Department of Defense

Preserving Harrier History: Retired AV-8B II+ Finds New Home at North Carolina Air Museum

Preserving Harrier History: Retired AV-8B II+ Finds New Home at North Carolina Air Museum

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, MD: A retired and demilitarized AV-8B Harrier II+ was inducted into the Hickory Aviation Museum in the “First in Flight” state of North Carolina on July 15, 2024. This aircraft, BUNO 164560, entered service in 1994 and flew with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 231, 542, and 223, logging...
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New Contract Award to Help Train Fleet to Counter Electronic Warfare

New Contract Award to Help Train Fleet to Counter Electronic Warfare

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, MD: The U.S. Navy awarded the Phoenix Air Group Inc. a $165 million contract June 28 for Contracted Air Services (CAS) flight hours to simulate a variety of airborne electronic warfare (EW) threats to train, test and evaluate shipboard personnel and aircraft squadron weapon systems operators and aircrew....
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NAS Patuxent River July 2024 Holiday Hours

NAS Patuxent River July 2024 Holiday Hours

NAS Patuxent River will observe holiday routine July 4 for the Independence Day holiday. Pax River’s Gate 1 will be open 24/7, while Gates 2 and 3 will be closed that day. Pax River will observe a modified holiday routine for July 5; Gate 1 remains open 24/7, Gate 2 will be open from...
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Special Agent Lee Russ Shares Insights, Life Lessons at NAVAIR’s LGBTQ+A Pride Month Event

Special Agent Lee Russ Shares Insights, Life Lessons at NAVAIR’s LGBTQ+A Pride Month Event

HEADQUARTERS, NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, MD.: “I always had the desire to serve and serve something bigger, larger than myself,” said special agent Russ Lee, executive director, Office of Special Investigations (OSI), Office of Special Projects and security director, Department of the Air Force Special Access Program, as the featured guest speaker...
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Noise Advisory –NAS Patuxent River Sets Additional Noise Advisory through July 9, 2024

Noise Advisory –NAS Patuxent River Sets Additional Noise Advisory through July 9, 2024

Communities surrounding NAS Patuxent River are advised that noise-generating testing events are scheduled to take place through July 9, 2024 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Residents may notice increased noise levels due to these operations. Pilots at NAS PAX will be conducting Field Carrier Landing Practices (FCLPs). FCLPs are simulated carrier landings conducted...
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United States Naval Test Pilot School Graduates Class 164

United States Naval Test Pilot School Graduates Class 164

Story by NAWCAD Visual Information – Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division: The U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) held a graduation ceremony for Class 164 on June 14. Thirty-four students successfully completed the intense 11-month course of instruction and earned their designations as Engineering Test Pilots, Engineering Test Flight Officers, or Test Project...
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Future Challenges, Opportunities Discussed at Naval Aviation 3-Star Summit

Future Challenges, Opportunities Discussed at Naval Aviation 3-Star Summit

The stars were out for over 200 attendees May 29 at the Naval Aviation 3-Star Summit in Lexington Park, Maryland. The evening’s theme was “Advancing Naval Aviation Readiness for the High-End Fight.” The event marked the first-time leaders of the Naval Aviation Enterprise, including NAVAIR Commander, Vice Adm. Carl “Chebs” Chebi; Commander, Naval Air...
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Pax River Extends Hours, Lanes to Aid Traffic Flow Beginning June 5

Pax River Extends Hours, Lanes to Aid Traffic Flow Beginning June 5

Effective Wednesday, June 5, 2024, NAS Patuxent River NAS Patuxent River will open Gate 2 to traffic starting at 5:30 a.m. Non-commercial vehicle traffic will also be able to utilize the Commercial Vehicle Inspection (CVIS) lane at Gate 1 during high traffic hours of 6 a.m.-9 a.m. Sentries at the CVIS lane will be...
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Next Generation Jammer Wins Top Navy Aircraft System Improvement Award

Next Generation Jammer Wins Top Navy Aircraft System Improvement Award

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, MD: The Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) team recently won the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Edward H. Heinemann Award for implementing a critical design change to the NGJ-MB pod by removing the Aft Pivot Assembly (APA) from the pod design, saving millions of dollars and hundreds of...
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Memorial Day: A Day to Remember the Fallen

Memorial Day: A Day to Remember the Fallen

Monday, May 27, 2024, is Memorial Day. This day is a national holiday, for remembering and honoring men and women, who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. Waterloo, New York, was declared the official birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966. The holiday had many origins,...
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Command Employees Recognized at NSWC Indian Head Division Honorary Awards Ceremony

Command Employees Recognized at NSWC Indian Head Division Honorary Awards Ceremony

Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD) recognized individuals and teams who made significant contributions to the command’s mission during the annual Honorary Awards ceremony hosted at College of Southern Maryland’s Velocity Center in Indian Head, Maryland, May 14. “This is a day to take the time to recognize how far you’ve...
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Navy’s Future Vertical Lift (Maritime Strike) Passes Key Milestone: Completes Gate 2 R3B

Navy’s Future Vertical Lift (Maritime Strike) Passes Key Milestone: Completes Gate 2 R3B

The Navy’s Future Vertical Lift (Maritime Strike) (FVL (MS)) program recently completed its Analysis of Alternatives (AoA), culminating in a Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (DCNO) for Warfighting Requirements and Capabilities (N9) “Gate 2” Resources and Requirements Review Board (R3B). The board unanimously endorsed the results of the AoA and directed the program to...
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226 Fallen Firefighters to be Honored at NASCAR Xfinity Series Race in Daytona, August 2024

226 Fallen Firefighters to be Honored at NASCAR Xfinity Series Race in Daytona, August 2024

Release and all photos taken by and thanks to Whelen, NASCAR, and Richard Childress Racing: We were extremely proud and honored to bring so many to our booth for the unveiling of the special paint scheme for the No. 2 Whelen Chevy Camaro honoring 226 firefighters who died in the line of duty, and...
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Beginning of First 5-Year Review Webster Outlying Field and Completion of Sixth 5-Year Review of Naval Air Station Patuxent River

Beginning of First 5-Year Review Webster Outlying Field and Completion of Sixth 5-Year Review of Naval Air Station Patuxent River

The Department of the Navy and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 3, with concurrence from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), are beginning a Five-Year Review of existing Record of Decision (ROD) documents and ongoing remedial (environmental cleanup) actions at the Webster Outlying Field in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, and completed...
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Villaruel Named Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for NAS Patuxent River

Villaruel Named Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for NAS Patuxent River

St. Mary’s County Government recognized Cpl. Marc Villaruel for his exceptional work as a Department of Defense Police Officer at NAS Patuxent River at the St. Mary’s Law Enforcement Appreciation Day May 7. The event recognized the contributions of law enforcement officers at local, state, and federal offices within St. Mary’s County, and included...
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Marine’s New CH-53K Helicopter Transports F-35 Airframe Between Test Sites in Maryland and New Jersey

Marine’s New CH-53K Helicopter Transports F-35 Airframe Between Test Sites in Maryland and New Jersey

U.S. Marines flying a CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter transported an F-35C Lightning II airframe from the F-35 Integrated Test Force at Patuxent River (Pax ITF) to a Navy unit located at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, April 24. A Marine aircrew from Marine Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 (VMX-1) flew the most powerful...
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Naval Test Pilot School Students Evaluate Orion Handling Qualities at NASA

Naval Test Pilot School Students Evaluate Orion Handling Qualities at NASA

NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER AIRCRAFT DIVISION, Patuxent River, MD: As part of a technical exchange with NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, 24 test pilots under instruction from the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division’s (NAWCAD) U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) were invited to spend a week at NASA to evaluate the Orion spacecraft controls...
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NAS Patuxent River Gate 1 Closure on Friday Morning May 3rd, 2024

NAS Patuxent River Gate 1 Closure on Friday Morning May 3rd, 2024

NAS Patuxent River will close Gate 1 on Friday, May 3rd, from 9:00 a.m., to 11 a.m. for scheduled maintenance. NAS Pax River’s Gate 2 will keep three lanes open for inbound traffic during that time.
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NAS Pax River Opens Gate 3 to Outbound Traffic Monday Through Thursday

NAS Pax River Opens Gate 3 to Outbound Traffic Monday Through Thursday

NAS Pax River has reopened Gate 3 to outbound traffic Monday-Thursday from 3 p.m.-5:30 p.m. All Gate hours are as follows: Gate 1: Open 24/7 Gate 2: Open Monday-Friday 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Gate 3: Open Monday-Friday 6 a.m-9 .am. (inbound), and Monday-Thursday 3 p.m.-5:30 p.m. (outbound) NAS Patuxent River released the following earlier this...
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Woman Flown to Trauma Center After Striking NAS Patuxent River Security Fencing in Lexington Park

Woman Flown to Trauma Center After Striking NAS Patuxent River Security Fencing in Lexington Park

On Monday, April 22, 2024, at approximately 10:02 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the area of Three Notch Road and Melissa Moore Lane in Lexington Park, for a motor vehicle collision with injuries. Crews arrived on the scene to find a single vehicle off the roadway and into the NAS Patuxent...
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Navy Accepts First Delivery of T-54A Training Aircraft

Navy Accepts First Delivery of T-54A Training Aircraft

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, MD: The new multi-engine training system brings modernized training, prepares pilots for advanced aircraft in fleet The U.S. Navy received the first two operational T-54A multi-engine training system aircraft last week at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. The T-54A will replace the aging T-44C Pegasus aircraft, which...
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Patuxent River Sailor Commended for Providing Life-Saving Roadside Assistance After Tragic Crash in Hollywood

Patuxent River Sailor Commended for Providing Life-Saving Roadside Assistance After Tragic Crash in Hollywood

Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Isaiah Mercado is no stranger to high-stress scenarios. As a Navy armament weapons support equipment technician with Navy Munitions Command Atlantic Detachment Patuxent River (NMCLANT DET Pax) his duties include supporting both air- and surface-launched weapons by performing intermediate level maintenance on both peculiar and common ordnance handling and transportation...
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NAS Patuxent River Moves to 100% ID Checks at Gates

NAS Patuxent River Moves to 100% ID Checks at Gates

NAS Patuxent River has instituted a 100 % ID check policy for all personnel entering the base. While the Trusted Traveler Program remains in effect, all vehicle passengers must present valid state or federal government ID in order to gain entry to the base. This is an added security measure intended to protect the...
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NAS Patuxent River Regrets to Announce Passing of Firefighter Corey Porter

NAS Patuxent River Regrets to Announce Passing of Firefighter Corey Porter

We are deeply saddened to share with you the untimely loss of our brother, Firefighter Corey Porter. Firefighter Porter began his federal firefighting career with us at NAS Patuxent River Battalion of NDW, 12 April 2021, and from day one showed an eagerness for involvement and firemanship. An ARFF and Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator, FF...
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U.S. Navy Delivers First P-8A Poseidon Aircraft for Increment 3 Block 2 Modifications

U.S. Navy Delivers First P-8A Poseidon Aircraft for Increment 3 Block 2 Modifications

The U.S. Navy delivered the first P-8A Poseidon aircraft to be modified with Increment 3 Block 2 capabilities to Boeing on March 27, enabling the fleet to be outfitted with the full anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities outlined in the P-8A program’s evolutionary acquisition strategy. The...
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