Maryland Proving Ground Partners with Local College for Polymer Development 

Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland has partnered with the North Carolina State University Nonwovens Institute to develop new systems for creating non-knit polymers, according to an Army story. The collaboration led to the acquisition and use of a new melt spinner, which allows for complicated polymers to be developed and tested for military materials, according to an Army story. North Carolina State University provided its expertise to help the Army scientists get a better understanding of the materials. 

Eleven Navy Mess Teams Awarded for Excellence 

The Navy recently announced 11 winners for the 2026 Capt. Edward F. Ney Memorial Award, which honors excellence in food service throughout the branch. Three installations and eight vessel teams were rewarded, according to Navy Times. The winners include: 

• USS Iowa for the East Coast submarine category 

• USS Mississippi for the West Coast submarine category 

• USS Nitze for the small East Coast afloat category 

• USS Decatur for the small West Coast afloat category 

• USS Fort Lauderdale for the medium East Coast afloat category 

• USS San Diego for the medium West Coast afloat category 

• USS Makin Island for the large afloat category 

• USS George H.W. Bush for the aircraft carrier category 

• Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island for the East Coast general mess category 

• Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California for the West Coast general mess category 

• Commander, Fleet Activities, Yokosuka, Japan for the outside the contiguous United States general mess category. 

Army photo by Patrick Rodeheaver