Top Stories
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Air Force unit halts rappelling, ropes training after airman dies during public demonstration
After Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson died from injuries sustained during a public demonstration, his squadron ceased all rappel and rope training events.
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US Air Force wants AI to assist aerial refueling
The goal is for AI to automatically analyze refueling operations from cameras mounted on the tankers and provide “hot wash” feedback to the tanker crews.
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Pentagon, Lockheed agree to 10-year deal for 850 F-35 jets
The decade-long framework guarantees at least 850 F-35 Lightning II fighters for the U.S. military, pending congressional approval and funding.
In Other News
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Trump, Putin negotiate release of US Air Force veteran from Russian prison
Stephen Hubbard, a retired teacher and U.S. Air Force veteran, was released from Russian custody on Wednesday after spending over four years in prison.
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Pentagon AI oversight office struggles to keep pace with department’s ambitions, GAO finds
The Pentagon office tapped in 2022 to oversee the military’s responsible use of AI had filled just three of 10 authorized positions as of February 2026.
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US Air Force F-22 pilot controls unmanned FQ-44 in flight
The fighter jet’s pilot served as an airborne “quarterback” and gave high-level directives to an Anduril-made Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
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Academic institutions sever foreign research ties to comply with Pentagon order
The Pentagon ordered 30 universities to review their ties with foreign institutions or risk losing their federal funding.
SPECIAL FEATURES
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Apply for Best for Vets: Trusted Brands
Military Times is now accepting submissions from companies that offer verifiable value to the military community through programs and benefits.
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Insurance Guide
Military Times has outlined helpful information about car insurance, renters insurance, and life insurance for troops.
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2025 PCS Guide
Read up on tips and tricks in Military Times’ 2025 Permanent Change of Station Guide.
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2025 Benefits Guide
Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2025.
EDITOR’S PICKS
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The flight nurses of the Pacific who saved thousands of Marines
In 1945, a dozen U.S. Navy nurses evacuated 2,393 men from Iwo Jima on 125 flights — more than 13% of everyone evacuated from the island.
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Military takeover of New Mexico borderlands challenged in court
The lawsuit argues that the government unlawfully expanded the scope and duration of its “national defense area” designation.
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Virginia man arrested after Quantico Iwo Jima statue defaced with sledgehammer
A Virginia man was arrested after allegedly using a sledgehammer to decapitate one of the figures from the Iwo Jima statue at Quantico.
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Errors in disability cases for ‘painful scars’ resulted in overpayment: VA watchdog
During a review period from June 1, 2024, through May 31, 2025, the VA made at least one error in 17,900 cases regarding disability decisions.
In other news
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The Pentagon wants ketamine wafers as a battlefield medicine option
The Pentagon awarded a multi-million-dollar contract to the Singapore-based iX Biopharma to develop a small, ketamine-packed wafer.
VIDEOS
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Hegseth appoints Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer to Barracks Task Force
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth taps the Marine reservist to serve as a senior advisor for the Pentagon’s effort to improve troops’ living conditions.
Featured Videos
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Pentagon looks to AI to identify space and missile threats
The Pentagon is seeking artificial intelligence that can cut through the confusion of missile defense.
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Americans mark 25 years since September 11 attacks amid enduring grief, reflection
Twenty-five years after the deadliest attack on U.S. soil, Americans paused to remember those killed and wrestle with the reverberating consequences.
ByMaria Tsvetkova, Idrees Ali and Joseph Ax, Reuters
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In first, Oregon Guard F-15EXs drop live bombs
The Oregon Air National Guard dropped live bombs from its F-15EX Eagle IIs, marking the first time an operational Eagle II unit has done so.
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She was in the Pentagon daycare on 9/11. Now she is running 2,977 miles, one for every life lost.
Hanna Born, a 23rd Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot, is running a mile for every life lost on 9/11 as she reflects on her own lived experience.
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Iran attack on base in Jordan damaged American military aircraft, US official says
Iranian strikes damaged one A-10 Thunderbolt II and eight F-15s this week on the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.
ByIdrees Ali, Reuters
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Trump departs DC on Qatar-gifted Air Force One after emergency slide accidentally deploys
President Donald Trump’s departure to Texas was briefly delayed after an emergency slide on Air Force One was accidentally deployed by military personnel.
BySteve Holland and David Shepardson, Reuters
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VA to mark 9/11 anniversary with volunteer opportunities at national cemeteries
The VA will mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks by hosting volunteer events on Saturday, Sept. 12, at more than 144 locations.
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Pentagon codifies fitness standards across branches
The new regulations spell out testing timelines, standards for troops in combat arms specialties and guidelines for pregnancy and postpartum fitness.
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They served through America’s post-9/11 wars. 25 years later, what did that service mean?
Nearly 3 million Americans served in the wars that followed Sept. 11. Three veterans reflect in The War Horse about what they saw, lost and still carry.
ByDavid Roza, The War Horse
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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.
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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.
ByEnas Alashray, Idrees Ali and Jana Choukeir, Reuters
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US Air Force seeks ‘rapidly deployable’ drone swarms for base security
The U.S. Air Force is looking to use “rapidly deployable” swarms of AI-controlled drones for base security.
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