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First Woman Admiral Promoted

Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt, U.S. Navy

The Navy has announced that Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt, who became the first woman to command a U.S. aircraft carrier when she took the helm of the USS Abraham Lincoln in August 2021, has been nominated for promotion to rear admiral, making her the first woman to achieve that rank as well. Capt. Julie Treanor and Capt. Dianna Wolfson, two other women, are also on the promotion list. About 6.8% of active-duty officers in the Navy’s highest ranks are women, according to the Defense Department’s 2021 annual demographics report.

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South China Sea – Chinese Fighter Jet Intercepted

A CNN crew aboard a US Navy reconnaissance jet witnessed a Chinese fighter jet intercepting their plane over the South China Sea. The Chinese fighter jet was so close that the CNN crew could see the pilots turning their heads to look at them. The Chinese fighter jet armed with air-to-air missiles escorted the US plane for 15 minutes before turning away. The incident reveals the tensions simmering between the US and China in the South China Sea. China claims historic jurisdiction over almost the entirety of the South China Sea, which is a major potential flashpoint in the Asia Pacific. Islands in the South China Sea, like the Paracels near which the US Navy plane was intercepted, are the subject of overlapping territorial claims from China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.

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Autonomous Navy Ship Delivered

Americans for a Sronger Navy Reporting

The sun was shining over the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, as the Expeditionary Fast Transport USNS Apalachicola (EPF 13) was handed over to the U.S. Navy. This was a significant moment for Austal USA, as the ship was not only the second Navy vessel to be named after the coastal Florida city, but also the largest surface ship in the Navy fleet with autonomous capability.

The ship had undergone several months of testing, during which Austal USA and their partners, L3Harris and General Dynamics Mission Systems, analyzed not only its typical ship systems, but also those resulting from the autonomous design and construction contract modifications required by the Navy to establish EPF 13 as an autonomous prototype.

Austal USA President Rusty Murdaugh was proud of his team of shipbuilders and the innovative capabilities they had delivered with this ship. The EPF 13 had the ability to conduct V-22 flight operations and launch and recover 11-meter Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs), making it an ideal candidate for large vessel autonomous operations, including logistics, tendering, and adjunct magazine mission profiles.

The ship’s machinery control system (MCS) was fundamental to the autonomy effort, enabling the ship to be minimally manned by centralizing machinery operations to the bridge. Additionally, the ship was equipped with automated maintenance, health monitoring, and mission readiness systems, providing the capability to conduct up to 30 days of operation without human intervention.

EPF 13 was also the first Expeditionary Fast Transport vessel to be delivered to the Navy with enhanced capabilities to support V-22 flight operations and launch and recover 11-meter RHIBs. These upgrades, combined with the EPF’s speed, maneuverability, and shallow water access, were key enablers for supporting future Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations around the world.

Austal USA’s work on autonomous vessel capability has been identified as an area of strategic importance by the Navy. The company is partnering with L3Harris on the MCS upgrade of Overlord vessel, Mariner (OUSV 3), and construction of Vanguard (OUSV 4), as well as with Saildrone, Inc. on the manufacture of Surveyor unmanned surface vehicles. The investments from academia in uncrewed technology, combined with Austal USA’s efforts, are quickly making south Alabama the epicenter of autonomous naval architecture.

The delivery of EPF 13 was a proud moment for Austal USA, and it marked a significant step forward in the Navy’s autonomous capabilities. With this ship’s advanced features, the Navy’s ability to conduct missions and operations around the world will be greatly enhanced.

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US Navy Can’t Keep Up says Carlos Del Toro

According to CNN, the head of the US Navy, Carlos Del Toro, has stated that China has a significant advantage over the US navy in terms of shipbuilding capacity and fleet size, which they are using to project their power across oceans. He added that China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy could be fielding up to 400 ships in the coming years, compared to the US fleet, which currently sits at under 300 ships. Del Toro said that the US needs a larger and more modern fleet to meet the threat, but US naval shipyards cannot match the output of Chinese ones. Furthermore, he claimed that China has a numerical advantage in terms of workers due to the country being free of the restrictions, regulations, and economic pressures that affect labor in the US, and added that China uses slave labor in building their ships, which gives them a significant advantage. However, analysts express doubt about such a claim, as China has a large pool of available manpower and would not resort to using slave labor in a high-tech sector vital to its national security. Despite these challenges, Del Toro noted that the US still has an inherent advantage over China, which is its people, whom he believes are better-trained and have the ability to think more critically. The US Navy has taken steps to address the gap with China, including assigning more of its fleet to the Pacific and using newer and more capable ships in Pacific roles, according to a US Congressional Research Service report from November said CNN.

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Russian suspension of nuclear agreement

MSNBC and CBS are reporting that Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Tuesday that Moscow is suspending its participation in the New START treaty, the last remaining nuclear arms control pact with the United States. In response, Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Russia’s move “deeply unfortunate and irresponsible” and stated that the U.S. would be watching carefully to see what Russia does. Putin also said that Russia should stand ready to resume nuclear weapons tests if the U.S. does so, which would end a global ban on nuclear weapons tests that has been in place since the Cold War. Putin accused the U.S. and its NATO allies of openly declaring the goal of Russia’s defeat in Ukraine as the reason for suspending Russia’s obligations under New START. Credit to MSNBC and CBS for reporting this news.

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American Presidents in the Navy – Honoring Presidents Day

As America celebrates Presidents Day today February 20, 2023, the editors and staff for the Americans for a Stronger Navy salutes those that have served our country with honor and distinction.

The United States Navy has a long and storied history, dating back to the American Revolution. Over the years, many Americans have answered the call to serve in the Navy, including several who would go on to become President of the United States. In this article, we will explore some of the U.S. Presidents who have served in the Navy.

John F. Kennedy
Perhaps the most famous Navy veteran to become President, John F. Kennedy served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was commanding officer of PT-109, a patrol torpedo boat, when it was struck by a Japanese destroyer in the Pacific. Despite suffering injuries himself, Kennedy was able to lead his surviving crew to safety. This experience helped shape his leadership style and informed his foreign policy decisions during his presidency.

Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson also served in the Navy during World War II, where he was assigned to the South Pacific as a lieutenant commander. Johnson was part of a team responsible for planning and executing bombing missions against Japanese targets in the region. He was awarded the Silver Star for his bravery during a mission in which he flew as an observer on a B-26 bomber.

Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon served in the Navy during World War II as well, though his experience was somewhat different from Kennedy’s and Johnson’s. Nixon was initially rejected by the Army and Navy due to a knee injury, but he persisted and was eventually accepted into the Navy. He served as a supply officer in the South Pacific, where he earned the rank of lieutenant commander.

Gerald Ford
Gerald Ford served in the Navy during World War II and was a decorated veteran. He was commissioned as an ensign and served on the aircraft carrier USS Monterey in the Pacific. Ford was present at several major battles, including the Battle of the Philippine Sea, and was awarded several medals for his service.

Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter graduated with distinction from the Naval Academy in 1946 and served on the USS Wyoming before applying for submarine duty. He then served on the submarine SSK-1 as executive officer, engineering officer, and electronics repair officer. He was selected by Admiral Hyman G. Rickover to join the program to create nuclear-powered submarines and served on temporary duty with the Naval Reactors Branch in 1952-1953 to assist in the design and development of nuclear propulsion plants for naval vessels. Carter was promoted to lieutenant during this time.

George H.W. Bush
George H.W. Bush is perhaps the most distinguished Navy veteran to become President. He enlisted in the Navy on his 18th birthday and became the youngest pilot in the Navy at the time. He flew 58 combat missions during World War II and was shot down over the Pacific. He was rescued by a U.S. submarine and went on to serve as a Navy pilot during the Korean War. Bush went on to serve as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and Vice President before being elected President in 1988.

In conclusion, the U.S. Navy has played an important role in shaping the lives and careers of many Americans, including several who went on to become President of the United States. From John F. Kennedy to George H.W. Bush, these Navy veterans brought their leadership skills and military experience to the highest office in the land. Their service to their country in the Navy undoubtedly helped prepare them for the challenges they would face as President.

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UAE and Israel Unveil Jointly Created Unmanned Vessel

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel have jointly unveiled their first unmanned surface vessel (USV), which has advanced sensors and imaging systems and can be used for surveillance, reconnaissance, and detecting mines the Times of Israel has reported. The USV was created by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Emirati defense consortium EDGE and was demonstrated off the coast of Abu Dhabi during the Naval Defence and Maritime Security Exhibition. The two countries have been steadily deepening their military partnership, including defense procurement, since they normalized relations in 2020 as part of the US-brokered Abraham Accords. The USV is expected to counter maritime threats in the Gulf region and can be deployed abroad.

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Pacific island leaders say Biden to visit region soon for summit: communique

The leaders of five Pacific island nations, namely Kiribati, Palau, Nauru, Marshall Islands, and Federated States of Micronesia, announced that U.S. President Joe Biden will soon visit the region for a leaders’ summit, as part of the U.S.’s efforts to counter China’s influence in the areaPacific island leaders say Biden to visit region soon for summit: communique according to press reports from Reuters. The leaders expressed their support and cooperation to ensure the success of the visit. However, the White House National Security Council said it had no travel to announce, and U.S. officials declined to comment. The invitation for the Biden visit is expected to be agreed upon and issued by the Pacific Island Forum during its meeting in Fiji on Feb. 24.

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China Announces Naval Exercises with Russia and South Africa

Bloomberg news reported on February 19, 2023, that China has announced plans to hold naval exercises with Russia and South Africa from February 20-27. The drills, which will involve a destroyer, a frigate, and a supply vessel, are intended to protect maritime economic activities and promote defense and security cooperation among BRICS members. The exercises will take place off the coasts of Durban and Richards Bay in South Africa. This announcement comes amid US warnings to China against providing lethal aid to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken claiming that the US has information suggesting China may be considering.

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Russia Warship in South Africa

CNN reports that a Russian warship carrying hypersonic missiles arrived in a port on South Africa’s east coast to participate in a 10-day naval exercise in the Indian Ocean alongside South African and Chinese warships. The timing of the exercises, close to the anniversary of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, has led to public criticism from Western diplomats and risks backlash for the government in Pretoria. However, South Africa’s historical ties with Moscow run deep, and from a realpolitik standpoint, freezing out Russia or postponing the naval exercises may not be a smart choice for South Africa’s trade relations.