Naval Air Force News

Russia’s Inability to Dominate the Sea has Changed the Course of the War in Ukraine

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a year ago, most of the fighting has been on land. However, there has also been a less visible – but nonetheless crucial – maritime dimension to the war across the full spectrum of tactical, strategic, economic and diplomatic considerations.After land troops crossed the Ukraine border on February 24 2022, the Russian navy quickly secured control of the northwestern Black Sea. This meant it could contribute to the air campaign against Ukraine by launching cruise missiles from the sea.

Construction Begins on French Navy's New Replenishment Ship

Shipbuilder Chantiers de l'Atlantique said it has cut first steel for the lead vessel in a series of four new Bâtiments Ravitailleurs de Force (BRF) replenishment ships for the French Navy. The four ships are scheduled to be delivered from end 2022 to 2029.The order for the construction of the four vessels was placed in January 2019 to the temporary association of companies formed by Chantiers de l'Atlantique and Naval Group. This order for the French Navy is part of a Franco-Italian program led by OCCAR…

Inside the USS Gerald R. Ford

President Donald Trump addressed the more than 10,000 people attending the ceremony where the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), was commissioned on Saturday, July 22 in Norfolk, Va. “Wherever this vessel cuts through the horizon, our allies will rest easy and our enemies will shake with fear because everyone will know that America is coming and America is coming strong,” said Trump. Acting Secretary of the Navy Sean Stackley recalled President Theodore Roosevelt, who used to say, “Walk softly, and carry a big stick.” Stackley then turned to Trump and said, “Mr.

Truman Completes Sea Trials

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) returned July 25 to its homeport at Naval Station Norfolk for the first time in nearly a year, following the completion of sea trials. "Sea trials is a five-day underway that pushes the limits of the ship; a true shakedown," said Truman's Executive Officer Capt. Cassidy Norman. "Everything we've done for the past year has been building up to this moment. Team Truman navigated through the sea trials checklist completing a number of evolutions, including small boat recoveries, testing Aqueous Film-Forming Foam sprinkler systems, high-speed turns, catapult testing and a simulated replenishment-at-sea alongside USNS Medgar Evers (T-AKE 13). "This is the big leagues now," said ship's boatswain, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Erik Allison.

US Decommissions USS Enterprise

The aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN 65), was decommissioned during a ceremony held in the ship's hangar bay, Feb. 3, says a Navy press release. The ceremony not only marked the end the ship's nearly 55-year career, it also served as the very first decommissioning of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Capt. Todd Beltz, commanding officer of the Enterprise, addressed the ship's company, former commanding officers and distinguished visitors and spoke of where the true spirit of "The Big E" comes from. "For all that Enterprise represents to this nation, it's the people that bring this ship to life," said Beltz. "So as I stand in this ship that we all care so much about…

U.S.Navy Decommissions "The Big E"

The aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN 65), was decommissioned during a ceremony held in the ship's hangar bay, Feb. The ceremony not only marked the end the ship's nearly 55-year career, it also served as the very first decommissioning of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Capt. Todd Beltz, commanding officer of the Enterprise, addressed the ship's company, former commanding officers and distinguished visitors and spoke of where the true spirit of "The Big E" comes from. "For all that Enterprise represents to this nation, it's the people that bring this ship to life," said Beltz. "So as I stand in this ship that we all care so much about…

This Day In Naval History: September 1

1800 - During the Quasi-War with France, the schooner, USS Experiment, commanded by Lt. Charles Stewart, captures the French privateer Deux Amix off Barbuda, West Indies. 1814 - The sloop-of-war, USS Wasp, commanded by Johnston Blakely, sinks the British brig sloop, HMS Avon, south of Ireland. 1925 - Cmdr. John Rodgers and a crew of four in a PN-9 aircraft run out of fuel on the first San Francisco to Hawaii flight. Landing at sea, they rig a sail and set sail for Hawaii. On Sept. 10, they are rescued by the submarine USS R-4, 10 miles from Kaui, then Territory of Hawaii. 1941 - The United States assumed responsibility for trans-Atlantic convoys from Argentia, Newfoundland, to the meridian of Iceland. 1942 - The United States Naval Air Force, Pacific Fleet is established. Vice Adm.

Tighe Takes Charge of Information Warfare, Naval Intelligence

Vice Adm. Jan Tighe assumed the duties of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (DCNO) for Information Warfare (N2N6) and Director of Naval Intelligence (DNI) July 15 at the Pentagon. Tighe succeeded Vice Adm. Ted N. "Twig" Branch, who has submitted his retirement request following a 37-year Naval career. Branch assumed office as the DCNO for Information Warfare/DNI in July 2013. He also served as lead for the Navy's Information Warfare (IW) Community, which brings together the people and capabilities of the Navy's Communications, Networks, Intelligence, Oceanography, Meteorology, Cryptology, Electronic Warfare, Cyberspace Operations and Space areas to the fight. He also served as the Navy's Chief Information Officer and as the Director of Navy Cybersecurity. He was the 65th DNI.

Naval Air Forces Holds Change of Command

Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF) held a change of command ceremony aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) at Naval Air Station North Island Jan. 22. During the ceremony, Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker relieved Vice Adm. David H. Buss as CNAF. While serving as the Navy's "Air Boss" since October 2012, Buss ensured the material readiness, administration, and training for all Naval Aviation commands and provided operationally ready squadrons and aircraft carriers to the fleet. He also led the Naval Aviation Enterprise, a partnership between Navy and Marine Corps aviation organizations that work closely to improve processes for more efficient and effective Naval Aviation forces.

USFF Relieves USS Enterprise Commanding Officer

Adm. John C. Harvey Jr., Commander, United States Fleet Forces Command (USFFC), has permanently relieved Capt. Owen Honors of his duties as commanding officer of USS Enterprise (CVN 65) for demonstrating poor judgment while serving as executive officer of that ship. "The responsibility of the commanding officer for his or her command is absolute. While Capt. Honors' performance as commanding officer of USS Enterprise has been without incident, his profound lack of good judgment and professionalism while previously serving as executive officer on Enterprise calls into question his character and completely undermines his credibility to continue to serve effectively in command," said Harvey. including through personal example.

USNS Washington Chambers to be Christened on 9-11

The U.S. Navy’s newest resupply ship, USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11), will be christened and launched into San Diego Bay. The chrestening ceremony will take place on Saturday, September 11, 2010, beginning at 10 a.m. and is free and open to the public. The main gate (28th Street and East Harbor Drive) to the shipyard will open at 9 a.m. Rear Admiral Richard J .O'Hanlon, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic, is the ceremony’s principal speaker. Loretta A. Penn, senior vice president of Spherion Corporation and president of its Staffing Services division and the ship’s sponsor,  will ceremonially name the ship by breaking the traditional bottle of champagne against its hull. Also speaking will be Rear Admiral David H. Lewis, PEO Ships; Rear Admiral Robert O.

NAVSEA Teamwork Delivers USS George Washington On Time

Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) repair work will enable USS George Washington (CVN 73) to assume its role in Yokosuka, Japan, as our nation's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier in September. Working as "One Shipyard," skilled personnel from two NAVSEA field activities -- Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS & IMF) and Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) provided most of the craftsmen and skills required to complete the effort on Aug. 21, after only 91 days of repair work. The efforts of "One Shipyard" enabled a six-week reduction of USS George Washington's repair schedule from initial forecasts. "NAVSEA's One Shipyard concept provides the fleet customer with a more capable and more flexible maintenance resource," said Capt.

Northrop Grumman Names Shipbuilding Leadership Team

Northrop Grumman Corporation has appointed three vice presidents to key positions in its newly formed Shipbuilding sector, effective immediately. John J. Mazach has been appointed sector vice president of business development, Eric Womble has been named sector vice president of advanced capabilities group, and Daniel L. Arczynski will serve as sector vice president of strategic planning and development. Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, a newly-formed sector of Northrop Grumman Corporation, is made up of the former Northrop Grumman Ship Systems and shipbuilding entities. Mazach leads all Shipbuilding marketing, customer and government relations initiatives.

Ceremonial Steel Cut for New Aircraft Carrier

Northrop Grumman reached its first construction milestone in the life of the new-generation aircraft carrier, CVN 21. The company cut one of the first pieces of steel, a 15-ton plate for a side shell unit of CVN 78, the first ship of the CVN 21 program. Design work on the CVN 21 is underway at Northrop Grumman's Newport News sector, with the full construction contract anticipated in 2007. Advance construction began in 2005 to allow shipbuilders to test the design-build strategy before overall construction begins in 2007. Each ship of the class is valued at approximately $8 billion. The ceremony also served as the grand opening for the shipyard's new heavy-plate bay facility, one of several new facilities built for CVN 21 construction.

COMNAVAIRLANT Receives 2006 Safety Award

By Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class (SW) Rachael L. The Order of the Daedalians presented Rear Adm. Bill Goodwin, Commander Naval Air Force Atlantic (NAVAIRLANT), with the Adm. James S. Russell Naval Aviation Flight Safety Award during a ceremony in Colorado Springs on June 16. The Adm. James S. Russell Naval Aviation Flight Safety Award, first presented in 1978, is given annually to the U.S. Navy flying unit selected by the CNO as having the most effective flight safety accident prevention program. The Order of Daedalians is a civilian fraternal organization whose members are American military pilots. “I am honored to accept the Adm. James S.

Ronald Reagan Awarded First Battle "E"

Cruising along side-by-side while pumping thousands of gallons of fuel, Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and guided missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton (DDG 60) perform a fueling at sea (FAS). U.S. USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) earned the 2006 Commander Naval Air Force Carrier Battle Efficiency “E” award for the West Coast, the first Battle "E” ever for the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier. The announcement was made Feb. 26 as the crew enjoyed a five-day port visit to Sasebo, Japan. The highly sought-after Battle “E” is awarded annually to ships that display the maximum condition of readiness in their specific category, and for their capability to perform their wartime responsibilities.

Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Team Leads Successful Availability on Carl Vinson

"Underway, shift colors!" With that phrase, USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) sailed into the afternoon sun of Puget Sound's Sinclair Inlet, having just completed its third Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS). Pacific deployment. installation of SMART Carrier - a 21st century computer system that vastly improves monitoring and control of various systems. In addition, Vinson would receive major improvements to the crew's living quarters, heating steam piping replacement, aircraft repair and maintenance systems capabilities upgrade, catapult and aircraft elevator repair, major weapons elevators modifications, and repairs and modifications to various key systems throughout the ship. States.

USS George Washington Rescues Fishermen off FL Coast

Four people rescued from a burning fishing vessel were treated on board USS George Washington (CVN 73) yesterday (Feb. 2) for mild hypothermia and second degree burns before being taken to medical facilities in Jacksonville, Fla. A fifth victim died, and the cause of his death will be determined by a civilian medical examiner in Jacksonville, Fla. One of the survivors was identified as an U. S. Navy Sailor stationed at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. The four survivors, as well as the remains of the deceased, were flown by C-2A aircraft from USS George Washington (GW) to medical facilities in Jacksonville, Fla., at approximately 3 p.m. (EST). The C-2A aircraft, assigned to the Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40, is based at Naval Base Norfolk, Va.

This Day in Naval History - Sept. 01

From the Navy News Service 1781 - French fleet traps British fleet at Yorktown, Va. 1925 - Cmdr. John Rodgers and crew of four in PN-9 run out of fuel on first San Francisco to Hawaii flight. Landing at sea, they rigged a sail and set sail for Hawaii. 1941 - U.S. assumes responsibility for trans-Atlantic convoys from Argentia, Canada, to the meridian of Iceland. 1942 - Establishment of Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Vice Adm. Aubrey W. Fitch. 1942 - First Seabee unit to serve in a combat area, 6th Naval Construction Battalion, arrives on Guadalcanal. 1945 - USS Benevolence (AH 13) evacuates civilian internees from two internment camps near Tokyo, Japan.