Analysis & Reports

On May 15, 1969, the USS Guitarro sank at Mare Island Navy Shipyard due to a lack of coordination between two civilian work crews during construction. The crews inadvertently flooded the submarine from both ends, leading to its sinking. Navy investigators attributed the incident to negligence and inadequate communication. The submarine was later refloated and commissioned in January 1970, serving until 1992.

USS Texas (BB-35) is undergoing maintenance and restoration at the Houston Ship Channel, with plans to reopen as a museum ship in 2027. The battleship, which served in both World Wars, is currently completing final restoration steps after extensive repairs. It is expected to be relocated to Galveston upon completion of the restoration.

The U.S. secretly procured titanium from the Soviet Union in the 1960s for the construction of the SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft. This operation involved the use of shell companies and a cover story about manufacturing pizza ovens to obscure the true purpose of the titanium. The SR-71, designed by Lockheed Skunk Works, became a key asset in U.S. reconnaissance efforts during the Cold War.

President Trump announced the creation of a U.S. Space Academy at NASA's Johnson Space Center, aimed at training service members and personnel for the Space Force. The academy will provide rigorous technical education and leadership development, similar to existing military academies. Currently, Space Force has around 10,000 guardians, and the leadership aims to double this number. A commission will be established to outline the academy's curriculum and structure within 120 days.

President Trump signed an executive order to establish the U.S. Space Academy at NASA's Johnson Space Center. The academy will train Space Force officers, NASA personnel, and members of the civilian space industry, aiming to educate a new generation of skilled service members. The initiative is part of the rapid growth of the Space Force, which currently has around 10,000 guardians.

President Trump signed an executive order to establish a new Space Academy at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, which may require military service from its graduates. A commission, including key defense officials, will plan the academy and submit a report within 120 days. The initiative aims to strengthen the U.S. space workforce amid the growth of the Space Force and commercial space industry, although concerns about its necessity and clarity have been raised.

On February 3rd, 2009, HMS Vanguard of the British Royal Navy and Le Triomphant of the French Navy collided in the Atlantic Ocean during routine patrols. Both submarines, equipped with nuclear ballistic missiles, sustained external damage but no injuries were reported. The incident highlighted failures in communication and coordination between the UK and French navies regarding submarine deployments.

Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC) is testing an AI-powered logistics platform called Manifest to enhance supply chain efficiency in the Pacific. The platform aims to automate data aggregation from various sources, significantly reducing purchasing costs and improving readiness. Tagup, the defense tech company behind Manifest, reports substantial reductions in materiel handling and costs, supporting Marine units' operational needs.

On August 28, 1972, Captain Steve Ritchie and Captain Charles B. DeBellevue of the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron shot down a MiG-21 over North Vietnam, marking Ritchie as the only U.S. Air Force pilot ace of the Vietnam War. DeBellevue, operating as a weapons systems officer, logged his fourth kill during this engagement, later becoming the top American ace with six kills. This event underscored the critical role of back-seat crew members in modern air combat.

Congress is preparing to address several key funding measures in September 2023, including a $1.15 trillion defense budget request and a supplemental funding request for the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran. These discussions also include a continuing resolution to maintain government operations.

The U.S. Air Force is developing 600-gallon Low Drag Tanks and Pylons (LDTP) for the F-22 Raptor to enhance its operational range in the Indo-Pacific region. This development addresses the F-22's limited combat radius of 450-500 nautical miles, which poses challenges in the vast geography of the area, particularly in conflicts involving China. The LDTP system allows for increased fuel capacity while being jettisonable to maintain stealth during combat operations.

NSA Bahrain suffered extensive damage during Operation Epic Fury, impacting its operational capabilities. The U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet headquarters in Manama is now severely degraded, with significant logistical implications for U.S. military operations in the region. Over a thousand evacuated troops and their families remain in limbo, highlighting the failure to preemptively evacuate personnel before the attack.

U.S. Special Operations Command Pacific leaders discussed the shift towards irregular warfare strategies during a recent symposium in Honolulu. They emphasized that adversaries are likely to avoid direct military confrontation with the U.S. due to its conventional superiority, opting instead for asymmetric approaches. The leaders highlighted the necessity of leveraging technology and maintaining information dominance to ensure decision superiority in modern conflicts.

On August 28, 1965, Commander Malcolm Scott Carpenter led ten men in the U.S. Navy's SEALAB II experiment, living underwater for thirty consecutive days at a depth of 205 feet off La Jolla, California. This operation aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of saturation diving for military purposes. The team conducted various underwater tasks and communicated with astronauts in orbit, marking a significant milestone in military underwater operations.

The People's Liberation Army Navy decommissioned the 112 destroyer, known as 'Harbin', during a ceremony in Qingdao on August 28, 2023. This vessel served for 32 years and was the first of the second generation of Chinese destroyers, symbolizing a major advancement in naval capabilities. Following its decommissioning, the ship will be repurposed as a national defense education base.

Germany is considering providing financial support for the UK's Trident nuclear weapons system to strengthen the European nuclear umbrella. This initiative aims to integrate Germany's defense strategy with existing nuclear capabilities of the UK and France amid concerns over US military presence in Europe. Recent discussions have accelerated among Paris, Berlin, and London regarding nuclear deterrence.

USS Midway (CV-41) was commissioned on September 10, 1945, and served in significant military operations including the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. The carrier, which was modernized to a displacement of 64,000 tons, operated various aircraft and played a crucial role in U.S. naval history. It ultimately retired after 47 years of service and is now a museum in San Diego.

The United States Marine Corps announced that Marines are now permitted to wear their college or commissioning-source class rings with their uniforms, effective immediately. This regulation allows for the wearing of class rings alongside wedding rings, with specific guidelines on how they should be worn. Commanders retain the authority to require the removal of jewelry for safety or tactical reasons.

U.S. Marine Corps participated in RIMPAC 2022, conducting live-fire sniper range exercises in Hawaii on July 6, 2022. The exercise involved 25,000 personnel from 26 nations, showcasing various sniper rifles including the M40, AXMC, and MRAD. The Barrett MRAD was awarded a $49.9 million contract for its modular design and capabilities.

The Foxtrot-class submarines, built from 1957 to 1983, served in multiple navies and played a significant role during the Cold War, notably during the Cuban Missile Crisis when B-59 nearly launched a nuclear torpedo. As of 2026, only seven of the original seventy-five submarines remain, primarily as museum exhibits.