LOCATIONS
MARITIME
23 Jul 25. RFA Stirling Castle transferred to Royal Navy. Acquired in 2023 for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, RFA Stirling Castle has been officially redesignated as a fully commissioned warship of the Royal Navy fleet – therefore becoming HMS Stirling Castle. (Crown Copyright) The UK’s Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) minehunting mother ship RFA Stirling Castle has been officially transferred to the Royal Navy (RN), the service has confirmed. In a ceremony held at West Float Dock, Birkenhead, on 21 July, the White Ensign was raised and the ship was redesignated as a fully commissioned RN warship, becoming HMS Stirling Castle. During the event, the ship’s company of 45 sailors and officers also boarded the vessel. Stirling Castle will be based at His Majesty’s Naval Base (HMNB) Portsmouth, and there are plans in the future to repaint it grey. The move will enable the ship to be “committed 100 per cent of its time” to front-line operations protecting UK waters from underwater threats, the RN said, while freeing RFA personnel to focus on their primary task of the fleet’s tankers and support ships. Stirling Castle (ex-MV Island Crown) was purchased second-hand by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) from Island Offshore Management in early 2023 to serve as a host platform for offboard autonomous mine-countermeasures (MCM) payloads previously procured under Project Wilton and Block 1 of the RN’s Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) programme. (Source: Janes)
PLANT CLOSURES, STRIKES AND JOB LOSSES
22 Jul 25. UKRN decommissions last Trafalgar-class submarine. The introduction of the Astute-class submarines has led to the gradual retirement of the Trafalgar-class fleet. The UK Royal Navy (UKRN) has formally decommissioned HMS Triumph, the last Trafalgar-class nuclear submarine at Devonport Naval Base. The event saw personnel, who served in the submarines HMS Talent and HMS Triumph, along with former crew assemble to hold Divisions at HMS Drake in Devonport. Captain Dave Burrell, who served as the executive officer of both Talent and Triumph, said: “They are the last of the Cold War warriors, although the Cold War never went away. We continued to play our dangerous game.” Designed initially for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, the Royal Navy’s seven Trafalgar-class submarines evolved to undertake additional tasks such as covert surveillance and inshore reconnaissance. The names of the seven vessels are Trafalgar, Turbulent, Tireless, Torbay, Trenchant, Talent and Triump. Designed primarily for Cold War operations to protect the UK’s nuclear deterrent forces, these vessels have demonstrated exceptional adaptability. (Source: naval-technology.com)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
23 Jul 25. His Majesty the King has approved three new senior appointments in the Defence Medical Services. His Majesty the King has approved the following three senior appointments in the Defence Medical Services (DMS):
- Brigadier Phil Carter KHP OStJ as the next Surgeon General (SG), in the rank of Major General, from August 2025
- Brigadier Antony Finn as the next Director Medical Personnel and Training in the rank of Major General, from November 2025
- Air Commodore Darren Ellison KHP as the next Director Defence Healthcare in the rank of Air Vice-Marshal, from June 2026
All three have had long and distinguished careers delivering health care to the Armed Forces as part of the Defence Medical Services.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
22 Jul 25. General Guetlein to Lead the Office of Golden Dome for America. On Thursday, July 17, the Senate confirmed Gen. Mike Guetlein to be the first Golden Dome for America Direct Reporting Program Manager (GDA DRPM) reporting directly to the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Steve Feinberg. In this role, Gen. Guetlein will be responsible for developing the Golden Dome portfolio of capabilities.
18 Jul 25. USAF Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere for reappointment to the grade of general, with assignment as vice chief of staff, U.S. USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Bussiere is currently serving as commander, USAF Global Strike Command, Barksdale USAF Base, Louisiana.
18 Jul 25. USAF Lt. Gen. Stephen L. Davis for appointment to the grade of general, with assignment as commander, USAF Global Strike Command and commander, USAFs Strategic – Air, U.S. Strategic Command, Barksdale USAF Base, Louisiana. Davis is currently serving as inspector general of the Department of the USAF, Office of the Secretary of the USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
18 Jul 25. USAF Lt. Gen. Andrew J. Gebara for reappointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as director of staff, U.S. USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Gebara is currently serving as deputy chief of staff, Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration, Headquarters U.S. USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
18 Jul 25. USAF Brig. Gen. Max E. Pearson for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as deputy chief of staff, Intelligence, Headquarters U.S. USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Pearson is currently serving as deputy director, Operations, National Security Agency, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.
18 Jul 25. Army LG David M. Hodne for appointment to the grade of general, with assignment as commanding general, U.S. Army Transformation and Training Command, Austin, Texas. Hodne currently serves as deputy commanding general, futures and concepts, U.S. Army Futures Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.
18 Jul 25. Army MG Mark S. Bennett for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as military deputy for Budget, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management and Comptroller), Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Bennett is currently serving as director of Army Budget, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management and Comptroller), Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
18 Jul 25. Army MG Marcus S. Evans for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as director of the Army Staff, U.S. Army, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Evans currently serves as commanding general, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
18 Jul 25. Army MG Joseph F. Jarrard for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as deputy commander, U.S. Northern Command/vice commander, U.S. Element, Northern American Aerospace Defense Command, Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. Jarrard currently serves as the special assistant to the chief, National Guard Bureau, Arlington, Virginia.
18 Jul 25. Army MG Kevin C. Leahy for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as commanding general, U.S. Army Central Command, Shaw USAF Base, South Carolina. Leahy is currently serving as commander, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, Iraq.
18 Jul 25. USMC LG Michael J. Borgschulte for reappointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. Borgschulte is currently serving as deputy commandant, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Quantico, Virginia.
18 Jul 25. USMC MG Christian F. Wortman for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as commanding general, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California. Wortman is currently serving as the commanding general, 3d Marine Division, Okinawa, Japan.
18 Jul 25. USN Vice. Adm. Yvette M. Davids for reappointment to the grade of vice admiral, with assignment as deputy chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans, Strategy, and Warfighting Development, N3/N5/N7, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Davids is currently serving as superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland.
18 Jul 25. USN Rear Adm. Jeffrey J. Czerewko for appointment to the grade of vice admiral, with assignment as deputy chief of Naval Operations for Personnel, Manpower, and Training, N1, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and Chief of Naval Personnel, Arlington, Virginia. Czerewko most recently served as commander, Naval Education and Training Command, Pensacola, Florida.
18 Jul 25. USN Rear Adm. John E. Dougherty IV for appointment to the grade of vice admiral, with assignment as commander, Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland. Dougherty is currently serving as commander, Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division/ chief engineer, Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland.
18 Jul 25. USN Rear Adm. (lower half) Michael S. Sciretta for appointment to the grade of rear admiral. Sciretta is currently serving as director, Maritime Operations, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Norfolk, Virginia.
18 Jul 25. Space Force LG Shawn N. Bratton for appointment to the grade of general, with assignment as vice chief of space operations, U.S. Space Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Bratton is currently serving as deputy chief of Space Operations for Strategy, Plans, Programs, and Requirements, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY TEAMINGS
18 Jul 25. Marshall and Romaero, a leading European aerospace maintenance and manufacturing specialist, today announced a strategic collaboration providing a broad framework for programmed depot maintenance (PDM) of current and future C-130 Hercules aircraft operated by the Romanian Air Force (RoAF). As Romania seeks to expand its sovereign airlift capability, the nation’s Ministry of National Defence has embarked on an ambitious modernisation programme for RoAF’s fleet of legacy C-130 aircraft, including the replacement of existing airframes. These plans will substantially increase the scope and scale of inservice support work to be undertaken towards the upkeep of the aircraft. The new agreement establishes a comprehensive framework for Marshall and Romaero to deliver all anticipated aspects of sustainment for RoAF’s C-130 fleet. Working together, Marshall and Romaero will develop and present plans for programmed depot maintenance, including supply chain management for equipment and materials. Marshall will also provide engineering support on repairs, airworthiness assessment and technical publications, enhancing Romaero’s in-country work to keep the RoAF aircraft mission-ready and missioncapable.
“Following a thorough selection process, we are pleased to be collaborating with Marshall for the sustainment of the RoAF C-130 fleet,” said Romaero Director General Bogdan Costas. “The Marshall team stands out for its depth of experience, full transparency, breadth of technical knowledge and impressive heritage of working on the C-130 platform.”
The framework of the collaboration has been defined in an initial memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two companies, signed at Marshall’s headquarters in Cambridge, UK. Maintenance work on the first aircraft is anticipated to commence in 2026.
“We are excited to work alongside the Romaero team and contribute to their delivery of high-quality and timely service to RoAF,” said Mark Hewer, Director of Aero Engineering Services for Marshall.
“For Marshall, this collaboration isn’t just a chance to work with a new C-130 operator; it’s about building a long-term relationship around a vital national defence programme undertaken by a key NATO member.”
Romaero will conduct in-country maintenance and engineering work on the aircraft from its hangarage located adjacent to Bucharest Băneasa airport.
PERSONNEL
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
23 Jul 25. Fortem Technologies, a pioneer in radar-powered autonomous counter-drone systems and advanced air mobility, today announced the appointment of Shane Shamblin as Senior Vice President of U.S. Sales Operations. With more than 25 years of leadership in defense technology, sales, and business development, Shamblin will oversee Fortem’s domestic go-to-market strategy and unify its federal, defense, critical infrastructure, and commercial sales operations under a cohesive national approach. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
21Jul 25. DTC, a Codan Company, is significantly expanding its operations in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region — a move that underscores the company’s long-term strategic commitment to high-growth, high-impact markets. The appointment of retired U.S. Army Colonel Brady Crosier as Vice President of Business Development for Asia-Pacific signals a bold step forward in delivering advanced communications capabilities across the region’s defense, government, and commercial sectors.Based in Taiwan, Crosier will directly support DTC’s growing presence in the region and serve as a senior liaison to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), U.S. embassies, and other key government and commercial stakeholders. His appointment comes at a time when APAC is rapidly becoming a center of geopolitical importance and economic dynamism — making it a vital part of DTC’s global growth strategy.
21 Jul 25. MDA Space (TSX: MDA), a trusted mission partner to the rapidly expanding global space industry, today announced the appointment of Rabindra (Rob) Singh as Vice President, Strategic Solutions, effective immediately. A distinguished leader in the space industry with more than 30 years of experience defining and delivering complex space solutions and service strategies for customers, Mr. Singh joins MDA Space at a pivotal time as the space market and the company expand globally. (Source: PR Newswire)