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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman to remain in the Middle East for a second time, keeping it there another week so the U.S. can maintain two carrier strike groups in the region to battle Yemen-based Houthi rebels, according to a U.S. official.
In late March, Hegseth extended the deployment of the Truman and the warships in its group for a month as part of a campaign to increase strikes on the Iran-backed Houthis. The official said Hegseth signed the latest order Thursday and it is expected the Truman and its strike group warships will head home to Norfolk, Virginia, after the week is up.

(courtesy of Navy Times)

The U.S. Navy's Strategic Systems Programs is continuing on the path toward the nation's first sea-based hypersonic fielding with a successful end-to-end flight test of a conventional hypersonic missile from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. This test marked the first launch of the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) capability utilizing the Navy's cold-gas launch approach that will be used in Navy sea-based platform fielding.

"The speed, range, and survivability of hypersonic weapons are key to integrated deterrence for America," Secretary of the Navy John Phelan said. "When fielded, Conventional Prompt Strike will deliver unmatched capabilities to our warfighters."

The University of Wisconsin NROTC Alumni Association proudly unveiled its new website (www.UWNROTCAlumni.org) powered by ClubExpress Software, a leading platform for Association Management. The modernized sitE aims to strengthen connections among alumni, streamline event coordination, and enhance engagement with the NROTC community.

Featuring an intuitive design, the website offers online membership registration, event ticketing for gatherings like the annual Homecoming Reunion on October 10, 2025, and a news hub for updates on NROTC activities. “ClubExpress has transformed how we connect with our alumni,” said Association President CAPT Mark Stone, USN (Ret.). “Its tools simplify membership management and communication, letting us focus on our mission.”

The launch reflects a growing trend among alumni associations leveraging digital platforms to foster community. Members are invited to explore www.UWNROTCAlumni.org and share feedback to shape future enhancements.

MADISON, Wis. – Get ready to come home, Badgers! Wisconsin Athletics, along with the UW-Madison and the Wisconsin Alumni Association have announced dates for 2025 UW Homecoming festivities. Wisconsin will square off with the Iowa Hawkeyes in the 117th Homecoming Game in UW history on October 11 in a battle for the Heartland Trophy.

The Badgers have won 10 of their last 11 homecoming matchups and the last hosted Iowa for Homecoming in 2021. In that meeting, Wisconsin scored a 27-7 win over the No. 7 Hawkeyes.

"Camp Randall Stadium is a special place and the atmosphere on game day is among the best in all of college football," head coach Luke Fickell said. "The support of Badger fans and alumni really does give us a homefield advantage and I can't wait to see our building rocking again this fall."

Association member Rick Burn relayed a good tip that he discovered after joining the USS Silverside Submarine Museum in Muskegon, MI. The museum is associated with the Historic Naval Ships Association and one benefit is reciprocal museum membership programs.

To be young again and a Midshipman attending the University of Wisconsin . . . use your imagination to remember your years at Madison!

The Communications Committee, under the leadership of Phil Midland, arranged for an exceptional speaker this Spring with a presentation by the Honorable John F. Lehman. Secretary Lehman lectured and took questions from the Battalion on the 25th of April, via Zoom. from his home in Pennsylvania.

We had a small gathering on Tuesday, 31 January, after we completed an exhausting 100-minute Winter Board Meeting. After that marathon session, a break was needed. Our next social event will be to send off the Battalion for summer cruise sometime in early May.