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B-1 returns to flight after restoration, surviving the ‘boneyard’
The B-1B Lancer returned to service at Dyess Air Force Base following extensive maintenance efforts by the Tinker Air Force Base crew.
Trump administration releases first tranche of ‘never-before-seen’ UFO files
“With these new Documents and Videos, the people can decide for themselves, ‘WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?’” Trump wrote, adding, “Have Fun and Enjoy!"
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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.
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Your Air Force
Arcade games satirizing Iran war appear at DC War Memorial
The game, “Operation Epic Furious: Strait To Hell,” was developed in response to the administration’s use of video game footage to share successes in Iran.
Pentagon seeks additional funding as cost of Iran war tops $29 billion
The increase from $25 billion just two weeks ago reflects “updated repair and replacement of equipment costs,” along with the “general operational costs."
Former NFL tight end convicted for Medicare, VA fraud scheme
He was sentenced to 16 years in prison for a yearslong plot that cost Medicare and VA nearly $200 million.
US, partner nations sink two decommissioned ships during Exercise Balikatan
A two-day strike saw the sinking of two vessels, utilizing land, sea and air platforms from the U.S., Philippine, Japanese and Canadian forces.
In other news
Poll: Americans don’t think Trump has explained Iran war goals
One in three Republicans and almost all Democrats said Trump has not “clearly explained the goals of U.S. military involvement in Iran.”
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 shape of shipbuilding for the US Navy | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 5.12.26
Prominent shipbuilders lay out their ideas for meeting the U.S. Navy’s demand for faster production at Sea-Air-Space 2026. Plus, Anduril’s new subsea drone.
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A personal account of a paratrooper who jumped into Normandy on D-Day
Lt. Col. Gerhard Bolland, an 82nd Airborne Division officer, described what it was really like to parachute during the invasion of Normandy.
By Gerhard L. Bolland
‘We failed’: How an F-16 flight on 9/11 shaped National Guard’s No. 2
A Q&A with Lt. Gen. Marc Sasseville, who retired at the end of May as the vice chief of the National Guard.
By Hope Hodge Seck
Actor Idris Elba discusses suppressed stories of D-Day’s Black vets
Actor Idris Elba and director Shianne Brown spoke to Military Times to discuss their latest collaboration, "Erased: WWII Heroes Of Color."
Enlisted pay raise, abortion ban included in panel’s defense budget
The annual defense appropriations bill would give all troops a 4.5% pay raise in 2025, with some enlisted troops getting a boost of nearly 20%.
US B-1 flies precision bomb drill as tensions simmer with North Korea
The U.S. flew a B-1B bomber over the Korean Peninsula on Wednesday for its first precision-guided bombing drill with South Korea in seven years.
LGBTQ+ veterans face more health problems than peers, study finds
A new analysis of state data shows gay and bisexual vets face more medical care access issues than their peers.
Air Force’s top leaders urge unity, patience as changes abound
The Air Force's top command team is urging airmen to stick together and trust the process of changes across the service.
DOD failed to share rules on partisan politics before election season
The lack of communication means service members could violate rules they don’t know exist and portray the DOD as politically partisan.
Biden threatens VA budget veto over abortion, gender-affirming care
The White House is opposed to a Republican-backed VA budget plan that is expected to be advanced this week.
With a drop of blood, this new device will test for TBIs in 15 minutes
A new rapid test that checks for traumatic brain injuries using a single drop of blood is expected to make its debut in the military in the coming months.
By Karen Jowers