Analysis & Reports

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a $131.23 billion contract on August 24, 2023, for the production, modernization, and sustainment of F-15 fighters. This contract allows for orders over time and includes foreign military sales to countries such as Japan, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. The contract also aims to establish organic depot maintenance capabilities within the Air Force.

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.

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.

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.

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.

USS Enterprise (CVN-65) operated from 1961 to 2017, featuring eight nuclear reactors. It experienced significant incidents, including a deadly fire in 1969 that killed 27 sailors and a grounding in 2005 that led to a reactor shutdown. Despite these events, the reactor systems remained safe throughout its service, with no radiological incidents reported.

The 16th Air Force/Air Forces Cyber is developing a defensive cyber operations campaign plan to protect against AI-driven cyber threats. This plan includes hardening networks, prioritizing key systems, imposing costs on adversaries, and designing a robust defensive architecture. The initiative was announced during a conference in Montgomery, Alabama, highlighting the urgency of addressing emerging cyber threats.

A sailor assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln jumped overboard on August 3, 2023, and was rescued. The sailor may face nonjudicial punishment for the incident, which is under consideration by the commanding officer. The Navy is addressing morale issues aboard the ship and has increased mental health support for the crew.