Department of Defense

St. Mary’s County Native Serves with U.S. Navy Patrol Squadron Supporting Maritime Missions Around the Globe

St. Mary’s County Native Serves with U.S. Navy Patrol Squadron Supporting Maritime Missions Around the Globe

By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach: JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Lt. Matthew Eastburg, a native of California, Maryland, serves with Patrol and Reconnaissance Squadron (VP) 45 based out of Jacksonville, Florida. The squadron’s primary mission is to undertake maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Eastburg, a 2012 graduate of Great...
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Tomahawk Program Welcomes New Leadership During Ceremony at NAS Patuxent River

Tomahawk Program Welcomes New Leadership During Ceremony at NAS Patuxent River

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, Patuxent River, Md.: The Navy’s Tomahawk Weapons System program office (PMA-280) welcomed a new program manager during a ceremony July 6 in Naval Air Station Patuxent River. Rear Adm. Stephen Tedford, Program Executive Officer for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons (PEO (U&W)), presided over the change of command ceremony where...
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U.S. and Australian Navy Partnership Proves Maintenance, Readiness; Wins Awards

U.S. and Australian Navy Partnership Proves Maintenance, Readiness; Wins Awards

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md.: For the first time, the U.S. and Royal Australian Navies have successfully demonstrated a periodic maintenance interval (PMI) on a U.S. Navy MH-60R Seahawk in Australia. The milestone demonstrates both countries’ commitment to advancing military readiness in the Indo-Pacific region. H-60 Multi-Mission Helicopter Program’s (PMA-299) Special Projects...
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Naval Air Station Patuxent River Environmental Restoration Program Open House Posterboard Session on Tuesday, July 18th

Naval Air Station Patuxent River Environmental Restoration Program Open House Posterboard Session on Tuesday, July 18th

Want to know more about the Navy’s program to investigate and clean up the environment from hazardous substances and munitions? The Navy, in coordination with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Maryland Department of the Environment, invites you to attend an open posterboard session. Drop in at any time between 5:30 and 7:30...
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Navy’s Air Combat Electronics Program Office Changes Command

Navy’s Air Combat Electronics Program Office Changes Command

The Navy’s Air Combat Electronics Program Office (PMA-209) welcomed a new program manager during a change of command and retirement ceremony June 15 at Patuxent River. Capt. Margaret “Maggie” Wilson, who retired after more than 27 years of service, transferred leadership to Capt. Jarrod Hair, who most recently served as chief of staff to...
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Navy’s Rotary Test Squadron Changes Command

Navy’s Rotary Test Squadron Changes Command

Cmdr. Nicholas Green took command of the Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21 Blackjacks from Lt. Col. Matthew Baumann during a change of command ceremony at Naval Air Station Patuxent River on June 8, 2023. Naval Test Wing Atlantic Commodore Capt. Elizabeth Somerville presided over the ceremony. “The scope of responsibility is absolutely immense and the...
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NOISE ADVISORY: Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division Conducting Range Testing June 12th to 16th

NOISE ADVISORY: Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division Conducting Range Testing June 12th to 16th

Noise Advisory: Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division will conduct daily range testing June 12-16 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Testing has potential to produce VERY LOUD NOISE in communities surrounding NSF Dahlgren. Access to the Potomac River Middle Danger Zone (MDZ), as described in 33 CFR 334.230, will be restricted during testing....
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Drone Crash Under Investigation in Southern St. Mary’s County

Drone Crash Under Investigation in Southern St. Mary’s County

On Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at approximately 1:04 p.m., police, fire and emergency medical personnel, DOD and personnel from NAS Patuxent River and NAS Webster Field was dispatched to the area of Fresh Pond Neck Road in Ridge, for the reported aircraft crash investigation. NAS Patuxent River personnel advised a (UAV) Unmanned aerial vehicle...
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Navy launches historic aircrew study to update size requirements for a diverse fleet

Navy launches historic aircrew study to update size requirements for a diverse fleet

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) is leading the Navy’s first comprehensive study since 1964 to update aviator size requirements, improve aircrew gear and equipment, and expand access for prospective future aviators. This is the Navy’s first aircrew study to include women and minorities. “We are excited to launch this historic study that will...
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Statement Released After F-16s Intercepting Plane That Violated Restricted Airspace in Washington D.C. Cause Sonic Boom

Statement Released After F-16s Intercepting Plane That Violated Restricted Airspace in Washington D.C. Cause Sonic Boom

The D.C. National Guard scrambled F-16 fighters from Joint Base Andrews after a Cessna 560 Citation V violated restricted air space in Washington D.C. The F16s sonic boom caused concerns and many 911 calls until officials confirmed the noise was caused by the military jets. According to (NORAD) North American Aerospace Defense Command, the...
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PMA-207 delivers C-40A to the U.S. Marine Corps

PMA-207 delivers C-40A to the U.S. Marine Corps

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER: Tactical Airlift Program Office (PMA-207) delivered the first of two C-40A aircraft to Marine Transport Squadron (VMR) 1, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 41, in Fort Worth, Texas, May 19. “Delivery of this aircraft meets a critical Marine Corps requirement for organic long-range logistical airlift capability,” said Col Steve...
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Maryland Attorney General Brown Sues 3M, Dupont, and Other Chemical Manufacturers for PFAS Contamination of Maryland’s Waters and Other Natural Resources

Maryland Attorney General Brown Sues 3M, Dupont, and Other Chemical Manufacturers for PFAS Contamination of Maryland’s Waters and Other Natural Resources

(May 30, 2023) – Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced two lawsuits, filed on behalf of the State of Maryland, the Maryland Department of Environment, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and the Maryland Department of Health, seeking to hold multiple chemical manufacturers accountable for widespread and continuing contamination of Maryland’s natural resources...
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Noise Advisory – Field Carrier Landing Practice Flights Scheduled June 5-19, 2023

Noise Advisory – Field Carrier Landing Practice Flights Scheduled June 5-19, 2023

Communities surrounding the naval air station are advised that noise-generating testing events are scheduled to take place June 5 – 19, 2023 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Pilots at NAS Patuxent River will be conducting Field Carrier Landing Practices (FCLPs). FCLPs are simulated carrier landings conducted to prepare the pilot to land safely...
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Marines Receive First MQ-9 Reaper Under Latest Procurement Contract

Marines Receive First MQ-9 Reaper Under Latest Procurement Contract

The Marine Corps recently received the first of eight MQ-9 Reapers, which was delivered under a joint contract with the U.S. Air Force. The Navy’s Multi-Mission Tactical Unmanned Air System program team (PMA-266) at Pax River leveraged the U.S. Air Force’s Agile Reaper Enterprise Solution (ARES), an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) type contract,...
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Southern Maryland’s Leading Employer Holding Largest-Ever Hiring Event

Southern Maryland’s Leading Employer Holding Largest-Ever Hiring Event

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), Southern Maryland’s largest employer and the region’s largest source of STEM jobs, will hold a job fair to fill more than 100 mid-level positions. The hiring event will run from noon to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14, at the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland SMART...
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NAS Pax River – PMA-207 delivers C-40A to the U.S. Marine Corps

NAS Pax River – PMA-207 delivers C-40A to the U.S. Marine Corps

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. Tactical Airlift Program Office (PMA-207) delivered the first of two C-40A aircraft to Marine Transport Squadron (VMR) 1, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 41, in Fort Worth, Texas, May 19. “Delivery of this aircraft meets a critical Marine Corps requirement for organic long-range logistical airlift capability,” said Col...
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Firefighters Respond to Fire on Patuxent River Naval Air Station

Firefighters Respond to Fire on Patuxent River Naval Air Station

On Sunday, May 21, 2023, at approximately 7:45 p.m., NAS Patuxent River firefighters responded to building 2818 for an automatic fire alarm. While units responded, the incident was upgraded to a working fire dispatch which alerted additional firefighters from Bay District, Hollywood and Valley Lee Volunteer Fire Departments. First arriving units found smoke conditions...
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Federal Funding Supports New Combustion Lab at NSWC Indian Head Division

Federal Funding Supports New Combustion Lab at NSWC Indian Head Division

By Sheila Mullowney, NAVSEA Warfare Centers Headquarters Corporate Communications: The Navy will be getting a long-needed, state-of-the-art combustion laboratory at Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Indian Head Division, thanks to a new federal funding program aimed at upgrading defense laboratories. The Central Laboratory Investment Program (CLIP) was established by the Office of the Under Secretary...
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NAS Patuxent River Noise Advisory – May 8th to May 19th, 2023

NAS Patuxent River Noise Advisory – May 8th to May 19th, 2023

Communities surrounding the naval air station are advised that noise-generating testing events are scheduled to take place May 08–May 19, 2023. Test events are scheduled from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Pilots at NAS PAX will be conducting Field Carrier Landing Practices (FCLPs). FCLPs are simulated carrier landings conducted to prepare the pilot to...
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UPDATE: Annapolis Man Sentenced to 4 Months in Federal Prison for Threatening to Murder United States Congressman Ted Cruz

UPDATE: Annapolis Man Sentenced to 4 Months in Federal Prison for Threatening to Murder United States Congressman Ted Cruz

U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett today sentenced Justin Kuchta, age 40, of Annapolis, Maryland, to four months in federal prison, followed by one year of supervised release, for threatening to murder a United States Member of Congress. The sentence was announced by Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland;...
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NSWC Dahlgren Division Range Testing This Week “VERY LOUD NOISE” May Be Produced

NSWC Dahlgren Division Range Testing This Week “VERY LOUD NOISE” May Be Produced

Noise Advisory: Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division will conduct range testing on April 20 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Testing has potential to produce VERY LOUD NOISE in communities surrounding NSF Dahlgren. Access to the Potomac River Middle Danger Zone (MDZ), as described in 33 CFR 334.230, will be restricted during testing....
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NAS Pax River to Participate Navy’s Annual Hurricane Exercise/Citadel Gale 2023 (HURREX/CG) Set for April 24th to May 5th 2023

NAS Pax River to Participate Navy’s Annual Hurricane Exercise/Citadel Gale 2023 (HURREX/CG) Set for April 24th to May 5th 2023

Naval installations in the National Capital Region are preparing for the Navy’s annual Hurricane Exercise/Citadel Gale 2023 (HURREX/CG) scheduled to take place 24 April to 5 May, 2023 including Naval Support Activities Washington, South Potomac, and Bethesda; Naval Activity Annapolis; and Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River. With this year’s hurricane season fast approaching...
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NAS Pax River Sets Noise Advisory for April 18th Through June 1st, 2023

NAS Pax River Sets Noise Advisory for April 18th Through June 1st, 2023

Residents of St. Mary’s and Calvert Counties are advised that a nighttime flights are scheduled to take place in your vicinity on April 18 through June 1, 2023. In an effort to lessen the disturbance of these missions, we have instructed our pilots to fly the lowest altitude portion of their flights prior to...
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NSWC IHD Employees Recognized with Top Navy Civilian Service Awards

NSWC IHD Employees Recognized with Top Navy Civilian Service Awards

Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD) leadership presented three employees with the Department of the Navy (DON) Civilian Service Commendation Medal and 12 personnel with the DON Civilian Service Achievement Medal at an awards ceremony at the College of Southern Maryland’s Velocity Center in Indian Head, Maryland, recently. The Navy Civilian...
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NAS Patuxent River Gets Earth Day Honors for Shoreline Restoration Work

NAS Patuxent River Gets Earth Day Honors for Shoreline Restoration Work

4/6/2023 – This Earth Day was an extra-special one for Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River. The Navy base’s Environment Division will be honored by St. Mary’s County with a Sustainability Award for a shoreline restoration project to stop soil erosion and rebuild natural habitat areas on the Patuxent River. The Commissioners of St....
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