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A-10 Warthog crashes near Strait of Hormuz
A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II reportedly crashed near the Strait of Hormuz at around the same time an F-15E fighter jet was shot down.
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.
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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.
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.
EDITOR'S PICKS
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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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.
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
DoD: Chinese spy balloon did not collect, transmit data over the US
Defense officials had previously said the spy balloon did not transmit data back to Beijing.
By Zamone Perez
Navy crafts new cyber rating, designator to streamline roles
The new rating and designator will predominantly be assigned to shore billets such as staff positions and leadership positions, and instructor billets.
By Diana Stancy
Navy forcing its recruiters to work six days a week
In email to recruiters this week, Navy brass said the ball was in their court regarding when they can go back to a normal work schedule.
Service academies exempt from Supreme Court affirmative action ruling
"The potentially distinct interests" of service academies was a reason Chief Justice John Roberts cited as to not yet address their admissions practices.
Former education CEO sentenced in largest GI Bill fraud case yet
The Department of Justice said it is the largest Post-9/11 GI Bill fraud case.
By Zamone Perez
NATO leaders to parse Putin’s weakness in Wagner mutiny aftermath
With Wagner chief whereabouts in doubt, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to address Thursday's gathering by video link.
Coast Guard: Human remains likely recovered from Titan sub wreckage
Debris from the submersible arrived at a port in Newfoundland Wednesday. The submersible imploded last week, killing all five people on board.
White House $3.1 billion homeless program includes help for vets
The new efforts include job training for homeless vets and legal support to stave off potential financial challenges.
Bush Institute recommends TAP revamp
Consistently evaluating and improving TAP is critical to improving outcomes.
By Korie Wilkins
DoD aims for more consistent support for special needs families
The policy aims to standardize the services provided to special needs families, but one advocate says it doesn't go far enough.
By Karen Jowers