A U.S. Marine Corps drill instructor with Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, supervises recruits during the confidence course at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, June 13, 2022. U.S. Marine Corps / Cpl. Max J. Noel /
The Naval Brief: Weapons for Ukraine; Saving littoral ships; Censure letters; and more...
Welcome to The Naval Brief, a weekly look at the news and ideas shaping the sea services’ future.
More weapons. The U.S. will be sending Ukraine more weapons as part of a new $1 billion security package, to include a future truck-launched variant of the Harpoon anti-ship missile system, Defense One reports. The Pentagon has worked with industry to create the new system, which will have U.S. launchers firing missiles provided by European partners. However, it’s not expected to be delivered for months.
Saving some LCSs. The House Appropriations Committee wants to save five of the nine littoral combat ships slated for decommissioning in the Navy’s 2023 budget request, USNI News reports. The House Armed Services subcommittee on seapower also intends to save five ships– the Ticonderoga-class cruiser Vicksburg and four landing dock ships– from decommissioning. The Navy has 24 ships on the chopping block in its budget.
Letters of censure. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro issued five letters of censure for Marine Corps and Navy officers who were in leadership roles at the time of the deadly amphibious assault vehicle accident July 30, 2020. “Following a thorough review of the command investigations into the AAV sinking, these officers received [Secretarial Letters of Censure] due to their inadequate leadership and execution of their oversight duties,” Del Toro said in a Navy statement. The letters are added to each officer’s official military record.
Sign up to get The Naval Brief every Thursday from Caitlin M. Kenney, Defense One’s military services reporter. On June 17, 1898, the Navy’s Hospital Corps was established. These enlisted Corpsmen, or “Docs,” also serve alongside Marines, providing medical aid on the battlefield.
From Defense One
Ukraine Will Survive and the US is Preparing to Arm it for Years, Says Pentagon's Hicks // Patrick Tucker
Deputy Defense Secretary Hicks discusses Russia, China, and inflation's effects on the Pentagon's buying power at the 7th Annual Defense One Tech Summit.
'Obsolete' NATO Force Presence in Baltics Needs Upgrade, Estonian Defense Leader Says // Jacqueline Feldscher
"It's a joke" that Russia would be deterred by a battalion, secretary says.
In Asia, Defense Ministers Issue New Warnings to China // Jacqueline Feldscher
"Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow," Japan's prime minister said at this year's feistier-than-usual Shangri-La Dialogue.