18 Feb Daily Shipmate

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

1944 - Task Group 51.11 supported the landing of Marines on Eniwetok in the Marshall Islands.

 

1991 - Within three hours and ten nautical miles, Tripoli (LPH-10) and Princeton (CG-59) struck mines while conducting operations in the northern Persian Gulf.

1996 - LT Terence Clark '90, USN was lost when the F-14D Tomcat he was aboard suffered engine failure and crashed ~85 miles from Point Loma during a routine training flight. He was a member of Fighter Squadron (VF) 11.

ACADEMY & GRADUATE HAPPENINGS

Ryan Curry, NAPS '99 & USNA '03, knows the struggle of wearing the Combination (Barracks) Cover all too well. As a retired Marine Corps aviator and former USNA staff member, he spent 24 years in uniform—and like many, he found the dress cover uncomfortable. The problem? Over time, the cover relaxes into a circular shape, while our heads are more oval. This mismatch creates pressure points, leaving that infamous forehead dent. Driven by necessity, Ryan invented The Cover Keeper—a lightweight, adjustable device that preserves the natural shape of your cover, eliminating discomfort and maintaining a sharp, professional look. When not in use, it stows easily inside your cover or pocket. Simple. Effective. Essential.Proudly patented, made in the USA, and service-disabled veteran owned, The Cover Keeper is trusted by uniformed professionals across all branches. Use code USNAAA10 for 10% off your order. Keep your cover sharp. Keep your head comfortable. The Cover Keeper.

GOVERNMENT & MILITARY NEWS

China's escalating military demonstrations of force toward Taiwan are “not exercises; they are rehearsals” for forced reunification with the mainland, the United States' top military commander in the Indo-Pacific warned last week. Adm. Samuel Paparo (Villanova '87) told the Honolulu Defense Forum that the People's Liberation Army is showing “clear intent and capability” to attack Taiwan. Most recently, China conducted a massive simulated air and sea blockade of Taiwan in October as Taipei marked its National Day. The “fig leaf of an exercise” could disguise intentions to invade. Paparo said artificial intelligence “would be a very effective tool to suss out that kind of warning.”

The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman is undergoing repairs after it collided with a merchant vessel last week in the Mediterranean Sea, according to the United States Navy. Images of the ship show damages to parts of its exterior, including a storage room wall, a maintenance area and an overhanging deck at the rear, called a fantail. Navy officials said the USS Truman arrived Sunday at a support site in Souda Bay, Greece, where emergency repairs began on its starboard quarter, which is the right rear section of the ship opposite port.

LOCAL, EDUCATION & OTHER ACADEMY NEWS

 The splendor of Austria awaits on this exceptional journey brimming with history, natural beauty and scrumptious cuisine! Enjoy four nights at first-class hotels in the heart of UNESCO-inscribed Graz and Salzburg. In Graz, stroll the old town to see baroque and medieval architecture and take in views from its iconic hilltop. In music-filled Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, see the landmarks of his life and relish a memorable musical performance of his works. Outings around the Styria region introduce you to the mighty Riegersburg Castle and the renowned Lipizzaner stallions. Other standouts include a visit to the alpine village of Hallstatt, a day in Germany and a 60th-anniversary "The Sound of Music" tour!

NAVAL ACADEMY ATHLETICS NEWS & RESULTS

Men's Golf at Watersound Invitational - Panama City, Fla. - 8 a.m.

Women's Lacrosse at Richmond - Richmond, Va. - 2 p.m.

This is the Home Opener for Navy Baseball. Check out the latest Anchors Aweigh Podcast - Navy Baseball Preview. We talk to second-year head coach Chuck Ristano to break down the personnel and preview the program's prospects. The Anchors Aweigh podcast also introduces a new Navy Women's Lacrosse Insider in Stephy Samaras. Bill Wagner and Chris Servello '99 break it down. 

USNA AND AA&F EVENTS

FEBRUARY

21 Feb - 85th Brigade Boxing Finals

21 Feb - Louisville Chapter + NAPC of Kentucky Roadshow - Louisville, KY 

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 Alumni Center, 5-9 p.m.

27 Feb - Astronaut Convocation - USNA

 

MARCH

7 Mar - A&SP Policy Review Committee Meeting - Fluegel(Bastian Conference Room)

7-16 Mar - USNA Spring Break

12-13 Mar - SACC Atlanta

21 Mar -  A&SP Executive Committee Meeting - Fluegel (Bastian Conference Room)

22 Mar - Annual Gathering for USNA Women - Fluegel Alumni Center

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

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

27-29 Mar - Naval Academy Alumni Leadership Forum

30-31 Mar - Volunteer Leader Summit - Fluegel Alumni Center

 

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 - Akerson Tower

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 Alumni Center

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

7-9 May - USNA Alumni Association Spring BOT Meeting, Fluegel Alumni Center

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 Alumni Center

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

26 Jun - USNA Induction Day, Class of 2029