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U.S. Naval Institute

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In 1911 pioneering pilot Eugene Ely advanced the nascent art of naval aviation with a historic first: actually landing a plane on a ship. https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2011/january/what-goes

What Goes Up . . .

In 1911 pioneering pilot Eugene Ely advanced the nascent art of naval aviation with a historic first: actually landing a plane on a ship.

www.usni.org

January 18, 2026 at 8:05 PM

U.S. Naval Institute

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#OTD in 1911, Eugene Ely became the first pilot to land a plane on a warship when he touched down on the armored cruiser USS Pennsylvania in San Francisco Bay. The Pennsylvania had been fitted with a special platform and a crude arresting system of ropes and sandbags. #FlyNavy

January 18, 2026 at 8:00 PM

U.S. Naval Institute

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The key to living longer is to never stop learning – stay sharp with Naval Institute books, virtual events, and Proceedings magazine. If you or a loved one is over 60, consider Senior Life membership – all the perks of life membership at 34% less. https://bit.ly/4jclh6U #discount #SeniorMembership

January 18, 2026 at 7:00 PM

U.S. Naval Institute

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#OTD in 1950, USS Missouri ran aground on Thimble Shoal in the Chesapeake Bay. The battleship remained stuck for two weeks until a fleet of 23 tugs and salvage vessels finally managed to free her. U.S. Air Force pilots joked that they tried to help by flying over and dropping oars.

January 17, 2026 at 6:15 PM

U.S. Naval Institute

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Today would have been James Earl Jones 95th birthday. Jones was an Army veteran who used the GI Bill to study acting before launching a career that included providing the voice for Darth Vader and portraying Admiral James Greer in The Hunt for Red October.

January 17, 2026 at 2:10 PM

U.S. Naval Institute

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Proceedings Photo of the Week: USCGC Polar Star (WAGB-10) sits hove-to amid Operation Deep Freeze 2026 as penguins pass by during ice liberty in the Ross Sea, 12 January 2026. U.S. Coast Guard (Christopher Bokum)

January 17, 2026 at 12:00 PM

U.S. Naval Institute

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Captivated by living history and challenged by the hard work required to operate such a ship, I relished the opportunity to sail on board the Eagle. https://bit.ly/3Yk9j1l

The Benefits of the Barque

Captivated by living history and challenged by the hard work required to operate such a ship, I relished the opportunity to sail on board the Eagle.

bit.ly

January 17, 2026 at 12:00 AM

U.S. Naval Institute

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It's Appreciate A Dragon Day. In 1960, the crew of USS Seadragon (SSN-584) played softball at the North Pole. The pitcher's mound was on the Pole so batters who hit a home run could circumnavigate the world as they passed through all time zones while rounding the bases. #AppreciateADragonDay

January 16, 2026 at 11:15 PM

U.S. Naval Institute

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#OTD in 1991, Operation Desert Shield became Operation Desert Storm as Saddam Hussein failed to meet the UN deadline for withdrawing Iraqi forces from Kuwait. The coalition launched a massive air campaign, prompting Hussein to declare that "the mother of all battles has begun."

January 16, 2026 at 10:25 PM

U.S. Naval Institute

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U.S., Japan Pledge to Expand Joint Training Across First Island Chain — USNI News
news.usni.org/2026/01/16/u...

U.S., Japan Pledge to Expand Joint Training Across First Island Chain - USNI News

The U.S. and Japan have pledged to further expand joint training across Japan’s southwest region, including the first island chain, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi...

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January 16, 2026 at 8:11 PM

U.S. Naval Institute

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Marines Training to Field Small Drones in Combat Units by Year’s End — USNI News
news.usni.org/2026/01/16/m...

Marines Training to Field Small Drones in Combat Units by Year's End - USNI News

The Marine Corps is ramping up new training courses with plans to field 10,000 small drones and equip its ground combat teams with the unmanned aircraft systems by the end of the year. The service wan...

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January 16, 2026 at 5:47 PM

U.S. Naval Institute

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GAO Report on Navy Operational Testing — USNI News
news.usni.org/2026/01/16/g...

GAO Report on Navy Operational Testing - USNI News

The following is the Jan. 15 2026, Government Accountability Office report, Navy Shipbuilding: Improving Warfighter Engagement and Tools for Operational Testing Could Increase Timeliness and Usefulnes...

news.usni.org

January 16, 2026 at 5:11 PM

U.S. Naval Institute

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The fleet cannot avoid the consequences of rising sea surface temperatures. https://bit.ly/49iIeka

January 16, 2026 at 12:00 AM

U.S. Naval Institute

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Billions in Funding Helps Coast Guard Rapidly Implement Force Design 2028 Modernization Efforts — USNI News
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Billions in Funding Helps Coast Guard Rapidly Implement Force Design 2028 Modernization Efforts - USNI News

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Coast Guard has spent close to $7.7 billion of the nearly $25 billion awarded to it by the Trump administration in July, investing in new hardware, infrastructure and personnel to...

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January 15, 2026 at 8:37 PM

U.S. Naval Institute

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Today is National Hat Day. Newly commissioned officers to toss away their midshipmen covers—a U.S. Naval Academy tradition since 1912. Children who rush to grab the discarded hats as souvenirs may also find money or inspirational messages inserted by the graduates. #NationalHatDay