Two Malaysian military helicopters collided and crashed during a training session on Tuesday, killing all 10 people on board, the navy said.The helicopters were rehearsing at a naval base in northern Perak state for the navy’s 90th anniversary celebration next month when the accident occurred, the navy said in a brief statement.“All victims were confirmed dead on site,” it said, adding that the remains have been sent to the hospital to be identified.A video circulating on social media purported to be of the incident showed several helicopters flying low in a formation. One of the helicopters veered sideways and clipped the rotor of another helicopter, causing both to plunge and crash.Seven crew members were aboard the AW139 maritime operation helicopter, the navy said. That aircraft is produced by AgustaWestland, which is a subsidiary of the Italian defense contractor Leonardo. Three other crew members were on a Fennec lightweight helicopter, manufactured by European multinational defense conglomerate Airbus.Local media reported that the AW139 crashed at a sports complex at the naval base, while the Fennec hit a nearby swimming pool.The navy said it will launch an investigation to determine what caused the accident.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia —
Two Malaysian military helicopters collided and crashed during a training session on Tuesday, killing all 10 people on board, the navy said.
The helicopters were rehearsing at a naval base in northern Perak state for the navy’s 90th anniversary celebration next month when the accident occurred, the navy said in a brief statement.
“All victims were confirmed dead on site,” it said, adding that the remains have been sent to the hospital to be identified.
A video circulating on social media purported to be of the incident showed several helicopters flying low in a formation. One of the helicopters veered sideways and clipped the rotor of another helicopter, causing both to plunge and crash.
Seven crew members were aboard the AW139 maritime operation helicopter, the navy said. That aircraft is produced by AgustaWestland, which is a subsidiary of the Italian defense contractor Leonardo. Three other crew members were on a Fennec lightweight helicopter, manufactured by European multinational defense conglomerate Airbus.
Local media reported that the AW139 crashed at a sports complex at the naval base, while the Fennec hit a nearby swimming pool.
The navy said it will launch an investigation to determine what caused the accident.
Global naval power is an essential aspect of a nation’s military strength, shaping the strategic geopolitical landscape.
The United States Navy maintains its position at the pinnacle of naval superiority due to its considerable fleet and advanced technological assets.
Other prominent navies include the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy and the Russian Navy, which continue to expand and modernize their fleets, thereby escalating their global influence.
European powers, like the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy and the French Navy, along with the navies of India, Japan, and South Korea, hold considerable positions in the rankings due to their strategic capabilities and regional command.
Key Takeaways
United States, China, Russia, United Kingdom, France, India, Japan, South Korea, Italy, Taiwan, with mentions of Turkey, Egypt, and Bangladesh.
Naval power rankings consider fleet size, advanced technology, operational capabilities, and global reach. I.
Naval budgets underpin fleet expansions and modernizations.
The strategic positioning of navies and their global bases enable rapid deployment and influence over key maritime regions.
Unmanned technologies and AI are revolutionizing naval warfare, enhancing precision and intelligence gathering.
Navies are engaging in international partnerships and adopting new technologies.
Overview
Naval strength is no longer gauged solely by the number of vessels but by a composite of factors that include offensive and defensive capabilities, fleet diversity, operational range, and logistical support. Strategic positioning and alliance networks also play essential roles. Assessing power requires looking at personnel training, maintenance quality, and the experience garnered through active deployments and exercises.
Technological Advancements
The adoption of unmanned technologies and AI in navies has drastically changed maritime warfare. Navies incorporate these advancements to improve reconnaissance, stealth, and weapons systems. It results in enhanced precision in targeting and richer intelligence gathering, allowing for more informed decisions during complex operations.
Budget and Expenditure
Naval budgets are critical for sustaining and expanding maritime prowess. The United States Navy continues to hold a significant budget fostering advancements in technology and fleet expansions. Likewise, emerging superpowers are substantially increasing their naval budgets, which allows for modernization and the acquisition of powerful submarine fleets and a greater number of surface vessels. These expenditures reflect the prioritization of maritime strength in global defense strategies.
1. United States Navy
The United States Navy consistently holds the top position for naval capabilities, buoyed by its vast array of advanced vessels and extensive operational reach.
Fleet Composition
The United States Navy’s fleet boasts some of the most cutting-edge and diverse vessels in the world. They maintain 11 nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, which is a significant number compared to other nations. These carriers serve as the cornerstone of their power projection capabilities. Alongside these behemoths are a multitude of other ships:
Submarines: Includes 68 nuclear-powered submarines, both ballistic and attack classes.
Destroyers: Comprises over 90 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers.
Cruisers: Operates 22 Ticonderoga-class cruisers with advanced Aegis combat systems.
Amphibious Assault Ships: Contains 9 American and Wasp-class vessels.
Support Vessels: Extensive auxiliary fleet including replenishment ships, tenders, and hospital ships.
Global Reach and Bases
The United States Navy sustains an unmatched global presence, facilitated by a network of naval bases and forward-deployed units. Key locations include:
Middle East: Bahrain serves as the hub for the 5th Fleet.
This extensive network enables rapid deployment of naval forces, underpinning their ability to respond to global crises and maintain open sea lines of communication.
Personnel and Size: The US Navy is the largest naval force globally, with 349,593 active personnel, 101,583 in ready reserve, and 279,471 civilian employees.
Fleet Composition: Features 480 ships, including 290 deployable combat vessels, and maintains a substantial logistics and support fleet with 50,000 non-combat vehicles.
Air Power: Commands over 2,623 manned aircraft, supporting a wide range of naval operations and strategic missions.
2. Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy
In 2024, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) maintains its standing as one of the world’s foremost naval forces, with significant advancements in both shipbuilding and regional influence.
Active Personnel: The PLAN has 300,000 active members, showcasing its large-scale manpower.
Aircraft and Ships: With over 600 aircraft and 537 ships, including 19 replenishment vessels and 79 submarines, the PLAN demonstrates extensive aerial and maritime capabilities.
Key Vessels: The fleet includes 3 aircraft carriers, 51 destroyers, 49 frigates, and 70 corvettes, highlighting its power projection and diverse operational capacities.
Shipbuilding Momentum
The PLAN’s continued focus on expanding and modernizing its naval capabilities is evident in its shipbuilding programs. It consistently launches advanced vessels across various classes, from destroyers to amphibious assault ships. Notably, the rapid commissioning of advanced surface combatants, including Type 055 destroyers, signifies a robust enhancement in maritime warfare technology and shipbuilding capacity.
Surface Combatants: — Type 055 guided-missile destroyers
Submarines: — Both nuclear and conventional types
Amphibious Assault Ships: — Capable of launching and supporting maritime operations
Area of Influence
The PLAN is not confined to its national boundaries but exhibits its power across regional seas and through an increasing presence in global waters. The strategic deployment of assets around vital maritime chokepoints, such as the South China Sea, underscores the navy’s intent to assert its influence far beyond the contiguous zones. Its expanding logistic and support network through the development of overseas military bases furthers its operational reach.
South China Sea: — Asserting claims and expanding presence
Global Reach: — Developing overseas bases for extended operations
3. Russian Navy
The Navy boasts a dedicated force of approximately 150,000 to 160,000 active personnel, underscoring its vast human resource commitment to maintaining and operating its extensive fleet.
Diverse Fleet Composition
Strategic Assets: It fields a significant number of submarines, including those capable of launching ballistic missiles, which form the backbone of Russia’s naval nuclear deterrence.
Surface Fleet: The Navy operates a wide array of surface vessels, from an aircraft carrier and cruisers to destroyers and corvettes, totaling over 355 ships.
Naval Aviation: With more than 355 aircraft, the Navy has a formidable aerial component, enhancing its reconnaissance, patrol, and combat capabilities.
Specialized and Auxiliary Vessels: The fleet is complemented by 56 patrol boats, 4 patrol ships, 18 special-purpose vessels, 60 landing craft, and 11 tank landing ships, among others according to navalnews.
Global Presence and Influence
The Russian Navy’s strategic deployments in key geopolitical areas highlight Russia’s commitment to safeguarding its maritime interests and exerting influence on international waters.
Modernization and Challenges
The Northern Fleet is undergoing extensive modernization, reflecting Russia’s emphasis on bolstering its Arctic presence according to CSIS. The fleet’s enhancement includes the incorporation of advanced icebreakers, new submarines, and cutting-edge surface vessels designed for the challenging Arctic environment.
Strategic Role
As a critical component of Russia’s defense strategy, the Navy not only secures the nation’s borders but also shapes regional dynamics and contributes to global security through its operational presence in international waters.
4. United Kingdom Royal Navy
The United Kingdom’s Royal Navy continues to assert its significance with advanced capabilities and global reach, with the Carrier Strike Groups being a pinnacle of its naval power, complemented by extensive overseas deployments.
Personnel and Capabilities: The Royal Navy, with 32,000 active personnel, operates a diverse and modern fleet, including two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers and nuclear-powered submarines, enhancing its global reach and strategic deterrence according to Royal Navy.
Fleet Composition: Comprises 72 ships and 160 aircraft, featuring a broad mix of vessels for varied operational needs, including 2 aircraft carriers, 10 submarines, 6 destroyers, and 12 frigates, highlighting its naval strength and versatility.
Global Role: Engages in international security efforts, joint operations, and plays a key role in supporting UK’s maritime interests and alliances, continuing its legacy as a pivotal maritime force.
Carrier Strike Groups
The Royal Navy fields its power through their prestigious Carrier Strike Groups, which center around the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. These state-of-the-art vessels are escorted by a fleet of Type 45 destroyers and Type 23 or 26 frigates, offering air defense and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. They are further supported by integral logistical support and submarine protection that enhances their operational endurance and sustainability.
Aircraft Carriers: HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMS Prince of Wales
Destroyers: Type 45 (e.g., HMS Defender)
Frigates: Type 23 (e.g., HMS Kent), Type 26 (e.g., HMS Glasgow)
The Royal Navy maintains a strong global presence through its overseas deployments, which enable it to project force, secure trade routes, and uphold international maritime law. Key areas of deployment include the Persian Gulf, where the UK has a naval facility in Bahrain, and the Asia-Pacific region, reflective of its commitment to freedom of navigation in vital waterways such as the South China Sea.
Persian Gulf: UK Naval Support Facility in Bahrain
Asia-Pacific: Continuous naval presence and exercises
Standing NATO Maritime Groups: Active participant
5. Indian Navy
In recent years, the Indian Navy has embarked on an ambitious journey to modernize and expand its naval capabilities, focusing on enhancing its blue-water operational capacity.
The Indian Navy’s expansion plans are geared towards achieving a 200-ship fleet by the end of the decade according to Economic Times. Central to these plans is the induction of the Vikrant-class aircraft carriers that will significantly boost the Navy’s power projection. They are also investing heavily in new destroyers, frigates, and submarines, including the Scorpene-class vessels, to strengthen their underwater warfare capability.
Strategic Partnerships
India has been actively engaging in strategic partnerships with major powers to augment its naval strength. A prime example is the agreement with Russia for the lease of nuclear-powered submarines, which offers a strategic edge in the Indian Ocean region. Collaborations with the United States, such as the Communications, Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA), are pivotal for the Indian Navy’s access to advanced communication systems and technologies.
Strategic Force: With 67,252 active and 75,000 reserve personnel, the Indian Navy is a key player in India’s defense and regional stability, emphasizing maritime security in the Indian Ocean as per CFR.
Fleet Diversity: Operates 150 ships, 300 aircraft, including 2 aircraft carriers, 16 attack submarines, and 13 frigates, highlighting its modern and versatile naval capabilities.
6. French Navy
The French Navy maintains a strategic nuclear deterrent force commonly known as the “Force de frappe.” At the core of this force are the Triomphant-class ballistic missile submarines. These submarines are equipped with M51 SLBMs (Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles) capable of delivering nuclear warheads over considerable distances, guaranteeing a second-strike capability in the nation’s nuclear deterrence policy.
Overseas Presence
The French Navy’s overseas presence is characterized by a network of bases across the globe, including facilities in the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean, and Pacific territories according to a study. Their fleet includes a range of surface vessels such as the Mistral-class amphibious assault ships and Aquitaine-class frigates, which are instrumental in projecting French naval power and upholding maritime security on an international scale. They routinely conduct operations focused on maritime surveillance, protection of French interests, and participation in multinational naval exercises.
Global Presence: With 37,000 active personnel, including 7,000 civilians, the French Navy upholds France’s maritime legacy through a modern fleet and global operations.
Key Assets: Operates over 180 ships and 178 aircraft, including nuclear submarines, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, and amphibious assault ships.
Strategic Operations: Focuses on power projection, anti-piracy, maritime surveillance, and international missions, supported by technological innovation and international cooperation.
7. Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) is recognized for its advanced technological capabilities and strategic focus on island defense. It engages extensively in international collaboration to enhance maritime security.
Island Defense Focus
The JMSDF operates with a clear strategic mandate: to protect Japan’s widespread archipelago. Japan’s geographic configuration necessitates a robust maritime force capable of quick deployment and sustained presence in the region’s surrounding waters. In pursuing its defense objectives, the JMSDF has developed an impressive fleet of ships and submarines, including its sophisticated Sōryū-class submarines, known for their stealth and advanced sonar capabilities.
International Collaboration
Japan’s naval strategy is not limited to national defense; the JMSDF also plays a significant role in international security. Engagements in joint exercises with allies, such as the United States, exemplify Japan’s commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The collaboration extends beyond exercises, including sharing of technology, intelligence, and strategic military assets to reinforce collective maritime capabilities.
Technological Prowess: The JMSDF, with 51,000 personnel, showcases advanced maritime capabilities with a modern fleet that includes destroyers, submarines, and helicopter carriers according to USNI news.
Strategic Focus: Prioritizes regional security, maritime surveillance, and disaster response, with helicopter carriers enhancing amphibious operations and defense capabilities.
International Engagement: Committed to fostering regional stability through international collaborations and joint exercises, despite constitutional limitations, ensuring Japan’s maritime interests and security in the Indo-Pacific.
The ROKN has a robust fleet that includes destroyers, frigates, corvettes, submarines, and amphibious assault ships. It maintains a focus on advanced anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities and mine countermeasure (MCM) operations to safeguard its territorial waters and sea lines of communication, especially in the face of regional threats.
Maritime Strength: The ROKN, with 70,000 personnel, showcases an advanced fleet of destroyers, submarines, and amphibious vessels, aimed at securing sea lanes and deterring aggression.
International Collaboration
The ROKN is involved in various international operations and training exercises to enhance interoperability with allies. It participates in RIMPAC, the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise, and frequently conducts joint exercises, especially with the United States Navy, highlighting a commitment to regional stability and collective security.
Collaborative Initiatives:
Joint Exercises: Regular participation in Foal Eagle and Key Resolve with strategic ally, the United States as per The Diplomat.
Humanitarian Missions: Active involvement in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) efforts across the globe.
9. Italian Navy
The Italian Navy ranks among the most capable maritime forces in Europe, with modern technological advancements and a respectable fleet size. The force maintains a significant presence in the Mediterranean Sea and is integral to Italy’s national defense and international obligations.
Manpower and Fleet
The Italian Navy is staffed by a professional and well-trained workforce, adept at operating a diverse array of vessels. Its fleet consists of aircraft carriers such as the ITS Cavour, modern FREMM-class frigates, and Type 212 submarines, reflecting Italy’s commitment to maintaining a balanced and technologically up-to-date naval force.
Aircraft Carriers: 2
Destroyers: 4
Frigates: 10
Submarines: 8
Patrol Ships and Boats: 10
Amphibious Assault Ships: 3
Strategic Maritime Force: 30,923 active personnel
International Collaboration
Italy’s naval force is actively engaged in various international collaborations, enhancing its operational capabilities and strategic reach. The navy participates in NATO maritime groups and contributes to multinational security operations. Italy has also partnered with France in the Horizon project, creating advanced air-defense destroyers that are a testament to European naval cooperation.
NATO Maritime Groups: Active participation
Horizon Project: 4 Destroyers (with France)
EU Navfor Operation: Active involvement in anti-piracy missions
10. Taiwanese Navy
The Taiwanese Navy stands as a significant maritime force within the East Asian region, focusing on modernization and strategic deterrence to offset regional tensions and maintain sovereignty.
Key Maritime Force: With 40,000 personnel, the Taiwanese Navy operates submarines, surface ships, and aviation assets, focusing on maritime security and regional stability.
Fleet Composition: Boasts a diverse fleet of 128 ships and 28 aircraft, including frigates, destroyers, and corvettes, underscoring its capability to protect national sovereignty.
Taiwan’s naval capabilities are undergoing a comprehensive modernization process aimed at bolstering their defensive posture in the East Asian region. It operates a fleet that includes Kee Lung-class destroyers, Cheng Kung-class frigates, and a variety of missile boats and submarines, all crucial for the island’s asymmetric maritime strategies. Their focus on anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) capabilities reflects the strategic need to deny or challenge adversaries’ naval operations in their territorial waters and the surrounding area.
3 More Worth Mentioning
11. Turkish Navy
Number of Units: 90
TvR (Total value Rating): 80.5
Serving as the maritime arm of the Turkish Armed Forces, the Turkish Navy has made significant strides in developing a robust domestic defense industry, underpinning ambitious naval projects. It possesses the capability to exert sea control in its adjacent waters.
A landmark development is the commissioning of the TCG Anadolu, a landing helicopter dock that has significantly enhanced the Turkish Navy’s global projection capabilities.
Capable of transporting over 700 naval infantry personnel, tanks, vehicles, and helicopters, the TCG Anadolu, inaugurated as the navy’s latest flagship on April 10, 2023, heralds a new chapter in Turkey’s naval operations.
12. Egyptian Navy
Number of Units: 107
TvR (Total value Rating): 72.4
Adopting a Western strategy for naval combat, the Egyptian Navy is tasked with safeguarding Egypt’s coastlines along the Mediterranean and Red Seas.
Submarines make up 7.5% of its total naval strength, highlighting its balanced force composition.
13. Bangladesh Navy
Number of Units: 50
TvR (Total value Rating): 58.6
The Bangladesh Navy plays a crucial role in protecting the nation’s maritime borders, spanning over 118,813 square kilometers.
Its primary missions involve defending key military installations, harbors, and economic zones, while also securing Bangladesh’s economic and military interests both domestically and internationally.
As the frontline force for disaster management within the country, the Bangladesh Navy additionally engages in humanitarian efforts globally, underscoring its dual role in national defense and international aid.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do current naval forces compare in terms of tonnage worldwide?
In terms of tonnage, the United States Navy remains at the forefront globally, with significant tonnage across its numerous naval units. The People’s Liberation Army Navy, representing China, also exhibits substantial tonnage due to its large fleet.
What advancements have been made in the most powerful navy ships ?
The most powerful navy ships, notably within the United States Navy, have seen advancements including the integration of new technologies such as unmanned systems, improved missile defenses, and the application of stealth features on vessels to enhance combat capabilities.
What is the ranking of European countries in terms of naval power for 2024?
European countries’ naval power sees the United Kingdom and France maintaining their lead, with modernized fleets featuring carriers and submarines. For detailed contemporary rankings, countries are listed on various defense and maritime-focused domains.
How does the size of the U.S. Navy compare to other leading navies?
The size of the U.S. Navy outmatches other leading navies, boasting a fleet that includes multiple aircraft carriers, destroyers, and submarines. China follows closely in terms of ship numbers, while Russia’s navy remains significant albeit smaller.
What historical naval power comparisons remain relevant in assessing 2024’s naval strengths?
Historical comparisons, while contextually different, still have relevance in 2024. Traditional metrics like ship count, tonnage, and firepower draw parallels to past hegemonies, showcasing the continued importance of robust maritime forces.
Conclusion
The significance of naval power remains evident in 2024, with various countries investing in advanced technologies and expanding their fleets. The United States Navy continues to lead with its unmatched global reach and technological superiority.
Collectively, these powerful navies illustrate shifts in the global maritime order, where traditional and emerging sea powers shape the dynamics of naval strength and presence. As they continue to adapt and evolve, these navies not only secure their nations’ maritime boundaries but also play pivotal roles in international security and global trade routes.
Disclaimer
All information presented in this text is based on our perspectives and experiences. The content is provided for informational purposes only and is a reflection of the personal views of the authors. We do not guarantee the accuracy or reliability of the information provided and shall not be held responsible for any inaccuracy, omissions, or inaccuracies.
Bill Murray surprised folks last week at Navy Pier during an event celebrating the movie Groundhog Hog Day held on Groundhog Day, Friday, February 2. Harry Caray’s Grant DePorter put the show together, reuniting members of the 1993 movie to honor the film’s director, Chicago native Harold Ramis. Ramis was also an investor at Harry Caray’s. The event marked the 10th anniversary of his death.
Luminaries like Sen. Dick Durbin attended as did Ramis’s wife, Erica Mann Ramis. She read a letter written by President Barack Obama. DePorter arranged an elaborate set as a tribute to the movie, giving folks a reason to visit Navy Pier. The winters are slow around most Chicago restaurants, but big crowds rarely fill Navy Pier during the colder months. DePorter sold movie-themed cocktails and brought in a groundhog from Woodstock, using the same animal handler that was used in the movie. Yes, there’s a possibility that this critter, nicknamed Chicago Harry, is related to the star of the movie. In a controversial ruling, Harry did see his shadow, thus sentencing Chicagoans to six more weeks of winter. Even if 40 degrees feels tropical right now.
But as the spring-starved crowd wiped their tears, Brian Doyle-Murray — who appeared in the movie as Buster Green — joined his brother and others to a toast to Harold Ramis, raising glasses of sweet vermouth. Check out the scene in the photos below.
Chicago Harry is the groundhog’s name.
Members of the movie’s cast, plus Chicago aldermen, and Harold Ramis’s wife, Erica Mann Ramis, celebrated on February 2 at Navy Pier.
Actor Brian Doyle Murray, who played Buster in Groundhog Day, reenacts a scene from the movie.
The groundhog saw its shadow.
Sen. Dick Durbin speaks at the event.
Chicago Harry and its handler.
Harold Ramis was also an investor at Harry’s.
A group of Ghostbusters superfans also attended when they heard about Bill Murray’s involvement.
John Dickerson reports on the U.S. Navy shooting down missiles in the Red Sea, a standstill over a possible Senate border deal, and a political divide between Gen Z men and women.
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U.S. Navy commanders told CBS News that the Navy hasn’t operated under fire in a weapons engagement zone, like it has in the Red Sea, since World War II. “CBS Evening News” anchor and managing editor Norah O’Donnell has more.
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CBS News was taken aboard the USS Arleigh Burke in the Mediterranean Sea Friday, part of a combined 4,000-strong force of U.S. Marines and sailors deployed across the region as the U.S. continues its efforts to deter attacks from Yemen’s Houthi rebels on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. Charlie D’Agata reports.
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The USS Bataan, an amphibious warship carrying 2,000 Marines, has been center stage for U.S. military action in the Mediterranean Sea. The Marines should have sailed home by now, but the war in Gaza and the regional repercussions it triggered have kept them there. Charlie D’Agata reports from the USS Bataan.
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A Navy officer who had been jailed in Japan over a car crash that killed two Japanese citizens was released from U.S. custody on Friday, one month after he was returned to the United States and placed in a federal prison, his family said.
Lt. Ridge Alkonis was ordered released by the U.S. Parole Commission, according to the Justice Department and a family statement that described the extra detention in a Los Angeles detention facility as “unnecessary.” In total, he spent 537 days locked up either in Japan or the U.S.
“He is now back home with his family, where he belongs. We will have more to say in time, but for now, we are focused on welcoming Ridge home and respectfully ask for privacy,” the statement said. Alkonis’s family is from Southern California.
FILE – Derek and Suzi Alkonis pose with a photo of their son, Lt. Ridge Alkonis, on June 1, 2022, in Dana Point, Calif.
Denis Poroy / AP
The federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed in a separate statement that he had been released.
Alkonis was released from Japanese custody last month while serving a three-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to the negligent driving deaths of a woman and her son-in-law in May 2021.
Alkonis’ family has said the crash was an accident that was caused when he lost consciousness while on a trip to Mount Fuji. Japanese prosecutors maintained that he fell asleep while drowsy and shirked a duty to pull over as he became fatigued.
“But he wasn’t tired,” Alkonis’ wife, Brittany Alkonis, told CBS News in a July 2022 interview. “He was fine and alert. He had even noticed that I was at risk of getting car sick and told me to be careful.”
Neither the Japanese police nor the U.S. Navy conducted a full medical exam during the 26 days he was in detention before he was charged.
“I’m really angry,” Brittany said in her interview. “We’ve been told that this is the most egregious action against a service member in 60 years.”
He was transferred in December into the custody of the Bureau of Prisons through a Justice Department program that permits the relocation of prisoners convicted in another country back to their home nation. The program stipulates that the sentence cannot be longer than the one imposed by the foreign government.
His family said no prison time was appropriate and protested the detention in Los Angeles.
The Parole Commission, which determines the release dates in the case of returning Americans, said that it had concluded that Alkonis was lawfully convicted in Japan of negligent driving causing death or injury and that the conviction was most similar in the U.S. criminal code to involuntary manslaughter.
But though U.S. sentencing guidelines recommended that a sentence of ten to 16 months be served if Alkonis had been convicted of the same crime in the U.S., the Parole Commission also determined that the amount of time he had already been jailed would have exceeded the applicable guideline range.
“Thus, as of January 12, 2024, the Commission ordered that he be immediately released from custody based on the time he had already served,” the Parole Commission said in a statement.
The U.S. and United Kingdom on Thursday launched military strikes on Iranian-back Houthi targets in Yemen in retaliation for dozens of recent Houthi attacks targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea. Nancy Cordes has more from the White House.
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A U.S. Navy warship shot down several drones launched toward commercial ships in the Red Sea. Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for the attacks. David Martin reports.
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The Navy released a $1.5 million plan to remove a surveillance plane that overshot a runway at a military base in Hawaii and splashed into Kaneohe Bay, which is home to coral reefs, a breeding ground for hammerhead sharks and a University of Hawaii marine biology research institute.
The salvage operation is estimated to be in that price range, a Navy spokesperson confirmed to CBS News, and “about $200,000 has been spent as of Dec. 1.”
The Navy spokesperson said they will have “more accurate figures after the salvage operation is complete but are focused on safely recovering the aircraft, protecting the environment, and doing it in a way the retains the aircraft’s combat capability.”
The U.S. Navy plans to use inflatable cylinders to lift and roll a jet plane off a coral reef in Hawaii before removal from the ocean waters where the aircraft crashed on Nov. 20.
The Navy released a $1.5 million plan to remove a surveillance plane that overshot a runway at a military base in Hawaii and splashed into Kaneohe Bay,
U.S. Navy
Rear Adm. Kevin Lenox, the commander of Carrier Strike Group 3 who is leading the salvage effort, said Friday he is confident the operation can be carried out without further damaging the reef.
The P-8A slammed into an environmentally sensitive bay about 10 miles from Honolulu when it overshot the runway at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. None of the nine people on board at the time were injured. The Navy is investigating the mishap.
The Navy released underwater video on Wednesday showing landing gear wheels resting on parts of crushed coral and much of the rest of the plane floating above the reef in Kaneohe Bay.
A Navy team already has removed nearly all of the estimated 2,000 gallons of fuel that was on the aircraft.
Lenox said he expected the removal operation to get underway on Saturday. He didn’t want to commit to a date when the work would be done given the weather and other conditions that could affect the timeline.
Contractors began sliding the bags under the plane on Friday. When inflated, the bags will float across the water toward the runway. When they reach land, machines will pull and roll them onto and across the runway.
Experts prepare for salvage operation of U.S. Navy surveillance plane stuck on Hawaiian coral reef.
U.S. Navy
Lenox said it’s possible one of the bags may touch a small band of coral but that is not guaranteed.
The force of the plane will be distributed across the entire area of the bags, so there will only be 3 to 5 pounds (1.3 to 2.3 kilograms) of pressure on any given point where they touch the ground, he said, noting that was significantly less than a person standing on the ground.
“We have high confidence that we will be able to execute this whole thing with no further impact to the ecosystem here,” Lenox said.
Hawaii state officials are due to examine the reef for damage once the plane is removed.
Kaneohe Bay is home to coral reefs and a range of marine life, from sharks to octopus and fish. The area hosts an ancient Hawaiian fishpond being restored by community groups.
Contractors performed a similar feat when they removed a barge weighing 1,000 tons from sensitive seagrass habitat in the Outer Banks of North Carolina after Hurricane Florence in 2015. The plane, about 60 tons is much lighter than the barge, Lenox said.
The Navy considered floating the jet within range of a crane on the runway and then lifting the plane onto land. But Lenox said the inflatable cylinder option was the safer method, was expected to have little to no effect on the coral and would not impact the aircraft.
The airplane is in good condition and the Navy hopes to get it flying again, Lenox said.
The Navy uses the P-8A, the military’s version of a 737 jet, to search for submarines and conduct surveillance and reconnaissance.
The Boeing-made plane is assigned to Patrol Squadron 4 stationed at Whidbey Island in Washington state. A separate crew from Whidbey Island has deployed to Hawaii to take over the squadron’s patrol missions near Hawaii.
“I am pleased to inform the public that the final hotspot at the Navy Hangar Fire has been extinguished,” Steve Dohman, Orange County’s All-Hazards Incident Management Team incident commander, said in a statement. “With all hotspots now declared out, the work to safely lower the hangar doors can begin, and the Navy can start removing debris from its site.”
An 80-year-old relic of Orange County’s military history, the massive 17-story wooden hangar became an environmental nightmare as the fire reignited several times, forcing the closure of nearby schools and shuttering residents inside their homes as the blaze released asbestos, lead and other toxins into the air.
As of Friday, officials estimated that cleanup of nearby schools, parks, open space and public rights of way was 90% complete and that more than 50% of residential properties have been inspected with 35% cleared.
Local officials advised residents who are concerned about debris to contact a certified asbestos contractor and their homeowners insurance company.
“The residents and businesses in the area who have been impacted by this fire now need the full accountability of the Navy and the support of the Governor’s Office and FEMA to help our City and our community financially recover,” Tustin Mayor Austin Lumbard said in a statement.
The north hangar was one of two massive wooden structures used by the military during World War II and later served as sets for the TV show “Star Trek” and the film “Pearl Harbor.” The hangars once housed military helicopters and blimps armed with machine guns and bombs.
New underwater video was released of a Navy spy plane which overshot a runway in Hawaii and landed in a bay. The video shows the tires of the plane sitting on an ecologically-sensitive reef. The Navy is trying to consider how to safely remove the plane.
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The flight data recorder of a large U.S. Navy plane that overshot a runway and ended up in the water near Honolulu this week has been recovered as the military continues to plan for the aircraft’s removal.
The surveillance plane flying in rainy weather overshot a runway Monday at a military base in Hawaii and splashed into Kaneohe Bay, but all nine aboard were uninjured, authorities said.
The Navy’s Aircraft Mishap Board is investigating on scene at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, trying to determine the cause of the accident and any contributing factors, the Navy said Friday in a statement. Marine Corps Base Hawaii is about 10 miles from Honolulu on Oahu. The base houses about 9,300 military personnel and 5,100 family members. It’s one of several key military installations on Oahu.
Sailors from a mobile diving and salvage unit retrieved the data recorder Thursday and conducted a hydrographic survey to assess the P-8A plane’s structural integrity. The recorder contains data on flight parameters such as altitude, airspeed, and other important information.
Aircraft expert Peter Forman told Hawaii News Now the runway at the base is shorter, and bad weather and winds may also have played a part.
The survey also assessed the coral and marine environment around the plane, which will aid them in minimizing impact during its removal, the Navy said.
Kaneohe Bay residents have expressed concerns about possible coral reef damage and other potential harm from fuel or other chemicals in the area, which is about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) from an ancient fishing point.
The Navy said it has put primary and secondary containment booms around the airplane, along with other absorbent materials. Specially trained personnel are monitoring the area 24 hours a day.
The P-8A is often used to hunt for submarines and for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering. It is manufactured by Boeing and shares many parts with the 737 commercial jet.
The plane belongs to the Skinny Dragons of Patrol Squadron 4, stationed at Whidbey Island in Washington state. Patrol squadrons were once based at Kaneohe Bay but now deploy to Hawaii on a rotating basis.
Another crew from Washington state, the VP-40 Fighting Marlins, arrived Thursday to assume homeland defense coverage, the Navy said.
During World War I, Black soldiers like David Brewer’s grandfather were not allowed in combat. Instead, they lugged cargo, dug trenches and buried the dead for the U.S. Army.
But as the Western Front continued to churn out the dead, France welcomed a group of Black Americans in 1918 to fight under their country’s banner.
The group became known as the Harlem Hellfighters — one of the most renowned Black regiments in history.
Brewer’s grandfather Sylvester Calhoun didn’t fight, but he helped the estimated 4,500 Black soldiers in France who turned the tide of the war.
In 2014, Brewer, a retired vice admiral in the Navy — only the fifth African American to attain the rank — flew to France with his 94-year-old mother so she could see where her father had served with her own eyes.
Actor Dennis Haysbert, left, moderated the panel of retired military leaders including the Air Force’s Lt. Gen. Stayce Harris and Maj. Gen. John F. Phillips, speaking.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
The pair found delight at the sounds of jazz on city streets — just one influence of the Black soldiers who came to France for the Great War.
During World War II, Brewer’s uncle fought in the U.S. Army in Italy. Brewer’s father did not see combat during his service, but settled in Tuskegee, Ala., for his studies.
“His classmate,” Brewer said, “was Gen. Chappie James” — the first Black man to become a four-star general in any U.S. military branch.
Former lawmaker Mark Ridley-Thomas, right, chats with retired Navy Vice Adm. David Brewer, center, and Marine Corps Reserve Maj. Gen. Leo V. Williams III after the panel discussion.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
On Wednesday, as Veterans Day neared, Brewer and five other Black military leaders brought their stories to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. They spoke about the long and rich history of Black service members.
“Believe it or not,” philanthropist Bernard Kinsey said, many Black soldiers received the Medal of Honor for their heroics in the the Civil War.
And Black troops — “‘colored,’ we were called then,” Kinsey clarified — “dominated getting recognized until Jim Crow.”
The Veterans Day panel was organized by Kinsey’s family, renowned as art collectors. The event included a tour of the historic art, poems and artifacts — like a 1924 photograph of 28 Black Los Angeles firefighters — from the Kinsey Collection that will hang in the halls of SoFi until March.
The heroics of Henry Johnson, who earned the nickname “Black Death” in May 1918, were highlighted at Wednesday’s event.
Fighting on the edge of France’s Argonne Forest, Johnson saved a fellow soldier from capture using grenades and his rifle as a club. And using a bolo knife, he prevented a German raid from reaching his French allies.
Overseas, Johnson and compatriot Needham Roberts received the Croix de Guerre — France’s highest award for valor. But back home in America, the Army refused to recognize Johnson, who was wounded 21 times in the battle.
Discharge records did not mention his debilitating injuries, and the Army would notaward him a Purple Heart.
Johnson died in 1929 at the age of 32 of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle. In 2015, President Obama posthumously awarded Johnson the Medal of Honor.
Although Johnson’s bravery overseas didn’t immediately ease the hardships that he and his peers faced when they returned home, he helped pave the way for prominent commanders in years to come.
In 1940, Benjamin O. Davis Sr. became the Army’s first Black general.
But the belief that Black people could not succeed as officers, or sailors, lingered for years more, Brewer said. In 1944, naval commanders finally launched an officer training course for 16 of the estimated 100,000 Black sailors in the U.S. Navy.
Every one of them passed the course, according to Navy records.
But only 12 were selected as officers. A 13th was made a chief warrant officer, resulting in the group’s nickname: “The Golden 13.”
Twenty-eight years later, in 1970, Brewer joined the Navy, which at the time had no Black admirals.
“And only five – five — Black sailors had achieved the rank of Navy captain by 1970,” he added.
This year marks 75 years since the U.S. military desegregated, and the numbers still aren’t where they should be, according to the panel of prestigious Black officers.
As Brewer told it, President Truman only integrated the military after Isaac Woodard, a young Black Army sergeant, was dragged off a Greyhound bus on the way home to South Carolina after serving in World War II.
Still in uniform, just hours after being honorably discharged, Woodard was beaten blind and arrested.
The panel of retired military leaders gave credit to the Black service members who came before them and made it possible for them to become high-ranking officers.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
“It was in my wife’s hometown — [in] Fairfield County, South Carolina,” Brewer shared with veterans, students and dignitaries who traveled from as far as Washington, D.C., for the panel.
The country was outraged, and in July 1946, Truman issued Executive Order 9981, abolishing discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion or national origin in the United States armed forces.
Even then, it took six years for the Army to fully integrate, said Maj. Gen. Thomas Bostick — a Black commanding general of the Army Corps of Engineers.
Bostick’s father was an orphan at 8 years old, living in Brooklyn, moving from foster home to foster home. “He never really had a family,” Bostick said, until he joined an all-Black unit in the Army at age 17.
He was able to move up the ranks to master sergeant, serving for more than two decades.
“Can you all imagine doing anything for 26 ½ years?” Bostick asked a group of Junior ROTC cadets from John C. Fremont High School in South Los Angeles.
Maj. Gen. Leo V. Williams III of the Marines remembered his father served as a steward in the Navy for 38 years “and retired as one of the senior Black enlisted folks in the Navy.”
The Marine Corps, on the other hand, “was so far behind the other services that you can’t even begin to compare,” Williams said.
When his now ex-wife told her father that she’d be marrying a Black Marine Corps officer, “he said, ‘He’s a liar,’” Williams recalled. “That was 1970.”
“It’s a history that we have crawled our way slowly forward,” he added. “But you have to understand the history to understand how difficult it may be to make moves based on the culture of your institution.”
Williams bid farewell to the Junior ROTC Marines with a ringing “Oorah” as he departed the stage.
Ruth Murcia, left, and fellow Marine Corps Junior ROTC students from John C. Fremont High School join retired Maj. Gen. Williams, one of the panelists, at the exhibit of items from the Kinsey Collection.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
Ruth Murcia, a junior at Fremont High, waited for a chance to speak with Williams. The silver lieutenant discs on her uniform collar quickly caught his eye.
Her family background is steeped in military tradition, but Murcia fears the journey won’t be as easy as loved ones make it sound. She explained that she’s on the fence about joining the armed forces.
Williams advised Murcia to head into the military as an officer, a path made possible by ROTC programs across the country.
Army and Air Force leaders recognized the potential of Black recruits and began placing ROTC units at historically Black universities like Howard as early as 1917. But the Navy refused to host a program of its own until President Lyndon B. Johnson forced the issue in 1968, Brewer said.
The president, a native Texan, placed the unit in his home state at Prairie View A&M.
In 1970, Brewer became one of 13 graduates in the university’s inaugural ROTC class.
“We call it the Prairie View Naval ROTC Golden 13,” Brewer said. “It’s ironic how history repeats itself.”
Bostick, having served as the Army’s head of personnel, said he didn’t aspire to join the military as a child growing up in Japan and Germany.
College was his calling.
“I watched my dad fight two wars. He was always away,” Bostick said. “I didn’t want to do that.”
Bostick fortunately found an ally who helped him become one of six Black engineers out of 4,000 graduates at West Point to complete their coursework.
“In 221 years, there’s been one Black chief of engineers from West Point. That’s me — I don’t know how I got there,” Bostick said with a chuckle.
After 38 years of service, the Army tapped Bostick to address the lack of diversity in the Corps of Engineers, he said.
Bostick called 25 generals into a room to see whom he could promote. There was one white woman, and he was the lone Black face in the room.
He then called in 42 colonels.
“There’s one Asian and there’s one Black female,” Bostick said.
Then he said: “Give me the top 25 captains.” There was one Black man and one white woman.
“So then I go back to West Point, and I’m welcoming 127 cadets that picked the Corps of Engineers. There’s two Black males,” Bostick added.
He wryly told the Army that he estimated he’d have the diversity problem fixed by 2048.
A U.S. Navy warship in the Red Sea intercepted several missiles and drones launched from Yemen, sparking concerns the U.S. could get pulled into a wider war in the Middle East. David Martin reports.
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The felony convictions of four former Navy officers in one of the worst bribery cases in the maritime branch’s history were vacated Wednesday due to questions about prosecutorial misconduct, the latest setback to the government’s years-long efforts in going after dozens of military officials tied to Leonard Francis, a defense contractor nicknamed “Fat Leonard.”
U.S. District Judge Janis Sammartino called the misconduct “outrageous” and agreed to allow the four men to plead guilty to a misdemeanor and pay a $100 fine each.
The surprising turn in the case came at a sentencing hearing in federal court in San Diego.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Ko, who was brought on after the defendants were tried last year, admitted to “serious issues” with prosecutorial misconduct and asked the judge to vacate the officers’ felony convictions.
He said his office does not agree with all of the allegations but said errors were made.
Andrew Haden, acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern California District, reiterated that in a statement after the hearing.
“As stated in court, we do not agree with all the allegations or characterizations in the motions or in court,” Haden said. “We recognize and regret, however, that errors were made, and we have an obligation to ensure fairness and justice. The resolutions of these defendants’ cases reflect that.”
Haden added that it “is also significant that the four officers who stood before the court today admitted for the first time, under oath, that they broke the law and are guilty of crimes related to their official duties.”
The officers —former Capts. David Newland, James Dolan and David Lausman and former Cmdr. Mario Herrera— were previously convicted by a federal jury on various counts of accepting bribes from Francis, a foreign defense contractor, and his company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia, or GDMA.
On Wednesday, three of them pleaded guilty to one count each of disclosing information, and Lausman pleaded guilty to a charge of destruction of government property, for smashing a hard drive with a hammer.
Nearly two dozen Navy officials, defense contractors and others have been convicted and sentenced on various fraud and corruption charges in the scandal.
Several others are awaiting sentencing next month. It’s not clear if this could jeopardize those cases.
Francis admitted to buying off dozens of top-ranking officers with booze, sex, lavish parties and other gifts. Prosecutors say he bilked the Navy out of more than $35 million.
An undated mug shot of Leonard Francis, also known as “Fat Leonard.”
U.S. Marshals Service via AP
Three weeks before the Malaysian defense contractor faced sentencing last year, Francis made a stunning escape, snipping off his ankle monitor and fleeing the San Diego residence where he had been under house arrest.
The escape was also seen by some as a misstep by the prosecution for allowing him to not be held behind bars. He was later captured in Venezuela, where he remains.
The four former officers had served in the Navy’s 7th Fleet in the Eastern Pacific, where Francis’ company supplied ships for decades.
Francis was arrested in a San Diego hotel in September 2013 as part of a federal sting. Investigators say he and his company, Glenn Defense Marine Asia, bribed officers so he could overcharge for supplying ships or charge for fake services at ports he controlled in Southeast Asia.
The case, which delved into salacious details about service members cheating on their wives and seeking out prostitutes, was an embarrassment to the Pentagon. The U.S. attorney’s office handled the prosecution, offering independence from the military justice system.
Defense attorney Todd Burns, who represented Dolan, said his client was relieved to have this behind him. He and defense attorneys for the three other men had filed hundreds of pages outlining how the months-long trial was rife with misconduct from prosecutors hiding evidence, ignoring false testimony and concealing facts that questioned the credibility of key witnesses.
“The government has a massive amount of power to coerce things, and that power is still evident in this context,” Burns said.
He said his client agreed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor after a decade of fighting the allegations against him, “bleeding legal fees” and enduring stress on his family.
“These four guys were facing what was going to be sentences by the original prosecutors that were going to be absolutely devastating financially and custody-wise,” he said. “Then they were offered a deal to plead to a misdemeanor and a $100 fine to walk away and end this brutal chapter.”
The men spent more than a year asking for a retrial. Theirs was the only case to go to trial out of the more than two dozen defendants charged. The jury deadlocked and reached no verdict on charges against a fifth defendant, retired Rear Adm. Bruce Loveless, and prosecutors later dropped those charges.
In 2001, a US Navy submarine performed an emergency ballast blow maneuver to impress VIP civilians onboard. It surfaced at high speed directly under a Japanese fishery high-school training ship and sank it, killing nine on board; four high school students, two teachers, and three crew members.
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