https://www.commondef.com Sat, 19 Sep 2026 17:25:59+0000 en-us hourly 1 https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/air-force-faces-a-staggering-14-billion-aircraft-parts-supply-hole/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102990 2026-09-19T22:54:58+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer Air Force officials say a $14 billion parts shortage, an aging fleet and rising supply related aircraft downtime demand additional sustainment funding, while targeted readiness efforts have already increased B-52 readiness by 40%. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/dpaa-eyes-exhumation-to-identify-korean-war-unknown-at-arlington/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102993 2026-09-19T22:54:58+00:00 Common Defense Staff DPAA believes it has a high probability of identifying the Korean War Unknown at Arlington, but the effort will wait until fewer than 50 remaining Korean War Unknowns in Honolulu are exhumed and identified. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/u-s-approves-potential-24-3-billion-f-35-sale-to-saudi-arabia/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102996 2026-09-19T22:54:58+00:00 Common Defense Staff The State Department approved a potential $24.3 billion package providing Saudi Arabia with 48 F-35 fighters, 49 engines and support equipment, but congressional approval remains necessary as lawmakers consider Israel’s regional military advantage. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/long-carrier-deployments-crush-navys-strained-mental-health-system/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103008 2026-09-19T22:54:58+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer Sailors and providers say prolonged carrier deployments are overwhelming Navy mental health resources, leaving thousands with lengthy appointment delays while understaffed clinicians face punishing workloads, restrictive treatment models and mountains of administrative paperwork. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/marine-arctic-boots-fall-apart-as-manufacturing-mandate-backfires/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103017 2026-09-19T22:54:58+00:00 Common Defense Staff Marines training for a Norwegian led NATO exercise reportedly suffered holes, separated soles, and freezing water in new boots as lawmakers consider restricting optional combat footwear to products manufactured entirely in the United States. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/ai-battlefield-could-make-moral-injury-a-signature-wound/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102978 2026-09-19T22:54:58+00:00 Julian Dorsett As AI accelerates targeting and expands autonomous warfare, military chaplains and researchers are examining whether troops could suffer moral injury from lethal decisions made with limited time, physical distance and less meaningful control. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/army-locks-in-automatic-staff-sergeant-promotions-for-drill-sergeants/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102981 2026-09-19T22:54:58+00:00 Bethany Loveland Army drill sergeants will receive automatic promotions to staff sergeant after academy graduation, gaining about $3,000 annually while serving in the demanding assignment. Current drill sergeants will also be eligible under the new policy. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/space-force-goes-hot-u-s-quietly-puts-weapons-in-orbit-while-china-cries-peace-watch/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102962 2026-09-19T22:54:58+00:00 LifeZette Air Force Secretary Troy Meink confirmed that American space control weapons are now deployed, but offered no details about their operation or targets as the Trump administration advances its ambitious Golden Dome missile interception system. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/more-than-16000-troops-could-face-separation-under-tougher-shaving-rules/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102984 2026-09-19T22:54:58+00:00 Bethany Loveland More than 16,000 troops could fall under stricter grooming policies requiring repeated medical reviews, with separation evaluations possible after 12 consecutive months of shaving waivers. Religious beard accommodations remain governed by a separate process. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/pentagon-reboots-testosterone-screening-mandate-for-men-30-and-older/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102987 2026-09-19T22:54:58+00:00 Bethany Loveland The Department of War has revived mandatory testosterone deficiency screenings for male service members age 30 and older, while treatment remains voluntary and separate guidance for women continues to undergo review. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/marine-corps-rolls-out-tough-new-guidance-for-religious-accommodations/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103014 2026-09-19T22:54:58+00:00 Frank Guy New interim guidance requires Marines seeking religious accommodations to document their beliefs, provide supporting information and remain compliant with existing rules while commanders evaluate sincerity, mission readiness and protective equipment concerns. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/beijings-ai-blunder-pla-surveillance-police-systems-and-state-logins-leaked-through-claude-watch/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102968 2026-09-19T22:54:58+00:00 RVM News https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/trump-scores-historic-greenland-triumph-with-permanent-us-military-rights-watch/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102954 2026-09-19T22:54:58+00:00 LifeZette Trump’s agreement grants the United States permanent military access to Greenland, blocks adversarial bases and sensitive investments, and allows new American installations without Danish or Greenlandic approval, while leaving sovereignty over the Arctic island unchanged. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/trump-pushes-24-3-billion-f-35-power-deal-as-houthi-threat-surges/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102854 2026-09-19T22:54:58+00:00 Bethany Loveland Trump’s administration is advancing a potential $24.3 billion package of 48 F-35 fighters, 49 engines, and other parts for Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks escalate and Congress begins its 30 day review. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/dana-bash-stunned-as-dhs-chief-reveals-number-of-terrorists-arrested-after-biden-let-them-in-watch/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102936 2026-09-19T22:54:58+00:00 RVM News National Security https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/u-s-air-force-moves-to-extend-b-1-and-b-2-service-in-major-readiness-push/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102865 2026-09-19T22:54:58+00:00 Frank Guy The Air Force will keep its B-1 and B-2 bombers serving longer while investing in readiness, pilot training and modernization as the B-21 Raider advances toward its planned 2027 delivery at Ellsworth Air Force Base. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/coast-guard-boards-u-s-bound-vessels-after-hackers-apparently-breach-networks/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102871 2026-09-19T22:54:58+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer Coast Guard and FBI personnel boarded two commercial vessels after signs of network compromises, while separate reporting alleged that hackers disrupted communications and engine systems aboard the Liberian flagged VL Prosperity. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/f-16-erupts-in-flames-after-terrifying-michigan-crash-and-frantic-wingman-warning/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102890 2026-09-19T22:54:58+00:00 LifeZette A Texas National Guard pilot safely ejected after a suspected bird strike disabled an F-16 over northern Michigan, prompting frantic radio warnings, a fiery crash, and an evacuation order for residents within one mile of the site. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/u-s-navy-should-hunt-chinas-carriers-in-pacific-fight-report-says/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102857 2026-09-19T22:54:58+00:00 Common Defense Staff A CSIS report urges the Navy and Pacific allies to turn China’s carrier strategy against Beijing, using submarines, missiles, drones, surveillance and cyber warfare to make its growing fleet costly and dangerous to operate. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/lockheed-lands-first-gm-parts-for-patriot-interceptors-in-blazing-22-day-turnaround/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=102862 2026-09-19T22:54:58+00:00 Frank Guy GM Defense delivered the first PAC-3 MSE housing components only 22 days after signing its Lockheed contract, giving the Patriot production push an unusually fast start as demand for interceptors and other munitions continues to surge.