Politics · United States · 11 hrs ago
Pentagon plan aims to keep major US bases running for 90 days
The Pentagon is preparing major US bases to operate independently for 90 days if a major war disrupts civilian power grids, supply chains and other infrastructure.
The requirement is part of FORTRESS, a plan to keep US forces operating when civilian systems fail.
Bases would need independent access to electricity, water, fuel and communications.
The plan includes portable nuclear reactors and large battery systems, as well as steps to protect military communications and navigation in space.
The Pentagon also plans to prepare civilian factories to switch to defense production and build reserves of key supplies.
The goal is to reduce reliance on civilian infrastructure and prevent a shortage or the loss of one supplier from disrupting military operations.
A Pentagon office is due to coordinate the work, and the plan calls for tests and exercises to check whether bases and manufacturers can withstand prolonged disruption.
The Pentagon plans to prepare every major US military base in the continental United States to maintain essential operations independently for at least 90 days.
The requirement is part of FORTRESS, an initiative intended to keep US forces operating if civilian infrastructure fails during a major war.
The plan includes independent access to electricity, water, fuel and communications, with portable nuclear reactors and large battery systems among the proposed measures.
It also covers alternative supply chains, strategic stockpiles and preparations for civilian factories to switch to defense production.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said relying on civilian municipal infrastructure for national defense was an intolerable risk.
- Who
- The Pentagon and major US military bases.
- What
- A plan calls for bases to maintain essential operations independently for at least 90 days.
- When
- The initiative was formally established on September 30; the articles were published on October 25 and 26, 2026.
- Where
- Major military bases in the continental United States.
- Why
- To keep US forces operating if a major war disrupts power grids, supply chains or other civilian infrastructure.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth formally established FORTRESS America in a memorandum.
An implementation directive named Richard 'Matt' O’Malley as interim director, according to the Daily Mail.
Vedomosti published its report on the 90-day base requirement.
The Daily Mail published its report on the Pentagon plan.
- Program
- FORTRESS, also called FORTRESS America
- Duration
- At least 90 days of independent essential operations
- Coverage
- Every major military base in the continental United States
- Essential services
- Electricity, water, fuel and communications
- Proposed power measures
- Portable nuclear reactors and large battery systems
3 sources
What people are saying
We don't want to rely on standard civilian municipal infrastructure to run our national defense. We just simply can't. It's an intolerable risk.
Power is combat now. Without electricity, you lose communications, water, logistics, assembly lines and just basic military command structures.