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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.
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.
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Your Air Force
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.
In other news
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.
‘A new challenge’: Air Force vet becomes two-time living organ donor
Air Force veteran Lindsay Gutierrez is a two-time living organ donor after giving a kidney to a fellow veteran and part of her liver to another recipient.
An ode to Dwight Schrute, The Office’s best squad leader
He'd rub people the wrong way in a real squad. But he'd also make sure you had water, ammo and a working red lens flashlight on the night of land nav.
By Clay Beyersdorfer
Why Despicable Me’s Gru is just a warrant officer with better branding
If Gru wore a uniform, it wouldn’t have stars or stripes. It would have a coffee stain and rank that no one really understands.
Why Patrick Star is the blue falcon of Bikini Bottom
Patrick Star is every lovable mess-up squadmate who cost you a weekend because he couldn’t keep his mouth shut during formation.
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What’s in the Pentagon budget for 2026?
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Air Force review spotlights risks in space agency’s go-fast approach
The report recommends SDA make process and culture changes as it looks to scale from handfuls of demo satellites to hundreds of operational spacecraft.
Ken Burns documentary on American Revolution to premiere this fall
As the U.S. prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, Ken Burns is releasing a deep look into the fight for American independence.
Trump, Netanyahu take victory lap over strikes on Iran nuclear sites
President Trump ordered U.S. forces to strike three key Iranian nuclear sites in June, a decision the Israeli leader says warrants a Nobel Peace Prize.
By Tia Goldenberg
VA expects 30K voluntary job cuts by October, erasing need for layoffs
More than 17,000 Veterans Affairs jobs have been eliminated or vacated since the start of the year.
Explore the depths of Ironbottom Sound with Bob Ballard’s team, live
Audiences will be able to embark on a real-time exploration of the waters surrounding Guadalcanal and the naval battles that changed the course of history.
Army tests robotic coyotes to defend fighter jets
Unmanned ground vehicles mounted with life-size plastic coyotes are one idea proposed as part of a new effort to keep wildlife away from military aircraft.
By Hope Hodge Seck
Militarized zones now make up 1/3 of southern border, stirring debates
Long stretches of the border are under the supervision of nearby military bases, empowering U.S. troops to detain people entering the country illegally.
House passes Trump megabill with $150 billion in military funding
The bill includes $150 billion for the Pentagon, earmarked for shipbuilding, the Golden Dome and restocking precision weapons, among other priorities.
US strikes set back Iran’s nuclear program up to 2 years, DOD says
“We’re thinking probably closer to two years — like degraded their program by two years,” Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said Wednesday.
Illinois veteran bestowed military honors nearly a decade after death
An extraordinary cold case investigation revealed a formerly unidentified ward of the state to be a Women's Army Corps veteran.
Pentagon creates new military border zone in Arizona
The fourth national defense area created along the US-Mexico border will be an extension of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in the Sonora Desert.
By Zita Ballinger Fletcher
Pilots who bombed Iran sites invited to White House for July Fourth
The U.S. pilots who carried out Operation Midnight Hammer last month were invited to the White House for July Fourth.
Honolulu water agency sues US Navy over Red Hill fuel spill damage
The suit estimates it is costing $1.2 billion for the Board of Water Supply to clean up and protect Oʻahu’s drinking water wells.
By Marcel Honoré, Honolulu Civil Beat