UPDATED: Today in DOW: March 5, 2026

Today in DOW: March 5, 2026 Open Press Events Secretary of War The secretary will travel to Doral, Florida, to host the inaugural Americas Counter Cartel Conference at the U.S. Southern Command Headquarters. Like-minded regional defense and security...   Read More > Deputy Secretary of War The deputy secretary has no public or media events on his schedule.   Read More > Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff The chairman has no public or media events on his schedule.   Read More > Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff The vice chairman has no public or media events on his schedule.   Read More > Additional Open Press Events Senior Advisor for Drone Dominance, Department of Defense, Honorable Owen O. West; and Drone Dominance Program Manager, Department of Defense, Mr. Travis Metz, testify at a Senate Committee...   Read More > View All Postings   Contacts Additions and corrections for Today in DOW are invited and should be directed to the press desk by calling +1 (703) 697-5131 or +1 (703) 697-5132. For additional media information click here. Public Inquiries Contact us for more information, if you have questions or for technical support. Media Questions News media representatives with questions for the Department of War may reach our press desk by calling +1 (703) 697-5131. Duty Officer A public affairs duty officer is available 24 hours a day through +1 (703) 697-5131.

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Marine Corps Improving Amphibious Warfare Ship Availability, Says Defense Leader

View Online Marine Corps Improving Amphibious Warfare Ship Availability, Says Defense Leader March 5, 2026 |  By David Vergun The Marine Corps is the nation's global response force, said Marine Corps Gen. Bradford J. Gering, assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, who, along with other service leaders, testified yesterday at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in Washington on joint force readiness.  The Marine Corps' traditional role as a crisis response force is embodied by the amphibious ready group and Marine expeditionary unit, he said.   "This sea-based capability provides our nation with decision space and options, changes the behavior of bad actors and delivers swift and decisive action when required," Gering said.  These forces deploy from the East and West Coasts, along with one based in Japan.  "These forward deployed forces provide a continuous presence, enable the joint force and contribute to deterrence with allies and partners," he added, noting that in partnership with the Navy, the Marine Corps is working to improve the availability of amphibious warfare ships, and significant progress has been made with the procurement of medium landing ships.  "We need to continue to move forward with a sense of urgency in … amphibious warship readiness availability and littoral mobility. Despite these challenges, your Marines are ready," the general said.  Once again, the Marine Corps met its recruiting mission last fiscal year and is on track to meet it again this year.  Taking care of Marines and their families is a warfighting necessity that directly impacts readiness and retention, Gering said, noting that new barracks are under construction and child care incentives are underway.  "Finally, I'm proud to report to you that for a third consecutive year, your Marine Corps has earned a clean audit opinion," he said. "This is a direct reflection [of] our commitment to fiscal stewardship and demonstrates our accountability for every taxpayer dollar."

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Army Vice Chief Says Department Ready to Meet Threats Worldwide

View Online Army Vice Chief Says Department Ready to Meet Threats Worldwide March 5, 2026 |  By David Vergun Every decision begins and ends with ensuring soldiers are ready to fight and win when called upon, said Army Gen. Christopher C. LaNeve, Army vice chief of staff, who, along with other service leaders, testified yesterday at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on joint force readiness. Today, more than 108,000 soldiers are deployed or forward-postured across 160 countries, securing America's interests in the Western Hemisphere, deterring aggression in the Indo-Pacific and responding to threats worldwide, he said. Turning to regional specifics, he added, "In the Middle East, our soldiers are operating in a complex and dangerous environment, amid active conflict with Iran and its proxies. They're defending U.S. forces and partners, intercepting missiles and drones, and protecting critical infrastructure." Supporting these efforts, sustainment formations are moving fuel, munitions and medical support across the theater, while command posts are integrating joint fires and intelligence to ensure rapid response to evolving threats in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, the general said. "Brave Americans have been killed and wounded in the line of duty. Their loss is felt across our formations and in communities across this nation. To their families, we extend our deepest condolences and our enduring support," he said. Shifting back to organizational structure, the department consolidated Army North and South in the Western Hemisphere into a single, unified headquarters responsible for homeland defense, while retaining the capacity to generate and deploy forces globally in response to crisis, LaNeve said. In the Indo-Pacific, the Army maintains 91,000 troops and has committed $1.3 billion to the Pacific deterrence initiative, he said. At home, soldiers at training centers solve complex problems and test the latest systems, he said. The Army has restructured its acquisition processes to reduce the time between field experience and program decisions from years to months, the general said, citing several ground and aviation prototypes. "After 36 years, I've never seen a unit readiness determined by a depot or its equipment alone. What I have seen repeatedly is how we treat our soldiers shapes whether we retain the experienced ones and whether the force we're building reflects the standards we claim to uphold," LaNeve said, adding the service is surpassing recruiting goals.

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While Improving Quality of Life, Navy Remains Ready to Fight

View Online While Improving Quality of Life, Navy Remains Ready to Fight March 5, 2026 |  By David Vergun The Navy is participating in exercises and operations worldwide, said Navy Adm. James W. Kilby, vice chief of naval operations, who, along with other service leaders, testified yesterday at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in Washington on joint force readiness. Last year in the Middle East, the Navy executed strikes against adversaries during Operations Rough Rider and Midnight Hammer, while defending regional allies and partners.  This year, the Navy participated in Operation Absolute Resolve in the Atlantic, while sailors operate every day to deter China and build partnerships in the Pacific, Kilby said.  Currently, the Navy is supporting Operation Epic Fury. On March 3, a Navy fast attack submarine sank an Iranian combatant ship with the Mark 48 torpedo.  The Navy's primary weapon system is its sailors, the admiral said, noting that the service exceeded its recruiting goals last year and is successfully working to increase retention.  To further support sailors, the Navy is focused on improving quality of life through a new initiative that provides permanent shore-based housing so that no sailor is required to live aboard a ship while on shore duty, he said. Efforts also include expanding child care, improving fitness facilities and expanding meal selections with healthy options.  Always looking for ways to improve, the service is increasing platform readiness by reducing maintenance delays, investing in shipyard infrastructure optimization and developing the civilian workforce. Advanced technologies such as conditions-based maintenance and advanced additive manufacturing are being used to optimize systems.  "The Navy continues to drive toward our goal of 80% combat surge-ready ships, aircraft and submarines with urgency and accountability," Kilby said, adding that he's concerned with the material condition of amphibious ships and is working to improve that.

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Vice Chiefs Testify on Joint Force Readiness, Improvements

View Online Vice Chiefs Testify on Joint Force Readiness, Improvements March 5, 2026 |  By War.gov The vice chiefs of staff for the armed services testified yesterday during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in Washington on the current readiness of the joint force.   Army Gen. Christopher C. LaNeve said his primary focus is on making soldiers "more lethal and ready to fight and win," which, in addition to acquisition reform, includes infrastructure initiatives and better nutrition and fitness programs for troops.   Navy Adm. James W. Kilby affirmed the Navy's readiness, which was tested through a variety of global operations over the past year, and its focus on improving sailor quality of life.   Marine Corps Gen. Bradford J. Gering told the committee that the Corps is addressing amphibious ship availability challenges in partnership with the Navy, as well as taking concrete steps to improve recruiting, retention and fiscal accountability.   Air Force Gen. John D. Lamontagne said the service is investing in airmen, its "most precious resource," and quality of life, as well as focusing on its primary mission to "fix and fly aircraft."   Space Force Gen. Shawn N. Bratton noted that guardians are deployed globally, in harm's way, delivering "unmatched combat capability from space" in support of combatant commanders.

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