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Trump nominates new chief of space operations
Trump's nomination of Lt. Gen. Douglas A. Schiess now goes to the Senate.
‘A beans and rice diet’: Government watchdog finds issues with military cost of living pay
The Government Accountability Office found the DoD used a mix of unsound sampling practices and inconsistent processes to set cost of living payments.
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Pentagon & Congress
Pentagon freezes out Anthropic as it signs deals with AI rivals
The Department of Defense announced on Friday that it had struck deals with seven leading artificial intelligence companies.
A history of the War Powers Resolution and what it means for the Iran war
This case of executive overreach by Nixon in Cambodia during the Vietnam War led to the passage of the War Powers Act on Nov. 7, 1973.
Hegseth supports bill eliminating offsets for combat-disabled military retirees
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he supports the Richard Star Act to give medically retired veterans full compensation.
Some US troops cite benefits of Germany presence as Trump threatens pullback
Germany is the U.S. military’s largest footprint in Europe, with some 35,000 active-duty military personnel, and serves as a key training hub.
In other news
US combatant chiefs want more amphibious ready groups, Marine commandant says
The four-star officers who lead U.S. military commands have all requested the support of amphibious ready groups and Marine Expeditionary Units.
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?
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The Navy absorbs lessons from Epic Fury | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 4.28.26
At the Navy League of the United States’ recent conference, Navy leaders digest lessons from the U.S. campaign in the Middle East and look to the future.
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Some US troops cite benefits of Germany presence as Trump threatens pullback
Germany is the U.S. military’s largest footprint in Europe, with some 35,000 active-duty military personnel, and serves as a key training hub.
By Cassell Bryan-Low, Louisa Off and Anja Guder, Reuters
US combatant chiefs want more amphibious ready groups, Marine commandant says
The four-star officers who lead U.S. military commands have all requested the support of amphibious ready groups and Marine Expeditionary Units.
By Riley Ceder
Ceasefire ‘stops’ War Powers clock on Iran, Hegseth claims
The 60-day threshold is delineated in the War Powers Resolution of 1973. The most relevant part of that law makes no mention of a ceasefire.
By Tanya Noury
Trump says ‘probably’ when asked if he might pull US troops out of Italy, Spain
The comment came one day after Trump announced that Washington was looking at reducing the number of U.S. military personnel in Germany.
By Humeyra Pamuk, Reuters
Air, Space forces request over $24 billion for fiscal 2027 weapons sustainment program
After U.S. missions like Operation Epic Fury, the department is seeking $24.8 billion for their Weapons System Sustainment program.
From prototypes to production: US Air Force seeks nearly $1B for initial CCA procurement
In a first, the Air Force is asking Congress to fund the purchase of Collaborative Combat Aircraft, marking the beginning of the “loyal wingman" era.
By Michael Scanlon
US military commanders to brief Trump on military options against Iran
Top U.S. military leaders, including CENTCOM head Adm. Brad Cooper, will brief President Trump on Thursday on potential military action against Iran.
By Reuters
The US Army wants to manufacture meatless proteins in combat zones
The service "is exploring how the emerging alternative-protein sector can help meet several objectives, including enhancing food supply chain resilience."
By Michael Peck
Don’t call it a ‘quagmire’: defense secretary refuses to speculate on length of Iran war
The questions over the war’s future come as a 60-day deadline approaches Thursday under the War Powers Act.
By Patricia Kime
Iran war has cost $25 billion so far, Pentagon official says
Acting comptroller Jules Hurst III, testifying before the House Armed Services Committee, said that the bulk of the figure has been devoted to ordnance.
By Tanya Noury
Air Force releases plan to recruit, retain AI professionals
The Air Force released its plans to "aggressively" recruit and retain AI professionals to further become an "AI-first force."
Pentagon asks Congress to codify ‘Department of War,’ estimates $52 million cost
Only Congress has the authority to permanently rename executive department names, and it has not yet changed the title of the Department of Defense.
By Tanya Noury
How a band of Marines staved off the British and helped save the Declaration of Independence
Despite the military disaster at Bladensburg, the Marines gave the men and women of the capital precious time to flee.
Trump showcases US military in King Charles White House visit
Hundreds of U.S. service members took part in welcoming King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the White House on Tuesday.
By Tanya Noury
Pentagon’s FY27 budget seeks 85 F-35s, but most ride on reconciliation
The Pentagon’s fiscal 2027 budget request seeks 85 F-35 Lightning II fighters across the joint force, up from 47 in fiscal 2026.
By Michael Scanlon
Golden Dome has ‘pathways to pivot’ if delays arise, general says
Gen. Michael Guetlein, the appointed czar for America's “Golden Dome” initiative, told lawmakers that plans to build the shield were proceeding apace.
By Hope Hodge Seck