https://www.commondef.com Fri, 25 Sep 2026 19:06:32+0000 en-us hourly 1 https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/thunderbird-360-camera-captures-pilots-stunning-escape-from-doomed-f-16/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103734 2026-09-25T19:07:38+00:00 Common Defense Staff A canopy mounted camera captured a Thunderbird pilot’s escape, parachute deployment and the F-16’s fiery impact within seconds. Investigators blamed an engine flaw while clearing the pilot and maintenance crews of responsibility. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/nellis-bids-a-historic-final-farewell-to-its-last-a-10-warthog/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103823 2026-09-25T19:07:38+00:00 Julian Dorsett Nellis Air Force Base has completed its final A-10 Thunderbolt II flight, closing nearly five decades of Warthog operations as personnel and missions transition to advanced fighters amid congressional resistance to the aircraft’s retirement. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/1st-infantry-division-soldiers-deploy-to-lithuania-as-nato-guards-against-russia/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103731 2026-09-25T19:07:38+00:00 Julian Dorsett The 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, is heading to Lithuania for a routine NATO rotation as regional officials monitor increased Russian drone incidents, airspace violations and other hybrid activity. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/armys-top-drill-sergeant-shatters-the-screaming-stereotype-empathy-matters/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103728 2026-09-25T19:07:38+00:00 Frank Guy Army Reserve Drill Sergeant of the Year Kevin Harrington says effective basic training requires more than shouting, combining demanding standards and weapons instruction with coaching, mentorship and empathy for recruits facing difficult transitions. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/u-s-to-deliver-critical-but-more-limited-nato-capabilities-as-europe-steps-up/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103817 2026-09-25T19:07:38+00:00 Common Defense Staff NATO’s top commander says Washington will retain critical but more limited alliance capabilities while Europeans assume greater responsibility, amid intelligence sharing over suspected Russian linked incidents and a force review affecting about 80,000 U.S. troops in Europe. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/pentagon-casualty-math-ignites-a-crisis-of-trust/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103743 2026-09-25T19:07:38+00:00 Common Defense Staff The Pentagon says 19 service members have died and just over 830 have been wounded since the Iran war began, but disputed classifications, delayed reporting, and additional regional deaths have intensified demands for a clearer accounting. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/navy-study-reveals-the-ships-where-sailor-burnout-hits-hardest/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103749 2026-09-25T19:07:38+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer Survey data from nearly 16,000 sailors reveals sharp differences in burnout, stress, sleep debt, and nap frequency across Navy ship classes, while researchers say targeted naps may help crews manage fatigue when adequate nightly sleep is unavailable. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/frozen-arctic-outpost-set-to-become-key-u-s-foothold-under-new-greenland-deal/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103769 2026-09-25T19:07:38+00:00 Frank Guy A newly signed agreement could bring U.S. troops to Mestersvig, an isolated Greenland outpost overlooking the strategically vital GIUK gap, where brutal weather, deep snow and prolonged winter darkness define daily operations. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/u-s-destroyer-advances-navy-drone-refueling-in-major-at-sea-trial/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103827 2026-09-25T19:07:38+00:00 Common Defense Staff USS Chafee’s refueling of Seahawk marked another step toward sustaining Navy drones at sea, while DARPA works to reduce the risks created when sailors must board unmanned vessels during potentially dangerous conditions. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/montford-point-marine-and-baseball-pioneer-bill-greason-celebrates-102-remarkable-years/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103777 2026-09-25T19:07:38+00:00 Bethany Loveland At 102, Montford Point Marine Bill Greason remains a living symbol of service, faith and perseverance after surviving Iwo Jima, breaking baseball barriers, entering the ministry and continuing to support fellow veterans. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/marines-launch-hunt-for-heat-tough-parris-island-bulldog-recruit/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103780 2026-09-25T19:07:38+00:00 Julian Dorsett Parris Island wants a female English bulldog puppy with the temperament, markings and genetic tolerance needed for mascot duty in South Carolina’s heat and humidity. Vendor responses are due Oct. 1, with delivery planned for December. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/navy-shipyard-overhaul-risks-billions-as-watchdog-blasts-oversight-failure/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103768 2026-09-25T19:07:38+00:00 Common Defense Staff A federal watchdog says the Navy’s more than $200 billion shipyard overhaul lacks regular cost, risk and performance reviews, potentially leaving Congress with incomplete information as the service modernizes four facilities over more than 50 years. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/inside-trumps-military-spouse-commissions-high-stakes-first-meeting/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103760 2026-09-25T19:07:38+00:00 Frank Guy Trump’s new Military Spouse Commission opened with policy discussions covering employment, healthcare, childcare and military transition, while highlighting an executive order, a medical attendance memorandum and a five location childcare pilot. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/u-s-f-35-fighters-set-for-historic-debut-in-indian-multinational-air-exercise/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103806 2026-09-25T19:07:38+00:00 Bethany Loveland American F-35 fighters are making their Indian air drill debut at Tarang Shakti, giving India and other participants direct experience operating with advanced stealth aircraft during multinational tactical missions from Jodhpur air base. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/france-to-send-troops-and-defense-systems-to-guard-saudi-red-sea-oil-route/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103801 2026-09-25T19:07:38+00:00 Frank Guy Macron says French troops, radar and defense systems will protect Saudi Arabia’s key Yanbu oil route as missile attacks, rising energy prices and warnings about potential Russian strikes intensify pressure on Paris. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/8-sailors-survived-suicide-attempts-across-lincoln-strike-group-cao-reveals/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103759 2026-09-25T19:07:38+00:00 Julian Dorsett Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao disclosed eight suicide attempts across the Lincoln strike group as sailors, families and mental health professionals raised concerns about care, morale and lengthy waits during the carrier’s extended Middle East deployment. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/sensitive-military-data-and-social-security-numbers-exposed-in-security-breach/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103752 2026-09-25T19:07:38+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer Unauthorized users accessed unencrypted Social Security numbers and military personnel information through a vulnerable DMDC file sharing system. Approximately four million Department of War personnel may be affected, though the full scope remains unclear. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/thales-advances-nato-talks-on-powerful-ai-command-system/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103810 2026-09-25T19:07:38+00:00 Julian Dorsett Thales says several NATO countries are considering HexaForce, an artificial intelligence command system built to connect with existing military networks, accelerate planning and support operations from army corps headquarters down to battalion level. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/china-holds-sensitive-f-35-stealth-parts-after-baffling-hong-kong-diversion/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103562 2026-09-25T19:07:38+00:00 Julian Dorsett China has not returned sensitive F-35 components diverted to Hong Kong during shipment from Australia, prompting recovery efforts, congressional scrutiny and an investigation into how the stealth aircraft parts ended up in Chinese government possession. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/sailors-give-uss-georgia-a-final-heartfelt-farewell-before-retirement/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103514 2026-09-25T19:07:38+00:00 Julian Dorsett After more than 40 years of service, USS Georgia is heading toward decommissioning as sailors remember the demanding missions, enduring friendships and hard earned lessons that defined life aboard the Ohio-class guided-missile submarine.