Our Scans · United States Minor Outlying Islands · Weekly Summary

• Exploration Vessel Nautilus will map and explore deep-sea priority areas in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone around Wake Island, one of the most isolated land masses on Earth and one of the least explored areas under U.S. jurisdiction. NOAA Ocean Exploration
• In early April, NOAA Ship Rainier will begin to map and characterize more than 8,000 square nautical miles of federal waters off Kingman Reef and Palmyra Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. MarineLink
• Initial findings suggest few significant impacts, but hearings continue (floridatoday.com).US Air Force Halts SpaceX Hypersonic Cargo Rocket Tests: Tests on Johnston Atoll were suspended due to risks to native seabirds, following environmental lawsuits. TS2 Space
• The US Air Force has suspended a SpaceX rocket cargo delivery project on Johnston Atoll after biologists warned of harm to local seabirds. TS2 Space
• The US Air Force has suspended plans to test SpaceX hypersonic cargo rockets on Johnston Atoll, citing risks to native seabirds.
• US Air Force Halts SpaceX Hypersonic Cargo Rocket Tests: Tests on Johnston Atoll were suspended due to risks to native seabirds, following environmental lawsuits.
• China's new ALBM, if installed aboard its H6 - K bombers, could attack US military installations in Guam and Wake Island as well as major surface warships including aircraft carriers and amphibious warfare ships. Asia Times
• Veterans who served in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Guam, American Samoa and Johnston Atoll will be presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange. FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth
• As U.S. bases on Guam and Wake Island, let alone South Korea and Japan, are increasingly considered highly vulnerable to a new generation of Chinese and North Korean armaments, Australia's importance will only grow. The Diplomat
• Air and naval forces at Truk could quickly be shifted from there to counter U.S. actions from New Guinea to the Solomons to the Gilberts, Marshalls, Wake Island, and the Marianas. Rebellion Research
• In the next few days, HMS Queen Elizabeth will once again embark 5th Generation fighters, comprising of 18 F-35 Lightning jets drawn from the UK's 617 Squadron, the Dambusters, and VMFA-211 of the US Marine Corps, better known as the Wake Island Avengers. Navy Recognition
• In the next few days HMS Queen Elizabeth will once again embark 5th Generation fighters, comprising of 18 F-35 Lightning jets drawn from the UK's 617 Squadron, the Dambusters, and VMFA-211 of the US Marine Corps, better known as the Wake Island Avengers. Royal Navy
• We monitor seismic data from stations located in Guam and Chichijima, Japan, and hydroacoustic data from Wake Island, which will also detect significant explosive activity in the CNMI. USGS

Last updated: 24 June 2026