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Navy Medicine conducts first of its kind Expeditionary Medical Unit afloat Operational Readiness Evaluation Page A5
NORFOLK, Va. (July 31, 2025) – Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) returns to Naval Station Norfolk. The ship’s return concludes a six-month deployment across multiple geographic theaters, including the U.S. 4th, 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY CHIEF MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST MATTHEW N. JACKSON)
USS Truxtun returns to Naval Station Norfolk from deployment to U.S. 4th, 5th, and 6th Fleets Courtesy Story COMMANDER, U.S. 2ND FLEET
NORFOLK, Va. (July 31, 2026) — Family members of Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guidedmissile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) pose for a group photo on Naval Station Norfolk, July 31, 2026. (U.S.
NORFOLK, Va. — Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) returned to Naval Station Norfolk on July 31, concluding an almost six-month deployment across multiple geographic theaters, including the U.S. 4th, 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations. “The Sailors of USS Truxtun demonstrated exceptional professionalism, technical expertise, and resilience while operating across three geographic theaters,
NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS JUSTIN MCTAGGART)
See HOMECOMING on Page A2
NECC marks 20 years with time capsule honoring Expeditionary legacy By Cathryn Lindsay NAVY EXPEDITIONARY COMBAT COMMAND
to shore. Over the past two decades, expeditionary Sailors have carried out a wide range of missions, including counter-improvised explosive device operations, mine countermeasures and maritime security in support of fleet and joint forces, as well as construction, logistics, diving and intelligence operations around the globe. “When NECC was established in January 2006, our Navy recognized a critical imperative: We needed to unify our expeditionary capabilities to meet the complex, rapidly evolving threats of a post-9/11 world,” Andros said. “Together, we forged a force unlike any other, adapting from the deserts of Iraq to the strategic waterways of the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East and the High North.” Representatives from across the expeditionary force brought forward artifacts reflecting their communities’ histories and contributions. Participating communities included VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (July 30, 2026) – U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Brad Andros, commander, Navy the Naval Construction Force, Explosive Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC), hands “The Commander’s Letter” to MasterOrdnance Disposal Forces, Maritime Expediat-Arms 3rd Class Ryan Needles, the youngest Sailor assigned to NECC, to be placed into tionary Security Forces, Navy Expeditionary NECC’s time capsule during a burial ceremony at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Logistics Support Group and Navy ExpediStory, July 30. Representatives from various NECC communities provided descriptions of tionary Warfighting Development Center. their items as they were added to the capsule to represent the rich history and combat Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Ryan Needles,
JOINTEXPEDITIONARYBASELITTLE CREEK-FORT STORY, Va. — Sailors and civilians assigned to Navy Expeditionary Combat Command gathered at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story on July 30 to bury a time capsule commemorating the command’s 20th anniversary and capturing a snapshot of the force for those who will carry the expeditionary mission forward. The capsule, buried near NECC headquarters, is scheduled to be opened in 2046 during the force’s 40th anniversary. Rear Adm. Brad Andros, commander of NECC, said the capsule is meant to connect today’s force with the Sailors and civilians who will inherit the mission in the years ahead. “Today, as we prepare to bury this time capsule, we are sending a message across time to the expeditionary Sailors of the year 2046,” Andros said. “The command may evolve, but the unbreakable warrior spirit of the expeditionary Sailor is forever etched in our DNA.” The Navy established NECC on Jan. 13, 2006, to bring its expeditionary capabilities under one command and field forces able to deploy quickly, operate in any environment readiness of the force. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS and support the joint force by bridging sea JACKSON ADKINS)
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See LEGACY on Page A2
VRC-40 holds sundown ceremony, closing the final chapter of the C-2A Greyhound era Page A4
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