The Flagship 11.12.2026 by Military News

IN THIS ISSUE

“Topping-out” ceremony marks milestone on Navy’s newest Child Development Center in Hampton Roads The project supports family readiness, enhances quality of life, and reﬂects the Navy’s commitment to modernizing critical shore infrastructure. Page A2

NORFOLK, Virginia (October 30, 2026) – Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Color Guard parades the colors during a change of command ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, Oct. 30. Rear Adm. Bradley Rosen assumed command of Navy Region Mid-Atlantic from Rear Adm. Stephen Barnett. Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (CNRMA) is the regional coordinator for all shore-based naval personnel and shore activities in the Mid-Atlantic region, which encompasses 20 states, 14 installations, and numerous Navy Reserve Centers from Maine to Virginia and as far west as Illinois. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 1ST CLASS CODY BEAM)

Navy Region Mid-Atlantic change of command Courtesy Story

NORFOLK, Va. (NRMA) — Rear Adm. Stephen Barnett was relieved by Rear Adm. Brad Rosen as commander of Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (CNRMA), during a ceremony at Hangar Bay LP-33 onboard Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, Oct. 29.

Commander, Navy Installations Command, Vice Adm. Brad Collins, served as the presiding officer for the event. Barnett assumed command in July of 2024. During his tour, he provided a full spectrum of shore installation management, services to operating forces and Navy families within region’s area of responsibility.

He fostered a workforce that energetically resolved the Navy’s most complex challenges to sustain the ﬂeet, enable the ﬁghter, and support the family. Rosen, a native of Randolph, New Jersey, reported to CNRMA from his last assignment as Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central. He is also a former

Commanding Officer of Naval Station Norfolk. CNRMA is the regional coordinator for all shore-based naval personnel and shore activities in the Mid-Atlantic region, which encompasses 20 states, 14 installations, and numerous Navy reserve centers from Maine to North Carolina and as far west as Illinois.

USS San Antonio returns to New York City for Veterans Day events Courtesy Story NAVY REGION MID-ATLANTIC

NORFOLK, Va. - In honor of Veterans Day, the Amphibious Transport Dock USS San Antonio (LPD 17) will participate in New York City’s (NYC) annual Veterans Day celebrations, Nov. 9 - 13. Sailors and Marines aboard San Antonio will participate in a variety of events in and around the city to honor the service and sacrifice of the nation’s veterans. Events include the annual NYC Veterans Day Parade, a wreath laying ceremony, volunteering at the NY State Veterans Home in Queens, and participation in other community relations events. “We are honored to be in New York City for Veterans Week and look forward to engaging with the local community during our visit,” said Capt. Matt Gleason, commanding officer of San Antonio. “This ship visit provides an outstanding opportunity for the crew to experience the tremendous culture and historical sights that make New York one of the greatest cities in the word.” San Antonio returned to homeport in Norfolk Oct.16 following two deployments over the past 14 months. “I am in awe of the efforts San Antonio’s crew and embarked Marines gave during our back to back deployments,“ said Gleason. ”My heartfelt thanks go out to the families and friends of this crew for supporting their dedicated loved ones”. During the deployment, San Antonio provided disaster relief following two earthquakes in Venezuela. Operating near the epicenter in La Guaira, the ship served as the afloat command and control center for the U.S. Southern Command Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief element. Following a brief logistics stop in Ponce, Puerto Rico, San Antonio sailed to the Pacific, marking a historic milestone as the first

The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio transits the Gulf of Aden to serve as command ship for Combined Task Force 151. The task force conducts counter-piracy operations in and around the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea and was established to create a lawful maritime order and develop security in the maritime environment. (COURTESY PHOTO)

amphibious transport dock since 2018 to In the Eastern Paciﬁc, the crew shifted disrupted the supply networks of transnatransit the Panama Canal, and the ﬁrst of its to security and maritime interdiction oper- tional narco-trafficking organization, with class to pass through the expanded Neo-Pan- ations under Joint Task Force Western amax locks. Hemisphere. These actions systematically See USS SAN ANTONIO on PAGE A4

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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Oct. 29, 2026) A signed wooden beam for the north building is hoisted into place during a topping-out ceremony for Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story’s newest Child Development Center, Oct. 29. In keeping with longstanding topping-out traditions, an evergreen tree and American ﬂag were secured to the beam, symbolizing renewal, prosperity, and a shared commitment to the children, families, educators, and staff who will learn, grow, and thrive within the new 41,000-square-foot facility. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY DAVID TODD/RELEASED)

“Topping-out” ceremony marks milestone on Navy’s newest Child Development Center in Hampton Roads Courtesy Story NAVAL FACILITIES ENGINEERING SYSTEMS COMMAND (NAVFAC) MID-ATLANTIC

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Leadership from Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (JEB LC-FS), Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Mid-Atlantic (NAVFAC MIDLANT), Navy Child and Youth Programs, and construction partners gathered Oct. 29 for a beam signing and topping-out ceremony, marking a significant construction milestone for the installation’s newest Child Development Center (CDC). The project supports family readiness, enhances quality of life, and reflects the Navy’s commitment to modernizing critical shore infrastructure. During the ceremony, project stakeholders signed one of the final wooden beams for the north building before it was hoisted into position. In keeping with longstanding topping-out traditions, an evergreen tree and American flag were secured to the beam, symbolizing renewal, prosperity, and a shared commitment to the children, families, educators, and staff who will learn, grow, and work within the new CDC. “Our military families sacrifice alongside our service members every single day, and they deserve world-class support,” said Capt. KatieJacobson,JEBLC-FScommandingofficer. “Active construction on our newest CDC

brings us one step closer to opening doors for children in an environment specifically designed for early development and play. By directly supporting the CNO’s focus on quality of life and warfighting readiness, accessible childcare is essential to retaining our top talent,easingthestrainonmilitary-connected parents, and ensuring our Little Creek-Fort Story community continues to thrive.” The center will provide care for military children from infancy through age five, delivering developmentally appropriate programs that support early learning and social-emotional development while providing continuity for families navigating the demands of military life. As construction continues, the project is approximately 17 percent complete and remains on schedule for completion in June 2027, nearly a year ahead of its original contract completion date. The next major phase will include installation of the roof and exterior wall systems in late November, bringing the facility to a dried-in condition and protecting the structure from weather-related impacts. The new CDC represents a major investment in service members and their families. Selected as the pilot effort utilizing Other Transactional Authority (OTA), the project is part of a broader initiative to accelerate delivery of critical infrastructure through a progressivedesign-buildapproach.Theeffort

also incorporates prefabricated and industrialized construction techniques designed to accelerate delivery, improve quality, and enhance efficiency. “This is a historic project for the Navy,” said Charles Stanton Jr., Director of Project Management for NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic. “As the first Navy military construction (MILCON) project delivered through an OTA approach, it is proving that innovative acquisition strategies and industrialized construction methods can significantly accelerate delivery without sacrificing quality. The lessons learned here will help inform future Navy projects and pave the way for a new generation of infrastructure delivery that better supports the mission.” The future 41,000-square-foot facility will include 25 child activity rooms, administrative spaces, a kitchen, and mechanical areas. The program will feature eight infant rooms, seven pre-toddler rooms, six toddler rooms, and four preschool rooms, each organized to support age-appropriate developmental needs. The facility will also include multiple age-appropriate playgrounds equipped with playsets and interactive stations adjacent to their corresponding activity areas. “The construction team remains focused on delivering this project, and today’s ceremony highlights the significant progress madesinceconstructionbegan7monthsago,” said Lt. Cmdr. Benjamin Rowe, resident offi-

cer in charge of construction at Little Creek. “While we are proud of the work accomplished so far, the true measure of success will be when military families are able to rely on this facility for safe, high-quality childcare that supports their daily lives and contributes to mission readiness.” This project serves as a model for future Navy infrastructure efforts by demonstrating how standardized design, innovative contracting strategies, and industrialized construction can accelerate delivery while improving quality across the shore enterprise. More importantly, it represents a long-term investment in military families and operational readiness. As construction progresses, NAVFAC MIDLANT remains committed to delivering resilient, modern facilities that strengthen the readiness, resilience, and quality of life of the service members and families it serves. NNAVFAC MIDLANT delivers comprehensive construction, engineering, and facilities contracting across a broad area of responsibility – from South Carolina to Maine, extending west to Illinois and south to Indiana. For additional information about NAVFAC MIDLANT on social media, follow our activities on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ navfacmidatlantic and on Instagram @ navfacmidatlantic.

From left to right: VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Oct. 29, 2026) Capt. Katie Jacobson, commanding officer of Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, signs one of the ﬁnal wooden beams for the north building of the installation’s newest Child Development Center during a topping-out ceremony, Oct. 29. Ceremony attendees gather after signing one of the ﬁnal wooden beams for the north building during the topping-out ceremony. The event marked a major construction milestone for the 41,000-square-foot facility, which will provide childcare services for military families in Hampton Roads. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY DAVID TODD/RELEASED)

Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (CNRMA): Rear Adm. Brad N. Rosen Regional program manager for Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (NRMA): Public Affairs Director | Beth Baker Public Affairs Deputy Director | Leon Moore

Editorial Staff

Managing Editor | MC1 Cody D. Beam 757-322-2853 | cody.d.beam.mil@us.navy.mil Graphic Designer | Teresa Walter teresa.walter@virginiamedia.com

Contributing Staff

Elizabeth Reisen 757-322-2853 | news@ﬂagshipnews.com

Flagship, Inc.

Military General Manager | Ski Miller ski.miller@virginiamedia.com

The Flagship® is published by Flagship, LLC., a private firm in no way connected with the Department of Defense (DOD) or the United States Navy, under exclusive written contract with Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. This civilian enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services. Contents of the paper, including advertisements, are not necessarily the official views of, nor endorsed by, the U.S. Government, DOD, or the Department of the Navy (DON). The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the DOD; DON; Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic or Flagship, LLC. of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Department of Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. Stories may be submitted via email to news@flagshipnews.com. The Flagship® is published every Thursday by Flagship, LLC., whose offices are located at 804 Greenbrier Circle, Suite C, Chesapeake, VA 23320.

ﬂagshipnews.com | Section A | Thursday, November 12, 2026

USNS Montford Point hosts Joint Maritime Security Response Team Exercise By Molly Burgess USN MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND

Teams from the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Marine Corps conducted a joint training exercise aboard Military Sealift Command’s USNS Montford Point (T-ESD 1) while the ship was pierside onboard Naval Station Norfolk, Oct. 13, 2026. Participating units included the U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT) – East and the U.S. Marine Corps’ 26th MarineExpeditionaryUnit(26MEU)Maritime RaidForce(MRF).Theteamsspecializeinmaritime counterterrorism, high-speed rigid-hulled inﬂatable boat transfers, direct-action missions and maritime raids. “It is crucial to rehearse these operations in both static and underway training environments to hone the advanced skills necessary to conduct operations while deployed,” said U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Joseph Rodriguez, MSRTEast team lead and assault force commander. “These training events directly support the typesofoperationsdeployedforcesmayconduct across multiple combatant commands, safely and professionally.” Rodriguez said the exercise was part of a two-week training block between MSRT-East and 26th MEU MRF, designed to improve capabilities and bolster unit integration for possible future deployments. “The objective of the exercise is to improve the readiness of all participating units to deploy together and conduct real-world operations,” Rodriguez said. “The training is designed to focus on all aspects of maritime interdiction operationsandculminateswithunderwayvessel take-downs on simulated vessels of interest within the Chesapeake Bay.” During the training, integrated assault forces on small boats approached the vessel and attached a caving ladder to the side of the ship. The trainees then climbed the ladder and boardedtheship.Onceaboard,theteamsmoved to secure key spaces aboard the vessel to achieve positive navigational control of the ship. RodriguezsaidplatformslikeMontfordPoint expose the teams to challenges and situations similar to those they may encounter during missions. “The Montford Point is an ideal platform because it is suitable for hook and climb trainingandpresentscomplexclose-quarterscombat problems for the assault force to navigate,” Rodriguez said. “It simulates a target vessel that could be interdicted during future operations.” Capt. Joshua Jordan, Ship’s Master, USNS Montford Point, said the ship’s spaces provide the training teams an environment that challenges tactics, techniques, and procedures. “The vessel itself provides a good ﬁt for trainingbasedonitscommercialstyletankerhulland machinery spaces, while also providing ample

U.S. Coast Guardsmen attached to the Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT) East along with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU) Maritime Raid Force, conduct a joint visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) training exercise onboard the Military Sealift Command expeditionary transfer dock ship USNS Montford Point (T-ESD 1) on Naval Station Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia, Oct. 13, 2026. The joint training is to enhance maritime interdiction operations during maritime counterterrorism and direct-action missions. Conducting exercises aboard naval vessels like Montford Point provide real-life maritime training opportunities to strengthen the operational readiness of the joint force. (U.S. NAVY PHOTOS BY BRETT DODGE)

training areas for large amounts of teams to conduct training jointly,” said Jordan. “Training held in a controlled environment will hopefully carry over to minimize mistakes where it counts.” Jordan said the ship has hosted numerous training evolutions over the past decade and has brought added value to the ship’s crew. “The Montford Point is always ready and eager to assist where we can for the needs of MSC, and any other branches of service or government that may be interested in utilizing the vessel for training,” said Jordan. “As a crew, we aim to familiarize personnel with the vessel andprovidearealistictrainingenvironmentthat could potentially save lives.”

RodriguezsaidthepartnershipbetweenMSC andMSRTEastprovidesavitaltrainingresource that enhances counterterrorism tactics under the realistic pressure of a simulated crisis. “The relationship is valuable because our primary mission requires us to be experts in maritime tactical operating environments,” said Rodriguez. “MSC provides platforms that facilitate that training and directly support the unit’s obligated mission readiness.” MSC exists to support the joint warﬁghter across the full spectrum of military operations, with a workforce that includes approximately 6,000 Civil Service Mariners and 1,500 contract mariners, supported by 1,500 shore staff and 3,500activedutyandreservemilitarypersonnel.

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ﬂagshipnews.com | Section A | Thursday, November 12, 2026

Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic hosts commander’s summit

By Keith Goodsell COMMANDER, NAVAL SURFACE FORCE ATLANTIC

NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, Va. — Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic (SURFLANT) hosted their commander’s summit for surface warfare commanders at Afloat Training Group Norfolk, Oct. 21-22, 2026. Morethan30commandswererepresented at the summit which focused on continuous learning and aligning leaders on personnel, material and training priorities that generate and enable surface-force readiness. “Supporting our forces in combat is my number one priority. Readiness begins with leaders who continuously learn through applying lessons learned and adapting to changes in real time,” said Rear Adm. Chris Alexander, Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic. “This summit convenes commanders to align on the personnel, materiel, training, and warfighting priorities that keep our warships and Sailors ready to meet all challenges at sea and ashore.” The first day focused on warfighting, with an operational update and sessions on logistics in contested environments, the employment of unmanned systems, and future fleet capabilities. The second day focused on personnel, materiel and training readiness. Leaders participated in conversations with Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV), surface ship maintenance experts, and the Surface Warfare Schools Command. The afternoon included updates on manning, enlisted advancement progress, and career development from Navy Personnel Command (PERS-41). Panel discussions and breakout sessions throughout the two-day event enabled commanders to share lessons learned, exchange best practices and identify ways to strengthen warfighting capability and readiness across the Navy’s surface fleet.

NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, Va. (Oct. 22, 2026) — U.S. Navy surface warfare leaders attend Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic (SURFLANT) Commander’s Summit at Aﬂoat Training Group Norfolk, Virginia. More than 30 commands were represented at the summit which focused on continuous learning and aligning leaders on personnel, materiel and training priorities that generate and enable surface-force readiness. SURFLANT mans, trains and equips assigned surface forces and shore activities, ensuring a capable force for conducting prompt and sustained operations in support of United States national interests. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS WHITTEN HELTON)

SURFLANT is responsible for manning, national interests. The SURFLANT force visit Facebook.com/SURFLANT, www. training and equipping assigned surface is composed of over 60 ships and 30 shore surﬂant.usff.navy.mil. forces and shore activities, ensuring a capa- commands. ble and combat-ready force to support U.S. For more SURFLANT news and photos,

Peruvian replenishment vessel wraps up 5-month deployment By LaShawn Sykes USN MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND

NORFOLK, Va. (Oct. 30, 2026) — The Peruvian replenishment oiler BAP Tacna (ARL-158) departed Naval Station Norfolk today for its homeport, concluding a successful five-month deployment in support of U.S. Navy Atlantic replenishment services. Since 2004, Tacna has participated in activities with the U.S. Navy, initially on the West Coast and, this year, on the East Coast in coordination with Military Sealift Command Atlantic (MSCLANT), said LCDR Esteban Ulfe Lopez, BAP Tacna Operations Officer. “This sustained engagement has provided valuable opportunities to strengthen interoperability, exchange operational experience, and demonstrate the ship’s logistical capabilities in support of multinational operations.” Throughout its 150-day deployment, the Tacna crew anchored critical logistics, delivering 2,136,594 gallons of Diesel Fuel Marine (F-76) to 12 U.S. Navy and two French vessels. The multi-national fleet delivered services to FS Aconite, FS Dixmude, USS Lassen, USS Mahan, USS Stout, USS Jason Dunham, USS Truxtun, USS Tortuga, USS Nitze, USS Carney, and USS John Basilone. To sustain these operations, the Tacna also received 3,138,342 gallons of F-76 through three shore bunkering operations—the process of transferringmarinefueldirectlyfromonshoreport pipelines into a docked ship’s fuel tanks. U.S. Navy Capt. Elizabeth Nelson, commodore of MSCLANT, highlighted the operational impact of the joint effort. “This NORFOLK, Va. – Rear Adm. partnership demonstrates how the U.S. and Martin Muckian, director Peruvian navies work together to extend our of Maritime Operations for reach and cover critical supply needs,” Nelson U.S. Fleet Forces Command, said. “In essence, it lets allied fleets share the meets with the leadership load using specialized supply ships like the and crew of the Peruvian BAP Tacna in the Atlantic.” replenishment oiler BAP From the Peruvian perspective, the beneTacna (ARL-158) during a fits extended far beyond immediate logistics, visit to the ship to thank the Lopez noted. “Through its participation in crew for their participation multinational exercises, integration into tactiin a successful five-month cal training scenarios, and ability to provide deployment in support logistical support to naval units, the Tacna has of U.S. Navy Atlantic helped strengthen professional relationships, replenishment services, practical experience, and the capabilities before the ship departed required for effective combined operations. Naval Station Norfolk, More importantly, it has demonstrated the Oct. 30, 2026. Throughout value of sustained cooperation between the its 150-day deployment, Peruvian Navy and the U.S. Navy.” the Tacna crew anchored Echoing this sentiment from the highest critical logistics, delivering levels of leadership, RADM Martin Muck2,136,594 gallons of Diesel ian, director of Maritime Operations for U.S. Fuel Marine (F-76) to 12 Fleet Forces Command, praised the seamless U.S. Navy and two French integration. vessels. The multi-national “On behalf of myself and USFF we were fleet delivered services to FS thoroughly impressed by the BAP Tacna Aconite, FS Dixmude, USS crew’s professionalism and pride while on Lassen, USS Mahan, USS deployment to the North Atlantic. In addiStout, USS Jason Dunham, tion to supporting Atlantic Fleet resupply USS Truxtun, USS Tortuga, missions, BAP Tacna was a participant in USS Nitze, USS Carney, and events commemorating the United States’ USS John Basilone. (U.S. 250th anniversary to include the InternaNAVY PHOTO BY MOLLY tional Naval Review 250 (INR250), SAIL BURGESS) 250 Virginia, and Fleet Exercise 250. BAP Tacna’s logistics support to numerous Fleet Originally built as an Amsterdam-class fleet logistics and international disaster relief usff.navy.mil/ training events built interoperability skills combat support ship, the BAP Tacna is the operations. For more information about Military between our navies and ensured our contin- Peruvian Navy’s primary replenishment For more information about U.S. Fleet Sealift Command, visit MSC at https://www. ued success.” oiler, frequently utilized for high-volume ForcesCommand,visitUFFFathttps://www. msc.usff.navy.mil

USS SAN ANTONIO

transport dock capable of embarking, transporting, and landing elements of a landing force. As the ﬁrst in class of amphibious from Page A1 transport docks equipped with an expanall detained personnel safely transferred to sive well deck and ﬂight capabilities, San the Ecuadorian Coast Guard. Antonio is designed to support expeditionSan Antonio is a versatile, amphibious ary warfare, special operations, and human-

itarian mission. By leveraging its landing craft and tilt-rotor aircraft capabilities, San Antonio can project power and deliver combatready Marines directly to shore in complex operational environments. The crew of more than 400 Sailors and 100 Marines will arrive at Pier 88 in Manhattan

at approximately noon, Monday, Nov. 9. The ship will be open for public visitation Tuesday. Nov. 10 and Thursday, Nov. 12 from 9 a.m. — 3 p.m. Government identiﬁcation is required for entry. The last time San Antonio visited NYC was May 2015 for Fleet Week New York.

ﬂagshipnews.com | Section A | Thursday, November 12, 2026

The NATO SeaSparrow team joins industry partners in Camden, AR, Oct. 28, to celebrate the delivery of the 1,000th Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM). (PHOTO BY JAMIE COSGROVE)

U.S. Navy’s NATO SEASPARROW Program marks delivery of 1,000th ESSM Block 2 missile

By Jamie Cosgrove PORTFOLIO ACQUISITION EXECUTIVE MUNITIONS

The U.S Navy’s NATO SEASPARROW Program (PMX-312) marked a major production milestone with delivery of the 1,000th Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM) Block 2 produced for the 12-nation NATO SEASPARROW Consortium. A ship-launched surface-to-air missile, ESSM Block 2 provides critical ship self-defenseandlocal-areadefenseagainstadvanced airborne and surface threats. The missile delivers a vital layer of protection for ships, Sailors, and maritime operations in increasingly contested environments.

This milestone reﬂects the continued expansion of ESSM Block 2 production to meet growing U.S. and international demand. The program reached its 500th missile delivery in June 2025, doubling production in just over a year. “Delivery of the 1,000th ESSM Block 2 missile is a signiﬁcant achievement for the NATO SEASPARROW Consortium, PMX-312, our industry partners, and, most importantly, the Sailors who rely on these weapons as a critical layer of defense,” said Capt. John Bowman, U.S. Navy PMX-312 program manager. “This milestone demonstrates the enduring value of international cooperation and a resilient industrial base in delivering proven maritime-defense capabil-

ity at the scale our nations require.” Raytheon, an RTX business, serves as the prime contractor for ESSM Block 2 production. The company works with the U.S. Navy, Consortium nations, and a multinational industrial base to produce and deliver missiles in support of operational requirements. Established in 1968, the NATO SEASPARROW Project is one of NATO’s longest-running cooperative weapons programs. Its 12 member nations—Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Türkiye, and the United States—collaborate to develop, produce, and sustain interoperable ship self-defense capabilities.

Managed by PAE Munitions’ PMX-312, ESSM Block 2 builds on that legacy by providing participating navies a modern maritime air-defense capability designed to counter evolving threats. About PAE Munitions: Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) Munitions is a Department of the Navy organization responsible for the development, procurement, and delivery of naval munitions and strike capabilities. By unifying key weapons programs and aligning the weapons industrial base, PAE Munitions provides enterprise-level integration to accelerate production, increase capacity, and ensure the Fleet is equipped with the munitions needed to project power and win.

NEXCOM delivers new 125-room Navy Inn in Dahlgren, Virginia By Kristine Sturkie NAVY EXCHANGE SERVICE COMMAND

The Navy Exchange Service Command’s (NEXCOM) Hospitality Group opened its new 125-room Navy Inn at Naval Support Facility Dahlgren, Virginia, on Oct. 29, 2026. Thisnewfacilitywillsupportactivedutymilitary, retirees and Department of War civilians on temporary duty travel. Each guestroom at the Navy Inn Dahlgren includes a signature Harbor Home® pillow-top mattress, 50-inch television, complimentary premium high-speed Wi-Fi, comfortable lounge seating, designated workspace and an in-room safe. Guests will also find premium, eco-friendly bath amenities and plush Harbor Home towels. In addition, the Navy Inn has a 24-hour NEX Micro Market with a premium coffee bar, snacks, beverages, toiletries and travel essentials. The hotel also includes a business center, complimentary guest laundry and a conference room, which can accommodate up to 14 attendees, with a 50-inch display for presentations and audiovisual needs. “These improvements reflect our commitment to providing military personnel and authorized travelers with exceptional value, convenience and accommodations designed for the realities of military travel,” said Ron Loman, Senior Vice President, NEXCOM Hospitality Group. “A reliable room, highspeed connectivity, workspace and convenient services matter. We are proud that our Navy hotels are the preferred lodging choice for our guests.” The new hotel was financed entirely with revenue generated by Navy lodging, meaning no appropriated funding was used for the building itself. That revenue supports not only day-to-day operations but also the maintenance, modernization and construction of new facilities across the NEXCOM Hospitality Group’s worldwide lodging portfolio. For NEXCOM, this approach directly connects business performance to long-term investment while preserving value for travelers, generating savings for the Navy and supporting mission readiness.

ABOVE: Navy and installation leaders cut the ribbon at Naval Support Facility (NSF) Dahlgren’s new Navy Inn during an Oct. 29 ceremony. From left to right, Ron Loman, senior vice president of Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) Hospitality Group; Capt. John Nadder, commanding officer of Naval Support Activity South Potomac (NSASP); LaDonna Sanders, northern regional vice president, NEXCOM Hospitality Group; ShaDonna Smith, general manager, NEXCOM Navy Inn Dahlgren; NSASP Command Master Chief Andy Reyes-Velez; Robert Bianchi, NEXCOM chief executive officer; and Chris Settelen, vice president, NEXCOM Hospitality Group. (U.S.

A SUSTAINABLE MODEL SUPPORTING FUTURE NAVY LODGING INVESTMENT

While NEXCOM Hospitality Group operates nearly 100 Navy hotels worldwide, the new Navy Inn is part of a broader investment strategy. Currently, several other construction projects are underway or nearing completion. At Naval Station Mayport, Florida, the same funding model supported the construction of a new 126-room Navy Inn, which will officially open in December 2026. At Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, California, a mixed-use facility is currently under construction. The 200-room Navy Inn will be co-located with a 15,800 sq. ft. Navy Exchange. InOkinawa,Japan,constructionisunderway on a new Navy Inn Crew Stay at Kadena Air

NAVY PHOTO BY CS2 CARLY MCGUFFEY)

Base.Thelodgingfacilitywillfeature200rooms and 390 beds, providing purpose-built accommodations for Sailors on extended mission assignments and command group visits. “Together, these projects demonstrate what disciplined reinvestment can accomplish,” said Loman. “The opening of the Navy

Inn Dahlgren is a tangible example of how NEXCOM Hospitality Group translates strong operational performance into longterm infrastructure investment, delivering lasting ﬁnancial value to the Fleet while providing purpose-built, modern accommodations to our military.”

LEFT: The Navy Exchange Service Command’s (NEXCOM) Hospitality Group opened its new 125-room Navy Inn at Naval Support Facility Dahlgren, Virginia, on Oct. 29, 2026. This new facility will support active duty military, retirees and Department of War civilians on temporary duty travel. NEXCOM enables warﬁghter readiness and strengthens the Navy’s quality of life mission. Providing essential products, services, hospitality and outﬁtting Navy communities around the globe, NEXCOM is continuously evolving to meet the demands of today’s military operational environment. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO)

ﬂagshipnews.com | Section A | Thursday, November 12, 2026

Veteran Spotlight: How Scott Taylor’s journey led to MSC By LaShawn Sykes USN MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND

NORFOLK,Va.–FromservingduringVietnam to launching a post-retirement career as a Military Sealift Command (MSC) Data Scientist, Scott’s journey has truly come full circle. In our latest interview, he dives into why he joined MSC, what it means to support the fleet, and how he unplugs after hours. Born in the community of Douglas, Michigan, his family soon relocated to Southern California where he was raised in the suburbs of Los Angeles. Scott joined the Navy near the end of the Vietnam War and served four years, rising to the rank of Fire Control Technician (Guns) Petty Officer 2nd Class. During his tenure, he was homeported in San Diego, where he served on two ships: the USS Barbour County (LST-1195) and the USS Sperry (AS-12). After his military service, Scott spent two years working as a carpenter in the mountains of northern California. He then returned to Southern California to kickstart his education at a local community college, where he rediscovered his passion for math and science. This inspired him to earn a B.S. in Physics from Harvey Mudd College with the goal of pursuing a doctorate. Although marriage temporarilypausedhisacademicplans,Scotteventually returned to graduate school at the University of Iowa earning an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering followed by a Ph.D. in Mathematics. In his new role as an MSC Data Scientist in the Resource Management Division (RMD), Scott supports managers and analysts by building data models, software tools, and ad hoc analyses. Because the RM group handles multi-year ship budgeting critical to fleet financial health, Scott’s work directly streamlines reporting, which helps sharpen command-level decision-making. When asked why he chose to bring his talent and expertise to MSC, Scott shared: “I had been retired for two years and found myself bored and needing an outlet for my creativity. I wanted to re-enter the workplace, and the idea of serving our country as a civil servant appealed to me on several levels, so I applied for a few positions through USAJOBS. Fortunately, I was selected for an interview and offered the position, and I’m genuinely grateful for this opportunity. I work with a great team—they are dedicated, colle-

gial, professional, and respectful, and each member has made me feel very welcome. So, I’ve come full circle and returned to the Navy where I started my career. I’m very happy to be here.” When asked what supporting the fleet means to him, Scott shared: “Supporting the fleet is an honor, and the work we do to back them up matters deeply. Having served in the Navy as a young man, I still appreciate the environment here—the mutual respect between military and civilian colleagues, the professional pride people take in their appearance, and the dedication, despite a little grumbling. It’s hard to put into words, but working within the U.S. Navy just brings out the best in us.” When asked what excites him most about his job, Scott puts it simply: “I have a natural talent for fixing things and get a lot of satisfaction from improving processes.” As a mathematician and data scientist working in the War Data Platform and Maven environments, his work centers on two main goals. First, he is building a semi-automated production environment—replacing manual spreadsheets with clean, coded data pipelines and online reports for stakeholders. Second— and most enjoyable, he is developing machine learning and deep learning models to forecast key ship-related metrics. When asked how he relaxes, Scott shared: “I read, play a bit of tennis, and hit the beach weekly when the weather cooperates, and— living out here now— I hope to tackle a section of the Appalachian Trail every year.” Weareincrediblyhonoredtohaveaveteran of Scott’s caliber join our ranks. Welcome to the team, Scott! We look forward to achieving great things together. Joining Military Sealift Command’s (MSC) team as a Data Scientist is former Navy Vietnam Veteran Scott Taylor.“Supporting the fleet is an honor, and the work we do to back them up matters deeply,” Taylor shared. “Having served in the Navy as a young man, I still appreciate the environment here—the mutual respect between military and civilian colleagues, the professional pride people take in their appearance, and the dedication, despite a little grumbling. It’s hard to put into words, but working within the U.S. Navy just brings out the best in us.” (PHOTO BY LASHAWN SYKES)

Naval Station Norfolk Treasure Shop donates $17,000 to Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, celebrates 53 years of service By Fleet Master Chief (Retired) Richard O’Rawe

NORFOLK, Va. – Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk’s Treasure Shop, a secondhand store for uniforms and household goods, presented a donation of $17,000 to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) on October 21, 2026. This year also marks the shop’s 53rd anniversary, celebrating its continuous support for the Navy community since its founding in 1973. The Treasure Shop was established in March 1973 by a dedicated group of women working alongside NAVSTA’s Commanding Officer and the Naval Hospital Commanding Officer. Initially located in the station’s historic train depot, now known as “The Cutlass,” the shop later moved to the former Catholic chapel in 1999, where it remains today. Staffed entirely by volunteers, the Treasure Shop donates all proceeds annually to charities that serve active-duty members, veterans, retirees, and their families. The shop offers donated and reclaimed Navy uniforms for enlisted personnel and officers, as well as a variety of household items. “I’ve been volunteering here for almost 2 years,” shared Danielle Smith, an advisor and volunteer of the NAVSTA Norfolk Treasure Shop, “and in my brief time here, I have seen ﬁrsthand the appreciation customers have for the services we provide and the attention the volunteers give to ensuring our customers have a positive shopping experience. When our active-duty customers come to the Treasure Shop for items, they learn about who we are and what we do. It’s been wonderful to see those same customers return with shipmates to give back. Because we are a volunteer run organization, that additional help allows us to continue to offer the experience our military community deserves.” The Treasure Shop enthusiastically seeks volunteers, including active-duty Sailors and community members, to help with tasks such as laundering, stocking, pricing items, and general upkeep. Thanks to the sales of donated and reclaimed items, the Treasure Shop raised a total of $158,000 during the past year. From those proceeds, $17,000 was donated to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society in support of its mission to build ﬁnancial stability and well-being for Sailors, Marines, and their families.

NORFOLK, Virginia (October 21, 2026) – Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk’s leadership and Treasure Shop volunteers pose together with a novelty check representing a $17,000 donation to Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS), October 21. The Treasure Shop was founded in 1973 as a way for Sailors to purchase gently used uniform items at a discounted rate and has donated over $1.2 million to local charities since its inception. (COURTESY PHOTO)

“Every dollar donated to NMCRS directly supports Sailors, Marines, and their families during times of need,” said Retired Fleet Master Chief Richard O’Rawe, director of the NMCRS Norfolk office, who accepted the donation on behalf of the Society. “The Treasure Shop’s volunteers have built a remarkable legacy of service. Their dedication and generosity help us continue providing critical assistance to military families throughout Hampton Roads.”

More than a thrift store, the Treasure Shop serves as a community resource where donated uniforms and household goods are given a second life while generating support for organizations that serve the military community. Since its founding, the Treasure Shop has contributed more than $1.2 million to local charities beneﬁting service members, veterans, retirees, and their families, demonstrating the lasting impact of volunteer service and community support.

The Treasure Shop is located at 1251 Bellinger Blvd, NAVSTA Norfolk, and is open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and the ﬁrst Saturday of each month. For more information, to donate items, or to inquire about volunteer opportunities, contact the Treasure Shop at (757) 423-0790 or email treasureshopnsn@gmail. com.

ﬂagshipnews.com | Section A | Thursday, November 12, 2026

MAKE SURE CUTIE PIE IS IN THE RIGHT SEAT. NHTSA.gov/TheRightSeat

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From left to right: Conor O’Brien, a Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) intern, spent his summer at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) improving materials for naval helicopters. O’Brien’s project focused on decreasing micro-segregation in magnesium alloys for helicopter gearboxes. Through meticulous work, and under the guidance of NPS staff, he halved the micro-segregation in the alloy. This research contributes directly to creating more effective and reliable components for naval aircraft. The photo is a winning entry in the Naval STEM photo contest. (Photo by Mary Hooper, Naval Postgraduate School) Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP) intern Miguel Bastos contributed to vital research aimed at understanding and mitigating the issue of seasickness for Sailors. He participated in studies using an off vertical axis rotation (OVAR) chair, a device that provokes motion sickness symptoms to help scientists investigate its underlying causes. The photo is a winning entry in the Naval STEM photo contest. (Photo by Zachary Wilson, PAO, Naval Medical Research Unit Dayton) Kinesiology graduate student Jenica Earl put her skills to the test aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) as a Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP) intern. Paired with a research physiologist, Earl participated in real-world data collection during medical drills. Her primary project involved analyzing data from a continuous chest compression device, a tool with the potential to improve outcomes during emergencies at sea. Earl’s hands-on research helps validate lifesaving medical technology for the Fleet. The photo is a winning entry in the Naval STEM photo contest. (PHOTO BY DANI CAZAREZ, NAVAL HEALTH RESEARCH CENTER)

Through the lens of innovation: Photo contest spotlights student interns shaping Naval future By Cherish Gilmore OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH

The Department of the Navy’s (DON) Naval STEM Coordination Office has announced the winners of its annual photo contest,highlightingstudentinternsconducting hands-on research at warfare centers and laboratories across the nation. This year’s competition drew more than 30 entries from 10 laboratories under the Naval STEM umbrella. The winning photographs capture high school, undergraduate and graduate students operating advanced laboratory equipment, collaborating on engineering designs and working alongside naval researchers. “Through this contest, we celebrate more than just great photography — we celebrate

the passion and dedication of young minds who are already contributing to the Navy and Marine Corps’ mission,” said Kathleen Gately Miranda, a program officer in the Naval STEM Coordination Office. “These images tell a powerful story of mentorship, discovery and innovation. They showcase the very people who will design, build and defend the ﬂeet of tomorrow.” The featured students participate in ﬂagship internship pathways designed to build a highly skilled maritime workforce, including the Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) and the Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP). As senior naval leaders emphasize the need to recruit and retain the next generation of technical experts, these programs serve as the front line of the DON’s workforce outreach.

SEAP offers academically talented high school sophomores, juniors and seniors an eight-week summer apprenticeship across more than 30 naval laboratories. For college students, NREIP provides a 10-week summer research placement at more than 60 naval laboratories and warfare centers, pairing undergraduates and graduate students with experienced mentors. Registration for the upcoming NREIP fall engagement is open. This year’s winning photo submissions were submitted by interns from six facilities across the country: Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, New Jersey Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California NavalMedicalResearchUnit,Dayton,Ohio Naval Health Research Center, San Diego,

California Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, West Bethesda, Maryland Naval Medical Research Unit, San Antonio, Texas The intent of the photo contest is to promote the NREIP and SEAP internship programs. The contest allows students to highlight their internship experiences, while showcasing how these internships lead to subsequent workforce development that will beneﬁt the Department of the Navy. To view winning photos, and stay connected with the latest updates in naval research, workforce initiatives and cuttingedge defense technology, visit https://www. linkedin.com/showcase/navalstem/.

Career development knows no uniform: Investing in people, one conversation at a time Courtesy Story NAVAL INFORMATION FORCES

SUFFOLK, Va. – Nearly two decades ago, when I was commanding officer of the Navy Technical Training Center at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, my team and I embarked on an experiment. We leveraged video teleconferencing, then an emerging technology, to bring experts from Navy Personnel Commanddirectlyintoourlocalcareerdevelopment boards (CDBs). Our goal was simple: to provide Sailors with consistent, informed career guidance. We wanted them to know that their chain of command, from their immediate leaders to senior leadership, was invested in their success. We also wanted professionals from what we called the “Navy Career Development Mothership” to observe and assess our process. The feedback validated our approach. Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (Surface Warfare) Ware said the experience made her “feel good to be a part of the command.” Her response reinforced our belief that the process worked. We were making a tangible, personal investment in our people’s futures. Even then, I recognized that the principle behind a CDB could beneﬁt anyone. If structured, personalized guidance was valuable for uniformed personnel, why wouldn’t it be just as valuable for our civilian workforce? EXPANDING CAREER DEVELOPMENT FROM MILITARY TO CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES

The vision of extending the program to civilian employees was clear, but implementation took nearly two decades. The journey from the video teleconferencing-enabled CDB in Texas in 2008 to a fully implemented civilian program at Naval Information Forces (NAVIFOR) headquarters was neither quick nor straightforward. As NAVIFOR’s senior civilian, I was eventually in a position to direct implementation. The command also had a substantial civilian workforce, making it an ideal place to establish the program. This is how career development conversations (CDC’s) were born at NAVIFOR. Securing buy-in was another challenge. Civilian employees already have individual development plans (IDPs), a performance management system and opportunities for

Mr. Robert C. Weitzman, deputy commander of Naval Information Forces, poses for his official portrait in Suffolk, Virginia, December 20, 2024. As the senior civilian for the Information Forces type command staff, Weitzman assists the commander in executing man, train, and equip functions for Navy information warfare and ﬂeet capability command across 91 subordinate operational shore commands worldwide. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY JASON RODMAN)

mentorship. Why add another program? Career development requires consistent engagement among the employee, supervisor and a designated command representative. A structured, recurring conversation helps employees make better use of existing development opportunities and encourages accountability. Sitting down for a direct, focused conversation also makes it harder to treat the process as a paperwork exercise. Mrs. Sandra Anderson, a government service civilian in Workforce Development (N11) at NAVIFOR, has seen the value of the CDC ﬁrsthand. “The CDCs provide an opportunity to not only understand and support our employees’ development and career plans but also to get to know them as individuals and develop

connections,” Anderson said. “After their initial CDC, our employees have expressed their support for this program.” She cited feedback from employees who appreciated the opportunity to discuss their futures with leadership. One employee described the experience as “great,” adding, “No one else is doing this.” Another said, “I am so excited about this. I appreciate people taking an interest in my life.” Anderson also emphasized the value of the format itself. “This is a great initiative,” she said. “It provides a structured conversation but in an informal environment that then makes it easier to share and discuss development and career goals.” I think of a CDC as the salt that brings a meal together. IDPs provide the protein, and mentorship supplies the carbohydrates. The CDC adds the element that connects them: a focused conversation about an employee’s future. Even 15 to 20 minutes can make a meaningful difference. Under the program, every civilian employee reporting to our staff will have an initial CDC within their ﬁrst 14 days at the command. The discussion covers shortand long-term career goals and available resources. A structured follow-up takes place six months later, with annual discussions thereafter. We are also conducting initial boards with existing employees. Given the size of our workforce, completing the initial round will take several months. Although the civilian program draws on the military model, the questions and procedures must reﬂect the different rules governing civilian employees. Our checklist preserves the program’s purpose while respecting applicable civilian workforce policies. Equally important is maintaining a clear focus. The CDC is a conversation about an employee’s career aspirations, intentions, trajectory and training needs. It is not a performance review, nor is it intended to evaluate day-to-day work goals. We make that distinction clear from the outset. Our objective is to understand each employee’s professional ambitions, align development opportunities with those ambitions and help employees prepare for future possibilities, including alternative career

paths. Because many of our civilian employees have never served in uniform, the CDC concept may be unfamiliar. To remove uncertainty and demonstrate how the process works, I conducted NAVIFOR’s ﬁrst civilian CDC as an open session for the entire domain through Microsoft Teams. We recorded the session so employees could watch it later. The ﬁrst NAVIFOR headquarters civilian CDCs took place Jan. 22, 2026. We conducted four that day. Ms. Marianne Paulsen, NAVIFOR Senior Engineering Psychologist, described the experience this way: “Having this dedicated time to focus on long-term career goals, completely separate from day-to-day work or performance reviews, was incredibly valuable. The structured conversation helps to map out a clear path for professional development, and it’s reassuring to see this level of personal investment from leadership in our civilian careers.”

A PROVEN CONCEPT, ADAPTED FOR CIVILIANS

Over 100 CDBs have now been conducted, demonstrating sustained engagement with the program. Despite the time it took to establish the initiative, I am proud that the concept we tested in 2008 has been renewed and adapted for NAVIFOR headquarters’ civilian workforce. We have expanded the CDC model to provide civilian professionals with the same kind of personal investment and career guidance offered to Sailors. The underlying principle remains the same, but the application reflects the distinct career paths and structures of the civil service. For Sailors, CDBs traditionally emphasize military advancement, rating-specific qualifications and future duty assignments. Discussions may cover advancement exams, sea and shore rotations, professional qualifications and physical readiness. For civilian employees, CDCs focus on short- and long-term career planning, General Schedule and pay band progression, professional certifications, leadership training, developmental opportunities and work-life balance. See CAREER DEVELOPMENT on Page B6

ﬂagshipnews.com | Section B | Thursday, November 12, 2026

NAVSUP FLC Norfolk obligates more than $3.2 billion in contracts for FY-26 By Thomas Kreidel NAVSUP FLC NORFOLK

The NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk Contracting Department recently wrapped up a record-setting fiscal year 2026, obligating $3.2 billion in contracts during that period. According to Contracting Department Director Jordan Dorsey, the team obligated more in contracts than all of NAVSUP’s other fleet logistics centers combined. Dorsey added that the team of nearly 300 contracting experts executed more than 10,000 contract actions in fiscal 2026. “I couldn’t be prouder of the team,” Dorsey said. “They have proven once again why they are the best contracting office in the Navy, providing unbelievably important support to the warfighters and their families.” Dorsey noted that the contracting department supported nearly 450 mission partners across the Department of the Navy throughout the fiscal year. U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF) served as the command’s largest customer as measured by both contract actions and dollars obligated, totaling more than 2,500 actions valued at $669 million. Other principal customers included: Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS) Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) In addition to recurring fleet requirements, the department delivered operational contracting support for major fleet events, including the International Naval Review

Q: What types of family housing are available? A: There are three types of housing available to families:

250 festivities. Personnel coordinated logistics and event contracts for visiting and participating vessels in Baltimore, New York, Albany and Boston. Supported ships included USS Arlington (LPD 24), USS Marinette (LCS 25), USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), USS Nimitz (CVN 68), USS Farragut (DDG 99) and USS Nitze (DDG 94). There have been an incredible number of positive customer responses for the team this year,“ Dorsey said. ”In the past two months alone we have received formal recognition from leadership at USFF, Commander, 2nd Fleet and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management and Comptroller).” NAVSUP FLC Norfolk is the largest of eight globally positioned ﬂeet logistics centers that

provide the full range of solutions for logistics, business and support services to our mission partners.Themorethan1,300Sailors,civilians and contractors who make up NAVSUP FLC Norfolk support operations at more than 30 sites across three regions and 12 states, plus Washington, D.C. Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, NAVSUP employs military and civilian personnel across the globe. Together, NAVSUP and the Navy Supply Corps conduct and enable global supply chain management, acquisition, operational logistics, and Sailor and family services in partnership with the ﬂeet to generate readiness and sustain naval forces.

Public/Private Venture (PPV) Housing is also referred to as privatized housing in the Navy. The Navy partnered with different private management companies to provide housing to Service Members. These companies are responsible for the construction, renovation, maintenance and day-to-day management of the housing. PPV housing may be located on or off government property and in most cases will be former military housing. Government Owned (also known as Military Housing or Navy Managed Housing is what was formerly called on-base housing. While only available in limited quantities CONUS, Government Owned Housing is still widely available OCONUS. Community Housing is any housing that a Service Member may choose that is not PPV or government operated. This is housing outside of the base that is privately owned and operated.

NAVY HOUSING CONTACTS:

Norfolk: 757.445.2832 JEBLCFS: 757.462.2792 Oceana/Dam Neck: 757.433.3268 Yorktown: 757.847.7806 If you have any questions or concerns with privatized housing, government-owned housing or community housing you can email Navy Housing Headquarters: NavyHousingHQ@us.navy.mil or learn more online: ffr.cnic.navy.mil/Navy-Housing

Mid-Atlantic Fleet and Family Support Centers (FFSC) programs and services are designed to help you make the most of your military experience, and they’re all available to you at no cost.

NORFOLK, Va. (Oct. 28, 2026) – U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Mark Behning, acting commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, center right, and Royal Canadian Navy Rear Adm. David Mazur, vice commander, C2F, center left, pose for a photo alongside staff planners from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Coast Guard during Frontier Sentinel 2026 (FS26) Command Post Exercise (CPX) in Norfolk, Virginia. FS26 CPX is a simulated bilateral training event between the U.S. and Canada hosted by U.S. 2nd Fleet from Oct. 26 to 30. It is designed to reﬁne joint command-and-control processes, share maritime domain awareness, and validate bilateral standard operating procedures ahead of the Frontier Sentinel 2027 Live Exercise next summer. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS PIERCE LUCK)

Bilateral Staffs conclude Norfolkbased Command Post Exercise, laying groundwork for Frontier Sentinel 2027 Courtesy Story COMMANDER, U.S. 2ND FLEET

NORFOLK, Va. (Oct. 30, 2026) — Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard staff officers from the United States and Canada successfully concluded the Frontier Sentinel 2026 (FS26) Command Post Exercise (CPX) on Oct. 30, completing ﬁve days of intensive, simulated operations designed to strengthen bilateral defenses. Hosted in Norfolk from Oct. 26 to 30, the CPX served as a dedicated training event for the Atlantic Maritime Security Coalition (AMSC). Rather than deploying ships and aircraft, the exercise brought together key staff, planners and decisionmakers from U.S. 2nd Fleet, U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area, Canada’s Joint Task Force Atlantic, and the Canadian Coast Guard to work through complex security problems in a simulated, synthetic environment. By utilizing sophisticated command-andcontrol simulation technology, the bilateral staffs rehearsed response options, established communication lines, and synchronized decision-making processes. “Protecting the homeland and maintaining freedom of operations across the Atlantic and Arctic domains requires constant vigilance and proactive training,” said U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Mark Behning, acting commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet. “This exercise successfully demonstrated that when we share maritime domain awareness and coordinate early, we can effectively deter and address crises before they develop. Leveraging our command structures and capabilities along with those of our Canadian partners is essential to ensuring a secure, stable, and resilient Atlantic. Our work here in Norfolk has reﬁned our shared playbook, leaving our bilateral coalition highly integrated, ready, and prepared to secure our borders.” This joint training is a direct prerequisite for the upcoming Frontier Sentinel 2027 Live Exercise (LIVEX), scheduled to take place in

the summer of 2027, where these same organizations will transition from the classroom to live-asset maneuvers at sea. The core objective of the CPX was to pressure-test and validate the AMSC Memorandum of Intent-Annex A Standard Operating Procedures (MOI-A SOP). This is a combined playbook that governs how the two nations share information and coordinate responses during a maritime crisis. “A command post exercise is where we build the collective muscle memory,” said Royal Canadian Navy Rear Adm. David Mazur, vice commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet. “Before we send Sailors and Coastguardsmen out into the Atlantic in the summer of 2027, we have to make sure our command structures are aligned. The CPX training scenario that was jointly developed and executed across our four respective headquarters provided the ideal setting to test our systems, challenge our assumptions, and reﬁne our communication lines.” Canadian participants echoed the importance of utilizing simulated training to maximize the efficiency of future live-asset coordination. “The Frontier Sentinel Command Post Exercise provided an important opportunity for Canadian and U.S. maritime organizations to strengthen interoperability and reﬁne the processes that enable effective coordination,” said Royal Canadian Navy Rear Adm. Pascal Belhumeur, commander, Maritime Forces Atlantic and Joint Task Force Atlantic. “Working alongside our U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and Canadian Coast Guard partners enhances our ability to share information, coordinate decision-making, and contribute to security and stability in the Atlantic region. The lessons learnedandrelationshipsstrengthenedduring this exercise will position our organizations for successful collaboration during the live exercise next summer.” Aligning efforts with the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards proved essential within the training scenario.

“We remain steadfast in our combined efforts to deter adversaries who would seek to harm our strategic mobility,” said U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Vann, deputy commander, Atlantic Area. “The Frontier Sentinel CPX showed that, by working handin-hand with our Canadian and U.S. sister services, we are committed to controlling, securing, and defending our shared maritime borders and approaches from evolving threats.” U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Logan Baisden, the lead C2F exercise planner for FS26 CPX, emphasized the significance of orchestrating a CPX with Canadian partners. “As planners, our goal was to build a scenario that pushed our bilateral communication channels to their limits, and the team in Norfolk absolutely met that challenge,” said Baisden. “By working through complex and simulated undersea threats at the command post level, we successfully ironed out the friction points in our joint processes. This training ensures that when our units assemble for the live exercise in the summer of 2027, they will be operating from a highly refined, synchronized playbook.” With the simulated portion of the exercise complete, planners will compile lessons learned from the CPX to finalize the operational designs for the summer 2027 LIVEX, ensuring both nations remain ready to defend their shared maritime borders. U.S. 2nd Fleet, reestablished in 2018 in response to the changing global security environment, develops and employs maritime ready forces to fight across multiple domains in the Atlantic and Arctic in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied, and partner interests. For more U.S. 2nd Fleet news and photos, visit facebook.com/US2ndFleet, https:// www.c2f.usff.navy.mil/, X - @US2ndFleet, and https://www.linkedin.com/company/ commander-u-s-2nd-fleet.

FUNCTIONS AND/OR SERVICES FFSC PROVIDES: ClinicalCounseling – Individual, Couples and Child Counseling Personal Financial Management Information & Referral Family Employment Assistance Transition Assistance Family Advocacy Program Deployment and Mobilization Support Ombudsman Support Relocation Assistance Parenting Programs Stress and Anger Management Command Support Crisis Support Suicide Prevention SAPR Support CONTACT FFSC Little Creek/Fort Story: 757.462.7563 Newport News: 757.688.6289 Norfolk/Portsmouth: 757.444.2102 Northwest: 757.421.8770 Oceana/Dam Neck: 757.433.2912 Yorktown: 757.887.4606 Get more info online: www.navylifema.com

ﬂagshipnews.com | Section B | Thursday, November 12, 2026

From left to right, Aric Dreher, Cianbro Corporation; Capt. David Matvay, program manager for the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program; Congressman Bobby Scott, representing Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District; Rear Adm. Kavon Hakimzadeh, Commander, Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY);. Louise Lucas, Virginia State Senator; Mark Hugel, Portsmouth City Councilman; and Kathryn Bryant, Portsmouth City Councilwoman participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the Dry Dock 4 Refueling Complex at NNSY in Portsmouth, Virginia, Oct. 29, 2026. The completed complex is a Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program investment that strengthens NNSY’s reactorservicing capacity and supports the maintenance of the Navy’s nuclear-powered ﬂeet. As one of the Navy’s four public shipyards, NNSY provides critical capabilities supporting ﬂeet readiness through the repair, modernization and inactivation of the Navy’s warships and training platforms. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY SHELBY WEST)

Norfolk Naval Shipyard celebrates completion of Dry Dock 4 Refueling Complex Eric Uhden NORFOLK NAVAL SHIPYARD

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) celebrated the completion of its Dry Dock 4 Refueling Complex during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 29. The completed complex is a $134 million investmentundertheShipyardInfrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP). It supports the shipyard’s safe refueling and defueling of nuclear-powered submarines, including submarine inactivations, while expanding capacity and improving the conﬁguration of maintenance spaces. Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic awarded Cianbro Corp. the design-bid-build contract

for construction of the complex in October 2023. “Today, we recognize our continued progressinmeetingourmissiontorepair,modernize and inactivate our Navy’s warships and training platforms,” said Rear Adm. Kavon Hakimzadeh, commander, Norfolk Naval Shipyard. “Dedicating this complex further fortiﬁes our capabilities at Dry Dock 4 and positions us to service a variety of submarine classes for decades into the future.” The modernization addressed design limitations in the former complex that constrained efficiency, while adding upgraded radiological storage and workspace capacity to support reactor-servicing operations. The complex will support defueling oper-

ations, including the inactivation of Ohioclass and Virginia-class submarines. It also provides training space for reactor-servicing personnel, helping prepare the workforce to safely perform these critical evolutions. “This project demonstrates what is possible when the shipyard workforce, NAVFAC, program office and industry partners work together toward a common goal,” Hakimzadeh said. “These investments strengthen our maintenance capability, increase capacity and ensure America’s Shipyard remains ready to support the ﬂeet.” The ceremony brought together representatives from NNSY, NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic, Program Executive Office Industrial Infrastructure, Cianbro Corp. and the shipyard workforce to recognize the milestone.

Attendees also included Congressman Bobby Scott representing Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District; Virginia State Senator Louise Lucas; members of the Portsmouth City Council; and staff members of Congresswoman Jen Kiggans representing Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District. The Dry Dock 4 Refueling Complex is the latest completed SIOP investment at NNSY. The modernization builds on the Dry Dock 4 infrastructure recapitalization completed in 2023 and advances the shipyard’s ability to support the Navy’s nuclear-powered ﬂeet. As one of the Navy’s four public shipyards, NNSY provides critical capabilities supporting ﬂeet readiness through the repair, modernization and inactivation of the Navy’s warships and training platforms.

Building the Navy’s public health readiness, one course at a time By Diana Sherbs NAVY AND MARINE CORPS FORCE HEALTH PROTECTION COMMAND

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Before public health professionals can protect a force, they must be prepared to recognize risks, make informeddecisions,communicaterisktoleadership, and respond quickly when conditions change. For the Navy’s preventive medicine community, that preparation does not end when a corpsman, Environmental Health Officer, or civilian public health specialist arrives at a new command. Recognizing the need for advanced, standardized preventive medicine training across the force, the Navy and Marine Corps Force Health Protection Command’s Directorate for Preventive Medicine developed a Public Health Professional Development Course for Navy and Marine Corps public health practitioners. The weeklong course strengthens participants’ skills in core public health disciplines, including epidemiology, disease surveillance, foodsafety,recreationalwatersafety,andsanitation. These skills are essential to supporting operational forces, military treatment facilities, and installation public health programs. Students take part in small-group practical exercises that translate classroom instruction into real-world decision-making. Through scenario-based activities, they work through surveillance, inspection, and outbreak-response challenges like those they will almost certainly encounter at their commands. Just as importantly, the course provides participants the opportunity to learn from one another. Students bring experiences from different duty stations, career ﬁelds and program areas, and even different services, creating discussions that help build professional networks and reinforce consistent preventive medicine practices across the Department of the Navy and Department of War. “Readiness does not happen by chance; it is built through deliberate, consistent training,” said Lt. Kerri Day, Programs and Policy Support department head and course coordinator. “By investing in our public health

professionals, we strengthen their ability to recognize risks early, respond to emerging challenges, safeguard the health of service members and their families, and support the Navy mission.” The new course has been held twice this year in the Tidewater area, most recently at Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine Unit 2 aboard Naval Station Norfolk. Course instructors provided students the opportunity to get hands-on experience inspecting a mobile food service unit, where they focused on food safety and sanitation practices, critical skills for preventing foodborne illness and protecting service members’ health. Instructors also took a class to an aquaplex in Hampton, Virginia, where students learned to apply water safety, sanitation, and inspection principles to protect the health and safety of personnel at military installations. Each iteration of the course is being adjusted to reflect emerging public health concerns and the evolving needs of the Navy and Marine Corps preventive medicine community. NMCFHPC plans to deliver this course to other Navy and Marine Corps fleet concentration areas in the future, to ensure the preventive medicine workforce has the training it needs, regardless of where personnel are stationed. Navy and Marine Corps Force Health Protection Command plays a critical role in protecting the health and readiness of active-duty members, their families, and the employees of the DoW. NMCFHPC provides expertise and consultation to the DoW and Department of the Navy on force health protection and assists with monitoring the health and readiness of the force through its capabilities and Echelon V units. NMCFHPC also provides the DoW with expeditionaryforcehealthprotectionthrough its Forward Deployable Preventive Medicine Units which provide rapid, flexible, and scalable health protection capabilities in any climate across the globe. From identifying environmental and occupational health hazards to advising commanders on risk mitigation,NMCFHPCensuresoperationalforces remain medically ready and mission capable— anytime, anywhere.

U.S. Navy Lt. Nia Hayes examines analyzers used for health inspections during the Navy and Marine Corps Force Health Protection Command’s Public Health Professional Development Course at the Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine Unit 2, aboard Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia, Oct. 21, 2026. The course provides training in core public health disciplines, including epidemiology, disease surveillance, sanitation, and food and recreational water safety. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY DIANA SHERBS)

Dawn Earle, an instructor with the Navy and Marine Corps Force Health Protection Command, leads a Public Health Professional Development Course module for U.S. Navy Sailors and civilians at the Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine Unit 2, aboard Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia, Oct. 21, 2026. The course provides training in core public health disciplines, including epidemiology, disease surveillance, sanitation, and food and recreational water safety. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY DIANA SHERBS)

ﬂagshipnews.com | Section B | Thursday, November 12, 2026

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (Nov. 5, 2026) – Capt. Michael A. Sammataro, commanding officer of Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair (SUPSHIP), USN, Newport News, professional reading recommendations. (PHOTO BY TELLY B. MYLES)

SUPSHIP Newport News commanding officer shares professional reading recommendations By Telly B. Myles SUPERVISOR OF SHIPBUILDING NEWPORT NEWS

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Capt. Michael A. Sammataro, commanding officer of Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair (SUPSHIP), USN, Newport News, recently shared a professional reading list with the command, encouraging personnel to use history as a tool for reﬂection, professional development and leadership growth. In a message to the workforce, Sammataro said he learns by studying how leaders responded during major events, observing leaders he respects and taking time to reﬂect on those lessons. Aligned with the Navy’s broader emphasis on professional reading, including the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Professional Reading Program, Sammataro shared a personal list of books that have shaped

his thinking as a Sailor and leader. Separate from the CNO’s recommended titles, the list is intended to encourage reflection, discussion and professional growth. The list begins with Six Frigates, which explores the founding of the U.S. Navy, the design of its first six frigates and the courage of the early Sailors who helped establish the service’s relevance against more powerful naval forces. Other selections include World War II at Sea: A Global History, a maritime examination of the conflict’s global scale and the strategic consequences of decisions made across multiple theaters, and The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors, which recounts the Battle off Samar and highlights leadership and courage in the face of overwhelming odds. Sammataro also recommended The Fleet at Flood Tide: America at Total War in the Pacific, 1944-1945, an in-depth look at the final campaigns of World War II and the

decisions that shaped the war’s end, as well as The Rickover Effect, which uses firsthand recollections to show how Adm. Hyman G. Rickover drove change through discipline, standards and determination. Rounding out the list is Midnight in Chernobyl, which examines the causes and consequences of the nuclear disaster while underscoring the dangers of flawed design, ineffective bureaucracy and leaders unwilling to speak up when something is wrong. The book also highlights the courage of those who acted to limit the catastrophe. Sammataro identified A Higher Call as one of the most meaningful books he has read, citing its example of humanity and morality on the battlefield. He also highlighted The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors as another personal favorite for its portrayal of valor and leadership under extreme pressure. He noted that the list reflects his longstanding interest in World War II and naval

nuclear history. Two of the recommended books were written by James D. Hornﬁscher, an author whose work has been especially impactful in his reading. By sharing the list, Sammataro invited personnel to explore history not only for enjoyment, but also as a way to strengthen judgment, broaden perspective and continue growing as leaders. About SUPSHIP Newport News: Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, USN, Newport News (SUPSHIPNN) is the Department of the Navy’s on-site technical, contractual, and quality authority embedded at Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding. SUPSHIPNN ensures the Navy’s capital warships, including Fordclass aircraft carriers and nuclear-powered submarines, are engineered, built, overhauled and tested to uncompromising standards of combat lethality before joining the ﬂeet.

Measuring for success: ONR app makes construction estimates faster, easier

By Warren Duffie OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH

ARLINGTON, Va. — U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Engineer Officers and Engineer Chiefs have tough, dirty jobs in what’s called horizontal construction — building and maintaining roads, airstrips, landing zones and base camps. A vital part of this work is making precise production calculations and estimates. Thanks to the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Global’s TechSolutions program, these warfighters can download a specially designed app on their smart phone or tablet to perform their jobs faster and more accurately — and ensure consistency and standardization across military services. A partnership involving ONR Global TechSolutions and Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst, New Jersey, the idea for the Horizontal Construction App came from an Engineer Equipment Officer looking to improve how measurements are taken and calculated in the field. “The Horizontal Construction App enhances readiness because it provides our construction planners and teams with an easy-to-use tool that gives them answers on the spot,” said Dr. Jessica Jones, deputy director, ONR Global TechSolutions. “Previously, they would need to leave a construction area and go back to their office to complete their planning estimates, but now they can stay in the field and get the answers that they need.” These Marines and Sailors plan, supervise and direct various construction projects. This involves critical management of personnel, machinery and equipment, and the mobility of warfighters in an operational environment. Each new project requires an early production-estimation phase. Traditionally, a warfighter would go into the field with a pencil and clipboard to determine the required logistics — how much equipment is needed, how much soil must be moved, etc. This person would then go to an office and use a customized Excel spreadsheet to crunch numbers and provide a formal estimate of the required resources, which could take hours. “Each project would have its own unique spreadsheet,” said Dakota Crouchelli, a training simulation development lead at NAWCAD Lakehurst. “A Marine Corps Engineer Equipment Officer wondered if the process could be consolidated and simplified, so he contacted ONR Global TechSolutions, who reached out to us.” That resulted in the creation of the HorizontalConstructionApp,whichcanbedownloaded in the field and provide real-time data. Available in the Apple App Store — under the

A screenshot of the Horizontal Construction App highlighting its use of augmented reality (overlaying virtual objects on real-life backdrops). Developed in partnership by the Office of Naval Research Global’s TechSolutions program and Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Lakehurst, the app is aimed at naval Engineer Officers and Engineer Chiefs performing horizontal construction (e.g., building and maintaining roads and airstrips). The Horizontal Construction App — which can be downloaded on a smart phone or tablet — enables these warﬁghters to make precise production calculations and estimates faster and more accurately. (COURTESY, U.S. NAVY PHOTO, NAWCAD LAKEHURST)

name “ESTIMATE-HC” — the app can be downloaded onto any iPhone or iPad, and doesn’t require a network connection to operate. View the app at https://apps.apple.com/ us/app/estimate-hc/id6502640114. The app streamlines production estimates in two main ways: mathematics and augmented reality (which places virtual objects on a real-life backdrop). First, the app allows users to perform instantaneous estimates and calculations because it’s populated with data and formulas employed by the Engineer Equipment Chief Course at U.S. Army Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, which teaches all military branches. This enables a common data set across all services. On the augmented-reality side, users can

turn on their device camera, point it where they’d like to place equipment and tap the screen to overlay virtual items over the physical space. “A lot of these construction sites are out in the middle of nowhere with just a base camp, so it’s important to effectively determine what materials you need and how to organize them within the physical space available to you,” said John Gazzara, an electrical and computer engineer at NAWCAD Lakehurst. “The Horizontal Construction App could be a valuable tool since it can be used anywhere, on any device; is available through the Apple Store; and, because it uses unclassiﬁed, publicly available data, doesn’t require specialized software for each device.” ONR Global TechSolutions currently

is overseeing testing of the Horizontal Construction App by Marines and Sailors. For his efforts, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Travis Hill—theMarineCorpsEngineerEquipment Officer who originally contacted TechSolutions — recently received a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. “Working with TechSolutions and NAWCAD Lakehurst was an outstanding experience,” said Hill. “They were receptive to my ideas and feedback and included me in each step of the app’s development. It was truly a collaborative effort that will help a lot of Marines and Sailors.” Warren Duffie Jr. is a contractor for ONR Corporate Strategic Communications.

ﬂagshipnews.com | Section B | Thursday, November 12, 2026

At the edge of the Potomac, a quiet power shapes the world By Nicholas Pasquini U.S. NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY

By any measure that matters to modern conflict, commerce and security, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) stands as one of the most far-reaching scientific institutions most Americans have never heard of. In an era defined by great-power competition and cyber vulnerability, the most decisive advantages are gained through foresight. Long before ships deploy or satellites launch, those advantages are forged in laboratories where equations become prototypes and ideas become capabilities. At the center of that quiet, continuous effort is the NRL, the Navy and Marine Corps’ corporate laboratory. Founded in 1923 at the urging of Thomas Edison, NRL was created with a radical premise for its time: that the Navy should own its scientific future. “More than a century later, NRL continues to be a place whose influence reaches far beyond the banks of the Potomac,” said NRL Director of Research Dr. Bruce Danly. “The Laboratory’s work underpins nearly every domain of modern naval operations ranging from the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space.” In a new video series, we detail how NRL scientists and engineers transformed the Navy’s scientific potential across communications, oceanography, space, and computing. Each short-form episode delivers a tightly crafted story of ingenuity, innovation, and impact to celebrate how NRL’s mission continues to evolve with each new generation. Few institutions operate across as many physical and conceptual domains. As chronicled in the series, NRL’s foundational research has consistently reshaped the battlefield. In its early days, laboratory scientists discovered the principles of radar by bouncing radio signals off passing ships and developed the first operational fathometer, allowing the Navy to “see” the ocean’s depths using sound. During World War II, those early discoveries translated into critical defensive capabilities. The Laboratory’s engineers developed the first rotating radar display, perfected Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems to protect Allied pilots, and engineered ship degaussing techniques to make hulls invisible to deadly magnetic mines. As the post-war Atomic Age dawned, NRL’s focus expanded from the atomic to the cosmic. Scientists developed precise instrumentation to measure nuclear radia-

At the center of that quiet, continuous effort is the NRL, the Navy and Marine Corps’ corporate laboratory. Founded in 1923 at the urging of Thomas Edison, NRL was created with a radical premise for its time: that the Navy should own its scientiﬁc future. (U.S. NAVY GRAPHIC BY SARAH PETERSON)

tion during Operation Crossroads. Simultaneously, they pushed the boundaries of space exploration, placing instruments aboard captured V-2 rockets and sounding rockets to study the upper atmosphere, cosmic radiation, and solar dynamics, laying the groundwork for modern space science. “The Laboratory pioneered over-thehorizon radar and continues to develop stealth-enabling materials and techniques that reshape naval aviation to this day,” said NRL Commanding Officer Capt. Randy Cruz. “What distinguishes NRL is not a single breakthrough but it’s ecosystem of brilliant minds. From physicists working with oceanographers to engineers at lab benches with cyber scientists and service members. All aligned to a singular mission to achieve maritime dominance in a contested world.” The Strategic Value of Knowing First The Laboratory’s value lies in continuity. While operational units rotate and programs sunset, NRL sustains expertise across decades. It remembers why certain paths failed and which ideas were merely ahead of their time. That institutional memory is irreplaceable

and increasingly rare. In today’s security environment, the advantage rarely starts with explosions. It emerges quietly: a better model, a more accurate sensor, a prediction that proves correct. NRL’s greatest contribution may be its role as the Navy’s early warning system, a place where emerging threats are identiﬁed before they appear on a commander’s screen. The Laboratory’s focus areas in smarter sensing using artiﬁcial intelligence, quantum, machine learning and autonomy does not chase novelty. It focuses on trust, resilience and integration, which is the difference betweenanalgorithmthatdazzlesinalaband one that survives combat conditions. Working at NRL means contributing at the intersection of science, the Fleet, and naval community. Scientists, engineers, and professionals at the Laboratory are trusted with problems that matter before they are fully understood. It is an institution where intellectual freedom is paired with national purpose, and where breakthroughs are measured not only in publications or patents, but in readiness, resilience, and deterrence.

About the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory: NRL is a scientific and engineering command dedicated to research that drives innovative advances for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps from the seafloor to space and in the information domain. NRL, located in Washington, D.C. with major field sites in Stennis Space Center, Mississippi; Key West, Florida; Monterey, California, and employs nearly 3,000 civilian scientists, engineers and support personnel. NRL offers several mechanisms for collaborating with the broader scientific community, within and outside of the Federal government. These include Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), LP-CRADAs, Educational Partnership Agreements, agreements under the authority of 10 USC 4892, licensing agreements, FAR contracts, and other applicable agreements. Formoreinformation,contactNRLCorporate Communications at mailto:NRLPAO@ us.navy.mil.

Navy Reserve Sailors with Rear Adm. Kimberly Walz (center), Reserve Deputy Director of Maritime Operations, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, gather at the Navy Warfare Development Center in Norfolk, Virginia, for the MAKO Flex training event, Aug. 6–9. A sister detachment of Reserve Sailors simultaneously participated in the bicoastal exercise at Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Paciﬁc, in San Diego, California. The MAKO series is designed to provide Reserve Sailors hands-on experience within the Operational Level of War environment including a Maritime Operations Center scenario. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY IAN DELOSSANTOS)

MAKO Flex builds lethality for the modern watch ﬂoor

SAN DIEGO — Maritime Operations Centers (MOCs) require a dedicated forge to heat, hammer and sharpen the skills necessary to support the fleets. Enter MAKO Flex, held Aug. 6-9, one of four specialized training events designed to hone those skills, enabling warfighting readiness on day one. The Navy Reserve is the Navy’s strategic advantage, with the operational level of war (OLW) enterprise sustaining warfighting readiness through high-impact, low-overhead effects and consistent community management and training. Through a persistent drive toward holistic, cross-functional integration of the seven joint warfighting functions and shifts, MOC training weaves individual competence into collective, systemwide proficiency. MAKO Flex provides the critical reps and sets participants need to integrate confidently

and seamlessly onto the watch floor when crises strike. While Navy Reserve personnel participate in MAKO Sentry, MAKO Challenge and MAKO Storm events throughout the year, MAKO Flex provides an additional training opportunity that alternates geographically to maximize applicability, accessibility and fleet alignment. This year’s bicoastal event took place at Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Pacific, in San Diego and the Navy Warfare Development Center in Norfolk, Virginia. “MAKO is more than a training event; it is a deliberate force-generation pipeline for Reserve operational-level warfighters,” said Capt. Maggie Dean, Reserve Chief of Staff, U.S. Fleet Forces Command. “MAKO Flex gives Sailors practical exposure to fleet-specific missions and the processes that drive Maritime Operations Centers. Each event strengthens the Navy’s ability to generate trained watchstanders at the scale and speed required for sustained maritime operations.”

Focused on growth rather than certification, MAKO events operate as a process-driven learning lab. This low-risk, high-reward approach allows new and developing operational warfighters to gain vital exposure to joint warfighting functions without the pressure of a pass-fail qualification check. During the four-day execution window, watchstanders learn to navigate complex command structures, manage communication flows and synthesize information under pressure. By prioritizing hands-on practice, MAKO Flex transforms theoretical classroom knowledge into muscle memory, ensuring that when watchstanders eventually transition to a live watch floor, they are already familiar with the standard products, processes and pacing. “MAKO Flex mimics the exact command relationships and communication challenges of a live MOC by training reserve watchstanders in a simulated yet highly realistic environ-

ment,” said Cmdr. Adam Boland, MAKO Flex deputy lead. “The event builds a deep bench of qualified, lethal and adaptable Sailors who are ready to stand the watch on day one.” Reserve Sailors providing critical MOC support rely on active and reserve collaboration to develop realistic training scenarios for MAKO events. While active-duty personnel manage competition phase operations with longer planning horizons, the transition to crisis and conflict, which includes advanced planning and additional watch stations, depends on reserve integration. Fleet MOCs depend on Reserve Sailors to provide the operational depth required for sustained, round-the-clock competition, crisis and conflict. Through MAKO’s deliberate, multistage training pipeline, the Navy Reserve is building and maintaining a global bench of OLW-qualified watchstanders who can integrate rapidly, reinforce fleet operations and deliver combat-ready capability.

The goals also differ in important ways. Military CDBs help align Sailors’ skills and advancement with operational requirements and Navy manning needs. Civilian CDCs support employee growth and retention by connecting individual aspirations with NAVIFOR’s strategic mission. Just as we once tracked a Sailor’s progress toward a Master Training Specialist qualiﬁcation, we now help civilian employees identify the training, education and experience needed to advance in their chosen career ﬁelds. The conversation is no longer

simply about making chief. It is about achiev- build a command where people feel valued, ing professional mastery, developing leader- supported and encouraged to pursue their ship skills and pursuing meaningful career potential. growth. It took nearly 20 years to bring this initiative from an experiment with Sailors to a CAREER DEVELOPMENT IS AN formalized program for civilian employees ENDURING PRINCIPLE THAT KNOWS at NAVIFOR headquarters. The time was NO UNIFORM worth it. Career development is not limited From a group of Sailors in San Antonio to by rank, job series or uniform. Its value lies the civilian professionals supporting NAVI- in a simple principle: People deserve leaders FOR’s mission today, the lesson remains the who take an active interest in their futures. same: One of the most powerful investments an organization can make is in its people. AUTHOR’S NOTE A structured, personal and genuine interFrom 2004 to 2007, I worked at the Navy’s est in employees’ professional development Center for Career Development, where the is more than a retention tool. It is a funda- current structure for Navy CDBs was develmental leadership responsibility. It helps oped. There, I worked with then-Navy

Counselor Master Chief “Shipmate” Randy Miller, a legend in the Navy career counselor community. We bonded like brothers, and his commitment to people’s career development has inspired me ever since. I have participated in asmanyenlistedCDBsaspossiblethroughout my career, and I continue to do so today. That commitment now includes civilian employees at NAVIFOR headquarters. I credit Randy with inspiring the expansion of the Navy enlisted CDB model into the civilian career development conversation (CDC) program at NAVIFOR headquarters. His example continues to inﬂuence how I approach leadership and the responsibility to invest in people.

Courtesy Story COMMANDER, NAVY RESERVE FORCE

ﬂagshipnews.com | Section B | Thursday, November 12, 2026

PA G E 1

On Liberty

SECTION C

T H U R S D AY, N O V E M B E R 1 2 , 2 0 2 6

FLAGSHIPNEWS.COM

(ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF OPERATION HOMEFRONT)

Operation Homefront® brings Homefront Celebration to Norfolk to honor 150 military and veteran families ahead of Veterans Day

Carnival Cruise Line and Dollar Tree join national nonproﬁt for an exciting day of special family activities and holiday meal kit distribution

families will board the ship for a memorable celebration featuring a welcome from Dr. Seuss characters, a military appreciation program, seated lunch, and special activities. Families will also receive gifts intended to help offset the costs of welcoming a new baby and a patriotic painting from artist Tim Yanke donated by Park West Gallery before a special sendoff as they depart the ship. The day will continue as Dollar Tree joins Operation Homefront to welcome 100 military and veteran families at the Hilton Norfolk The Main for an afternoon featuring a hot meal, family games, and activities designed to bring families together and build meaningful connections that support their resilience and well-being. With 28% of military families categorized as having low or very low food security, every family in attendance will receive a holiday meal kit upon departure, easing the burden

Press Release

NORFOLK, Va. — As our nation prepares to honor those who have defended our freedoms this Veterans Day, Operation Homefront, alongside Carnival Cruise Line and Dollar Tree, will celebrate 150 local military and veteran families, including 50 new and expectant parents, during its second Homefront Celebration of the year on November 8. As one of the nation’s leading military nonproﬁts, Operation Homefront supports military and veteran families year-round through programs that promote financial stability, resilience, and well-being. The day will feature two special events in Norfolk designed to recognize the sacriﬁces of military families, express gratitude for their dedication, and strengthen the sense of community that helps military families thrive. The day will begin aboard the Carnival Sunshine. Fifty new and expectant military

See OPERATION HOMEFRONT on Page C2

Kick off the holiday season at our annual ‘Planes, Trains, and Santa’ event Thanksgiving weekend at the Military Aviation Museum Press Release

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Join us Friday, November 27 through Sunday, November 29, when each day at 10a.m., weather permitting, Santa arrives at the museum in a vintage airplane (as the reindeer need their rest for the big night!). In the event that weather prevents ﬂying, Santa will arrive via an alternative magical route! Don’t miss the opportunity to capture a memorable photo with Santa, admire numerous vintage airplanes, and be astounded by the hangar loaded with trains. Kids and adults will marvel at intricate model train displays winding through villages, detailed landscapes, and miniature towns adorned with twinkling lights. These detailed model trains, complete with tiny passengers and holiday cargo, capture the magic of the season as they chug along the tracks, spreading cheer to onlookers of all ages. Perfect for families, the exhibit combines nostalgia with holiday spirit, making it a charming seasonal tradition. In the spirit of giving, we will be collecting new, unwrapped toys and donations for the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters , spreading holiday cheer to those in need. In addition, we are also supporting the Armed Forces YMCA Patriot Pantry food donation drive (Food Assistance - Hampton Roads ASYMCA). You are welcome to bring your canned or boxed non-perishable food donation when you come to visit us Thanksgiving weekend. Santa himself expressed his excitement about his visit: “I’m thrilled to reunite with all the children and families at the museum again this year. My Elves and I have been hard

(ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE MILITARY AVIATION MUSEUM)

at work crafting a new, even more magical sleigh, and I can’t wait to ﬁll it with holiday joy for all the children I meet at Planes, Trains, and Santa!” Make your holiday shopping effortless by exploring our Museum Gift Store, where you’ll discover special gifts for everyone on your list. This day promises a host of fun-ﬁlled activities for the entire family, creating lasting memories this holiday season! A DAY OF FUN-FILLED ACTIVITIES FOR

THE ENTIRE FAMILY!

Make and Take Ornaments, Holiday PropellerPinwheels,HolidayBeadedJewelry (make a necklace or bracelet with holiday themed beads!), grab some crayons for coloring fun, or make a button at our Button Making station. Also returning this year are two of last year’s most popular activities: Holiday Cards for Service Members – Make a holiday card, and include your warm wishes for a service member during the

season! The Museum will collect the cards and see that they are sent to service members overseas. Write a Letter to Santa - The perfect time to make out a wish list, make your list for Santa and decorate with fun stickers! The Museum will collect your lists and Air Mail them to the North Pole! There will be food trucks available for lunch, as well as snacks for sale in the See PLANES, TRAINS & SANTA ON PAGE C2

ﬂagshipnews.com | Section C | Thursday, November 12, 2026

COMMUNITY | SHARE YOUR NEWS, PHOTOS & EVENTS BY EMAILING US AT NEWS@FLAGSHIPNEWS.COM

OPERATION HOMEFRONT from Page C1

of rising grocery costs and making it easier for families to gather around the table during the holiday season. This ongoing support is a core element of the Operation Homefront mission, with more than 230,000 meals distributed to military and veteran families since 2010. Sunday’s Homefront Celebration is made

possible through the support of Operation Homefront partners including Carnival Cruise Line, Dollar Tree, Park West Gallery, Smithﬁeld Foods, and Kraft Heinz. About Operation Homefront: Operation Homefront is a national nonproﬁt organization whose mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military and veteran families by

improving their ﬁnancial, emotional and social well-being. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity oversight groups, 85 percent of Operation Homefront expenditures go directly to programs that support tens of thousands of military families each year. Operation Homefront provides critical ﬁnancial assis-

tance, transitional and permanent housing, and family support services to prevent shortterm needs from turning into chronic, longterm struggles. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the support from thousands of volunteers, Operation Homefront proudly serves America’s military families. For more information, visit OperationHomefront.org.

PLANES, TRAINS & SANTA

from Page C1

Museum Store. Come and enjoy this great family tradition during your Thanksgiving Weekend! PHOTOS WITH SANTA

After Santa flies in, he will greet visitors on the flight line. Families are encouraged to take a quick selfie with Santa as he meets and greets everyone. This will be the only opportunity to take a cell phone or personal photo. Museum staff will assist Santa with moving quickly down line. From noon to 3pm, Santa will be available to sit & visit. Each family will receive a queue number when they arrive & will be called up to see Santa. Families in line with members & pre-purchased tickets will see Santa first, followed by general admission. Portraits with Santa are taken by museum photographers and are printed on-site at a cost of $10 per print. TICKETS

All children 13 and under get in free all weekend. Regular prices apply for guests 14 and older. Museum members get in free with advanced registration! To keep the experience special for the little ones, we are limiting attendance to 1,300 guests per day. Be sure to purchase your tickets early before each day sells out! Tickets will not be available at the door on sold-out days. Tickets can be purchased online at www.militaryaviationmuseum.org. ABOUT THE MILITARY AVIATION MUSEUM

The Military Aviation Museum is open daily from 9am - 5pm and is located at 1341 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23457. Admission is FREE for museum members and WWII Veterans; Adults $17, Senior (65+), Military and Teachers $15; Youth (ages 5-13) $10; Youth 4 & under are free. Parking at the museum is free and plentiful. For more information call 757-721-7767 or visit www.militaryaviationmuseum.org.

(ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE MILITARY AVIATION MUSEUM)

ﬂagshipnews.com | Section C | Thursday, November 12, 2026

FOOD

LEMON ROSEMARY BEETS

Inspired Holiday Entertaining Family Features

Source: Kitchen Aid

The holiday season is a time for creating meals and memories that last a lifetime, but it’s also one of the busiest times of the year. In the blur of commitments, crowded schedules and endless prep, the tension between a desire to create magical meals and wanting to actually enjoy them is real. The right cookware can help shift that balance. Inspired by the calming essence of the outdoors, the KitchenAid Evergreen Design Series brings a breath of fresh air into the kitchen, blending expressive design with performance that simpliﬁes the season. From durable stockpots to versatile nonstick pans, these tools elevate both prep and presentation.

In the middle of the holiday bustle, they provide a sense of calm and control, helping you plan ahead, cut stress and truly savor the moments that matter most. Because the best holiday moments aren’t just about what’s on the table - they’re about the joy you feel when you’re a part of them, from the quiet satisfaction of chopping, stirring and creating to the connection that comes when you share the results with those you love. Including 12 pieces, the Hard-Anodized Ceramic Induction Nonstick Cookware Set brings the emotive power of nature into the kitchen, elevating your cooking with deep forest-green hues and elegant bronze handles. Ideal for stove-to-oven-to-table cooking, the high-performance ceramic nonstick cookware is eight times harder than traditional aluminum and features thick, forged bases for fast, even heating. Shatter-resistant glass lids seal in heat, lock in ﬂavor and allow easy monitoring. When you’ll be spending many special evenings around the table during the holiday season, these invaluable tools can help streamline the cooking process whether you need a dish that can be made in advance and frozen for easy entertaining like this Homemade Pumpkin Ravioli with White Wine and Herb Butter Sauce or one that lets you focus on the fun and celebrations even with guests in town such as Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese with Bacon. If those seasonal recipes call for stirring, whipping or mixing, the KitchenAid Evergreen Design Series TiltHead Stand Mixer is up to the task with 10 speeds, a tilthead design to easily add ingredients and more than 10 different available attachments. Blurring the line between appliance and art through its unique color, ﬁnish and walnut wood bowl, it gives makers unmatched potential for creative expression. Find more recipes and tools to bring culinary inspiration to life during the holidays at kitchenaid.com. Homemade Pumpkin Ravioli with White Wine and Herb Butter Sauce Recipe courtesy of Marge Perry and David Bonom Servings: 4 Ravioli: 1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree 1 large egg, lightly beaten ⅓ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese, plus additional for serving (optional) 2 tablespoons plain dried breadcrumbs 2 teaspoons sugar ¼ teaspoon salt 1 pinch ground nutmeg 48 round dumpling wrappers

water Sauce: 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, divided ⅓ cup chopped shallots ⅔ cup dry white wine 3 tablespoons heavy cream 2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives ¼ teaspoon salt To make ravioli: Line fine mesh sieve with dampened cheesecloth. Add pumpkin puree and strain 1 hour. Transfer to bowl and stir in egg, cheese, breadcrumbs, sugar, salt and nutmeg. Arrange six dumpling wrappers on work surface in single layer. Place 1 tablespoon pumpkin mixture in center of each and brush edges with water. Place second wrapper over filling, carefully pushing out any air bubbles then pressing edges to seal. Transfer ravioli to baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Place sheet of plastic wrap over ravioli. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling. In KitchenAid Evergreen Design Series 6-Quart Ceramic Stockpot over medium heat, bring salted water to a gentle simmer To make sauce: In KitchenAid Evergreen Design Series 3-Quart Ceramic Saucepan over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, 1 minute. Add wine, bring to boil and cook until mixture resembles wet sand, 8-9 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and whisk in remaining butter and heavy cream until melted. Stir in sage, chives and salt; keep warm, stirring occasionally. To cook ravioli, add half to simmering water and cook, stirring gently once or twice, 3 minutes. Remove with slotted spoon and divide between two plates. Add remaining ravioli to pot and repeat dividing between remaining plates. Spoon sauce over ravioli and serve with additional grated cheese, if desired. Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese with Bacon 8 ounces elbow macaroni 6 slices center-cut bacon 1 onion, chopped 5 cups butternut squash, cubed 3 ½ cups chicken broth, divided ¾ cup low-fat milk 1 teaspoon dry mustard 1 pinch nutmeg 1 pinch salt, plus additional, to taste, divided 1 pinch pepper, plus additional, to taste, divided 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, divided chopped parsley (optional) In KitchenAid Evergreen Design Series 6-Quart Ceramic Stockpot, cook macaroni noodles according to package instructions. Set aside. In KitchenAid Evergreen Design Series 5-Quart Ceramic Saute Pan, cook bacon until crisp. Chop and set aside. In same pan, add chopped onion and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until pieces are soft and lightly caramelized. Add butternut squash cubes to onions along with 2 cups chicken broth. Cover and bring to boil. Reduce heat and cook until squash is soft and most liquid is reduced. Pour squash and onions into bowl and add milk, remaining chicken broth, dry mustard, nutmeg and pinch of salt and pepper. Using KitchenAid Evergreen Design Series Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, puree mixture until smooth and creamy. Pour pureed sauce into saute pan. Over low heat, add Parmesan cheese and ¾ cup sharp cheddar cheese a little at a time, stirring constantly. Add noodles and stir well. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Top with chopped bacon, remaining cheese and chopped parsley, if desired.

Can’t-beet side dish for Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is a food-centric holiday. Certain dishes are expected to be on the table come Thanksgiving, includ-

ing roasted turkey, potatoes and pies. However, holiday hosts have a little leeway with side dishes. Beets are a versatile fall food, and these plants thrive in cool temperatures. Beets are nutrient-rich and can be ﬂavorful on their own or when paired with the right ingredients. Their deep, reddish-purple hue also can look festive on a holiday table. This recipe for Lemon-Rosemary Beets makes a refreshing addition to a Thanksgiving meal. Enjoy this recipe, courtesy of “Cooking Light Dinner’s Ready!” (Oxmoor House) by the editors of Cooking Light. Lemon-Rosemary Beets Yield: 7 servings 2 pounds beets (about 6), peeled and cut into wedges 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon cider vinegar ¾ teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 rosemary sprigs ½ teaspoon grated lemon rind Place the ﬁrst 8 ingredients in a 4-quart electric slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until beets are tender. Remove and discard rosemary sprigs; stir in lemon rind.

No need to skip the bread, these gluten-free rolls elevate holiday meals A light and airy roll can enhance any meal. However, many people have to skip the traditional rolls come the holidays or during other times of the year because of food allergies and intolerances. Those who avoid gluten because they have celiac disease or for other reasons can rest easy knowing there is a delicious option that can be whipped up in no time at all. These Easy Yeast Rolls from “It Just Happens to be Gluten-Free” (Do Life Inspired Publishing) by Jen Fiore are a welcome addition to any table. Easy Yeast Rolls Makes 12 2 ½ cups Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour blend (see recipe below) 2 teaspoons salt 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 large egg 1 cup warm water 2 tablespoons cane sugar 2 ¼ teaspoons fast acting yeast 1 egg white (about 1 tablespoon) 1. In a medium mixing bowl, mix together yeast, water and sugar. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the yeast to bloom. 2. In a separate bowl, mix together flour and salt. 3. Add the yeast mixture to the dry mixture along with the egg and oil. Mix together for one minute. 4. Cover the bowl with a towel and let it rise for 30 minutes. 5. Divide the dough evenly among the 12 spots in the muffin pan. Smooth the top and sides with a tiny bit of water on a small spatula for a nicely shaped, even-looking roll. 6. Lightly brush the top of the dough with the egg white. 7. Bake at 400 F for 20 minutes until the tops are golden brown. All-Purpose Flour Blend (Bread) 1 ⅛ cups tapioca flour 1 ⅛ cups potato starch 1 cup fine brown rice flour 1 cup fine white rice flour 3 teaspoons xanthan gum In a large mixing bowl, mix very well with a whisk until all the ingredients are well blended. Store in an airtight container.

ﬂagshipnews.com | Section C | Thursday, November 12, 2026

HEALTH

(SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTO)

New research shows massage therapy can reduce pain and improve quality of life for veterans and military service members Press Release SOURCE: AMERICAN MASSAGE THERAPY ASSOCIATION

EVANSTON, Ill. — As Americans come together to honor the service and sacriﬁce of our nation’s veterans on Veterans Day, the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) is highlighting new research showing that massage therapy can help those who served reduce chronic pain, improve physical function, and enhance overall well-being. Recent studies conducted in military and veteran populations found that massage therapy can provide lasting relief for common pain conditions and serve as an effective, nonpharmacological treatment option. As more former service members seek alternatives to opioids and other medications, a growing body of evidence continues to reinforce the role massage therapy can play in helping them live healthier, more active lives.

Massage Therapy Delivers Lasting Relief for Veterans with Chronic Neck Pain

In a 2026 randomized controlled study, massage therapy was found to be an effective treatment for veterans with chronic neck pain. Veterans who received regular massage sessions for 12 weeks had less pain, improved neck function, and an easier time performing daily activities compared with those who did not receive massage. Many participants also experienced improvements that lasted for months after treatment ended. Overall, the results suggest that massage therapy is a safe, effective, nonopioid option for reducing chronic neck pain and improving quality of life in veterans.1

Massage Therapy Plays Growing Role in Military Pain Care

AMTA Is Committed to Helping Increase Veteran Access to Massage Another 2025 study highlights the wide- Therapy

spread use of massage therapy across the Military Health System as part of pain management care. Researchers identified more than 179,000 service members and beneficiaries who received massage therapy over a two-year period, with most seeking treatment for musculoskeletal pain and related conditions. The findings underscore its growing role as a trusted, nonpharmacological approach to managing pain, supporting recovery, and reducing reliance on opioids and other medications. Strong demand for massage therapy across military healthcare settings further demonstrates its value as part of comprehensive pain care.2

Extensive Research Review Finds Massage Helps Service Members and Veterans Reduce Pain and Improve Function

A recent review of 53 military health studies also found that massage therapy helps reduce pain, improve physical function and enhance overall well-being among active service members and veterans. The beneﬁts were particularly pronounced for individuals with musculoskeletal conditions and stress-related disorders. Alongside acupuncture and yoga, massage therapy was identiﬁed asaneffectiveapproachformanagingchronic pain. The study noted that these therapies are increasingly being used across military healthcare settings to support health and recovery.3

AMTA is dedicated to ensuring that veterans and active-duty service members have access to massage therapy as part of comprehensive healthcare. Through targeted advocacy at the federal level, AMTA works with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Service Agencies, and the Department of Defense to expand awareness, integration, and accessibility of massage therapy within military and veteran healthcare systems. AMTA has also been urging Congress to address a VA payment policy that could limit access to massage therapy, reinforcing the association’s ongoing commitment to ensuring veterans can receive the care they need and deserve. “The latest research continues to strengthen the evidence supporting massage therapy as a safe, effective, and nonpharmacological healthcare option for veterans,” said James Specker, Senior Director of AMTA Government & Industry Relations and a United States Marine Corps veteran. “At AMTA, we’re committed to ensuring that veterans are aware of and can access the massage therapy beneﬁts available to them through the VA when clinically appropriate. As a veteran myself, I am deeply invested in helping those who served our nation experience greater health, healing and quality of life.”

About the American Massage Therapy Association

The American Massage Therapy Association, the most trusted name in massage therapy, is a nonprofit and the largest professional association serving massage therapists, massage students and massage schools. The association is directed by volunteer leadership and fosters ongoing, direct member involvement through its 51 chapters. AMTA works to advance the profession through ethics and standards, the promotion of fair and consistent licensing of massage therapists in all states, and public education on the benefits of massage. To find a qualified massage therapist in your area, please visit AMTA’s Find a Massage Therapist Locator Service™ online at https://search.amtamassage.org/ find-a-massage-therapist. CITATIONS:

1. Munk N, Daggy JK, Slaven JE, Foote T, Garner M, Evans E, Laws BV, Matthias MS, Bair MJ. Therapist delivered massage for Veterans with chronic neck pain: a randomized control trial. Pain Med. 2026 Feb 1;27(2):160-169. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnaf118. PMID: 40875586. 2. Tracy L Rupp, Maxwell Amoako, Kevin Johnson, Winifred Rojas, Krista B Highland, Massage Therapy Utilization in the Military Health System, Military Medicine, Volume 190, Issue 1-2, January/February 2025, Pages e20— e26. 3. Crosier AK, Tracy E, Bell AG, Eliasen KM, Peterson TJ, Allard RJ, Rupp TL. A Scoping Review on the Efficacy/Effectiveness and Utilization of Complementary and Integrative Health for Pain in the Military Health System. J Integr Complement Med. 2025 Aug;31(8):705-725. doi: 10.1089/jicm.2024.1013. Epub 2025 Mar 5. PMID: 40040529.

ﬂagshipnews.com | Section C | Thursday, November 12, 2026

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