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Congress may alter Air Force fighter structure as service fails to reach 1,145 aircraft minimum
In response to a 2025 Air Force report, Congress can now consider the fighter force structure amid proposals to divest older aircraft and pilot shortages.
US Air Force seeks air-defense guns to protect overseas bases
The U.S. Air Force plans to acquire anti-aircraft guns to protect its overseas bases following Iranian attacks on U.S. bases in the Middle East.
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EDITOR'S PICKS
Opinion
America wants the hero, not the human
If America and the DoD truly want to “support our troops,” they must start acknowledging the human beings inside the uniform, this military spouse writes.
Trump to travel aboard Qatari-donated Air Force One to Ireland
U.S. President Donald Trump will use the Qatari-donated jet to travel to Ireland next week, the plane's first international trip since the swap in Turkey.
Unexpected hiring surge drives down unemployment rate for post-9/11 veterans
The unexpected surge of 162,000 jobs added to payrolls last month drove the unemployment rate for the post-9/11 generation of veterans down.
Space industry lacks workers needed to rebuild satellites lost in war, report says
The U.S. does not have enough engineers, technicians and assemblers to rebuild military space assets destroyed in a war with China or Russia, per RAND.
In other news
Vance: US probing airstrike that Iran says hit a wedding party
U.S. Vice President JD Vance said the United States is investigating an airstrike that Iran says struck a wedding party.
VIDEOS
Marines to add thousands to ranks in coming years | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 9.8.26
The Marine Corps seeks to swell its ranks in the next five years. Plus, the Army museum remembers Sept. 11 and those who responded.
Featured Videos
TSA stops Alabama traveler for Civil War-era cannonballs in luggage
An Alabama traveler was stopped recently by TSA after checking luggage containing five Civil War-era cannonballs. Roll Tide.
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.”
By J.D. Simkins
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.
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MORE STORIES
Will most troops move under new household goods program in 2025?
More than half of installations in the continental United States are moving troops' shipments under the new system.
By Karen Jowers
VA to resume new electronic health record rollout in mid-2026
The project was scheduled to take 10 years and cost $16 billion. Nearly eight years later, only six of VA’s 170-plus medical sites are using the software.
Suicides among veterans remain unchanged despite federal focus
The figures are the latest available from federal census data and suggest limited progress on the issue of suicide prevention by Veterans Affairs leaders.
Looming government shutdown could hurt military families, veterans
Plans to avert a partial government shutdown starting this weekend appeared scuttled after President-elect Donald Trump opposed the bipartisan deal.
Live in the Tricare West Region? Do this before Dec. 31.
Beneficiaries in the West Region who don't provide recurring payment information could risk losing Tricare coverage.
By Karen Jowers
Senate finalizes plans for a massive junior enlisted pay boost in 2025
Troops ranked E-4 and below would see a 14.5% raise and all other troops a 4.5% raise under legislation headed to the White House.
Plan to avert government shutdown does not include extra VA funds
VA leaders had asked for roughly $6.6 billion in extra funding for FY25, and said they could face problems with hiring and programs without it.
Plan would cover all health care costs for thousands of vets overseas
Providing more health care coverage for disabled veterans living abroad could be a major focus of the next session of Congress.
Troops to get an average housing allowance boost of over 5% in 2025
The new rates take effect Jan. 1.
By Karen Jowers