27 Jan AA&F Morning Paper

Monday, January 27, 2025

1967 - During a ground test at Cape Kennedy, Florida, a fire caused by a spark in the pure-oxygen environment of the Apollo I space capsule killed three astronauts, including Lieutenant Commander Roger B. Chaffee.

 

1988 - About 400 Marines and sailors from the 2d Marine Division, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, and 2d Force Service Support Group deployed for the Persian Gulf. The Contingency Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) CM 2-88 would relieve Contingency MAGTF 1-88 in the volatile Persian Gulf and provide the effective landing force capability to Joint Task Force Middle East.

2006 - LT Raul Jimenez '98, USN was lost when the T-34 training aircraft he was piloting crashed near Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas. The other officer aboard, a student aviator, was also killed.

Academy & Graduate happenings

On Friday, Governor Wes Moore announced the appointment of Harry Coker, Jr. '80 as Maryland's Secretary of Commerce, effective February 5, 2025, pending State Senate confirmation, succeeding Kevin Anderson, who will transition to a senior advisor role for economic development. “At the heart of our economic growth agenda is a commitment to investing in industries of the future—from cyber to quantum. Harry Coker understands that mission and brings a wealth of experience working on the leading edge of the very sectors Maryland stands to win,” said Gov. Moore. Coker most recently served as the United States National Cyber Director from 2023-2025, serving as principal advisor to the President of the United States on cybersecurity strategy and policy. Coker is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, the Naval Postgraduate School, and Georgetown University Law Center.

Government & Military News

The Department of Defense has ordered a pause on all of its official social media accounts, unless the posts elevate the second Trump administration's mission at the southern border or are informational updates, according to three U.S. defense officials. The officials told NBC News that an official memo detailing the guidelines was distributed Friday, but that service members and non-military employees had been told through word of mouth to stand down on issuing posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, or updates on any other official social media accounts beginning on Thursday. Many DoD social media accounts had already gone quiet by the time the memo went out.

Iraq War veteran and former Fox News Host Pete Hegseth was confirmed as the next defense secretary by a narrow, partisan margin Friday, allowing the divisive nominee to assume leadership of Pentagon operations early next week. Hegseth, 44, is one of the youngest to ever hold the post and already one of the most controversial. His confirmation was beset by allegations of past sexual misconduct, spousal abuse, excessive drinking and insufficient leadership experience. But it was also strongly supported by President Donald Trump, who has called him an energetic leader with a clear focus on improving the military.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Weekend Matchups

Men's Swimming & Diving v Columbia - W 153 - 147

Women's Swimming & Diving v Richmond - W 154-135

Men's Gymnastics at Simpson College - W 306.35 - 297.75

 

Men's Tennis v George Mason - W 6-1

Men's Tennis v Mount St. Mary's (Md.) - W 4-3

Women's Tennis at VCU - L 4-3

 

Women's Basketball at Army - L 49-59

Men's Basketball at Army - W 66-53

Women's Tennis at Richmond - L 3-4

USNA and AA&F Events

JANUARY

23 Jan - AA&F Women's Health Webinar - Zoom - 7 p.m. EST

 

FEBRUARY

6 Feb - USNA Ship Selection

15 Feb - Commissioning Week 101, Fluegel

21 Feb - 85th Brigade Boxing Finals

21 Feb - Louisville Chapter + NAPC of Kentucky Roadshow – Louisville, KY (**in support of Navy Men's Gymnastics competing at the Winter Cup Feb 21-23)

22 Feb - Indianapolis Chapter + NAPC of Indiana Roadshow – Fishers, IN)

23 Feb  Cincinnati Chapter + NAPC of Greater Cincinnati Roadshow – West Chester, OH

24 Feb  Columbus Chapter + NAPC of Central Ohio Roadshow – Dublin, OH

27 Feb - Naval Academy Entrepreneurs event, Fluegel, 5 - 9 p.m.

27 Feb - Astronaut Convocation, USNA

 

MARCH

7-16 Mar - USNA Spring Break

12-13 Mar - SACC Atlanta

21 Mar - Distinguished Graduate Award Ceremony and Dinner, USNA (T)

22 Mar - Distinguished Graduate Leadership Panel, Mahan, USNA

22 Mar - Annual Gathering for USNA Women - 1 p.m. @ Hopper Hall

22 Mar - Fencing (club) Alumni Meet - Dahlgren Hall

27-29 Mar - Naval Academy Minority Association, (NAMA) Leadership Forum

30-31 Mar - Volunteer Leader Summit

 

APRIL

5 Apr - Annapolis Cup - USNA v St. John's Croquet Match

5 Apr - Women's Lacrosse Alumni Appreciation Day (Home Game vs. Holy Cross)

10-12 Apr - Class of 1955 - 70th Reunion

11 Apr - Athletic & Scholarship Programs Spring Meeting - Fluegel Alumni Center

11-12 Apr - Men's Soccer Alumni Weekend

12 Apr - Navy Letterwinners Association Army/Navy Men's Lacrosse Tailgate

23 April - Bonds of Gold Ceremony

24 Apr - AA&F Vietnam Legacy of Valor Series Speaker Event - FAC

24-27 Apr - Class of 1970 - 55th Reunion

25 Apr - Council of Class Presidents Spring Meeting, Fluegel, TBD

25 Apr - USNA Dedication Parade, Worden Field

30 Apr - USNA Capstone Day

30 Apr - USNA Foundation Spring Board of Directors Welcome Reception

 

MAY

1 May - USNA Foundation Spring Board of Directors Meeting, Fluegel

6-8 May - Class of 1957 - 70th Reunion

7-9 May - USNA Alumni Association Spring Board of Trustees Meeting, Fluegel

8-9 May - SACC Washington DC

14 May - Class of 2028 Herndon Climb

21 May - Blue Angels CFR Event - Hospital Point, USNA

22 May - Color Parade, Worden Field

22 May - USNA Prizes & Awards, Alumni Hall, 2 p.m.

23 May - Class of 2025 Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony, NMCMS

 

17-18 Jun - Entrepreneur Summit - Fluegel Alumni Center

25 Jun - Athletic & Scholarship Program Pre-I Day Reception, Fluegel

26 Jun - USNA Induction Day, Class of 2029