Ever-changing uniform requirements can be frustrating. Just when you get your sea bag set, the U.S. Navy unveils a new or updated uniform to add to the list. In fact, there are more than a dozen changes in the works right now — an improved fire-retardant coverall, moisture-wicking warm-up suits, service dress blue jumpers, lightweight pairs of the Navy working uniform, a cold-weather parka, just to name a few. The U.S. Navy isn’t the only one doing this. The Royal Navy has unveiled its new working uniform, which will replace the duds they’ve worn since World War II. Now that’s old school!…
Author Lance Bacon
Lance Bacon
A Navy brat who spent eight years in the Marines (two years aboard the carrier Independence). Worked in journalism in Eastern North Carolina through the latter part of the 90s, then became editor of Air Force Times in 2000. Stayed there five years, then took a break to finish some school. Now back in the game with Navy Times.
Exercise Joint Warrior hit its halfway point over the weekend, and shows no sign of letting up. Plenty of challenges, from mine countermeasures to subhunting and amphibious assault, still lay ahead for the NATO and allied ships in one of Europe’s largest military exercises, led by the United Kingdom. And they’re not the only ones paying attention. News reports say a number of Russian ships have taken position on the periphery, and military inspectors from Moscow are keeping close watch. And with good reason: NATO nations have touted this as a show of strength to deter Russian aggression, and there has been plenty of…
What’s that in the sky? It’s not a bird, or a plane, it’s … a flying submarine?! Meet the Flimmer. That’s short for “flying swimmer,” and comes from the “what will the Naval Research Laboratory dream up next?” category. It’s hard to argue with the logic behind what some have dubbed the “duck drone.” Covering vast distances is far easier in the air than underwater. In addition, an air-delivered unmanned underwater vehicles can operate in areas that lack easy access. Yet the challenges are many, as aerodynamics and hydrodynamics require far different designs. For example, weight is bad for a thin-skinned aircraft,…
Meet Lt. John Pucillo. This EOD leader lost his left leg above the knee when an IED exploded outside his vehicle in May 2006, in Baghdad. But he didn’t let that hold him back. Pucillo endured nine grueling months of rehab at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, then returned to active EOD service. He made the U.S. Paralympics Sailing National Team and earned his master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College in Newport, R.I. Now, the Bronze Star recipient has added another decoration to crown his fruit salad: Jump wings.
For the first time ever, all four guided missile subs are deployed to an AOR. We’re not talking about being underway at the same time, and sea trials don’t count. We’re talking about being on the tip of the spear. For you strategists out there, that equals a combined 616 Tomahawk cruise missiles on station, and the ability to deploy up to 264 special ops forces. The historic mark was hit June 10, according to this Navy release. In the article, Rear Adm. Frank Caldwell, commander of Submarine Group 9 said “… back in the mid 90’s this was just a…
An artist’s rendition of the the AGS at work. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead in an interview with Navy Times last month voiced his commitment to providing Marines precision littoral fire support. We’re looking at rounds that give us extended range and are compatible with 5-inch guns. Precision is going to be key. In today’s world, if you are developing a fire solution, it must be able to give you almost pinpoint accuracy, to within a couple of meters. GPS technology offers that. Of course, there is a huge G-force, so [the round] will have to be able…
The amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima kicked off New York City’s 23rd Annual Fleet Week as it made its way down the Hudson River and past the Statue of Liberty on Wednesday. Fort Hamilton’s four-gun battery fired an 11-gun salute to honor the participating ships. Sailors and Marines manning the rails then saluted as they passed the site of the World Trade Center.
It’s been another busy week for the Navy. Here are seven stories in seven minutes from the past seven days that are worthy of notice: 1. Defense Bill passes HASC. This bill has tons of important stuff – far too much to put in this blog. You can check Monday’s edition of Navy Times for the complete scoop. But among the highlights is this news that lawmakers bucked the Pentagon’s 1.4 percent pay raise request, and looks to instead give service members a 1.9 percent boost. In addition, the bill aligns the 30-year shipbuilding plan with the QDR, which bodes well…
For the second time in as many weeks, Defense Secretary Robert Gates has publicly proclaimed his own sanity. Or at least that he is “not crazy.” The first happened May 7 when he told reporters: I may want to change things, but I’m not crazy. I’m not going to cut a carrier, OK?” The comment was in response to headlines Gates made on May 3 when he questioned the need for 11 carrier strike groups. Today, Gates conceded a fiscal fight when the House Armed Services Committee decided the Pentagon’s basic pay raise from 1.4 to 1.9 percent. As first…
Last week, Florida’s fight for a carrier was staggered by this Government Accountability Office report. Seeing the Sunshine State was standing on spaghetti legs, Rep. Glenn Nye, D-Va., on Wednesday night landed what Virginia lawmakers hope to be the knock-out punch. It happened as the House Armed Services Committee considered the 2011 defense bill.
