Top stories
T-38 Talon flight operations halted fleetwide amid crash investigation
Last week, a T-38 Talon II aircraft had a "mishap" that resulted in the ejection of two pilots in Alabama.
War in pieces: Air Force wants special ops plane that can be built on the fly
The Skyraider II, a militarized version of the AT-802 crop duster, is built to give isolated special ops teams eyes overhead and firepower on call.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Iran Coverage
Defense News is covering the evolving military, strategic, and regional implications of tensions and operations involving Iran.
Insurance Guide
Military Times has outlined helpful information about car insurance, renters insurance, and life insurance for troops.
2025 PCS Guide
Read up on tips and tricks in Military Times’ 2025 Permanent Change of Station Guide.
2025 Benefits Guide
Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2025.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Pentagon & Congress
Pentagon watchdog evaluating US military’s strikes on alleged drug boats
The Defense Department’s inspector general initiated an evaluation into the U.S. Southern Command's protocols when attacking suspected drug boats.
Pentagon policy isn’t keeping pace with autonomous weapons, senators argue
As the Trump administration seeks a massive investment in AI-driven systems, the DoD's policies on their use "lag behind," one senator said.
Trump edges toward new strikes on Iran
CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper told lawmakers Tuesday he's ready to "execute a broad range of contingencies" depending on how negotiations go.
More US troop withdrawals from Europe expected, NATO commander says
Gen. Alexus Grynkewich said Europe should "absolutely" expect additional U.S. troop withdrawals as NATO allies provide more of their own defense.
In other news
After 7 years, Space Force’s first paratrooper takes to the skies
Lt. Col. Mark Natale jumped from a Marine Corps KC-130 Hercules into the Sullivan Drop Zone at Fort Carson, Colorado, on April 24.
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.”
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.
‘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?
Don't miss
VIDEOS
DARPA eyes breakthrough with synthetic human blood | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 5.19.26
Pushing the biotech envelope, DARPA and researchers are on the cusp of a massive breakthrough in emergency battlefield medical care.
Featured Videos
MORE STORIES
More US troop withdrawals from Europe expected, NATO commander says
Gen. Alexus Grynkewich said Europe should "absolutely" expect additional U.S. troop withdrawals as NATO allies provide more of their own defense.
By Rudy Ruitenberg
After 7 years, Space Force’s first paratrooper takes to the skies
Lt. Col. Mark Natale jumped from a Marine Corps KC-130 Hercules into the Sullivan Drop Zone at Fort Carson, Colorado, on April 24.
Hegseth campaigns for congressional race, breaking with Pentagon neutrality
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday campaigned for a congressional challenger endorsed by President Donald Trump in a move that has sparked outcry.
By Eve Sampson
Hegseth mulls benefits fix for veterans exposed to radiation at A-bomb test site
Civilians have received benefits for work at the Nevada test site, but Cold War-era regulations still do not allow veterans to prove they were there, too.
By Richard Sisk
ISIS leader killed in Africa as US commander raises force reduction concerns
Despite recent operations, U.S. force reduction moves have ignited concerns over America's ability to stifle terror plots emanating from the continent.
By Tanya Noury
The F4F Wildcat: The little fighter that could
Many Allied aircraft achieved greatness during WWII, but the Wildcat, usually outnumbered and almost always outclassed, proved to be a stubby hero.
Air, Space forces revamp religious accommodations to align with Pentagon guidance
The Air and Space forces now require written statements from service members and will no longer be involving Religious Resolution Teams.
Historian’s nearly two decade quest to piece together America’s last major offensive in Vietnam
James Smither spent nearly two decades piecing together what actually occured during the Battle of Fire Support Base Ripcord.
Crew members safely ejected after Navy jets collide at Idaho air show
Two E/A-18G Growler jets collided in mid-air Sunday during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show, the Navy said.
By Matt Tracy, Reuters
Senators introduce bill to abolish military draft agency
The Selective Service System, which costs more than $31 million per year, has largely been defunct since 1973.
By Tanya Noury
Air Force underestimating aircraft maintenance delays, GAO finds
The Air Force was found to be using revised target dates for tracking aircraft maintenance, making it seem as if there were little or no delays.
By Michael Peck
China fires verbal warning shot at US over Taiwan
Any misstep over Taiwan could push the U.S. and China toward direct confrontation, Chinese leader Xi Jinping told President Donald Trump.
By Tanya Noury
‘West-side Skid Row’: Pests, crime, litigation plague plans for VA’s Los Angeles campus
Pests and crime threaten VA's efforts to expand housing for homeless veterans at its sprawling west Los Angeles campus.
By Patricia Kime
Iran military threat is diminished but not eliminated, CENTCOM chief says
Adm. Brad Cooper said the U.S. had severely degraded Iran’s warfighting capacity, including the elimination of roughly 90% of its inventory of naval mines.
By Tanya Noury
Barracks improvements, installation safety top priorities for military construction budget
The $21.5 billion budget request for military barracks would address a backlog of construction and repairs, logistics leaders said.
By Patricia Kime
Energy secretary: Iran ‘frighteningly close’ to nuclear weapon despite Operation Epic Fury
“They are weeks — a small number of weeks — away to enrich that to weapons-grade uranium," Energy Secretary Chris Wright told a Senate committee.
By Tanya Noury