Sen. Sullivan says CNO ‘assured’ him new shipbuilding plan will have 31 amphibs

Sen. Sullivan says CNO ‘assured’ him new shipbuilding plan will have 31 amphibs
Sen. Sullivan says CNO ‘assured’ him new shipbuilding plan will have 31 amphibs

The comments from Sen. Dan Sullivan come after a contentious year during which the Navy, Marine Corps and Congress publicly feuded over the state of the amphibious fleet.

Navy’s new top admiral calls for ‘more players on the field’ in first major speech

Navy’s new top admiral calls for ‘more players on the field’ in first major speech
Navy’s new top admiral calls for ‘more players on the field’ in first major speech

Addressing a crowd of Navy sailors, officers and industry at the Surface Navy Association’s annual event, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti emphasized a clear focus for the fleet: warfighting.

Navy’s Del Toro balks at lawmakers’ shipbuilding plan demand, will ‘meet’ amphib needs

Navy’s Del Toro balks at lawmakers’ shipbuilding plan demand, will ‘meet’ amphib needs
Navy’s Del Toro balks at lawmakers’ shipbuilding plan demand, will ‘meet’ amphib needs

While the Navy secretary insists he will meet the requirements under the law, Sen. Dan Sullivan says he’s prepping legislation to force the Navy’s hand.

‘Not a suggestion’: Senators prod Navy’s Del Toro for failure to respond to amphib questions

‘Not a suggestion’: Senators prod Navy’s Del Toro for failure to respond to amphib questions
‘Not a suggestion’: Senators prod Navy’s Del Toro for failure to respond to amphib questions

The letter says the Navy’s current shipbuilding plan violates statutes and demands an “updated” plan by next week.

Digging in: Senator to block two industry-focused DoD nominees over mining dispute

Digging in: Senator to block two industry-focused DoD nominees over mining dispute
Digging in: Senator to block two industry-focused DoD nominees over mining dispute

The hold by Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, could delay the confirmations of Radha Plumb, who is nominated to be deputy under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, and Laura Taylor-Kale, the administration’s pick for the assistant secretary of defense for industrial base policy.

As Republicans push Pentagon over inflation, Austin says FY23 budget is ‘robust’

As Republicans push Pentagon over inflation, Austin says FY23 budget is ‘robust’
As Republicans push Pentagon over inflation, Austin says FY23 budget is ‘robust’

“For me, this isn’t just about how much money we spend on defense, this is about how we spend the money,” SASC ranking member Sen. Jim Inhofe said. “And we need a higher top line because what’s in this budget right now is not nearly enough to make up for lost time.”

Echoing Hyten, Grady says Pentagon should stop over-classifying info

Echoing Hyten, Grady says Pentagon should stop over-classifying info
Echoing Hyten, Grady says Pentagon should stop over-classifying info

Adm. Christopher Grady appears poised to become the military’s second highest ranking officer.

Navy Secretary: US Plans Patrols Near Russian Arctic Bases

Navy Secretary: US Plans Patrols Near Russian Arctic Bases
Navy Secretary: US Plans Patrols Near Russian Arctic Bases

“It’s sort of the same situation in the South China Sea that, when we look at freedom of navigation operations and the ability to operate in international waters, the United States claims the right to be able to do that,” SecNav Kenneth Braithwaite said.

NDAA Loaded With Icebreakers, Satellite Funding For Sharper Arctic Focus

NDAA Loaded With Icebreakers, Satellite Funding For Sharper Arctic Focus
NDAA Loaded With Icebreakers, Satellite Funding For Sharper Arctic Focus

“The highways of the Arctic are paved by icebreakers,” said Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan, who helped shepherd the provisions through to the final bill which sits on the president’s desk, awaiting his promised veto

White House Orders New Icebreaker Strategy For Coast Guard

White House Orders New Icebreaker Strategy For Coast Guard
White House Orders New Icebreaker Strategy For Coast Guard

“I certainly hope the Pentagon is not going to come back after studying this again, saying there’s no need,” for more Arctic infrastructure, said Sen. Dan Sullivan. “The infrastructure is not fine. It doesn’t exist. And we need it to exist.”

Will Senate Ground Trump’s Space Force: ‘We Need Some Convincing’

Will Senate Ground Trump’s Space Force: ‘We Need Some Convincing’
Will Senate Ground Trump’s Space Force: ‘We Need Some Convincing’

Sen. James Inhofe remains cool to the Space Force and most of his colleagues on a key Senate panel sound like they’re right there with him.

Navy Looking To Fly P-8s From Cold War-era Base In Alaska

Navy Looking To Fly P-8s From Cold War-era Base In Alaska
Navy Looking To Fly P-8s From Cold War-era Base In Alaska

WASHINGTON: The Navy may begin deploying submarine-hunting P-8 Poseidon aircraft to a small airstrip hundreds of miles off the Alaskan coast, signaling a new emphasis on keeping watch over Russian and Chinese moves in the Arctic. The remote runway sits on the island of Adak in the Aleutian island chain, and it’s the westernmost airfield…

Kyl Named To SASC; Missile Defense, Nuke Battles Likely On Capitol Hill

Kyl Named To SASC; Missile Defense, Nuke Battles Likely On Capitol Hill
Kyl Named To SASC; Missile Defense, Nuke Battles Likely On Capitol Hill

As Jon Kyl, the new senator who brings a long track record of spending on missile defense and nukes returns to the Hill, Democrats in the House might have other ideas.

Lawmakers’ Letters Endorse McCain Plan To Reinforce Pacific, Assist Asian Allies

Lawmakers’ Letters Endorse McCain Plan To Reinforce Pacific, Assist Asian Allies
Lawmakers’ Letters Endorse McCain Plan To Reinforce Pacific, Assist Asian Allies

A bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives is urging Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to budget $1.5 billion a year to reinforce US forces in the Pacific to better support Asian allies, stiffening their spines against Chinese intimidation. Known as the Asia-Pacific Stability Initiative and endorsed by the editorial page of The Wall Street Journal, it’s a proposal…