https://www.commondef.com Mon, 26 Oct 2026 12:25:11+0000 en-us hourly 1 https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/air-defense-soldiers-could-earn-striking-new-badge-after-five-successful-engagements/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=107096 2026-10-26T12:27:49+00:00 Common Defense Staff The Army is reviewing a gold wreath skill badge for soldiers credited with at least five successful hostile engagements, potentially recognizing qualifying air defense achievements dating back to 2022. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/space-force-moves-to-embed-more-guardians-across-the-joint-force/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=107093 2026-10-26T12:27:49+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer Gen. Douglas Schiess wants more guardians delivering space expertise directly to combatant commands as Space Force expands its personnel, strengthens ties with special operations and develops an arsenal that already includes undisclosed weapons in orbit. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/u-s-expands-sweeping-alcohol-restrictions-for-troops-in-japan/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=107090 2026-10-26T12:27:49+00:00 Frank Guy American troops participating in Keen Sword cannot consume alcohol and face overnight curfews, while separate Kadena Air Base orders restrict drinking, possession and nighttime liberties for personnel in ranks E-1 through E-4. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/army-activates-permanent-air-defense-battalion-to-fortify-guam/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=107087 2026-10-26T12:27:49+00:00 Bethany Loveland The Army’s new Guam battalion replaces a rotating task force and establishes permanent air defense capabilities, including THAAD and Patriot systems, as the military develops a broader network to protect the strategic Pacific territory. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/pentagon-bans-troops-from-cashing-in-on-insider-military-information/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=107084 2026-10-26T12:27:49+00:00 Common Defense Staff Hegseth’s directive warns that prediction market wagers based on insider military information can expose operational signals to foreign intelligence services while putting troops and civilian personnel at risk of military or federal penalties. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/trump-and-putin-secure-air-force-veterans-freedom-from-russian-prison/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=106858 2026-10-26T12:27:49+00:00 Julian Dorsett Stephen Hubbard is free after more than four years in Russian custody, with Trump saying no swap was required and defending his decision to avoid sanctions that he argued would have destroyed the negotiations. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/navy-unleashes-up-to-100000-in-bonuses-for-explosive-ordnance-disposal-officers/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=106873 2026-10-26T12:27:49+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer The Navy is dangling bonuses worth up to $100,000 to retain experienced explosive ordnance disposal warfare officers, with separate eligibility thresholds, contract options and application requirements for lieutenants and lieutenant commanders. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/u-s-army-long-range-firepower-makes-waves-across-the-front-line-with-china/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=106867 2026-10-26T12:27:49+00:00 Bethany Loveland U.S. Army HIMARS and Typhon deployments are expanding across Japan and the Philippines, sharpening allied long range firepower while exposing the logistical challenges of sustaining dispersed forces near Taiwan. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/va-watchdog-finds-painful-scar-errors-fueled-5-6-million-in-overpayments/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=106864 2026-10-26T12:27:49+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer A VA watchdog linked painful scar disability errors to approximately $5.6 million in overpayments, while the agency challenged how the findings were statistically presented and agreed to pursue questionnaire revisions, employee guidance and corrections by February 2027. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/army-scrambles-for-new-155mm-howitzer-barrel-makers-as-demand-surges/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=106861 2026-10-26T12:27:49+00:00 Julian Dorsett The Army is testing whether industry can deliver up to 10 new 155mm howitzer barrels monthly as the aging Watervliet Arsenal struggles to meet demand generated by heavy artillery use and the need to replace worn cannon tubes. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/pentagon-and-lockheed-agree-to-massive-10-year-framework-for-850-f-35-jets/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=106855 2026-10-26T12:27:49+00:00 Frank Guy The 10 year framework promises at least 850 F-35 fighters, billions in Lockheed investment and steadier production, but congressional authorization, funding and final negotiations must occur before the sweeping arrangement becomes a contract. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/pentagon-races-to-put-ketamine-wafers-on-the-battlefield/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=106849 2026-10-26T12:27:49+00:00 Frank Guy A nearly $41 million War Department contract is advancing a dissolvable ketamine wafer as its manufacturer seeks emergency authorization, potentially putting the pain medication into military use before it receives full Food and Drug Administration approval. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/uss-abraham-lincoln-crew-faces-major-base-move-weeks-after-grueling-deployment/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=106846 2026-10-26T12:27:49+00:00 Frank Guy After 321 days away from home and 40 days of combat operations, USS Abraham Lincoln sailors and their families must prepare for a move from San Diego to Bremerton under a Dec. 31, 2026, administrative deadline. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/air-force-special-ops-trainees-graduate-up-to-18-months-faster/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=106843 2026-10-26T12:27:49+00:00 Julian Dorsett Airmen entering four Air Force special warfare fields can now complete training six to 18 months faster after pipeline changes cut delays, added Zulu instruction, and synchronized course start dates without changing graduation standards. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/new-zealand-military-chief-resigns-over-inappropriate-relationship-admission/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=106880 2026-10-26T12:27:49+00:00 Julian Dorsett Air Marshal Tony Davies is leaving New Zealand’s top military post after admitting an inappropriate relationship during unit command and regretting his failure to disclose it. Two senior officers will oversee the resulting transition. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/f-22-pilot-takes-command-of-unmanned-yfq-44a-in-breakthrough-flight-test/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=106715 2026-10-26T12:27:49+00:00 Julian Dorsett An F-22 pilot successfully commanded Anduril’s unmanned YFQ-44A Fury in flight, directing maneuvers and simulated combat tasks as the Air Force advances plans for 500 systems ready for combat by 2032. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/china-surges-past-us-in-naval-shipbuilding-with-more-than-twice-the-tonnage/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=106716 2026-10-26T12:27:49+00:00 Bethany Loveland China dominated naval construction during 2024 and 2025, producing more than twice the American tonnage as lawmakers warned that U.S. shipbuilding delays and bottlenecks could hinder efforts to keep pace with Beijing’s expanding fleet. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/israel-locks-in-12-apache-gunships-with-a-dramatic-final-hour-maneuver/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=106726 2026-10-26T12:27:49+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer Israel secured 12 advanced Apache “Echo” attack helicopters after American officials opened a “final window” and an urgent Cabinet phone vote resolved the funding dispute that had threatened Boeing’s available production slot. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/pentagon-ignored-cybersecurity-flaws-before-massive-data-breach-marines-allege/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=106710 2026-10-26T12:27:49+00:00 Frank Guy Two Marines allege the Pentagon ignored cybersecurity weaknesses that left millions of sensitive files exposed for approximately nine months, leading to fraudulent charges, increased spam and continuing risks involving identity theft and financial fraud. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/uss-abraham-lincoln-set-for-major-home-port-shift-to-naval-base-kitsap-bremerton/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=106705 2026-10-26T12:27:49+00:00 Common Defense Staff The USS Abraham Lincoln will permanently relocate from San Diego to Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton later this year, bringing its crew and families to Washington following an extended deployment, major combat operations and months of uncertainty about the move.