J.D. Simkins
Executive Editor
J.D. Simkins is the executive editor of Military Times and Defense News, and a Marine Corps veteran of the Iraq War.
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All Stories By J.D.
‘Warfare’ directors talk filmmaking process, capturing combat realism
Directors Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland discuss everything that went into creating one of the most realistic depictions of combat ever made.
Opinion
Campaign medals are for campaigns, not small-scale operations
Opinion: The appropriate medal for troops who participated in the strikes on Iranian nuclear sites is not the one a Texas congressman recently proposed.
US resumes sending some weapons to Ukraine after Pentagon pause
The defense secretary directed the pause last week to allow DOD to assess its weapons stockpiles, in a move that caught the White House by surprise.
Navy spouse sues base officials over free speech after Facebook ban
A military spouse alleges his First Amendment rights were violated when officials banned him from the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay’s Facebook page.
Japan starts deploying Osprey fleet at a new base with an eye on China
The military buildup is meant as a deterrence to China’s increasingly assertive maritime actions in the area.
DARPA ends cargo seaplane program, eyes new uses for tech
Liberty Lifter was intended to design and build a seaplane with the cargo capacity of a C-17 Globemaster, that could take off and land in rough seas.
Trump’s tariffs may overshadow Rubio’s first official trip to Asia
Rubio is visiting Malaysia as the U.S. seeks to boost relations with Indo-Pacific nations to counter China’s growing influence in the region.
Fighter pilots integrate drones into air combat training
The drones served in a "loyal wingman" role to the pilots, marking “a major leap in human-machine teaming," the Air Force said.
Trump caught off guard by DOD pause on Ukraine arms deliveries: Report
Trump’s decision to send more defensive weapons to Ukraine came after he privately expressed frustration over DOD's pause, The Associated Press reported.
Former Air Force chiefs sound alarm about planned F-35, E-7 cuts
Nearly 20 retired Air Force general officers, including six former chiefs of staff, urged lawmakers to reverse Pentagon plans to cut the E-7 and F-35s.
