Top stories
Military requests pulling 200 troops back from California protest duty
The commander in charge of the troops in LA asked the Defense Secretary if 200 of those forces could be returned to wildfire fighting duty.
US Air Force uses leftover ICBM funds to revamp Qatar plane
“This looks like one of the bigger wastes of money inside your budget," Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said of plans to turn a Qatari jet into Air Force One.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Coverage: Paris Air Show 2025
Defense News is covering the top headlines and stories coming out of Paris Air 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.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Your Air Force
Thousands of LGBTQ+ vets were promised pardons. Only 4 have succeeded.
Former President Joe Biden pledged to use his clemency powers to right ‘an historic wrong.’ Why did it fall so short of its promise?
Iran’s supreme leader resurfaces to warn against future US attacks
Khamenei's speech, which went on for more than 10 minutes Thursday, was filled with warnings and threats directed toward the United States and Israel.
Opinion
Split to win: Why the Air Force must become 4 services
Opinion: Breaking the Air Force into four parts may seem radical, but it mirrors the kind of organizational clarity Hegseth has called for across DOD.
Opinion
Valor may not expire, but award recognition should have limits
Opinion: The Valor Has No Expiration Act ignores why limitations on valor awards like the Medal of Honor matter.
In other news
Advocates recruit vets to attend Afghan allies’ immigration hearings
The effort is designed to show support for legal immigration of more Afghans who worked alongside American forces during the war overseas.
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.
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.
By Clay Beyersdorfer
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.
Why Master Chief shunned the red tape of realistic military promotions
Halo's Master Chief has single-handedly turned the tide of interstellar wars. Yet despite his legendary exploits, his rank has remained static.
Don't miss
VIDEOS
How do you recruit for a cyber army of the near future?
The military needs to create a next-gen cyber force. How will it go about doing it, and who will it recruit? Our panel weighs in.
Featured Videos
MORE STORIES
Lawmaker proposes Iranian Campaign Medal for strikes on nuclear sites
Pilots and supporting servicemembers involved in the complex airstrikes would be eligible for the new military medal.
Thousands of LGBTQ+ vets were promised pardons. Only 4 have succeeded.
Former President Joe Biden pledged to use his clemency powers to right ‘an historic wrong.’ Why did it fall so short of its promise?
By Leah Rosenbaum
Pentagon to request $848 billion in delayed base budget release
Defense officials argued the spending request should also include another spending bill in Congress, which would bring the total closer to $961 billion.
Iran’s supreme leader resurfaces to warn against future US attacks
Khamenei's speech, which went on for more than 10 minutes Thursday, was filled with warnings and threats directed toward the United States and Israel.
Hegseth defends Iran strike after initial report doubted its effect
In a fiery press conference, the defense secretary attacked media outlets that reported on a U.S. intelligence report about the attacks.
House passes $435 billion spending plan for VA in fiscal 2026
Republicans approved plans for an 18% boost in total Veterans Affairs spending next year, but the measure is far from becoming law.
Advocates recruit vets to attend Afghan allies’ immigration hearings
The effort is designed to show support for legal immigration of more Afghans who worked alongside American forces during the war overseas.
Lawmakers press VA for details on DOGE access to vets records
Democrats want promises from department leaders that sensitive medical and financial information is being handled securely.
Fort named after Gen. Robert E. Lee will now honor a Buffalo Soldier
Fort Gregg-Adams, formerly Fort Lee, was in 2023 the first Army base to be named for Black Americans. Now, it'll be the first named for a Buffalo Solider.
Strikes only set back Iran’s nuclear program by months, US report says
A report by the Defense Intelligence Agency found that while the US strikes did significant damage, the Iranian nuclear sites were not totally destroyed.
By Stephanie Liechtenstein, The Associated Press and Sam McNeil, The Associated Press
Iran remains security threat even after airstrikes, CENTCOM warns
President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead U.S. Central Command said Iran still has 'considerable tactical capabilities' of concern to national security.
VA staff finished 2M disability claims faster than ever this year
The department is about 15% ahead of its claims workload pace from last summer.
Trump slams Israel, Iran: ‘They don’t know what the f— they’re doing’
President Donald Trump on Tuesday blasted both Israel and Iran for what he said were violations of ceasefire terms that had been agreed upon hours earlier.
By J.D. Simkins
Israel says Iran launched more missiles and pledges response
Israel said it had identified missiles launched from Iran into its airspace less than three hours after the ceasefire went into effect.
By The Associated Press Staff
Iran launches missile attacks on US base in Qatar
Qatar said it successfully intercepted the missiles and no casualties were reported.
By Jon Gambrell, The Associated Press
Fred Smith, FedEx founder and Marine Corps veteran, dies at 80
Before launching FedEx, Smith served two tours in Vietnam, where he was twice wounded and earned the Silver Star for combat valor.
By Military Times staff