IN THIS ISSUE A symbol of sacrifice: Honoring our Gold Star families this May Each year, we lose hundreds of military members to combat, illness, accidents, and suicide. In 2025 alone, the Navy lost 196 activeduty Sailors, leaving behind loved ones who now carry the title of a Gold Star family. Page A7
NORFOLK, Va. (April 28, 2026) – LEFT: A Sailor greets family after the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) returns to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, April 28, 2026, following an eight-and-a-half-month deployment supporting the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (IWO ARG) and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)-Special Operations Capable (SOC) mission in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations. CENTER: Lt. Brandon Foor greets his wife on the pier upon the ship’s return. RIGHT: Engineman 2nd Class Isaiah Wells greets his daughter upon the ship’s return. During the deployment the San Antonio supported Operation Southern Spear, conducted counter-narcotics and embassy reinforcement operations, and provided foreign humanitarian assistance to Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa. (U.S. NAVY PHOTOS BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS DEREK COLE)
USS San Antonio returns to Norfolk from U.S. 4th Fleet deployment Courtesy Story COMMANDER, U.S. 2ND FLEET
NORFOLK,Va.—First-in-classSanAntonio-classamphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) returned to its homeport in Norfolk, Virginia, April 28, 2026, after eight and a half months at sea supporting the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (IWO ARG) and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)-Special Operations Capable (SOC) mission in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations. San Antonio, alongside USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28), departed on Aug. 14, 2025. The three ships make up the IWO ARG and were among the first expeditionary naval assets called to support Operation
Southern Spear. While on mission in the Caribbean, San Antonio’s Sailors and Marines worked seamlessly to support national-level tasking with joint services and naval assets in the region to accomplish Department of War-directed operations and the President’s priorities, which included Enhanced Counter Narcotics Operations designed to protect the homeland. “The performance of our Navy-Marine Corps team during Operation Southern Spear was nothing short of exceptional,” said Capt. Tom Uhl, San Antonio’s commanding officer. “Our deployment to the 4th Fleet area of responsibility required immense focus, and I stand continually impressed by this crew’s dedication to the mission,” said Uhl. “From the moment we left the pier, they leveraged their rigorous
pre-deployment training to flawlessly execute enhanced counter-narcotics operations and seamlessly adapt to every contingency they faced in the region.” While in theater, San Antonio’s Sailors and Marines supported the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the President’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. The ship’s integrated team of Sailors and Marines stood ready as the backbone of support for Marines conducting embassy reinforcement in the region. The ship also executed contingency operations in the region, including disaster response efforts in Jamaica from Oct. 31 to Nov. 13, 2025, in the afterSee HOMECOMING on Page A2
NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic holds change of command ceremony; welcomes Capt. Dean Allen as Commanding Officer Courtesy Story NAVAL FACILITIES ENGINEERING SYSTEMS COMMAND MID-ATLANTIC
NORFOLK, Va. — Capt. Dean Allen relieved Capt. Ryan Carey as commanding officer of Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Mid-Atlantic (NAVFAC MIDLANT), May 8, during a Change of Command ceremony held at Naval Station Norfolk’s Vista Point. Rear Adm. Jorge Cuadros, Commander, NAVFAC Atlantic, served as the presiding officer and guest speaker, joined by family, friends, and colleagues of both incoming and outgoing leadership. “My charge to you is simple: lead this command in thinking, acting and operating differently, which is the only way we will continue to be relevant in meeting the Fleet and Marine Corps mission,” Cuadros told Allen before he assumed command. “You are a gifted leader, and you have my utmost respect, trust, and confidence. This is a pivotal time to command in the Navy and in NAVFAC. Our organization has changed tremendously over the last year, and more changes are ahead.” Cuadros also spoke about key areas that are needed to ensure future success in shore facilities’ growth. “Our leaders, and the warfighters we support, need us to be better. They need us to focus on our construction, engineering, and contracting mission while innovating to deliver the facilities and engineeringsolutionsoursupportedcommandersneed, when they need them,” he said. “That is the essence of our Acceleration and Affordability Campaign NORFOLK, VA (May 8, 2026) Capt. Dean Allen, commanding officer of Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) See CEREMONY on Page A5
Mid-Atlantic (NAVFAC MIDLANT), salutes as he is piped by the side boys at the NAVFAC MIDLANT Change of Command ceremony, May 8. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY DAVID TODD/RELEASED)
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NAVIFOR announces FY25 Sea and Shore Sailors of the Year at Hall of Heroes Page A6
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