Department of Defense

U.S. Homeland Security Warns of Heightened Threat of Violence and Terrorism

U.S. Homeland Security Warns of Heightened Threat of Violence and Terrorism

Issued:  August 13, 2021, 2:00 p.m. Expires:  November 11, 2021, 2:00 p.m. The Secretary of Homeland Security has issued a new National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin regarding the current heightened threat environment across the United States. The Homeland continues to face a diverse and challenging threat environment leading up to and following the...
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NAS Pax River Requires Masks for All Following CDC, DoD Guidelines

NAS Pax River Requires Masks for All Following CDC, DoD Guidelines

NAS Patuxent River leadership announced July 29 the requirement for all on the installation to wear face masks while in buildings on base and government vehicles regardless of vaccination status effective immediately per the Department of Defense’s “Updated Mask Guidance for all DoD Installations and Other Facilities” dated July 28. The move follows the...
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NAS Patuxent River Transitions Back to Health Protection Condition Bravo Beginning July 28

NAS Patuxent River Transitions Back to Health Protection Condition Bravo Beginning July 28

NAS Patuxent River transitioned from Health Protection Condition (HPCON) Alpha to HPCON Bravo as of 5 p.m. July 28. NAS Patuxent River joins other installations within Naval District Washington to shift back to HPCON Bravo as a result of rising COVID cases. HPCONs are protocols for public health emergencies, such as a pandemic. Commanders...
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United States Naval Test Pilot School Welcomes 50th Commander

United States Naval Test Pilot School Welcomes 50th Commander

Cmdr. Jeremy “Silas” DeBons took command of United States Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) from Lt. Col. Rory “Pikey” Feely during an airborne change of command ceremony at Pax River, July 15, 2021. Col. Richard E. Marigliano, Commodore of Naval Test Wing Atlantic, presided over the ceremony. “USNTPS is the foundation of all we...
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Navy Names New Executive Director of Aviation Warfare Center at its Pax River Headquarters

Navy Names New Executive Director of Aviation Warfare Center at its Pax River Headquarters

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) welcomed Stephen E. Cricchi as the new civilian executive director at its Pax River headquarters, July 14. “Our warfare centers ensure our Navy and Marine Corps aviators remain equipped with the world’s most technically advanced and lethal capability,” said NAWCAD Commander Rear Adm. John S. Lemmon....
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NAS Patuxent River UAS Airspace Coordinators Collaborate with Local Archaeologists in St. Mary’s City

NAS Patuxent River UAS Airspace Coordinators Collaborate with Local Archaeologists in St. Mary’s City

Although the discovery of St. Mary’s Fort in Historic St. Mary’s City (HSMC) was made using technology not involving an unmanned aerial system (UAS), a drone was part of the HSMC researchers’ archaeological toolkit, and that meant seeking approval to fly from the NAS Patuxent River UAS Airspace Coordinator. In 2018, Director of Research...
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NAS Patuxent River Announces Independence Day Weekend Gate Hours

NAS Patuxent River Announces Independence Day Weekend Gate Hours

NAS Patuxent River’s gates will operate under the following hours from Friday July 2 to Monday July 5: NAS Pax River Gate 1 will be open NAS Pax River Gates 2 and 3 are CLOSED from Friday, July 2 to Monday, July 5 NRC Solomons Main Gate is Open Webster Outlying Field Main Gate...
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Nine Additional CH-53K™ King Stallion™ Helicopters Under Contract

Nine Additional CH-53K™ King Stallion™ Helicopters Under Contract

NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, MD. – A contract to build nine CH-53K™ King Stallion™ helicopters with an additional contract option for nine more aircraft was awarded to Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company on June 25, 2021. The Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Lot 5 contract will deliver nine aircraft...
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Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band Receives Milestone C Approval

Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band Receives Milestone C Approval

The Navy’s Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) program received Milestone C approval from Frederick J. Stefany, acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition on June 28, 2021. This decision gives NGJ-MB the green light to enter the Production and Deployment phase and proceed with Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP). “This...
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NAS Patuxent River Updates Health Protection Condition Alpha, Expands Base Access and Programs

NAS Patuxent River Updates Health Protection Condition Alpha, Expands Base Access and Programs

Naval Air Station announced June 25 that the installation is now in Health Protection Condition (HPCON) Alpha. Commanders and public health personnel use HPCON levels to guide specific actions personnel can take in response to a health threat. While it’s always important to prevent the spread of germs, there are additional steps you can...
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Off-Duty Navy Fire Inspector Pulls Motorist From Burning Vehicle

Off-Duty Navy Fire Inspector Pulls Motorist From Burning Vehicle

Naval District Washington (NDW) Fire Inspector Karen Montgomery, assigned to Naval Support Activity South Potomac (NSASP), had just passed through a construction zone June 16 on Chicamuxen Rd. on her way toward Nanjemoy when she noticed an accident along a rough patch of pavement: a SUV was off the road and had impacted a...
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Pax River Museum Obtains Retired Blue Angel Aircraft

Pax River Museum Obtains Retired Blue Angel Aircraft

After months of preparations and discussions with the navy, the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum is thrilled to announce the addition of a Blue Angel aircraft to the flight line. On Thursday, June 10th, the FA-18B took its final flight from Jacksonville, Florida and arrived at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station. Once proper...
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St. Mary’s County Commissioners Commemorate Flag Day

St. Mary’s County Commissioners Commemorate Flag Day

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County recognized Flag Day, Monday, June 14, with a patriotic event on the grounds of the governmental center in Leonardtown. The Flag Day ceremony began with a Pass in Review showcasing color guards from the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, the Civil Air Patrol...
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Blue Angel #7 Makes Final Flight to NAS Patuxent River, Will Be Placed at Patuxent River Naval Air Museum Coming Soon!

Blue Angel #7 Makes Final Flight to NAS Patuxent River, Will Be Placed at Patuxent River Naval Air Museum Coming Soon!

Today in 1946 the Blue Angels performed their first public flight demonstration from their first training base and team headquarters at Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville, Florida, on June 15, and June 16, 1946, with three F6F-5 Hellcats (number 1 – 3). They were specially modified to reduce weight and painted with the iconic...
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Naval Aviation Bridges Medicine & Engineering to Advance Aerospace Tech

Naval Aviation Bridges Medicine & Engineering to Advance Aerospace Tech

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) is advancing its human systems technology by combining best practices from the medical and engineering communities. The warfare center recently stood up the Aeromedical Monitoring and Analysis branch comprised of licensed medical military officers bridging their perspective with engineering disciplines to improve operational capabilities like night...
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NAS Patuxent River Updates Select Programs Under New COVID Guidelines

NAS Patuxent River Updates Select Programs Under New COVID Guidelines

Naval Air Station’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR), Commissary, Navy Exchange, and other services announced updates to some of their programming following new DoD COVID guidelines. “We’re thrilled to be able to reopen some programs and expand others to our patrons while safely operating in a COVID environment,” said Jeff Sias, NAS Patuxent River...
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NAS Patuxent River to Reopen Commissary Wednesday, May 26, 2021, Following Pest Control Measures

NAS Patuxent River to Reopen Commissary Wednesday, May 26, 2021, Following Pest Control Measures

NAS Patuxent River reopened its base commissary beginning Wednesday, May 26, 2021 following a five-day closure for pest control measures. “Health protection and safety is paramount to our mission,” said Capt. John Brabazon, NAS Patuxent River commanding officer. “We appreciate the proactive efforts of our Commissary staff, NAS Pax River Public Works, and our...
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Former Air Force Employee Pleads Guilty to Stealing More Than $1 Million in Government Funds

Former Air Force Employee Pleads Guilty to Stealing More Than $1 Million in Government Funds

Eddie Ray Johnson, Jr., age 60, of Brandywine, Maryland, pleaded guilty on May 14, 2021, to the federal charge of theft of government property, in connection with a scheme to use his government-issued travel credit card to obtain more than $1.1 million in cash advances. The guilty plea was announced by Acting United States...
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NAS Patuxent River Seeking Volunteers for Clean the Bay Day on June 1st to June 3rd

NAS Patuxent River Seeking Volunteers for Clean the Bay Day on June 1st to June 3rd

On Tuesday, June 1, from 3:30 p.m., to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 2, 7:00 a.m., to 8:30 a.m., and Thursday, June 3, 3:30 p.m., to 5:30 p.m., Join Pax River for a great opportunity to get some volunteer hours under your belt and contribute to the beautification of NAS Patuxent River and the our...
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U.S. Navy to Hold Virtual Public Meetings on Tuesday, May 18, and Wednesday, May 19 for Patuxent River Complex Testing and Training Activities Draft Environmental Impact Statement

U.S. Navy to Hold Virtual Public Meetings on Tuesday, May 18, and Wednesday, May 19 for Patuxent River Complex Testing and Training Activities Draft Environmental Impact Statement

The U.S. Navy invites you attend a virtual public meeting on May 18 or 19 regarding the Patuxent River Complex Testing and Training Activities Environmental Impact Statement, or EIS. The Draft EIS evaluates the potential environmental effects of continuing to conduct military testing and training activities within the Patuxent River Complex needed to meet...
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U.S. Navy Receives Production Approval for Next-Generation Air Combat Training System

U.S. Navy Receives Production Approval for Next-Generation Air Combat Training System

The Naval Aviation Training Systems and Ranges program office (PMA-205) received Milestone C approval for its next-generation air combat training system, the Tactical Combat Training System Increment II (TCTS II) on April 27, 2021. Approved by Program Executive Officer for Aviation Common Systems and Commercial Services (PEO(CS)), Gary Kurtz, Milestone C clears the way...
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NAS Patuxent River to Re-Open Gate 3 on Wednesday, May 5, 2021

NAS Patuxent River to Re-Open Gate 3 on Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Naval Air Station Patuxent River will reopen Gate 3 beginning Wednesday, May 5, 2021. Gate 3 will be open from 5:30 a.m., to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and closed weekends and holidays. Pax River had closed Gate 3 after it established Health Protection Condition Charlie and a large population of the workforce moved...
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Effective Immediately, Naval District Washington Returns to Health Protection Condition Bravo / Bravo Plus

Effective Immediately, Naval District Washington Returns to Health Protection Condition Bravo / Bravo Plus

Installations under Bravo include Naval Support Activity Bethesda, Naval Support Activity Washington, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Naval Support Activity South Potomac while Naval Support Activity Annapolis is under HPCON Bravo Plus. This order applies to military and civilian personnel assigned to Naval District Washington. Personnel should continue to follow CDC guidance as well...
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Marines Get First Look at Tactical Resupply Unmanned Aircraft Systems During Field Assessment

Marines Get First Look at Tactical Resupply Unmanned Aircraft Systems During Field Assessment

The Marines successfully completed a Tactical Resupply Unmanned Aircraft System (TRUAS) Field User Capability Assessment (FUCA) in March at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, of two prototype systems identified by a successful prize challenge in last year. Anticipated future end users were given the opportunity to work with both prototype systems – Survice Engineering’s TRV-150 and Chartis...
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Next Generation Jammer Wins Top Navy Test and Evaluation Award

Next Generation Jammer Wins Top Navy Test and Evaluation Award

The Next Generation Jammer Test and Evaluation (T&E) team recently won the Department of the Navy’s T&E award for their accomplishments on two Acquisition Category 1 programs in 2020. Part of the Airborne Electronic Attack (AEA) Systems Program Office (PMA-234), the NGJ T&E team tests and evaluates the NGJ Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) and NGJ Low-Band...
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