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Commentary
Defense and Aerospace Report

CNO’s New Fighting Instructions

bryan_clark
bryan_clark
Senior Fellow and Director, Center for Defense Concepts and Technology
Bryan Clark
An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to the “Dusty Dogs” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7, prepares to land on the flight deck of Pre-Commissioning Unit John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) as the ship transits the Atlantic Ocean during Builder's Trials, Jan. 28, 2026. This was the first aircraft to land on the Kennedy. Builder’s Trials provide an opportunity to test ship systems and components at sea for the first time, and make required adjustments prior to additional underway testing. (U.S. Navy photo by
Caption
An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter prepares to land on the flight deck of Pre-Commissioning Unit John F. Kennedy as the ship transits the Atlantic Ocean on January 28, 2026. (US Navy)

Bryan Clark appears on the Defense and Aerospace Report’s podcast CavasShips to review Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Daryl Caudle’s “Fighting Instructions,” highlighting force posture and unit training to guide doctrine, capability development, force design choices, and future naval investments.