Analysis & Reports

The Eastern Theater Command Navy conducted multi-subject training with shipborne helicopters in a sea area, focusing on day and night operations. The exercise involved precise coordination among deck personnel and support teams, ensuring effective takeoff and landing procedures. This training aimed to enhance the joint operational capabilities of the forces, preparing them for combat readiness.

Houthi forces captured the strategic port city of Mocha on September 10, 2023, potentially reshaping Red Sea shipping routes. The capture follows increased military operations by the Houthis against Yemeni government forces, including missile and drone attacks. Local residents reported evacuations as the conflict escalated in the region.

Houthi forces captured the Red Sea port city of Mocha on Thursday, forcing government-aligned troops to withdraw to Dhubab. The capture followed intense fighting and marked a significant advance for the Iran-backed group, which also seized the nearby district of Hais. The battle has displaced tens of thousands of people, with many fleeing toward government-held areas.

In February 1999, the Dutch submarine HNLMS Walrus successfully penetrated the defenses of the USS Theodore Roosevelt during a naval exercise, conducting simulated torpedo attacks that were credited with sinking the carrier and seven escort ships. The exercise involved around 24,000 personnel and demonstrated the submarine's ability to evade detection using thermal layers. This incident underscores persistent vulnerabilities in carrier defense against quiet submarines.

The 158th Fighter Wing of the Vermont Air National Guard returned to Burlington, Vermont, on September 6, 2026, after a nine-month deployment that included operations in the Caribbean, South America, and the Middle East. The unit, known as The Green Mountain Boys, conducted missions in support of U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Central Command during their deployment, which involved over 200 members.

The 'Maritime Cooperation-2026' joint exercise between the Chinese Navy and the New Zealand Navy concluded successfully in the afternoon, featuring a separation ceremony for the vessels involved. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the cooperation and professionalism demonstrated during the exercise, which included phases of port exchanges and maritime drills aimed at enhancing military trust and regional stability.

The Eastern Theater Command Army and Navy conducted joint amphibious training exercises in a maritime area, focusing on full floating loading and unloading operations. Multiple types of armored vehicles participated, enhancing their amphibious combat capabilities. The training involved precise maneuvers under challenging conditions, preparing the units for diverse operational tasks.

U.S. Special Forces are conducting joint operations with Ecuadorian troops in Esmeraldas Province against drug cartels. This follows an increase in U.S. military presence in Ecuador, including the deployment of warships for patrols. Ecuadorian officials have publicly acknowledged the collaboration, emphasizing the fight against narcoterrorism.

U.S. Special Forces are conducting joint operations with Ecuadorian troops in Esmeraldas province against drug cartels. The operations have been ongoing since March 2026, with additional U.S. military assets arriving in Ecuador. Recently, U.S. forces engaged a vessel in the eastern Pacific suspected of trafficking narcotics, marking a significant escalation in U.S. military involvement in the region.

On August 20, 1940, Winston Churchill honored the 2,937 pilots and aircrew of the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm for their defense of Britain during the Battle of Britain. The RAF, supported by an integrated air-defense network, faced the Luftwaffe's offensive, resulting in significant losses for both sides. The Polish No. 303 Squadron emerged as a key contributor, achieving the highest number of kills.

The USS Washington aircraft carrier has departed from Vietnam to replace the USS Lincoln in the Middle East, which has been facing significant crew mental health and supply issues during its extended deployment. Defense Secretary Hagel has dismissed reports of the Lincoln's poor condition as distorted. The Lincoln has been deployed for over 260 days, raising concerns about the welfare of its crew amid ongoing operations in the region.

USS Thomas Hudner returned to Naval Station Mayport, Florida, after over eight months of deployment in the Caribbean and Middle East. The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer participated in U.S. combat operations, including the blockade of Venezuela and strikes against Iranian targets during Operation Epic Fury. The ship's crew of 300 sailors completed their mission and returned home this weekend.

On July 20, 2026, the Russian frigate RFN Neustrashimy conducted live gunnery drills in international waters near the UK, while the Royal Navy's HMS Tyne monitored the activity from within 5 nautical miles. This incident is part of increased Russian naval operations in UK waters, with the Royal Navy tracking such activities for 21 days throughout July.

USS Independence (CVA-62) served as a prominent aircraft carrier for the U.S. Navy from 1958 to 1998, participating in key military operations such as the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam War. The carrier was involved in enforcing a naval blockade around Cuba and conducted extensive combat sorties against North Vietnamese targets. After modernization in the late 1980s, it continued to support U.S. military efforts in the Gulf during the 1990s before being decommissioned.

Six F-39E Gripen aircraft from the Brazilian Air Force participated in the SALITRE 2026 exercise at Cerro Moreno Air Base in Antofagasta, Chile. The exercise involved over 1,500 military personnel and aircraft from five other countries, focusing on air defence, escort, and patrol missions. The Gripen fighters executed various air operations, employing advanced electronic warfare systems and tactical capabilities.

USS Nimitz is returning to Naval Station Norfolk after completing its final deployment, which included joint maneuvers with partner nations and community engagement activities in Jamaica. The carrier, commissioned in 1975, has played a crucial role in U.S. naval power for over fifty years and is set to retire in March 2027.

U.S. General Francis Donovan held a meeting with senior Cuban military officials at Guantanamo Bay to discuss operational security and perimeter assessments. This rare meeting included discussions on force protection and operational readiness. Both delegations agreed to maintain communication, reflecting mutual interests in security matters.

Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces Chief Roberto Legra Sotolongo met with U.S. Southern Command Commander Donovan on May 29 to discuss security issues around Guantanamo Bay. Both sides agreed to maintain communication at the command level. The U.S. has completed military deployments in the Caribbean targeting Cuba, while ongoing dialogue between the two nations has not yielded substantial progress.

The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit has deployed approximately 1,300 Marines to the Caribbean, replacing the 22nd MEU as part of Operation Southern Spear. Stationed at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Puerto Rico, the unit is tasked with deterring threats and disrupting drug trafficking networks. The deployment includes capabilities for supporting embassies and conducting air support operations.

USS Gerald R. Ford departed the Middle East on May 1, 2023, after completing operations related to Iran. The carrier has been deployed for over ten months and participated in various operations in the Caribbean Sea. The U.S. Navy continues to maintain a presence in the region with 20 vessels, including USS Abraham Lincoln and USS George H.W. Bush.