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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
DoD confirms ‘refrigeration disruption’ at military commissaries
More than a half-dozen commissaries on military bases in the continental U.S. reported refrigeration outages this week.
By Hope Hodge Seck
DoD schools struggle to identify, support military children with learning disabilities, GAO finds
A GAO review found gaps at multiple stages of DODEA's process for identifying and supporting students with specific learning disabilities.
Airmen, guardians must complete gas mask seal tests before end of year
In an effort to reinforce new grooming standards, all airmen and guardians need to complete two new CBRN defense requirements by Dec. 31.
Joint Base Andrews activates new helicopter squadron for HH-60W mission
The 5th Helicopter Squadron, which activated Thursday, is slated to be the first unit on base to receive and train with the HH-60W Jolly Green IIs.
Air Force awards Boeing $131 billion ceiling contract for F-15 production, modernization
The Air Force has awarded Boeing a sole-source contract with a $131.23 billion ceiling to produce, modernize and sustain F-15 fighters.
Joint Base Andrews airmen reflect on Huey’s legacy ahead of switch to HH-60Ws
Joint Base Andrews will receive 26 Jolly Green IIs to replace their 26 UH-1N Hueys, leaving airmen to reminisce over the latter's legacy at the base.
Pentagon’s NATO review preparing troop options for Hegseth by November 6
A Pentagon review of U.S. troop deployments in Europe will create at least four sets of options for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth by Nov. 6.
By Phil Stewart, Reuters
They survived an Iran war drone attack. Six months later, they’re struggling to get care.
The War Horse reports that soldiers wounded in an attack by Iran have faced months of delayed appointments, referrals and battles to receive treatment.
By Leah Rosenbaum, The War Horse