In an effort to build loyalty and make the Navy more family-friendly, the service is now granting paid paternity leave to new fathers - with some exceptions. The provision, part of the 2009 defense authorization act, makes active-duty sailors eligible for 10 days of administrative leave after their wives give birth. Unmarried sailors do not qualify for the benefit.

Operation Homefront and Dollar Tree Inc. are collecting gifts from Dollar Tree customers for military children across the country. These items will be added to other toys and gifts donated to Operation Homefront from other sources, according to a news release.

Unit size 450 Navy reservists | Leader Capt. Marcus McCance Location of deployment Kuwait and Iraq | Deployed date Thursday, Nov. 20 Return date Expected eight-month deployment

NORFOLK The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine Jacksonville will return from a six-month deployment on Monday. On its first deployment in five years, the Jacksonville made port visits to England, Scotland, France, Spain and Portugal, a news release from the submarine force commander’s office said. It left Norfolk on May 30.

NORFOLK The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine Jacksonville will return from a six-month deployment on Monday. On its first deployment in five years, the Jacksonville made port visits to England, Scotland, France, Spain and Portugal, a news release from the submarine force commander’s office. It left Norfolk on May 30.

WASHINGTON Virginia's top officials on Thursday sharpened their rhetoric and sketched out the arguments they'll make to Congress and the new Obama administration in a bid to overturn a Navy proposal to move one of five locally based aircraft carriers to Florida.

WASHINGTON Virginia’s two senators urged Defense Secretary Robert Gates today to block at least temporarily a Navy plan to shift one of five Atlantic Fleet aircraft carriers from Norfolk to Mayport Naval Station in Florida.

Crew size About 130 sailors Leader Cmdr. Thad Nisbett Location of deployment Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf Deployed date April 25, 2008 Returned date Nov. 18, 2008 Highlights The Los Angeles-class submarine deployed as part of the Nassau expeditionary strike group. Port visits included Norway, France, Greece and Bahrain.

Blackwater Worldwide, Currituck County and Moyock residents have agreed to a "demilitarized zone" about a mile wide that would stop the tactical training company from building firing ranges or driving tracks any closer to neighboring properties. In a Nov. 10 meeting, the Planning Board agreed to the buffer zone. Currituck County commissioners will decide on the issue in December.

PORTSMOUTH Portsmouth Naval Medical Center goes smoke-free Thursday - a move announced in June. Since then, 15 smoking areas on the base have been eliminated and smoking cessation classes have been offered, the Navy announced. 

PORTSMOUTH Portsmouth Naval Medical Center goes smoke-free tomorrow - a move announced in June. Since then, 15 smoking areas on the base have been eliminated and smoking cessation classes have been offered, the Navy announced. 

WASHINGTON Virginia is bringing out its big guns in a battle with Florida over the homeport of a Navy aircraft carrier.

CURRITUCK COUNTY, N.C. Blackwater Worldwide, Currituck County and Moyock residents have agreed to a “demilitarized zone” about a mile wide that would stop the tactical training company from building firing ranges or driving tracks any closer to local property.

Next week, Norfolk Naval Station will close its Gate 3 on Bellinger Boulevard indefinitely. The gate will close at 8 a.m. on Nov. 26, the Navy says. Studies showed that the gate had the lowest number of traffic of the station’s nine gates. Gate 3A will remain open, the Navy says.

Next week, Norfolk Naval Station will close its Gate 3 on Bellinger Boulevard indefinitely. The gate will close at 8 a.m. on Nov. 26, the Navy says. Studies showed that the gate had the lowest number of traffic of the station’s nine gates. Gate 3A will remain open, the Navy says.

PORTSMOUTH Cmdr. Sean Barbabella helped care for more than 1,200 trauma patients, mostly Marines wounded in combat, during seven months in Iraq last year. One who made an indelible impression on the Navy doctor was Lex, a bomb-sniffing German shepherd wounded alongside his handler, Marine Cpl. Dustin Lee, in a mortar attack.

BY JEN DIMASCIO, Politico As President-elect Barack Obama mulls the gender balance of his Cabinet and White House staff, some women’s groups are hoping he’ll help put some cracks in one of Washington’s thickest glass ceilings: the Pentagon.

By Mary Engel and Thomas H. Maugh II Los Angeles Times A congressionally mandated scientific panel has concluded that Gulf War syndrome is real and still afflicts nearly one-quarter of the 700,000 U.S. troops who served in the 1991 conflict, according to a report released Monday.

After serious leaks in oil pipes sidetracked the first deployment of the San Antonio, the Navy is inspecting the other amphibious ships in the new class for similar problems, a spokeswoman said Monday.

NORFOLK The Navy announced Monday it wants to base a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier at Mayport Naval Station, an effort that would cost $426 million and could divert 3,200 sailors and civilian personnel from Virginia to Florida.