President Joe Biden

Biden Nominates New Naval Submarine Force, 2nd Fleet Commanders

Rear Adm. Robert Gauche and Rear Adm. Douglas Perry

President Joe Biden has nominated new commanders to lead U.S. Submarine Forces and U.S. 2nd Fleet, the Pentagon announced last week.

Rear Adm. Robert Gaucher is up for a third star and to serve as the commander of Naval Submarine Forces. If confirmed, Gaucher would be tripled-hatted as the commander of Submarine Force, Atlantic and of the Allied Submarine Command based in Norfolk, Va.

A career submariner, Gaucher has been the director of...

https://news.usni.org/2023/05/08/biden-nominates-new-naval-submarine-force-2nd-fleet-commanders

New EDCA Sites Are Not a Response To China, Philippines President Says During Washington Visit

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos speaks with Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III during a meeting at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., May 3, 2023. DoD Photo

Allowing the United States to access four more basing sites is not a direct military challenge to China, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos said Thursday.

The decision to provide the U.S. with military bases closer to the self-governing island of Taiwan was not a driving force in Manila’s decision, Marcos said.

During the...

https://news.usni.org/2023/05/05/new-edca-sites-are-not-a-response-to-china-philippines-president-says-during-washington-visit

Biden Announces Nominations for New N9, Naval Surface Forces

Rear Admiral Brendan McLane, Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic is piped aboard during a retirement ceremony for Captain Zoah Scheneman on Aug. 12, 2022. U.S. Navy Photo

President Joe Biden has nominated the next deputy chief of naval operations for warfighting requirements and capabilities, the commander of Naval Surface Forces and the deputy commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, the Pentagon announced Monday.

Biden nominated Rear Adm. James Pitts to serve as the deputy chief of naval...

https://news.usni.org/2023/04/24/biden-announces-nominations-for-new-n9-naval-surface-forces

Startups struggling to make financial ends meet

One is a startup. The other is better described as an early-stage growth company. Choosing lidar maker Ouster Inc. and bus, battery and electric infrastructure provider Proterra Inc. for Securities and Exchange Commission filings scrutiny may be selective. But they represent the ongoing financial difficulties affecting companies trying to advance transportation technology.

Some have already left the stage: XL Fleet was purchased by the Shyft Group. Electric Last Mile Solutions went bankrupt amid...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/startups-struggling-to-make-financial-ends-meet

White House Nominates New N7, Air Boss, NAVSEA Commander

(l to r) Vice Adm. Vice Adm. Daniel Dwyer, Rear Adm. Daniel Cheever, Rear Adm. James Downey. USNI News graphic

The White House has nominated the next admiral to oversee shipbuilding and repair, the next Air Boss and the next admiral in charge of naval education, the Department of Defense announced this week.

Rear Adm. Daniel Cheever was nominated for a third star and to command Naval Air Forces, as well as to lead Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. If confirmed by the Senate, Cheever is set to...

https://news.usni.org/2023/03/23/white-house-nominates-new-n7-air-boss-navsea-commander

Japan Faces Readiness Hurdle As it Modernizes Military, Former Defense Chief Says

A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force CH-47 Chinook, lands on the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) during a bilateral simulated casualty pick up in the Philippine Sea, March 10, 2023. U.S. Marine Corps Photo

Japan’s toughest hurdle, as it launches an unprecedented military modernization program and doubles defense spending, is the operational readiness of its air, naval and land forces, a former chief of the Japan Self-Defense Forces said Thursday.

Japan is “running out of maintenance...

https://news.usni.org/2023/03/17/japan-faces-readiness-hurdle-as-it-modernizes-military-former-defense-chief-says

Congress Notified of Potential $895M Tomahawk Sale to Australia

A tomahawk cruise missile launches from the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG-86) for a live-fire exercise during Valiant Shield 2018 on Sept. 18, 2018. US Navy Photo

The State Department authorized the potential sale of Tomahawk missiles to Australia, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced today.

The deal is for as many as 20 Block IV Tomahawks and 200 Block V Tomahawks for $895 million.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national...

https://news.usni.org/2023/03/16/congress-notified-of-potential-895m-tomahawk-sale-to-australia

7th Fleet Commander Thomas Nominated to Serve as Director of Naval Intelligence

Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, speaks to the crew of mine countermeasures ship USS Pioneer (MCM-9) over the ship’s 1MC during a tour, June 9, 2022. US Navy Photo

Current U.S. 7th Fleet commander Vice Adm. Karl Thomas as the next deputy chief of naval operations for information warfare (OPNAV N2/N6) and director of naval intelligence, the Pentagon announced Wednesday.

Vice Adm. Karl Thomas was also nominated for reappointment to vice admiral, according to the Pentagon flag...

https://news.usni.org/2023/03/08/7th-fleet-commander-thomas-nominated-to-serve-as-director-of-naval-intelligence

CNO Gilday: Expanding Military Cooperation Between South Korea, Japan ‘A Necessity’

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday delivers testimony at the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the fiscal year 2023 defense budget request on May 12, 2022. US Navy Photo

The Navy’s top officer stressed the need for “a forward-looking relationship” between Japan, South Korea and the United States. “It’s no longer a luxury but a necessity” that the three nations work together, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday said Thursday.

Examples of the improved trilateral...

https://news.usni.org/2023/01/13/cno-gilday-expanding-military-cooperation-between-south-korea-japan-a-necessity

Biden Signs FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act

Marine One lands on White House lawn on 2021. White House Photo

President Joe Biden on Friday signed the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act into law while both the House and Senate passed the FY 2023 funding bill.

The House and Senate each passed the agreement version of the policy bill earlier this month.

“America’s global leadership is not only measured in our modern military capabilities but in our strength and vitality here at home. With this NDAA, Congress authorizes a 4.6...

https://news.usni.org/2022/12/23/biden-signs-fy-2023-national-defense-authorization-act

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