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US military orders 2-day pause on Okinawa following Marine’s arrest for alleged murder
All U.S. military operations on the island will cease for 48 hours for a standards training period, followed by a 30-day reflection period.
Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A CCA completes first fully autonomous flight
The successful flight came just weeks after U.S. Air Force officials announced their intention to have 500 autonomous aircraft in service by 2032.
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EDITOR'S PICKS
Pentagon & Congress
Has the Pentagon given up on AI polygraph analysis of trustworthiness?
AI-aided scanning of speech patterns, vocal stress or facial expressions to read minds lacks scientific backing and will compound errors, critics argue.
Supreme Court hears incarcerated veteran’s case challenging process for VA claims appeals
The case involves a veteran who is receiving reduced disability benefits while serving up to 40 years in prison.
2 veterans battle in court and online over defamation, for-profit claims processing
A local government official alleges a for-profit company attacked VSOs as having a "monopoly" on helping veterans with disability claims.
Unemployment rate for post-9/11 vets up as job market slumps
The unemployment rate for the nation’s post-9/11 generation of veterans rose from 3.5% in August to 4.1% in September.
In other news
Veterans face SNAP barriers as USDA guidance delays policy changes, GAO finds
GAO found outdated USDA SNAP guidance for veterans and recommended better outreach and coordination to help veterans access food assistance.
VIDEOS
Ukraine’s ‘Army of Robots’ idea presents fearsome future | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 10.6.26
A former Ukrainian defense official launches a futuristic robotic army initiative. Plus — a retired Green Beret turns to mine clearing as a new mission.
Featured Videos
TSA stops Alabama traveler for Civil War-era cannonballs in luggage
An Alabama traveler was stopped recently by TSA after checking luggage containing five Civil War-era cannonballs. Roll Tide.
Sailor reportedly finds dead rat in finished energy drink
The sailor said medical personnel informed him, “with the chemicals that are in Monster, that it should be OK.”
By J.D. Simkins
That time the Air Force proposed making a ‘gay bomb’
The Air Force once explored the idea of a chemical weapon that would make enemy soldiers sexually irresistible to one another — striking a blow to morale.
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.
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MORE STORIES
2 veterans battle in court and online over defamation, for-profit claims processing
A local government official alleges a for-profit company attacked VSOs as having a "monopoly" on helping veterans with disability claims.
By Karen Jowers
Veterans face SNAP barriers as USDA guidance delays policy changes, GAO finds
GAO found outdated USDA SNAP guidance for veterans and recommended better outreach and coordination to help veterans access food assistance.
Air, Space forces hit recruitment goals, set higher 2027 targets
The Department of the Air Force set larger goals for 2027 after recruiting 31,950 airmen and 730 guardians in fiscal 2026.
Air Force identifies airman found dead at off-base housing in Italy
TSgt. Conner Wells, assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy, served as a precision-guided munition production supervisor.
Troops get first increase in 24 years for hostile fire, danger pays
Pentagon raises danger pay for troops for the first time since 2002, increasing hostile fire pay to $450 and imminent danger pay to $275 per month.
By Hope Hodge Seck
Pentagon launches Office of Religious Affairs, will report directly to Hegseth
The Pentagon intends to address what Hegseth calls a loss of religious community within the military after an era of “political correctness.”
Boeing adds to big week with first full-rate Grey Wolf helicopter order
The U.S. Air Force awarded Boeing a roughly $85 million contract for four more MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters, with the first under full-rate production.
Pentagon spent millions on migrant detention supplies that were never used, watchdog says
The Pentagon spent $2.85 million assembling tents at Guantanamo Bay that were never used to house detained noncitizens, a government watchdog reported.
Hegseth announces new four-star command for autonomous warfare
The new Autonomous Warfare Command, or AutoWarCom, aims to address an acquisition system that isn't keeping pace with the speed of technological change.
8 sailors died by suicide at Oklahoma base in one year, Navy confirms
The deaths, along with eight attempted suicides in the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group, illustrate a systemic problem in the U.S. Navy, families say.
By Patricia Kime
US Air Force awards $2.38B contract to Boeing for 22 F-15EX
The service awarded Boeing a contract for 22 more F-15EX aircraft, bringing the number to a total of 120 to be manufactured by the defense company.
White House nominates next general to helm US Space Command
If confirmed, Lt. Gen. David N. Miller Jr. would take over command from Gen. Stephen Whiting after his upcoming retirement.
Hegseth halts tenure appointments for civilian faculty at military academies
Military academies will no longer appoint civilian faculty to tenured positions as Hegseth says it can contribute to “academic stagnation.”
Pentagon chief set to announce additional cuts in senior officer positions
Hegseth is set to announce a 20% cut in the number of positions for generals and admirals.
By Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart, Reuters
Nearly 500,000 veterans to get 3-month break from paying life insurance premiums
Just in time for the holidays, veterans won't have to pay Veterans’ Group Life Insurance premiums for three months.
By Karen Jowers