https://www.commondef.com Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:56:46+0000 en-us hourly 1 https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/navy-f-a-18f-returns-from-iran-sporting-mysterious-sub-buster-marking/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105220 2026-10-06T15:24:42+00:00 Bethany Loveland A VFA-41 Super Hornet returned from the Iran war carrying a mysterious “Sub Buster” marking, while a squadron scoreboard documented 426 munitions used during Operation Epic Fury. The Navy and CENTCOM have not explained the aircraft’s role. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/u-s-army-races-to-test-counter-drone-arsenal-as-cartel-incursions-surge/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105221 2026-10-06T15:24:42+00:00 Julian Dorsett The Army is evaluating radars, interceptor drones, automated guns and lasers along the southern border after officials recorded 378 drone incursions in 30 days and reported that cartel use of commercially available surveillance aircraft was increasing. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/boeing-secures-14-7-billion-pact-to-triple-pac-3-mse-seeker-output/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105230 2026-10-06T15:24:42+00:00 Frank Guy Boeing’s approximately $14.7 billion Pentagon agreement formalizes a seven year push to triple PAC-3 MSE seeker output, aligning with Lockheed Martin’s plan to raise annual interceptor production from approximately 600 to 2,000. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/lithuania-offers-to-foot-entire-bill-for-permanent-u-s-military-base/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105252 2026-10-06T15:24:42+00:00 Julian Dorsett Lithuania says it will cover the costs of a permanent U.S. military base, leaving Washington to make the political decision as Trump considers replacing rotating deployments with a lasting American troop presence. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/trump-approves-firing-squad-execution-for-2009-fort-hood-shooter/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105214 2026-10-06T15:24:42+00:00 Common Defense Staff President Trump approved a firing squad execution for Nidal Hasan, convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009, as the Army prepares for its first soldier execution in more than 60 years. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/marine-anti-ship-arsenal-heads-to-japan-island-just-110-kilometers-from-taiwan/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105243 2026-10-06T15:24:42+00:00 Frank Guy Marine Corps anti ship and air defense systems will deploy to Yonaguni during Keen Sword, placing mobile American firepower 110 kilometers from Taiwan as Japan expands distributed military operations across its southwestern islands. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/air-and-space-forces-crush-2026-recruiting-goals-raise-the-bar-for-2027/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105241 2026-10-06T15:24:42+00:00 Julian Dorsett After meeting fiscal 2026 recruiting goals, the Air Force and Space Force are moving toward larger 2027 targets of 36,300 airmen and 1,402 guardians, backed by recruiting squadrons operating across the country. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/navy-selects-three-winners-to-accelerate-mine-countermeasure-technology/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105240 2026-10-06T15:24:42+00:00 Bethany Loveland Three companies proved their systems could locate, identify and destroy underwater mines from a safe distance as the Navy confronts Iranian mines, a reduced minesweeper fleet and documented problems with existing littoral combat ship technology. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/army-grounds-hundreds-of-ah-64e-apaches-again-as-transmission-concerns-deepen/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105216 2026-10-06T15:24:42+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/marine-corps-surges-past-2026-recruiting-goal-with-more-than-31000-new-recruits/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105231 2026-10-06T15:24:42+00:00 Bethany Loveland The Marine Corps exceeded its fiscal 2026 recruiting target with 31,250 enlisted Marines as strong applicant interest and retention fueled its best recruiting environment in five years. Recruiters have already contracted more than half of the fiscal 2027 mission. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/army-surges-into-robotics-and-space-as-hundreds-take-new-jobs/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105209 2026-10-06T15:24:42+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/watchdog-blasts-naval-special-warfare-command-over-failure-to-identify-and-treat-tbi/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105229 2026-10-06T15:24:42+00:00 Common Defense Staff A watchdog found sweeping failures in traumatic brain injury screening and care, including 634 exposure forms without a documented MACE-2 evaluation and no recorded timely follow up appointments between 2020 and 2026. https://www.commondef.com/2026/10/soldier-awarded-purple-heart-after-deadliest-drone-attack-of-wars-opening-days/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=105208 2026-10-06T15:24:42+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 2026-10-06T15:24:42+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 2026-10-06T15:24:42+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 2026-10-06T15:24:42+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 2026-10-06T15:24:42+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 2026-10-06T15:24:42+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 2026-10-06T15:24:42+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 2026-10-06T15:24:42+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.