https://www.commondef.com Fri, 13 Nov 2026 14:38:03+0000 en-us hourly 1 https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/three-iranian-backed-men-indicted-in-chilling-raf-fairford-terror-plot/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108870 2026-11-14T0:13:34+00:00 Common Defense Staff Federal prosecutors allege three men connected to Iranian terrorist networks plotted an attack on RAF Fairford using overseas contacts, coded jail communications, vans and fuel, exposing a threat aimed directly at U.S. personnel and allied territory. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/democrats-intensify-push-to-strip-us-israel-tech-measure-from-defense-bill/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108865 2026-11-14T0:13:34+00:00 Common Defense Staff Van Hollen and 11 Senate colleagues are pressing congressional leaders to remove provisions expanding US-Israel weapons technology and intelligence cooperation, arguing the proposed structure could constrain independent national security decisions and weaken oversight. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/air-force-set-to-launch-sweeping-year-round-operations-from-world-war-ii-pacific-airfields/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108846 2026-11-14T0:13:34+00:00 Julian Dorsett The Air Force plans more than 6,000 annual operations across four Northern Mariana Islands airfields, adding temporary infrastructure and up to 1,000 personnel per location as it expands distributed training under its Agile Combat Employment strategy. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/veterans-groups-blast-house-republicans-for-sneaking-benefits-cuts-through-on-veterans-day/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108849 2026-11-14T0:13:34+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer Veterans groups and Democrats condemned House Republicans after a Veterans Day voice vote advanced a sprawling package that changes sleep apnea and tinnitus ratings while expanding compensation for combat wounded veterans. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/hegseth-awards-medal-to-tomb-sentinel-who-called-his-delegation-to-order/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108854 2026-11-14T0:13:34+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer War Secretary Pete Hegseth publicly praised and decorated Specialist Thomas Iglesias after the Tomb sentinel demanded silence from his visiting group, backing the soldier’s enforcement of strict standards at Arlington National Cemetery. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/soldier-honored-for-heroism-after-deadliest-attack-of-iran-war/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108843 2026-11-14T0:13:34+00:00 Frank Guy Sgt. 1st Class Oscar M. McGrew received the Bronze Star with “V” device after the Army credited his fearless actions with saving lives during the March 1 Iranian attack that killed six Army Reserve soldiers in Kuwait. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/house-delivers-major-victory-for-combat-injured-veterans-with-benefits-expansion/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108860 2026-11-14T0:13:34+00:00 Frank Guy House passage moves the Major Richard Star Act to the Senate, offering combat injured military retirees with less than 20 years of service a path to receive full retirement pay and disability compensation without the current offset. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/navy-ousts-entire-uss-south-dakota-command-team-after-grounding-incident/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108852 2026-11-14T0:13:34+00:00 Bethany Loveland The USS South Dakota’s entire command triad was removed after a reported grounding incident, while lawmakers are demanding answers about possible damage, crew injuries, training concerns, and why Congress waited nearly a month for notification. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/polish-official-says-pentagon-greenlit-permanent-u-s-troop-presence-as-white-house-decision-looms/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108864 2026-11-14T0:13:34+00:00 Bethany Loveland Poland says the Pentagon has signaled support for a permanent American military presence, with potential sites already examined and infrastructure plans prepared. The White House is expected to make the final decision in early December. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/guard-delivers-sharp-rebuke-to-woman-laughing-in-hegseth-delegation-at-tomb-of-the-unknown-soldier-watch/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108749 2026-11-14T0:13:34+00:00 Julian Dorsett A sentinel guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier called for silence and respect after laughter was heard near Hegseth’s delegation, prompting the Pentagon to affirm that the soldier correctly reminded visitors to maintain decorum. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/air-force-strikes-83-4-million-deal-for-up-to-16000-next-generation-pilot-helmets/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108740 2026-11-14T0:13:34+00:00 Common Defense Staff The Air Force could purchase up to 16,000 AV2.2 helmets under an $83.4 million contract, giving most fixed wing aviators lighter, better ventilated, and more adaptable equipment beginning in late summer 2027. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/soldiers-may-soon-ride-driverless-cars-across-army-bases/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108737 2026-11-14T0:13:34+00:00 Julian Dorsett The Army is testing autonomous vehicles at Fort Benning and Fort Hood, with five companies advancing in a competition to modernize transportation, reduce routine driving duties and potentially let soldiers summon rides through an application. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/inside-warhounds-ambitious-blueprint-for-a-better-military-working-dog/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108746 2026-11-14T0:13:34+00:00 Julian Dorsett Warhound plans to combine cloning, gene editing, advanced military equipment and early training to rebuild America’s working dog supply, reduce costly failures and produce its first operational candidates in about two years. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/navy-legend-endured-two-airship-tragedies-before-forging-historic-waves-legacy/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108752 2026-11-14T0:13:34+00:00 Julian Dorsett After losing two husbands in Navy airship disasters, Joy Bright Hancock returned to service, helped establish a permanent military role for women and earned recognition from her peers as the First Lady of the Navy. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/britain-declares-bases-safe-after-us-refueling-fleet-evacuates/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108761 2026-11-14T0:13:34+00:00 Julian Dorsett Britain says its military bases remain secure despite the movement of at least 10 American refueling aircraft and reports of an Iranian threat, as RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath reportedly shift to FPCON Charlie. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/fresh-starshield-disruptions-threaten-ukraine-as-trump-envoys-reach-moscow/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108764 2026-11-14T0:13:34+00:00 Julian Dorsett Ukraine says renewed Starshield speed restrictions are disrupting military operations and drone interceptions as Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner pursue talks with Vladimir Putin following inconclusive negotiations in Abu Dhabi. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/scouting-america-salutes-veterans-day-with-sweeping-new-military-service-badge/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108743 2026-11-14T0:13:34+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer Scouting America’s new merit badge connects scouts with military history, veterans and service families through 10 requirements, while reflecting program changes that secured continued War Department support after sharp criticism from Secretary Pete Hegseth. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/russian-fsb-hackers-breach-romanian-servers-siphon-nato-and-eu-emails/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108758 2026-11-14T0:13:34+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer ESET says the stealthy Cereal toolkit used compromised Microsoft Exchange servers to collect selected NATO and EU emails, with researchers attributing the December 2025 Romanian intrusion to the Russia affiliated Turla hacking group. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/wwii-submarine-veteran-drove-landmark-agent-orange-settlement/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108755 2026-11-14T0:13:34+00:00 Frank Guy World War II submariner and federal judge Jack Weinstein pushed veterans and chemical companies toward a $180 million Agent Orange settlement, preserving exposure claims that later gained presumptive status under the Agent Orange Act of 1991. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/house-republicans-derail-effort-to-impeach-hegseth/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108656 2026-11-14T0:13:34+00:00 Frank Guy House Republicans referred impeachment articles against War Secretary Pete Hegseth to the Judiciary Committee, halting an immediate vote as Hegseth rejected the effort as a political “farce” and President Trump publicly stood behind him.