Hegseth Welcomes Ford Carrier Strike Group Home After Record-Breaking Deployment

View Online Hegseth Welcomes Ford Carrier Strike Group Home After Record-Breaking Deployment May 16, 2026 |  By Matthew Olay Secretary of War Pete Hegseth was on hand with his wife, Jennifer, and numerous senior Navy leaders at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, today to welcome home sailors assigned to the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group after a record-setting, multi-month deployment.  The strike group returned to Norfolk after a 326-day deployment, the longest U.S. aircraft carrier deployment since the Vietnam War, surpassing the previous post-Vietnam mark set by the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln's roughly 295-day deployment in 2020.   "Extraordinary sailors and crew of Strike Group 12: for nearly a year you have held the line for our nation. Your voyage took you to places never expected," Hegseth told the Ford's crew while greeting them over the ship's public address system.   He then recounted how the strike group set off on a routine deployment to the European theater in June 2025, only to be diverted to the Caribbean Sea shortly thereafter in support of the narco-terrorist drug interdiction mission Operation Southern Spear, as well as the operation that led to the Jan. 3 capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.  Hegseth then pointed out that, following operations around Central and South America, the Ford Strike Group deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury, where the group was joined by the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Bainbridge and USS Mahan — both of which also returned to Norfolk as part of the Ford's record-setting deployment, and both of which Hegseth also welcomed home this morning.   "You showed resiliency; you fought through all the way to finish the latter part of your mission in Operation Epic Fury … where you and others [sent] an unmistakable message to the world: no one can match the USS Ford, and no one can match the United States military," Hegseth told the crew.   Hegseth then surprised the Ford crew — and the crews of USS Bainbridge and USS Mahan shortly thereafter — by announcing that Carrier Strike Group 12 had been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for the group's actions during their deployment.   Originally called the Distinguished Unit Citation, the PUC is the highest collective award a military unit can receive in the U.S. Armed Forces. It is awarded to units for extraordinary heroism in combat against an armed enemy, recognizing gallantry of a degree that would typically merit an individual Distinguished Service Cross or Navy/Air Force Cross.  "We do not hand this award out simply for performing your duties. It is earned through extraordinary heroism. It signifies that, in the crucible of combat during Operation Epic Fury, Strike Group 12 unleashed lethality and violence of action that [neutralized enemies] and secured a mission of vital national importance," Hegseth told Ford's crew.   "To wear this ribbon is to tell the world that everyone in this formation fought with an indomitable spirit. You operate with grit and defiance that sets you apart. By your conduct, you have secured a current place in the hallowed lineage of our naval history," Hegseth said.    Throughout the morning, the appreciation that Hegseth and his delegation showed for the returning strike group sailors was complemented by some of those young men and women's own reflections on their past 11 months at sea.  "[The deployment] was an interesting experience; a very unique experience that I don't think I would really be able to live again. So, I'm very honored to [have been] on this deployment," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Connor Mosser, of USS Bainbridge's combat systems department.  "I'm proud of how much that I've grown. It was an honor to serve on this deployment. I got to grow as an individual, and I got to serve my country," said Fireman Apprentice Kayla Jones, of Bainbridge's engineering department.  "As much as I've given out, the Navy has put right back into me … I've learned a lot, and I've enjoyed a lot of my experiences," she added.  Along with the praise and appreciation shown toward the men and women in uniform who had just returned home, Hegseth also made a point of thanking and recognizing thousands of family members, including 78 new babies — 56 born to Ford families, and 11 who were born to both the Bainbridge and Mahan families, each, during the 11-month deployment —  many of whom arrived pier-side today to welcome their sailors back from nearly a year at sea.  "To the families gathered on the pier: … You stood the line alongside your crew as well; you held the line at home. … [To] the heroes of our national defense, who stand the watch, today your long watch is officially over," Hegseth told the crew, just prior to liberty call being announced, and thousands of Ford sailors being released to see their loved ones awaiting them on the pier.   Following each visit to the Ford, the Bainbridge and the Mahan today, Hegseth rounded out each speech with the same, simple greeting that many of the returning CSG-12 sailors said they appreciated hearing.  "Welcome home," the secretary said.

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Pentagon Marks Armed Forces Day With Special Flag

View Online Pentagon Marks Armed Forces Day With Special Flag May 16, 2026 |  By David Vergun The War Department celebrated Armed Forces Day with a newly unveiled America 250 version of the Betsy Ross flag, unfurled over the outside of the Pentagon today at sunrise. At 20 feet long and 28 feet wide, the flag has 13 alternating red and white strips and 13 stars arranged in a circle with "250" in the center. The flag will also be flown to celebrate Memorial Day, May 25; Flag Day, June 14; Independence Day, July 4; Patriot Day, Sept. 11; Constitution Day, Sept. 17 and Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Betsy Ross was a professional upholsterer in Philadelphia from the early 1770s until she retired in 1827. While there is no historical evidence, many people believe she designed the American flag.   Born Elizabeth Griscom on Jan. 1, 1752, in Gloucester City, New Jersey, Ross was raised by a Quaker family in Philadelphia.  She apprenticed under John Webster, becoming a seamstress and upholsterer.   In 1773, she married John Ross, which got her expelled from the Quaker community, since marrying a non-Quaker was taboo. Together, they ran an upholstery shop in Philadelphia and joined the Christ Church. John died in 1776, and Ross became a widow at 24. She continued to run the shop, and according to legend, Gen. George Washington, commander of the Continental Army, along with two other Founding Fathers, visited her in the summer of 1776. Washington showed her a sketch of a flag featuring 13 stars and stripes, and Ross advised some minor changes. Many flags at the time featured six-pointed stars; Ross proposed five.  In 1777, Ross married Joseph Ashburn, a merchant sailor, and they had two daughters. However, Ashburn was captured by the British and charged with treason. He died in a British prison in 1782. John Claypoole, a fellow patriot who had been imprisoned with Ashburn, visited Ross to tell her that he had died.    Claypoole and Ross became friends, fell in love, got married and had five daughters. They were married for 34 years before Claypoole died in 1817. Ross retired at 76 and died Jan. 30, 1836; she was 84.  The Betsy Ross flag legend was started by her grandson, William Canby, in 1870, according to womenshistory.org. Canby presented a paper to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania recalling the story his grandmother told him. Although there are no historical records, what is known is that during and after the Revolutionary War, Ross made a variety of military flags over the course of 50 years.

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Today in DOW: May 18, 2026

Today in DOW: May 18, 2026 Open Press Events Secretary of War The secretary has no public or media events on his schedule.   Read More > Deputy Secretary of War The deputy secretary has no public or media events on his schedule.   Read More > Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff The chairman has no public or media events on his schedule.   Read More > Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff The vice chairman has no public or media events on his schedule.   Read More > Additional Open Press Events   Read More > View All Postings   Contacts Additions and corrections for Today in DOW are invited and should be directed to the press desk by calling +1 (703) 697-5131 or +1 (703) 697-5132. For additional media information click here. Public Inquiries Contact us for more information, if you have questions or for technical support. Media Questions News media representatives with questions for the Department of War may reach our press desk by calling +1 (703) 697-5131. Duty Officer A public affairs duty officer is available 24 hours a day through +1 (703) 697-5131.

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Contracts for May 15, 2026

View Online FOR RELEASE AT 5 PM ET Contracts For May 15, 2026 NAVY Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is awarded a $991,127,074 firm-fixed-price order (N0001926F0301) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001924G0010). This order provides for the production and delivery of 432 material modification kits (97 for the Air Force, 54 for the Marines, 42 for the Navy, 106 for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers, and 133 for non-U.S. Department of War (DOW) participants) in support of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft modifications and retrofit efforts associated with modernization of the electronic warfare system and related capability upgrades. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed by March 2032. Fiscal 2026 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $82,150,190; fiscal 2026 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $115,048,244; fiscal 2025 aircraft procurement (Air Force) funds in the amount of $140,758,499; fiscal 2025 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $75,306,828; fiscal 2024 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $29,999,052; FMS customers funds in the amount of $288,825,371; and non-U.S. DOW participants funds in the amount of $259,038,890, will be obligated at the time of award, $29,999,052 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract action was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, California, is awarded a $196,066,981 modification (P00037) to a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N0001924C0005). This modification exercises options to provide continued logistics and test support, and continued field service representatives technical support, as well as supports reach-back engineering support to ensure that the MQ-4C Triton air vehicle are mission-capable for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions in support of the Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Work will be performed in San Diego, California (37.1%); Patuxent River, Maryland (14.8%); Jacksonville, Florida (10.7%); Okinawa, Japan (7.2%); Mayport, Florida (6.9%); Whidbey Island, Washington (4.4%); Baltimore, Maryland (3.5%); Chantilly, Virginia (3.1%); Yigo, Guam (1.3%); various locations within the continental U.S. (CONUS) (2.4%); and various locations outside of the CONUS (8.6%), and is expected to be completed in May 2027. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $51,093,769; fiscal 2026 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $21,087,224; fiscal 2026 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,000,000; and RAAF Cooperative partner funds in the amount of $7,500,000, will be obligated at the time of award, $51,093,769 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This effort was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Young & Rubicam LLC, New York, New York, is awarded $84,020,164 for modification P00023, increasing the ceiling available to a previously awarded, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price contract (N00189-21-D-Z024). This modification will provide for marketing and advertising services in support of the Navy Recruiting Command advertising program. This modification will bring the estimated cumulative value of the total contract value from the previously modified $579,182,742 to $663,902,206. The original contract included a one-year base ordering period that began in May 2021 with four one-year ordering period options that was to end May 2026. The modification extends the contract’s performance period for eight months and as a result the ordering period will be completed by January 2026. The extension is pursuant to the authority of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.10302, unusual and compelling urgency. Work will be performed in Memphis, Tennessee (59%); and New York, New York (41%). No new funding will be obligated at time of award. Operations and maintenance (Navy) funds will fund individual orders with appropriate fiscal year appropriations at the time of their issuance. This contract modification action is being executed on a non-competitive basis pursuant to FAR 52.212-4. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk, Contracting Department Philadelphia Office, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity.  Central Maine Power, Augusta, Maine, is awarded a $44,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for electrical services at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine. These services include, but are not limited to, construction of substations, administration of transmission, distribution and supply services for electricity, metering, and energy services. Work will be performed at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine, and is expected to be completed by May 2036. Operations and maintenance, (Navy) contract funds will be obligated annually. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N4008526C0009). The Boeing Co., Huntington Beach, California, is awarded an $18,614,280 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-23-C-4103) to exercise Option Year Three for continued AN/USQ-82(V) program design agent and technical engineering support. This contract combines purchases for the Navy (93%) and the governments of Canada (3%); Australia (2%), Japan (1%); and Korea (1%), under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in Huntington Beach, California (68%); Bath, Maine (12%); Pascagoula, Mississippi (9%); Arlington, Virginia (6%); Annapolis Junction, Maryland (3%); and Tukwila, Washington (2%), and is expected to be completed by May 2027. Fiscal 2026 other procurement, (Navy) funds in the amount of $ $6,817,746 (37%); fiscal 2024 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,978,247 (11%); fiscal 2017 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,371,756 (7%); fiscal 2021 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,192,130 (6%); fiscal 2022 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,186,611 (6%); fiscal 2023 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,038,215 (5%); fiscal 2019 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $801,173 (4%); fiscal 2018 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $718,139 (4%); fiscal 2026 research, development, test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $681,851 (4%); fiscal 2020 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $672,694 (4%); FMS (Canada) funds in the amount of $527,383 (3%); FMS (Australian) funds in the amount of $456,972 (2%); fiscal 2026 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $356,165 (2%); FMS (Japan) funds in the amount of $256,959 (1%); fiscal 2016 shipbuilding and conversion (Navy) funds in the amount of $237,883 (1%); FMS (Korea) funds in the amount of $237,603 (1%); and FMS (Germany) funds in the amount of $82,754 (1%) will be obligated at time of award, and funds in the amount of $356,165 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.  BAE Space and Mission Systems Inc., Boulder, Colorado, was awarded a $9,847,465 hybrid cost plus fixed fee, firm fixed price modification to previously awarded contract (N0016424DJQ04) for sustainment, test, teardown, and evaluation and refurbishment support of the Stalker Long Range Electro Optic Sensor System AN/SAY-3 system. Work will be performed in Boulder, Colorado, and is expected to be completed by June 2027. Fiscal 2025 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $546,303 will be obligated on a delivery order after award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Indiana, is the contracting activity. (Awarded May 14, 2026). ARMY AECOM Services LLC, Arlington, Virginia (W91278-26-D-A048); Arcadis-Exp Federal JV, Highlands Ranch, Colorado (W91278-26-D-A049); Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co. Inc., Kansas City, Missouri (W91278-26-D-A050); BV-HDR SAM MILCON JV, Overland Park, Kansas (W91278-26-D-A051); CEMS Engineering Inc.,* Summerville, South Carolina (W91278-26-D-A052); Knight Architects Inc.,* Atlanta, Georgia (W91278-26-D-A053); Legacy-exp Federal JV LLC,* Birmingham, Alabama (W91278-26-D-A054); Michael Baker-International Stantec JV, Moon Township, Pennsylvania (W91278-26-D-A055); Perigee Prime AE SB JV23 LLC,* West Jordan, Utah (W91278-26-D-A056); Raymond Pond Federal Solutions JV LLC,* Conyers, Georgia (W91278-26-D-A057); RS&H-CEMS JC, Jacksonville, Florida (W91278-26-D-A058); Sherlock Smith & Adams Inc.,* Montgomery, Alabama (W91278-26-D-A059); Sherlock Smith & Adams-Clark Nexsen JV, Montgomery, Alabama (W91278-26-D-A060); and The Johnson-McAdams Firm P.A.,* Greenwood, Mississippi (W91278-26-D-A061), will compete for each order of the $499,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architect and engineering services to support planning, design and construction for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers South Atlantic Division, Mobile District, Military Design and Construction Program. Bids were solicited via the internet with 46 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of May 14, 2031. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District, is the contracting activity. Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, California, was awarded a $325,531,920 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for development of the RangeHawk universal payload architecture prototype, a high-altitude long endurance airborne test resource to improve agility and adaptability of high-speed systems test data collection, including prototype development, air vehicle modification, sensor integration, and logistics preparation for demonstration and validation. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in San Diego, California, with an estimated completion date of May 14, 2031. Fiscal 2026 research, development, test, and evaluation, Army funds in the amount of $65,657,001 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Orlando, Florida, is the contracting activity (W900KK-26-C-A002). General Dynamics Land Systems Inc., Sterling Heights, Michigan, was awarded a $229,652,638 fixed-price-incentive contract for procurement of 50 Stryker Double V-Hull A1 vehicles in support of Product Manager Stryker Brigade Combat Team. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2028. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity (W912CH-26-F-0292). Lockheed Martin Missile and Fire Control, Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded a $61,000,000 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for development and demonstration of the Missile Segment Enhancement Containerized Launcher and Remote Interceptor Guidance 360 Degrees Containerized System, including support for flight test execution, hardware-in-the-loop activities, and production of three RIG-360 Integrated Assemblies. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2027. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity (W31P4Q-26-F-0071). Red Point Construction LLC,* Palmer, Alaska, was awarded a $38,609,450 firm-fixed-price contract for a design-build project to renew and extend the service life of the distribution infrastructure within the utilidor serving the heating and water needs for the entire Clear Space Force Station, including removal and replacement of steam, condensate, and water piping and supports. With all options exercised, the total cumulative face value of the contract is $48,372,792. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work will be performed in Clear Space Force Station, Alaska, with an estimated completion date of May 5, 2030. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance, Defense-Wide funds in the amount of $38,609,450 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska District, is the contracting activity (W911KB-26-C-A016). Sardis Catering Inc., College Park, Maryland, was awarded a $9,899,754 firm-fixed-price contract for commercial food preparation and catering services to provide daily subsistence support to D.C. National Guard personnel operating from LSA Lincoln at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling and the D.C. Armory. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Washington, D.C., with an estimated completion date of June 28, 2026. Fiscal 2026 operations and maintenance, Army National Guard funds in the amount of $9,899,754 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Property and Fiscal Office, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity (W912R1-26-P-A005). Vertosoft LLC, Leesburg, Virginia, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract for a technical refresh solution to replace end-of-life IBM Netezza Performance Server hardware and software. The amount of this action is $9,837,124, with a total cumulative face value of $13,318,634. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of June 29, 2027. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Humphreys Engineer Center Support Activity, is the contracting activity (W912HQ-26-F-A094). (Awarded May 14, 2026). AIR FORCE Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Redondo Beach, California, has been awarded a $398,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for a satellite communication space vehicle. This contract provides for the development of the SATCOM space vehicle with launch and on-orbit support. Work will be performed at Redondo Beach, California; Dulles, Virginia; and various other locations in the U.S., and is expected to be completed by July 11, 2030. This contract was a sole source acquisition under the authority of 10 U.S. Code 4022. Fiscal 2025 research and development funds in the amount of $24,000,000; and fiscal 2026 research and development funds in the amount of $78,000,000, are being obligated at time of award. The Space Systems Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity (FA8807-25-C-B001).  DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY TRC Government Services LLC, Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been awarded a minimum $23,833,476 firm-fixed-price contract for hybrid optimization contractor-owned contractor-operated and government-owned contractor-operated retail and bulk fuel services at Schofield Barracks and Wheeler Airfield, Oahu, Hawaii. This was a competitive acquisition with two responses received. This is a four-year base contract with four five-year and one four-year six-month option periods with one option to extend not to exceed six months. The performance completion date is May 14, 2031. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia (SPE603‐26‐C‐5013). National Industries for the Blind,** Alexandria, Virginia, has been awarded a maximum $44,846,175 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for innerspring mattresses. This is a two-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is North Carolina, with a May 15, 2028, ordering period end date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2026 through 2028 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE1C1-26-D-B005).   UPDATE: W.S. Darley Co.,* Itasca, Illinois (SPE8EC-26-D-0017, $523,000,000) has been added as an awardee to the multiple award contract for fire and emergency vehicles, issued against solicitation SPE8EC-21-R-0005 and awarded July 24, 2023. The contracting activity is Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  *Small business **Mandatory source

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