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Trump seeks to double number of ship requests with 2027 defense budget
The proposed $1.5 trillion fiscal 2027 defense budget would allocate $65.8 billion for shipbuilding, the White House said Friday.
US forces rescue downed F-15 crew member in Iran, search for second continues
One of two U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle pilots shot down by enemy fire in Iran has been rescued.
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US F-15E fighter jet shot down over Iran
A search and rescue operation is underway for survivors.
USS Gerald R. Ford returns to sea after brief stop in Croatia
The release did not specify whether the Ford would be returning to combat operations as part of Operation Epic Fury.
Bipartisan group of senators vow to keep US in NATO despite Trump threats
The senators reaffirmed America's commitment to NATO just one day after Trump threatened to abandon the transatlantic alliance.
Golden Dome, ships and missiles top Trump’s $1.5 trillion defense wish list
Trump is set to unveil the fiscal 2027 defense budget request on Friday.
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Pentagon & Congress
Trump’s budget proposes massive defense spending with 10% cut to other programs
The proposed surge in defense spending includes a 5-7% pay raise for military personnel.
Pentagon expands firearm access for off-duty military members on base
The memorandum instructed installation commanders to consider requests with a “presumption of approval."
‘Drone Hunters of Kherson’ takes viewers into a war that blends ‘trench warfare and the Terminator’
The documentary focuses on an American embed as he follows Ukrainian counter-drone units patrolling against the Russian threat.
Trump threatens to walk away from NATO
Trump’s rebuke of NATO allies stems from their reluctance to support American efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
In other news
Opinion
If chaplains are ‘officers second,’ which staff corps officers are next?
Removing rank insignia from chaplains sets a precedent for treating staff officers differently than others, the author of this op-ed argues.
VIDEOS
"It's real, it's here." Elbit shows off "combat proven" Sigma mobile Howitzer at AUSA Global Force
Elbit says its Sigma mobile Howitzer platform is American-made, combat effective and ready to roll out to the Army and other customers.
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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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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.
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Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2025.
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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MORE STORIES
Navy announces new leadership assignments for 43 rear admirals
These one- and two-stars will be taking on new leadership positions, the Navy announced Tuesday.
By Navy Times staff
Dept. of Veterans Affairs ahead of health care staffing goals, for now
Veterans Health Administration leaders have increased staffing levels by about 2% so far this fiscal year.
Inflation woes caused major financial issues for wounded vets in 2022
The results from the annual Wounded Warrior Project survey show continued hardship for families despite improving employment options.
Naval Special Warfare sailor dies in training accident
A Navy sailor died after a military free fall training accident in Marana, Arizona, according to the Naval Special Warfare Command.
Navy’s hypersonic launcher is headed to flight testing next year
Lockheed Martin's $1.2 billion hypersonic missile contract includes the development of a ship-based launcher and flight tests next year.
Coast Guard vet lunges into fitness franchise
Cancer and COVID-19 both tried to throw curveballs at Christopher Alcala’s post-military career plans.
By Dave Lubach
Fears, questions about North Korea’s growing nuclear arsenal
North Korea claims its nuclear weapons are combat ready, but many foreign experts call the North’s claims propaganda.
Air Force mum: How the service secretly ushered Biden to Ukraine
There was no big, flashy Air Force One for President Joe Biden’s surprise trip to Ukraine.
By Evan Vucci and Zeke Miller, The Associated Press
New WWII video game drops players into Italy, North Africa campaigns
"Company of Heroes 3" is available on Feb. 23, 2023.
By Sarah Sicard
Pentagon pops off on link between poppy seeds, positive drug tests
The guidance will be updated as more information and research data becomes available.
By Zamone Perez