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US commander says China has failed to coerce rivals in South China Sea
Adm. Stephen Koehler gave assurances of U.S. commitment to help defend freedom of passage and the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific region.
New aircraft carriers face years of delivery delays
Delivery of the Navy's next Ford-class aircraft carrier, the John F. Kennedy, was delayed two more years to 2027, budget documents show.
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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.
Navy did not document changes to recruitment procedures, watchdog says
The Navy reached its recruitment goal in fiscal 2024 by working through a backlog of 8,600 medical waivers, recruiting 5,845 sailors in the process.
Navy to clear records for some sailors who refused COVID-19 vaccine
The settlement comes as the result of a class-action lawsuit brought by sailors who denied the COVID-19 vaccine due to religious reasons.
Iran hit dome on US air base in Qatar in June attack: Report
The Pentagon has acknowledged that an Iranian ballistic missile hit Al Udeid Air Base in June during an Iranian attack after Trump downplayed the assault.
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Pentagon & Congress
Proposed Senate defense bill would add $500M in long-term Ukraine aid
The Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative is one of two main ways the Pentagon has provided military support to Ukraine over the last three years.
US is selling weapons to NATO allies to give to Ukraine, Trump says
After a pause in some weapons shipment, U.S. officials said this week that 155 mm munitions and precision-guided rockets were on their way.
Hegseth calls for extensive reforms to Pentagon drone-buying practices
The memo directs the military services to create active duty formations by September, built for the sole purpose of scaling the use of drones across DOD.
USS Michael Monsoor arrives in Japan for port visit
The stealth destroyer is slated to be upgraded with a hypersonic missile system that the Navy plans to field by the mid-2020s, the service said.
In other news
US resumes sending some weapons to Ukraine after Pentagon pause
The defense secretary directed the pause last week to allow DOD to assess its weapons stockpiles, in a move that caught the White House by surprise.
VIDEOS
What’s in the Pentagon budget for 2026?
In a year without a large-scale DOD budget rollout, our reporters decipher what programs will receive Pentagon funding in fiscal 2026.
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Sea-Air-Space 2025 Coverage
Defense News is reporting on the top headlines and news coming out of Navy League’s annual show.
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.
‘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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MORE STORIES
Navy replaces troubled part on Ford carrier after test cancelation
Carrier Gerald Ford had to return to port in August when all four of its jet blast deflectors failed due to corroded parts. A new part is now in use.
US to send Ukraine longer-range bombs in latest policy reversal
The U.S. will provide ground-launched small diameter bombs as part of a $2.17 billion aid package the U.S. is expected to announce Friday.
By Lolita C. Baldor, The Associated Press