Top stories
Top Space Force official wears new mess dress uniform ahead of its formal wear testing
Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman sported the first wear-test asset of the mess dress at an Air Force graduation ceremony in mid-June.
Air Force selects new technical sergeants with highest promotion rate since 2021
The Air Force announced the promotion of 6,668 staff sergeants to technical sergeant for a selection rate of 26.56%.
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
Nearly 5 million veterans have used magic mushrooms, LSD or MDMA, study finds
The RAND study revealed confusion among veterans about the VA's policies regarding psychedelics.
Gunfight at the Veracruz Custom House led to six Medal of Honor recipients
Six U.S. sailors and a Mexican naval cadet matched their heroism in an alley.
Just one in four Americans believes the Iran war was worth its costs
Only 23% of Americans think the U.S. is now in a stronger position with Iran than before, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll found.
VA needs to do more to care for menopausal patients, watchdog says
Women make up the fastest growing segment of the veteran population.
In other news
Visa battle for mother of Cape Verde footballer puts spotlight on nation and its military heritage
Visa issues for the mother of a Cape Verde goalie has put a spotlight on the nation, whose residents have a storied legacy of service in the U.S. military.
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
Four service members safe after Coast Guard helicopter crash in Alaska
Crew members suffered "non-serious" injuries in the crash of an MH-60 Jayhawk, the service said.
Featured Videos
MORE STORIES
Air Force selects new technical sergeants with highest promotion rate since 2021
The Air Force announced the promotion of 6,668 staff sergeants to technical sergeant for a selection rate of 26.56%.
Flu outbreak sickens 200 trainees at Lackland Air Force Base
The outbreak among trainees comes two months after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made the annual flu shot optional for U.S. military personnel.
The unlikely role of Operation Epic Fury in a Mississippi AI data center lawsuit
The lawsuit argues that the data centers are operating illegally and polluting surrounding areas, but the DOJ said they’re needed for national security.
Can China’s latest air-to-air missile take on its US equivalent? Definitely maybe, experts say.
The PL-16’s specs would let it chase large, slower-moving aircraft, one analyst said, though its effectiveness against smaller, faster planes is unclear.
By Military Times staff
Trump heads to Camp David as questions swirl over Iran deal
President Trump headed to Camp David on Friday for a weekend of policy and political meetings as negotiations with Iran move toward an inflection point.
By Tanya Noury
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.
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.
By Reuters
‘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.
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.
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.
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