28 Apr Daily Shipmate

Tuesday, 28 April 2026

1969 - LTJG Hal Castle, Jr. '67, USN was killed in action when the helicopter gunship he was copiloting was shot down near Mor Hoa, South Vietnam. “Chip” was part of a large Naval Academy family: his father was Class of 1944, and his youngest brother was Class of 1972. (Another brother was University of Virginia NROTC '69, and also served in Vietnam.) Chip's grand-nephew is Riley Castle '16. Chip was survived by his parents, three brothers and a sister.

 

1993 - Secretary of Defense Les Aspin lifts the ban on women flying combat missions, and promises efforts to end the barriers to women serving in combat vessels. On 30 November 1993, President William J. Clinton signs legislation allowing women to serve in combat ships.

 

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

Good news — we've secured additional tickets to this year's Blue Angels Flight Demonstration on May 20th. This offers a front-row view with food service and seating under our tent. Space is limited and tickets are expected to go quickly, so get them while they're available. Act fast. These tickets will sell out!

LazerEdge, a family-owned business based in Mount Airy, North Carolina, has officially partnered with USNA AA&F.

 

More about this company: LazerEdge specializes in premium wooden home décor and gifts. Proudly made in the USA, their products feature a wide range of licensed collegiate designs, including officially licensed Navy products, along with state pride items and custom pieces for retail and special events. With a focus on quality craftsmanship and attention to detail, LazerEdge creates unique, lasting products that stand out. Their team is dedicated to helping every customer find the perfect piece, whether it is a meaningful keepsake or a standout gift.

From the Podcast Fleet

Sing Second Podcast featuring USS John P. Murtha CO Erik Kenny '02

A great pod this week as we talk about a bunch of stuff happening at AA&F and around the yard. Two alums were drafted this weekend in the NFL draft. We talk about the storybook night for Landon Robinson and Eli Heidenreich Saturday…and a pretty special moment for Margo Darragh '16, too. We also chat about the last Roadshow of the Winter/Spring season and the upcoming Great Class Challenge. And our Alumni interview this week is with CAPT Erik Kenny '02. Erik is the CO of USS John P. Murtha (LPD 26), the ship that just recovered the Artemis and her crew a couple weeks ago. Erik joins the pod to talk about it all and the leadership required to command a crew through such a high-vis evolution. That and more on the best Alumni Association podcast there is. Beat Army. Always.

Listen on

Government & Military News

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy's deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of 27 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.

Global military spending reached a new record of almost $2.9 trillion in 2025 − the 11th consecutive year of growth − even as the United States recorded its sharpest single-year decline in decades, according to new data published Monday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. The main engine of growth was Europe, where expenditure surged 14% to $864 billion − the highest level SIPRI has ever recorded for the continent and, among NATO's European members, the fastest annual increase since 1953. Germany crossed the 2% of GDP threshold for the first time since 1990, with spending rising 24% to $114 billion; Berlin has since pledged to reach 3.5% by 2029. Spain's military budget leaped 50% to $40.2 billion, also crossing 2% of GDP for the first time since 1994, while Poland spent 4.5% of its GDP on defense − the highest burden among all NATO members.

U.S. Navy commissions newest Virginia-class submarine USS Idaho

The U.S. Navy commissioned the USS Idaho, its newest Virginia‑class fast‑attack submarine, during an 25 April ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London. Now the 26th Virginia‑class submarine in service, Idaho is the eighth built in the Block IV configuration, designed for longer intervals between major maintenance and more deployments. CDR Chad Guillerault highlighted the vessel's historic namesake, a World War II–era battleship. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao '96 emphasized the submarine's role in securing global commerce and supporting President Donald Trump's defense priorities. The commissioning follows March's addition of USS Massachusetts, as the Navy continues expanding its undersea fleet.

The U.S. Navy's new MQ‑25A Stingray drone completed its first successful two‑hour test flight in Illinois, proving it can safely take off, fly, and land on its own. This aircraft is designed to refuel Navy fighter jets in midair, which will let those jets fly longer missions without relying on other manned aircraft. During the test, operators monitored the drone from a ground station while it followed a planned route and demonstrated stable engine performance and flight control. This milestone moves the Navy closer to using unmanned aircraft on aircraft carriers and expanding the range of its combat jets.

Local, Education & other academy news

50 years after women were first admitted to the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), one of the trailblazers who helped break barriers is reflecting on her journey. USAFA graduate Linda Garcia Cubero entered the academy in June 1976. It was the first year women were allowed to attend after President Gerald Ford signed legislation opening military academies to women. She said the first women at the academy did more than endure. “Women not only survived, but we also thrived,” she said. “We didn't lower the standards. We helped raise them.” Linda graduated in 1980 and later worked at The Pentagon. Today, she mentors young students, especially Latina and other minority students, encouraging them not to let others define their potential.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Navy women's lacrosse remains in the national top 10 across all major polls, ranking No. 8 in the IWLCA coaches poll, No. 6 in the Inside Lacrosse KANE Media poll, and No. 5 in the USA Lacrosse poll. The Midshipmen have appeared in the IWLCA top 10 19 times this season, their strongest performance since 2018, after starting the year outside the top 10 in preseason rankings. Navy has been nationally ranked for 120 weeks in program history. The team now prepares to host the 2026 Patriot League Tournament, beginning 30 April at Navy‑Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

Navy's Roanin Krieger '26 has been named one of four finalists for the 2026 Rudy Scholz Award, given annually to the nation's top men's collegiate rugby player. Finalists were selected through public voting, with the winner to be chosen by the Scholz Award panel and honored 13 June in Seattle. Krieger leads Navy with 175 points, including 61 conversions, 11 penalty kicks, and four tries, scoring in all 12 games this season. He contributed 10 points in Navy's semifinal win over Life, helping send the Midshipmen to the national championship against top‑ranked California.

Alex Tecza '26 has earned an opportunity at the next level, receiving an invitation to rookie minicamp with the Pittsburgh Steelers following the 2026 NFL Draft. The former Navy Midshipmen football standout will look to prove his versatility at running back and fullback as he competes for a roster spot. Tecza reunites with former teammate Eli Heidenreich, who was drafted by Pittsburgh, continuing their football journey together. Rookie minicamp serves as a critical first step, offering Tecza a chance to earn a training camp invite and potentially launch his professional career.

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Yesterday's results:

Baseball at Bucknell - L 4 - 5 (13 inn.)

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