Congress should consider tighter monitoring of costs for the Dark Eagle hypersonic missile program as it gets closer to fuller operational status, a report by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service said.

The Boise has become a symbol of delays in Navy shipbuilding and maintenance programs. Adm. Daryl Caudle said the time and money spent on it could be put to better use accelerating the building of new submarines.

Fighter attack jets from USS Nimitz engaged in mock aerial dogfights and dropped live bombs into the sea this week as part of a joint exercise with the Ecuadorian navy.

Adm. Daryl Caudle says commanders in all theaters want aircraft carriers as the paramount response to outside threats. But the demand outstrips the supply when maintenance periods are factored in.

When the Boxer group departed San Diego last month, officials said it would either replace the Asia-based USS Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group or follow the Tripoli group to the Middle East as part of Operation Epic Fury.

The United States has hit more than 13,000 targets and sank or damaged 155 ships since the attack on Iran began on Feb. 28.

Pvt. David Andres Mayoral, who used the online name “ghoulishclown,” was sentenced Friday to 32 years in federal prison for possessing more than 3,000 photos and videos of child sex abuse material.

The proposed budget calls for Congress to spend $65.8 billion on construction of 18 battle-force ships and 16 non-battle force Navy ships and five vessels for the Coast Guard and Army.

The directive would modify a long-standing Pentagon policy that limits the possession and carrying of firearms on military installations.

At no point did a major fire break out, the Navy said, and the situation was quickly brought under control with no injuries to personnel.