Pentagon confirms refrigeration outages at multiple military commissaries

The Pentagon has acknowledged a series of refrigeration outages affecting commissaries on military bases across the continental United States this week, though officials are not speculating on the cause.

Affected Locations

At least seven bases have reported disruptions, according to official announcements and social media reports:

• Fort Irwin, California
• Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico
• Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island
• Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas
• F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming
• Robins Air Force Base, Georgia
• Fort Huachuca, Arizona

Pentagon Response

A Defense Department official declined to confirm the total number of commissaries affected or whether the outages are being investigated as linked.

“The Department is aware of a possible refrigeration disruption at some Defense Commissary Agency commissaries. [The Defense Commissary Agency] has taken appropriate precautions to transfer products to alternate temperature-controlled locations to mitigate any product loss. Commissaries remain open, and all possible measures are being taken to ensure food safety. Beyond this we have nothing additional to provide.”

Impact on Operations

Naval Station Newport announced Wednesday that its commissary would be open for dry goods only until further notice, with the deli, sushi bar, and grab-and-go sections unavailable.

Fort Irwin posted Thursday that eggs and milk would not be sold until refrigeration systems are functioning properly, later revising the announcement to indicate only dry goods are available. Technicians are working on the issue with no estimated completion time.

Fort Huachuca described the incident as an “overnight equipment failure,” stating: “ALL freezers went into defrost mode – ALL frozen food has spoiled.”

F.E. Warren Air Force Base reported a refrigeration “malfunction” in its public post.

Background

Defense commissaries are a benefit for active-duty military members, their families, and retirees with base privileges. They offer at least a 25% discount compared to civilian grocery stores by selling food at cost, plus a small markup for staffing and facility maintenance.

Speculation and Investigation

While no official explanation has been offered, the popular military social media page “U.S Army W.T.F! Moments” suggested that bad actors may have intentionally shut off linked refrigeration systems, noting that at least 18 commissaries may have been affected.

A defense official told Military Times it would be inappropriate to speculate on the cause. It remains unclear how the outages are being investigated.