6 May Daily Shipmate

Wednesday, 6 May 2026

May brings Annapolis to life. Longer days, waterfront energy, and weekends worth planning ahead. Fair Winds is a beautifully restored historic home in downtown, just one block from USNA, Main Street, and the harbor — perfect for gathering with family and friends, with space to relax and walk to everything that matters.

 

Proudly owned by two USNA graduates. Availability is limited — explore dates at fairwindsdta.com.

1875 - William D. Leahy ’97, future fleet admiral and adviser to President Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II, is born in Hampton, Iowa.

 

1914 - While on a reconnaissance flight over Mexican lines, the AH-3 hydroaeroplane flown by LT Patrick N. L. Bellinger ’07, USN and his observer, LTJG Richard C. Saufley ’08, USN is hit by rifle fire, the first damage sustained by a U.S. Navy aircraft in combat. On a later flight, Bellinger retaliates in a most unorthodox fashion. Forbidden from carrying a firearm aloft, he unleashes a bar of yellow soap at the enemy.

 

1986 - LCDR Mark Pohlmeyer ’79, USN was lost when the A-7 Corsair II he was piloting collided with another aircraft during a low-level navigation training mission out of Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. He had been instructor pilot with Attack Squadron (VA) 122, the fleet replacement squadron, since April 1985. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, “Mo’s” Lucky Bag entry reads like a baseball card. In part: “… Bust: 42, Waist: 31, Hips: Quick… Turn-offs: Hippies, commies, dopers, and girls who like to hold hands…” He was survived by parents, his brother Jack '73 and his twin brother Paul '79.

Academy & Graduate happenings

We’re halfway through the Great Class Challenge and the competition is tightening. Some classes are pulling ahead, others are within striking distance. Where does your class stand?

Naval Academy Leaders, CEOs, business owners, & professional investors will come together in Annapolis to network and speak about topics relevant to the entrepreneurial ecosystem. USNA uniquely produces leaders not only in command and government, but also leaders throughout the private sector.

 

To-date, the power of THE network has been largely untapped, and this group is the platform changing that. The purpose of the USNA Entrepreneurs is to invest in the talents and ideas of fellow USNA graduates, ignite their potential with support from Naval Academy peers, and glean insights and inspiration from those graduates making a meaningful impact.

 

Panels will feature prominent USNA CEO’s, Founders, Investors, and accomplished speakers weaved within pockets of reserved time for networking and socializing with fellow entrepreneurial alumni.

 

The event will feature plenty of time to network and connect over cocktails, including our Summit conclusion with a reception at a completely rented out McGarvey’s!

The following is the Navy’s Fiscal Year 2027 active-duty captain line selections, released 29 April 2026, by Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao ’96.

From the Podcast Fleet

Here we go! Welcome to May. The Sing Second team is steaming toward the end of the season with a special double interview segment featuring Perry Martini from 71 and CAPT Sydney Barber '21. Ever wonder why the Bill the Goat mascot wears #71? Well...Perry Martini can tell you. Perry also dishes about his time in the Athletic Department back in the day and being a long-time class president. Also joining us is Sydney Barber. Sydney was the first female African-American Brigade Commander back in 2021, but we chat less about that and more about what she learned as a leader balancing a Mechanical Engineering major, being a Track & Field varsity athlete and trying to lead the Brigade through COVID. An amazing conversation. Don't miss two different alum perspectives from two Link in the Chain classes. Chris and John also break down a great weekend for Patriot League Champion Navy Women's Lax and a successful Board Season for the AA&F. And it's now GREAT CLASS CHALLENGE week!! Get out there and give. Which class will run this ship? Let's see. And finally, we offer some appreciation for the Naval Academy community and our fellow podcaster and soon-to-be college alum Colin Schofield. That and more on the best Alumni Association podcast there is. Beat Army. Always.

Listen on

Government & Military News

RADM Joseph Cahill, currently the commander of Naval Surface Forces Atlantic (SURFLANT), has been nominated to serve as the Navy’s top surface warfare officer, the Pentagon announced today. Cahill, who graduated from the University of Maine in 1992, took command of SURFLANT in June 2023 after serving as the commander of Carrier Strike Group 15. Cahill’s previous assignments include commanding the Cyclone-class patrol ship Monsoon and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer Preble. If confirmed by the Senate, Cahill will gain a third star and will relieve the Navy’s current top surface warfare officer, VADM Brendan McLane ’90. McLane, who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1990, also previously led Navy Recruiting Command and Carrier Strike Group 10. Previous assignments include serving as commodore of Destroyer Squadron 50 and the chief of staff for Naval Surface Force Pacific Fleet.

Two U.S. Navy destroyers transited the Strait of Hormuz and entered the Persian Gulf after navigating an Iranian barrage, according to defense officials who spoke to CBS News under condition of anonymity to discuss national security matters. The USS Truxtun and USS Mason, supported by Apache helicopters and other aircraft, faced a series of coordinated threats during the passage, the defense officials said. Iran launched small boats, missiles and drones against them in what officials described as a sustained barrage. Despite the intensity of the attacks, neither U.S. vessel was struck.

The Pentagon says the U.S.–Iran ceasefire remains intact despite more than a dozen recent Iranian attacks on American forces and commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. officials argue the incidents—most recently the destruction of six small Iranian boats after they threatened U.S. and merchant ships—have not crossed the threshold that would break the four‑week truce. Iran, meanwhile, accuses the U.S. of violating the ceasefire and enforcing a blockade. The tensions unfold as the Trump administration launches Project Freedom, a major effort to restore commercial shipping and assist over 22,500 mariners stranded aboard more than 1,550 vessels.

Local, Education & other academy news

The Tri-Cities/Hanford chapter took some time this spring to explore some military history in their area. Alumni and midshipmen parents learned that NAS Pasco was the third largest Naval Air Station on the west coast during World War II, with 300-800 aircraft and over 4,000 personnel, producing over 2,000 Naval aviators, some of which were the combat aces with the highest number of kills during the war. It was also the first place where the Women Accepted in Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) were allowed to live on base. Pasco is also the site of the first airline to deliver airmail in the United States. So much history right around the corner. Plus, an opportunity for chapter members to swap sea stories and talk about some of the history they were involved in themselves.

 

Pictured in the photograph above: David Mears ’75; Michael McQuaid ’66; David Van Dyne ’03; Douglas McKinley ’60; Jerry Zito; Eugenia Zito

Air Force Major General Paul D. Moga ’95, USA has been nominated as the 23rd superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced Tuesday that President Trump made the nomination on 30 April. Along with the nomination, Moga has been appointed as a lieutenant general. Moga would replace the current U.S. Air Force Academy Superintendent, Lieutenant General Tony D. Bauernfeind. The superintendent directs a 47-month program of military education and leadership development at the Academy that produces leaders ready to join the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. Currently, Moga serves as commander at the Third Air Force, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Moga graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He also spent time at the Air Force Academy as the Commandant of Cadets from May 2021 to June 2023. Moga would take command pending Senate confirmation.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

The Tewaaraton Foundation announced the finalists for the 2026 Tewaaraton Award and attacker Alyssa Chung was among the five named to the list, becoming the first Navy women's lacrosse player in program history to be named a finalist for the Tewaaraton. The Tewaaraton Award is recognized as the preeminent lacrosse award, annually honoring the top male and female college lacrosse player in the United States. The selection committees are composed of premier college coaches and are appointed annually by the Tewaaraton Foundation. The 2026 Tewaaraton Watch List was announced Feb. 10, with the first round of additions being announced March 5 and a second round of additions March 26. The watch list was narrowed down to the top 25 nominees on 16 April with the five women's finalists were selected from this group and announced Tuesday, 5 May.

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Yesterday's results:

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USNA and AA&F Events

USNA AA&F resources & Links

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