https://www.commondef.com Fri, 09 Oct 2026 15:41:35+0000 en-us hourly 1 https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/va-dental-newcomers-stuck-with-nearly-two-month-wait/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105598 2026-10-09T15:42:17+00:00 Frank Guy New VA dental patients average a 51 day wait while established patients average 14 days. A nationwide Optum Serve contract promises greater oversight, but the VA has not disclosed a target for reducing initial appointment delays. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/u-s-army-simulator-supercharges-german-pilots-for-ch-47f-chinook-fleet/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105621 2026-10-09T15:42:17+00:00 Frank Guy German pilots are using a U.S. Army simulator in Europe as they prepare to operate 60 CH-47F Block II Chinooks, with annual Fort Rucker training set to begin in 2028. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/florida-air-force-bases-rush-evacuations-as-hurricane-isaias-closes-in/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105595 2026-10-09T15:42:17+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer Florida Air Force installations evacuated about 1,000 residents and relocated multiple aircraft as Hurricane Isaias approached, while crews secured facilities, protected vulnerable waterfront buildings and prepared for possible flooding and utility disruptions. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/estonias-krattworks-crafts-shahed-mimic-drone-for-target-practice/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105624 2026-10-09T15:42:17+00:00 Julian Dorsett KrattWorks plans to unveil a reliable Shahed mimic drone by the end of 2027, giving militaries a realistic target as Ukraine reports significantly weaker interception results against faster jet powered Shaheds. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/two-f-16-crashes-expose-dangerous-engine-blind-spot-as-air-force-revamps-inspections/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105592 2026-10-09T15:42:17+00:00 Common Defense Staff The Air Force is deploying a new borescope procedure for vulnerable F100 engine stages after investigators linked hidden, unrepaired fan damage to at least two F-16 crashes, including the destruction of a Thunderbird demonstration jet. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/uss-lincoln-strike-group-earns-militarys-highest-unit-valor-award-for-iran-deployment/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105480 2026-10-09T15:42:17+00:00 Bethany Loveland The Lincoln strike group earned the military’s highest unit valor award after a 321 day deployment that included 40 combat days, 3,963 combat sorties and 64 Iranian vessels sunk, according to the citation announced by Pete Hegseth. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/trumps-former-war-secretary-sees-iran-war-dragging-for-years-as-china-amasses-power/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105498 2026-10-09T15:42:17+00:00 Frank Guy Former War Secretary Mark Esper expects no foreseeable end to the Iran conflict, warning that Washington’s prolonged Middle East focus could distract from China’s expanding military, economic, technological and diplomatic power. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/armys-ah-64e-apache-grounding-likely-to-drag-on-for-months/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105483 2026-10-09T15:42:17+00:00 Bethany Loveland The Army expects roughly 400 AH-64E Apaches to remain grounded for months as global transmission inspections proceed, forcing aviation leaders to assess unit readiness and potentially move helicopters between squadrons. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/turkey-weighs-saudi-defense-aid-but-flatly-rules-out-offensive-role/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105489 2026-10-09T15:42:17+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer Turkey is assessing air defense, electronic warfare and technical support for Saudi Arabia under a pact with Pakistan, while Hakan Fidan says Ankara will not send troops abroad to conduct offensive operations. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/uss-harry-s-truman-set-for-massive-5-1-billion-service-midpoint-overhaul/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=104705 2026-10-09T15:42:17+00:00 Bethany Loveland USS Harry S. Truman will receive reactor refueling and sweeping system upgrades under a $5.1 billion contract with HII, preparing the carrier for the second half of its service life after a historic but incident plagued deployment. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/trump-turns-against-iran-deal-as-u-s-reportedly-prepares-for-massive-bombing/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105501 2026-10-09T15:42:17+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer Trump is backing away from an Iran agreement as reports say his national security team is considering renewed U.S. military operations, including possible bombing of energy, infrastructure and nuclear targets. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/u-s-and-greece-forge-powerful-new-front-against-terror-threats/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105495 2026-10-09T15:42:17+00:00 Bethany Loveland Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new United States and Greece counterterrorism information sharing program as both NATO allies expanded talks on military interoperability, maritime security, trade, investment, and defense industrial cooperation. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/iran-war-toll-hits-81-us-fighters-helicopters-and-drones-lost-or-damaged/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105477 2026-10-09T15:42:17+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer A Congressional Research Service report counts 81 US aircraft lost or damaged during the Iran war, while federal estimates place equipment losses as high as $3.7 billion and raise concerns about replacements, supply chains, and critical munitions stockpiles. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/eight-sailors-died-by-suicide-at-oklahoma-base-in-one-devastating-year/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=104693 2026-10-09T15:42:17+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer Eight sailor suicides within one year have placed Tinker’s Navy command under intense scrutiny as grieving families describe isolation, punishing workloads and gaps in care while the service adds chaplains, counselors and new resiliency programs. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/white-house-nominates-lt-gen-david-miller-jr-to-helm-u-s-space-command/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=104696 2026-10-09T15:42:17+00:00 Julian Dorsett Lt. Gen. David N. Miller Jr. has been nominated to command U.S. Space Command as military leaders emphasize spacepower, orbiting control weapons and space capabilities that deliver combat effects directly to joint forces worldwide. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/cartel-gunfire-rips-across-texas-border-as-coast-guard-returns-fire-and-army-prepares-to-deploy/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=104963 2026-10-09T15:42:17+00:00 Common Defense Staff A Coast Guard crew suppressed gunfire from the Mexican side of the Rio Grande without suffering injuries or damage. U.S. Army troops are now expected to deploy to the Rio Grande Valley for at least 30 days. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/first-uss-abraham-lincoln-strike-group-ship-finally-returns-home-after-grueling-301-days/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=104690 2026-10-09T15:42:17+00:00 Common Defense Staff The USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. returned to Hawaii after 301 days as scrutiny continues over prolonged deployments, sailor morale and suicide attempts across the Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/air-force-taps-boeing-for-2-38-billion-fleet-of-22-f-15ex-fighters/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=104702 2026-10-09T15:42:17+00:00 Common Defense Staff The Air Force used congressionally provided reconciliation funding to secure 22 additional F-15EX Eagle II fighters from Boeing before the Sept. 30 deadline, bringing the company’s contracted production total across Lots 1 through 7 to 120 aircraft. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/german-lawmakers-greenlight-eight-ship-fleet-of-sub-hunting-frigates/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105492 2026-10-09T15:42:17+00:00 Frank Guy Germany will acquire four additional MEKO A-200 DEU frigates, creating an eight ship class focused chiefly on anti-submarine warfare after Berlin abandoned the costly F126 program without receiving a vessel. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/pentagon-unveils-four-directed-energy-weapons-for-counter-drone-shield-at-us-bases/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105389 2026-10-09T15:42:17+00:00 Common Defense Staff Four laser and microwave systems will undergo operational testing at five U.S. bases as the military measures their performance, costs and maintenance demands while addressing safety concerns surrounding counter drone operations in domestic airspace.