5 Feb AA&F Morning Paper

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

This week's editions of Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation Morning Paper are brought to you by Otterson Wealth Advisors and Naval Academy graduate Caleb Cronic '11. Otterson Wealth  Advisors of Raymond James is not just a team. It's a vast resource of financial knowledge, with each member bringing their unique expertise to your financial success. Caleb Cronic '11, financial advisor and Naval Academy graduate is a CIMA-certified pro. His strategic prowess is your asset working towards your financial goals. Ready to begin to your journey? Otterson Wealth Advisors … your goals, our expertise. (Otterson Advisors)

1942 - The National Naval Medical Center is established at Bethesda, Maryland.

 

1945 - 1LT Paul Borden, Jr. '39, USA was killed in action with German forces during an attack on the Schwammenauel Dam near Strauch, Germany. He left the Naval Academy in 1937, attended VMI, and later joined the Army in July 1941.

1951 - In the first successful flight of carrier aircraft across the Atlantic, five AJ Savages of VC-5 flew from Norfolk, Virginia, to Port Lyautey, French Morocco. The nuclear strike aircraft deployed on board Midway-class carriers, which carried atomic weapons. The flight, which included three squadron P2V Neptunes and was completed in stages, ended on 8 February.

ACADEMY & GRADUATE HAPPENINGS

May 10 – May 17, 2025 … Nestled in the Pacific Ocean — at the confluence of three ocean currents — the Galapagos Islands are a haven for explorers, nature enthusiasts, and those seeking a profound connection with the natural world. Join us on a transformative expedition voyage through these enchanting islands to celebrate life's diversity and to witness firsthand the stunning display of nature's endless wonders.Experience unparalleled opportunities for immersive, up-close encounters with a myriad of wildlife. Walk among curious creatures on shore, snorkel beside sea lions and turtles in the clear waters of the world's second largest marine reserve, and witness genuine interactions between species in the wild.

GOVERNMENT & MILITARY NEWS

Pentagon leadership revoked the department- and military-wide social media suspension that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's team temporarily instituted to “reorient” all public-facing communications to reflect the new administration's vision and objectives, according to an internal government email obtained by DefenseScoop on Monday. President Donald Trump has been moving swiftly since the start of his second term on Jan. 20 to reshape American policies and the federal government's structure — particularly through a series of sweeping executive orders. Personnel inside many agencies have subsequently been pulling down and scrubbing official websites and social media profiles, as well as public data repositories, in recent weeks to ensure online content complies with those new mandates. Multiple government officials who spoke to DefenseScoop on the condition of anonymity about the latest social media instructions Monday said there is currently palpable uncertainty inside press shops at military and federal agencies, where many don't know if they're clued in on the latest rules around content production.

Patrol and Reconnaissance wings 10 and 11 are conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions on the southern border, a Navy official confirmed to USNI News on Monday. The two air wings, based out of Whidbey Island, Wash., and Jacksonville, Fla., are conducting P-8 flights, Lt. David Glaser, a Navy spokesman, told USNI News. Right now, the squadrons involved are VP-45 and VP-46, but they will likely rotate, Glaser said. The air wings did not need to be relocated, Glaser said. Navy photos posted to DVIDS show the crew of VP-45 conducting a P-8 flight mission on Jan. 30.

The U.S. Navy successfully tested its High-Energy Laser with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance, or HELIOS, system on one of its warships in fiscal 2024, according to a recently released report. The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Preble fired its HELIOS system to zap an aerial drone during a weapons testing exercise in 2024, according to an Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation report published in January. The report, which did not provide a date or time of the laser's deployment, included a black-and-white photo showing a streak of white light beaming out from the vessel into the sky.

NAVAL ACADEMY ATHLETICS NEWS & RESULTS

Men's Basketball at Boston U. - Boston, Mass. - 7 p.m.

USNA AND AA&F EVENTS

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

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

26 Mar - Alumni Mentoring Program (AMP) Class of 2025 enrollment

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

30-31 Mar - Volunteer Leader Summit

 

APRIL

5 Apr - Annapolis Cup - USNA-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 BOD meeting, Fluegel

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

7-9 May - USNA Alumni Association Spring BOT 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 Naval Academy Graduation and Commissioning Ceremony, NMCMS

 

17-18 Jun - Entrepreneur Summit - Fluegel

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

26 Jun - USNA Induction Day, Class of 2029