Analysis & Reports
AI-assisted analysis of military-related information from public sources
81 Years Later, US Army General Patton’s 5-Word Order to Save 1,200 Horses Is Still the Strangest Thing He Ever Approved
In late April 1945, the US 2nd Cavalry Group conducted Operation Cowboy to rescue over 1,200 horses from Hostau, Czechoslovakia, as Soviet forces advanced. Under General Patton's orders, American and surrendered German soldiers fought together against Waffen-SS units to secure the horses, including valuable Lipizzaners. The operation exemplified a rare collaboration between American and German forces during WWII.
A $6,200,000,000 US Navy Nuclear Nimitz-Class Aircraft Carrier Was ‘Sunk’ by a $100,000,000 Diesel AIP Submarine from Sweden
In December 2005, the Swedish submarine HSwMS Gotland successfully simulated multiple attacks on the USS Ronald Reagan off the coast of California during a military exercise. This incident exposed significant vulnerabilities in the US Navy's aircraft carrier defenses against submarine threats, particularly from AIP-equipped vessels. Despite the lessons learned, the US carrier force remains vulnerable to similar threats two decades later.
Russia claims to strike Ukrainian military warehouses and ports; Ukraine claims to attack Russian oil refineries.
Russian forces struck military warehouses in Kyiv and Odesa using attack drones on August 28, 2023, while Ukrainian forces attacked a Russian oil refinery in Yaroslavl and targeted Russian assets in the Black Sea. Over the past week, Russian troops gained control of 7 settlements in Sumy, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia, and also engaged a Ukrainian naval patrol boat and other vessels.
‘The Aircraft Disintegrated’: A Russian Bomber Buzzed a US Navy Aircraft Carrier Flying Too Low and Crashed Into the Water
On May 25, 1968, a Soviet Tupolev Tu-16 Badger crashed into the Norwegian Sea after making a low reconnaissance pass near the USS Essex, resulting in the deaths of all seven crew members. This incident underscores the close operational proximity of U.S. and Soviet forces during the Cold War, as the Soviets sought to gather intelligence on American carrier groups.
‘They Added Water to Both Ends’: A Brand New US Navy Nuclear Attack Submarine Flooded and Sank At Pier When Two Crews Didn’t Communicate
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.
US Navy Battleship USS Texas Is on the Verge of the Ultimate ‘Comeback’
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.
Here’s what Trump’s new ‘Space Academy’ could mean for the US military
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.
2 NATO Nuclear Missile Submarines Were So Quiet They Crashed Into Each Other in the Atlantic Ocean
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.
On This Day in the US Air Force — August 28, 2026: The Top American Ace of the Vietnam War Never Flew the Plane
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.
On This Day in the US Navy — August 28, 2026: A Mercury Astronaut Spent 30 Straight Days on the Ocean Floor
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.
Once Creating Multiple "Firsts," Now Shedding Military Mark, the "Maritime Vanguard Ship" Retires from Service
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.
US Navy Aircraft Carrier USS Midway: 64,000 Tons, Bigger Than An Iowa-Class Battleship, and the Largest Warship on Earth When Built
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.
4 of the Best Sniper Rifles Ever Built: Chris Kyle’s McMillan, Britain’s AXMC, and the Barrett That Won a $49.9 Million Contract
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.
75 Were Built and 7 Are Left: The Soviet Submarine That Nearly Started Nuclear War Ended as Scrap in Mexico
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.
China’s Military Was Stunned by Desert Storm. It Has Spent 35 Years Learning to Do It.
In June 2026, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) conducted a live-fire exercise involving the 84th Army Aviation Brigade, targeting mockups of US military equipment in Taiwan. The exercise showcased the integration of drones, helicopters, and precision weapons, emphasizing the PLA's preparation for potential conflict with Taiwan. This training reflects China's efforts to modernize its military capabilities since the Gulf War.
Military uses AV directed energy system to ‘defeat’ drones at the border
The Joint Task Force – Southern Border (JTF-SB) engaged and defeated three hostile drones using an Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) system at the southern border. This operation, aimed at countering drone threats potentially linked to drug cartels, is part of a broader initiative to enhance military capabilities against aerial surveillance. The task force operates under US Northern Command and collaborates with US Customs and Border Protection.
Military uses AV directed-energy system to ‘defeat’ drones at the border
The Joint Task Force – Southern Border (JTF-SB) engaged and defeated three hostile drones using an Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) system at the southern border. This operation, aimed at countering drone threats potentially linked to drug cartels, reflects the Pentagon's increased military involvement in border security. The task force operates under US Northern Command and collaborates with US Customs and Border Protection.
The Same Mach 3 Speed and 80,000 Feet Engineering That Made the SR-71 Blackbird Untouchable Is What Nearly Killed Its Crew
In 1968, the SR-71 Blackbird crew experienced a dual engine flameout during a reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam. The crew attempted to restart the engines while descending to lower altitudes, successfully relighting them and landing safely at Kadena Air Base. This incident underscores the aircraft's engineering vulnerabilities despite its high-speed and high-altitude capabilities.
Finland and Sweden team up to boost counter-drone defenses
Finland and Sweden are enhancing military cooperation to strengthen counter-drone capabilities amid rising tensions due to aerial incursions. Finland's Minister of Defence highlighted the importance of joint efforts for regional security. Sweden has approved the deployment of Gripen fighter jets and warships to assist Finland in patrolling risk areas along the Finnish-Russian border. Finland has allocated €50.2 million for new counter-drone capabilities as part of its defense budget.
$350,000,000 F-22 Raptor Stealth Fighter Is the Best Dogfighter on Earth. The Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon and EA-18G Growler All Have Taken Turns ‘Shooting It Down’
F-22 Raptors are engaged in air superiority operations and training exercises at various locations, including Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and Joint Base Langley-Eustis. The aircraft face challenges from fourth-generation fighters like the Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon, as well as advanced air defense systems such as the S-400. Despite its advanced capabilities, the F-22's effectiveness can be compromised in close-range engagements and against innovative enemy tactics.
