24 Jun Daily Shipmate

Monday, Jun 23, 2025

1977 - LT Richard Creighton '70, USN was lost when his helicopter crashed during a night trainingmission at Patuxent Naval Air Test Center. A native of Long Beach, California, he played basketball at the Naval Academy and graduated the Naval Postgraduate School prior to reporting to flight training. He was survived by his wife and two-month-old son.

 

1982 - In the wake of Israel's invasion of Lebanon in an effort to destroy the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the amphibious ships Nashville (LPD-13) and Hermitage (LSD-34) evacuate nearly 600 Americans and foreign nationals from Juniyah near the Lebanese capital of Beirut. (24–25 June)

2002 - F/A-18E Super Hornets of VFA-115 begin the first operational deployment of the Navy's newest aircraft on board the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72).

Academy & Graduate happenings

The U.S. Naval Academy held the Change of Leadership ceremony June 23rd in Dahlgren Hall for the Commandant of Midshipmen Capt. Walter H. Allman III '97 who was properly relieved by Capt. Gilbert E. Clark, Jr. '98. “Vice Adm. Davids, I look forward to tirelessly supporting you in every way to meet our mission of generating the next chapter of our Navy and Marine Corps leaders,” Clark said. “I pledge to stay focused on every midshipman's success and bring to bear the available resources of our amazing staff to ensure that success. I am deeply honored and humbled for the opportunity to lead the Brigade of Midshipmen and forge our next generation of Navy and Marine Corps leaders,” Clark said.

The Naval War College Foundation (NWCF) announced on June 23 that Vice Admiral Walter “Ted” Carter Jr '81 USN (Ret.), will receive the 2025 Sentinel of the Sea Award at a gala held in his honor on Thursday, November 6, at the New York Yacht Club in New York City. VADM Carter served 38 years in the U.S. Navy, amassing more than 6,300 flight hours and holding the national record for carrier-arrested landings. As the 54th President of the U.S. Naval War College (USNWC), he led several key initiatives, including the establishment of the Advanced Studies in Naval Strategy Program. The Sentinel of the Sea Award is the highest honor bestowed by the NWCF. It recognizes distinguished American citizens whose lives and careers reflect the values and traditions of the U.S. Naval War College.

While visiting Los Angeles for a conference focused on recent alumni engagement, Isaac Phillips '19 , USNA AA&F director of online engagement and SIGs, hosted a gathering of recent USNA graduates at St. Felix in Hollywood. The event brought together a group of alumni who shared personal insights and ideas about how the Alumni Association can better support recent grads (classes of 2010 to 2025). Derek Vogel '16, Eddie Malca '16, Gina Kang '16, and Ron Helms '15 were there to provide feedback, network with one another, and hear what the Alumni Association has planned for the recent grad community. The feedback gathered in LA will help inform ongoing strategy and programming. Recent alumni interested in continuing the conversation or getting involved are encouraged to start through their local chapter or shared interest group. Recent Alumni interested in continuing the conversation or getting involved locally are encouraged to start through their local chapter or Shared Interest Group, complete the feedback form to indicate interest, or reach out to [email protected].

Government & Military News

Iran's military said it carried out a missile attack on the Al Udeid U.S. airbase in Qatar on Monday after explosions were heard across the Qatari capital following Tehran's threat to retaliate for U.S. airstrikes on its nuclear sites. The Iranian military said the attack was "devastating and powerful" but U.S. officials said no U.S. personnel were killed or injured in the attack on the airbase, the largest U.S. military installation in the Middle East.

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy's deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of June 23, 2025, 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.

U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) returned to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, June 23, marking the completion of the scheduled patrol in the Indo-Pacific region. Blue Ridge left for patrol on April 3 and traveled 14,432 nautical miles, making port visits to Cairns, Australia; Nouméa, New Caledonia; Suva, Fiji; Wellington, New Zealand; Sydney, Australia; and Guam. "I remain very proud of the 7th Fleet and Blue Ridge team of teams for their work on this summer's patrol,” said Vice Adm. Fred Kacher '90, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. “Our patrols enable 7th Fleet to lead America's forward deployed naval forces in the Western Pacific, providing command and control of our forces from the sea, and to engage our allies and partners in a unique way that only our flagship, USS Blue Ridge, can provide."

Local, Education & other academy news

The Navy football team is picked to finish second behind Tulane by Athlon Sports in its 2025 College Football Preseason Magazine. Navy is coming off a 10-3 campaign in 2024 that saw the Mids beat Air Force and Army to win the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy and defeat Oklahoma in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl. Senior quarterback Blake Horvath, senior snipe Eli Heidenreich and senior nose guard Landon Robinson were all named to the preseason all-conference team by Athlon. The Mids were projected to play in the Military Bowl in Annapolis against Bill Belichick and the North Carolina Tar Heels by the magazine.

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy recently upgraded its security posture with a $10 million electronic security system to address security challenges and improve campus safety at its New London, Ct. campus. The project started in February 2024 and finished in May, incorporating integrated features to protect cadets, officer candidates, faculty, staff, and critical campus infrastructure. The new system is centered around cadet dormitories in Chase Hall and includes more than 500 advanced electronic door locks to control access to restricted areas, and more than 300 high-resolution surveillance cameras for real-time monitoring and clear recorded footage. It allows administrators to assign or revoke access instantly, monitor entry logs, and quickly spot security concerns. Campus security will also receive real-time alerts and detailed records, speeding up incident response.

USNA and AA&F Events

JUNE

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

26 Jun - USNA Induction Day, Class of 2029

30 Jun-6 Jul - Duluth, Minnesota Navy Week

 

July

9 Jul - Hampton Roads Chapter - Chapter event with Navy Offensive Coordinator Drew Cronic  and Midshipmen Meet & Greet Social. 5:00pm - 7:00pm - Rocky Mountain Room, Blue Moon TapHouse - Waterside District. More Info

14-16 Jul - YP visit to Yorktown, VA

18 Jul - Plebe Summer Formal Parade

25 Jul - Plebe SummerFormal parade

25 Jul - Hampton Roads Chapter/NAPC of Hampton Roads Roadshow - Blue Moon Taphouse, Norfolk - 5:30 p.m.

26 Jul - VA Peninsula Chapter Roadshow - Revolution Golf & Grille, Williamsburg - 12 p.m.

26 Jul - Richmond Chapter/NAPC of Central Virginia Roadshow - Capital Ale House, Glen Allen - 5:30 p.m.

27 Jul - NAPC of SW Virginia Roadshow - Macado's, Roanoke - 12 p.m.

27 Jul - Central VA Chapter/NAPC of Central Virginia Roadshow - Three Notch'd Brewery, Charlottesville - 5:30 p.m.

 

AUGUST

1 Aug - Plebe Summer Formal Parade

1-3 Aug - Seattle Sea Fair

4-10 Aug - Sioux Falls, South Dakota Navy Week

6 Aug - Hampton Roads Chapter Midshipmen Summer Cruise Meet and Greet - Norfolk - 5:00pm - 7 p.m. - Rocky Mountain Room, Blue Moon TapHouse - Waterside District - More Info

7 Aug - Class of 2029 Plebe Parent Mixer, Fluegel

8-10 Aug - Plebe Parents Weekend

9 Aug - Plebe Parents Weekend Formal Parade

9 Aug - Blue & Gold kick-off BBQ - N/MCMS

18 Aug - USNA Classes begin

18-24 Aug - Columbus, Ohio Navy Week

21-22 Aug - SACC San Diego

22 Aug - Friends of Navy Sailing Starting Gun Reception: Severn Sailing Association - 6 p.m.

23 Aug - Friends of Navy Sailing Supe brief, race and Sail Navy Banquet

24 Aug - Annapolis 10 Miler - Run to Honor is a charity partner

25-31 Aug - Springfield, Missouri Navy Week

28 Aug - Navy Football Brotherhood Weekend Kickoff Dinner w/ Football Coaching Staff

28-31 Aug - Class of 2010 15th Reunion

28-31 Aug - Class of 1960 65th Reunion

29 Aug - Navy Football Brotherhood Fallen Brothers Golf Classic & Evening Social

30 Aug - Navy Football Brotherhood Weekend Tailgater, NMCMS

30 Aug - A&SP/NAAA Trustee Appreciation Pre-Game Breakfast – Navy vs. VMI

30 Aug - Navy vs VMI, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

 

SEPTEMBER

4 Sep - Distinguished Graduate Award (DGA) Medal Ceremony - Alumni Hall, 4:30 p.m.

4-6 Sep - Class of 2000 25th Reunion

6 Sep - Navy Football vs University of Alabama Birmingham, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

13 Sep - Navy Football vs Tulsa, Tulsa, OK

14 Sep - Annapolis Travis Manion 9/11 Heroes Run

15-21 Sep - Wichita Falls, Texas Navy Week

18-19 Sep - McMullen Naval History Symposium - USNA

18-21 Sep - Class of 1985 - 40th Reunion

22-28 Sep - Hartford, CT Navy Week

25-27 Sep - Class of 2020 5th Reunion

26 Sep - Council of Annual Giving meeting - Fluegel Alumni Center

27 Sep - Navy Football vs Rice, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

 

OCTOBER

1-22 Oct - Class of '75 Gulf to Goat Charity Bike Ride

2 Oct - President Circle Welcome Reception, Fluegel

2-4 Oct - President Circle Weekend

2-5 Oct - Class of 2015 10th Reunion

2-5 Oct - Class of 1995 30th Reunion

2-5 Oct - Class of 1990 35th Reunion

4 Oct - Navy Football vs Air Force, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

10 Oct - USNA Founder's Day

10 Oct - Army-Navy Cup XIV. Soccer doubleheader vs Army at Subaru Park, Philadelphia. Women's Match - 4 p.m., Men's Match at 7 p.m.

11 Oct - Navy Football @ Temple, Lincoln Financial Stadium, Philadelphia, PA

13 Oct - U.S. Navy Birthday

13 Oct - Surface Navy Museum Grand Opening - Battleship Iowa - Los Angeles

23-26 Oct - Class of 2005 20th Reunion

23-26 Oct - Class of 1995 30th Reunion

23-26 Oct - Class of 1975 50th Reunion

23-26 Oct - Class of 1965 60th Reunion

25 Oct - Navy Football vs Florida Atlantic, NMCMS, Annapolis, MD

25 Oct - United States Naval Academy Homecoming

25 Oct - Welcome Home Event, Fluegel Alumni Center

25-31 - Eugene, Oregon Navy Week

 

NOVEMBER

1 Nov - Navy @ North Texas, DATCU Stadium, Denton TX

5-6 Nov - US Naval Academy Foundation Fall Board of Directors Reception/Meeting

6-9 Nov - Class of 1980 45th Reunion

8 Nov - Navy @ Notre Dame, Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN - 7:30 p.m.

10 Nov - Marine Corps Birthday

10-16  Nov - Santa Fe, New Mexico Navy Week.

14 Nov - Run to Honor's annual pre-Honor Our Fallen Heroes Gathering - 6:30p.m. - Register

14 Nov - US Naval Academy Athletic & Scholarship Program Fall Meeting, NMCMS

15 Nov - Navy vs University of South Florida, NMCMS

15 Nov - Honor Our Fallen Heroes - Location TBD

17 Nov - Council of Class Presidents Fall meeting, Fluegel

18-19 Nov - US Naval Academy Alumni Association Board of Trustee Fall Meeting, Fluegel

19-20 Nov - SACC Chicago

27 Nov - Navy Football @ University of Memphis, Liberty Bowl, Memphis, TN

 

DECEMBER

5/6 Dec - American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game, TBD

6 Dec - Distinguished Graduate Selection Committee Meeting, Fluegel, TBD

13 Dec - Army - Navy, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD