Latest news with #MilitarySealiftCommand
Miami Herald
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Map Shows US Missile-Tracking Ship Pinging Off China's Coast
A United States special mission vessel—designed to monitor missile launches—was spotted underway off China's coast in the Yellow Sea last month, according to ship-tracking data. Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Seventh Fleet, which is responsible for America's naval operations in the western Pacific, and China's Defense Ministry for comment via email. Under the Special Mission program, the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command operates approximately 20 ships, including the USNS Howard O. Lorenzen, the country's only missile range instrumentation ship, which provides support for military and other government missions. The presence of the Howard O. Lorenzen—capable of collecting data on missile launches—near the Chinese coastline comes as the Pentagon warns of a growing missile threat posed by China to U.S. bases, allies, and partners in the Indo-Pacific region. Another U.S. "Special Mission" ship, the ocean surveillance ship USNS Victorious, was tracked operating in the contested South China Sea from late May to early June. The ship is designed to collect undersea acoustic data in support of anti-submarine warfare development. Using open-source ship-tracking data, a Newsweek map shows that the Howard O. Lorenzen was underway in Sasebo Bay, located in western Japan, on June 6. It later transited across the East China Sea and reached the Yellow Sea to the northwest, near China's eastern coast. The American missile-tracking ship was last tracked in the Yellow Sea on June 26, about 100 miles off the Chinese coastline—well beyond the country's 13.8-mile-wide territorial waters—and near Yuchi Naval Base, home to China's first aircraft carrier, CNS Liaoning. The mission of the Howard O. Lorenzen near China remains unclear. Equipped with a radar system known as Cobra King, the 12,642-ton ship serves as the sea-based component of the Pentagon's Cobra program, monitoring missile and space launches, according to the U.S. Air Force. The Chinese military has yet to announce any missile launches, and it is unclear whether the Howard O. Lorenzen was shadowed by the Chinese navy while operating in the Yellow Sea. In addition to the deployment of a missile-tracking ship, a U.S. Air Force RC-135S Cobra Ball aircraft—capable of collecting optical and electronic data on ballistic targets—was spotted flying over the Yellow Sea on June 24, according to open-source flight-tracking data. The sensor-equipped aircraft was launched from Kadena Air Base, a U.S. airpower outpost on Japan's Okinawa Island. It arrived for forward deployment in early June, replacing another Cobra Ball aircraft that was returning to Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. The U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command said: "Missile range instrumentation ships serve as platforms for monitoring missile launches and collecting data that can be used to improve missile efficiency and accuracy. These ships monitor foreign missile and weapons tests that may pose potential threats to air or surface navigation." The U.S. Air Forcesaid: "The RC-135S, equipped with a sophisticated array of optical and electronic sensors, recording media, and communications equipment, is a national asset uniquely suited to provide America's leaders and defense community with vital information that cannot be obtained by any other source." It remains to be seen how long the Howard O. Lorenzen will remain deployed in the Yellow Sea, and whether other "Special Mission" ships will operate in waters surrounding China. Related Articles Map Shows Major US Naval Presence in West Pacific Amid China RivalryUS Military Issues Update on China's Rocket Force ThreatChina Research Ship Spotted on NATO's DoorstepRepublican Says 'Most' of Iran's Uranium Is Still There 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
The Hill
21-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
A swarm at sea: Supplying troops with on-demand autonomous watercraft
In any drawn-out military confrontation, the U.S. must support its ground forces with food, fuel, ammunition and weapons. In a conflict with China over Taiwan, however, that material will be coming from as far away as the Philippines and Japan. That means relying on the large, mostly unarmed, civilian-crewed ships, such as those operated by the Military Sealift Command, which are highly visible and vulnerable to attack. Military Sealift Command ships could be overwhelmed by the numerically superior and militarized Chinese 'fishing fleet.' A less vulnerable and more scalable method would be to use low-cost, rapidly built, small autonomous surface vessels to deliver supplies. Each could carry one or two standard shipping containers. They could work together in swarms of tens or hundreds, presenting a more dispersed, and therefore, challenging target. Even if a substantial number were to be attacked, damaged or sunk, it is unlikely that the adversary could destroy the entire logistical supply chain to the front line. This would be a radical departure from traditional logistics supply using large manned cargo ships. Spreading cargo between many smaller watercraft almost eliminates the risk that all supplies would be lost to an attack. Water-line hugging vessels present a far smaller signature for detection. Unmanned vessels would reduce the risk of human casualties and mitigate the acute civilian workforce shortages at the Military Sealift Command. Such software-driven ships would allow rapid updates to adapt to changing conditions to evade enemies or inclement weather. Such small watercraft also don't require a port; they could arrive almost anywhere, bringing materiel closer to the fight. They might even deliver supplies just-in-time, loitering near conflict zones as an offshore warehouse. Importantly, a fleet of such small ships could be manufactured quickly in the United States. Adaptive manufacturing techniques like 3D printing could ramp up production in the event of a conflict, while being able to ramp down in its aftermath. This type of autonomous vessel could provide the U.S. with advanced logistics difficult for adversaries to counter. But like any new concept, it faces risks and constraints. Open-ocean operation and the potential of disrupted or blocked communication or hacking means that each vessel has to be capable of independently accomplishing its mission. In the best of cases, autonomous operation allows coordination and collective control, but it will certainly pose technological challenges in development, testing and validation. Offloading cargo without a crew or port is another major hurdle. But if the Pentagon committed to distributed logistics delivery, that would likely lead to technological advancements to solve this knotted last-mile problem. Military planners must also consider the maritime laws and regulations of U.S. allies and partners, including rights of way and environmental impacts inside territorial waters. This could demand significant and urgent diplomatic efforts in a time of conflict, although that might be mitigated if that nation itself is under threat from the adversary. In international waters, the jurisdiction and regulation shifts primarily to the International Maritime Organization, the United Nations agency that developed the maritime shipping 'rules of the road.' These rules will need to be modified if swarms of autonomous vessels are to operate legally in the open seas. These aren't negligible issues. However, similar challenges have been overcome in recent years, including those dealing with the building, testing, verifying and deploying the complex software for the U.S. Navy's Aegis command/control system and the software for the F-35 fighter aircraft. In the end, sustaining warfighting in a chain of Indo-Pacific islands against a potent adversary offers few traditional choices. The challenge requires clear thinking about new methods of supply delivery that are robust, scalable and resilient. Kanna Rajan is a senior scientist at RAND, whose multidisciplinary research spans artificial intelligence, ocean science and robotics. Karlyn Stanley is a senior policy researcher at RAND and a subject matter expert on the legal and policy dimensions of autonomous vehicles.
Newsweek
04-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Steelers Respond After Players Join Trump at Rally: Live Updates
The Pittsburgh Steelers have responded to backlash from fans after several current and former players appeared alongside President Donald Trump at a Friday rally at the U.S. Steel plant in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. Quarterback Mason Rudolph, safety Miles Killebrew, and four-time Super Bowl champion Rocky Bleier joined Trump on stage and presented him with a custom No. 47 jersey, prompting a flurry of messages from fans who felt the appearance crossed a line. 08:25 AM EDT Full list of Navy ships that could be renamed by Pete Hegseth Main: Civil Service Mariners aboard Military Sealift Command's fleet replenishment oiler USNS Harvey Milk, Norfolk Virginia, Spetmeber 2024. Inset: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivers his speech during 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, Saturday,... Main: Civil Service Mariners aboard Military Sealift Command's fleet replenishment oiler USNS Harvey Milk, Norfolk Virginia, Spetmeber 2024. Inset: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivers his speech during 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, Saturday, May 31, 2025. More Main: LaShawn Sykes, Inset Anupam Nath/Main: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, Inset: AP Photo Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is looking to rename several Navy ships which honor civil rights leaders, according to documents obtained by CBS. These memos show Secretary Hegseth is changing the name of the USNS Harvey Milk at the beginning of Pride Month. The USNS Harvey Milk honors the memory of the gay rights campaigner who served in the Navy during the Korean War before being discharged for his sexuality. The USNS Harvey Milk is not the only ship that the Secretary wants to rename. He is also looking to change the names of several other ships named after civil rights campaigners and leaders. According to the memo this renaming is being done in "alignment with president" and "priorities of reestablishing the warrior culture." Chief Pentagon Spokesman, Sean Parnell, said in a statement to Newsweek: "Secretary Hegseth is committed to ensuring that the names attached to all DOD installations and assets are reflective of the Commander-in-Chief's priorities, our nation's history, and the warrior ethos." Read the full story by Sophie Clark on Newsweek.
Newsweek
04-06-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Full List of Navy Ships That Could Be Renamed By Pete Hegseth
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is looking to rename several Navy ships which honor civil rights leaders, according to documents obtained by CBS. These memos show Secretary Hegseth is changing the name of the USNS Harvey Milk at the beginning of Pride Month. The USNS Harvey Milk honors the memory of the gay rights campaigner who served in the Navy during the Korean War before being discharged for his sexuality. The USNS Harvey Milk is not the only ship that the Secretary wants to rename. He is also looking to change the names of several other ships named after civil rights campaigners and leaders. According to the memo this renaming is being done in "alignment with president" and "priorities of reestablishing the warrior culture." Chief Pentagon Spokesman, Sean Parnell, said in a statement to Newsweek: "Secretary Hegseth is committed to ensuring that the names attached to all DOD installations and assets are reflective of the Commander-in-Chief's priorities, our nation's history, and the warrior ethos." Main: Civil Service Mariners aboard Military Sealift Command's fleet replenishment oiler USNS Harvey Milk, Norfolk Virginia, September 2024. Inset: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivers his speech during 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, Saturday,... Main: Civil Service Mariners aboard Military Sealift Command's fleet replenishment oiler USNS Harvey Milk, Norfolk Virginia, September 2024. Inset: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivers his speech during 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, Saturday, May 31, 2025. More Main: LaShawn Sykes, Inset Anupam Nath/Main: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service, Inset: AP Photo Why It Matters The "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy which kept gay service members closeted was repealed in 2010 by President Barack Obama. The Trump administration is now reversing LGTBQ+ policy in the military by firing transgender troops and renaming a ship celebrating a gay leader. Critics argue that wiping the names of civil rights leaders from ships is disrespectful to them and redefines values America fights to protect. What To Know The USNS is a John Lewis-class oiler, meaning it is one of several ships named for civil rights campaigners. John Lewis was the racial justice campaigner who coined the term "good trouble." Other Ships up for Renaming USNS Thurgood Marshall (T-AO 211) Description : Named in honor of Thurgood Marshall, the first African American U.S. Supreme Court Justice and a pioneering civil rights attorney. : Named in honor of Thurgood Marshall, the first African American U.S. Supreme Court Justice and a pioneering civil rights attorney. Military Service: Thurgood Marshall did not serve in the military. However, he played a significant role in advocating for the rights of African American service members, notably providing legal counsel during the Port Chicago mutiny trial, which highlighted racial discrimination in the military. USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE-14) Description : Named after Cesar Chavez, a labor leader and civil rights activist who cofounded the United Farm Workers union. : Named after Cesar Chavez, a labor leader and civil rights activist who cofounded the United Farm Workers union. Military Service: Cesar Chavez served in the U.S. Navy from 1946 to 1948, shortly after World War II. He was stationed in the Western Pacific, including assignments in Saipan and Guam. USNS Medgar Evers (T-AKE-13) Description : Commemorates Medgar Evers, a civil rights activist and World War II veteran assassinated by a white supremacist in 1963. : Commemorates Medgar Evers, a civil rights activist and World War II veteran assassinated by a white supremacist in 1963. Military Service: Medgar Evers enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1943 at age 17. He served in the European Theater during World War II. In the segregated 657th Port Company, he participated in the Red Ball Express, a logistics operation critical to the Allied advance at Normandy. USNS Harriet Tubman (T-AO 213) Description : Honors Harriet Tubman, an Underground Railroad conductor and Union spy during the Civil War. : Honors Harriet Tubman, an Underground Railroad conductor and Union spy during the Civil War. Military Service: During the Civil War, Harriet Tubman served as a nurse, scout, and spy for the Union Army. Notably, she led the Combahee River Raid in 1863, which resulted in the liberation of over 700 enslaved individuals. In 2024, she was posthumously awarded the rank of brigadier general in the Maryland National Guard. USNS Dolores Huerta (T-AO 214) Description : Named after Dolores Huerta, a labor leader and co-founder of the United Farm Workers alongside Chavez. : Named after Dolores Huerta, a labor leader and co-founder of the United Farm Workers alongside Chavez. Military Service: Dolores Huerta did not serve in the military. Her contributions are rooted in labor organizing and civil rights advocacy. USNS Lucy Stone (T-AO 209) Description : Commemorates Lucy Stone, a suffragist and abolitionist who was the first woman from Massachusetts to earn a college degree. : Commemorates Lucy Stone, a suffragist and abolitionist who was the first woman from Massachusetts to earn a college degree. Military Service: Lucy Stone did not have military service. She was a prominent advocate for women's rights and the abolition of slavery. USNS Ruth Bader Ginsburg (T-AO 212) Description : Honors the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice known for her lifelong advocacy of gender equality and civil rights. : Honors the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice known for her lifelong advocacy of gender equality and civil rights. Military Service: Ruth Bader Ginsburg did not serve in the military. However, she significantly impacted military policies through her legal work, notably contributing to the end of the military's policy of discharging women for becoming pregnant. It is rare for a Navy ship to be renamed as the practice is considered to be taboo within the armed forces. However, two ships were renamed in 2023 as they had ties to the Confederacy. Unlike the ships that were named after people who tried to secede from the Union, these ships are being stripped of being named after people who strived to improve the rights of others within the US. This is one of several moves from Hegseth and the Trump administration to remove mention of civil rights leaders from the military. In early April, Hegseth purged 400 books from the Naval Academy library on race relations, gender, and sexuality. The Trump administration Defense Department has also banned affinity groups such as the Black Society for Engineers and the Native American Heritage Forum at military academies. What People Are Saying Chief Pentagon Spokesman, Sean Parnell, said in a statement to Newsweek: "Any potential renaming(s) will be announced after internal reviews are complete." Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi: "Our military is the most powerful in the world—but this spiteful move does not strengthen our national security or the "warrior" ethos. Instead, it is a surrender of a fundamental American value: to honor the legacy of those who worked to build a better country. "As the rest of us are celebrating the joy of Pride Month, it is my hope that the Navy will reconsider this egregious decision and continue to recognize the extraordinary contributions of Harvey Milk, a Veteran himself, and all Americans who forged historic progress for our nation." Senator Martin Heinrich on X (formerly Twitter): "Harvey Milk served his country honorably—first in uniform, then in public office. Taking his name off this Navy ship sends a clear message, and it's one of disrespect and cruelty." Harvey Milk served his country honorably — first in uniform, then in public office. Taking his name off this Navy ship sends a clear message, and it's one of disrespect and cruelty. — Martin Heinrich (@SenatorHeinrich) June 3, 2025 What Happens Next Pride Month will continue to be celebrated by LGBTQ+ people and allies across the world for the month of June.
Newsweek
30-05-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Photos Show US Aircraft Carrier Preparing for Patrol on Pacific Front Line
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington—homeported in Japan—continues its preparations for an upcoming patrol in the western Pacific Ocean. Lieutenant Commander Mark Langford, the George Washington's public affairs officer, told Newsweek that the aircraft carrier was "focused on ensuring that the U.S. military remains the world's most combat-credible fighting force capable of maintaining peace through strength." Why It Matters The George Washington is one of the American naval vessels forward-deployed in Japan—a major treaty ally of the U.S. in Northeast Asia. It returned to its home port at Yokosuka naval base near Tokyo in November following 2,117 days of maintenance in Virginia. The 100,000-ton warship left Yokosuka naval base earlier this week, while its naval aviators were conducting field carrier landing practice on a Japanese island in the Pacific Ocean, simulating landings on the George Washington's flight deck to obtain landing qualifications. A Japanese media representative capturing a United States Navy F-35C fighter jet as it conducted a "touch and go" during field carrier landing practice at Iwo To in Japan on May 25. A Japanese media representative capturing a United States Navy F-35C fighter jet as it conducted a "touch and go" during field carrier landing practice at Iwo To in Japan on May 25. Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dyxan K. Williams/U.S. Navy While the George Washington and its aviation unit prepared for patrol, the Chinese navy—the world's largest by hull count, with more than 370 vessels—deployed the aircraft carriers CNS Liaoning and CNS Shandong to the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, respectively. What To Know The George Washington conducted consolidated cargo and fueling-at-sea operations with the chartered tanker Badlands Trader on Wednesday at an undisclosed location in waters south of Yokosuka, according to photos released by the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command. Check out these images. @MSCSealift chartered ship Motor Tanker Badlands Trader (T-AOT 5582) conducted consolidated cargo operations (CONSOL) with @GW_CVN73 May 28 at sea south of Yokosuka, Japan. 🚢⛽💪 — U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command (@MSCSealift) May 29, 2025 The aircraft carrier was underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. Seventh Fleet's area of operations in support of "a free and open Indo-Pacific," Langford said. Both the western Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean are the Seventh Fleet's operating area. Official photos also show that the Carrier Air Wing 5—attached to the George Washington—conducted field carrier landing practice at Iwo To, a Japanese island 750 miles south of Tokyo. The training began on May 19 and is scheduled to end on Saturday. Participating carrier-based fixed-wing aircraft included the F-35C and F/A-18E/F fighter jets, the EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft, and the E-2D airborne command and control aircraft. Pilots performed repetitive "touch and go" landings during the training on the small island. "[This is the training] that is required for Air Wing 5 air crews to get ready to go to sea," said Captain William Fallon, the assistant chief of staff for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan/Navy Region Japan, adding that the island provided a realistic practice environment. The George Washington's carrier air wing is also known as the "air wing of the future," said Langford, referring to the inclusion of the fifth-generation F-35C fighter aircraft, which features "advanced stealth technology" and provides "unmatched lethality and survivability." What People Are Saying The U.S. Naval Forces Japan/Navy Region Japan said on Friday: "[Field carrier landing practice] is a required flight training for pilot qualification and proficiency that precedes aircraft carrier landing operations, ensuring warfighting readiness in support of regional security and stability in the U.S. Indo-Pacific region." The U.S. Navy said of the USS George Washington's return to Japan: "George Washington is Seventh Fleet's premiere forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States' commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and operates alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy's largest numbered fleet." What Happens Next It was not immediately clear when the George Washington would begin its first patrol after returning to Japan seven months ago. It also remains to be seen whether it will conduct joint operations with its sister ship, the USS Nimitz, which is in the South China Sea.
