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US lawmakers weigh aviation fuel cost increase from Iran war in fiscal 2027 defense hearing
Ahead of drafting fiscal year 2027’s NDAA, U.S. lawmakers are grappling with the rise in fuel prices and what it means for the military's aviation costs.
Bill aims to make military hazing a separate criminal offense
Rep. Judy Chu renewed her longtime efforts to fight military hazing after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pushed for rougher training last year.
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Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2025.
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Immigration stress: A readiness problem the Pentagon does not measure
The Pentagon does not measure if family deportation fears affect troops readiness.
The Pentagon wants to improve medical care for wounded military dogs
Efforts include better assessment of canine traumatic brain injury and even finding common medical treatments for both humans and dogs.
81 years after Iwo, these Marines reunited on Memorial Day — and instantly started trash talking
The two Marines, part of the elite unit that was famously tasked with capturing Mount Suribachi, served as Honorary Grand Marshals on Monday in D.C.
‘Return of the Dead’: The unthinkable choice faced by military families after WWII
Shortly after the war, more than 171,000 remains were returned to the U.S., while next of kin chose to have more than 110,000 buried overseas.
In other news
Congressional report tallies 42 US aircraft lost or damaged in Operation Epic Fury
Drones took the heaviest hit, accounting for 25 of the 42 aircraft losses listed in the report.
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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Pentagon boosts box that makes water from the air
WaterCube maker Genesis Systems says the Pentagon opened $10.5 million for units to purchase water-making tech following surprise combat test in the Middle East
MORE STORIES
‘Thank the Gods of War’: D-Day success hinges on weather forecast in ‘Pressure’
The aptly titled “Pressure” depicts an anguished Eisenhower on the eve of the invasion, with the weight of the free world hinging on a weather report.
Veteran who lost both of his legs in combat reenlists in the Marine Corps
Staff Sgt. Johnny “Joey” Jones, who medically retired in 2012 after losing both of his legs in combat, said he felt he had more to give to the service.
In shift, Trump announces deployment of 5,000 US troops to Poland
A week after cancelling a U.S. Army deployment to Poland, Trump announces an additional 5,000 troops will be sent to the country.
By Tanya Noury
Air Force dubs MQ-9 the ‘MVP’ of Epic Fury as lawmakers press manned-unmanned future
The remotely piloted MQ-9 Reaper was the workhorse in the U.S. air campaign against Iran, Air Force leaders told Congress on May 20.
Tom Hanks-led World War II docuseries set to debut over Memorial Day
Fifty-three years after the monumental “The World at War” series debuted, a new documentary program aims to uncover new dimensions of the conflict.
Why is it taking so long to identify America’s unknown fallen heroes?
Forensic DNA experts say it should take the Pentagon years—not decades—to ID the remains of thousands of nameless service members in military cemeteries.
By Ken McLaughlin, The War Horse
Amid rising military suicides, services can’t tell if prevention training is effective
Despite higher military suicide rates since 2011, most services do not have accountability measures to ensure troops complete required prevention training.
By Hope Hodge Seck
Services ask defense secretary for exceptions to lax flu vaccine policy
The services sent a "robust set of exception" requests to a new Pentagon policy allowing personnel to decide whether to get the flu shot.
By Patricia Kime
Michael Bay slated to direct film on rescue of F-15 crew in Iran
Less than two months after U.S. forces rescued two crew members in Iran, director Michael Bay has confirmed he will be making a movie based on the mission.
By J.D. Simkins
Official trailer for Jimmy Stewart biopic released
A journal — discovered after Stewart's death — helped to shape the upcoming film.
Pentagon watchdog evaluating US military’s strikes on alleged drug boats
The Defense Department’s inspector general initiated an evaluation into the U.S. Southern Command's protocols when attacking suspected drug boats.
By Tanya Noury
Pentagon policy isn’t keeping pace with autonomous weapons, senators argue
As the Trump administration seeks a massive investment in AI-driven systems, the DoD's policies on their use "lag behind," one senator said.
By Michael Peck
T-38 Talon flight operations halted fleetwide amid crash investigation
Last week, a T-38 Talon II aircraft had a "mishap" that resulted in the ejection of two pilots in Alabama.
Trump edges toward new strikes on Iran
CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper told lawmakers Tuesday he's ready to "execute a broad range of contingencies" depending on how negotiations go.
By Tanya Noury
War in pieces: Air Force wants special ops plane that can be built on the fly
The Skyraider II, a militarized version of the AT-802 crop duster, is built to give isolated special ops teams eyes overhead and firepower on call.
By Michael Scanlon
More US troop withdrawals from Europe expected, NATO commander says
Gen. Alexus Grynkewich said Europe should "absolutely" expect additional U.S. troop withdrawals as NATO allies provide more of their own defense.
By Rudy Ruitenberg