Loe served as the NMRTC Lemoore commanding officer since July 2025 and will be temporarily reassigned to NMFP. Capt. Robin Bennett, the executive officer of NMRTC Lemoore, will be temporarily assigned as commanding officer until a permanent relief is identified. The relief of the CO does not impact the command’s operational readiness.

DRPM RAS leverages the successful and proven DRPM model first established for submarines. This marks a decisive step toward correcting years of fragmented requirements, resourcing, and acquisition practices that dispersed accountability, complicated industry engagement, and slowed delivery to the warfighter. The organization is designed to operate in concert with the Department of War’s DRPM for unmanned offensive and defensive systems (UxS).

Christopher Miller will serve as the acting DRPM RAS, reporting directly to William Toti, performing the duties of the Under Secretary of the Navy. Miller will concurrently serve as acting Portfolio Acquisition Executive RAS, mirroring the DRPM Submarine model.

“We are at an inflection point in naval warfare, and the Department has been approaching robotic and autonomous systems through arcane processes that do not deliver capabilities at the speed our Sailors and Marines need,” said Toti. “Secretary Cao has directed us to replace that model with clear accountability, faster decisions, and a relentless focus on the warfighter.”

The DON is also reviewing the potential relocation of DRPM RAS staff out of Washington, D.C. and closer to Fleet warfighters. The review is assessing whether such a relocation would strengthen collaboration with operational forces and ensure Fleet feedback remains closely connected to capability development and fielding.

“To remain the most lethal and technologically advanced maritime force in the world, we must both improve and accelerate how we partner with industry to develop and deliver the next generation of warfighting capabilities,” said Miller. “Success depends on ensuring operational requirements drive rapid development so we’re delivering the right solutions to the warfighter.”

The establishment of DRPM RAS marks a significant step in the DON’s effort to modernize acquisition governance and strengthen maritime deterrence.

Capt. Thomas Flaherty, commander of Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) 4, under which Virginia operates, welcomed the crew home and praised their efforts.

“The deployment of USS Virginia to the European theater underscores the critical role our undersea forces play in maintaining security and stability alongside our international partners,” Flaherty said.”The crew of Virginia executed highly demanding missions with the utmost professionalism and precision, demonstrating the elite capabilities of our fast-attack fleet. Their performance on this deployment has set a high standard for readiness, and we are incredibly proud to welcome them back to their homeport here in New London.”

Wheelis said he considered it an immense privilege to welcome the crew and their families back to Submarine Base New London after a challenging and rewarding deployment.

“This homecoming is a time to celebrate the sacrifices made by our Sailors and the support of their families and loved ones,” Wheelis said.“To the families: thank you for your patience and strength while your Sailor dedicated six months to defending our freedoms and strengthening national security. To the crew: your steadfast commitment to each other is astonishing. Keeping Virginia in the fight and ready to execute was no easy task, but your grit was unmatched and reflects great credit on this command and what the United States Navy is about.”

During the deployment, the crew successfully kept Virginiaon station through three extensive periods of national tasking in arduous and austere environments.

“My ship and my crew were consistently in the right place at the right time and ready to respond to any threat to our freedoms with overwhelming force,” Wheelis added.“As we reunite, we look forward to a period of well-deserved rest, maintenance, and time with family, while remaining ready to answer the nation’s call whenever needed. Welcome home, Virginia—I’m proud of you and your accomplishments.” While deployed, Virginiasteamed more than 36,000 nautical miles and conducted a key port visit to Tromsø, Norway.

The deployment marked major milestones for the crew: 46 personnel earned their submarine warfare devices—commonly referred to as “dolphins”—and five Sailors welcomed new babies.

Hospital Corpsman 1st Class David Griffenbergand his spouse, Molly Griffenberg were honored with the ceremonial first kiss on the pier. Chief Logistics Specialist (Submarine) Brian Boyd was awarded the ceremonial first hug with hisspouse, Sarahi Boyd.

USS Virginia is the tenth U.S. Navy vessel named for the Commonwealth of Virginia, following the most recent USS Virginia (CGN 38), a Virginia-class cruiser commissioned in 1976 and decommissioned in 1994. Previous ships to bear the name USS Virginia included the first USS Virginia of the Continental Navy, a 28-gun sailing frigate built in 1776, and the Virginia-class battleship (BB 13), commissioned in 1906. The submarine Virginia has a crew of more than 130 personnel, is more than 377 feet long, and can displace nearly 7,900 tons.

The Virginia-class of nuclear-powered fast attack submarines are designed for a broad spectrum of open-ocean and littoral missions. Fast-attack submarines are multi-mission platforms enabling five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities – sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security and deterrence. They are designed to excel in anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, strike warfare, special operations, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare and mine warfare. Fast-attack submarines project power ashore with special operations forces and Tomahawk cruise missiles in the prevention or response to regional crises.

SEACAT 2026 is a multilateral exercise designed to enhance maritime cooperation among the participating nations and to provide mutual support in addressing maritime crises, contingencies, and illicit activities. The exercise’s shore phase in Singapore includes the newly integrated Maritime Operations (MAROPS) Forum, combining previous operations and intelligence workshops to enhance realism and collaboration, where participants will share best practices, refine integrated maritime processes, and prepare for the at-sea phase.

Concurrently, a revised Senior Leader Forum (SLF) engages senior military leaders from participating nations to share lessons learned on collective maritime challenges, improve understanding of integrated maritime operations, and participate in a capstone tabletop exercise alongside operational commanders and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operators.

“This year’s SEACAT marks a significant evolution in how we train and cooperate, highlighting the strength of the enduring partnerships we’ve built and our collective capability to work side-by-side in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.” said U.S. Navy Capt. Aaron Taylor, commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73. “By combining our operations and intelligence workshops into the new Maritime Operations Forum and enhancing our Senior Leader Forum, we are building a highly integrated maritime team. This enables us to collectively address modern, complex threats, ranging from unmanned systems attacks to maritime sovereignty incursions, ensuring our partners remain ready to defend regional security, protect critical sea lanes, and uphold international law.”

During the SEACAT sea phase, participating nations will practice tracking and intercepting simulated vessels sailing through Southeast Asian waters. Participating nations will work to provide real-time sensor cueing and vessel contact information to partner Operational Centers (OPCENs), Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA), and surface assets. By exercising these complex scenarios in real time, which include critical regional challenges such as search and rescue, illegal fishing, contraband smuggling, and maritime sovereignty incursions, SEACAT participants enhance their collective capacity to detect, deter, and counter modern maritime threats in accordance with international law.

SEACAT demonstrates shared commitments to maritime partnership, security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific. The Sixteen nations participating in SEACAT 2026, includes Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor Leste, Tonga, UK, Vietnam, and the United States.

U.S. 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

About the Office of Naval Research

The Department of the Navy’s Office of Naval Research provides the science and technology necessary to maintain the Navy and Marine Corps’ technological advantage. Through its affiliates, ONR is a leader in science and technology with engagement in 50 states, 55 countries, 634 institutions of higher learning and nonprofit institutions, and more than 960 industry partners. ONR, through its commands, including headquarters, ONR Global and the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., employs more than 3,800 people, comprising uniformed, civilian and contract personnel.

Marking the first time a Marine Expeditionary Unit has navigated the canal since 2008, this large-scale maneuver is a demonstration of the Marine Corps’ capacity for rapid global mobility, maritime dominance, and seamless power projection.

Since its completion, the Panama Canal has served as a vital strategic pathway for the United States and its allies. The canal allows naval vessels to rapidly shift between the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, saving weeks of travel around South America. Navigating this critical maritime shortcut ensures the U.S. military can maintain a flexible, responsive posture — surging ships and troops to meet emerging crises across hemispheres without delay.

“This historic transit is a powerful testament to the flexibility and readiness of Littoral Combat Force-24,” said Col. Ryan Lynch, the commanding officer of LCF-24. “Our ability to seamlessly navigate this critical waterway alongside our Navy partners aboard the USS San Antonio demonstrates our capability to rapidly project power and respond to crises anywhere in the Southern Command area of responsibility. We are ready to operate straight from the sea, at a moment’s notice.”

The transit serves as a validation of the Littoral Combat Force concept and the modern Marine Air-Ground Task Force. It proves LCF-24’s ability to navigate narrow waterways and project assets ashore without relying on established military basing, underscoring the Marine Corps’ enduring role as the nation’s premier force-in-readiness, perfectly calibrated for contested littoral regions.

The foundation of this capability is the unbreakable teamwork between the Navy and the Marine Corps. The interoperability displayed by the Marines of LCF-24 and the Sailors of the USS San Antonio highlights a fully integrated naval force supporting Combatant Commander objectives.

By moving fluidly through the canal, the Blue-Green team proves its unrestricted access to the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility, which spans Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Whether tasked with humanitarian disaster relief, bolstering regional partnerships, or deterring aggression, this force can reach anywhere in the region to deliver tailored, decisive effects.

The 24th MEU’s transit of the Panama Canal proves that the Navy-Marine Corps team remains prepared to respond as America’s 9-1-1 force in any clime and place.