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US Air Force tanker availability figures may be inflated, study finds
In addition to questionable availability rates, the Air Force tanker fleet also suffers from severe sustainment issues, according to the GAO.
Lawmakers aim to ease state-to-state moves for military homeschoolers
The Republican proposal would exempt military families from conflicting state laws on homeschooling, as long as they remain in compliance with one state.
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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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Pentagon & Congress
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.
Opinion
Not just a ‘flawed design’: Charting a new course for the GWOT Memorial
A GWOT Memorial Foundation founder argues in this op-ed that concerns over the proposed memorial extend beyond design and into organizational priorities.
US won’t soften military posture in Middle East despite Iran agreement
Nearly 50,000 U.S. troops are positioned across the region, according to Adm. Brad Cooper, head of Central Command.
Iran, US agree to halt war and reopen Hormuz
The memorandum of understanding is scheduled to be officially signed on Friday in Switzerland.
In other news
Trump vows to seize Iran’s Kharg Island
Kharg Island, the linchpin of Iran’s oil industry, has once more come under focus amid a fraying ceasefire.
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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MORE STORIES
US won’t soften military posture in Middle East despite Iran agreement
Nearly 50,000 U.S. troops are positioned across the region, according to Adm. Brad Cooper, head of Central Command.
By Tanya Noury
8 people presumed dead in B-52 Stratofortress crash
The aircraft crashed shortly after its takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base on Monday, the service announced.
Iran, US agree to halt war and reopen Hormuz
The memorandum of understanding is scheduled to be officially signed on Friday in Switzerland.
By Parisa Hafezi, Yomna Ehab and Humeyra Pamuk, Reuters
Only 1 in 4 F-35s is fully mission capable, GAO finds
The F-35’s readiness rates continued to decline through fiscal 2025, with the fleet’s full mission capable rate falling to 25%, according to a GAO report.
US plans major cut to jets, warships for NATO operations in Europe, NYT reports
The United States reportedly plans to significantly reduce the aircraft and warships it makes available for NATO operations in Europe.
By Reuters
Senate committee backs Department of War name change
The Senate Armed Services Committee approved the Department of War rebrand in their version of the fiscal 2027 NDAA, moving the name closer to law.
Trump vows to seize Iran’s Kharg Island
Kharg Island, the linchpin of Iran’s oil industry, has once more come under focus amid a fraying ceasefire.
By Tanya Noury
In US Air Force first, commandos complete grueling Argentine mountain warfare course
Over several weeks, the airmen mastered advanced rock climbing, rope safety techniques and the use of single-rope bridges to cross mountain rivers.
Air Force cites DEI ban in cancellation of wreath-laying honoring women vets
An Air Force spokesperson acknowledged that the service “declined participation in compliance with Executive Orders … and DoW guidance.”
By Hope Hodge Seck
Veterans face higher hurdles in military sexual trauma claims, report finds
Veterans filing disability claims for military sexual assault or harassment face barriers to receiving compensation for their service-connected conditions.
By Patricia Kime
First look at the Global War on Terrorism Memorial design in Washington
If the design is approved, the foundation is aiming for a 2027 groundbreaking and a project completion date of late 2028.
By J.D. Simkins
Pentagon to launch ‘Cyber Mastery Incentive Pay’ program
The initative, dubbed Cyber Mastery Incentive Pay, is slated to begin in early October.
‘They got very lucky,’ Trump says of downed Apache helicopter’s crew
After a U.S. Army Apache helicopter was downed by an Iranian drone, President Donald Trump said the rescued aviators “got very lucky.”
By Tanya Noury
Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are retiring. How will new leaders inherit their lessons learned?
The retirement of the post-9/11 generation raises a question: What, exactly, is worth carrying forward into a new age of warfare?
By Natalie Oliverio
Qatari-donated Air Force One now sports red, white and blue paint job
The interim Air Force One VC-25B Bridge aircraft is undergoing its final modifications ahead of a summer rollout.
US launches new strikes on Iran after helicopter downed
The U.S. launched strikes against Iran on Tuesday after Trump said Tehran had shot down a U.S. Apache helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz.
By Phil Stewart, Maya Gebeily and Tala Ramadan, Reuters