Source: United States Navy

The competition, held during the Department of Defense Maintenance Symposium in Salt Lake City, showcased five finalists presenting innovative solutions aimed at improving military sustainment and readiness. Attendees selected FRCSW’s cold spray technology as the standout innovation.

Presented by FRCSW materials engineer Matthew Chu, cold spray technology addresses critical challenges posed by corrosion and mechanical wear on aircraft components. The repair process uses a high-velocity gas stream to accelerate metallic powder particles, forming durable coatings that restore damaged surfaces. The technology has already saved millions of dollars by extending the life of components that would otherwise require costly replacements.

“Cold Spray is revolutionizing how we maintain and sustain fleet readiness,” Chu said during his presentation. “It’s a practical, cost-saving solution that addresses immediate repair needs and enhances long-term operational efficiency.”

FRCSW competed against four other finalists:

• Enhancing Field Repair Capabilities through Mixed Reality by Stephanie Bryan, Marine Depot Maintenance Command

• Expeditionary Cold Spray by Jeff Campbell, NAVSEA 05T

• On-Aircraft Cold Spray to Optimize Maintenance and Reduce Logistics by Matthew Chu, FRCSW

• Repair Technology Exercise by Mathew VanRavenhorst, NAVSEA 05T

• XtruJog by Vis Madhavan, Fairmount Technologies, LLC

Cold Spray has proven to be a game changer for the Navy, restoring components previously deemed irreparable while improving fleet readiness and reducing reliance on limited supply chains. Hundreds of parts have already been repaired using this technology, with optimized procedures ensuring consistent quality.

As a winner of the People’s Choice Award, FRCSW received $50,000 in in-kind support from the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS) to further demonstrate and advance this innovative technology.

FRCSW’s victory highlights its role as a leader in maintenance innovation, delivering solutions that reduce costs, enhance readiness and set a new standard for sustaining the modern fleet.

Source: United States Navy

“I couldn’t be more proud of the Cheyenne crew and the men and women of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for all the work to achieve this significant milestone,” said Cheyenne Commanding Officer Cmdr. Kyle Calton. “Undocking is one of the most meaningful events in our overhaul period, returning Cheyenne to the water where she belongs and putting a huge gust of wind in our sails as we prepare to return to sea.”

Cheyenne has undergone major repairs, structural inspections, and replacements of mechanical and electrical systems. This extensive work, led by the project team, has enhanced the submarine’s capabilities, ensuring advanced systems are delivered to warfighters at the tip of the spear. These efforts contribute to the fleet’s operational readiness and support national defense priorities.

As Cheyenne’s undocking is a significant achievement, it’s especially noteworthy considering the ongoing construction work of the multi-mission dry dock project as part of the Navy’s Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program. It also underscores the innovative approach of the nation’s public shipyards to meet the chief of naval operations’ goals of restoring critical infrastructure and increasing the number of combat-ready platforms available to the fleet.

“Reaching the undocking milestone is a big win during any maintenance availability. The efforts on Cheyenne are even more impressive as the team executed their highly complex work amid an active construction zone for our multi-mission dry dock,” said shipyard commander Capt. Michael Oberdorf. “It’s like cooking Thanksgiving dinner while renovating your kitchen – it requires thoughtful planning, coordination, and superb execution. Cheyenne’s undocking underscores our shipyard’s commitment to not only meet our current mission but ensures we can meet the future needs of America’s warfighting Navy to support and defend our nation.”

“I am incredibly proud of the men and women of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and the crew of Cheyenne for all their hard work to complete the work necessary to undock on-time,” said Cheyenne project superintendent Jerry Legere. “They met every challenge head-on with tenacity and selflessness – they are all heroes. Through this incredible effort we have postured Cheyenne to be delivered as a fully mission capable submarine operated by a highly skilled crew ready to answer the nation’s call.”

Attack submarines are multi-mission platforms that enable five of the six core capabilities of the Navy’s maritime strategy: sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence. They are designed for excellence in anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, strike warfare, special operations, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare, and mine warfare. Attack submarines also project power ashore through special operations forces and Tomahawk cruise missiles, playing a critical role in preventing or preparing for regional crises.

As the Navy’s leader in attack submarine maintenance and modernization, PNSY enhances critical warfighting capabilities by safely delivering first-time quality work, ensuring our undersea warf-ighters are battle-ready when called upon.

Source: United States Navy

At the direction of the President to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Defense (DOD), U.S. military service members are supporting Illegal Aliens holding operations led by DHS at NGSB. U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) has set up Joint Task Force Southern Guard at the Naval Station to execute the directive.

“The Naval Station is fully committed to ensuring we have the infrastructure and resources in place to support this vital mission,” said Capt. Michael Stephen, Commander, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. “From the moment we received the mission, our team has worked with urgency, executing contingency plans, and rapidly strengthening our capabilities.

“The level of teamwork—both within the base and across the joint force—has been outstanding,” said Stephen “Everyone is engaged, working together seamlessly to tackle challenges and ensure we’re ready for what’s ahead. The progress we’ve made in such a short time is a testament to their dedication and professionalism,” he said.

As the United States’ oldest overseas military installation, established in 1903, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay is in the USSOUTHCOM Area of Responsibility. U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. Fourth Fleet serves as USSOUTHCOM’s maritime component commander and therefore has responsibilities in contingency plans involving the naval station. U.S. Navy Region Southeast manages and oversees shore installation support for the naval station as it does for a total of 18 Navy bases in the Southeast region.

“We are very proud of our Sailors, Marines and civilians who have responded to this contingency plan at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, which is a critical forward-operating base that enables the United States to maintain a persistent presence in the Caribbean,” said Rear Adm. Sardiello. “This mission exemplifies how we integrate and deploy all-domain combat power to respond to crises, maintain regional security, and protect U.S. interests.”

Military service members and contractors have provided the manpower and organization to accommodate thousands’ illegal aliens. Additional phases of expansion will follow to meet the President’s directive to host up to 30,000 illegal aliens. This work includes the construction of large, secure tent facilities to house illegal aliens, the installation of high-security fencing and barriers to protect all personnel, and a huge increase in providing essential services, including food, medical care, and housing, to all DOD and DHS personnel. The Navy is also delivering comprehensive logistical support, ensuring the infrastructure and resources needed to sustain operations are in place.

Naval Station Guantanamo Bay ensures the freedom of action in the maritime domain and contributes to enhancing U.S. alliances and partnerships throughout the region. By executing this

critical role in the enforcement of national immigration policies, the station continues to be an integral asset in supporting the defense and security objectives of the United States.

Source: United States Navy

Vice Adm. Mike Vernazza, Commander of Naval Information Forces (NAVIFOR) and the Navy’s IBoss, played a central role in the event, delivering the keynote address at the Information Warfare Pavilion and participating in a high-profile plenary panel on the conference’s opening day. His remarks underscored the increasing demand for IW capabilities in today’s rapidly evolving maritime security environment.

“In today’s battlespace, information is not just an enabler—it is a decisive warfighting tool,” said Vernazza. “Superiority at sea requires superiority in the information domain, and that means leveraging our capabilities across intelligence, cyber warfare, electronic warfare, and battlespace awareness.”

The IW Pavilion served as a focal point for discussions and demonstrations, drawing in military leaders, industry partners, and academia to explore the latest advancements in cyber warfare, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and secure communications. The pavilion provided an immersive experience showcasing how NAVIFOR is delivering cutting-edge IW capabilities to the fleet.

“The presence of the IW Pavilion at WEST is invaluable,” said IBoss. “It allows us to not only demonstrate our operational capabilities but also engage in meaningful discussions with the brightest minds in industry and academia. These conversations directly impact our ability to stay ahead of adversaries in the information domain.”

Having a strong IW presence at the largest maritime conference on the West Coast also reinforced the Navy’s emphasis on integrating IW across all warfare areas. Throughout the event, NAVIFOR leaders met with stakeholders to discuss critical topics such as strengthening cyber resilience, improving electromagnetic spectrum operations, and enhancing battlespace awareness for decision superiority.

“Our adversaries are rapidly advancing their own information warfare capabilities,” said Vernazza during the plenary panel discussion. “If we are not continuously innovating and refining our approach, we risk losing the advantage. Events like WEST allow us to collaborate, share knowledge, and accelerate the development of solutions that keep us ahead.”

NAVIFOR Sailors and civilians were also actively engaged throughout the conference, providing firsthand perspectives on how IW is applied in real-world operations. Panel discussions and breakout sessions focused on the evolving role of cyber warfare in naval operations, data-driven decision-making, and the challenges of securing networks in contested environments.

One of the key takeaways from WEST 2025 was the importance of partnerships. By fostering relationships between the military, industry, and academia, NAVIFOR continues to ensure the Navy has the tools and talent necessary to meet future challenges.

“We cannot do this alone,” Vernazza emphasized. “Our partnerships are essential to developing the cutting-edge technologies and strategies we need to maintain information dominance. The conversations we have here at WEST help shape the future of naval operations.”

As NAVIFOR looks to the future, its commitment to warfighter readiness and information warfare excellence remains steadfast. WEST 2025 served as both a showcase of capabilities and a reminder of the ever-growing importance of information warfare in achieving maritime superiority.

NAVIFOR’s mission is to generate, directly and through our leadership of the IW Enterprise, agile and technically superior manned, trained, equipped, and certified combat-ready IW forces to ensure our Navy will decisively DETER, COMPETE, and WIN.

For more information on NAVIFOR, visit the command Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NavalInformationForces/ or the public web page at https://www.navifor.usff.navy.mil.