The U.S. Navy Blue Angels and a full lineup of military and civilian aviation performers are scheduled to take to the skies during the 2026 Pax River Air Show, set for Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21, 2026, at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. The free, public event will feature the Blue Angels,...
Read More »
The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) and the Commanding Officer of Naval Air Station Patuxent River (NAS PAX) will hold a joint meeting on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, at 9 a.m. at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum, located just outside of NAS PAX at 22156 Three Notch Road in Lexington Park. The joint meeting will feature discussion...
Read More »
The Department of the Navy (DON) established the Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Aviation, PAE(A), led by Vice Adm. John Dougherty IV. The PAE model is the new operational standard for the acquisition enterprise, injecting urgency and a ruthless focus on accelerated capability delivery. The organizational changes are key initiatives of Secretary of War Pete...
Read More »
NAS Patuxent River, in partnership with the St. Mary’s County Health Department and Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Patuxent River, is hosting a routine Potassium Iodide (KI) tablet distribution event. This distribution is specifically for NAS Patuxent River personnel living or working within the 10-mile zone of the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant....
Read More »
Sgt. Kevin Molitor was named Naval Air Station Patuxent River’s Police Officer of the Year for 2026 in a special ceremony hosted by the St. Mary’s County Commissioners and Department of Aging and Human Services. Molitor, a Naval District Washington Police Officer stationed at Pax River, joined the air station’s Security Department in January...
Read More »
The U.S. Navy’s MQ-25A Stingray™ successfully completed its first test flight from Boeing’s facility at MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois, April 25, achieving a key step for unmanned carrier operations. The MQ-25A took off at 10:49 a.m. CDT and flew for approximately two hours. During the flight, U.S. Navy and Boeing Air Vehicle Pilots (AVPs) controlled the aircraft from the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System MD-5 ground...
Read More »
By Matt Lyman, NSWCDD Corporate Communications – The U.S. Navy, in times of competition, conflict, and contingency or combat operations, leverages Maritime Operations Centers to equip commanders and staff with the resources needed to execute responsibilities as a component, Fleet and/or Maritime Component Commander. Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division is applying the Maritime Operations...
Read More »
The U.S. Navy declared Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the P-8A Poseidon Increment 3 Block 2 (Inc 3 Blk 2) system. This significant milestone was achieved after the initial phase of Initial Operational Test performed by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VX-1) with support from the Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft Program Office...
Read More »
Spanning 70 installations worldwide, the Navy’s Shore Enterprise serves as the critical launchpad for global fleet operations, this week, it recognized its premier enlisted leader. Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) announced Navy Counselor 1st Class Frederick L. Salazar, representing Naval District Washington as the 2025 Shore Enterprise Sailor of the Year. Emerging from a...
Read More »
The CH-53K King Stallion helicopter, under the direction of H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters Program Office (PMA-261), achieved a major milestone by successfully lifting another CH-53K King Stallion. The test, performed by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 21 (HX-21), is part of the CH-53K aircraft recovery rigging evaluation and a critical step toward developing new...
Read More »
Governor Wes Moore signed the Fiscal Year 2027 state budget into law, delivering on key commitments to make Maryland more affordable and competitive while securing historic investments in education and public safety. The budget, which passed with bipartisan support from the Maryland General Assembly, includes no new taxes or fees, maintains the state’s Rainy Day...
Read More »
NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, Patuxent River, MD.: In a powerful demonstration of its commitment to international partners, the Adversary and Specialized Aircraft Program Office (PMA-226) has successfully returned a historically significant VH-3A Sea King to the skies for the Egyptian Air Force. The project, completed in February, modernizes a key aviation asset and reinforces...
Read More »
Communities surrounding Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Webster Outlying Field, Smith Island, Maryland and residents of the Northern Neck of Virginia are advised of an inshore weapons separation testing event Monday, March 23 and Tuesday, March 24 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This test flight has the potential to generate a sonic boom...
Read More »
Miguel Jesus Trussel, 19, of Splendora, Texas, faces a fugitive from justice charge in St. Mary’s County after authorities allege he is wanted in Texas in connection with a case involving Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, according to court documents. Court records list Trussel’s occupation as working for the U.S. Navy at NAS...
Read More »
Terry Joe Hahn, 44, of Hollywood, is facing two misdemeanor charges of possession of child pornography following an investigation by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, according to court documents. According to the charging documents, the investigation began on February 22, 2026, when deputies with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office were contacted regarding...
Read More »
NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, MD: Vice Adm. John E. Dougherty IV, commander, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), has announced Steve Cricchi will take the role as deputy commander, NAVAIR, effective Feb. 26. Cricchi replaces NAVAIR Deputy Commander Tom Rudowsky, who will officially retire March 2. Cricchi transitions into the role after serving...
Read More »
The U.S. Navy recently declared initial operational capability for the Small Diameter Bomb II on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, marking a significant advancement in the fleet’s precision-strike technology. The weapon, also known as the StormBreaker, saw its first operational use on the Super Hornet during a limited early operational capability in 2025, proving real-world...
Read More »
The Winter Storm Warning in effect for St. Mary’s County until through 10 a.m., February 23, 2026. Schools are closed. NAS Patuxent River, Webster Outlying Field, and Navy Recreation Center Solomons remains under Restricted Access for all but Mission Essential Personnel. SMECO remains working throughout the region with over 13,000 without power and over...
Read More »
CALVERT: Calvert County Public Schools will be closed on Monday, February 23, 2026. Code RED for staff. CHARLES: Charles County public schools will be closed on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. There is a Code Two, which is a two-hour delayed arrival, for Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) staff who follow the code system. If needed, CCPS...
Read More »
Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is celebrating its 60th anniversary of supporting naval aviation this year and wants to tell your story. We are searching for current and former employees who have insightful, interesting or unique stories about their time in NAVAIR for use in videos, podcasts, feature stories, social media and more. Were...
Read More »
The Department of Veterans Affairs has halted enforcement of a newly issued rule that would change how disability compensation is calculated, following widespread criticism from veterans and advocacy groups who warned the policy could reduce benefits. The interim final rule, titled “Evaluative Rating: Impact of Medication,” amends 38 CFR § 4.10 within the VA...
Read More »
NAS Patuxent River’s Gate 1 and Webster Outlying Field’s Main Gate will experience closures Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 for scheduled maintenance. NAS Pax River Gate 1 – Closed Feb. 20, 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. Drivers should use Pa River Gate 2 during this time. Webster Field Main Gate – Closed Feb. 20, 1...
Read More »
The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division at Webster Outlying Field’s (NAWCAD WOLF) Ship and Air Integrated Warfare (SAIW) division developed and is installing upgrades to aircraft carrier ready rooms across the Navy’s fleet of ships in support of the Strike Planning and Execution Systems program office (PMA-281). “The carrier ready room modernization effort...
Read More »
A 42-year-old Lexington Park man has been arrested on federal charges alleging the production of child sexual abuse material and the transfer of obscene material to a minor, according to federal court records. Donald Bernard Mewhort Sr. was taken into custody and appeared February 5, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the District...
Read More »
NAS Patuxent River announces its Sailors and Civilians of the Year, marking the command’s top military personnel and civil servants for 2025. “Every day our ‘Pax Pros’ complete the necessary missions to make our air station the center for excellence in naval aviation we know it to be,” said NAS Patuxent River Commanding Officer...
Read More »
