'Power is combat now': Pentagon prepares US military bases to run 90 days alone if war cripples the grid
Pete Hegseth vowed the US cannot be "starved out, shut down, or cut off" as the Pentagon assesses some 500 installations for energy independence, including portable nuclear reactors and local microgrids.
Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell called dependence on civilian municipal infrastructure "an intolerable risk" to US defence. The FORTRESS plan envisions portable nuclear reactors, large battery banks and local microgrids that would allow bases to sever ties with the civilian grid. Civilian factories would be converted to weapons production as required. Stockpiles of ammunition, fuel, critical minerals and medical supplies would be built up.
Pete Hegseth vowed America cannot be 'starved out, shut down, or cut off'.
Parnell said the old belief that two oceans would protect America is 'antiquated'.
About 500 US installations are being assessed, with no completion date announced.
