CAVASShips

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…this week the Navy announced that Tote Services will serve as vessel construction manager for its new class of medium landing ships, joining us to discuss what this means is Tote Vice President Jeff Vogel. And in a bonus segment we celebrate the Navy’s venerable C-2 Greyhound as the aircraft and remaining squadron VRC-40 are sundowned later this month. Helping us commemorate the mighty COD is retired Navy Captain Herb Carmen.  Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…from aging public shipyards and private-sector capacity challenges to workforce shortages, maintenance backlogs, and the growing demand for maintenance in an increasingly contested maritime environment, there's a lot at stake in the naval and commercial world of ship repair. Joining us to discuss the problem and opportunities associated with this critical service industry are retired Navy Admiral John Polowczyk of the Virginia Ship Repair Association, Kevin Terry of the Shipbuilders Council of America, and Ryan Smith of Fincantieri Marine Systems North America.  Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…The US Navy deploys and operates worldwide, but the Navy couldn’t maintain those operations without the fuel, food, ammunition and supplies furnished by the Military Sealift Command. Operating around 125 support ships, MSC also carries out special missions and moves and maintains military equipment worldwide. We’ll talk today with the commander of MSC, Rear Admiral Benjamin Nicholson. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…Earlier this year the Navy rolled out its plan to move to a system of Portfolio Acquisition Executives to grow capability and execute programs faster. Joining us today is longtime NAVSEA executive Rebecca Gassler, Program Acquisition Executive for Robots and Autonomous Systems. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…recruiting, retention, care for families and civilian mariners, we are joined by the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Ben Kohlmann.

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…renowned naval analyst Ron O’Rourke formerly of the congressional research service joins us to discuss recent shipbuilding programs and challenges facing the Navy and Coast Guard. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz continues to affect world shipping, and the war’s repercussions are even affecting the so-called Dark Fleet of unregistered shipping. Maritime analyst Michelle Wiese Bockmann is back with us to run it all down. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…How do you maintain, modernize and grow a Navy while meeting high demands – and at the same time take care of your sailors? Retired Admiral Bill Moran joins us to discuss his experience in doing just that. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…Former Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly joins us to discuss current events and the upcoming commissioning of USS Cleveland. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…in this special edition of the podcast, we are joined by the three wise men of the maritime world Bryan Clark, Brent Sadler and Sal Mercogliano to break down the latest headlines and lessons learned from Epic Fury and Project Freedom - and prognosticate a bit about what the current Persian Gulf actions mean for the future of the US Navy.

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…the Navy has a new acting secretary, the new budget has been sent to Congress, and the war with Iran continues with dueling blockades of the Strait of Hormuz. We’ll talk about that and our takeaways from the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space exposition with Sam LaGrone and Mallory Shelbourne of USNI News. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. On today’s special podcast we talk to Vice Adm (Ret.). John Mustin, President of Saildrone Inc. The Navy League Sea, Air and Space Exposition runs Apr 20-22 and is held at the Gaylord National Harbor.

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. On today’s special podcast we talk to Bob Pudney, President, Black Sea Technologies. The Navy League Sea, Air and Space Exposition runs Apr 20-22 and is held at the Gaylord National Harbor.

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. On today’s special podcast we talk to Eric Krogh, Vice President, Maritime Surface, Leidos Defense. The Navy League Sea, Air and Space Exposition runs Apr 20-22 and is held at the Gaylord National Harbor.

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…we discuss the economic impact on industry and force structure implications of the Iran war with Byron Callan of Capital Alpha Partners. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…ceasefire or not it will take months for the shipping chaos created by war with Iran to settle out. Friend of the pod Sal Mercogliano joins us to discuss how the conflict is rippling across the globe. We also talk to NDTA Jacksonville President Angie Reno about the chapter's upcoming Maritime Industrial Base Symposium, April 22 at University of North Florida. Click here to learn more.

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…we dive into the week’s war headlines, as well as the Pentagon budget release with USNI News’s Sam La Grone and Mallory Shellborne.

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…we talk early maritime lessons learned from Operation Epic Fury, discuss Navy’s plans to revamp their acquisition approach to mid-size unmanned surface vessels and review  morphings of the Golden Fleet with Bryan Clark and Brent Sadler. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…The Navy is instituting a major change in the way it buys and builds ships and submarines. Two of the service’s top acquisition officials, Jason Potter and Vice Admiral Seiko Okano, will be here to fill us in. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week… Silent Bud Deadly--sea mines are among the most devastating weapons that can threaten shipping, and concerns are rising that Iran could use them to seal off the Strait of Hormuz. We’ll talk with two veteran experts, Rear Admiral retired Ted LeClair and Captain retired Elliott Donald about what capabilities the US Navy has to counter that threat. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…an expanded edition of the CavasShips Podcast. First up: war in the Middle East, as Operation Epic Fury pits the US and Israeli militaries against Iran. Former US Navy Central Command force commander, retired Vice Admiral John Fozzie Miller, will be here with his insights to how the war is being fought. Then noted commercial shipping analyst Sal Mercogliano is back to talk about the war’s effect on merchant shipping, the Strait of Hormuz, and expanding worldwide efforts to rein in the so-called Shadow Fleet of illegal tankers.

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery joins us from Kyiv to talk Golden Fleet, Readiness, potential conflict with Iran and maritime lessons learned from Russia-Ukriane. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…as the US moves a second carrier strike group into the Middle East for potential military action against Iran, Rear Admiral retired Mike” Nasty” Manazir joins us to discuss the state of Naval Aviation. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…fresh off attending West '26, we are joined by Hudson's Bryan Clark to review and break down Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle's Fighting Instructions--intended to influence everything from force posture and unit training to doctrine, capability development, force design choices, and future naval investments.  Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…we are joined by HII’s EVP for Maritime Systems and Corporate Strategy, Eric Chewning, where we discuss the integration of crewed and uncrewed systems, as well as the type of technology and partnership[s needed to build the future fleet.  Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…the Government Accountability Office is one of the primary oversight entities that look into and report on key issues regarding the US Navy and Department of Defense. Its reports often directly reflect the concerns of Congress and affect legislation. Two of GAO’s top investigators, Director Shelby Oakley and Assistant Director Laurier “Larri” Fish, are here to talk about specific issues and on what lies ahead.

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…The Chinese Navy continues to innovate, maneuver and threaten. Analyst Tom Shugart is back with us to catch us up on the latest developments. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…A look at the 2026 shipping environment, the future of the ship’s act, a dive into the Golden Fleet,  plus some thoughts on the just-completed Surface Navy Association’s annual symposium with return guests Sal Mercogliano and John Konrad. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. On today’s special podcast we discuss the U.S. Coast Guard with retired cutterman and experienced senior government executive George Kovatch.  The SNA National Symposium runs Jan 13-16 and is held at the Crystal City Hyatt Regency. Our daily SNA pod coverage is sponsored by Lockheed Martin in conjunction with our weekly pod sponsors HII and GE Aerospace.

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. On today’s special podcast we talk to Jeff Vogel of Legal at Tote Services. The SNA National Symposium runs Jan 13-16 and is held at the Crystal City Hyatt Regency. Our daily SNA pod coverage is sponsored by Lockheed Martin in conjunction with our weekly pod sponsors HII and GE Aerospace.

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. On today’s special podcast we dive into the naval portfolio of Lockheed Martin with VPs and General Managers Paul Lemmo and Joe DePietro. The SNA National Symposium runs Jan 13-16 and is held at the Crystal City Hyatt Regency. Our daily SNA pod coverage is sponsored by Lockheed Martin in conjunction with our weekly pod sponsors HII and GE Aerospace.

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. On today’s special podcast we preview this week’s Surface Navy Association National Symposium with SNA Executive Director Chris Bushnell. The SNA National Symposium runs Jan 13-16 and is held at the Crystal City Hyatt Regency. Our daily SNA pod coverage is sponsored by Lockheed Martin in conjunction with our weekly pod sponsors HII and GE Aerospace.

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…Palantir Technologies have long been known for providing analytics and data integration, but the company has made a major push to support the US Navy and defense establishment. In conjunction with the Surface Navy Association’s 2026 Annual Symposium, we focus today on the technology company. Former Congressman Mike Gallagher, head of defense at Palantir, and Matt Babin, head of shipbuilding and naval programs will join us.

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…we have a special edition of the podcast this week, welcoming back our friends Xavier Vavasseur and Richard Scott. We’ll hear about a number of international naval programs and developments and focus on frigates – a major topic in the US Navy over the past several years, but there are numerous frigate programs underway around the world that are moving forward.

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…from the red sea to the Caribbean to shipyards around the nation, it was a busy naval year! We take a look back at some 2025's top stories and issues while, then look ahead at 2026 with the team from USNI News – Heather Mongilio, Mallory Shelbourne and Sam LaGrone. But first we review the recent Golden Fleet Announcements. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

CAVASSHIPS Podcast [Dec 19, ’25] Ep: 222 Ingalls President Blanchette on FF(X) & Clark and Sadler Review '25 by CAVASSHIPS Podcast

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…as many of you know, it’s the 250th anniversary of the US Navy. History professor B J Armstrong from the Naval Academy is here to talk about some of the highlights of the sea service’s development. Plus we’ll hear some of the comments Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle gave at the recent Reagan Defense Forum in California.

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…Cavas and Servello are on the road this week, so we jump right into the discussion portion of the podcast. Joining us to deep dive into lessons learned from the curtailment of the troubled Constellation frigate program are former Under and Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly and retired Rear Admiral and former Fincantieri executive Chuck Goddard. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. We said last week that we’d be taking the Thanksgiving holiday off, but the Navy’s announcement about the cancellation of the bulk of the Constellation-class frigate program is too big to put off. We’ll have some thoughts on the course of this troubled program and what could come next. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…former top Navy acquisition official Nick Guertin joins us to discuss the Pentagon’s proposed acquisition changes, Navy shipbuilding, and anti-submarine warfare. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week… Today we focus on the Silent Service – the US submarine force. Former Chief of Naval Operations retired Admiral Jonathan Greenert, a career submariner, joins us for a deep dive into some of the service’s key issues. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week… Chris and Chris discuss Sec Hegseth’s acquisition reform remarks and the latest happens across the Navy. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…Navy shipbuilding, the future of unmanned surface warfare, and now something called The Golden Fleet. We’ll dive into those topics and more with Greg Glaros, a former Top Gun Naval Aviator widely known as a technical innovator and entrepreneur who has special insight into the administration’s push to boost domestic shipbuilding. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…on the scene reports from Taiwan, what’s going on with Venezuela as the US continues killing people on the high seas, and a new world order for Pentagon Press. Chief editor of USNI News Sam LaGrone and Deputy Editor Mallory Shelbourne are back with us to dive in. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week… noted analyst Bryan Clark is back to let us in on the latest thinking about the US Navy’s future force structure, including how unmanned systems and so-called battleships fit into the picture. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week… 2024’s collision of a huge containership with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore garnered world-wide headlines, but cleaning up the mess - clearing the wreckage, moving the ship - was a major operation. One of the leaders of that effort is with us today - Gregg Baumann, a former US Navy Supervisor of Salvage now a leader in the worldwide salvage community. Stand by for a great discussion!

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…friends of the pod and maritime experts Sal Mercogliano and John Konrad are back to discuss maritime effects of the government shutdown, intersecting shipping and naval trends across the globe and why no one in government wants to talk. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…the Chinese Navy is on the move again. Its new carrier recently came through the Taiwan Strait for the first time, and a plethora of new weaponry was on display at a major parade in Beijing. China expert Tom Shugart is back with us to break it down.    Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…Servello spent a week in London at DSEI, the world’s largest military exposition. We’ll hear from Babcock Marine CEO Sir Nick Hine on the latest naval developments in the UK, and then we will give our take on what we saw and heard from the five-day show. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…New President of the Surface Navy Association Retired Vice Admiral Ron Boxall joins us to discuss SNA’s upcoming west coast symposium, latest Navy headlines and the contribution surface warfare is making around the globe. Please send us feedback by DM’ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email [email protected] or [email protected].