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Air Force launches B-52, B-1 readiness campaign
To increase the number of mission capable B-52 and B-1 aircraft, the North Star Readiness Campaign aims to speed up parts delivery and depot maintenance.
Defense startup’s AI aims to make every munition count
Smack Technologies' CEO said its AI modeling tool will help commanders decide not just which targets to strike, but how to sequence strikes over time.
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Your Air Force
Iran and US hit tankers in biggest wave of attacks on shipping since war began
Recent attacks by the U.S. and Iran have shattered a month of relative calm, with both hitting military, shipping and energy assets.
White House reviews candidates to replace Hegseth deputy, sources say
The White House has reviewed candidates to potentially replace Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg, Reuters reports.
Pentagon wants to use AI-generated ‘personalities’ for decoy cellphones
The DoD wants to wield AI-generated "personalities" to mimic real people and fool enemy AI.
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.
In other news
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.
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
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.
By Michael Peck
White House reviews candidates to replace Hegseth deputy, sources say
The White House has reviewed candidates to potentially replace Deputy Secretary of Defense Steve Feinberg, Reuters reports.
By Mike Stone, Erin Banco and David Jeans, Reuters
Pentagon wants to use AI-generated ‘personalities’ for decoy cellphones
The DoD wants to wield AI-generated "personalities" to mimic real people and fool enemy AI.
By Michael Peck
US Air Force speeds Reaper successor timeline after Iran losses
The Air Force is accelerating its timeline for a cheaper, more expendable successor to the MQ-9A Reaper after combat losses.
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.
Vance pledges to help airman’s widow after online backlash exposed benefit gaps
After Air Force Maj. Alex Klinner died in a KC-135 crash during operations against Iran, his wife Libby struggled to receive some combat-related benefits.
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.
By Reuters
Air Force uses C-130Js to deliver relief supplies, equipment to Nepal after flash floods
The U.S. Air Force provided humanitarian and disaster response assistance to Nepal on Wednesday following flash floods in the South Asian country.
Pentagon temporarily rescinds guidance on testosterone screening for US troops
The Pentagon is temporarily rescinding recently published clinical guidance for a new mandatory testosterone-deficiency screening policy, Reuters reports.
By Idrees Ali, Reuters
Pentagon expands hormone screening guidance to include female service members
The DHA established a hormone-screening pathway for female service members, directing providers to screen women annually for hormonal dysregulation.
Iran war escalation raises concern over civilian death toll
The recent escalation of the Iran war has cast renewed attention on its civilian toll after Iran reported four killed and dozens wounded at a wedding.
By Menna AlaaElDin and Kanishka Singh, Reuters
VA said electronic health record modernization would cost $10 billion — now it’s $48 billion
The Department of Veterans Affairs is nearly tripling the ceiling on its contract with Oracle to modernize the agency’s electronic health record system.
House passes funding bill to avert government shutdown
The House overwhelmingly approved legislation Tuesday to prevent a government shutdown and keep federal agencies operating beyond Oct. 1.
By Richard Cowan, Reuters
US launches new barrage of strikes on Iran around Strait of Hormuz
The U.S. launched new air strikes on Iranian targets Tuesday following attempted attacks by the IRGC against American troops deployed to the region.
By Jasper Ward and Parisa Hafezi, Reuters