News
Caribbean ‘Quarantine’: US Forces Take On Trump’s Oil Tanker Crackdown
Escalating interdictions of oil tankers linked to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro occur as part of a sweeping naval buildup that risks diplomatic, legal and regional confrontation.
CarMax to pay at least $420K to settle allegations of illegal repossessions of troops’ cars
CarMax, the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, has agreed to pay at least $420,000 in damages to service members whose vehicles were allegedly illegally repossessed, the Justice Department announced Monday. According to the consent agreement, CarMax repossessed the vehicles of “at least 28 service members who were in military service or had been called to military service,” during the period ...[Read More]
Carrier landings no longer required for Navy pilots’ Wings of Gold
U.S. Navy pilots in training no longer have to complete a requirement previously considered integral for flight school success. As of March 2025, students can qualify for graduation without landing a jet on an aircraft carrier, according to a Navy spokesperson who provided an emailed statement to the Navy Times. Pilots will instead complete carrier qualifications during follow-on training at the f...[Read More]
Carrier’s move to South America leaves Mideast, Europe with none
President Donald Trump’s decision to shift the nation’s most advanced aircraft carrier to South America in his campaign against drug cartels is pulling the ship out of the Mediterranean Sea at a time when a tenuous ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been threatened by new strikes in Gaza. The U.S. is set to be in the fairly unusual position of having only a single aircraft carrier deployed and...[Read More]
CDR Amada K. Burd
A native to San Diego, California, she commissioned through the U.S. Naval Academy in 2007. In June 2024, she reported to Navy Talent Acquisition (NTAG) Group, Phoenix as the Executive Officer. In December 2025, Commander Burd assumed command of NTAG Phoenix.
CDR Amelia Hueter
CDR Amelia Hueter is from Tampa, FL. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Fordham University and was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Program in 2009.
CDR Jake Lacey
CDR Lacey is from Gilbert, AZ and was commissioned through the NROTC program at the University of Arizona in 2008, earning a bachelor’s in Engineering Management.
CDR Jeffrey M. Shepard
Born in Inglewood, CA on September 21, 1969, CDR Shepard grew up in Denver, CO. He joined the Navy out of Denver on August 3, 1989.
CDR Mike Ferrell
Commander Michael Ferrell, a native of Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, is a 2009 graduate of the United States Naval Academy.
CDR Rob Terranova, Jr.
CDR Rob Terranova, Jr. is a native of Syracuse, New York. He is a 2010 graduate of LeMoyne College, where he earned two Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Finance and Business Marketing with a minor in Philosophy.
CDR Stephen Mankins
CDR Stephen Mankins is a native of Wichita, Kansas and received his commission at the United States Naval Academy in May of 2008.
CENTCOM forms task force to speed delivery of drones, tech to troops
U.S. Central Command announced a new task force Tuesday that it hopes will speed up and simplify the process of equipping units with combat-ready technology. The new organization, the Rapid Employment Joint Task Force, will be led by CENTCOM’s chief technology officer, Joy Shanaberger, and will focus on synthesizing logistics for capability, software and tech diplomacy. “The new task force will sy...[Read More]