Megan Eckstein
Naval warfare reporter
Megan Eckstein is the naval warfare reporter at Defense News. She has covered military news since 2009, with a focus on U.S. Navy and Marine Corps operations, acquisition programs and budgets. She has reported from four geographic fleets and is happiest when she’s filing stories from a ship. Megan is a University of Maryland alumna.
All Stories By Megan
V-22 Osprey fleet will fly again, with no fixes but renewed training
The V-22 is allowed to fly again, and the services will each implement their own training and maintenance protocols to get the fleet back to operations.
Space Force lacks ‘warfighting ethos,’ experts say
An October 2024 workshop highlighted gaps in how the general public, and even some in the Defense Department, perceive the role of the Space Force.
US troops, Afghan allies say executive orders endanger their families
They hoped to see their families escape the Taliban and settle in the United States. But two executive orders put those dreams on hold.
VA leadership nominee grilled over recent department layoffs
President Donald Trump nominated Paul Lawrence to serve as the second-highest leader in the Department of Veterans Affairs.
DOGE is getting lists of military’s probationary workers from Pentagon
It is not clear whether all probationary personnel will be let go — instead, some might be exempted due to the critical nature of their work.
Tricare snafus cause medical shortfalls for military families
Military families are struggling to get medical appointments as some health care providers drop Tricare beneficiaries due to lack of payment.
This Marine endured five amphibious assaults — and survived Iwo Jima
Eighty years ago, Don Harris went ashore on Iwo Jima, where he and his fellow Marines faced one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific War.
Judge questions motives for Trump’s order banning transgender troops
District Judge Ana Reyes isn’t expected to rule on whether Trump’s order illegally discriminates against trans troops before early March.
Air Force reviewing four-day weekends amid civilian leave crackdown
Some airmen on social media responded negatively to the review of "Family Days" and worried the extra day off they provide might be canceled.
How can Congress improve troops' quality of life? | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 2.15.25
A conversation with Rep. Pat Fallon, chairman of House Military Personnel Subcommittee, on troops’ quality of life, the recruiting crisis and more.
