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Senate committee backs Department of War name change
The Senate Armed Services Committee approved the Department of War rebrand in their version of the fiscal 2027 NDAA, moving the name closer to law.
In US Air Force first, commandos complete grueling Argentine mountain warfare course
Over several weeks, the airmen mastered advanced rock climbing, rope safety techniques and the use of single-rope bridges to cross mountain rivers.
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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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Veterans
Veterans face higher hurdles in military sexual trauma claims, report finds
Veterans filing disability claims for military sexual assault or harassment face barriers to receiving compensation for their service-connected conditions.
Pentagon to launch ‘Cyber Mastery Incentive Pay’ program
The initative, dubbed Cyber Mastery Incentive Pay, is slated to begin in early October.
VA introduces new electronic health records system to four additional sites
The VA continues to adopt a new electronic medical record system, rolling it out to hospitals in Ohio and Kentucky on Saturday.
‘They got very lucky,’ Trump says of downed Apache helicopter’s crew
After a U.S. Army Apache helicopter was downed by an Iranian drone, President Donald Trump said the rescued aviators “got very lucky.”
In other news
‘Flashpoint Campaigns: Cold War’ is the ultimate OODA Loop wargame
Flashpoint Campaigns is an OODA Loop-anchored computer wargame that depicts a hypothetical Warsaw Pact invasion of West Germany in 1989.
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?
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More new tech and gear from Modern Day Marine | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 6.9.26
A remote turret that keeps you on target in heavy seas, and lightweight belt-fed options. Plus, advice from MOAA.
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Pentagon to launch ‘Cyber Mastery Incentive Pay’ program
The initative, dubbed Cyber Mastery Incentive Pay, is slated to begin in early October.
‘They got very lucky,’ Trump says of downed Apache helicopter’s crew
After a U.S. Army Apache helicopter was downed by an Iranian drone, President Donald Trump said the rescued aviators “got very lucky.”
By Tanya Noury
Iraq and Afghanistan veterans are retiring. How will new leaders inherit their lessons learned?
The retirement of the post-9/11 generation raises a question: What, exactly, is worth carrying forward into a new age of warfare?
By Natalie Oliverio
Qatari-donated Air Force One now sports red, white and blue paint job
The interim Air Force One VC-25B Bridge aircraft is undergoing its final modifications ahead of a summer rollout.
US launches new strikes on Iran after helicopter downed
The U.S. launched strikes against Iran on Tuesday after Trump said Tehran had shot down a U.S. Apache helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz.
By Phil Stewart, Maya Gebeily and Tala Ramadan, Reuters
Senator warns of government shutdown over dispute on fiscal 2027 defense budget
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., said that leaders should prepare for a government shutdown as lawmakers disagree on a defense budget increase.
‘Flashpoint Campaigns: Cold War’ is the ultimate OODA Loop wargame
Flashpoint Campaigns is an OODA Loop-anchored computer wargame that depicts a hypothetical Warsaw Pact invasion of West Germany in 1989.
By Michael Peck
Pentagon reveals preferred munitions for one-way attack drones
The list includes Northrop Grumman and several startups competing to supply low-cost payloads compatible with any drone design.
US soldiers rescued by drone after Apache helicopter goes down near the coast of Oman
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command's Task Force 59 and the Army's 82nd Airborne Division led the rescue, with Air Force assets assisting, as well.
By Eve Sampson
Former sailor charged with attempting to finance ISIS attack on US troops
Seaman Bareen Dzayee attempted to pay an ISIS member to murder U.S. service members overseas with drones and RPGs.
By Riley Ceder
Pentagon bows to criticism, admitting ‘mistake’ over new religious list
The Pentagon revised its abridged list of officially recognized faith affiliations after Utah lawmakers balked at the omission of Mormonism.
By Tanya Noury
US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet strikes, disables oil tanker in Gulf of Oman
An F/A-18 Super Hornet assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln fired a precision munition into the vessel's engineering and steering spaces.
By J.D. Simkins
House panel quashes attempt to stop integration of US, Israel defense tech sectors
"Only the United States Congress would dream up at this moment, ‘Let’s actually do more for Israel,’ not less," argued Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif.
By Ellen Ioanes
House panel backs A-10 Warthog through 2030, eyes autonomous successors
House lawmakers approved provisions allowing the A-10 Warthog to stay in service through its planned 2030 retirement.
US troops, families adjust to new normal of Iran war
“To maintain this constant state of ‘Level 10’ alert vigilance, to be ready to go at the drop of a hat, is a very stressful ... operational mission."
By Phil Stewart, Reuters
Joint Chiefs head makes first official visit to post-Maduro Venezuela
The visit comes five months after the high-risk U.S. military operation to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
By Tanya Noury