Why Is A U.S. Navy Research Blimp Hovering Over Maryland

Eye In The Sky: Navy Research Blimp Hovering Over Maryland -- CBS

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — You may have noticed an unusual sight over the Baltimore area in the last few days—a Navy balloon hovering in the sky.

Christie Ileto explains what the blimp is doing.

The Navy is conducting aerial mapping over Baltimore, and it’s caught the eye of many residents far below.

If you’ve looked up lately, you may have spotted a U.S. Navy blimp hiding in the clouds, or hovering over Baltimore’s harbor on clear sunny days.

“I’ve been seeing it all week. Like, every day,” said Ashley Bradley.

Almost 200-feet long, it’s flying over Baltimore.

“Me and my friends were actually talking about it and wondering what it was,” Bradley said.

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My Comment: Apparently it is used for aerial mapping operations.

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The U.S. Navy's Declining Submarine Fleet

The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Providence (SSN 719) transits the Thames River as it departs Naval Submarine Base New London for a six-month deployment in Groton, Connecticut in this file photo taken on October 8, 2010, and released to Reuters on March 19, 2011 file photo.REUTERS/Timothy E. Walter/U.S. Navy photo/Handout

Admiral: US Submarine Forces Decline As China, Russia, Iran Advance Warfare Capabilities -- Fox News/Washington Free Beacon

China, Russia, and Iran pose regional and strategic submarine threats and are building up undersea warfare capabilities as the Navy is cutting its submarine force by 30 percent, the admiral in charge of Pentagon submarine programs told Congress on Thursday.

Rear Adm. Richard Breckenridge, director of Navy undersea warfare programs, said the decline of U.S. submarines is placing a key U.S. military advantage at risk.

"Our adversaries are not standing still, and so even though we have an advantage and we have a lead, we can't sit on our lead," Breckenridge told a hearing of the House Armed Services seapower subcommittee.

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More News On The U.S. Navy's Submarine Program

U.S. Navy Finds That Demand For Submarines Far Outweighs Supply -- CBS
Funding cuts would weaken U.S. submarine readiness: Navy -- Reuters
US Navy Says Funding Cuts Would Undercut Submarine Readiness -- Voice of America
U.S. Navy: Budget challenges threaten submarine program -- Daily Press
US Navy Renews Call for Missile Sub Funding Plan -- Defense News
Navy To HASC: We’re About To Sign Sub Deals We Can’t Pay For -- Sydney J. Freedberg Jr., Breaking Defense
Obama's massive Pentagon spending cuts -- before sequester -- may sink the Navy -- Washington Examiner editorial

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A Look At The U.S. Navy's Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen

Fleet Week Feature: Special Warfare -- UT San Diego

Special warfare crewmen have come of age.

What’s the Navy’s best-kept secret? It might be the special warfare combatant-craft crewman, the lesser-known brother of the Navy SEAL in Coronado.

Ian Cunningham was already in the Navy when he first heard about the specialty, which involves driving 36-foot combat boats at high speeds to insert SEALs into a fight. They also do stand-alone missions, such as teaching foreign forces to secure their coastlines.

To an action junkie, the description appealed.

“Fast boats, big guns -- I was pretty much sold,” said Cunninghan, now a 34-year- old chief petty officer who trains incoming crews at Coronado Naval Amphibious Base.

The 31-week course on the Silver Strand is where all combatant-craft crewmen are forged.

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My Comment: This is probably one of the Navy's best kept secrets.

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US Warships Deployed In The Mediterranean Are Ready To "Strike Hard" On Syria

USS Mahan (DDG 72) (AFP Photo)

US Warships Ready To "Strike Hard" On Syria If Ordered: Navy -- Economic Times

WASHINGTON: US warships deployed in the Mediterranean are ready to "strike hard" on the Syrian regime and degrade its capabilities if ordered by President Barack Obama, a top Navy official has said.

"I guarantee you that if we are called upon to strike, we will strike hard and we will strike fast," Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said.

His remarks came a day after Obama addressed the nation seeking support for "limited" military action if Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime refuses to give up its chemical weapons arsenal.

"As the president said last night, it (the attack) will be targeted and it will degrade the Assad regime's capabilities," Mabus said in a speech at the National Defence University here.

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More News On The US Navy's Presence Off Syria

Pentagon: 4 destroyers, aircraft carrier to remain near Syria -- Washington Times
Syria status: Barry's indefinite extension keeps 4 destroyers in eastern Med -- Navy Times
U.S. Extends Deployments of Warships Near Syria -- Wall Street Journal
Navy's top officer: Ready on Syria, for now -- UT San Diego
Warships ready to strike Syria if called upon: US Navy -- Channel News Agency
Navy ships stay ready to strike Syria, but budget cuts threaten future similar operations -- Washington Post/AP
Extra ships for Syria cost $27 million a week -- Bloomberg Businessweek/AP
Report: US Naval Buildup off Syria Costs $27M a Week -- Arutz Sheva
Navy's message to Assad: We're not going anywhere -- USA Today

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US warships deployed in the Mediterranean are ready to "strike hard" on Syria

USS Mahan (DDG 72) (AFP Photo)

US Warships Ready To "Strike Hard" On Syria If Ordered: Navy -- Economic Times

WASHINGTON: US warships deployed in the Mediterranean are ready to "strike hard" on the Syrian regime and degrade its capabilities if ordered by President Barack Obama, a top Navy official has said.

"I guarantee you that if we are called upon to strike, we will strike hard and we will strike fast," Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said.

His remarks came a day after Obama addressed the nation seeking support for "limited" military action if Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime refuses to give up its chemical weapons arsenal.

"As the president said last night, it (the attack) will be targeted and it will degrade the Assad regime's capabilities," Mabus said in a speech at the National Defence University here.

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More News On The US Navy's Presence Off Syria

Pentagon: 4 destroyers, aircraft carrier to remain near Syria -- Washington Times
Syria status: Barry's indefinite extension keeps 4 destroyers in eastern Med -- Navy Times
U.S. Extends Deployments of Warships Near Syria -- Wall Street Journal
Navy's top officer: Ready on Syria, for now -- UT San Diego
Warships ready to strike Syria if called upon: US Navy -- Channel News Agency
Navy ships stay ready to strike Syria, but budget cuts threaten future similar operations -- Washington Post/AP
Extra ships for Syria cost $27 million a week -- Bloomberg Businessweek/AP
Report: US Naval Buildup off Syria Costs $27M a Week -- Arutz Sheva
Navy's message to Assad: We're not going anywhere -- USA Today

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USS Kitty Hawk & The Big Wave (Video)

My Comment: Wow .... those are big waves.

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