Jennifer Duchow recently received the Navy Superior Civilian Service Award from the Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Kurt Rothenhaus for her “exemplary leadership, technical expertise, and unwavering dedication to the Navy mission, as the technical, programmatic, and contractual lead” for the leading edge project.

In the citation, Rothenhaus lauded Duchow's dedication to the work, the team, and the nation. 

For Duchow, the recognition was a huge surprise.

A new exhibit showcasing developmental test pilots, flight officers, engineers and the history and influence of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (USNTPS) launches at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum on April 12.

Clint Stammer helps warfighters come home alive. They may never know his name, but their survival depends on his quiet dedication. He is an unsung American hero in the Department of Defense.

And he received recognition over a plate of fish tacos.

In late March, between back-to-back meetings at the F-35 Joint Program Office in Crystal City, Virginia, his boss, Colton Dixon, the JPO mission effectiveness lead, pulled Stammer away for a quick lunch.

As they sat down, a colleague approached the table.

"Can I congratulate him?"

In the historic U.S.O. building in Ridgecrest, California, where the past seems to resonate, a man unplugs his guitar and steps off stage with a quiet nod. Few people know that he used to tour with a military rock band. Now, he's working behind the scenes to shape the future of small defense contractors, helping them earn a seat at the table to support the warfighter.

That’s how Derrick Hu likes it.

Welcome to the Invisible War

Invisible wars demand visible action. In this arena, coalition electronic warfare, interoperability and spectrum superiority will decide victories in future near-peer conflicts.

Whoever owns the electromagnetic spectrum owns the battlefield.

That’s why nearly 500 electronic warfare leaders from the United States, Australia and — for the first time — the United Kingdom gathered at Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, March 11-13 for the 52nd annual Collaborative Electronic Warfare Symposium.

The briefing room at Nellis Air Force Base hums with conversation as F-35 pilots review their latest mission debriefs. At the front of the room, Tamika Richardson listens closely, her hands resting on her laptop, prepared to take notes. She isn’t just here to observe—she’s here to refine and improve the mission data that keeps these pilots safe in combat. 

For the fifth consecutive year, the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division at China Lake has led the Naval Air Systems Command’s Mentor of the Year program with the highest number of nominations—10 this year.

Henry Frohlich, department head of Weapons Systems Procurement, is the 2024 winner for China Lake, making this the procurement group's second winner in the past three years.

“I thought it was a joke,” Frohlich said. “I was on travel in D.C. and received a text saying that I had won. So, I sent some texts and made a couple of calls, and I found out it was true!”

The “Dust Devils” of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron VX-31 held a change of command ceremony March 6 at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. 

Better leaders. Better outcomes. Better capabilities for the warfighter. At Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, this is the ripple effect of dedicated mentorship.

And it starts with one person: Justin Vidal-Phillips, the 2024 Naval Air Systems Command Mentor of the Year for Point Mugu.

If you consider the 29 construction projects at China Lake like a football season, the South Airfield Complex ribbon on Nov. 7 cutting marks a touchdown in the championship game.

At least, that’s how Capt. Laurie Scott, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest’s commanding officer, describes it. Recovery is a team effort, and although the final projects haven’t been delivered, delivering the SAF, as it’s known, is a win worth celebrating.