https://www.commondef.com Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:56:16+0000 en-us hourly 1 https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/army-grounds-hundreds-of-ah-64e-apaches-again-as-transmission-concerns-deepen/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105216 2026-10-06T12:57:34+00:00 Julian Dorsett Roughly 400 AH-64E Apaches are sidelined as the Army inspects Improved Drive System transmissions, marking the fleet’s second safety pause in two months after a previous August grounding lasted just over a week. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/army-surges-into-robotics-and-space-as-hundreds-take-new-jobs/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105209 2026-10-06T12:57:34+00:00 Bethany Loveland The Army moved hundreds of soldiers into dedicated space and robotics specialties as it expands technical expertise, builds autonomous capabilities and prepares new personnel to support satellite operations, missile warning systems, uncrewed platforms and special operations formations. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/soldier-awarded-purple-heart-after-deadliest-drone-attack-of-wars-opening-days/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105208 2026-10-06T12:57:34+00:00 Common Defense Staff Lt. Col. Robert J. Connolly received the Purple Heart after surviving the March 1 Iranian drone strike in Kuwait that killed six fellow Reserve soldiers and became the deadliest attack on Americans in the war so far. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/air-force-pulls-every-deployed-bomber-from-raf-fairford-after-security-scare/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105203 2026-10-06T12:57:34+00:00 Frank Guy The Air Force returned every bomber deployed at RAF Fairford to the United States as British counterterrorism police investigate suspected terrorist activity near the installation, although officials have not directly connected the arrests to the aircraft movements. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/pentagon-doubles-hostile-fire-pay-as-war-with-iran-continues/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105197 2026-10-06T12:57:34+00:00 Frank Guy Troops in combat zones can receive up to $450 monthly in hostile fire pay or $275 in imminent danger pay as the war with Iran continues, marking the first increases to special combat compensation since 2002. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/uss-george-h-w-bush-reaches-thailand-after-quiet-middle-east-exit/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105196 2026-10-06T12:57:34+00:00 Bethany Loveland The USS George H.W. Bush made its first port visit after months supporting operations connected to Iran, arriving in Thailand as the American carrier presence in the Middle East temporarily fell to one ship. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/marine-arrested-in-okinawa-on-suspicion-of-robbing-and-murdering-japanese-woman/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105202 2026-10-06T12:57:34+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer A Marine assigned to III Marine Expeditionary Force remains in Japanese custody after his arrest on suspicion of robbing and murdering Yagi Anna, prompting a formal protest and demands for stricter discipline among U.S. military personnel. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/air-force-approves-distinctive-rust-berets-for-bomb-disposal-airmen/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105193 2026-10-06T12:57:34+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer Air Force explosive ordnance disposal technicians will receive distinctive rust berets recognizing their specialized combat role, although officials have not announced when the newly authorized headgear will begin reaching the force. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/troops-score-a-full-day-to-register-or-vote-in-november-elections/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105190 2026-10-06T12:57:34+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer War Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered commanders to provide troops a dedicated voting stand down by Oct. 15, giving service members time to register, obtain ballots, seek assistance, and help eligible spouses and dependents. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/dc-traffic-stop-lands-national-guardsman-a-felony-gun-charge/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105187 2026-10-06T12:57:34+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer Jakob Noonan, an Oklahoma National Guard specialist deployed to Washington, faces a felony pistol charge after an expired vehicle registration prompted a traffic stop and police learned he lacked a District of Columbia carry permit. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/florida-jury-acquits-former-deputy-in-fatal-shooting-of-air-force-special-operations-airman/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105184 2026-10-06T12:57:34+00:00 Julian Dorsett Former deputy Eddie Duran was acquitted of manslaughter in Senior Airman Roger Fortson’s death, but the airman’s family says it will continue seeking accountability through a federal civil rights lawsuit. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/navy-loads-uss-theodore-roosevelt-with-extra-supplies-for-middle-east-mission/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105181 2026-10-06T12:57:34+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer The USS Theodore Roosevelt is heading toward the Middle East with deeper supply stores after shortages aboard another carrier, disruptions in Bahrain and growing concern about the physical and mental toll of extended deployments. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/neros-and-perennial-autonomy-seize-top-spots-in-pentagon-drone-showdown/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=104877 2026-10-06T12:57:34+00:00 Frank Guy Neros and Perennial Autonomy secured the strongest results in separate Drone Dominance categories, earning major Pentagon orders as the $1 billion effort prepares to evaluate bomber platforms in its next Gauntlet. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/ukraine-sends-fp-7-tactical-ballistic-missile-into-combat-for-first-time/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=104894 2026-10-06T12:57:34+00:00 Bethany Loveland Ukraine has confirmed the FP-7 tactical ballistic missile’s first combat use, but officials withheld its target and location. Zelenskyy thanked those involved and pointed toward production as Fire Point continues work connected to Europe’s Freyja missile defense program. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/navy-scores-signal-victory-as-free-wi-fi-reaches-90-of-unaccompanied-housing/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=104891 2026-10-06T12:57:34+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer The Navy has brought free Wi-Fi to 90% of its unaccompanied housing buildings, connecting 865 facilities while scheduling isolated locations such as Camp Lemonnier and Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia for completion in fiscal 2027. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/u-s-navy-awards-raytheon-massive-24-4b-sm-6-deal-as-stockpile-concerns-mount/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=104905 2026-10-06T12:57:34+00:00 Frank Guy The Navy’s potential $24.4 billion SM-6 contract gives Raytheon five years of production work and two option years, but industry executives warn that congressional funding remains necessary for contractors to invest at scale. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/belgium-eyes-exit-as-delays-batter-dutch-asw-frigate-project/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=104909 2026-10-06T12:57:34+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer Belgium is weighing Italian frigates and temporary options as delays push the joint Dutch antisubmarine warfare project beyond the usable lives of its current ships, raising urgent questions about naval firepower after 2030. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/taiwans-first-f-16vs-arrive-in-powerful-boost-against-china/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=104903 2026-10-06T12:57:35+00:00 Frank Guy Taiwan received its first two F-16V Block 70 fighters from a 66 aircraft order, strengthening an air force that scrambles almost daily as Beijing continues military pressure and demands that Washington stop arming the island. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/robert-irvine-takes-aim-at-dismal-flight-line-food-for-bomber-crews/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=104862 2026-10-06T12:57:35+00:00 Julian Dorsett Celebrity chef Robert Irvine is pushing healthier grab and go meals for Barksdale airmen whose demanding flight line schedules can leave them relying on energy drinks, processed snacks, and limited flight kitchen menus. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/return-of-the-blackbird-new-clues-suggest-an-sr-71-could-soar-again/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=104873 2026-10-06T12:57:35+00:00 Julian Dorsett The disappearance of SR-71 tail number 844, reported recruiting of veteran Blackbird engineers and NASA’s renewed interest in X-planes have stirred hopes that America’s legendary reconnaissance jet could once again thunder into the sky.