AlaDefense.com

Selma hero: WWII submarine commander sacrificed his life to save his ship

February 7, 2024

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NAVY

By Katie Lange DOD News Navy Cmdr. Howard Walter Gilmore ordered many daring maneuvers while his submarine, USS Growler, prowled the waters of the Pacific Ocean during World War II. It was the last command he gave, however — given from atop the submerging vessel — that earned him a place in history and the Medal of Honor. He…
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Alabama Shipyard wins service contract for USNS Laramie

February 2, 2024

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CONTRACTS, NAVY

By Troy Turner [email protected] MOBILE – The U.S. Navy has awarded an $18 million contract to Alabama Shipyard LLC for a routine dry-dock overhaul of the Military Sealift Command’s replenishment oiler USNS Laramie. The Laramie is a fleet replenishment oiler assigned to the Atlantic Fleet. It has a crew of more than 75 civil service…
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‘Masters of the Air’ creators visited Maxwell AFB to study its impact on WWII bombing strategy

January 25, 2024

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AIR FORCE, ARMY

By Airman 1st Class Tyrique Barquet Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. — The creators of the highly acclaimed miniseries “Band of Brothers” and now the upcoming television series “Masters of the Air” visited Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery to discuss the base and Air University’s pivotal roles in the development of the…
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Alabama National Guard stands by #ALwaysReady claim with winter storm response

January 25, 2024

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AIR FORCE, ARMY

By Troy Turner [email protected] When popular Alabama weatherman James Spann speaks and warns of imminent danger, the Alabama National Guard listens. During the early morning hours of Jan. 15, Spann issued a winter storm warning as Alabama’s coldest weather of the 2023-24 winter season marched its way toward the state in the form of an…
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Huntsville-based Intrepid nets impressive $534 million Army contract

January 23, 2024

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ARMY, CONTRACTS

By Troy Turner [email protected] The U.S. Army has awarded Huntsville-based Intrepid LLC a $534 million contract for a wide variety of support services at various locations through July 2029 and including support for air and missile defense initiatives. The work includes “programmatic and technical support in the areas of program operations, systems engineering, systems test,…
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Auburn University, U.S. Army announce new $50 million joint project

January 13, 2024

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ARMY, CONTRACTS

By Troy Turner [email protected] AUBURN — The U.S. Army and Auburn University continue to develop a strong relationship contributing to national defense, with the Army this week announcing a $50 million project for the university to aid in developing advanced manufacturing materials and research for future aviation and missile systems. Auburn officials are calling it…
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U.S. looks to prevent conflict in space through deterrence

January 12, 2024

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AIR FORCE, ARMY, MARINES, NAVY, SPACE FORCE

(Editor’s note: Huntsville, Alabama, is home to a robust defense and commercial space industry base that serves as a major contributor to the U.S. military.) By David Vergun , DOD News Russia and China are deploying capabilities that can target GPS and other vital space-based systems in an effort to degrade the military space advantage of the…
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USS Alabama Memorial Park celebrates 59th anniversary

January 9, 2024

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AIR FORCE, ARMY, COAST GUARD, MARINES, NAVY, SPACE FORCE

MOBILE, Alabama – The USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park is celebrating its 59th anniversary this month, having opened to the public on Jan. 9, 1965, following a public campaign that included Alabama schoolchildren donating their pennies, nickels and dimes to have the historic ship towed to Mobile Bay. USS Alabama, a 35,000-ton South Dakota class…
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Army’s Space and Missile Defense commander retires, prepares for next chapter

January 9, 2024

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ARMY, SPACE FORCE

By Jason Cutshaw Department of Defense REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – Lt. Gen. Daniel L. Karbler, who commissioned in the Army in 1987, culminated his military service when he arrived in Huntsville and took command of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command in December 2019. He retired effective Jan. 9 after more than 36 years…
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Two new Alabama-linked Navy contracts combine to top $1 billion

December 27, 2023

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CONTRACTS, MARINES, NAVY

By Troy Turner [email protected] Two of Alabama’s largest defense contractors each have netted a major new project for the U.S. Navy that, combined, will bring more than $1 billion in military-related contracts to the state. The Department of Defense awarded Mobile-based shipbuilder Austal USA an $868 million contract modification for the design and construction of…
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187th Fighter Wing begins flying F-35s from Alabama base

December 17, 2023

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AIR FORCE

By Troy Turner [email protected] Three F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jets have arrived at their new duty station in Montgomery and already are flying training sorties in the skies over Alabama. The 187th Fighter Wing with the Alabama Air National Guard is one of only three Guard units in the nation to be equipped with…
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TURNER: Navy makes right move in reviving Pearl Harbor battleship names

December 7, 2023

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NAVY, OPINION

By Troy Turner Editor-in-chief AlaDefense.com The USS Arizona, a 31,400-ton Pennsylvania class battleship, was a mighty symbol of American power when she was commissioned in 1916. She perhaps became more so when she was sunk, 25 years later in the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941. Although lost, she and her sister…
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