Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is scheduled to travel to Newport News, Virginia, on January 5 as part of his ongoing “Arsenal of Freedom” tour, according to a Department of War announcement.
During the visit, Hegseth will tour shipbuilding facilities and a military recruiting station and administer the oath of enlistment to new recruits. The department said the tour is focused on highlighting the role of American manufacturing and workforce capacity in supporting national defense.
According to the announcement, the “Arsenal of Freedom” tour is intended to emphasize the importance of the Defense Industrial Base and its ability to supply the U.S. military efficiently and at scale. Officials said the initiative aligns with President Donald Trump’s “peace through strength” agenda.
The department said the tour will also promote changes to defense acquisition policy, including reducing bureaucratic delays, prioritizing speed and innovation, and encouraging a “commercial-first” approach to procurement. Officials described the goal as creating a more agile and accountable defense ecosystem capable of delivering equipment to warfighters more quickly.
The Newport News stop is part of a broader nationwide tour focused on manufacturing, workforce development, and defense readiness.
