Ashton Carter News

India and the U.S. held the first round of discussions under the recently-constituted maritime security dialogue between officials of Defence and External Affairs ministries and their U.S. counterparts. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs David Shear, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Manpreet Anand and Vice Admiral Aucoin, Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet, met with their Indian counterparts from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Defense to discuss strategic maritime security issues. “Among the issues discussed were Asia-Pacific maritime challenges, naval cooperation, and multilateral engagement,” the U.S. Embassy said. U.S.

India and the United States have agreed to strengthen their cooperation on maritime security, as concerns grow in Washington over Beijing’s growing military ambitions, reports AFP. India and the USA had agreed to two new projects under the Defence Trade and Technology Initiative (DTTI). According to a report by Sputnik, Washington and New Delhi agreed to strengthen cooperation in the sphere of maritime security in both Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions during the meeting of Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar and US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, a joint statement published following the talks said Tuesday. The logistics agreement will allow India and the United States to share and exchange logistics.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and  Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar agreed  to strengthen their cooperation on maritime security, as concerns grow in Washington over Beijing's growing military ambitions. Carter is in New Delhi to bolster a strategic relationship Washington considers crucial in the face of what it sees as China's rising assertiveness, particularly in the South China Sea. He and Parrikar visited the Indian Naval Base in Karwar and the INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier. They also visited the USS Blue Ridge which was conducting a port call in Goa during the secretary’s visit. “Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the area of maritime security,” said a joint statement issued after Carter held talks with Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.

India and the United States will "soon" conclude a commercial shipping information exchange agreement, U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said on Tuesday in New Delhi after talks with his Indian counterpart Manohar Parrikar.   Addressing a joint news conference, Parrikar said that the two countries have agreed to conclude a logistics supply agreement in the coming months. (Reporting by Yagenah Torbati and Tommy Wilkes; Writing by Douglas Busvine; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani)

The Chief of Naval Operations' (CNO) Rapid Innovation Cell (CRIC) recently developed a basic prototype for an information system that will promote more collaboration between Sailors and commands during the job detailing process. "Our goal is to build a process that is transparent, flexible and gives more influence to commands, so they can build better teams, as well as to Sailors so they can have more say over their lives," said Lt. Cmdr. Mike Mabrey, CRIC project lead. Their clickable prototype represents the progress achieved after a two-day workshop with digital-services consulting group 18F, who strive to bring the best practices from top tech companies and startups to government systems.

Despite US President Barack Obama’s warning  thatthe land reclamation work in the strategically important South China Sea would affect peaceful resolution of maritime disputes in the area, China might press on, reports SCMP. Obama said he had “candid” discussions with President Xi Jinping on Asia-Pacific disputes, voicing concerns about Chinese militarisation of artificial islands in the waters where China has competing territorial claims with several Southeast Asian neighbours. Xi denied there was a military build-up but added that the islands in the  area were Chinese territory from “ancient times” and Beijing had the right to uphold its  maritime rights.

AFP reports that the G7 summit would express concern about unilateral efforts to assert sovereignty claims in the disputed South China Sea. John Kirton, director of think-tank the G7 Research Group, has said maritime disputes between China and its neighbours would be on the agenda of the summit in Germany. Japan's Yomiuri newspaper also said Saturday the summit would take up the issue. Citing sources, the paper said a closing statement would express concern about unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East China Sea and the South China Sea. In descriptions about the waters involved, while avoiding naming China, the statement is expected to express opposition to moves to unilaterally change the status quo.

Adm. Scott H. Swift returned to his home state and relieved Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr. as commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet during a change of command ceremony on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, May 27. "The magnitude of this moment is not lost on me, especially given my personal and professional history here in Hawaii and the Pacific," said Swift, who became the 35th commander since the Pacific Fleet moved to Hawaii in 1941. "No one is selected for responsibility such as that of the Pacific Fleet based on personal merit or performance alone. Swift also spoke of his fond connection to Hawaii, where he was born when his father was stationed at Pearl Harbor. Harris said Swift's Pacific ties made him the perfect officer to relieve him.

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter announced today during a Pentagon press briefing that he has recommended Adm. John M. Richardson as the next Chief of Naval Operations (CNO). A career submarine officer, Richardson is currently director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. If confirmed, Richardson will replace Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert who has been CNO since September 2011. Greenert will retire this fall after 40 years of naval service. "John Richardson is one of our finest officers and I have great confidence that he is the right leader for our Navy," said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. Greenert also praised Richardson if confirmed, "Admiral John Richardson is an ideal strategic leader to keep our Navy moving forward," he said.

North Korea has declared a no-sail zone for its ships off its east coast, South Korean media reported on Monday, suggesting more missile launches are possible before the U.S. defence chief visits Seoul this week. Pyongyang fired four short-range missiles off its west coast on Friday in what South Korea called a bid to stoke tension during its annual joint military drills with the United States. The two Koreas are locked in a tense standoff, trading harsh rhetoric recently over the arrest by Pyongyang of two South Korean nationals it accused of espionage. It was not clear if the latest warning for ships to stay clear of an area off the Korean peninsula's east coast was a direct indication of an imminent missile launch.

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel resigned on Monday, the first major change to President Barack Obama's Cabinet since his Democrats were routed in midterm elections three weeks ago. Obama announced the resignation at a White House event with Hagel at his side. Hagel will remain in the job until a successor is in place. Hagel was appointed less than two years ago as Obama pushed his signature program of winding up wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, a process that is being upended this year with U.S. re-engagement in Iraq and greater military cooperation with Kabul.

A Pentagon Navy staff celebration to commemorate the Navy's 237th birthday was held on 9, October 2012. A Sailor assigned to USS Constitution rings eight bells, a nautical tradition to render honors with eight being the highest amount of bells bestowed, during a Pentagon Navy staff celebration to commemorate the Navy's 237th birthday. The U.S. Navy has a 237-year heritage of defending freedom and projecting and protecting U.S. interests around the globe. In the picture, from left…

Deputy Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Navy, pay a visit to 'USS Makin Island' (LHD 8). Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus met recently with several flag and general officers in the area on board USS Makin Island (LHD 8) for a leadership breakfast and to tour the ship. Following breakfast, the guests were taken on a tour of Makin Island and were able to meet many of the sailors who help to keep the ship fully mission capable. Lt. Cmdr. Brian Ponce, Makin Island's main propulsion assistant, led the group on a tour of Nr.

The NSRP Executive Control Board (ECB) invites the 10 NSRP Ship Production Panels to submit whitepapers to be considered for funding as NSRP Panel Projects. Submissions must be in accordance with the latest NSRP Panel Project Guide (Rev. G dated 7/15/2010). The ECB continues to strongly support the Panels by providing funding for projects that are not well suited for funding via the major project solicitation process, yet address the program’s objectives for improving technology, networking, knowledge-sharing and innovation within the industry and the Navy, as well as working with regulatory agencies to the betterment of industry, employees and the environment.