Top stories
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.
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.
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Chinese nationals charged with spying on US Navy
The DOJ said two Chinese nationals spied on Navy sailors and bases for China's intelligence agency and attempted to recruit service members as assets.
Senate passes Trump’s major policy bill with $150 billion for the DOD
Funding included in the bill would go toward shipbuilding, the Golden Dome homeland missile defense project, munitions and other key Pentagon priorities.
Pentagon awards $5 billion contract to speed up ship manufacturing
The Navy continues to be under immense pressure to hasten the process of shipbuilding and modernize methods of repair and manufacturing.
Navy destroyers intercepted Iranian missiles, service confirms
The U.S. 6th Fleet positioned five Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers in the Eastern Mediterranean to provide defense support to Israel.
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Veterans
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.
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.
Ukraine arms freeze part of wider military aid review, Pentagon says
The decision to pause the delivery of some munitions to Ukraine "was made to put America's interest first," a White House spokesperson said.
Top enlisted Marine takes a swipe at Audie Murphy’s uniform regs
The top enlisted Marine faced a sea of roasters on Army and Marine Reddit pages after he took a swipe at WWII combat soldier Audie Murphy.
In other news
The toilet paper war: A submariner’s battle against bureaucracy
In 1942, Lt. Cmdr. James Coe of the submarine Skipjack battled for his boat to receive what he deemed a basic necessity: toilet paper.
VIDEOS
Advanced Marine reconnaissance vehicles are on the way - here's what they look like
Check out the two designs competing to be the Marines new advance recon vehicle - and learn about what capabilities they offer on this edition of Gear Scout.
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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.
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.
By Clay Beyersdorfer
How a good PAO could spin Peter Griffin’s unapologetic havoc
The military, to be sure, has managed to explain away far worse than Peter Griffin.
Why Homer Simpson is a government fixture familiar to all troops
If you’ve spent time in the armed forces, you’ve had a Homer in your unit. He's not a comedic exaggeration. He’s a federal fixture.
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MORE STORIES
US Navy declares its mine countermeasures suite ready for operations
The Navy declared its mine countermeasures mission package operational, ahead of a planned 2025 deployment on a littoral combat ship.
Navy links uncrewed air, sea tech to solve Integrated Battle Problem
The Integrated Battle Problem exercise allows U.S. Pacific Fleet to evaluate uncrewed tech and discover their best applications.
Dems accuse GOP lawmaker of condoning white supremacy among troops
Republicans say few service members harbor extremist views. Democrats say it's still a problem worth fixing.
Military Times named American Legion Fourth Estate Award winner
Military Times was recognized for its 2022 reporting about the harmful effects of burn pits and other toxic exposures.
By Zamone Perez
What could derail great power competition? A terrorist attack.
Special operations must continue counterterrorism and crisis response while also competing with peer adversaries such as Russia and China, experts said.
By Todd South
Search suspended for 3 people aboard Navy contractor’s downed plane
The Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force and Customs and Border Protection searched unsuccessfully for the three people aboard the aircraft that crashed Wednesday.
Signals intelligence teams reposition to face China, Russia
The mission has shifted dramatically as the United States ratchets up competition in the frequency bands with peer competitors like Russia and China.
By Todd South
Pacific fleet commander to brief China committee on Taiwan defense
Adm. Samuel Paparo will brief the bipartisan committee on plans to thwart a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
Pentagon nominates next ‘sub boss’ amid Senate holdup of confirmations
If confirmed, Rear Adm. Robert Gaucher would also lead Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet and Allied Submarine Command in Norfolk, Va.
By Diana Stancy
Could troops get a 100% housing allowance Jan. 1? What that would mean
Defense officials haven't made a decision about whether to restore the full housing allowance, but it could mean at least $100 extra a month for troops.
By Karen Jowers