Pentagon plans for US military bases to operate 90 days without outside support

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
November 01, 2026

Photo courtesy: Cleveland.com

The Pentagon is working to strengthen major US military bases so they can continue operating for up to 90 days without outside support if war, cyberattacks or major infrastructure failures disrupt essential services.

The reported target is part of FORTRESS America, a US military initiative aimed at reducing dependence on civilian power grids, water systems, transportation networks and supply chains.

Under the plan, military installations would need enough resources and backup systems to maintain critical operations even if surrounding communities experience prolonged disruptions.

The 90-day target has been described in reports on Pentagon planning documents, although it has not been independently confirmed as a finalized requirement across all major US bases.

Keeping military operations running

The initiative focuses on ensuring that military personnel can continue carrying out their missions during emergencies that interrupt normal access to electricity, fuel, communications and other essential supplies.

Military installations often depend on the same infrastructure used by nearby cities and communities. A prolonged power outage, cyberattack or transportation disruption could therefore affect their ability to operate.

FORTRESS America seeks to address those vulnerabilities through more reliable backup power, stronger supply reserves and systems capable of functioning independently.

The approach is intended to maintain military readiness during a range of emergencies, including potential armed conflict.

US explores independent energy systems

Efforts to improve military energy security are already underway.

The US Army announced agreements in August to advance nuclear microreactor projects at five military installations under its Janus Program.

The selected locations include Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Fort Campbell in Kentucky, Fort Hood in Texas, Fort Benning in Georgia and Fort Drum in New York.

The reactors are being developed to provide reliable electricity to military facilities, particularly when civilian power supplies become unavailable.

The projects remain in development and do not mean the installations can already operate independently for 90 days.

The Pentagon is also considering other measures to improve resilience, including local power networks, energy storage and more dependable access to critical supplies.

UK launches separate emergency preparedness campaign

The US military’s preparations come as the United Kingdom encourages households to strengthen their readiness for major emergencies.

On October 22, the British government launched its Be Ready campaign, urging residents to keep enough essential supplies to manage at least three days of disruption.

The guidance includes drinking water, non-perishable food, medication, flashlights and battery-powered radios.

British officials said the campaign is intended to help households respond to emergencies such as severe weather, power outages and interruptions to public services.

The campaign is separate from the Pentagon’s military initiative, and neither government has announced that the two programs were developed in coordination.

No warning of an imminent world war

Although the initiatives have drawn attention amid heightened international security concerns, neither the United States nor the United Kingdom has presented them as a warning that another world war is about to begin.

The Pentagon’s plans focus on maintaining military operations if essential infrastructure becomes unavailable, while Britain’s campaign addresses short-term household preparedness.

The reported 90-day target remains a planning objective, with no publicly confirmed timetable for implementation across major US military installations.