The US Air Force is moving to make base defense a core combat function as missiles and drones expose vulnerabilities at American installations.
US Iran War
The U.S. destroyed five Iranian oil tankers after repeated missile attacks on a Navy warship. Iran retaliated against Jordan as Washington deployed more F-35s and F-16s and expanded sanctions targeting Iran’s aviation network.
The United States is creating Task Force Falcon Strike (TFFS), a multinational force designed to combine one way attack drones operating in the air, on the sea, and below the surface. US Central Command (CENTCOM) is leading the initiative.
The US military has lost at least 45 MQ-9 Reapers during the Iran war, while heavy missile use is placing additional pressure on already strained weapons stocks.
US President Donald Trump reportedly used an elaborate security deception to leave Turkey on a secret military flight in July 2026 after an Iranian assassination threat emerged during the NATO summit.
The U.S. Department of State has told Americans across the Middle East to prepare to depart, citing flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures and travel disruption at hubs including Dubai (DXB), Doha (DOH) and Tel Aviv (TLV).
The United States has paused its air campaign against Iran after nearly 2 weeks of consecutive nightly strikes, with a US source describing military operations as being on a hold.
The Pentagon has raised its estimated cost of the ongoing Iran conflict to $37.5 billion, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warning lawmakers that military training could be reduced unless Congress quickly approves supplemental funding.
The United States has issued a fresh Worldwide Caution advisory as its war with Iran escalates, warning of airspace closures and flight cancellations worldwide.