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Air Force major arrested on Capitol steps during protest calling for Trump impeachment
Maj. Jason Watson was arrested on Wednesday by Capitol Police for protesting on the House steps without a member of Congress.
Defense startups raid auto and fracking sectors for parts to speed weapons output
Defense tech startups are repurposing automotive chips and pipes used in fracking in an effort to deliver weapons to the Pentagon faster and at lower cost.
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Gen. Christopher Donahue relinquishes command of US Army Europe and Africa
U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Donahue relinquished command on Thursday. The Army has not given a reason for the leadership change.
Proposed ‘Honor and Remember’ flag resembles communist imagery, Vietnam veterans argue
The flag is being proposed as a national symbol of remembrance for service members and veterans who died as a result of their military service.
Transgender troops granted class action lawsuit against government
In the class action lawsuit, the protections won in Talbott v. USA would extend to all transgender service members.
The US military wants a fleet of laser trucks. Here’s what they might look like.
Two ground vehicles could define how the Pentagon fields high-energy laser weapons at scale.
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Navy hits 45,000 recruits three months ahead of schedule
The service also successfully reached its enlistment goal three months early in fiscal 2025.
Taiwan needs a ‘hornet’s nest’ of drones to deter conflict, US diplomat says
Taiwan says it needs to bolster its defenses in the face of a stepped-up threat from China, which claims the island as its own territory.
US Navy seeks to boost production of new anti-radar missile
Naval Air Systems Command is asking industry whether it is capable of supplying up to 600 Advanced Emission Suppression Missiles per year.
Army contractor swindles over $1 million ... in MREs
Joseph Lavar Davis, 47, was convicted of stealing over 1.1 million dollars worth of the military’s pre-packaged Meals-Ready-to-Eat, or MREs, in Texas.
In other news
VA uses hundreds of AI systems. Veterans may not know when they’re involved.
The VA’s recently released 2025 AI Inventory identifies 215 of those use cases as high-impact systems.
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.”
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.
‘War Machine’ review: Finally, a training scenario with aliens
The sci-fi flick raises the premise: What if the final phase of U.S. Army Ranger selection suddenly involved fighting a giant alien robot?
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GWOT Memorial group open to design changes | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 6.30.26
The president of the GWOT Memorial Foundation says he’s taking feedback on the installation’s design. Plus, foam drones and a throwable 360-degree camera.
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MORE STORIES
Transgender troops granted class action lawsuit against government
In the class action lawsuit, the protections won in Talbott v. USA would extend to all transgender service members.
By Riley Ceder
Here’s where the services stand in cutting PCS moves
Army officials announced they’re cutting more than 12,000 relocations in fiscal 2026 and more than 13,600 in fiscal 2027.
By Karen Jowers
US Navy aviator missing after helicopter makes emergency landing in Arabian Sea
A U.S. Navy aircrewman is missing after a helicopter carrying four crew members made an emergency landing in the Arabian Sea.
By Riley Ceder
Pentagon’s push to field weapons faster risks outrunning its own oversight, watchdog finds
Workforce reductions meant that weapon systems reach warfighters with “undocumented shortfalls related to effectiveness, suitability, [and] survivability."
DoD, movers try to ease the heavy lift for troops moving this summer
A direct line for resolving troops' problems and better relationships with moving companies are among DoD's efforts.
By Karen Jowers
Staff sergeant becomes only airman in his class to complete Army Air Assault School
Staff Sgt. Ivan Sauer became the only airmen in his class to complete the 10-day U.S. Army Air Assault School.
64 sailors sickened by diesel exhaust fumes from USS Nebraska
Dozens of U.S. Navy service members became ill after being exposed to diesel exhaust fumes from the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Nebraska.
By Riley Ceder