https://www.commondef.com Thu, 12 Nov 2026 16:18:44+0000 en-us hourly 1 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 2026-11-12T17:36:10+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 2026-11-12T17:36:10+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 2026-11-12T17:36:10+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 2026-11-12T17:36:10+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 2026-11-12T17:36:10+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 2026-11-12T17:36:10+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 2026-11-12T17:36:10+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 2026-11-12T17:36:10+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 2026-11-12T17:36:10+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 2026-11-12T17:36:10+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 2026-11-12T17:36:10+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. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/historic-first-as-air-force-combat-drones-fly-in-formation-and-execute-air-combat-maneuvers/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108663 2026-11-12T17:36:10+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer Multiple Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft used Shield’s Hivemind software to fly in formation and conduct counterair maneuvers beyond visual range, advancing a program backed by a $2.37 billion fiscal 2027 budget request. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/russian-cargo-fleet-funnels-tanks-mraps-and-rocket-launchers-into-africa/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108668 2026-11-12T17:36:10+00:00 Bethany Loveland C4ADS tracked Russian vessels carrying military equipment through African ports, identifying established routes toward Mali and Libya while flagging Pointe-Noire in the Republic of Congo as a possible new logistics hub. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/pentagon-still-cannot-track-millions-of-f-35-spare-parts-worth-billions-watchdog-finds/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108636 2026-11-12T17:36:10+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer A GAO report says the Pentagon’s records for approximately 26 million F-35 spare parts remain unreliable, with 17,000 parts worth up to $2.5 billion absent from its property and logistics management platform. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/senior-u-s-soldier-arrested-in-britain-over-suspected-russian-espionage/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108639 2026-11-12T17:36:10+00:00 Vicki Schwarmer A senior U.S. soldier entrusted with sensitive information was arrested near Gloucester over suspected assistance to Russian intelligence, while British police stressed that the case is not connected to other ongoing counterterrorism investigations. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/marines-gain-sweeping-new-right-to-refuse-unlivable-barracks-rooms/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108645 2026-11-12T17:36:10+00:00 Frank Guy The Marine Corps now defines uninhabitable barracks conditions, protects Marines who refuse unsuitable rooms and requires commands to pursue alternatives, including temporary lodging or possible Basic Allowance for Housing eligibility. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/ukraine-presses-u-s-for-faster-interceptors-as-russia-pounds-power-grid/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108642 2026-11-12T17:36:10+00:00 Bethany Loveland Andrii Sybiha pressed Washington for faster interceptor deliveries and energy grid support while Ukraine pursues talks with Russia and considers limited ceasefires covering the Black Sea and critical energy infrastructure. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/marine-father-hands-corps-legacy-to-his-son-in-powerful-birthday-cake-ceremony/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108627 2026-11-12T17:36:10+00:00 Bethany Loveland Master Sgt. Philip Bender passed more than a birthday cake to his newly graduated son. The ceremony marked Pfc. Noah Bender’s completion of boot camp and the continuation of a Marine family tradition spanning 20 years. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/hegseth-battles-impeachment-push-declares-boat-strikes-lawful-and-successful/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108633 2026-11-12T17:36:10+00:00 Bethany Loveland Facing eight impeachment articles, War Secretary Pete Hegseth defended operations involving Iran, Yemen, Venezuela, and alleged drug trafficking boats, insisting they were lawful missions ordered by President Donald Trump and executed by American forces. https://www.commondef.com/2026/11/family-battles-air-force-over-daughters-devastating-overseas-birth-injury/ https://www.commondef.com/?p=108630 2026-11-12T17:36:10+00:00 Frank Guy A Texas military family is asking a federal judge for a bench trial after the Air Force offered $225,000 for their daughter’s life altering brain injury, while federal law blocks the malpractice path available for births inside the United States.