An opinion piece by Lt Gen Russel L Honore (Retired), a former commander of the US First Army, for The Hill, has sparked concerns as Honore hinted that the Pentagon knows something that it is not revealing to the people. The ex-Army commander led recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina and he also headed the official review of Capitol Security after the Jan 6 attack. He said the Pentagon has advised military bases ti plan to operate off the grid for up to 90 days but America’s civilian leaders have been left out of the loop.“It is no secret that we are in a war with Iran. Iran is not a backwater. It has been a pariah state for decades, but it does have the technical abilities and know-how to launch a cyberattack. Whether there is a specific threat that has raised concerns within the Department of Defense, or Secretary Pete Hegseth has just learned of his adversaries’ capabilities, we don’t know,” he said at a time several software programs are running to the ground, halting crucial operations though cyberattack has not been established as the reason.“That’s why the Department of Defense’s handling of the threat is so troubling. If American civilians are at risk, they have a right to know. Just as important for managing the threat, America’s governors and mayors must be read in to the situation to begin planning for the worst,” the Army vet said.“When I managed the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, none of that effort was a one-man show. We organized people and resources from across the federal, state and local levels. That’s how we were able to get food, water and medical care to those in need. It’s also how we were able to restore safety and order and begin the long process of rebuilding after a major disaster,” he wrote in the opinion piece.“If there is an attack, or if some other tragedy strikes, the situation cannot be handled solely from behind a desk in Washington. State officials and local leaders should be made aware of any threats to their people and be brought into the planning process as much as possible. They will be part of the disaster management and recovery regardless.”
Three months without power?
The Army vet added that three months without power is not a laughing matter.“It would mean far worse than the temporary loss of creature comforts. Ninety days without an electrical grid would mean no heating and refrigeration, disruptions to food, water and fuel supplies and more. People, whether sick in the hospital or completely healthy, would die otherwise completely preventable deaths. While a sound plan for civilian leaders may not save every life, it would go far in maintaining stability and stopping countless additional tragedies from ever happening.““For those concerned about protecting their households during a disaster, my advice remains consistent. Purchase several days of nonperishable food. Keep multiple gallons of water for each member of the family for every anticipated day of disruption. Stock up on batteries, and make sure you have any and all prescriptions filled. And in case your phone cannot be recharged or cellular service is lost, keep a battery-operated or hand-cranked radio as well, so you can continue to monitor the situation,” he said.
But is there any 90-day blackout plan by the Pentagon?
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the FORTRESS initiative on September 30, 2026, describing it as a national security programme designed to strengthen America’s military infrastructure and reduce dependence on vulnerable civilian systems.According to planning documents reviewed by Fox News Digital, the Pentagon is also considering a requirement for every major military installation in the continental US to sustain essential operations independently for at least 90 days. This would include electricity, water, fuel and communicationsThe proposed measures include portable nuclear reactors, large battery-storage systems and microgrids that can disconnect military bases from civilian electricity networks.But FORTRESS does not mention any 90-day timeline. It is not for civilians either. It is a military readiness plan that would prepare major US bases to keep running for at least 90 days in case of any emergency.
