Oct 28 Daily Shipmate

Tuesday, Oct 28, 2025

1952 - The XA3D-1 Skywarrior, the largest aircraft to ever operate from the deck of an aircraft carrier and a long-lived design that operated into the 1980s, made its first flight. Though initially designed as a nuclear strike aircraft, the aircraft known as the “Whale” also served as a tanker, reconnaissance and electronic warfare platform.

 

1962 - An 11,000-man 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade left Camp Pendleton by sea for the Caribbean during the Cuban Missile Crisis. One week earlier, the entire 189,000-man Marine Corps had been put on alert and elements of the 1st and 2d Marine Divisions were sent to Guantanamo Bay to reinforce the defenders of the U.S. Naval Base. Other 2d Division units and squadrons from five Marine Aircraft Groups were deployed at Key West, Florida, or in Caribbean waters during the Cuban crisis.

 

2009 - LT Bret Miller '01, USN and LT John Houston '02, USN were lost when the T-34 they were aboard crashed in the Gulf of Mexico. They were both instructors with Training Squadron (VT) 27. Bret was the youngest of three children, and grew up in East Troy, Wisconsin. He was a patrol plane pilot who had completed two deployments prior earlier in his career. Bret was survived by his wife, son, an unborn child, parents, sister, and brother. “Joe” – conveniently enough for his Plebe classmates, from Houston, Texas – was a helicopter pilot prior to his instructor tour. He was survived by his fiancée, son, parents, and brother.

Academy & Graduate happenings

Our last live pod until Army-Navy Game did not disappoint. More than 500 alums, parents and friends of USNA showed out to the FAC Saturday for a Welcome Home event and the Live Pod. Don't miss an hour of fun and interviews as Bill Wagner, Chris Servello '99 and John Schofield preview the game and discuss the fall season in Annapolis, a little Navy basketball preview and some Oktoberfest cheer. That and more on a world's best Alumni Association & Foundation podcast. Thanks for listening. Beat Army!

Listen on

The next Service Academy Career Conference is coming to Chicago November 19–20, 2025. SACC is your chance to connect with top employers, graduate schools, and fellow Service Academy grads — all in one place. Whether you're actively job hunting, exploring advanced education, or simply networking, this event opens doors to opportunities you don't want to miss. Registration is open now!

In 2024, the Athletic & Scholarship Programs through the Fund for Athletic Excellence helped provide more than $4.05 million in direct support to the 36 varsity teams, the many club and intramural teams and the Naval Academy Prep School in Newport, RI. The A&SP has provided significant funding and support to the United States Naval Academy and the Physical Mission for over 80 years (since 1944). The impact on the Brigade, USNA facilities, athletics and scholarship programs continues to be significant.

Government & Military News

Two Navy aircraft, an MH-60R helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet jet, crashed in separate incidents in the South China Sea while operating from USS Nimitz. All crew members were rescued and are in stable condition. Investigations are underway to determine what went wrong. Read the full story for updates on both crashes and how the Navy is managing recovery efforts in one of the most closely watched regions in the world.

More than 1,000 non-essential military personnel, family members and residents, along with their pets, are flying to Naval Air Station Pensacola from Naval Station Guantanamo Bay ahead of the impending Hurricane Melissa. Hurricane Melissa, a category 5 hurricane, is currently in the Caribbean, according to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. The storm is expected to be over Jamaica today and hit Cuba Tuesday night into Wednesday. The projected path has the hurricane then moving over the Bahamas and continuing northeast into the Atlantic. The storm is not expected to hit Florida.

The USS Ted Stevens (DDG 128), the 78th Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer, has completed its second sea trials in the Gulf of Mexico ahead of joining the fleet. Crews tested propulsion, navigation and combat systems including the AN/SPY 6 radar and Aegis Baseline 10 suite. The milestone marks another step in the Navy's effort to strengthen its surface fleet with some of the most advanced ships in the world.

The Pentagon has accepted an anonymous $130 million donation to ensure service members are paid during the ongoing shutdown. While the sum helps cover military salaries, it represents just a sliver of the billions needed and raises ethical questions about reliance on private funds for public pay. With federal funding stalled and weak spots in oversight, the move invites scrutiny—and the full story goes beyond the dollar amount.

Local, Education & other academy news

Air Force Athletics announced today a groundbreaking expansion of its partnership with USAA to become the first-ever corporate partner to see its branding on the field in Falcon Stadium. The logo will first appear on the field for Air Force's nationally televised game on CBS against Army November 1st. The logo will appear on both 25-yard lines opposite the Mountain West logos and be visible on national television broadcasts and to the hundreds of thousands of fans that visit Falcon Stadium annually. USAA is a long-standing premier partner of Air Force Athletics and has spearheaded many initiatives for the athletic department including the presenting sponsorship of the Blue & Silver Club and the Empower Her series which promotes and enhances the experience for Air Force women's athletic programs.

Air Force Athletics has announced the creation of a deferred payment plan for game tickets for furloughed federal government employees. Air Force Academy officials anticipate a sold-out crowd for the Air Force vs. Army game on Saturday, November 1, and want furloughed employees to have an opportunity to purchase tickets, despite not being paid due to the shutdown. "The prolonged government shutdown is negatively impacting thousands of families here at the Academy, along the Front Range and across our country. We sympathize with the hardships it is creating and recognize this has been a challenging time for our teammates, their families and our entire community. In response, we want to help where we can and try to remove barriers from enjoying Academy athletics competitions and especially the incredible service academy rivalry," said Nathan Pine - Air Force Director of Athletics.

The Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation Pensacola Chapter are hosting a Congressional Academy Day Jan 10, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT in the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Fl. Both offices of Florida Senators will support. Representatives from all six National Academies and ROTC will be on hand. RSVP and register by emailing [email protected].

We do NOT want you to miss your chance to design this year's Beat Army spirit button so we are extending the deadline so everyone has a chance to send in their creative designs! Your design should be bold, fun, family friendly and bursting with Navy blue and gold pride. The winning artwork will be featured at our Beat Army and President's Circle Tailgates and the Fluegel Alumni Center Watch Party. After the deadline, the USNA AA&F staff will hold an internal vote to select the top four entries. These will then be posted on our social media accounts for followers to vote for their favorite. Social media followers can vote for their favorite on @usnaalumni Facebook and Instagram. The winner will be announced the week of 10 November 2025. Submit your original, human-created design by 5 November 2025. Click the button below for more information and instructions on how to enter your design.

Imagine an unforgettable 10-night adventure through Greece and Turkey aboard Oceania Cruises' newest ship Allura from 7 to 17 May 2026, crafted for USNA alumni and their families. Explore iconic destinations from Athens to Istanbul, including Mykonos, Santorini, Heraklion, Fethiye, Bodrum, Izmir, Chios, Kavala and Lemnos. Enjoy gourmet dining, gratuities, unlimited Wi-Fi and a shipboard credit while connecting with fellow alumni. Optional pre and post cruise programs in Athens and Istanbul add even more excitement. Spots are limited for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Naval Academy Athletics News & Results

Navy football is ranked 23rd in the latest AFCA Coaches Poll, marking its first Top 25 appearance since 2022. The Midshipmen are off to a 7-0 start, their best since 1978, and recently defeated Florida Atlantic 42-32 with standout performances from quarterback Blake Horvath and linebacker Coleman Cauley who earned American Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors. Navy's next challenge is a matchup against North Texas as they aim to maintain their spot in the national rankings.

Men's Golf vs FAU Invitational

USNA and AA&F Events

30 Oct - Austin Chapter roadshow - 5:30 p.m. - Fast Friends Beer Co., Austin

31 Oct - North Texas Chapter + NAPC of North Texas Roadshow - 4:30 p.m. - Bitter Sisters Brewing Co.

 

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

7 Nov - Veteran's Classic - Navy v Yale - 8:30 p.m.

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.

12 Nov - GSMC Social & Business Mtg. Brudergarten - 5-6 p.m. - 22725 Duke St, Leonardtown, MD 20650 - Online event: Meet - toh-nvgs-yvn

14 Nov - Run to Honor's annual pre-Honor Our Fallen Heroes Gathering (FAC) - 6:30 p.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 ceremony, USNA Chapel - 9 a.m.

15 Nov - Honor Our Fallen Heroes tailgate luncheon, NMCMS - 10 a.m.

17 Nov - Council of Class Presidents Fall meeting, Fluegel Alumni Center

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

19-20 Nov - SACC Chicago

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

 

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

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

10 Dec - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter Social & Business Mtg. - 5-6 p.m. - Brudergarten, 22725 Duke St, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Online event: https://meet.google.com/toh-nvgs-yvn

12 Dec - Greater Southern Maryland Chapter - 8:30-10 a.m. - Taphouse, 1637 23418 Three Notch Rd, California, MD 20619, USA

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