Arson Suspected in Bonhomme Richard Fire
Arson is suspected as the cause of a July 12 fire that damaged the USS Bonhomme Richard. A US Navy sailor was being questioned. The fire on the amphibious assault ship, docked in San Diego, burned for more than four days.
US Conducts Operations in South China Sea for 2nd Time in 2 Weeks
The US Navy again has two carrier strike groups — USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan — conducting operations in the South China Sea. Rhetoric is heating up in the region, where Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam are challenging China’s claim to about 90% of the sea. The Navy notes that the carrier operations are unrelated to current events.
In Indo-Pacific Region, a Massive Show of US Naval Force
While China builds up its military outposts in the South China Sea, putting missile and electronic warfare systems on them, the US and other allies have beefed up operations. For the first time in nearly three years, three American aircraft carriers are patrolling the Indo-Pacific waters, a massive show of naval force.
Supply Chain Problems Ahead for DoD
DoD must brace for long-term supply chain problems associated with trade flow disruptions, such as container ships piling up unopened at US docks. The greatest impacts will be to DoD’s second-, third-, and fourth-tier suppliers who sell primarily to the civil and consumer markets.
Flying Cars Highlight Air Force Event
Some 50 vendors of electric vertical take off and landing aircraft — including flying cars — will strut their stuff next week to potential buyers across the US military services and government at the Air Force’s April 27-May 1 Agility Prime program’s virtual event.
F-35 Called Safe, Despite Wrong Bolts
DoD’s acquisition chief says the F-35 fleet is safe to fly, despite an unknown number of under-strength bolts in critical areas of the jet. Neither the Pentagon nor Lockheed know how many aircraft are affected.
DoD Fails 2nd Audit – No Surprise
DoD’s second-ever financial audit shows some progress, but uncovers more new problems than fixes. DoD has 3 million employees, 4,500 defense sites in 160 countries, a $292 billion inventory, more than $2.9 trillion in total assets, and $2.8 trillion in liabilities.
DefSec Warns US Allies: Be Wary of China
A warning from DefSec Mark Esper to US European allies: Be wary of China. It is beleived that Beijing seeks greater global influence by leveraging economic power and stealing technology.
Navy Is Upping Its Game in the Pacific
The littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords deployed last week from San Diego packing the US Navy’s new naval strike missile. It’s headed to the Indo-Pacific theater.
Gilday, New Navy CNO, Takes Command
New Chief of Naval Operations ADM Michael Gilday took over as the highest uniformed office in the sea service last week. He says the Navy “will think differently.”
