https://www.commondef.com Sat, 26 Sep 2026 21:58:01+0000 en-us hourly 1 https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/coast-guard-cutter-delivers-massive-57-million-drug-haul-at-port-everglades/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103965 2026-09-26T22:54:54+00:00 Julian Dorsett Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba delivered approximately $57 million in seized cocaine and marijuana to Port Everglades after Caribbean interdictions involving multiple cutters, embarked law enforcement personnel and interagency partners. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/navy-shipyard-upgrade-plan-could-drag-on-for-50-years-and-top-200-billion/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103990 2026-09-26T22:54:54+00:00 Common Defense Staff A GAO report warns that the Navy’s shipyard modernization program could cost more than $200 billion over 50 years while lacking regular reviews needed to keep infrastructure plans aligned with future fleet requirements. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/houthi-advance-toward-key-u-s-base-in-djibouti-ignites-fresh-security-alarm/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103989 2026-09-26T22:54:54+00:00 Common Defense Staff The Houthi seizure of Perim Island has brought the group closer to Camp Lemonnier, renewing warnings about missile and drone threats while analysts call for a more distributed American military network across East Africa. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/somalia-mission-slammed-as-not-worth-the-cost-in-new-drawdown-push/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103986 2026-09-26T22:54:54+00:00 Frank Guy Defense Priorities says America’s Somalia campaign is not justified by a significant homeland threat, even as airstrikes accelerate. The group wants President Trump to phase out the mission and shift responsibility to regional partners. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/gen-douglas-schiess-takes-command-as-space-forces-top-officer/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103980 2026-09-26T22:54:54+00:00 Frank Guy Gen. Douglas A. Schiess assumed command of more than 15,000 Space Force members as the service pursues a $71 billion 2027 budget request, stronger combat credibility, new capabilities and the hiring of 2,000 civilians. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/paper-rockets-propel-space-force-stem-mission-in-south-korea/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103977 2026-09-26T22:54:54+00:00 Julian Dorsett Space Force personnel helped Osan Elementary School students explore satellites and launch paper rockets while preparing local guardians to lead future STEM events, potentially expanding the successful program to nearby Camp Humphreys. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/top-general-warns-americas-troops-must-prepare-now-for-war-on-the-moon/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103974 2026-09-26T22:54:54+00:00 Julian Dorsett Air Force Gen. Dan Caine says the joint force must adapt for contested operations from the seabed to cislunar space as China and Russia develop capabilities that threaten American space interests. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/meet-the-goat-fire-brigade-protecting-marines-at-miramar/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103971 2026-09-26T22:54:54+00:00 Julian Dorsett MCAS Miramar has enlisted 471 goats to clear dry brush across more than 600 acres, creating fuel breaks while officials test targeted grazing as a possible tool for future wildfire mitigation efforts. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/coast-guard-commissions-fifth-guam-cutter-honoring-9-11-hero/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103968 2026-09-26T22:54:54+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer The USCGC Jeffrey Palazzo, named for a Coast Guard reservist and New York City firefighter killed on 9/11, entered service in New York and is slated to become Guam’s fifth Sentinel class fast response cutter. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/water-service-returns-after-sweeping-camp-humphreys-outage/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103956 2026-09-26T22:54:54+00:00 Common Defense Staff Water service began returning at Camp Humphreys after a widespread outage prompted emergency tanks and distribution sites, though some residents still reported dry taps while the installation’s system continued repressurizing. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/polands-heavy-fighting-vehicle-fuels-ambitious-global-export-push/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103962 2026-09-26T22:54:54+00:00 Bethany Loveland Poland is using a new heavy infantry fighting vehicle to support its push from major weapons buyer to exporter, with a prototype planned next year, possible production in 2029 and potential Army demand for about 700 vehicles. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/army-sounds-alarm-as-scammers-prey-on-grieving-veteran-families/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103959 2026-09-26T22:54:54+00:00 Julian Dorsett An Army Casualty Assistance Center says scammers are demanding money from grieving families and threatening to cancel veterans’ military honors, even though those funeral services are provided at no cost. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/grim-discovery-at-eglin-person-found-passed-away-in-burned-vehicle/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103953 2026-09-26T22:54:54+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer Security Forces airmen discovered the body during a routine patrol early Wednesday. Military and local investigators are examining the incident, while officials have withheld the person’s identity and disclosed no possible connection to Eglin or the armed forces. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/new-uso-brings-pickleball-pancakes-and-a-morale-boost-to-troops-fighting-al-shabab/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103983 2026-09-26T22:54:54+00:00 Common Defense Staff The new USO center gives troops at a remote Somalia outpost pancakes, games and recreation, even as American forces train to reinforce the installation and AFRICOM increases airstrikes against al-Shabab. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/u-s-appeals-court-upholds-pentagon-blacklisting-of-anthropic-in-major-trump-victory/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103857 2026-09-26T22:54:54+00:00 Julian Dorsett A federal appeals court upheld the Pentagon’s Anthropic blacklist, accepting Hegseth’s warning that strict AI guardrails could disrupt military operations, while the startup considers seeking review from the full appeals court. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/idaho-national-guard-pulls-off-three-remote-rescues-in-four-days/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103860 2026-09-26T22:54:54+00:00 Frank Guy Idaho Army National Guard crews used HH-60 Black Hawks to help rescue four people during three operations across four days, bringing critical hoist capability to remote terrain where injuries, isolation and difficult access complicated local rescue efforts. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/navy-launches-powerful-new-hub-to-forge-autonomous-systems-into-fleet-combat-power/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103854 2026-09-26T22:54:54+00:00 Frank Guy The Navy’s new Virginia development center will train sailors, test robotic technology under realistic stress and create operational guidelines before autonomous systems are fielded for combat across the fleet. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/misaligned-fan-blades-trigger-catastrophic-engine-failure-in-thunderbird-f-16-crash/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103863 2026-09-26T22:54:54+00:00 Frank Guy A Thunderbirds pilot escaped with minor injuries after hidden engine damage triggered a catastrophic loss of thrust at low altitude, destroying a $33.4 million F-16CM during a California training flight. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/civil-war-cannonballs-trigger-wild-tsa-alarm-at-alabama-airport/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103866 2026-09-26T22:54:54+00:00 Julian Dorsett TSA officers found inert Civil War era cannonballs wrapped in paper towels inside luggage at Gulf Shores International Airport. Police said the stolen projectiles posed no threat and later returned them to nearby Fort Morgan. https://www.commondef.com/2026/09/holiday-breakdown-leaves-largest-army-base-in-south-korea-without-running-water/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=103869 2026-09-26T22:54:54+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer A mechanical failure cut water across Camp Humphreys during Chuseok, forcing troops, families and contractors to rely on portable tanks and toilets as service closures spread and repairs were delayed until Monday.