Fighter Squadron, F-16s Move to Maryland
Maryland’s Air National Guard will get a fighter squadron of F-16s from Washington, DC. The US Air Force said it will transfer the 121st Fighter Squadron from the DC Air National Guard to Maryland.
NavSec Del Toro Violates Hatch Act
NavSec Carlos Del Toro violated the Hatch Act for voicing support for President Joe Biden during a work trip to the United Kingdom in January. The Hatch Act prohibits federal officials from participating in political activities while serving in their official capacity and in their federal workplace.
Foreign Hackers Targeting US Computer Systems
The top US intelligence official warns of an alarming rise in cyberattacks. The number of ransomware attacks worldwide grew as much as 74% in the past year, and US entities were the most heavily targeted in 2023. The Biden administration has updated the policy for how agencies oversee and manage critical infrastructure sectors.
Del Toro: Innovate Faster to Solve Navy’s Problems
NavSec Carlos Del Toro unveiled the new Naval Science and Technology strategy last week. It’s a “call to service” for scientists and engineers from across the country to help the military solve its problems. The Naval S&T strategy aims to strengthen collaboration with industry, academia, and partners and allies, to cultivate research and accelerate delivery of technological innovation. “S&T is a means, and maritime dominance is the ends,” Del Toro said.
Biden Wants to Scale Back F-35 Orders
The Biden administration wants to scale back on Lockheed Martin F-35s. DoD’s order for F-35 fighter jets will drop to below 70, down from an expected 83 – an estimated $1.6 billion drop in spending on jets.
US Foreign Military Sales Hit All-Time High in FY23
US foreign military sales and deliveries hit $80.9 billion last year. The fiscal 2023 total was 55% higher than the previous year. FY22 saw $51.9 billion in foreign arms sales.
Pax Alum 1st Native Woman to Fly Into Space
NAS Patuxent River alum Nicole Mann will be the first Native woman to fly into space this fall. She is scheduled to be aboard the SpaceX Crew-5 mission to go to the International Space Station.
Gilday: Larger Fleet Means Larger Share of the Budget
With more ships needed in more places around the world, the US Navy needs a larger fleet and a larger share of the defense budget, says Chief of Naval Operations ADM Mike Gilday. That would mean changing the historical split of funding among the services.
Navy Opens Pier to Help Shipping Delays
With Southern California seaports overburdened by commercial ships and supply-driven shipping delays, the Navy will open allow cargo-carrying vessels to use a military wharf at Port Hueneme, the only port between San Francisco and Los Angeles able to handle the commercial vessels.
Space Force: World’s 1st Digital Military Service
The head of the newest US service branch, the US Space Forces, says it is on its way to becoming the first fully digital military service in the world.
