Michael Dougherty

USN

U.S. Navy

The USN stands for the United States Navy, which is the naval warfare branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is responsible for conducting operations at sea, on land, and in the air to protect and defend the United States and its interests. The USN operates a vast fleet of ships, submarines, and aircraft to carry out its missions around the world. It plays a crucial role in maintaining national security and projecting American power globally.

Naval Air Station Patuxent River, located in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, was commissioned on April 1, 1943, to centralize U.S. Navy aviation testing during World War II. The station quickly became a hub for flight testing, evaluation, and development of naval aircraft and weapons. Over the decades, NAS Patuxent River has played a vital role in advancing naval aviation technology, including supporting the testing of the F/A-18 Hornet and the development of unmanned aerial systems. Today, it remains a premier site for research, development, testing, and evaluation, supporting the U.S. Navy’s mission worldwide.