USS Abraham Lincoln to Stop in Thailand
The USS Abraham Lincoln will visit Thailand next week for crew rest and recovery after an extended deployment supporting U.S. operations against Iran, according to Thai officials. The aircraft carrier is expected to return to its U.S. base after the brief stop.
“The stop in Thailand is a chance for the crew to go ashore and relax,” Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri said at a news conference in Bangkok.
Three-Ship Port Visit
The Royal Thai Navy said three vessels from the U.S. Navy carrier strike group are scheduled to stop in eastern Thailand. No military exercises will be conducted during the visit.
The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok did not immediately respond to a request for comment, while the U.S. Navy declined to comment.
Deployment Strain and Supply Concerns
The Lincoln’s deployment included a record-setting uninterrupted period at sea of more than 250 days. Concerns about the extended deployment have increased following reports of deteriorating mental health among crew members and shortages of food, hygiene products and other supplies.
Long carrier deployments can place added strain on personnel who remain away from home for prolonged periods, as well as on the ship and its equipment.
Continuing Regional Mission
The Lincoln supported the U.S. war against Iran. Although renewed hostilities between the two countries have eased in recent weeks, the U.S. Navy continues to enforce a reimposed blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Trump administration has not provided details on how it plans to wind down the conflict.

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U.S. Special Forces Operating in Ecuador
U.S. Army Green Berets are conducting joint operations with Ecuadorian forces against drug trafficking groups in Esmeraldas province, according to provincial governor Juan Jaramillo.
“We are with the 7th (Special Forces) Group of the U.S. Army…we are working together in the fight against narcoterrorism,” Jaramillo told reporters. He did not disclose the number of U.S. personnel involved or identify the groups being targeted.
Esmeraldas borders Colombia and has experienced violence linked to the drug trade. The 7th Special Forces Group, based at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, is primarily responsible for operations focused on South America.
U.S. Southern Command and the Navy’s 4th Fleet declined to comment on the reported operations, citing operational security.
Additional U.S. Military Assets
Ecuadorian Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo said Aug. 20 that two U.S. warships equipped with interceptor boats would patrol from the Ecuadorian port city of Manta.
The amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio recently passed through the Panama Canal into the eastern Pacific. The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Gridley also entered the Pacific under Joint Task Force-Western Hemisphere.
More than 1,000 Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed to Puerto Rico this spring as Littoral Combat Force-24. Their mission is to disrupt networks used by designated terrorist organizations and groups the U.S. government describes as “narco-terrorists.” Some of those Marines are aboard the San Antonio.
Maritime and Land Strikes
In the latest confirmed maritime strike, U.S. forces fired on a vessel in the eastern Pacific that officials alleged was trafficking narcotics. Two people were killed, according to Southern Command. It was the first reported strike on an alleged drug boat since June and the first confirmed under Joint Task Force-Western Hemisphere, which replaced Joint Task Force-Southern Spear.
The broader campaign has included attacks on small vessels the Trump administration says were transporting drugs. More than 220 people have been killed since the campaign began in September 2025, although the United States has released little evidence concerning the targeted boats.
In March 2026, the U.S. carried out an airstrike against an alleged training camp in Ecuador near the Colombian border. The strike, conducted days after Southern Command announced joint operations, was the first direct U.S. military action reported inside Ecuador. No further U.S. operations in the country were publicly reported before Jaramillo’s disclosure.
Southern Command also conducted what it called a “lethal kinetic strike” in Venezuela in June, allegedly killing Tren de Aragua leader Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores.
Training and Bilateral Cooperation
Members of the 7th Special Forces Group were already present in Ecuador earlier in 2026. In May, they participated with Ecuadorian troops in a five-week Joint Combined Exchange Training program.
The expanded activity follows closer defense cooperation between Washington and the government of Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa. Ecuador has agreed to permit U.S. Department of Defense personnel to enter the country without visas for up to 180 days per year.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in June that the United States was prepared to conduct additional land strikes. He later said U.S. forces in the region were focused on military capabilities against threats that “need to be deterred and defeated.”

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Taurus Adds .380 Auto GX4 Carry
Taurus has expanded its GX4 pistol line with a .380 Auto version of the GX4 Carry, scheduled to become available through authorized dealers on August 13, 2026. The optics-ready, striker-fired pistol has an MSRP of $340.99.
The new model retains the GX4 Carry’s 15-round magazine capacity and compact dimensions while offering a lower-recoil alternative to the existing 9mm versions. Each pistol ships with two 15-round magazines, providing a total capacity of 15+1 rounds.
Carry Features and Controls
The GX4 Carry .380 Auto measures 6.56 inches long, 5.16 inches high, and 1 inch wide. It has a 3.7-inch barrel and weighs 21 ounces unloaded. Its barrel is longer than the 3.06-inch barrel found on the standard GX4, although the overall package remains sized for concealed carry.
A flat-face, serrated trigger, reversible magazine release, and three interchangeable backstraps are standard. The grip and magazine well include cuts intended to help users manually strip a magazine if needed. Taurus also incorporates its Signature Indexing and Recoil Management Pad into the grip design.
The pistol includes an easy-takedown pin for disassembly and Teflon-coated operational control parts. Its safety equipment consists of a striker block, trigger safety, and visual loaded-chamber indicator.
Optics, Sights and Accessories
Taurus includes its T.O.R.O. optics-ready slide configuration as standard equipment, allowing compatible compact red-dot sights to be mounted. The pistol also has a Mil-Std-1913 Picatinny accessory rail for lights or other compatible equipment.
The sighting system combines a fixed steel front sight with a white dot and a fully adjustable rear sight. These features carry over the GX4 Carry format while broadening its configuration beyond earlier GX4 pistols that lacked an accessory rail.
Materials and Construction
The GX4 Carry .380 uses a stainless-steel frame with a matte stainless finish. Its alloy-steel slide receives a gas-nitride treatment and matte-black finish, while the stainless-steel barrel has a satin-black diamond-like carbon coating.
The pistol operates with a striker-fired, single-action-only system. Its listed item number is 1-GX4CRP38031, and its UPC is 725327638964.
Reduced-Recoil Alternative
The principal change from the 9mm GX4 Carry is the chambering. Taurus presents the .380 Auto model as a smoother-shooting option for users who prioritize recoil control, more comfortable practice, and quicker recovery between shots.
Its 15-round magazines give the .380 Auto model the same capacity as the 9mm GX4 Carry while preserving the platform’s slim profile, accessory compatibility, and adjustable grip fit. The result is an option for current GX4 users seeking familiar controls and ergonomics, as well as concealed-carry buyers who prefer the reduced recoil impulse of .380 Auto.

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U.S. Wounded Total Passes 750
The number of U.S. service members wounded in the war with Iran has reached 758 since Feb. 28, according to an updated Department of Defense casualty report.
The latest data lists 341 troops as wounded in action since fighting resumed in early July, meaning nearly half of all reported wounded were recorded during the renewed conflict. The figures were current as of Friday, Aug. 21.
Eighteen U.S. service members have also died during the war. Four of those deaths occurred after July 7.
Army Accounts for Most Recent Casualties
Of the 341 service members wounded since July 7, 310 are soldiers. The Navy accounts for 21 wounded personnel, while the Air Force accounts for 10.
Three soldiers were among the four service members killed during the same period. They died in an Iranian strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.
The casualty data does not identify the locations or dates of individual injuries, nor does it describe their severity or type.
Pentagon Uses New Reporting Category
The Pentagon lists the 341 recent wounded under “Overseas Operations,” a category created last month and separated from Operation Epic Fury, the initial U.S. military campaign launched at the end of February.
The Defense Department considers Operation Epic Fury to have ended on July 7. Combining that campaign’s casualty figures with those reported under Overseas Operations produces the total of 758 wounded since Feb. 28.
Updates to the database do not necessarily indicate that injuries occurred on the date they were added. Some conditions, including traumatic brain injuries, can take time to detect, diagnose, and enter into official records. However, the placement of these cases under Overseas Operations indicates they were associated with the period following the end of Epic Fury.
Ceasefire Failed to End Fighting
The United States and Iran reached a memorandum of understanding in Islamabad on June 17 that called for a ceasefire and established a 60-day period to negotiate a peace agreement. That window expired on Aug. 17 without a peace deal.
Fighting resumed in early July amid disputes over traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran subsequently targeted U.S. positions around the Persian Gulf and in Jordan, while the United States conducted several days of airstrikes against sites in Iran and reimposed its blockade of the strait.
Attacks have stopped this month, although U.S. forces have fired on ships attempting to break the blockade. The conflict otherwise remains at an impasse.

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Attacks Disrupt Carrier Supply Lines
Iranian missile and drone attacks on U.S. logistics hubs in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have disrupted established supply routes for Navy ships operating in the Persian Gulf, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, according to a Task & Purpose report.
Damage to the U.S. base in Bahrain and the closure of regional facilities have forced supplies to come from locations outside the Gulf, including Diego Garcia and Singapore, or through the Suez Canal. Some resupply ships must travel more than 4,000 miles, increasing delivery times while combat vessels continue to move and reposition.
The disruption has also limited the military’s ability to send supply ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Retired Navy Capt. Bradley Martin, a senior policy researcher with the RAND Corporation, said the vulnerability of ports and routes inside the Gulf had long been recognized but accepted.
Food Availability Aboard the Lincoln
Reports from crew families have described problems with the quantity and quality of food aboard the Lincoln. One sailor’s mother said her son reported limited food in March, though she said conditions later improved.
Defense officials have disputed reports that the carrier’s crew went without adequate meals. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao said in an Aug. 14 statement that “meal plans were adjusted when fresh resupply was unavailable, without a single meal being missed.”
Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, wrote on Aug. 16 that concerns involving food, hot water and other conditions had been addressed and resolved. He did not provide details about the problems or corrective measures.
Retired Navy Capt. Brent Sadler said he believed the Lincoln’s food problems stabilized in about two weeks, roughly the time required to move supplies from Japan and Singapore to the Middle East.
Limits of Resupply at Sea
Aircraft carriers generally require resupply every three to six days, depending on operational demands. Ships typically carry substantial quantities of dry goods, frozen foods, and other durable provisions, but longer supply routes can interrupt deliveries of fresh fruit, vegetables, and other perishable items.
Aircraft can also deliver supplies, although their cargo capacity is limited. Resupply flights become less frequent as a carrier operates farther from shore, while moving closer to land in a combat zone can expose the ship and its crew to enemy weapons.
The Lincoln has remained at sea for more than 240 consecutive days, setting a new record during its deployment. The carrier has participated in operations against Iran and a blockade of Iranian ports since the war began. It is scheduled to be replaced this month by the USS George Washington.
Wider Strain on the Crew
The sailor’s mother said multiple families had reported similar conditions and argued that official statements had understated the crew’s difficulties. She emphasized that sailors continued to perform their duties despite the long deployment.
According to her account, her son said the extended period at sea had damaged morale. He also told her that one sailor had been stopped while attempting to jump overboard and that another crew member was rescued after entering the water. Those incidents were not detailed in official reports.
“The sailors aren’t the ones complaining,” she said. “They’re still doing their job. They are still proud to serve our country.” She added that although the food situation appeared to have improved after receiving national attention, the conditions reported by families were “not exaggerated.”
Logistics Lessons
Experts said the Lincoln’s experience reflects a broader strain on Navy logistics when regional ports and stockpiles become unavailable. Delays may be compounded by limited numbers of combat logistics ships and the need to support vessels dispersed across an active combat area.
Sadler said the Navy’s effort to establish alternate routes also illustrates the need for fallback supply chains in other potential conflicts, particularly in the Pacific, where distances and sudden attacks on logistics hubs could create similar constraints.

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Army Awards K9MH Prototype Contract
The U.S. Army awarded Hanwha Defense USA a $100.3 million contract on August 18, 2026, to deliver six K9 Mobile Howitzer prototypes for the Mobile Tactical Cannon program. The agreement includes options for 12 additional systems and has a total ceiling of $262.9 million.
The award begins a four-year period of rapid prototyping, operational testing and soldier experimentation. It is not a final selection or serial-production order. The Army will evaluate firing performance, reliability, automated loading and operational support before choosing a system for production.
The Mobile Tactical Cannon is intended primarily as a more mobile replacement for approximately 498 to 500 M777 155 mm towed howitzers in selected Stryker, Mobile and Infantry Brigade Combat Teams.
Wheeled Platform and Firepower
The K9MH combines an automated turret derived from the K9A2 with a Tatra Force 8×8 wheeled chassis. Unlike the tracked K9 variants already used by several countries, the K9MH is designed to move between firing positions without a separate towing vehicle.
Automation reduces the crew from five personnel in earlier K9 configurations to three by limiting manual ammunition handling. The system uses separate conveyors for projectiles and propellant charges.
Its baseline weapon is the CN98 155 mm/52-caliber cannon, compliant with the Joint Ballistics Memorandum of Understanding standard. Hanwha states a range of 40 km with standard charges and more than 60 km with rocket-assisted or comparable extended-range ammunition. During an April 2026 demonstration, the K9MH fired nine rounds in 59 seconds. Firing-position preparation is stated to take less than 30 seconds.
Competition and Evaluation Schedule
The K9MH remains in competition with Elbit America’s SIGMA, BAE Systems’ Archer, an American Rheinmetall and KNDS RCH 155 proposal, and a Leonardo DRS and KNDS Caesar proposal. The candidates offer differing levels of automation, crew protection, ammunition capacity, road mobility and deployability.
The Army shifted toward evaluating mature wheeled systems after ending the Extended Range Cannon Artillery program in April 2024. Its current approach emphasizes existing platforms that can enter service with limited U.S.-funded development rather than another purpose-built American howitzer.
Soldier experimentation and integration testing are planned through fiscal 2027, with an Army senior-leader downselect scheduled for the fourth quarter of that fiscal year. The selected platform would then undergo engineering, ammunition integration, qualification and production preparation. First Unit Equipped is planned for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2030.
U.S. Production Requirements
Competitors must present a credible plan to establish U.S. production within two years of an award and reach an annual output of 24 to 48 systems. Production cost, domestic supply-chain capacity, ammunition compatibility, delivery schedules and data rights are among the evaluation criteria.
Hanwha Defense USA has leased an idle facility in Opelika, Alabama, for an initial three-year term and is investing about $2 million in K9MH integration and testing capacity. The first phase is expected to create approximately 40 jobs, but it is not a complete serial-production facility. Later manufacturing locations and production rates have not been disclosed.
Hanwha has also committed approximately $1.3 billion to a U.S. ammunition facility in Arkansas. Its broader localization concept includes domestic assembly, sustainment and potential future upgrades.
Potential Longer-Range Development
In December 2025, Hanwha Defense USA entered a cooperative research and development agreement with the Army’s DEVCOM Armaments Center to study integration of a government-designed 155 mm/58-caliber cannon into the K9 family.
That effort is separate from the prototypes entering testing. The current K9MH uses the 52-caliber CN98, while ranges around 70 km are associated with a possible future 58-caliber configuration. The Army’s prototype evaluation will therefore focus initially on the existing cannon, wheeled mobility, automation, reduced crew requirements and supportability.

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Russia Reportedly Resupplying Iran
Russia is transporting ammunition, drone components, explosives, and parts associated with missiles to Iran through the Caspian Sea, according to an Aug. 17 NBC News report citing a European government document and an unnamed Western official who verified it.
The shipments are intended to replenish Iranian weapons stockpiles following U.S. and Israeli strikes, the report said. More than two dozen Russian vessels reportedly traveled to Iran’s port of Amirabad, though the quantities and value of the cargo remain unclear.
The Kremlin has rejected allegations that it is supplying Iran, characterizing such reports as “fake news.”
Ships and Cargo
The reported deliveries include small-arms ammunition, drone components and TNT, as well as components related to missiles and other explosives. Many of the vessels involved are under U.S. or European sanctions, according to the report.
The ships were allegedly owned by MG-FLOT, a maritime company placed under Western sanctions in 2024. The Caspian Sea provides a direct maritime route between Russia and Iran that does not require passage through third-country waters.
Jim Lamson, a former CIA analyst, told NBC News that Iran’s reported procurement of drone parts and ammunition could indicate that U.S. and Israeli strikes damaged its domestic production capacity.
“Iran’s procurement of drone components and small arms ammunition from Russia strongly suggests that Israeli and US military strikes on Iran’s facilities that produce these items have degraded Iran’s domestic capability to produce them,” Lamson said.
Ukrainian Strike in the Caspian Sea
Ukraine’s Security Service, or SBU, said Ukrainian forces struck an Iranian ship on July 25 while it was transporting military cargo between Iran and Russia in the Caspian Sea.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry disputed that characterization, saying the target was a commercial vessel. Tehran reported that one sailor was killed and another injured, and described the strike as “an act of aggression that could further inflame and expand the flames of war.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha held what he called a “frank conversation” with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on July 28, following Tehran’s condemnation of the attack.
Expanding Military Cooperation
Russia and Iran have strengthened military cooperation as Moscow faces international isolation over its war against Ukraine. Iran has supplied Russia with military equipment and drones, including the Iranian-designed Shahed platform.
Russia has since developed modified Shahed-type attack drones and regularly uses large numbers of them in strikes against Ukraine, including attacks affecting civilian areas. The reported flow of equipment to Iran would represent support moving in the opposite direction after years of Iranian assistance to Russia.
Russia has also been accused of providing Iran with upgraded drones and other assistance intended to improve Tehran’s ability to strike U.S. targets. Moscow denies those claims.
U.S. Response
President Donald Trump has downplayed reports of Russian support for Iran. He said Russian President Vladimir Putin had assured him that Moscow was not selling weapons to Tehran.
Trump also said any Russian assistance had been “very unimpactful” after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of sharing satellite imagery of U.S. bases with Iran. No independently confirmed total for the reported Russian shipments has been disclosed.

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Springfield Adds 3.5-Inch Prodigy
Springfield Armory announced the 1911 DS Prodigy 3.5” AOS 9mm on August 18, 2026. The new double-stack pistol uses the shortest barrel and slide assembly offered in the Prodigy series while retaining a full-length grip module and optics-ready configuration.
The standard-capacity model holds 18+1 rounds and includes two 18-round magazines. Springfield also lists a low-capacity version for jurisdictions with magazine restrictions. Both configurations carry an MSRP of $1,582.
The standard model is SKU PH9114AOS, while the low-capacity version is PH9114AOSLC. The source material does not specify the reduced magazine capacity.
Optics and Controls
The pistol uses Springfield’s Agency Optic System, or AOS, which relies on interchangeable plates to support multiple optic footprints. Each pistol includes an AOS cover plate and a Docter/Noblex-footprint AOS plate. Buyers also receive a coupon allowing the purchase of another AOS plate of their choice for $49.
For use without an optic, the Prodigy is equipped with a tritium front sight and black serrated rear sight. Other features include an ambidextrous manual safety and a Picatinny accessory rail.
Springfield shortened the beavertail and recontoured the hammer to complement the compact slide assembly. The recoil system uses a captured guide rod.
Barrel, Slide and Frame
The 3.5-inch match-grade bull barrel is forged from stainless steel and finished in black diamond-like carbon. It has a 1:16-inch twist rate.
The optics-ready slide is forged carbon steel with a black Cerakote finish. The frame is machined from billet 7075-T6 aluminum, hardcoat anodized and also finished in black Cerakote. Polymer grips complete the full-length grip module.
This combination keeps the firing assembly compact without shortening the grip or reducing the standard model’s 18-round magazine capacity.
Dimensions and Specifications
Chambered in 9mm, the Prodigy measures 7 inches long and 5.5 inches high. It weighs 29.3 ounces. The pistol’s listed color is black.
Key specifications include:
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 3.5-inch forged stainless-steel bull barrel
Barrel finish: Black DLC
Twist rate: 1:16 inches
Slide: Forged carbon steel, optics-ready
Frame: Billet 7075-T6 aluminum
Recoil system: Captured guide rod
Sights: Tritium front, black serrated rear
Standard magazines: Two 18-round magazines
Standard capacity: 18+1
Weight: 29.3 ounces
Length: 7 inches
Height: 5.5 inches
MSRP: $1,582
Included Equipment
Each pistol ships with a soft-sided, double-zipper handgun case. The case is intended to accommodate the firearm with mounted accessories and includes an interior pouch for an additional magazine.
The package also contains the two magazines, AOS cover plate, Docter/Noblex AOS plate, and the discounted-plate coupon. Springfield lists the pistol under UPC 706397000639.

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Benelli Introduces the M2-G1
Benelli has announced the M2-G1, a 12-gauge semi-automatic shotgun intended for tactical, home-defense, and competition use. The series introduces the company’s Rear Piston Operated gas system and adds an enlarged loading port, extended controls and several stock and capacity configurations.
Five right-handed models are listed as new through Benelli’s dealer and online purchasing pages. All have 18.5-inch barrels and chambers compatible with 2¾- and 3-inch shells. No release date was provided.
Models and Pricing
The detailed model listings show prices from $1,949 to $2,149:
11610: Standard stock and grip, 18.5" barrel, 5+1 capacity, anodized gray receiver and matte blued barrel; $1,949.
11611: Standard stock and grip, 18.5" barrel, 7+1 capacity, anodized gray receiver and matte blued barrel; $1,949.
11612: Five-position telescoping stock, 18.5" barrel, pistol grip, 7+1 capacity, anodized gray receiver and matte blued barrel; $2,049.
11617: Five-position stock, pistol grip, 18.5" barrel, 7+1 capacity, and Flat Dark Earth Cerakote receiver and barrel; $2,149.
11622: Five-position stock, pistol grip, 18.5" barrel, 7+1 capacity, and MultiCam Black receiver and barrel; $2,149.
Specifications and prices are subject to change.
Rear-Piston Gas System
The M2-G1’s principal mechanical change is its Rear Piston Operated, or R.P.O., gas system. It uses dual short-stroke pistons positioned near the chamber, where gas is collected, while the recoil system is mounted in the stock.
Benelli says this layout reduces the pistons’ exposure to fouling compared with forward-mounted designs, supporting cleaner operation, simplified maintenance and sustained reliability. The company positions R.P.O. as a separate system from the A.R.G.O. gas operation used in the Benelli M4.
Controls, Loading and Sights
An enlarged, beveled loading port and ramped trigger guard are intended to improve loading speed and efficiency. Enlarged controls are designed for easier manipulation under pressure or while wearing gloves.
Every listed model includes ghost-ring sights, a Picatinny rail, and a receiver that is drilled and tapped for optics. The bolt has a Parkerized finish for corrosion resistance, while M-LOK slots on the forend provide accessory mounting points. Quick-detach sling mounting positions are also included.
Telescoping-stock models provide five length-of-pull settings spanning 9.25 to 14 inches. Their pistol grip is intended to provide additional control, and all three carry seven shells in the magazine plus one in the chamber.
Dimensions and Warranty
Standard-stock models measure 38.5 inches overall with a 13-inch length of pull. Model 11610 weighs an average of 7.4 pounds, while the higher-capacity 11611 weighs 7.6 pounds.
The telescoping-stock models measure 39.5 inches overall and weigh an average of 8 pounds. Their listed drop is 2.25 inches at the heel and 1.375 inches at the comb; standard-stock versions have a 2.5-inch heel drop and 1.75-inch comb drop.
The M2-G1 is covered by Benelli’s 10-year limited warranty against defects in metal parts resulting from materials or workmanship, beginning on the original purchase date.

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