POLICY AND PUBLIC INTEREST
Air Force Gen. Randall Reed, U.S. Transportation Command commander, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that Transcom wants to buy up to 10 additional shipping vessels to bolster America's Ready Reserve Force fleet
To bolster America’s Ready Reserve Force fleet, U.S. Transportation Command wants to buy as many as 10 used shipping vessels.
“We need to both build it here, and we actually need to buy used,” Air Force Gen. Randall Reed, Transcom’s commander, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday while testifying on Capitol Hill.
The Ready Reserve Force fleet of ships is part of the U.S. military’s strategic sealift capability that provides the ability to rapidly conduct initial resupply missions and to transport Army and Marine Corps equipment during critical surge periods.
The government-owned RRF fleet is made up of commercial vessels crewed by civilian mariners and it is ageing. The median age of the 46 roll-on/roll-off ships in the fleet is 47 years.
“These ships are really, really old,” Reed said. “The reliability of them sometimes in question because of that. I take my hat off to the crews that are actually on them to keep them warm. But to give an idea of the state of the ships, some of these ships are still run by steam.”
Reed said it is vital to recapitalize and modernize the RRF fleet to ensure continued credible global deterrence.
“In the short term, we would need maximum flexibility to buy used foreign ships on the commercial market, obtain those ships, them here in the states, and then put those ships to sea,” Reed told lawmakers.
Already, Transcom has received permission from Congress to buy as many as 10 used ships. It’s already bought seven and wants to buy two more this year, Reed said.
The most immediate need is to secure two ships on the open market, get them into a shipyard,…
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Goldstone Contracting Inc. Helping Homeowners in Maryland With Free Roof Inspections and Insurance-Paid Roof Replacements
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Veregy Approved as Participating Contractor in NY-Sun Incentive Program
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Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association Congratulates Kash Patel on His Confirmation as FBI Director Washington, D.C.
The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) congratulates Kash Patel on his confirmation as Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The confirmation marks an important moment in the Bureau’s leadership and FLEOA looks forward to collaborating with Director Patel to further strengthen national security.
“FLEOA congratulates Director Kash…
Federal Highway Administration Revokes Approval for New York City’s Central Business District Tolling Program
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration today terminated approval of the pilot for New York’s Central Business District Tolling Program (CBDTP). In a letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, the Department rescinded a November 21, 2024 agreement signed under the Value Pricing Pilot Program (VPPP) that…
Energy Department Acts to Lower Prices and Increase Consumer Choice With Household Appliances
Led by President Donald Trump, U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright announced the Department of Energy will postpone the implementation of seven of the Biden-Harris administration’s restrictive mandates on home appliances. Today’s actions are a key step in undoing the previous administration’s burdensome policies that have driven up costs,…
Hegseth Lauds U.S.-Poland Alliance, Reemphasizes Call for NATO Countries to Increase Defense Spending
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday praised the U.S. alliance with Poland during a joint press conference with that country’s defense minister in Warsaw.
“We see Poland as a model ally on the continent, willing to invest not just in their defense, but in our shared defense and defense of…
Kennedy Urged to Prioritize Care for People With Disabilities Amid Promised Healthcare Disruption
As Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., promises to disrupt the U.S. healthcare system as the new Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), spokespeople with the National Center for Public Policy Research and its Able Americans program urge Kennedy to remember vulnerable populations and people…
Space Force Gen. Chance Saltzman, the chief of space operations, highlighted achieving space control as the service's newest core function during a keynote address at the Air and Space Forces Association Warfighter Symposium in Aurora, Colo
Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman spelled out the Space Force’s priorities and the path it must follow to ensure space superiority during a high-profile keynote address March 3.
“It is our job to contest and control the space domain, to fight and win so that we assure freedom of action for our forces while denying the same to our adversaries,” Saltzman told Guardians, Airmen, industry partners and elected officials in closely watched remarks at the Air and Space Forces Association Warfighter Symposium.
If that wasn’t clear enough, Saltzman offered additional clarity moments later on why maintaining dominance in space is essential to the nation’s security and economic well-being.
“Fighting against a near-peer threat that has unfettered access to space while we do not is a recipe for death and destruction,” he said. “Even in a stalemate, where both we and our adversaries retain spacepower, there will be an unacceptable cost in American blood and treasure.”
Saltzman said the goal is achieving “space control,” the service’s newest core function that captures how Guardians achieve space superiority. “Space control encapsulates the mission areas required to contest and control the space domain – employing kinetic and non-kinetic means to affect adversary capabilities, from disruption…
The Department of Energy announced an order that removes barriers for the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as marine fuel to power vessels
The Department of Energy on Friday announced an order that removes barriers for the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as marine fuel to power vessels. The order issued by DOE modifies a prior order issued to JAX LNG under the previous administration that asserted new oversight for the use of LNG to power marine vessels, also known as LNG bunkering.
“Today’s action is a significant step in reducing regulatory burdens and helping this important segment of the LNG market continue to grow,” said Tala Goudarzi, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management.
JAX LNG is a small-scale coastal LNG facility located at Dames Point near Jacksonville, Florida that dispenses LNG as fuel to ships, including cruise ships, car carriers, petroleum tankers, and container ships.
By issuing an Order on Rehearing, DOE is modifying an order originally issued in December 2024. The modified order clarifies that DOE is withdrawing the exercise of its jurisdiction under the Natural Gas Act (NGA) for ship-to-ship transfers of LNG for marine fuel use at a U.S. port, in U.S. waters, or in international waters. The only bunkering-related activity that will continue to be considered an export is when there are…
U.S., Australia, and UK Join Forces to Target Russian Bulletproof Hosting Provider Supporting LockBit Ransomware
On Tuesday, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the United Kingdom’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office are jointly designating Zservers, a Russia-based bulletproof hosting (BPH) services provider, for its role in supporting LockBit ransomware attacks. LockBit, a…
Pentagon Prioritizes Homeland Defense, Warfighting, Slashing Wasteful Spending
During a media interview on Sunday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said efforts at the Defense Department include modernizing the nuclear triad and building an iron dome for the U.S., referring to the iron dome that defends Israel against aerial threats.
These and other homeland priorities will be reflected in the…
Joint Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) – Federal Law Enforcement Officers (FLEO) Foundation Statement in Support of Protecting our Children From Fatal Fentanyl Overdoses
On February 1, 2025, President Trump issued executive orders that imposed an increase in tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China. According to the White House Fact Sheet released that same day, “The extraordinary threat posed by illegal aliens and drugs, including deadly fentanyl, constitutes a national emergency under the…
Defense Secretary Says Enlisted Morale Is High at Southern Border
During a media interview on Wednesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said morale is high among U.S. troops currently assisting with enforcement operations at the southern border because they are supporting the strengthening of their own country.
The Defense Department announced, Jan. 22, 2025, that is would be sending an…
U.S. and El Salvador Sign Historic Agreement to Enhance Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation
On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill Tinoco of the Republic of El Salvador signed a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation (NCMOU) with the aim of advancing peaceful nuclear cooperation between the United States and the Republic of El Salvador.
The…
The Department remains committed to transparency and intends to release the remaining documents upon review and redaction to protect the identities of Epstein’s victims
By Marc Brousseau / Deputy EditorToday, Attorney General Pamela Bondi, in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), declassified and publicly released files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his sexual exploitation of over 250 underage girls at his homes in New York and Florida, among other locations. The first phase of declassified files largely contains documents that have been previously leaked but never released in a formal capacity by the U.S. Government.
“This Department of Justice is following through on President Trump’s commitment to transparency and lifting the veil on the disgusting actions of Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirators,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “The first phase of files released today sheds light on Epstein’s extensive network and begins to provide the public with long overdue accountability.”
“The FBI is entering a new era—one that will be defined by integrity, accountability, and the unwavering pursuit of justice,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “There will be no cover-ups, no missing documents, and no stone left unturned — and anyone from the prior or current Bureau who undermines this will be swiftly pursued. If there are gaps, we will find them. If records have been hidden, we will uncover them. And we will bring everything we find to the DOJ to be fully assessed and transparently disseminated to the American people as it should be. The oath we take is to the Constitution, and under my leadership, that promise will be upheld without compromise.”
Attorney General Bondi requested the full and complete files related to Jeffrey Epstein. In response, the Department received approximately 200…
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ICE New York City arrests previously removed illegal Guatemalan alien with convictions for assault and act in manner to injure a child
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement apprehended an illegally present Guatemalan national previously removed from the United States when officers arrested Yoni Wilfredo Gregorio Ortiz, 44, in the village of Airmont, Feb. 23.
“Not only does Gregorio have contempt for our nation’s immigration laws as proven by his illegal return after being previously removed, but he has also shown a complete disregard for our criminal laws as well,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations New York City acting Field Office Director William P. Joyce. “ICE New York City will continue to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing illegal alien offenders from our communities.”
The U.S. Border Patrol arrested Gregorio after he illegally entered the U.S. Dec. 10, 2012, and processed him for expedited removal the next day. Gregorio was removed to Guatemala Jan. 10, 2013, and illegally reentered the U.S. without inspection by an immigration official. The Spring Valley Village Court convicted Gregorio of third-degree assault on Sept. 1, 2022, and Rockland County Court convicted him of act in manner to injure a child and criminal mischief on June 3, 2024.
At the time of his ICE arrest Gregorio had an outstanding warrant for DWI. He is currently in ICE custody at…
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Socom Works to Deter Conflict, Win if Deterrence Fails
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