Article Submission Page for Editorial Staff

Grampaw Pettibone
Naval Aviation News
March-April 1997
Illustration by Ted Wilbur

July 15, 2026

On a training check flight, with a student naval aviator at the controls in the left seat and the instructor in the right seat backing him up, a T-44A King Air began the takeoff roll.

Pre-Commissioning Unit John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) transits the Atlantic Ocean during Builder's Sea Trials, Jan. 28, 2026. Builder’s Trials provide an opportunity to test ship systems and components at sea for the first time, and make required adjustments prior to additional underway testing.

July 15, 2026

John F. Kennedy Completes Builder’s Sea Trials, First Underway

Newport News, Va. — Pre-Commissioning Unit John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) and her crew departed HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) and steamed to sea for the first time for Builder’s Sea Trials Jan. 28. After eight days of at-sea systems, equipment and operational testing by sailors working alongside industry and government partners, the ship returned to NNS Feb. 4, marking a major milestone in the carrier’s path to delivery.

An AV-8B Harrier II, attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced) rests on the flight deck elevator of amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), Oct.25, 2019.

July 15, 2026

After 55 Years, Harrier Flies into the Sunset

Concluding nearly 55 years of operational history with the AV-8B Harrier II, Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223 hosted a public sundowning ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point June 3, signaling the end of an era for Marine Corps aviation as the service transitions to an all fifth-generation tactical aircraft fleet.

U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Justin Braun, a powerline mechanic assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 251, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, inspects an F-35C Lightning II prior to a mission in support of Red Flag-Nellis 25-3 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, July 22, 2025. Red Flag strengthens integration among joint force partners to maximize strategic capabilities, readiness and lethality. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jennifer Nesbitt)

July 15, 2026

The Tech Behind Faster F-35 Turnarounds

Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. — Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 251 recently advanced F-35 Lightning II and other fixed-wing aircraft ground operations by integrating improved communication and digital interoperability capabilities. They demonstrated these advancements during Weapons and Tactics Instructors (WTI) course 2-26 at Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, April 13.

An F/A-18 conducts testing with the Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) II at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. The SDB II variant includes an advanced tri-mode seeker, allowing it to engage dynamic targets in adverse conditions.

July 15, 2026

StormBreaker Arrives: Navy Declares Initial Operational Capability for SDB II on Super Hornet

NAS Patuxent River, Md. — The Navy has declared initial operational capability for the Small Diameter Bomb II on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, marking a significant advancement in the fleet’s precision-strike technology. The weapon, also known as StormBreaker, saw its first operational use on the Super Hornet during a limited early operational capability in 2025, providing real-world validation of the bomb’s performance on the platform.

Featured is an optically-accessible solid-fuel slab burner at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s (NRL) Combustion Lab in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, Jan. 15, 2026. Researchers and engineers at NRL use an optically-accessible solid-fuel slab burner to perform combustion experiments at conditions relevant to solid-fuel ramjet flight. (U.S. Navy photo by Jonathan Sunderman)

July 15, 2026

The Ramjet Revolution: New Research Reveals the Physics Behind Tomorrow’s Long-Range Weapons

U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, D.C. — Scientists at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) are developing the next generation of solid-fuel ramjet (SFRJ) propulsion, addressing one of the field’s most persistent challenges: understanding and predicting what happens inside an operating combustor.

Nick Fancher, a Shipboard Weapons Integration Team weapons logistics analyst, and Rob Pavel, a logistician with Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, conduct shipboard weapons integration work in support of the Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System aboard USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32). SWIT validates that weapons systems can be safely stored, moved, and handled at sea prior to operational use. LUCAS later successfully launched from the ship’s flight deck Dec. 16, 2025, as part of Task Force Scorpion Strike operations while operating in the Arabian Gulf.

July 15, 2026

Shipboard Weapons Integration Team Prevents Costly Mistakes Before Weapons Reach the Fleet

NAS Point Mugu, Calif. — The Shipboard Weapons Integration Team (SWIT) provides independent assessments that ensure Navy ships can safely store, move and handle weapons at sea, turning new shipboard firepower into operational capability.

The drive team for Team 6657, the Arborbotics, operate their robot from the alliance station during a qualification match at the California District Hueneme Port Event at FATHOMWERX in Port Hueneme, Calif., March 8.

July 15, 2026

Engineers Behind the Next Generation of Engineers

Brendan Stevens is a software engineer at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, Point Mugu, California. On a Sunday in March, he stood in the pit area at FATHOMWERX, the workshop floor where teams repair and adjust robots between matches, helping students troubleshoot their own. His team had a problem.

July 15, 2026

Lead Solo: Learning Life’s Vectors from an F/A-18 Blue Angel Aviator

Over the years, we’ve reviewed several first-person memoirs from former Blue Angel aviators. As someone fortunate enough to have logged two flights with the Navy’s flight demonstration squadron in the TA-4J (in 1975) and F/A-18B (in 1987), and having spent time with various team members while researching articles for Naval Aviation News and Approach, I can report on the pride and dedication each member develops while flying every air show, whether as a Navy lieutenant, Marine captain or Navy O-6 team leader.

July 15, 2026

The Vought F4U Corsair in the War Against Japan A Photographic Record of the 15th Naval Fighter Wing at War 1944-45

As familiar as Vought’s iconic gull-winged World War II fighter is, comparatively little has been published about service with Great Britain’s Royal Navy (RN) carrier fleet during the two final years of the Pacific war, years in which Japan’s carrier fleet remained potent.

July 15, 2026

Japanese Submarine Aircraft, Japan’s Underwater Aircraft Carriers

Perhaps the most unusual aircraft to emerge in World War II were the submarine-based, submarine-launched floatplanes, an idea that had few adherents, with the inventive Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) fielding the most examples. Until recently, the only substantial treatment of these warplanes was iconic British writer William Green’s “War Planes of the Second World War, Volume 6, Floatplanes” (Doubleday, 1963).

Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) recently improved its turnaround time for a CH-53E Super Stallion by 14%, allowing for a quicker return to the fleet. This accomplishment represents a significant turning point in the depot’s support of the heavy-lift community, showcasing the FRCE’s dedication to operational excellence and relentless pursuit of faster, more efficient solutions for the platform.

July 14, 2026

FRCE Reduces Turnaround Time for H-53 Induction, Boosting Fleet Readiness

CHERRY POINT, N.C. — Fleet Readiness Center East has achieved a significant readiness milestone, reducing the turnaround time for a CH-53E Super Stallion by 14%, accelerating the aircraft’s return to the fleet and strengthening support for the Marine Corps’ heavy-lift community. This accomplishment marks a significant shift in the depot’s H-53 production performance, underscoring FRCE’s dedication toward faster, more efficient maintenance outcomes for the platform.

Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) Planning and Operations Division Director Michael Wagoner stops at a CH-53K King Stallion undergoing maintenance as he leads a group of Marines from the 2nd Marine Logistics Group (2nd MLG) at Camp Lejeune, N.C., on a tour of the depot’s H-53 aircraft production line Feb. 12.

July 14, 2026

FRCE, 2nd Marine Logistics Group Explore New Avenues for Advanced Manufacturing Collaboration

CHERRY POINT, N.C. — Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) hosted Marines from the 2nd Marine Logistics Group (2nd MLG) Feb. 12 for a deep dive into the depot’s expanded advanced and additive manufacturing capabilities, an area both organizations see as key to future fleet readiness.

Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) recently delivered its first non-flight-critical metal additive-manufactured aircraft parts to the fleet, boosting flight line readiness. An FRCE aircraft welder and metal additive operator showcases a sample metal additive-manufactured pylon fitting for the AH-1Z Viper that the depot’s Advanced Technology and Innovation Team created for the H-1 Fleet Support Team.

July 14, 2026

FRCE Delivers First Metal 3D-Printed Aircraft Parts to Fleet

CHERRY POINT, N.C. — Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) has entered a new phase of metal additive manufacturing (AM) with the delivery of its first flight-certified, 3D-printed aluminum aircraft parts, an advancement poised to cut downtime and strengthen flight line readiness across multiple platforms.

Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class Darius Jarmon assists an F/A-18 Super Hornet load onto a catapult on the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).

July 14, 2026

FRCSW Pioneers New Era of Support with F/A-18 Landing Gear Overhaul

NORTH ISLAND, Calif. — Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) has launched one of the most ambitious and groundbreaking new initiatives in the FRC enterprise: the full overhaul and recoating of F/A-18 nose landing gear (NLG) shipsets. What began in 2021 as a seemingly impossible task, one with no existing technical data, processes or playbook, has evolved into a model of innovation, teamwork and enterprise-level problem-solving that directly supports the president’s National Defense Strategy.

An F-16 at North Island, California, benefits from advanced Uniform Have Glass coating and critical structural repairs completed by Fleet Readiness Center Southwest, enhancing both its training realism and operational safety for Navy pilots.

July 14, 2026

FRCSW Launches Navy’s First F-16 Maintenance Program in Record Time

NORTH ISLAND, Calif. — Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) has officially stood up the Navy’s first F-16 Viper maintenance line, an 18-month sprint that now positions the command as the service’s primary depot for the aircraft’s most demanding structural work.

The Navy’s MQ-25A Stingray takes its first flight April 25 at Boeing’s facility at MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Ill. The
MQ-25 is the Navy’s first operational carrier-based unmanned aircraft.

July 14, 2026

MQ-25A Stingray Achieves Successful First Flight, Advances Future of Naval Aviation

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The Navy’s MQ-25A Stingray successfully completed its first test flight from Boeing’s facility at MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois, April 25, achieving a key step for unmanned carrier operations.

Increment 3 Block 2 provides a significant upgrade to the P-8A airframe and avionics systems, and includes new airframe racks, radome, antennas, sensors, and wiring.

July 14, 2026

P-8A Poseidon Reaches IOC with Increment 3 Block 2 Modifications

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The Navy declared Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the P-8A Poseidon Increment 3 Block 2 (Inc 3 Blk 2) system in April. This significant milestone was achieved after the initial phase of Initial Operational Test performed by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VX-1) with support from the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft Program Office.

A CH-53K from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 21 (HX-21) performs a recovery rigging evaluation of a CH-53K Engineering Development Model without engines, most gearboxes and tail pylon. This expansion of the aircraft’s capabilities, including understanding the flight characteristics and load dynamics in such a heavy lift, ensures the Marine Corps can safely execute a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP) mission in the future.

July 14, 2026

CH-53K Expands Capabilities with CH-53K-to-CH-53K Recovery Test

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — In a striking demonstration of power and precision, the CH-53K King Stallion helicopter successfully lifted another CH-53K during an April test led by the H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters Program Office. Conducted by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 21 (HX-21), the test marked a major milestone in the aircraft recovery rigging evaluation, a critical step aimed at expanding future operational capabilities and procedures for the Marine Corps’ newest heavy-life platform.

An F-15 launches a Harpoon Block II off the coast of California in January. This was final flight test of the Harpoon Block II Update (HIIU) Obsolescence Update program.

July 14, 2026

Navy Completes Final Flight Test for Harpoon Block II Obsolescence Update

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The Navy successfully completed the third and final planned flight test of the Harpoon Block II Update (HIIU) Obsolescence Update program Jan. 16, marking a key milestone in modernizing and sustaining the weapon system.

Gramps from Yesteryear: January-February 1997

April 9, 2026

Fire in the Hole

A division of four F/A-18Cs was en route to the air-to-ground working area when the second section leader’s left engine fire light came on. The pilot informed the division leader, who saw a thin stream of smoke emanating from the Hornet but didn’t advise the pilot. The pilot in trouble informed the leader he did not need assistance and that he and his wingman would return to base in section.

April 9, 2026

New NAVAIR Commander Shares Priorities

NAS Patuxent River, Md. — Vice Adm. John E. Dougherty IV, who came aboard August 2025 as commander of Naval Air Systems Command, recently conducted a question and answer session with Naval Aviation News highlighting his goals.

A VX-31 “Dust Devils” EA-18G Growler flies over the Point Mugu Sea Range during a photo exercise. The squadron supports Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division in developing and testing capabilities that enhance warfighter survivability.

April 9, 2026

Test Squadrons Prove ATAWS Ready for Legacy Hornet Fleet

NAS Patuxent River, Md. — A low-flying F/A-18 Hornet raced across the China Lake desert during a simulated terrain collision scenario. Seconds before impact, the Automatic Terrain Awareness and Warning System (ATAWS) took command, pulling the jet to safe altitude—demonstrating a life-saving capability now proven ready for the fleet. The recovery was part of a joint test program by the “Dust Devils” of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 31 at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, in partnership with the “Salty Dogs” of VX-23 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.

Ensign Zachary Melvin (left) and Ensign Samuel Melvin, brothers serving in the U.S. Navy, pose for a photo at Naval Aviation Schools Command onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, in Pensacola, Fla. The Melvin brothers’ shared commitment to service highlights the Navy’s emphasis on family, teamwork, and professionalism across the fleet.

April 9, 2026

Two Paths, One Commission Brothers Graduate OCS Together, Enter Naval Aviation

NAS Pensacola, Fla. — Standing side by side at their Officer Candidate School (OCS) graduation, brothers Ensign Zachary Melvin and Ensign Samuel Melvin marked the culmination of two very different journeys, paths that ultimately converged as they commissioned together as Navy officers in the same class and earned their selection as naval flight officers.

The cryogenics team at Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Lakehurst specializes in servicing oxygen and nitrogen systems on aircraft, focusing on the storage and dispersal of liquid and gaseous nitrogen and oxygen.

April 9, 2026

The Cool Science Behind Keeping Oxygen Systems Safe: NAWCAD Lakehurst Enhances Cryogenic Support for Naval Aviation

NAWCAD Lakehurst, N.J. — As the Cryogenics and Corrosion Control Support Equipment (SE) Integrated Product Team (IPT) lead at Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst, New Jersey, Asif Yeahia knows many people may not understand fully the work his team does. But when one is working with substances at temperatures below negative 200 degrees, they end up with one of the "coolest" jobs at the Warfare Center—both literally and figuratively.

U.S. sailors inspect jet blast deflectors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the Persian Gulf July 10, 2013. The Nimitz was underway in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.

April 9, 2026

Eye On Innovation: Jet Blast Deflector Tool Brings Major Savings for America’s Shipyard and Navy

NNSY Portsmouth, Va. — On U.S. naval aircraft carriers, jet blast deflectors (JBD) protect sailors and equipment from the intense heat and high-speed exhaust produced as the jet engines rev up to lift off from the flight deck. Each JBD must withstand extreme forces and be raised and lowered repeatedly, work that requires regular maintenance from Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) mechanics.

The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) launched a groundbreaking remote sensing experiment, Coastal Hyperspectral Reflectance Object Material Analysis (CHROMA), Sept. 4-19, 2025, designed to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in hyperspectral imaging and strengthen environmental intelligence and resource management capabilities across the Department of War and the wider scientific community. A bird's-eye view from an RIT drone shows the Rochester Institute of Technology’s Open Community eXperiment (ROCX) experiment site. The rock sample arrays are visible on land (left-middle portion of the photo), while the coated panels float on the water (upper-right), allowing for simultaneous data collection in a real aquatic-land environment. The photo also shows various other targets belonging to industry and academic participants in the ROCX. (Photo by Timothy Bauch and Nina Raqueno, Rochester Institute of Technology)

April 9, 2026

Naval Research Lab Sharpens Navy’s Sensing with Domain-Centric AI Approach

NRL Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) recently completed a remote sensing experiment designed to advance artificial intelligence (AI) applications in hyperspectral imaging, technology that could transform how the Department of the Navy and the broader scientific community detects, identifies and understands objects in complex coastal environments.

Sailors assigned to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) combat a fire during an aircraft firefighting class at Surface Warfare School Command (SWSC) on Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, March 14, 2025. SWSC familiarizes Sailors with basic chemistry and classification of fires, firefighting, protective equipment, and procedures for shipboard firefighting using simulated emergency firefighting conditions afloat and ashore.

April 9, 2026

Into the Inferno: A Sailor’s First Encounter with Aircraft Firefighting

USS George Washington (CVN-73) Yokosuka, Japan — The flames crackled and hissed in front of Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Alex Tetrault, spitting sparks and radiating heat that pressed against her fire-retardant coveralls. Cool air flowed steadily through her mask as she traced the nozzle in a practiced “figure eight,” feeling the hose surge with high-pressure water. It was a far cry from her usual routine aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73), where she spent her days reviewing order numbers and managing stock control in the supply department.

U.S. Marine Corps CH-53K King Stallion helicopter assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, executes an external lift of two High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles during Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) course 2-23 at Auxiliary Airfield II near Yuma, Arizona, March 28, 2023. WTI is a seven-week training event hosted by MAWTS-1, providing standardized advanced tactical training and readiness, and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics.

April 9, 2026

CH-53K King Stallion Marks 10 Years Since First Flight

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The CH-53K King Stallion first took to the skies Oct. 27, 2015. More than a decade later, 20 CH-53Ks are now flying missions across four Navy and Marine Corps squadrons.

A Textron MQ-19 Aerosonde Unmanned Aircraft System launches from the expeditionary sea base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB-4).

April 9, 2026

Navy UAS Surpass 1 Million Hours in ISR Operations

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program Office announced its Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Services UAS have surpassed 1 million flight hours supporting operations on land and at sea.

A pilot operates a simulator inside the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division’s Joint Simulation Environment at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. The JSE enables pilots to train in highly realistic virtual combat scenarios, sharpening their skills and improving readiness.

April 9, 2026

F-35 Pilots, Navy Collaborative Combat Aircraft Hone Tactics in Joint Simulation Environment

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) achieved a milestone in integrating the F-35 Lightning II with the Navy’s emerging Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) during a recent tactical demonstration inside its Joint Simulation Environment (JSE).

Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit North Island staff receive a stricken MH-60 helicopter from the Helicopter Sea Combat Wing there earlier this month to use for training purposes.

April 9, 2026

CNATTU Accepts Stricken MH-60S to Boost Training Capability

CORONADO, Calif. — The Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) North Island enhanced its hands-on training capability in January after accepting a stricken MH-60S Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Wing at Naval Air Station North Island.

The Presidential Helicopters Program Office delivered a retired and refurbished VH-3D helicopter to the United States Secret Service in June 2025, providing the agency with a modernized training aircraft at the James J. Rowley Training Center in Laurel, Maryland

April 9, 2026

Secret Service Receives New Trainer Courtesy of Presidential Helicopters Program Office

LAUREL, Md. — The Presidential Helicopters Program Office delivered a retired and refurbished VH-3D helicopter to the United States Secret Service (USSS) in June 2025, providing the agency with a modernized training aircraft at the James J. Rowley Training Center (JJRTC) in Laurel, Maryland.

A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 264, Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, takes off at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, Jan. 6, 2026. VMM-264’s reactivation adds an additional MV-22B Osprey squadron to 2nd MAW and II Marine Expeditionary Force and reflects incremental adjustments in Force Design to meet the operational demands of the service.

April 9, 2026

‘Black Knights’ Fly Again: VMM-264 Reactivates After Five-Year Hiatus

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 264, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, was officially reactivated during a Dec. 11, 2025, ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, marking the return of a storied unit after a five-year stand-down.

A P-8A Poseidon aircraft, attached to Patrol Squadron (VP) 46, performs a touch and go during a training flight at Keflavík Air Base, September 25, 2025. VP-46 and VP-69 are on a joint deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to support warfighting effectiveness, lethality and readiness of U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and defend U.S., Allied and partner interests in the region.

April 9, 2026

Poseidon Block 2, Minotaur Upgrades Enhance Maritime Patrol Picture

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft Program Office achieved a major airborne connectivity milestone when the P-8A Poseidon Increment 3 Block 2 (I3B2) aircraft connected successfully to the Minotaur Family of Systems (MFoS) Labyrinth hub during a combined development and operational test event this December at Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).

A U.S. Marine Corps MQ-9A Reaper unmanned aircraft system with Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Training Squadron (VMUT) 2 taxis at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, Nov. 21, 2024. VMUT-2 serves as the Marine Corps' MQ-9A Reaper Fleet Replacement Squadron, whose primary mission is to train MQ-9 pilots and sensor operators in their respective military occupational specialties.

April 9, 2026

VMUT-2 Graduates First Marine-Trained MQ-9A Reaper Pilots, Sensor Operators

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. — Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Training Squadron (VMUT) 2, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, graduated its first class of MQ-9A Reaper student pilots and sensor operators Nov. 7, 2025, marking the Marine Corps’ first organically trained MQ-9A aircrew.

Sailors are now equipped with cutting-edge 3D-printed Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System visors that offer a hands-on experience for better fleet integration. Using additive manufacturing and cross-command collaboration, these innovative visors enhance naval aviation training efficiency, delivering faster solutions with significant in cost savings compared to traditional methods.

April 9, 2026

3D‑Printed Visor Enhances Aircrew Survival Training

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — A collaborative effort between Navy commands has yielded a breakthrough in aircrew safety: a cutting-edge, 3D-printed Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) visor.

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft takes off from a base in the Middle East, Jan. 18, 2026. The F-15E Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions at low altitude, day or night and in all weather.

April 9, 2026

NAVAIR Additive Manufacturing Team Delivers Rapid Fix for Air Force F-15

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Additive Manufacturing (AM) Team continues to expand forward-deployed readiness by providing AM training, engineering support and technical data to Navy and Marine Corps maintainers operating in contested logistics environments.

A Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) successfully launches from the flight deck of the Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) while operating in the Arabian Gulf, Dec. 16. Task Force 59 operated the LUCAS drone, which is part of Task Force Scorpion Strike, a one-way attack drone squadron recently deployed to the Middle East to strengthen regional security and deterrence.

April 9, 2026

Navy in Middle East Launches Attack Drone at Sea for First Time

ARABIAN GULF — U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. 5th Fleet (NAVCENT/C5F) launched a one-way attack drone from a ship at sea for the first time Dec. 16, marking a significant milestone in expanding unmanned capabilities in the region. The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) conducted the historic launch in the Arabian Gulf, employing a Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS).

The Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft Program Office and the P-8A Poseidon program team recently planned and executed several Aircraft on Ground events overseas, demonstrating the strength of U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) partnerships and the effectiveness of the RAAF Surveillance and Response System Program Office’s contractual relationship with Boeing Defence Australia.

April 9, 2026

Joint P-8A Team Turns Training into Operational Success

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft Program Office and the P-8A Poseidon program team recently planned and executed several Aircraft on Ground (AOG) events overseas, demonstrating the strength of U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) partnerships and the effectiveness of the RAAF Surveillance and Response System Program Office’s (SRSPO) contractual relationship with Boeing Defence Australia (BDA).

The Innovation Lab at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division provides a collaborative space for active duty, civilians, and industry partners. The lab focuses on accelerating the development and fielding of technology to meet fleet requirements.

April 9, 2026

Innovation Lab Turns Ideas into Warfighter Solutions in Days, Not Months

CHINA LAKE, Calif. — When contractors quoted mechanical engineer Vincent Malpaya $2,500 per unit to manufacture a switch matrix for rocket testing—and he needed 10—he turned to Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division’s Innovation Lab instead. By building the part himself for just 20 cents per unit, he kept the project on schedule and saved tens of thousands of dollars.

A cross-disciplinary team at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) worked to successfully reestablish capability for the C-2A Greyhound auxiliary power unit when evolving fleet needs resulted in service life extension for the aircraft, which supports the U.S. Navy’s carrier onboard delivery mission. The team included, from left, Justin Rimmer, Engine Driven Compressor and Gas Turbine Compressor Shop supervisor; Edwin Agnes; Erik Dumas, senior engineer with the Naval Air Systems Command Gas Turbine Compressor/Pneumatics Fleet Support Team at FRCE; Anthony Jones; Grady Mayo; aircraft examiner Lawrence Murphy; and production controller Katia Councilman.

April 9, 2026

FRCE Team Revives Auxiliary Power Unit Repairs for Navy’s Last C2-A Squadron

CHERRY POINT, N.C. — A team at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) stepped up to provide auxiliary power units to the U.S. Navy’s last remaining C-2A Greyhound squadron when no other source could, ensuring the continuation of the vital carrier onboard delivery mission.

Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) inducted the first T408 turboshaft engine, which powers the Marine Corps CH-53K King Stallion, for maintenance Sept. 9. The induction marks the first of its kind to be inducted for depot-level maintenance.

April 9, 2026

FRCE Expands Fleet Support with First CH-53K Engine Induction

CHERRY POINT, N.C. — Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) continues to expand its support of Naval Aviation’s heavy-lift mission with the recent induction of a CH-53K King Stallion engine, the first of its kind to undergo depot-level maintenance.

The arrival of FRCSE’s first T-38 marks the start of the command’s work supporting the Air Force’s Talon Repair, Inspection and Maintenance program overhaul and repair effort.

April 9, 2026

First Air Force T-38 Talon Arrives at FRCSE for Overhaul

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The first Air Force T-38 Talon aircraft arrived at Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) Nov. 24 for overhaul and repair as part of the Talon Repair, Inspection and Maintenance program (TRIM).

A Royal Navy (RN) F-35 Lightning II pilot debarks the aircraft after arriving at Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE). The fifth-generation fighter is one of three aircraft from the RN that will undergo a Production Asset Inspection Requirement Tier II (PAIR II) corrosion-mitigation inspection at FRCSE.

April 9, 2026

FRCSE Begins Corrosion-Mitigation Work on Royal Navy F-35

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The first Royal Navy (RN) F-35 Lightning II aircraft arrived at Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) Dec. 3, 2025, for Production Asset Inspection Requirement Tier II (PAIR II) corrosion-mitigation inspections.

April 9, 2026

FRCSW Opens New V-22 Repair Facility at NAS North Island

NORTH ISLAND, Calif. — Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) is poised to transform V-22 sustainment for decades to come with the opening of a new, purpose-built V-22 repair facility at Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI). The 65,000-square-foot modern hangar complex, building 418, is designed to enhance capacity, reduce turnaround time, increase safety and ensure Navy aircrews receive the mission-ready aircraft they rely on.

Dec. 5, 2025

Spheres of Influence

An F/A-18C Hornet pilot was on his second visual flight rules low-level route of the day after refueling at an en route air base. He sighted a valley off to his right and performed a gentle, right-hand slice turn to enter it for the purpose of terrain masking. Once there, he aligned the aircraft in the center of the valley.

Lt. Clint Vance signals an F/A-18F Super Hornet from VFA 2 to launch from USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in the South China Sea.

Dec. 5, 2025

Super Hornet at 30: Sustaining a Legend, Shaping the Future

NAS Patuxent River, Md. — As the F/A-18 Super Hornet celebrates 30 years of distinguished service, its legacy continues to evolve with the F-35 Lightning II, the MQ-25 Stingray and E-2D Hawkeye flying alongside it. Operating in unison, these platforms strengthen the Navy’s ability to project power, ensure maritime security and dominate any battlespace.

Six Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers prepare for a live fire shoot during the Titans of the Sea Presidential Review aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). The Titans of the Sea Presidential Review is one of many events taking place throughout the country to showcase maritime capabilities as part of the U.S Navy’s 250th birthday. America is a maritime nation. For 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.

Dec. 5, 2025

Titans of the Sea: Sailors Gather to Celebrate 250 Years at Sea, Ashore

NAS Patuxent River, Md. — Thousands of sailors gathered Oct. 5 at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, as part of America’s Navy’s 250th “Titans of the Sea” all-hands call celebration. Surrounded by the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) on Pier 14, sailors, veterans and their families joined together for a historic salute to the world’s most powerful Navy.

U.S. Navy photo illustration by Fred Flerlage; F-35C image provided by U.S. Navy. Background image from Adobe Stock

Dec. 5, 2025

Fiber Optic Equipping Critical for Avionic Systems

NAS Patuxent River, Md. — The need for high-speed communication is real and critical. In an era with hypersonic weapons, sixth-generation fighters and a proliferation of autonomous systems, the ability to collect vast amounts of sensor data and make time-critical decisions faster has never been more paramount to surviving on the 21st century battlefield.

NAVSUP WSS Sustainment Team keeps EO3 test system mission-ready for the fleet.

Dec. 5, 2025

NAVSUP WSS Sustainment Team Keeps EO3 Test System Mission-Ready for Fleet

NAS Patuxent River, Md. — Sustainment planners at Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support (NAVSUP WSS) met recently to review the Consolidated Automated Support System’s Electro-Optical 3 (EO3) test bench, which keeps critical targeting equipment on F/A-18 and H-60 aircraft mission ready. The meeting highlighted long-term teamwork among program offices, industry partners and NAVSUP experts who have supported the EO3 and the warfighter for more than a decade.

LEFT: The Motion Platform Aerial Sensor Suite, a platform for testing UAV control systems, is set up in a building at Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst, New Jersey. The system is expected to be installed at Lakehurst’s Ship Motion Platform next year.

RIGHT: Team members at NAWCAD Lakehurst worked with the original equipment manufacturer and other stakeholders to quickly install the Motion Platform Aerial Sensor Suite on the Warfare Center campus. The temporary setup allows for customers to use and refine the technology before it moves to Lakehurst’s Ship Motion Platform.

Dec. 5, 2025

Lakehurst Test Team Finds Temporary Home for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Technology

NAS Patuxent River, Md. — An empty space at Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst, New Jersey, previously used for electromagnetic interference testing, has been transformed into a temporary test site to advance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology.

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Dec. 5, 2025

Professional Reading

Royal Navy Torpedo-Bombers vs Axis Warships, 1939-45 (Duel, 124) By Matthew Willis, Osprey Publishing, Oxford, UK. 2022. Ill. Swordfish Units of World War 2 (Combat Aircraft, 157) By Matthew Willis, Osprey Publishing, Oxford, UK. 2025. Ill.

The Navy, in partnership with Skydweller Aero, recently achieved continuous solar-powered unmanned flight during a nonstop three-day test from Stennis, Mississippi. Led by the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), the test of Skydweller UAS marks a significant advancement in both long-endurance solar-powered UAS technology and its potential to enhance maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).

Dec. 5, 2025

Navy Demonstrates Multi-Day Solar UAS Flight

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The Navy, in partnership with Skydweller Aero, recently achieved continuous solar-powered unmanned flight during a nonstop three-day test from Stennis, Mississippi.

The first four newly winged naval aviators to graduate from the T-54A METS Program pose for a photo during their winging ceremony at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Sept. 5. The winging ceremony is a time-honored tradition where new naval aviators receive their Wings of Gold.

Dec. 5, 2025

First Four Naval Aviators to Graduate from T-54A METS Program at Training Air Wing FOUR

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) celebrated a significant achievement September as the first four student naval aviators from Training Air Wing FOUR (TW-4) successfully completed their multi-engine training in the Navy’s new T-54A “Multi-Engine Training System” (METS), known as the Marlin II.

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels fly over a new ground communication system developed by NAWCAD WOLF at a test and demonstration event in Pensacola, Florida, July 24.

Dec. 5, 2025

Navy Develops New Ground Communication Capability for Blue Angels

ST. INIGOES, Md. — The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division at Webster Outlying Field (NAWCAD WOLF) Special Communication Mission Solutions (SCMS) division collaborated with the Navy Blue Angels to quickly develop and deliver a new ground communication system to the squadron at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, July 24.

Capt. Travis Suggs, operations officer of Chief of Naval Air Training, left, and Cmdr. James Gelsinon, commanding officer of Helicopter Training Squadron (HT) 28, center, present a TH-57C Sea Ranger aviation log book to retired Capt. Steve Banta, executive director of the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay, as part of a ceremonial turnover after landing the aircraft on decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Lexington (CV 16) Museum on the Bay. This landing commemorates the legacy of the TH-57 training helicopter while showcasing the future of naval aviation with the TH-73.

Dec. 5, 2025

Historic TH-57 Helicopter Landing Aboard USS Lexington Marks End of an Era, Welcomes New Training Aircraft

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Helicopter Squadron (HT) 28 conducted a landing of a TH-57C Sea Ranger helicopter aboard decommissioned aircraft carrier USS Lexington (CV 16) Museum on the Bay, July 30. The landing honored the legacy of the TH-57C and celebrated the Navy’s transition to the TH-73A Thrasher, the next-generation training helicopter poised to advance the future of rotary-wing aviation.

U.S. Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 461, Marine Aircraft Group 29, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), transport an F-35B Lightning II near Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, Aug. 27. The F-35, known as BF-1, was the first F-35 to perform a vertical landing and was transported to Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, for use as a permanent static display.

Dec. 5, 2025

CH-53K Transports F-35 Airframe

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — A CH-53K heavy lift helicopter transported an inoperable F-35B Lightning II airframe from Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland, to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, South Carolina, Aug. 27.

The E-130J received its popular name designation, Phoenix II, in August. The Phoenix II will be the Navy’s new Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) mission aircraft for decades to come.

Dec. 5, 2025

New TACAMO Mission Aircraft E-130J Named Phoenix II

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The U.S. Navy’s Airborne Strategic Command, Control and Communications Program Office and Strategic Communications Wing 1 (SCW-1) announced the official popular name for the Navy’s new Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) mission aircraft: E-130J Phoenix II.

Members of Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division’s Aircrew Electronic Warfare Tactical Training Ranges Integrated Product Team gather for a group photo after completing the Type V harness project.

Dec. 5, 2025

Repurposed Harness Boosts Training Against Modern Threats

CHINA LAKE, Calif. — An innovative solution from China Lake is helping U.S. and coalition pilots counter modern air defense threats. It also saves time, money and resources.

Three U.S. Marines made history this week as the first to graduate from the Navy’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) training program at Training Air Wing (TRAWING) 6, Naval Air Station Pensacola.

Dec. 5, 2025

Marines Make History as First to Graduate Navy UAV Training

PENSACOLA, Fla. — Three Marines made history in August as the first to graduate from the Navy’s unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) training program at Training Air Wing (TRAWING) 6, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.

The Navy’s Strike Planning and Execution and Aerial Targets programs demonstrate artificial intelligence-based autonomy on the BQM-177A aerial target during a test event Aug. 5 at Point Mugu Sea Range, California.

Dec. 5, 2025

Navy Demonstrates AI Autonomy on BQM-177A Target

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The Navy’s Strike Planning and Execution and Aerial Targets program offices recently partnered with Shield AI to demonstrate artificial intelligence-based autonomy on the BQM-177A aerial target.

CH-53K King Stallion helicopter gets new search lights with the added benefit of lower cost per unit and short lead time.

Dec. 5, 2025

Program Office Improves Visibility on H-53 While Reducing Costs

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — Members of the Air Vehicle Department from H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters Program Office have coordinated with the Human Systems Engineering Department’s Aircraft Lighting and Transparency Lab (ALTL) and Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX)-21 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland, and Sikorsky to find a replacement to a searchlight on the CH-53K King Stallion helicopter. This group effort is needed because the current light became difficult to obtain through the manufacturer.

The French Navy and Air Force conducted qualitative aerial refueling testing with French Rafale, MRTT and A400M tankers
as a part of a collaborative effort between the E-2/C-2 Airborne Command & Control Systems Program Office and France’s Direction Générale de l’Armement.

Dec. 5, 2025

U.S., French In-Flight Refueling Extends Advanced Hawkeye’s Reach

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye (AHE) achieved a breakthrough in global airpower this summer, successfully refueling midair from three French-made tankers—a historic first that dramatically extends the Advanced Hawkeye’s reach for seamless joint operations while providing unprecedented airborne surveillance capabilities.

Navy leaders cut a ribbon on the new Range Control Center in China Lake, California, Sept. 23.

Dec. 5, 2025

NAWCWD Cuts Ribbon on Range Control Complex at China Lake

CHINA LAKE, Calif. — Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division celebrated a major milestone Sept. 23, cutting the ribbon on the new Range Control Complex at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California.

A KC-130T Hercules assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 30 sits on the tarmac at Naval Base Ventura County. The aircraft was used as a surrogate missile platform during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, supporting the U.S. Army’s first overseas launch of the Typhon missile system.

Dec. 5, 2025

VX-30 Enables First Overseas Army Typhon Launch in Australia

POINT MUGU, Calif. — Before the U.S. Army fired a Standard Missile-6 from its Typhon system during Exercise Talisman Sabre on July 16, a Navy aircraft from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 30 had already flown the mission as a silent rehearsal.

An MH-60S Seahawk helicopter, attached to the "Dragonslayers" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 11, transports ordnance from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) to the Lewis and Clark-class supply ship USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE 5) during an ammunition offload. Truman is currently underway in the Atlantic Ocean.

Dec. 5, 2025

USS Harry S. Truman Conducts Ammunition Offload at Sea Following Historic Deployment

NORFOLK, Va. — Two months after returning from an eight-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) demonstrated its sustained readiness with a five-day ammunition offload while underway in the Atlantic Ocean.

A C-130 aircraft assigned to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 153 (VMGR-153) onboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii prepares to taxi prior to takeoff following service by the Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) C-130 Minor Depot Inspection Field Team. The team recently traveled to Hawaii to perform on-site minor depot inspections for two of VMGR-153’s aircraft and completed both ahead of schedule. The on-site inspections and repairs helped the squadron maintain operational readiness by eliminating the need to transport the aircraft to a depot for service and reducing turnaround times for the maintenance events.

Dec. 5, 2025

FRCE’s C-130 Field Teams Bring the Fix to the Fleet

CHERRY POINT, N.C. — When it’s time for Marine Corps KC-130J transport aircraft to undergo advanced scheduled maintenance, squadrons have two options: have the airplane go to a depot or have a depot come to the airplane. The C-130 Minor Depot Inspection Field Team at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) brings the depot to the flight line, making it possible for Marine squadrons to receive an in-depth inspection and repair of their aircraft without leaving their home base.

Fleet Readiness Center Southeast inducted its first two T-45 Goshawks into the Service Life Extension Program production line, just 13 months after the Navy identified the requirement. The Goshawk is the primary tandem-seat jet trainer used by the Navy and Marine Corps for pilot carrier qualification.

Dec. 5, 2025

FRCSE Inducts T-45 Goshawks to Service Life Extension Production Line

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) has inducted its first two T-45 Goshawk aircraft into the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) production line, 13 months after the Navy identified the requirement.

A Pratt & Whitney F135 engine undergoes accelerated mission testing in Sea Level Test Cell 3 at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn., Nov. 15, 2021. The F135 is the engine used to power the F-35 Lightning II.

Dec. 5, 2025

FRCSE Completes First F135 Power Module, Achieves Initial Depot Capability

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) completed its first depot-level repair of an F135 power module Aug. 29, establishing the command’s Initial Depot Capability (IDC). The power module is one of five major components powering the F-35 Lightning II engine.

An F-35C Lightning II, attached to the “Warhawks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97, prepares to launch from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during the fly-off of Carrier Air Wing 2, Aug. 12. Vinson, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group ONE, is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations.

Dec. 5, 2025

FRCSW Teams Unite to Deliver Critical F-35 Engine Fitting

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — In an extraordinary display of cross-departmental coordination, technical expertise and mission-driven dedication, Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) successfully produced and delivered a critical F-35 weapons bay engine fitting to USS Carl Vinson, averting a costly and time-consuming crane-off of the aircraft.

Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) has reached a significant milestone in Naval Aviation maintenance through the creation and success of an H-53 Tiger Team. The goal was to create a streamlined, repeatable approach that future teams could follow to improve efficiency and consistency in H-53 aircraft production. Demonstrating the effectiveness of this new baseline, the Tiger Team is on track to successfully complete five CH-53 helicopters in less than 100 days.

Dec. 5, 2025

FRCSW Achieves Record-Breaking Results for Naval Aviation Readiness

NORTH ISLAND, Calif. — Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) has reached a significant milestone in Naval Aviation maintenance through the creation and success of an H-53 Tiger Team. This specialized group was comprised of subject matter experts who were tasked with establishing a new, standardized baseline process for maintenance of CH-53 helicopters.

Sept. 25, 2025

Post-Maintenance Check Flub

An H-60 was inducted into B-phase maintenance the evening prior to a four-day port visit. Early the next morning, the detatchment’s lead petty officer (LPO) started the day’s planned work on the aircraft, eager to finish to secure folks for liberty.

An MH-60S Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 prepares to land on the flight deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) while conducting flight operations in the Coral Sea, July 1. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Sept. 25, 2025

Into the Fight, Into the Sea: HSC-25’s Search and Rescue Mission

NAS Patuxent River, Md. — Embarked aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 Detachment 6 trains hard to carry out one of the Navy’s most demanding and essential missions: search and rescue (SAR). Whether someone is lost at sea, injured on land or caught in a life-threatening situation, HSC-25 is trained and ready to respond at a moment’s notice.

MH-60S Seahawk helicopters from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 9 (HELSEACOMBATRON 9), HSC-9 Tridents, based in Norfolk, Virginia, conduct flight operations at the West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) Hobet All-Hazards Training Center in Madison, West Virginia, September 26, 2020. Members of HSC-9 are utilizing the Hobet site to conduct air-to-surface firing training, including night operations to maintain training and deployment qualifications.

Sept. 25, 2025

Seconds to Spare: A Sailor’s Fight for Life in the Eye of the Storm

The order to cancel evening flights came down at 8:15 p.m. April 7, a reprieve from a rapidly approaching storm that promised to shroud USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) in darkness and rain. But, before the last helicopter could be secured, a different kind of emergency ripped through the ship—a sailor collapsing, an emergency call over the 1 Main Circuit (1MC) and a desperate race against time and Mother Nature.

An F/A-18F Super Hornet Strike Fighter Squadron 103 is parked on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) as the ship operates in the Arabian Sea on Dec. 5, 2006. The Eisenhower is in the Arabian Sea in support of maritime security operations.

Sept. 25, 2025

NRL Protects Naval Assets: Land, Sea and Air

The relentless assault of salt-laden sea spray generated by coastal wave action poses a significant and persistent threat to the integrity of Department of Defense assets near and far from shorelines. This corrosive environment accelerates the deterioration of critical military and naval resources, challenging their lifespan.

Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) F-35 maintenance test pilot Ross Fearon his final F-35B Lightning II flight as an active-duty Marine. Following 20 years of service as a fighter pilot in the Marine Corps, Fearon took on the civilian role of F-35 maintenance test pilot in order to continue serving the nation by helping deliver flight-ready aircraft to the warfighter.

Sept. 25, 2025

The Mission is the Same

After soaring through two decades as a Marine Corps fighter pilot, Ross Fearon was not quite ready to hang up his flight suit. Instead, he embarked on a new mission after retiring from the Corps, trading combat maneuvers for flight testing on the cutting-edge F-35 Lightning II aircraft service at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE).

From left, Aviation Machinist's Mate Senior Chief Dan Reyes and his daughter, U.S. Midshipmen 2nd Class Gabriella Reyes, from Miami, Florida, pose for a photo during a vertical replenishment on the fantail aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the South China Sea, June 10, 2025. Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations on a scheduled deployment, demonstrating the U.S. Navy's unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Sept. 25, 2025

Bring Your Daughter to Work Day—Aircraft Carrier Edition

In the Navy, many toss around the word “family” casually. Divisions become families. Departments become families. Berthing members become families. Co-workers who spend 18 hours a day working together and another six sleeping near each other become families. And, just like blood and biological family members, sailors rarely get to choose their Navy family members.

The U.S. Navy’s T-54A Marlin II is a modern training aircraft designed to prepare pilots for advanced fleet platforms. It will support Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and allied training needs through 2055.

Sept. 25, 2025

Navy’s T-54A Ushers in New Era of Pilot Training

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The Navy declared Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the T-54A Marlin II training aircraft in May, giving future naval aviators a modern platform to prepare them for the advanced aircraft they will fly in the fleet.

Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training students, overseen by Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 35 staff, perform routine maintenance on a MH-60 helicopter.

Sept. 25, 2025

CNATTU North Island, HSM-35 Partner to Build Safer, More Prepared Fleet

SAN DIEGO — A unique collaboration between the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) North Island and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 35 is proving to be a win-win initiative that strengthens fleet readiness, enhances safety and prepares the next generation of aircraft maintainers through hands-on experience.

U.S. Navy Lt. Cdr. Matthew Dring, National Space Defense Center operations integrations chief, poses for a photo at Schriever Space Force Base, Colo., April 18, 2025. Dring was selected as one of the first Navy officers to attend the weapons instructor course at the U.S. Air Force Weapons School’s 328th Weapons Squadron.

Sept. 25, 2025

NSDC Member First Navy Officer to Attend USAF Weapons School’s 328th Weapons Squadron

SCHRIEVER SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. — Navy Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Dring, National Space Defense Center operations integrations chief, was selected to attend the weapons instructor course at the U.S. Air Force Weapons School’s 328th Weapons Squadron.

E-6B aircrew celebrate a successful first Public Air Operations training flight, showcasing the Navy's commitment to innovative solutions for maintaining peak readiness. Pictured left to right: Cmdr. Nathaniel Whitman, Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron SEVEN (VQ-7) executive officer; Marc Thomason, AAR E-6B in-flight trainer chief pilot; Senior Chief Jake Perry, VQ-7 flight engineer; Chief Charles Breen, VQ-7 flight engineer; and Capt. Zach Brown, SCW-1 prospective deputy wing commander.

Sept. 25, 2025

Collaboration, New Training Asset Boost E-6B Pilot Readiness

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — E-6B Mercury pilots from Strategic Communications Wing (SCW) 1 and subordinate commands have completed their first Public Aircraft Operations (PAO) training flight successfully, a significant milestone in maintaining readiness for the critical Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) mission. The flight, which occurred May 30, was the culmination of fast-paced collaboration and a contract award to address an urgent fleet need.

A U.S. Army soldier conducts driver’s training with the Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle.

Sept. 25, 2025

Army Soldiers use Naval Aviation Additive Manufacturing Training to Enhance Operational Readiness Downrange

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The Naval Aviation School for Additive Manufacturing (NASAM) is fostering collaboration across forces to ensure lethality and readiness wherever warfighters need it. Recently, two U.S. Army soldiers used the skills they learned at NASAM to produce critical parts while deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force–Operation Inherent Resolve.

A U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron(VFA) 147 and attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, prepares to land during a field carrier landing practice (FCLP) at Iwo To, Japan, May 25. FCLP is a required flight training for pilot qualification and proficiency that precedes aircraft carrier landing operations, ensuring warfighting readiness in support of regional security and stability in the U.S. Indo-Pacific region.

Sept. 25, 2025

Carrier Air Wing 5 Operates at Iwo To

IWO TO, Japan — Aircrew from the Navy’s only forward-deployed air wing completed another qualification milestone with Field Carrier Landing Practices (FCLPs) at Iwo To, Japan, May 19 through 31.

The Marine Corps received its final MQ-9A Reaper Block 5 Extended Range (ER) Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) Gray Butte flight operations facility in California in June.

Sept. 25, 2025

Marine Corps Receives Final MQ-9A Reaper, Concluding Rapid Delivery Effort

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The Marine Corps received its final MQ-9A Reaper Block 5 Extended Range (ER) Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) Gray Butte flight operations facility in California in June, marking the successful completion of a three-year acquisition campaign.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Steven E. Buckom, from North Carolina, command senior enlisted leader, Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 224, passes the Marine Corps colors to Lt. Col. Jarrod Allen, from California, the outgoing commanding officer of VMFA(AW)-224, during a squadron redesignation and change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, June 26. The ceremony represented the squadron's transition from an all-weather F/A-18D Hornet squadron to an F-35B Lightning II squadron and signified the transfer of responsibility, authority, and accountability from Allen to Lt. Col John P. Stuart.

Sept. 25, 2025

VMFA-224 Redesignated as Marine Corps’ Newest F-35B Squadron

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. — Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 224 redesignated to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 224 during a change of command and redesignation ceremony here June 26.

U.S. Marines with Marine Transport Squadron 1 (VMR-1), 4th Marine Aircraft Wing stand in formation during a Full Operational Capability ceremony at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base, Fort Worth, Texas on June 18. The Full Operational Capability ceremony is to celebrate VMR-1 becoming fully operational with 5 fully qualified C-40A crews and a full composite of ground and logistic support staff.

Sept. 25, 2025

VMR-1 Celebrates Classification as Full Operational Capability Squadron

FORT WORTH, Texas — Marine Transport Squadron (VMR)-1 conducted a ceremony to celebrate achieving full operational capability with the C-40A aircraft at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, June 18.

A truck affixed with a foreign object debris blower is staged on
the airfield at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Feb. 25. FOD blowing uses equipment to clear debris from runways and airfields, ensuring the safety and efficiency of aviation operations.

Sept. 25, 2025

Blown Away: New FOD Removal Method Enhances Safety

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C — Foreign object debris, or FOD, poses a hazard on flight lines and can threaten the safety of personnel, equipment and aircraft. To minimize these risks, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina, has shifted from physically picking up debris to the more efficient method of blowing the debris away. This change in protocol not only accelerates removing hazardous objects but also enhances safety because it reduces potential damage to aircraft and ensures a cleaner working environment for everyone on the flight line.

The Tethered Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Experimentation Payload System (TULEPS) is a new test asset that enables rapid testing of unmanned aviation payloads without requiring flight clearances providing extended operational time, secure data transmission, and adaptability for ship- and vehicle-based applications at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division.

Sept. 25, 2025

New Unmanned Test System Accelerates UAS Development at NAWCAD

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) is boosting its testing capabilities with a new UAS experimentation system showcased recently at a training event at Naval Air Station Patuxent River’s Webster Outlying Field.

Sept. 25, 2025

Intrepid’s Fighting Squadron 18: Flying High with Harris’ Hellcats

NAS Patuxent River, Md. — This book contains a highly detailed account of the high-scoring Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat squadron that flew from the light carrier USS Intrepid (CV 11) from 1943 to 1945. The subtitle refers to the score of 22 kills by Lt. Cecil E. Harris, with one more gained while flying the Hellcat’s predecessor, the F4F-4 Wildcat, while flying with Fighter Squadron (VF) 27—a squadron that by war’s end became the sixth highest-scoring Navy squadron with 176.5 kills. Harris became the second highest-scoring ace with 23 overall kills in the second VF-18 (in Hellcats). Indeed, the second VF-18 produced 13 aces during its short deployment in 1944.

Raymond Koehler, a mechanical engineer at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, demonstrates unmanned swarm mission planning software at Naval Air Station Patuxent River’s West Basin Marina in Maryland on June 1. The software helps the Navy plan missions with unmanned systems by simulating drone, sensor, and arrangement combinations to achieve mission goals at sea ultimately providing warfighters faster and more effective decision making.

Sept. 25, 2025

Navy Demonstrates Swarm Mission Planning Tech

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) demonstrated innovative mission planning software for swarms and other configurations of unmanned air, surface and underwater systems at its headquarters in June.

The Navy's restored T-10 Test Cell Facility at Naval Air Station Patuxent River will provide a controlled, weather-independent testing environment, reducing reliance on costly off-site evaluations and mitigating schedule risks, ensuring maintainers will have reliable, ready-for-use equipment to support engine repairs on the flight line.

Sept. 25, 2025

Navy Restores T-10 Test Cell Facility, Enhancing Fleet Readiness

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The Navy’s T-10 Test Cell Facility here is undergoing a significant revitalization that will enable engine testing in a noise-suppressed environment.

Sept. 25, 2025

Target Hong Kong: A True Story of U.S. Navy Pilots at War

NAS Patuxent River, Md. — Although Osprey published one of its campaign books (No. 263) in 2014 on the Japanese taking Hong Kong right after their attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the campaign detailed in this book remains a little-known part of the Pacific war, less so regarding the often-intense Pacific Air War. However, this heavily detailed, somewhat over-long book is crammed with information of the Japanese takeover of the British colony and other British subjects, and the imprisonment of many foreign nationals, including Americans, who were later released and repatriated.

In a landmark achievement that aligns directly with the 2025 National Defense Strategy's call for a modernized and lethal Joint Force, Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) has successfully adopted a transformative approach to upgrades on the F/A-18 Super Hornet; a critical milestone in the continuous capability enhancements for the Super Hornet.

Sept. 25, 2025

FRCSW Begins F/A-18 Super Hornet Modernization Upgrades

SAN DIEGO — In a landmark achievement that aligns directly with the 2025 National Defense Strategy’s call for a modernized and lethal Joint Force, Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) has adopted a transformative approach to upgrading the F/A-18 Super Hornet, a critical milestone in continuous capability enhancements.

Kristopher Williams, a sheet metal mechanic at Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE), performs an accessory change on a T-45 Goshawk forward wing spar. The T-45 jet aircraft is used for intermediate and advanced portions of the Navy/Marine Corps pilot training program.

Sept. 25, 2025

Fleet Readiness Center Southeast Establishes New T-45 Repair Capability

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) stood up a repair capability November 2024 for a T-45 Goshawk service life extension program (SLEP) production line supporting the Naval Undergraduate Flight Training Systems Program Office.

Sept. 25, 2025

USS Princeton: The Life and Loss of ‘Sweet P’

NAS Patuxent River, Md. — After a fairly long, detailed historical introduction on the Pacific War, the author, a former Marine, embarks on a similarly long and detailed discussion of how the light carrier USS Princeton (CVL 23) came to be and the lengthy process of modifying the light cruiser which began in 1942. It was not that well known at the time, but four other ships also bore the “Princeton” name.

Cmdr. Joseph Stewart, right, a Reservist on the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Forward Deployed Combat Repair (FDCR) Team, discusses the results of the FDCR training exercise with Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) Commanding Officer Capt. Randy Berti, middle, and Executive Director David Rose, left. FRCE hosted seven NAVAIR Reservists May 12-16 to train alongside the depot’s FDCR Teams in a scenario that included making hands-on repairs to stricken MV-22 Osprey and CH-53E Super Stallion aircraft with simulated battle damage.

Sept. 25, 2025

FRCE Hosts Navy Reservists for Readiness Training

CHERRY POINT, N.C. — Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) recently hosted a training exercise designed to sharpen the skills of a Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Forward-Deployed Combat Repair (FDCR) team that travels to deployed and combat locations and repairs battle-damaged military aircraft.

Artisans on the Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) H-53 aircraft line work on a CH-53K King Stallion, the first inducted for maintenance at the depot. FRCE inducted the aircraft April 17 as the first of 14 planned for induction as part of the Age Exploration Program, Depot (AEPD); it is the first King Stallion ever inducted for depot-level maintenance. AEPD collects information regarding the aircraft’s condition through controlled testing and analysis and assists in the development of effective and efficient maintenance schedule for new aircraft.

Sept. 25, 2025

FRCE Inducts First CH-53K King Stallion for Maintenance

CHERRY POINT, N.C. — Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) began a new chapter in its support of Naval Aviation’s heavy-lift mission with the induction of a CH-53K King Stallion April 17, marking the first time the platform has been inducted for depot-level maintenance.

Fleet Readiness Center East Innovation Lab Lead Engineer Jeremy Bunting demonstrates the lab’s 3D printing build preparation software, which displays the model for an F-35 O-ring installation tool recently manufactured by the lab. The two-person team at the Innovation Lab used additive manufacturing – commonly referred to as 3D printing – to fulfill a critical request for 2,000 tools, and successfully completed the order under two weeks. Within days, the effort put tools in aircraft maintainers’ hands across the U.S. Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force. The turnaround time represented less than 10% of the estimated six months procurement would have taken through traditional acquisition methods.

Sept. 25, 2025

FRCE Innovation Lab Manufactures Quick Win for F-35 Fleet

CHERRY POINT, N.C. — When a critical need for new tooling arose for the F-35 Lightning II combat aircraft, innovative thinking and forward-leaning technology at Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) helped fill the gap and put 2,000 tools in aircraft maintainers’ hands within days.

Capt. Jarrod Hair, left, Air Combat Electronics Program Office program manager, speaks with Karlson Greene about the importance of a modular open systems approach (MOSA) and collaboration during the MOSA Summit 2024.

Aug. 21, 2025

Prominent Navy Leaders Queue for MOSA Summit 2025

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — A modular open systems approach (MOSA) narrative is at the forefront of the upcoming MOSA Industry and Government Summit & Expo Aug. 27-29 in National Harbor, Maryland. Leading Navy authorities have set their sights to engage with the DOD tri-services and industry on system lifecycle urgencies using a MOSA strategy.