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Attack Squadron 55's Three-Decade Legacy in U.S. Naval Aviation Documented

Attack Squadron 55's Three-Decade Legacy in U.S. Naval Aviation Documented

Attack Squadron 55 (VA-55), a U.S. Navy squadron, maintained a continuous operational presence for three decades, establishing itself as one of the Navy's longest-serving attack squadrons post-World War II. Initially formed as Torpedo Squadron 5 (VT-5) on February 15, 1943, it was created from personnel of VS-30, VT-5, and VF-1. The squadron began its service with torpedo bombers, specifically the Grumman TBF Avenger, in the Pacific Theater during WWII. Its first combat mission involved a raid on Marcus Island in August 1943, followed by attacks on Wake Island and support for operations in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign. After WWII, the squadron underwent several reorganizations, becoming Attack Squadron 6A (VA-6A) in November 1946, and finally Attack Squadron 55 on August 16, 1948. It transitioned from piston-powered aircraft to the Douglas AD-4 Skyraider and later the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. VA-55 played a significant role in the Korean War, launching some of the first carrier-based combat strike...

U.S. Army Integrates New Technologies in Urban Assault Training Exercise

U.S. Army Integrates New Technologies in Urban Assault Training Exercise

The U.S. Army conducted a large-scale urban assault training exercise at Fort Irwin in California, involving nearly 10,000 soldiers. This exercise, part of Project Convergence Capstone, simulated a conflict against a formidable peer adversary in a sprawling desert city named Razish. The training focused on traditional warfighting skills, such as clearing streets and buildings, while also integrating new technologies like drones and software. Soldiers experimented with uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) for early surveillance, with one unit commander using a Black Widow quadcopter to assess enemy movements. Additionally, troops utilized the prototype Next Generation Command and Control (NGC2), a software- and artificial intelligence-enabled battlefield network, on chest-mounted smartphones to track friendly forces and potential enemy locations. The exercise aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of these new systems in a complex combat scenario.

Department of Defense to Host Land Drone Demonstration in North Dakota

Department of Defense to Host Land Drone Demonstration in North Dakota

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is organizing a high-tech demonstration, dubbed Groundreaker 1, in mid-October at the Army National Guard installation at Camp Grafton in North Dakota. This event will feature private companies showcasing their most advanced land drones and robotic vehicles. The initiative is part of a broader military effort to integrate uncrewed systems into their fleets, accelerating the development of land drones following significant advancements in aerial and naval drone technology. The Army is specifically seeking contractors to present land drones capable of surveillance, supply hauling, search and rescue operations, perimeter security, and other functionalities. Key requirements for these unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) include all-terrain mobility and obstacle avoidance, with a focus on tasks that typically pose risks to human troops, such as pilot rescues. The Pentagon announced this contract on August 21, designating it for "selected vendors" to expand the "Ground Domain."

U.S. Army Tests 'FireAnt' Ground Drones on Bradley Fighting Vehicles for Enhanced Battlefield Reconnaissance

U.S. Army Tests 'FireAnt' Ground Drones on Bradley Fighting Vehicles for Enhanced Battlefield Reconnaissance

The U.S. Army's 1st Cavalry Division is field-testing small, expendable ground robots called 'FireAnts,' developed by Swarmbotics AI. These 70-pound, four-wheeled machines are designed to be carried on the side of a Bradley M2A4 fighting vehicle, in the brackets typically used for explosive reactive armor. The concept, observed in footage released by Swarmbotics AI, involves deploying these robots into dangerous areas like trenches or dugouts ahead of infantry squads, allowing soldiers to remain protected inside the Bradley. The FireAnts are part of a family of robots called ANTS (Attritable Networked Tactical Swarm) and can be configured with various payloads, including cameras, jammers, radio relays, counter-drone shooters, or even warheads. This testing is part of the Army's Transformation in Contact program, with the 1st Cavalry running a test series called Pegasus Charge 3. The Army has also awarded a $2 million contract for autonomous vehicles from the same competition.

A quarter-century later, 9/11 still shapes Pentagon worker's life

A quarter-century later, 9/11 still shapes Pentagon worker's life

She returned to work the day after 9/11, and Susan Lukas says toxic exposure now shapes her life. A bill bearing her name could help others like her.

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Bradenton sailor finds purpose in Navy medicine

Bradenton sailor finds purpose in Navy medicine

Bradenton native Matthew Gangemi serves as a hospital corpsman aboard the USS Essex during RIMPAC 2026.

10th Maine Infantry Regiment's Return from Civil War Documented in 'Maine at War' Blog Posts

10th Maine Infantry Regiment's Return from Civil War Documented in 'Maine at War' Blog Posts

The 'Maine at War' blog has published a series of posts detailing the return of the 10th Maine Infantry Regiment from the Civil War in May 1863. These posts, written by Brian Swartz, cover the regiment's journey from Stafford County, Virginia, back to Maine. One post describes a 'contagion' of homesickness that swept through the camp in late April 1863. Another recounts a stop in Baltimore where officers visited a local couple who had previously befriended the regiment and saved a soldier's life. The final installment details the regiment's arrival in Portland, Maine, where soldiers were met by their families and friends. Additionally, the blog featured a review of Jared Peatman's new biography on the 20th Maine Infantry Regiment, titled 'One Hell Of A Regiment,' which explores the personalities within the regiment and the roles of the 2nd Maine Infantry's three-year hold-overs at Gettysburg.

U.S. Space Force Awards Leonardo DRS Prototype Agreement for Next-Generation Space Sensors

U.S. Space Force Awards Leonardo DRS Prototype Agreement for Next-Generation Space Sensors

The U.S. Space Force has awarded Leonardo DRS a prototype agreement to develop advanced sensors for space superiority and space-control missions. This initiative focuses on creating next-generation technology capable of detecting, identifying, tracking, and targeting fast-moving threats in challenging operational environments. The sensors will integrate advancements in detection and processing with an architecture designed for cost-effective, large-scale production. This agreement was facilitated through an Other Transaction Agreement, a contracting method aimed at accelerating prototype development. The program emphasizes linking technical performance with manufacturing and supply-chain requirements, with goals including enhanced affordability, simplified production, and scalable designs supported by a resilient supplier base. John Baylouny, President and CEO of Leonardo DRS, highlighted that this award acknowledges the company's innovative sensor technology and its ongoing investment in space-based capab...

Asian Shipyards in Japan, South Korea, and Philippines Crucial for U.S. Warship Maintenance in Western Pacific

Asian Shipyards in Japan, South Korea, and Philippines Crucial for U.S. Warship Maintenance in Western Pacific

The U.S. Navy is increasingly relying on shipyards in allied nations like Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of its naval vessels in the Western Pacific. This strategy allows U.S. Seventh Fleet vessels to undergo complex overhauls closer to potential conflict zones, reducing the need to recall ships to the U.S. mainland for repairs. While U.S. law mandates that major warships be built domestically, outsourcing MRO to foreign yards offers greater flexibility, especially for forward-deployed vessels. Naval vessels homeported outside the United States are not strictly prohibited from receiving foreign MRO services, and deployed U.S.-homeported ships can also be serviced by foreign workers under specific conditions. This approach is particularly vital given the significant distance from the continental U.S. and Washington’s intensifying strategic competition with Beijing.

Why Britain’s Vanguard Took the Worst Damage at the Chesapeake

Why Britain’s Vanguard Took the Worst Damage at the Chesapeake

The Battle of the Chesapeake, a pivotal naval engagement of the American Revolutionary War, was not solely determined by the immediate actions of c...

US strikes Iranian oil tankers after Iran targets 2 Navy warships

US strikes Iranian oil tankers after Iran targets 2 Navy warships

U.S. forces struck three Iranian crude oil carriers after Iran launched ballistic missiles at two Navy warships. No American personnel were injured.

Falcons Draft 2027: 16 Prospects to Watch For Week One of College Football

Falcons Draft 2027: 16 Prospects to Watch For Week One of College Football

Here are potential future Falcons to keep an eye on as college football truly kicks off.