Senior commanders from across U.S. Pacific Command convened at the Naval Postgraduate School for a commander’s conference focused on aligning operational priorities and strengthening the partnerships needed to rapidly develop and field capabilities across the Indo-Pacific. The conference connected warfighting challenges with the expertise, technology, investment and partnerships needed to accelerate innovation, address capability gaps and maintain combat-credible deterrence. Learn more.
Students in NPS’ Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation program connected multiple constructive and virtual simulations into a shared tactical environment during an Aug. 17 demonstration. Using Distributed Interactive Simulation, augmented reality and the Android Tactical Awareness Kit, the students combined technical skills with operational experience to create solutions grounded in current tactics and military requirements. This fall, they will expand the project across the NPS campus using an experimental 5G network. Learn more.
A multidisciplinary team of recent NPS graduates developed a Terahertz Imaging Camera, combining their individual thesis research into a functioning payload set to launch to the International Space Station in 2027. The low-cost, space-based imaging system will support remote sensing of Earth’s upper atmosphere, which can improve understanding of conditions that impact satellite communications. Supported in part by the NPS Foundation, the project demonstrates how NPS transforms defense-focused education and applied research into real-world operational capability. Learn more.
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Steven Nelson, a student in NPS’ Applied Design for Innovation program, was one of four Airmen honored with the 2026 Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award. Nelson received the junior enlisted award for directing global training and deployments and establishing a new Air Force-wide benchmark through his overhaul of the career field’s training standards. Learn more.
Nearly 70 high school, undergraduate and graduate students from across the country shared the results of their summer research during the 2026 NPS STEM Internship Research Showcase. Working alongside 25 NPS faculty mentors, the interns contributed to research spanning engineering, materials science, space systems, physics, computer science, defense analysis, operations research and logistics. Eleven interns also directly supported advanced manufacturing efforts during RIMPAC 2026. Learn more.
The Naval Postgraduate School has a new high performance AI computing system from NVIDIA
Featuring Capt. Mike Owen, Vice Provost for Warfare Studies and NPS AI Task Force Lead
Why Surface Warfare Officers Should Sail
By Lt. James Pala, USN, Former President and Sailing Instructor, NPS Foundation Sailing Club
Breaking the CJADC2 Code
By Col. Jason Quinter, Lt. Col. Brian Kerg and Maj. Anthony Johnson, USMC
Whole-of-Government Irregular Warfare Requires a Common Language
By Chad T. Machiela, Defense Analysis Research Faculty Associate
Meaning, Myth, and Force Design in U.S. Special Operations
By Siamak Tundra Naficy, Defense Analysis Senior Lecturer
US Joint Effort Tests At-Sea Metal 3D Printing, RIMPAC 2026
Featuring Chris Curran, CAMRE Program Manager
Center’s new military deputy hits the ground running
Featuring Lt. Col. Hassan M. Kamara, USA, MA in Security Studies ’15
Home Economics
By David R. Henderson, Emeritus Professor of Economics
Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Eric Wendt, MA in National Security Affairs ’95, has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as the new U.S. ambassador to Albania. Wendt served more than three decades in the U.S. Army, including as commander of NATO’s Special Operations Command and chief of staff at U.S. Pacific Command. Learn more.
Lt. Gen. Ulhas Kirpekar, MS in Information Warfare Systems Engineering ’07, assumed the appointment of General Officer Commanding, Dakshin Bharat Area, of the Indian Army on Sept. 1. A signals officer commissioned in 1989, Kirpekar has served in command, operational and technology-focused roles spanning communications, intelligence, information systems, tactical communications and military operations. Learn more.
Rear Adm. Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shehri, MS in Human Resource Systems Management ’13, has been appointed commander of the Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition. Al-Shehri will oversee joint maritime defense operations, direct operational planning and coordination among member states and supervise joint missions, activities and exercises. Learn more.
Brig. Gen. Dr. Romuald Maksymiuk, International Defense Resources Management Course, has been appointed head of the Armaments Policy Department at Poland’s Ministry of National Defense. Maksymiuk has been involved in the technical modernization of the Polish Armed Forces for more than 20 years and previously served as deputy head of the Armaments Agency. Learn more.
Capt. William Sumsion, MS in Mechanical Engineering ’08, became the 53rd commander of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility during an Aug. 14 change of command ceremony. Sumsion most recently filled in as Commander of Industrial Operations at Norfolk Naval Shipyard from his role at Naval Sea Systems Command. Learn more.
Capt. Jeff Schwab, EMBA ’11, took the helm of Naval Air Facility Atsugi during an Aug. 20 change of command ceremony. Most recently the senior military assistant to the assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, Schwab described the shared naval base near Tokyo as a model for U.S.-Japan training and integration. Learn more.
Capt. Jeffry Findlay, MBA '19, is no stranger to leadership positions, but as the new commanding officer of Naval Air Station Lemoore, this is his biggest role yet. Findlay is in charge of the Navy’s largest master jet base, supporting approximately 13,500 people and leading 8,800 government personnel. Learn more.
Hung Cao Nominated as Navy Secretary
Navy establishes new defense industrial base office
