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US Air Force KC-135 goes down in Iraq, CENTCOM says
“The incident was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” the release said, adding that rescue efforts are ongoing.
Price tag for Epic Fury tops $11 billion in first six days, Pentagon tells Congress
The figure omitted a range of war-related expenses and is likely to rise.
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Defense News is covering the evolving military, strategic, and regional implications of tensions and operations involving Iran.
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Read up on tips and tricks in Military Times’ 2025 Permanent Change of Station Guide.
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Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2025.
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Health Care
Military hospitals, clinics resume billing civilians following 3-year pause
An estimated 137,000 civilians are expected to receive bills for medical care they received at military hospitals and clinics since 2023.
B-21 Raider completed ‘close-proximity flight’ with KC-135 tanker, US Air Force confirms
The event represents a precursor step toward validating capabilities essential for the B-21’s long-range, penetrating strike role.
Facing death 275 feet beneath the sea, this pioneering naval diver earned the Medal of Honor
For more than two hours, Frank Crilley struggled to save his entangled shipmate below the sea.
Lawmakers seek coverage for expedited fertility care under PACT Act
New legislation would speed coverage for fertility treatments without requiring veterans to prove their infertility was directly tied to military service.
In other news
Ukraine’s top drone units to bring frontline lessons to Washington this month
Some of Ukraine’s best-known drone military commanders and experts will be visiting Washington later this month to brief policymakers and defense leaders.
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.
‘War Machine’ review: Finally, a training scenario with aliens
The sci-fi flick raises the premise: What if the final phase of U.S. Army Ranger selection suddenly involved fighting a giant alien robot?
By Clay Beyersdorfer
When veterans take the pen, war stories start to change
Hollywood has never lacked war stories. But it has often lacked veteran storytellers telling them.
How MREs inspired today’s meal-delivery industry
The MRE has to survive heat, cold, impact and time. And it has to do all of that at scale. Sound familiar?
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VIDEOS
CENTCOM says US destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels
Military officials say they targeted ships threatening traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
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Ukraine’s top drone units to bring frontline lessons to Washington this month
Some of Ukraine’s best-known drone military commanders and experts will be visiting Washington later this month to brief policymakers and defense leaders.
By Katie Livingstone
Engineer acquitted of charges in probe into fatal 2017 Marine plane crash
A former Air Force engineer charged with making false statements and obstructing justice during a criminal investigation into the crash was acquitted.
Ecuador readies major offensive on criminal groups with US support
The announcement came days after Ecuador and the U.S. began joint military operations against organized crime groups in the South American country.
By Gonzalo Solano, AP
Former VA secretary to head national hunger relief organization
Denis McDonough’s appointment will follow the retirement of Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, who has served as Feeding America’s CEO since 2018.
By Patricia Kime
Pentagon confirms identity of soldier killed in Kuwait
The Pentagon previously released the soldier's name but said a medical examiner had to confirm his identity.
Is there anything new to learn about Patton? The National WWII Museum thinks so.
A two-day symposium will explore more than just the “blood and guts” of Patton, but an in-depth exploration of one of the war’s most iconic figures.
These are Ukraine’s $1,000 interceptor drones the Pentagon wants to buy
Ukraine spent years perfecting cheap drone killers. After burning through billions in missiles in three days, the U.S. and its allies are asking for help.
By Katie Livingstone
US has destroyed entire class of Iranian warships, CENTCOM commander says
The U.S. had struck more than 60 Iranian ships, according to U.S. Central Command Commander Adm. Brad Cooper.
By Riley Ceder
Amid US military actions, White House struggles to explain how Iran war will end
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday told reporters it’s up to Trump “whether it’s the beginning, the middle or the end” of the war.
Meet the first pilot to receive the Medal of Honor flying the ‘Whistling Death’
Kenneth Walsh worked up a tactical doctrine for the Vought F4U-1 — and put it to the test.
By Jon Guttman
US destroys 16 Iranian mine-laying boats, CENTCOM claims
The claim was made amid mounting concern that the Islamic Republic was preparing to deploy mines in the crucial waterway.
By Tanya Noury
Are you serving in US Central Command? We want to hear from you
Military Times wants to hear from those on the front lines of Operation Epic Fury.
By Military Times staff
Around 140 troops wounded in 10 days of Operation Epic Fury, Pentagon says
“The vast majority of these injuries have been minor, and 108 service members have already returned to duty,” Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said.
By Tanya Noury
Military child care centers opening with ‘lightning speed’ under new pilot program
The center brings 216 more child care slots under a DOD contract with nonprofit Armed Services YMCA.
By Karen Jowers
Majority of American voters oppose the Iran war, poll finds
A Quinnipiac University national poll found that 53% of American voters oppose the military action against Iran, and 74% oppose sending in ground troops.
Iran to face ‘most intense day of strikes,’ Hegseth says
The rhetoric was equally sharp from Tehran. Iran’s parliament speaker said on X that Iran was “definitely not looking for a ceasefire."
By Jon Gambrell, David Rising and Samy Magdy, AP