Top stories
Air Force One begins commissioning flights, final step before presidential use
The service announced the delivery of the Qatari-donated aircraft to Joint Base Andrews on Friday and the kickoff of its commissioning flights.
Remains of 8 individuals who died in B-52 crash to receive post-mortem care at Delaware base
The remains will be airlifted to Dover Air Force Base for further identification confirmation and preparation for return to their families.
Latest
SPECIAL FEATURES
Iran Coverage
Defense News is covering the evolving military, strategic, and regional implications of tensions and operations involving Iran.
Insurance Guide
Military Times has outlined helpful information about car insurance, renters insurance, and life insurance for troops.
2025 PCS Guide
Read up on tips and tricks in Military Times’ 2025 Permanent Change of Station Guide.
2025 Benefits Guide
Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2025.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Pentagon & Congress
Pentagon tells lawmakers it needs $80 billion for Iran war, other expenses: WSJ
The full cost of the conflict, which the U.S. launched alongside Israel on Feb. 28, has remained an open question on Capitol Hill.
‘Hell ship’ responsible for one of the largest single-day loss of Allied POWs discovered after more than 80 years
More than 80 years after its sinking, buried documents in both the American and Japanese archives held the key to locating the "hell ship” Hōfuku Maru.
Opinion
Troop cuts in Europe: Giving away something for nothing
It’s not too late – if Washington is intent on reducing troop levels in Europe, it can still wield this bargaining chip with Russia.
Air Force unit’s new ammo-linking machine saves $4 million a year
A new 30 mm ammunition-linking machine can save the force millions annually by repurposing rounds from retiring A-10s for use on AC-130Js.
In other news
Bravery in Burma: Despite being rendered blind by the Japanese, this soldier fought on
Marching 200 miles inside northern Burma and determined to cut off the enemy, 1st Lt. Jack L. Knight made the ultimate sacrifice.
Sailor reportedly finds dead rat in finished energy drink
The sailor said medical personnel informed him, “with the chemicals that are in Monster, that it should be OK.”
That time the Air Force proposed making a ‘gay bomb’
The Air Force once explored the idea of a chemical weapon that would make enemy soldiers sexually irresistible to one another — striking a blow to morale.
Master Chief actor condemns use of character in White House’s Iran war hype video
“I demand that the producers of this disgusting and juvenile war porn remove my voice immediately,” Steve Downes wrote in a post on X.
‘War Machine’ review: Finally, a training scenario with aliens
The sci-fi flick raises the premise: What if the final phase of U.S. Army Ranger selection suddenly involved fighting a giant alien robot?
Don't miss
VIDEOS
Retirement Readiness: Where Do You Stand? – Money Minute
Jeanette Mack from Navy Federal Credit Union is here to help you prepare for the retirement you hope for.
Featured Videos
MORE STORIES
Bravery in Burma: Despite being rendered blind by the Japanese, this soldier fought on
Marching 200 miles inside northern Burma and determined to cut off the enemy, 1st Lt. Jack L. Knight made the ultimate sacrifice.
By Jon Guttman
Pentagon open to Poland’s offer to host permanent U.S. base, Polish minister says
Poland has been pushing for a bigger allied presence on NATO’s eastern flank after Russia’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine in 2022.
By Reuters
Republicans blast Iran agreement as details emerge
One Republican senator called the framework pact announced this week the “worst foreign policy blunder in decades.”
By Patricia Zengerle and Nathan Layne, Reuters
US Air Force awards first CCA production contracts to General Atomics, Anduril
The U.S. Air Force has cleared its first Collaborative Combat Aircraft to enter production.
VA eliminates gender-identity initiatives, reclassifies LGBTQ+ care coordinators
The VA is eliminating all activity geared toward veterans’ gender identities and reclassifying its LGBTQ+ care coordinators, an internal memo says.
Senate committee proposes 3.6% military pay raise, rejecting White House request for more
The Senate is proposing a lower raise for troops than what was requested, but its bill sets aside additional funding for military quality-of-life programs.
By Karen Jowers
Vietnam War hero of Dong Ha Bridge to be awarded the Medal of Honor
President Donald Trump is set to posthumously award Marine Col. John Ripley the Medal of Honor on June 18 in a White House ceremony.
Senate advances effort to investigate use of JAG officers as immigration judges
A new measure would require an investigation into how roughly 600 military lawyers were used as immigration judges and special assistant U.S. attorneys.
By Ellen Ioanes
Air Force updates chaplain, maternity uniform guidance
Air Force chaplains will now wear chaplain rank insignia, and pregnant airmen can wear a maternity wrap dress.
Read the 14-point memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran
The 14-point memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran leaves contentious issues between the countries unresolved.
By Tanya Noury
Air Force identifies 8 people killed in B-52 crash
The individuals who died in Monday's B-52 Stratofortress crash were a mix of service members, government civilians and contractors.
Doorstep grocery delivery expanding to all US commissaries
The service will roll out in phases to all U.S. commissaries by the end of September.
By Karen Jowers
Has the military been miscalculating spouse unemployment?
A recent report suggests that the Pentagon has overstated spouse unemployment rates and obscured factors unique to a military lifestyle.
By Jennifer Barnhill
Pentagon demands human performance data from services in fitness overhaul
The Pentagon has quietly set in motion a yearlong strategy to unify the military services’ approach to achieving what it calls “Total Force Fitness.”
By Hope Hodge Seck
Fair winds, INDOPACOM: Pentagon returns command name to US Pacific Command
U.S. Pacific Command was the formation's official name until 2018, when it was changed to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
By J.D. Simkins