Top stories
3 F-15s shot down by Kuwait in friendly fire incident, pilots safe, US says
"Kuwait has acknowledged this incident," according to U.S. Central Command. All six crew members have been recovered and are in stable condition.
3 US troops killed, 5 seriously wounded in actions against Iran
U.S. Central Command officials announced Sunday that three U.S. service members were killed in action during combat operations.
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
Your Air Force
Additional troops to deploy to Middle East as Gen. Caine says to expect ‘additional losses’
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke to reporters at an on-camera media briefing Monday.
Trump awards Medal of Honor to 3 soldiers
President Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to three soldiers, recognizing a service member from World War II, Vietnam and Afghanistan.
Pentagon to cut ties with Columbia, Yale, Brown and others Hegseth accuses of ‘wokeness’
Without citing evidence, Hegseth said the universities have become “breeding grounds of toxic indoctrination” that undermine military values.
US, Israel pound Iran as Trump signals willingness to talk to new Iranian leadership
Trump said the U.S. would “avenge” the deaths of three U.S. service members and that “there will likely be more” killed before the conflict ends.
In other news
Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead, White House confirms
Khamenei was killed in a major attack on Iran launched by Israel and the United States, President Donald Trump said Saturday on social media.
How MREs inspired today’s meal-delivery industry
The MRE has to survive heat, cold, impact and time. And it has to do all of that at scale. Sound familiar?
The military’s complicated history with tobacco
Anyone who has served knows the smoke pit has not vanished.
By Clay Beyersdorfer
Woo your significant other this Valentine’s Day with the help of some WWII acronyms
Let your partner know how you really feel with acronyms such as MALAYA: My Ardent Lips Await Your Arrival.
Why every day can feel like ‘Groundhog Day’ in the military
For troops, "Groundhog Day" captures something they immediately recognize: days repeat, routines harden and progress feels frozen.
Don't miss
VIDEOS
Hegseth, Caine lay out Iran goals: “No stupid rules of engagement, no nation-building quagmire.”
Defense Secretary acknowledges casualties, says goals of Operation Epic Fury are "laser focused." Joint Chiefs Chairman says more troops moving to theater.
Featured Videos
MORE STORIES
3 US troops killed, 5 seriously wounded in actions against Iran
U.S. Central Command officials announced Sunday that three U.S. service members were killed in action during combat operations.
By J.D. Simkins
Iran Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead, White House confirms
Khamenei was killed in a major attack on Iran launched by Israel and the United States, President Donald Trump said Saturday on social media.
No US casualties reported following Iran’s retaliatory strikes, officials say
CENTCOM officials also claimed that "damage to U.S. installations was minimal and has not impacted operations."
War powers debate intensifies after Trump orders attack on Iran without approval by Congress
Many Democrats are calling the operation illegal, saying the Constitution gives Congress alone the power to declare war.
US confirms first combat use of LUCAS one-way attack drone in Iran strikes
The Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System, or LUCAS drone, is a one-way attack drone reverse-engineered after the Iranian Shahed-136.
By J.D. Simkins
Competing with Dick Bong to be WWII’s top ace this pilot met a fateful end
Thomas McGuire Jr. was chasing Dick Bong's record when his life was cut short several months before war's end.
By Jon Guttman
US, Israel launch ‘major combat operations’ in Iran
Discussing the potential of American casualties, Trump said "that often happens in war."
Trump orders federal agencies to stop using Anthropic technology in dispute over AI safety
Hegseth also said he was designating Anthropic as a supply chain risk, a move that could prevent U.S. military vendors from working with the company.
Hegseth replaces director of schools for military children
The new director, Paul Craft, will "reorient" DOD schools toward "patriotic values and classical learning," Hegseth said.
By Karen Jowers
Transgender youths are targeted in Scouting America changes pushed by Pentagon
Under Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon has taken aim at the military’s partnership with Scouting America.
US military uses laser to take down CBP drone, lawmakers say
The case of mistaken identity prompted the FAA to close additional airspace around Fort Hancock, about 50 miles southeast of El Paso.
Anthropic ‘cannot in good conscience accede’ to Pentagon’s demands, CEO says
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei said Thursday the AI company “cannot in good conscience accede” to the Pentagon’s demands to allow wider use of its technology.
US military assembles largest force of warships, aircraft in Middle East in decades
The U.S. Navy will have at least 16 ships in the region, dwarfing the 11-ship fleet that was, until the Ford’s departure, positioned in the Caribbean Sea.
What to know about Defense Protection Act and the Pentagon’s Anthropic ultimatum
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei repeatedly has made clear his ethical concerns about unchecked government use of AI.
Former US Air Force pilot charged with unauthorized Chinese military training
Gerald Eddie Brown Jr. was arrested and charged Wednesday for providing unauthorized defense services to Chinese pilots.
VA to formally rescind controversial disability ratings rule
A policy requiring VA medical examiners to include effects of medication in assigning disability ratings is expected to be formally rescinded on Feb. 27.
By Patricia Kime