December 18, 2010: The Navy made history Dec. 18 when it launched the first aircraft from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Lakehurst, N.J., test site using the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System, or EMALS, technology.The Navy has been using steam for more than 50 years to launch aircraft from carriers.EMALS is a complete carrier-based launch system designed for Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and future Ford-class carriers.

The system will provide the capability for launching all current and future carrier air wing platforms – lightweight unmanned to heavy strike fighters.
Engineers will continue system functional demonstration testing at NAVAIR Lakehurst. The team will expand aircraft launches with the addition of T-45 and C-2 aircraft in 2011.

November 25, 2010: Happy Birthday Enterprise CVN-65 is the eighth U.S. ship bearing the name Enterprise and was commissioned Nov. 25, 1961. Enterprise is the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, and with the exception of USS Constitution, is the oldest commissioned warship in the Navy."Big E", as the crew affectionately named her, is the largest aircraft carrier to ever be built. One of a kind, Enterprise stretches 1,123 feet and weighs 73,858 tons. Enterprise is the only ship to ever house eight nuclear reactors.

Roughly 250,000 Sailors have served aboard Enterprise in her 49-year tenure. Big E has played a role in almost every major conflict since her commissioning. From the Cuban Missile Crisis, through multiple tours off Yankee Station in the Vietnam conflict, cold war tensions, and culminating with it's rapid response on 9/11.

Enterprise Carrier Strike Group consists of Enterprise, the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), the guided-missile destroyers USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Barry (DDG 52) and USS Mason (DDG 87), USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8), Carrier Air Wing 1 and Destroyer Squadron 2.

July 04 2010: USS George Washington 18 Years Old. YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- USS George Washington (CVN 73) returned to her forward-deployed base of Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, July 3, after a three-week underway period on time to celebrate the 18th anniversary of her commissioning on Independence Day.

July 03 2010: USS Ronald Reagan at RIMPAC RIMPAC is the world's largest multinational maritime exercise, with 14 nations, 32 ships and over 20,000 personnel taking part this year. A biennial exercise, RIMPAC stresses the necessity of operational readiness in the Pacific and the sentiment that building relationships with our global partners ensures maritime freedom for all. This year marks the 22nd in a series of RIMPAC exercises conducted since 1971

June 18 2010 Truman Carrier Strike Group Transits Suez Canal And Enters U.S. 5th Fleet

From USS Harry S. Truman Public Affairs
USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, At Sea (NNS) -- Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG) entered the 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) June 18 after completing a successful transit through the Suez Canal.

Truman CSG is relieving Dwight D. Eisenhower CSG as part of a routine rotation of forces during a scheduled deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Maritime Security Operations (MSO) and theater security cooperation (TSC) efforts in the region.

February 7 2010 US No Longer Doing The Hard Things.

President Obama has dropped the idea of returning to the moon. The spirit of Kennedy has finally been extinguished, it began with the previous Administrations who insisted the banks give loans for houses to the poor who could not afford them, running deficits, year on year, overbuilding, allowing the collapse of Lehman Bros. and then the GFC. and the US cant even afford basic health care for all citizens, or the political ideology to give it.

I can remember seeing man land on the moon on TV and I'll never see them return, perhaps China will.

FY 2011 Navy Budget Procurement

Combat Aircraft:
EA-18g          22                           UH1-Y     27
FA/18E/F       18                           MH-60S  24
JSF                20                            MH-60R  6
V-22               30                             E-2D       3
$14.9Bill   Weapons   $3.3Bill.

Ship Building:
Submarine(Virginia class) 2
DDG-51                               1
LCS                                      2
$11.8Bill.

February 2, 2010 USS George H.W. Bush Redelivered to Fleet, Departs for Flight Deck Certification

USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH, At Sea (NNS) -- USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) departed Naval Station Norfolk, Va., for flight deck certification Feb. 2, three days after successfully completing Sea Trials.

January15, 2010 USS Carl Vinson Arrives in Haiti to Support Humanitarian Operations

USS CARL VINSON, At sea (NNS) Carl Vinson commanding officer Capt. Bruce H. Lindsey said, "When tasked to support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in Haiti, we immediately headed to Mayport, Fla., at more than 30 knots and loaded 19 helicopters, personnel and support equipment from five different East Coast Navy squadrons in less than eight hours. There is no other platform that can do all of that so quickly."

January 6, 2010 Nimitz Receives Meritorious Unit Commendation

USS Nimitz, At Sea (NNS) -- The chief of naval operations (CNO) presented the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) the Meritorious Unit Commendation Jan. 6 during a two-day visit to the ship.

Nimitz was acknowledged for magnificent performance during two deployments separated by the first-ever carrier incremental availability, an intense 30-day maintenance period, followed by a 10-day sustainment exercise.

Nimitz was acknowledged for magnificent performance during two deployments separated by the first-ever carrier incremental availability, an intense 30-day maintenance period, followed by a 10-day sustainment exercise.