adm. Balisle Tapped as Next NAVSEA Commander
Navy Rear Adm. Phillip M. Balisle has been nominated as the next commander of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) in Washington D.C., according to an announcement made by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld on June 11, 2002. Upon Senate confirmation, Balisle will also be promoted to the rank of vice admiral as he assumes command of the Navy's largest systems command. Balisle, a native of Idabel, Okla., is currently serving as Director, Surface Warfare Division on the Chief of Naval Operations staff at the Pentagon. He was commissioned in 1970 after graduating from Oklahoma State University. At sea, he commanded the destroyer USS Kidd (DDG 993), the cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) and the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Battle Group. He also previously served as NAVSEA's vice commander.
VADM Balisle takes helm at NAVSEA
Vice Adm. Phillip M. Balisle assumed command of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) in Washington D.C. on June 28. the Chief of Naval Operations staff at the Pentagon, succeeds Vice Adm. Nanos, who retired June 26. graduating from Oklahoma State University. Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Battle Group. He also previously served as NAVSEA's vice commander. NAVSEA's mission is "Keeping America's Navy #1 in the World," by providing the Navy operationally superior and affordable ships, systems and ordnance throughout their life cycle, for today, tomorrow and the Navy after next. NAVSEA manages more than 130 acquisition programs, which are assigned to six affiliated Program Executive Officers and various headquarters elements. locations and the headquarters.
Foster Named as Next Self Defense Test Ship
When the Spruance-class destroyer USS Paul F. Foster (DD 964) is decommissioned next March, it will find new life as the next Self Defense Test Ship (SDTS) at Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme. The Chief of Naval Operations' Surface Warfare Division announced that Paul F. Foster would become the next dedicated ship self defense test and evaluation platform assigned to Port Hueneme, in a message to Commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Paul F. Foster would replace the ex-USS Decatur (DDG 31), which has been assigned to Port Hueneme since 1994. The SDTS plays a significant role in the testing and evaluation of sensors, weapons, and combat systems before they are introduced to the fleet.
SECDEF Announces Flag Officer Assignments
Secretary of Defense Robert M. Navy Rear Adm. Jeffrey L. Fowler has been nominated for appointment to the grade of vice admiral and assignment as superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Md. Fowler is currently serving as director, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Sixth Fleet, plans and operations/deputy commander, Sixth Fleet/commander Submarines, Allied Naval Forces South/commander, Submarine Group Eight/CTF 69/CTF 164, Naples, Italy. Navy Rear Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III has been nominated for appointment to the grade of vice admiral and assignment as commander, Third Fleet, San Diego, Calif. Locklear is currently serving as director, programming division, N80, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Navy Rear Adm. Anthony L.
The Littoral Combat Ship: Force Multiplier for the 21st Century
The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is a new ship design concept being considered to combat emerging threats in the littoral. It will be a relatively small, focused-mission combat ship that will revolutionize the way the U.S. Navy builds and fights ships. LCS, with its high speed, shallow draft, and maneuverability, will be optimized to serve as a force-multiplier for other larger, multi-mission ships. The U.S. Navy in the first years of the 21st century faces a similar problem that confronted naval powers at the turn of the last century. The capital ship then was the Dreadnought. Its mere presence could have an impact on events at sea and ashore.
