US Army warns next war could bring threats to American soil

Advancements in drones, cyberattacks, and long-range weaponry are prompting the US Army to reconsider the combat methods it relied on during decades of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. There is growing concern that adversaries could target military bases, supply chains, and communications networks within the United States, potentially disrupting troop movements before they even reach the battlefield.

In response, the US Army has introduced a new operational framework titled "How the Army Fights," aimed at developing training, leadership, and command and control. The goal is to enable units to continue fighting even if their bases, supply lines, or communications networks come under attack.

These measures reflect warnings from General Christopher Laniév, Vice Chief of Staff and Acting Chief of Staff of the US Army, who said that facing an adversary with advanced military capabilities could make it much harder to deploy American forces to conflict zones.

Laniév told Fox News Digital: "If we are facing a major strategic threat, the ability to project and deliver military power to theaters of operation will be contested."

He explained that the Army is developing capabilities that allow units to maneuver and carry out missions even if communications are cut, and to restore contact when possible. This marks a shift from the assumptions that prevailed during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, when US forces operated from relatively secure bases with stable supply lines and communications at home.

China and US infrastructure among key concerns

The prospect of a military confrontation with China is one scenario that highlights the risks of disrupting US force deployments. Attacks on military bases, transportation networks, and communications could delay mobilization and hinder the arrival of troops to operational theaters.

According to the report, the latest US Department of Defense assessment of China's military capabilities warns that Chinese cyber operations within critical US infrastructure networks could be used to disrupt military movements and mobilization during conflicts.

Concerns also extend to the security of military sites within the United States, after drones were spotted over locations including Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia and Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey, though these incidents have not been publicly attributed to China.

To bolster defenses against such threats, Laniév highlighted the role of Joint Interagency Task Force 401, which works with federal and local law enforcement agencies to strengthen counter-drone defenses around military bases and critical infrastructure.

Acting US Army Secretary Adam Teel said that operations along the southern border are providing opportunities to test new counter-drone technologies in real-world conditions, giving soldiers experience that can be applied in future conflicts.

Military officials have also incorporated biological incidents into regular combat training, preparing for the possibility of disease outbreaks or deliberate biological attacks that could disrupt military operations.

Advanced surveillance limits ability to conceal forces

The challenge is not limited to protecting bases and supply routes. Advanced surveillance capabilities are raising concerns about the ability of US forces to conceal their positions and move undetected.

US Air Force Secretary Troy Mink warned that rapid advances in surveillance technology will make it increasingly difficult to hide military positions, as China and other adversaries expand their ability to track and target forces.

Mink said these developments could, within the next five years or sooner, enable adversaries to form a picture of force locations based on their signatures and movement speed. He noted that the Department of Defense is working to enhance the survivability of forces in combat zones, including the use of autonomous systems in hazardous environments.

Meanwhile, former US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth criticized what he described as the Pentagon's slow adaptation to technological advances under the Biden administration, citing hypersonic weapons, space militarization, and drones.

Despite these changes, Laniév emphasized that soldiers remain the core of military strength, stressing the importance of maintaining combat skills to operate when digital systems fail or communications are lost.