Department of Defense

Two PEO Air Anti-Submarine Warfare and Assault and Special Mission Programs Recognized at NAWCAD Award Ceremony

Two PEO Air Anti-Submarine Warfare and Assault and Special Mission Programs Recognized at NAWCAD Award Ceremony

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND PATUXENT RIVER, Md..: Two Program Executive Office (PEO) Air Anti-submarine Warfare, Assault and Special Mission (A) programs were recognized during a Jan. 25 Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Commander’s Awards ceremony. “The competition was fierce but you went above and beyond in delivering the capability, availability, and affordability...
Read More »

NAVAIR Names Its 2022 Mentors of the Year

NAVAIR Names Its 2022 Mentors of the Year

Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) named its 2022 Mentors of the Year as part of its National Mentoring Month observance on Tuesday, January 24. Out of 77 nominations, nine employees received the honor. Initiated in 2013, to earn a Mentor of the Year award, peers or mentees nominate mentors through a written submission that...
Read More »

NAS Patuxent River Transitions to Health Protection Condition Alpha

NAS Patuxent River Transitions to Health Protection Condition Alpha

Naval Air Station Patuxent River announced Jan. 30 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...
Read More »

Unmanned MQ-4C Triton Begins Anti-Ice Test Flights at Patuxent River

Unmanned MQ-4C Triton Begins Anti-Ice Test Flights at Patuxent River

The MQ-4C Triton test team conducted the first flight to assess the unmanned aircraft system’s ability to fly with wing ice accumulation Jan. 25 at Patuxent River. This was the first of approximately 15 flights planned through spring 2023 that will clear Triton to fly in icing conditions. “Triton’s ability to fly in icing...
Read More »

Navy Awards Textron Aviation $113 Million Contract to Buy Multi-Engine Training System Aircraft

Navy Awards Textron Aviation $113 Million Contract to Buy Multi-Engine Training System Aircraft

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md.: New training aircraft will equip pilots across the services for tomorrow’s battlespace The U.S. Navy announced on Jan. 25 that it awarded Textron Aviation a single, firm-fixed-price contract to develop the T-54A multi-engine training system (METS) aircraft. The T-54A will provide advanced instrument and asymmetric engine handling...
Read More »

NAS Patuxent River Announces New Gate Hours and Spike Strips Effective February 1, 2023

NAS Patuxent River Announces New Gate Hours and Spike Strips Effective February 1, 2023

NAS Patuxent River will adjust its gate hours beginning Feb. 1, 2023. Pax River’s new gate hours are: Gate 1 – Open 24/7 Gate 2 – Open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Gate 3 – Open 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. NAS Patuxent River will also lay spike strips on Cuddihy Road just beyond...
Read More »

Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion Lifts F-35C in External Load Test

Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion Lifts F-35C in External Load Test

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND PATUXENT RIVER, Md.: A CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopter from Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron (VMX) performed an external load certification lift of an inoperable F-35 Lightning II airframe in December at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland. The lift was to evaluate the load and inform...
Read More »

Noise Advisory – Field Carrier Landing Practice Flights Scheduled January 24-27, 2023

Noise Advisory – Field Carrier Landing Practice Flights Scheduled January 24-27, 2023

Communities surrounding Naval Air Station Patuxent River are advised that noise-generating testing events are scheduled to take place Jan. 24 – 27, 2023 from noon to 6:30 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...
Read More »

NAS Patuxent River Prepares for Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2023, Starting February 6th to 17th, 2023

NAS Patuxent River Prepares for Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2023, Starting February 6th to 17th, 2023

Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain (CSSC), the Navy’s annual anti-terrorism, force protection (ATFP) exercise, will be underway Navywide – and at NAS Patuxent River – Feb. 6-17, 2023. Conducted by U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM), Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, and Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC), CSSC uses realistic drills and scenarios to enhance the readiness of...
Read More »

NAS Patuxent River Noise Advisory – Nighttime Helicopter Testing Events Scheduled January 17-18

NAS Patuxent River Noise Advisory – Nighttime Helicopter Testing Events Scheduled January 17-18

Communities surrounding the naval air station are advised that noise-generating night-time testing events are scheduled to take place Tuesday, Jan. 17 – Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023 from sunset through 9:30 p.m. Pilots at NAS Pax River will be conducting night flight low-level helicopter Field Carrier Landing Practices. Night testing and training is essential for...
Read More »

NAVSUP Pax Fuels Sailor Provides Life Saving Assistance in Lexington Park

NAVSUP Pax Fuels Sailor Provides Life Saving Assistance in Lexington Park

A member of Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center (NAVSUP FLC) Pax River Fuels Division assisted in the saving of a life Jan. 3 in Lexington Park when a library patron suddenly lost consciousness. Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuel) 1st Class Charles Osei Yeboah was in the St. Mary’s County Library Lexington Park Branch...
Read More »

NAS Patuxent River Transitions from HPCON Alpha to Bravo on January 4, 2023 Due to Rising COVID-19 Cases

NAS Patuxent River Transitions from HPCON Alpha to Bravo on January 4, 2023 Due to Rising COVID-19 Cases

NAS Patuxent River transitioned from Health Protection Condition (HPCON) Alpha to HPCON Bravo Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023 HPCON B requires HPCON A Measures, plus: Less than 80% of normal occupancy in the workplace Permit liberal telework where possible, especially for individuals who self-identify as immunocompromised or being at high risk for severe disease Consider...
Read More »

Navy’s Adversary Aircraft Team Wins Top Defense Acquisition Workforce Award

Navy’s Adversary Aircraft Team Wins Top Defense Acquisition Workforce Award

The Navy’s Specialized and Proven Aircraft Program Office’s (PMA-226) Adversary Aircraft Team won the DoD Acquisition Workforce Award for flexibility in contracting Dec. 14 in a virtual ceremony with senior leadership. The PMA-226 Adversary Aircraft Team employed a novel strategy to modernize Navy and Marine Corps F-5 aircraft by combining an Other Transaction Authority...
Read More »

Loud “Boom” Heard Across St. Mary’s and Calvert Caused by NAS Patuxent River Supersonic Flight Test

Loud “Boom” Heard Across St. Mary’s and Calvert Caused by NAS Patuxent River Supersonic Flight Test

Did you hear something around noon today? An aircraft out of NAS Patuxent River was identified as going supersonic above 30,000 feet at the time of the loud boom heard on Thursday, December 29, 2022. NAS Pax River Air Operations confirmed that the flight was authorized. NAS PAX flight test squadrons conduct several types...
Read More »

Flying Into 40: V-22 Program Office Recognizes Four Decades of Collaboration

Flying Into 40: V-22 Program Office Recognizes Four Decades of Collaboration

Forty years ago this month, the Department of Navy (DoN) took control of what is now known as the V-22 Joint Program Office (PMA-275), responsible for the cradle-to-grave acquisition, sustainment, development and production of the venerable tiltrotor aircraft. With more than 700,000 flight hours under its articulating halos, the V-22 Osprey is a military...
Read More »

U.S. Navy Successfully Demonstrates Unmanned Cargo Delivery Systems for Ships at Sea During Demo in St. Mary’s County

U.S. Navy Successfully Demonstrates Unmanned Cargo Delivery Systems for Ships at Sea During Demo in St. Mary’s County

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) recently demonstrated multiple unmanned systems in a first-of-its-kind mission to move supplies to ships at sea without the use of manned aircraft during an event at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in St. Inigoes, Maryland. The demo, held in collaboration with the Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft...
Read More »

CH-53K King Stallion Helicopter Enters Full Rate Production and Deployment Phase

CH-53K King Stallion Helicopter Enters Full Rate Production and Deployment Phase

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, MD. Dec,2022 The CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopter has entered Full Rate Production (FRP) and its deployment phase, following a decision review by Frederick J. Stefany, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition. FRP occurs at the end of Low Rate Initial Production...
Read More »

NAS Patuxent River Announces New Years Holiday Gate Hours

NAS Patuxent River Announces New Years Holiday Gate Hours

Pax River Announces New Years Holiday Gate Hours – Holiday Leave Period Tuesday, Dec. 27 – Thursday, Dec. 29 Gate 1: Open 24/7 Gate 2: Open 5:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Gate 3: Open 5:30 a.m. – 9 a.m., and 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. (outbound only) NOTE: No extra lanes open during morning...
Read More »

NAS Pax River Announces 2022 Holiday Gate Hours

NAS Pax River Announces 2022 Holiday Gate Hours

NAS Pax River Announces Holiday Gate Hours Holiday Leave Period Monday, Dec. 19 – Friday, Dec. 23 Gate 1: Open 24/7 Gate 2: Open 5:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Gate 3: Closed NOTE: No extra lanes open during morning rush hour. Saturday, Dec. 24 – Monday, Dec. 26, Holiday/weekend routine Gate 1: Open 24/7...
Read More »

UPDATE: Santa Claus Visited St. Mary’s and Calvert Courtesy of the U.S. Navy

UPDATE: Santa Claus Visited St. Mary’s and Calvert Courtesy of the U.S. Navy

UPDATE: Adm. Santa Claus took to the skies aboard a UH-1Y Huey helicopter on the afternoon of December 14th with holiday helpers from the HX-21 Blackjacks for a pre-mission planning fight. The sortie focused on reconnaissance ahead of his upcoming operations on Christmas Eve. Children are advised to stay mission focused and maintain best...
Read More »

St. Mary’s County Shop with a Cop 2022

St. Mary’s County Shop with a Cop 2022

On Saturday, December 10, 2022, the Optimist Club partnered with the St. Mary’s County Fraternal Order of Police and hosted the annual “Shop With a Cop” program. Children who participated in the program were  picked up at their homes by local, state, and federal law enforcement officers and taken to Walmart to purchase Christmas...
Read More »

St. Mary’s County Commissioner Meeting Rollup – December 6, 2022

St. Mary’s County Commissioner Meeting Rollup – December 6, 2022

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County held their regular business meeting in the Chesapeake Building Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, with the invocation and pledge, followed by approval of the consent agenda. The Commissioners began by accepting the report of the Independent Auditor on the Financial Statements of the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County for...
Read More »

ATF, Anne Arundel County and Montgomery County Police Departments Investigating Multiple Gun Store Burglaries

ATF, Anne Arundel County and Montgomery County Police Departments Investigating Multiple Gun Store Burglaries

BALTIMORE, Md. – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division is working with Anne Arundel County Police Department and Montgomery County Police Department investigating recent incidents of burglaries and attempted burglaries of federal firearms licensees (FFLs) in these counties. On November 19, 2022 at approximately 3:55 a.m., Montgomery County...
Read More »

Governor Hogan Announces Emergency Directive to Prohibit Use of TikTok, China and Russia-Based Products and Platforms in State Government

Governor Hogan Announces Emergency Directive to Prohibit Use of TikTok, China and Russia-Based Products and Platforms in State Government

Governor Larry Hogan today announced that the State of Maryland has issued an emergency cybersecurity directive to prohibit the use of certain Chinese and Russian-influenced products and platforms for the executive branch of state government, including TikTok. These entities present an unacceptable level of cybersecurity risk to the state, and may be involved in activities such as cyber-espionage,...
Read More »

Eleven Defendants Facing Federal Charges Relating to Unemployment Insurance Fraud Scheme with More Than $1.6 Million in Losses

Eleven Defendants Facing Federal Charges Relating to Unemployment Insurance Fraud Scheme with More Than $1.6 Million in Losses

A federal grand jury has returned a superseding indictment adding two new defendants to the nine defendants previously charged in relation to a Maryland and California unemployment insurance scheme. The superseding indictment charges the defendants with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and stealing a post office key. The superseding...
Read More »