Mil News USA, Canada & Caribbean Nations Military News & Discussion Thread

[AAR Galileo]

USN :

The USN is testing the ATARI (aircraft terminal approach remote inceptor). A LSO was able to remotely take over a F/A-18 on the glide path and bring it aboard an aircraft carrier for a touch-and-go on the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=104887

 

[BravoZulu]

The Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Nebraska (SSBN 739) along with the US Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) conducted successful test flights of two Trident II D5 Missiles on March 26.

The unarmed test missiles were launched as part of Demonstration and Shakedown Operation (DASO) 28 in the Pacific Test Range off the coast of Southern California.

Built and upgraded by Lockheed Martin, the missiles were launched as a double mission test and were the key element of DASO 28, which marked the 166th and 167th successful test flights of the Trident II D5 missile since its introduction to the fleet in 1989.

As explained, the primary objective of the DASO is to evaluate and demonstrate the readiness of the SSBN’s strategic weapon system and crew before operational deployment following midlife refueling overhaul.

“The successful completion of DASO 28 was not only an important milestone in USS Nebraska’s return to service, but also an important demonstration of the reliable and credible sea-based leg of the U.S. nuclear deterrent triad,” Capt. Mark Behning, deputy director, SSP, said.

USS Nebraska (SSBN 739) is the 14th submarine of the Ohio-class of ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). Assigned to Submarine Group 9, Nebraska is one of eight ballistic-missile submarines homeported at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Wash.

The mission of the SSBN force is strategic deterrence, by providing the United States with its most survivable and enduring nuclear strike capability. Ohio-class submarines serve as an undetectable launch platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles. They are considered the most survivable leg of the nuclear triad; the other legs being long-range bombers and land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles.

https://navaltoday.com/2018/03/30/uss-nebraska-tests-trident-ii-d5-missiles/?uid=5430

 

[BravoZulu]

Air Force May Approve Enlisted Pilots for First Time in 75 Years

Eugene Taylor remembers how eager enlisted airmen like him were to fly.

Taylor, who enlisted in 1968 and deployed to Vietnam, first worked as an avionics technician. Nearly a decade later, Taylor, a tech sergeant, became a T-37 and T-38 flight simulator instructor with the 71st Flying Training Wing at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. He became so adept that he was occasionally given the chance to fly the T-38, with permission from the pilot, during stateside flights.

It has been decades since enlisted airmen had the chance to sit in the cockpit. But as the Air Force faces the greatest pilot shortages since its inception, service leaders are contemplating a return to a model that includes enlisted pilots. A Rand Corp. study, set to be completed this month, is exploring the feasibility of bringing back a warrant officer corps for that purpose. And another, separate Air Force study is examining, in part, whether enlisted pilots could benefit from new high-tech training that leverages artificial intelligence and simulation.

With these moves, the Air Force is inching just a few steps closer to someday getting enlisted airmen back in the cockpit, on a formal basis, for the first time since World War II.

More: https://www.military.com/daily-news...rove-enlisted-pilots-first-time-75-years.html

 

[BravoZulu]

USAF order more Reapers

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. has been awarded a contract for the production of MQ-9 Reaper aircraft. The contract is valued at over $295 million. Work will be performed in Poway, California, and is scheduled for completion by July 2021.

The MQ-9 Reaper UAV, once called “Predator B,” is somewhat similar to the famous Predator, but with a strong hunter-killer design. Some have called it the first fielded Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV). The Reaper is a major asset for the US Air Force, its capability set makes the MQ-9 considerably more expensive than MQ-1 Predators.

MQ-9 operators currently include the USA and Britain, who use it in hunter-killer mode, and Italy.

 

[BravoZulu]

USN:

Two US Navy attack submarines returned to their homeports on March 30 after concluding deployments to the Western Pacific.

Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS Mississippi (SSN 782) was welcomed by family and friends at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam after six months of operations.

Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Topeka (SSN 754) wrapped up a shorter, three-month deployment, returning to its forward-deployed homeport at Apra Harbor, Guam.

Mississippi’s commanding officer Cmdr. Eric Rozek attributed the submarine’s successful completion of her Western Pacific deployment to the performance of the crew.

“The men and women of Mississippi worked exceptionally hard to prepare and deploy to the Western Pacific,” said Rozek. “Additionally, the crew was outstanding ambassadors, representing themselves, Mississippi, the Navy, and our nation as they worked together with our maritime partners and allies.”

During the deployment, 31 USS Mississippi sailors earned their submarine warfare qualification and 19 sailors advanced in rank.

While deployed, Mississippi made the first ever port visit by a U.S. Navy submarine to the port of Jeju, South Korea.

Mississippi is one of six Virginia-class fast-attack submarines homeported in Pearl Harbor.

The crew of USS Topeka saw 10 sailors and two officers become submarine qualified, while two officers were promoted.

Topeka was commissioned Oct. 21, 1989, and is one of four boats in its class assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron (COMSUBRON) 15, which is located at Polaris Point, Naval Base Guam, in Apra Harbor, Guam. Also based out of Naval Base Guam are submarine tenders USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) and USS Frank Cable (AS 40).

The crew of the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Mississippi (SSN 782) returns to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam following a six-month Western Pacific deployment, March 30. Photo: US Navy

https://navaltoday.com/2018/04/02/u...rn-from-western-pacific-deployments/?uid=5430

 

[Herc15]

The U.S. Marine Corps is replacing its existing sniper rifles with a newer model that fires a heavier, longer-range bullet. The new Mark 13 Mod 7 sniper rifle, a favorite of Navy SEALs is replacing the older M40 series of rifles. The result is a more accurate rifle with the potential to hit targets at nearly three quarters of a mile.

 

[AAR Galileo]

7 antinuclear activists arrested at Naval Submarine Base in Kings Bay:

The 7 people are currently being detained by the base personnel and are currently at the Camden County Sheriff's Office. According to Kings Bay Plowshares, the activists at the Trident D5 monuments were Mark Colville, 55, Amistad Catholic Worker New Haven CT and Patrick O'Neil, 61, Fr. Charlie Mulholland Catholic Worker Garner NC.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/artic...aval-submarine-base-in-kings-bay/77-535432108

Note : The mugshots of the 7 worth the look ! Really the kind of "activists"

 

[rtomedic]

5 Heroes Down: Military Sees Major Aviation Mishaps in 2 Days
Air Force Identifies Thunderbird Pilot Killed in F-16 Crash in Nevada
The Thunderbirds pilot killed in a fighter jet crash in central Nevada was an experienced aviator who had logged more than 3,500 flight hours, the Air Force said Thursday.

The Air Force identified the pilot as Maj. Stephen Del Bagno, who had joined the elite Thunderbirds team this season and was on a routine demonstration training flight when he was killed on Wednesday.
He was alone in the F-16 Fighting Falcon when it departed from Nellis Air Force Base and crashed at the Nevada Test and Training Range at about 10:30 a.m. PT (1:30 p.m. ET). ...more

MARINES
Four crew members were killed when a Marine CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crashed Tuesday in California during a training mission along the U.S.-Mexico border west of El Centro. The same day, a Marine Harrier jet crashed during takeoff from an airport in the East African nation of Djibouti. The pilot ejected and was medically evaluated.

Last September, a U.S. Air Force pilot, Lt. Col. Eric Schultz, died of injuries after a crash on the training range at Nellis, about 100 miles northwest of the base.

He was assigned to a military command that conducts research and weapon system tests. Officials did not disclose the type of aircraft Schultz had been piloting ...more

More information and videos on all of the crashes https://americansecuritytoday.com/heroes-military-sees-3-major-aviation-mishaps-2-days-videos/

 

[Wallensi]

RIP

 

[bdpopeye]

USS Harry S Truman (CVN 75) is deploying today from Norfolk VA to the MED and Middle East. This is a scheduled deployment.

CVN 75 Deploying

Not much info yet check back later.

 

[bdpopeye]

More info on HST Strike Group deployment;

Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group to Depart for Deployment

From Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Nearly 6,500 Sailors of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) will depart Norfolk the morning of April 11, for a regularly-scheduled deployment.

Deploying ships and aircraft of the strike group, commanded by Rear Adm. Gene Black, include flagship USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), commanded by Capt. Nick Dienna; the nine squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1; guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60); and guided-missile destroyers of Destroyer Squadron Two Eight (DESRON 28), including USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98), and USS Farragut (DDG 99). The Sachsen-class German frigate FGS Hessen (F 221) is also operating as part of the strike group during the first half of the deployment. Guided-missile destroyers USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) and USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) are slated to deploy from their homeports and rejoin the strike group at a future date.

Squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, commanded by Capt. John Perrone, embarked on Truman include Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11 "Red Rippers;" VFA-211 "Checkmates;" VFA-81 "Sunliners;" VFA-136 "Knighthawks;" Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137 "Rooks;" Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 126 "Seahawks;" Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 72 "Proud Warriors;" Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 11 "Dragon Slayers;" and a detachment from Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 "Rawhides."

While deployed, the strike group will operate in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts alongside allies and partners. The deployment is part of a regular rotation of forces to provide crisis response capability and increase theater security cooperation and forward naval presence in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation.

 

[bdpopeye]

Deploying ships and aircraft of the strike group, commanded by Rear Adm. Gene Black, include flagship USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), commanded by Capt. Nick Dienna; the nine squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1; guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60); and guided-missile destroyers of Destroyer Squadron Two Eight (DESRON 28), including USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98), and USS Farragut (DDG 99). The Sachsen-class German frigate FGS Hessen (F 221) is also operating as part of the strike group during the first half of the deployment. Guided-missile destroyers USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) and USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) are slated to deploy from their homeports and rejoin the strike group at a future date.

Gents this is some major league firepower not counting the air wing....Seven Arleigh Burke DDGs, 1 Ticonderoga class cruiser and one Sachsen-class German frigate Frigate.

Air wing you ask?...PLUS>>>> Forty-five Hornets and Growlers for attack and air-cover...

 

[bdpopeye]

Note : The mugshots of the 7 worth the look ! Really the kind of "activists"

One of them looks like Steve Martin's brother!

 

[rtomedic]

Special Operations Leaders Update Senators on Efforts
WASHINGTON, April 11, 2018 – U.S. special operations forces are relevant against all the nation's security priorities, the vice commander of U.S. Special Operations Command told a Senate Armed Services Committee panel today.

Air Force Lt. Gen. Scott A. Howell, representing Socom commander Army Gen. Raymond A. Thomas III, told the committee's emerging threats and capabilities subcommittee that the nearly 3,000 special operations forces members are deployed in more than 90 countries, and are postured, ready and relentlessly focused on winning today's fights.

Also testifying on efforts to transform the force for future security challenges were Air Force Lt. Gen. Marshall B. Webb, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command; Army Lt. Gen. Kenneth E. Tovo, commanding general of Army Special Operations Command; Navy Rear Adm. Timothy G. Szymanski, commander of Naval Special Warfare Command; and Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Carl E. Mundy III, commander of Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command.

Rapidly Changing Environment

"From countering violent extremism to countering weapons of mass destruction from rogue regimes and near-peer adversaries, special operations forces continue to provide the geographic combatant commanders options to protect our nation, our allies and our interests worldwide," Howell said. "However, as the National Defense Strategy ...MORE

https://www.globalsecurity.org/mili...11-afps01.htm?_m=3n.002a.2263.ph0ao0037n.230k

 

[BravoZulu]

US Navy employee bribed to sell $6m of liquor from Navy Exchange

Three New York residents were indicted for bribing an employee of the US Navy to make unauthorized liquor purchases worth millions of dollars at a Navy Exchange (NEX), the US Justice Department said.

Adam Agaev, 43, and David Manasherov, 37, both of Brooklyn, were charged together in a nine-count indictment, and Edwin D. Fragoso, 44, of Freeport, in a six-count indictment.

Agaev and Manasherov allegedly purchased liquor worth over $5 million, and Fragoso purchased over $1.3 million of liquor, over the course of the scheme. In addition to bribery, the defendants were also charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, wire fraud, and honest services fraud.

Eric J. Jex, 29, of Uniondale, an employee of the navy, received more than $250,000 in bribes. He previously pleaded guilty to one count of bribery before the Eastern District of New York and is scheduled to be sentenced on May 11.

According to admissions made in connection with Jex’s guilty plea, as a supervisory sales associate at the NEX at Mitchel Field in Garden City, Jex was responsible for preparing and processing retail transactions, and he had direct authority to make decisions concerning large liquor orders and shipments from the NEX’s warehouse in Suffolk, Virginia. He was also subject to policies limiting access to the NEX’s goods to authorized personnel, such as navy service members, and requiring NEX employees to check purchasers’ IDs.

According to the allegations, from November 13, 2015, through December 13, 2016, Jex agreed with Agaev, Manasherov and Fragoso to arrange repeated large purchases of liquor from the NEX. Jex allowed these three unauthorized purchasers to buy NEX liquor at significant discounts. According to his plea agreement, Jex admitted that, in exchange, he typically accepted $5 to $20 per case of liquor.

In doing so, the indictments allege that Agaev, Manasherov and Fragoso caused interstate wires to be sent from New York to Virginia, deprived New York State of excise taxes and resold the liquor purchased from the NEX for profit, according to the Department of Justice.
https://navaltoday.com/2018/04/11/u...ell-6m-of-liquor-from-navy-exchange/?uid=5430

 

[rtomedic]

Budget Allows Forces to Restore Competitive Edge, DoD Leaders Tell House
WASHINGTON, April 12, 2018 – The budget agreement hammered out in Congress will allow the U.S. military to restore its competitive edge during a time of renewed great power competition, Defense Secretary James N. Mattis said today before the House Armed Services Committee.

The secretary testified alongside Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and both men emphasized the budget agreement covering fiscal years 2018 and 2019 will give the department needed stability to implement the National Defense Strategy.

"The U.S. military has a competitive advantage over any potential adversary today," Dunford said. "I am confident we can defend the homeland, meet our alliance commitments and prevail in any conflict."

Three Lines of Effort

As DoD moves forward, it is pursuing three overarching lines of effort, Mattis said. The first is to build a more lethal force. The second is to strengthen ...MORE

https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2018/04/mil-180412-afps01.htm?_m=3n.002a.2264.ph0ao0037n.231m


DoD Official: Years of Sequestration Caused Need for Larger Budget
WASHINGTON, April 12, 2018 – Though the increased funding in the fiscal year 2019 budget deal is welcome, it will not fully restore the damage to DoD facilities caused by years of sequestration spending cuts, a senior Defense Department official told Congress today.

Lucian Niemeyer, assistant secretary of defense for energy, installations and environment, testified at a hearing of the House Appropriations Committee's subcommittee on military construction, veterans affairs and related agencies.

Many DoD facilities have degraded significantly from reduced investments, and the department has a $116 billion backlog in facilities requiring attention, Niemeyer said. "A lot of our facilities are either in fail or poor condition," he told the House panel. "This will ultimately result in the DoD facing larger bills in the future to go ahead to restore or replace facilities that deteriorate prematurely. The stark reality is that it is too costly to buy ourselves out of this this backlog." ...MORE

https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2018/04/mil-180412-afps02.htm?_m=3n.002a.2264.ph0ao0037n.231r

 

[rtomedic]

Future USS Indianapolis Christened at Marinette Marine
The Lockheed Martin-led industry team hosted the 17th Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) christening ceremony at the Fincantieri Marinette Marine shipyard on Saturday
Ship sponsor Jill Donnelly christened LCS 17, the future USS Indianapolis, in Navy tradition by breaking a champagne bottle across the ship’s bow.

“As a native Hoosier and the daughter of two World War II veterans, there is no greater honor than to serve as the sponsor of the future USS Indianapolis,” Donnelly said.
“This ship pays tribute to the legacy of brave and resilient sailors, and I know the people of Indianapolis – and all Hoosiers – will support this ship and her future crews for decades to come.”
The future USS Indianapolis is named in honor of the incredibly brave men and women in uniform who have served our country for generations and who continue to serve today. ...MORE WITH VIDEOS

https://americansecuritytoday.com/future-uss-indianapolis-christened-marinette-marine-learn-video/

 

[Chazman]

Report to Congress on FFG(x) program. The comments are interesting.

https://news.usni.org/2018/04/17/report-congress-u-s-navy-next-generation-frigate-ffgx-program

 

[BravoZulu]

US Marine Corps F/A-18 complete first operational flights with APKWS
US Marine Corps’ F/A-18 squadrons recently completed operational flights with the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) 2.75in rocket that provides air-to-ground weapon support.

APKWS allows the F/A-18A-D to maintain a forward-firing, moving-target capability while increasing available ordnance per aircraft and provides a more efficient weapons match versus target sets currently seen in theater.

“This is an incredible weapons system that our most experienced pilots down to the newest pilots can effectively employ,” said Lt. Col Jon “TAG” Curtis, commanding officer of one of the F/A-18 squadrons.

The low-cost 2.75-inch rocket has a laser guidance kit that gives it precision-kill capability. It has ability to destroy targets while limiting collateral damage in close combat.

Curtis’ squadron received the new weapon system in February and completed ground training and in-flight training to ensure the weapon worked effectively. All of the weapons fired during training directly impacted the final aim point.

“The PMA-242 APKWS and PMA-265 F/A-18 joint Integrated Product Team (IPT), with key stakeholders (Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft and Weapons Divisions, VX-31/VX-9, Marine Corps headquarters and BAE Systems), rapidly developed and executed an integration plan, cutting normal integration time by nine months and saving $4.9 million of allocated funds,” said Lt. Cmdr. Daniel Ropp, APKWS deputy program manager

The team established a land-based integration program to expedite fielding with a limited employment envelope using a tailored approach in engineering, logistics, and contracting to deliver units to theater as quickly as possible. This effort supported on time training and operational employment of APKWS for the deploying squadron in OIR, exemplifying “Speed to the Fleet”, he said.

The F/A-18 is the second Navy fixed-wing platform to carry APKWS. It is also employed from the AV-8B as well as rotary-wing platforms including the UH-1Y, AH-1Z and MH-60S/R.

https://navaltoday.com/2018/04/17/u...irst-operational-flights-with-apkws/?uid=5430

 

[BravoZulu]

US:
A report by Bloomberg cites Pentagon documents and officials in condemning Boeing for continuing quality, management and other deficiencies in the production of F-15 and F/A-18 fighters at its St Louis production facility.

According to the report, the issues have been ongoing for years, with two stretching more than 800 days. Flaws found at the production facility ranged from missing, backwards and out-of-specification fasteners found on undelivered F/A-18s and F-15s to oversized holes, missing components and incorrect parts installed on the factory’s production line, according to four “Corrective Action Requests” issued by the Pentagon’s contractor watchdog.

In other cases, planes under assembly inadvertently hit maintenance work stands or other equipment on the floor, damaging the aircraft. While the Pentagon made sure to punish Boeing by withholding payments, the report chides Boeing as being more focused on “maintaining cash flow, increase profit and achieve contract award.”