A US Marine MV-22B aboard USS San Antonio (LPD 17). May 13, 2025
Former US Marine, Navalist (in a positive sense), free world military enthusiast, history enthusiast. I occasionally attend naval conferences and comment on US military budget items
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A US Marine MV-22B aboard USS San Antonio (LPD 17). May 13, 2025
AV-8B Harriers, assigned to the “Bulldogs” of Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 223, aboard USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) during ARGMEUEX. Atlantic Ocean, May 17, 2025
USS Harry S. Truman sails through the Mediterranean Sea. May 18, 2025
USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), HDMS Iver Huitfeldt (F361), Cristóbal Colón (F105), Louis-Marie (F931), and USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) conduct a passing exercise during Formidable Shield 25. Norwegian Sea, May 7, 2025
USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) offloads missiles at Naval Station Rota, Spain. April 30, 2025
U.S. Marine Corps F-35Bs from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 "Wake Island Avengers" fly over Wake Island. May 10, 2025
Sailors aboard USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) wave to the crew of USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) during exercise Formidable Shield 25. May 7, 2025
An F-35C Lightning II attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97 "Warhawks", launches from USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility May 6, 2025
A Sailor signals to a well armed MH-60R from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 78 "Blue Hawks" on the flight deck of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. May 6, 2025
USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116) during exercise Formidable Shield 25. Norwegian Sea, May 07, 2025
Danish frigate HDMS Iver Huitfeldt (F361) viewed from USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) during exercise Formidable Shield 25. Norwegian Sea, May 07, 2025
Australian frigate HMAS Arunta (FFH 151) operates with Italian FREMM frigate Antonio Marceglia (F 597) 📸Photo from the HMAS Arunta II Facebook page.
Sailors man a phone and distance line on the forecastle of USS Milius (DDG 69) during an underway replenishment with USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility
Sailors assigned to USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), heave in the phone and distance (P&D) line from the Royal Canadian Navy replenishment oiler MV Asterix for an underway replenishment during At-Sea Demonstration (ASD) / Formidable Shield (FS) 2025
USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) departs Norfolk as part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG) for a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. May 6, 2025
USS Truxtun (DDG 103) pulls alongside USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8) for a replenishment-at-sea. USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109) is on the right. U.S. Central Command area of responsibility April 24, 2025
Sailors conduct flight operations aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. April 30, 2025
An E/A-18G Growler from the “Cougars” of VAQ 139 launches from USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the South China Sea, May 3, 2025. Nimitz is still hot at 50 years old
Sailors conduct flight operations on the flight deck of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. April 29, 2025
The Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) maneuvers during a routine armed air escort exercise, April 24, 2025
Philippine Navy frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) and HMAS Sydney (DDG 42) conduct training in the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone. April, 2025
USS Nimitz (CVN 68) transits the Philippine Sea. April 29, 2025
USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) off the coast of U.S. Navy Support Facility (NSF) Diego Garcia. April 30, 2025
French amphibious assault ship Mistral (L9013), USS Oak Hill (LSD 51), and French frigate Surcouf (F 711) during Exercise Chesapeake 2025. Atlantic Ocean, April 30, 2025
USS Shoup (DDG 86) conducts an ammunition movement in Yokosuka, Japan. April 29, 2025
An F-35C from VFA 97 "Warhawks" prepares to launch from USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, April 27, 2025
USS Cape St. George (CG 71) conducts a home port change to Naval Base San Diego. Apr. 22, 2025
USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109) conducts a pre-action calibration fire in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. April 26, 2025
USS Omaha (LCS-12) and HMAS Sydney (DDG 42) sail together in the Pacific. April 4, 2025
USS Truxtun (DDG 103) prepares to come alongside USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8) for a replenishment-at-sea in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. April 24, 2025
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) conducts a replenishment-at-sea with USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. April 7, 2025
Yeah, the CATOBAR refit for the Queens seems awkward. If it's too small, they won't be able to operate big enough drones to be useful, if it's full-size, they might as well just go for F-35Cs, Hawkeyes, and MQ-25s. They seem to have painted themselves into a corner.
The USN is banking heavily on the MQ-25 to take over tanking on CVNs. I think there could be a market for buddy tanking kits for the F-35B though, Queen Elizabeth, Prince of Wales, Izumo, Kaga, Cavour, Trieste, maybe Juan Carlos, etc. None of them have an organic tanking solution.
As far as I know, this is as close as the USN has gotten so far with CVNs. 16 visible F-35Cs, but there might have been more in the hangar I guess:) The Vinson hosted some of George Washington's F-35Cs in addition to her own last year.
USS Shoup (DDG 86) fires an SM-2 missile during a tactical training exercise in the Pacific. April 24, 2025
U.S. Marines prepare to board USS Higgins (DDG 76) during a Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) rehearsal in the Philippine Sea. April 24, 2025.
USS Gridley (DDG 101) sails through the Philippine Sea at night. April 25, 2025.
USS Dewey (DDG 105) fires her 5-inch gun during a tactical training exercise. Pacific Ocean, April 16, 2025.
USS Milius (DDG 69) arrives at U.S. Naval Support Facility (NSF) Diego Garcia for a scheduled port visit, April 23, 2025
Sailors direct an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the “Mighty Shrikes” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 94 aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the Philippine Sea, April 23, 2025
USS Somerset (LPD 25) fires a MK46 30mm gun during a live-fire exercise while underway in the Pacific Ocean, April 22, 2025
USS Cape St. George (CG 71) arrives at the mouth of San Diego Bay, April 22, 2025.
USS Santa Fe (SSN 763) Pacific Ocean, March 21, 2025
USS Milius (DDG 69) fires her Mark 45 5-inch gun during a live-fire weapons exercise while operating in the Indian Ocean. April 22, 2025
The new cover photo from the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) Facebook page
USS New York (LPD 21) on the Stranahan River, arriving for Fleet Week Fort Lauderdale (FWFL). April 22, 2025
USS New Hampshire (SSN 778) arrives at Port Everglades to kick off Fleet Week Fort Lauderdale (FWFL) 2025, April 22
USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) arrives at U.S. Naval Support Facility (NSF) Diego Garcia for a scheduled port visit, April 22, 2025
U.S. Navy Aviation Ordnancemen arm planes aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility April 17, 2025
USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) fires the Phalanx Close-in Weapons System (CIWS) during a live-fire exercise while underway in the Indian Ocean. April 17, 2025
USS Preble (DDG 88) departs Yokosuka, Japan. USS George Washington (CVN-73) is in the background. April 16, 2025
Sailors assigned to USS Milius (DDG 69) participate in a 5-kilometer fun run on the pier at Changi Naval Base in Singapore, April 18, 2025
An F/A-18F Super Hornet from the "Fighting Redcocks" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22 performs a fly-by. Pacific Ocean, April 17, 2025
The future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) undergoing electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) testing. "Dead load" weighted sleds are being launched to simulate aircraft. April 16, 2025
USS Nimitz (CVN 68) arrives in Guam for a scheduled port visit. April 18, 2025
USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) arrives at U.S. Navy Support Facility (NSF) Diego Garcia for a scheduled port visit. April 11, 2025
An F-35C Lightning II, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97 launches from USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. April 15, 2025
U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Ospreys aboard USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) in support of Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8), 22nd MEU Integration (PMINT) while underway in the Atlantic Ocean. April 11, 2025
U.S. Marines conduct Light-Marine Air Defense Integrated System (LMADIS) operations aboard USS San Antonio (LPD 17). April 7, 2025. L-MADIS is a C-UAS system mounted in 2 ULTVs, a MK 1 (Command and Control vehicle), and a MK 2 (Early Warning / Electronic Warfare vehicle).
The U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) conducts routine operations while underway in the Philippine Sea, April 7, 2025
Aviation Ordnancemen aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) load weapons onto F-35C Lightning IIs from Strike Fighter Squadron 97. U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. April 14, 2025
IXI DRONEKILLER at Sea Air Space 2025. It's a handheld counter drone solution with a range of up to 1000 meters, with FN P-90 ergonomics.
USS Sterett (DDG 104) during a replenishment-at-sea with USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200). U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. April 12, 2025
An Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) stands by to signal an F/A-18E Super Hornet during routine flight operations. April 9, 2025
The Aerosonde UAS from Textron Systems at Sea Air Space 2025. The USN operates the fixed-wing version from various ship types. The VTOL version here trades the catapult and net launch/recovery system of the fixed-wing for about half the endurance.
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) sails in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. April 8, 2025
USS Milius (DDG 69) steams in the Philippine Sea, April 13, 2025.
An EA-18G Growler operates from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) during a friends and family day cruise. April 12, 2025
Two MV-22B Ospreys, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 “Thunder Chickens” during flight operations aboard USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7). Atlantic Ocean, April 11, 2025
USS Sterett (DDG 104) flies her Phoenix Battle flag. Indian Ocean. April 8, 2025
F-35C Lightning IIs attached to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 conducting routine training operations aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations. April 2025.
E-2Ds, F/A-18Es, F/A-18Fs, EA-18Gs, and F-35Cs on the flight deck of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in the US CENTCOM Area Of Responsibility. April 10, 2025
An F/A-18E Super Hornet attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 151, taxis across the flight deck of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). April 10, 2025
An F/A-18F of the “Fighting Redcocks” (VFA 22), left, and an F/A-18E of the “Mighty Shrikes” of (VFA 94) aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) with an Arleigh Burke class destroyer peaking into the background. April 10, 2025
A model of the TAGOS-25 ocean surveillance ship at the Austal USA booth at Sea Air Space. They are intended for theater anti-submarine acoustic passive and active surveillance.
The MSI 30mm mount at Sea Air Space. New to the USN as the MK38 MOD4. The USN version is tied into AEGIS, and will eventually replace the older 25mm MK38s on Flight IIA and Flight III Burkes. It's already on DDG-86 and DDG-89. It's intended for counter drone use and can fire a range of ammo.
USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) operates the Atlantic Ocean. March 28, 2025
Yes, just as Smedley Butler said.
MAPBA - Make American Politics Boring Again!
Marine F-35Cs (and Bs) are based at MCAS Cherry Point, but the Navy either hates the idea of basing USN "Cs" there, or there just isn't room for more squadrons. Congresswoman Kiggans (former USN helo pilot) advocated for basing Navy F-35Cs at Oceana like 4 or 5 times during the panel😆😅😂
Hot takes from this morning's "Will We Be Ready" panel at Sea Air Space with Congresspeople Kelly, Whittman, and Kiggans: I think Congress will block any more early ship decommissionings, and Congresswoman Kiggans really, really, REALLY wants F-35Cs to be based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.
Being at Sea Air Space has been an interesting juxtaposition from the daily news cycle. Less angst than anticipated. For example, tons of Royal Canadian Navy folks here, up to Admiral Angus Topshee, the head of the RCN. Danes as well.
General Atomics/Rafael Bullseye long range strike weapon at the General Atomics booth at Sea Air Space 2025.
A model of the beautiful new Spanish F110 frigate at the Lockheed Martin booth at Sea Air Space. The F110 has the Lockheed Martin SPY-7(V)2 radar
A model of the future USS Harrisburg (LPD-30) at Sea Air Space 2025. A Flight II variant of the San Antonio-class.
The Rapidly Adaptable Affordable Cruise Missile (RAACM) at the Co Aspire booth, Sea Air Space 2025
My pleasure:) It's a great time, just become a Navy League member for eligibility. Tickets to the show aren't cheap, but Navy League membership is very reasonable, and you get a nice monthly magazine. www.navyleague.org
The model in the General Dynamics booth was being used as a table for swag, I guess it has multi-mission capability!
The Australians have a huge pavilion here at Sea Air Space. Being Australians, they brought booze with them, free booze.
Blue Halo "Freedom Eagle" (FE-1) C-UAS missile, and "Locust" C-UAS directed Energy Weapon at Sea Air Space 2025.
Some MBDA goodness at the Sea Air Space 2025 expo
The Anduril booth at Sea Air Space 2025 is really popular.
The model of the new Kennedy is freaking awesome:)
Model of the Constellation class frigate at the Fincantieri booth at Sea Air Space 2025. I hope the program doesn't get canceled.
My only thought was that the model of the Bougainville has the proper SPY-6(V)2 now, instead of the old SPS-48 it had last time I saw it:)
A model of the Common Hypersonic Glide Body at the Leidos booth at Sea Air Space 2025.
A Bofors 40mm MK 4 naval gun at the BAE booth at Sea Air Space 2025. It's an actual mount.
A model of the future Japanese "Aegis System Equipped Vessel" (ASEV) at the Lockheed Martin booth at the Sea Air Space expo. National Harbor, Maryland, April 7, 2025
