US launches "FORTRESS America" to make military bases independent
US Secretary Pete Hegseth announces FORTRESS America to decouple military bases from the civilian power grid and reshore critical supply chains.
In a massive strategic overhaul designed to shield the United States from cyber warfare, sabotage, and global instability, the US Department of War has unveiled "FORTRESS America." This new initiative is being described as a "national insurance policy" intended to ensure that the nation's defense infrastructure remains fully operational even if the country faces a massive external shock.
Announcing the directive on Wednesday, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth revealed that the program—formally known as Federal Operations for Resilience, Troop Resources, Energy, Supply, and Survivability—will fundamentally change how American military installations function. The most striking aspect of the plan is the decision to decouple major military bases from the civilian power grid.
Ensuring bases stay lit during national emergencies
The primary goal of the FORTRESS initiative is to guarantee that military operations are never interrupted by attacks on civilian infrastructure. Hegseth emphasized that by allowing every major installation to generate its own power, the military can maintain a constant state of readiness.
"If an adversary takes down the grid—by cyberattack, by sabotage, by any means—our bases stay lit," Hegseth stated. He noted that this independence is vital to ensuring that aircraft keep flying and command centers never lose power during a crisis.
Reshoring critical supply chains
Beyond energy independence, FORTRESS America aims to eliminate the United States' reliance on foreign nations for essential defense materials. The initiative calls for an aggressive "reshoring" of supply chains to bring production back to American soil.
The plan targets several high-priority sectors, including:
- Rare earth elements and specialty metals: To be mined and refined domestically.
- Semiconductors: Ensuring the brains of modern weaponry are built at home.
- Propellants: Securing the chemical foundations of military hardware.
Hegseth made it clear that these materials must be "mined in America, refined in America, [and] built in America, by American workers."
Securing the technological high ground
Sean Parnell, Assistant to the Secretary of War, further elaborated on the strategic depth of the rollout. According to Parnell, the plan involves more than just physical manufacturing; it includes building massive strategic reserves to withstand prolonged disruptions and securing the "high ground" of modern warfare.
This technological security extends to:
- Satellite networks: Protecting vital space-based assets.
- Spectrum control: Ensuring communication and navigation capabilities remain intact.
- Information dominance: Strengthening the ability to see and communicate across the force.
New Office of Religious Affairs established
In a separate but significant organizational move, Secretary Hegseth announced the creation of the Office of Religious Affairs. Unlike traditional departments that may face bureaucratic delays, this new office will report directly to the top leadership of the War Department.
Hegseth stated that the office is intended to be a high-impact entity rather than a "policy shop pushing paper." He noted that by removing staff filters and bureaucratic dilution, the office will have "real teeth" to protect budgets, demand necessary infrastructure, and provide direct advocacy for military chaplains and religious support services across the force.