7 Apr Daily Shipmate

Tuesday, 7 April 2026

On the March/April cover of Shipmate magazine, you may have seen MIDN Isabella Baldwin ’27, rifle in hand and lining up a shot to secure Navy’s fifth-consecutive win against Army. For Baldwin, this Army/Navy win also equaled her career-best performance, with an aggregate score of 1,189, leading the Navy rifle team to a Star Series victory over Army on 7 February. We picked a photo of Baldwin from that match for the cover of the March–April issue to commemorate Navy’s sustained supremacy against the Black Knights.

 

But what’s better than a N-Star secured by one Baldwin? How about another Baldwin, this time cheering from the sidelines: her father, Russ, who stopped by yesterday morning to share his appreciation for the recognition and to talk with our Associate Director of Parent Giving, Karen Hicks. We couldn’t resist an impromptu photo of a proud Navy dad gleaming here in the Fluegel Alumni Center while holding an international magazine with his daughter on the cover…sending him home with a few extra copies of Shipmate magazine to share with family and friends.

1991 - The United States inaugurates Operation Provide Comfort, which provides supplies to Kurdish refugees in Northern Iraq. As part of the operation, which lasts until 31 December 1996, coalition aircraft begin patrolling a no-fly zone in the region above the 36th parallel. On 1 January 1997, the patrolling of this northern no-fly zone is renamed Operation Northern Watch.

 

2003 - LtCol William Watkins, III ’89, USAF was killed in action when the F-15E Strike Eagle he was aboard crashed in Iraq during a combat mission. He was a naval flight officer for twelve years before transferring into the Air Force to be closer to his wife, an Air Force intelligence officer. “The average American will know him as a war hero. For his family and friends, we knew him as a hero in other parts of his life: as a great dad, a family man, a brother and a friend.” Bill was survived by his wife, 11-month-old son, unborn child, mother, sister and brother.

 

2017 - In response to Bashar al-Assad’s regime using chemical weapons against its citizens in Syria, President Donald J. Trump orders the Navy to strike the Al-Shayrat Air Base. The Navy launched 59 Tomahawk land attack missiles from the destroyers USS Porter (DDG-78) and USS Ross (DDG-71). The missiles targeted aircraft, petroleum storage, air defense systems, radar, and ammunition supplies.

 

Content in “Today in Navy, Marine Corps and USNA Memorial Hall History” is generously provided by our partners and fellow alumni at the Naval History and Heritage Command and the Run to Honor SIG, which supplies the USNA Memorial Hall content. We are grateful for their partnership in preserving and sharing this history, and the Daily Shipmate is proud to serve as a distribution platform. You can learn more or provide feedback through their respective websites hyperlinked above.

Academy & Graduate happenings

New Jersey Governor and USNA alumna Mikie Sherrill ’94 issued a proclamation on 2 April honoring John’s Law, the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers and the Elliot family for their work to prevent drunk driving tragedies. USNA alum CDR Bill Squires ’75, USNR (Ret.) attended the commemoration and read Sherrill’s proclamation stating the law has and continues to save lives. John’s Law, established in 2001, mandates police to impound the vehicle of anyone arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI/DUI) for at least 12 hours. It aims to prevent suspects from immediately driving again while impaired. Additionally, since the inception of the law on 19 April 2001, an estimated 700,000 cars of drunk drivers have been impounded. The law was passed following the tragic death of USNA alumn ENS John Elliott ’00, USN, who was killed by a drunk driver while traveling home to celebrate his mother’s birthday. The driver had been arrested and released earlier that same day before striking John’s vehicle. Only two months after graduating from USNA and commissioning in the U.S. Navy, John was preparing to begin flight school in Florida.

The Naval Academy Foreign Affairs Conference (NAFAC) has grown to be the leading undergraduate conference in the country. It has welcomed delegates from thirty countries in each of the last five years and has heard speakers as notable as President George Bush and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. This experience also serves to develop lasting civil-military relationships among future leaders in the armed forces, government, and private sector. Since 1960, the U.S. Naval Academy has hosted a gathering of undergraduates from around the United States and the world who come together in the spring to discuss a theme from current global affairs. The conference kicks off 7 April with remarks from the Superintendent, an opening address from VADM Thomas Henderschedt, Director for Intelligence on the Joint Staff and a Forrestal lecture from ADM Samuel Paparo (Villanova ’87), Commander, US Indo-Pacific Command. Get more information on NAFAC and the full schedule at the link below.

A Proceedings article by MIDN 1/C Jack Anderson ’26. Pay attention to the Naval Academy Foreign Affairs Conference. Since 1961, the Naval Academy Foreign Affairs Conference (NAFAC) has met annually in the spring to discuss pressing issues in global affairs and foreign policy. NAFAC is the largest undergraduate foreign affairs conference in the country. It assembles hundreds of delegates from across the United States and around the world, including major policymakers—presidents, cabinet secretaries, members of Congress, military leaders, leading academics, and industry pioneers. This year’s NAFAC is titled, “Winning the Strategic Terrain: Countering PRC Influence in the Warfighting Domains.” It will comprehensively review U.S.-Chinese competition in the land, maritime, air, space, and cyber domains. The 2026 edition marks a shift in NAFAC’s historical themes, because it is specifically focused on warfighting and less on the concepts such as influence, cooperation, and diplomacy that have defined past NAFAC discussions.

From the Podcast Fleet

Sing Second Podcast featuring interviews with Athletic Director Michael Kelly and Lacrosse alums Jeff Johnson ’79 and Jon Brianas ’00 about the groundbreaking of the new Navy Lacrosse Center

"The Naval Academy Athletic Association, in partnership with the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation, held a groundbreaking ceremony Friday for the new Navy Lacrosse Center, a 35,000-square-foot state-of-the-art training facility for Navy's men's and women's lacrosse programs. We are joined by AD Michael Kelly to discuss the new facility and the positive momentum behind it and all of Navy Athletics right now. As Michael said at the groundbreaking, “We are investing. We're building. We're demonstrating through action our belief in the physical mission and not only what it'll do on our fields and courts here for Navy athletics, but what it'll do for our country, because at Navy, we truly believe that we represent what college sports is at its very best. Navy athletics is college sports at its best now and forever.” We also chat with Jeff Johnson ’79 and Jon Brianas ’00, who attended the ceremony and very generously donated to the building’s fundraising. And Chris and John discuss the significance behind this week’s Bonds of Gold ceremony and recap a great weekend for USNA sports. That and more on the best Alumni Association podcast there is. Beat Army. Always."

Listen on

Government & Military News

USNI Fleet and Marine Tracker: These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of 6 April 2026, based on Navy and public data. In cases in which a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship. This post was updated to correct the number of destroyers in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Future of Warfighting Podcast Episode 4 with Dr. Frank Hoffman “Dr. Frank Hoffman returns to Annapolis to explore how we think, decide and lead in the age of artificial intelligence. Drawing on decades of experience in military strategy, education and policy, Hoffman breaks down the evolution from intuitive (System 1) to analytical (System 2) thinking—building toward a powerful new concept: System 3, or augmented thinking, where humans and machines work together. The discussion dives into the balance between technology and human judgment, the risks of over-reliance on AI, and why critical thinking, historical perspective, and continuous learning remain essential for future leaders. Hoffman also shares practical advice on developing a “3000-year-old mind” through reading, writing and intellectual curiosity. This is a must-watch for anyone interested in leadership, decision-making, military strategy and the future of AI-human collaboration.”

Dakota Meyer, a Medal of Honor recipient and Marine Corps reservist, recently completed one of the Corps’ most demanding training programs, earning his place in the reconnaissance community. Known for its intensity, the course tests physical endurance, mental resilience and advanced combat skills—making his achievement especially notable after years away from active duty.

 

Meyer was awarded the Medal of Honor in 2011 for his actions during the Battle of Ganjgal. During the battle, he repeatedly entered heavy enemy fire to rescue wounded teammates and recover the fallen, helping save numerous lives despite overwhelming danger.

 

After more than a decade out of active service, Meyer chose to reenlist, driven by a belief that he still had more to give and a continued desire to serve alongside Marines. His return—and completion of elite training—reflect a sustained commitment to growth, resilience and purpose, showing that his service extends far beyond a single moment of valor.

Local, Education & other academy news

U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) athletes will be commemorating the United States' 250th birthday with new 'Freedom 250' patches. The academy says the patch celebrates 250 years of American independence. "Air Force cadet-athletes will join the Long Blue Line and continue to lead our Air Force and Space Force, securing our nation's freedom for the next 250 years and beyond," said AFA in a release. The new patches will be worn by multiple spring teams and will carry over into the fall with more teams.

While Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) is famous for its collection of artifacts like ship's bells and historic flags, and yes, even supporting our “Today in Navy, Marine Corps and USNA Memorial Hall History” section that kicks off every issue of Daily Shipmate, NHHC’s most vital mission is preserving the official story of the U.S. Navy Fleet. That story is written and preserved in the Command Operations Reports (CORs). Believe it or not, it’s these annual reports that serve as the "first draft of history." Each report details everything from major deployments to daily operations. They are the only way to ensure the legacy of a command and its sailors is never forgotten. Learn more about this critical process and why it's so important for commands to submit their reports to the Navy archives in our latest feature. This and your history is worth preserving!

Tune in TODAY at 3:00 p.m. ET to watch the Navy Memorial’s SITREP Speaker Series LIVE with Vice Admiral Jim Downey, Commander of Naval Sea Systems Command and recently appointed lead to the new Program Acquisition Executive (PAE) Industrial Operations.

 

Save this link to Livestream and there will be Q&A opportunities for the audience!

Don’t miss your chance to bid on over 70 donated items - more are being added daily! Bidders have until the 50 Years of Women Gala (17 April), with auction items available for viewing at the Fluegel Alumni Center (FAC) starting Thursday evening, 16 April. Please note: most winning bidders will need to pick up their items on Friday, 17 April or Saturday, 18 April at the FAC, but we have a few exciting items available to those not attending the event. Check the auction site for specifics! But that’s not all, there is also an in-person, live auction happening where other memorable items, including the famous 50 Year Commemorative Quilt, pictured above, will take center stage and go to the highest bidder. For questions, please contact [email protected] Do not miss these two events.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Just because Navy has won the N-star series does not mean your Midshipmen throw in the towel. On the contrary, we really make sure we show who those true Star Series winners are by working to claim as many stars as possible. This weekend, Men’s and Women’s Track and Field and Men’s Lacrosse head to West Point to compete on Saturday, 11 April. Back here in Annapolis, Women’s Lacrosse will compete for their star against the Golden Knights. Who will come out victorious with the star, proving they are G.O.A.T.? We’ll find out.

 

Don’t worry—if you miss the results, we have you covered here in Daily Shipmate. Check out our Monday newsletter and be one of the first to get the scores and all things Navy sports, USNA, USNA alumni and much more. You already get the latest and greatest from the Daily Shipmate, but do your classmates, chapter members, SIG members or other alumni friends? Be sure to send them the link below so they are in the know just like you.

Join Navy Women’s Lacrosse as they battle for the star this weekend. If you are in the Annapolis area this weekend, this is a match you won’t want to miss. Join us on 11 April as your Midshipmen take on the Golden Knights. The ground is broken for a new Navy Lacrosse building now cheer on the recordsetting lacrosse team as they hit the field to claim the star. Attendance is free, but attendees are encouraged to review the latest NSAA security procedures to access the Yard.

Army - Navy Star Series: Navy has won the Star Series

Navy leads 14-6-1 (Army - Volleyball, Men’s Soccer, Women’s Rugby, Women’s Cross Country, Wrestling, Baseball. Navy - Men’s Golf, Men’s Cross Country, Sprint Football, Men’s Rugby, Men’s and Women’s Swimming, Football, Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track & Field, Rifle, Gymnastics, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Women's Tennis. Tie - Women’s Soccer).

 

 

11 Apr - M. Outdoor Track & Field - West Point - TBA

11 Apr - W. Outdoor Track & Field - West Point - TBA

11 Apr - W. Lacrosse - Annapolis - 12:00 p.m.

11 Apr - M. Lacrosse - West Point - 2:30 p.m.

18 Apr - M. Tennis - Annapolis - 1:00 p.m.

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