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DoD scraps plan to privatize commissaries
DoD concluded “the potential cost savings of privatization are unlikely to be realized without severely degrading the benefits these programs provide."
House committee advances spending bill with cuts to Air Force flying hours, other programs
The House Appropriations Committee approved their spending bill that saw cuts to select Air Force programs and budget requests, while boosting others.
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House backs $1.55 billion to revive E-7 Wedgetail, spares Navy Hawkeye
The White House budget office wants to raid a Navy radar-plane account and a classified Air Force line to pull the E-7 Wedgetail back from the dead.
Trump meets munitions makers amid push to replenish weapons stockpiles
Pentagon negotiators are pressing contractors to move much faster to boost output.
White House asks Congress for $87.6 billion, mostly for Iran war
The request includes $67.15 billion for the military, including $21 billion for munitions and to strengthen the U.S. industrial base.
VA to fire employee for alleged abuse of disabled vet at a state-run veterans home
The veteran's wife captured video of the incident that's now gone viral. She told Military Times that she set up a hidden camera after suspecting abuse.
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Veterans
Following reports of staff shortages and safety concerns, VA to centralize its police force
The VA police force has faced challenges with recruiting and retention, raising safety concerns at facilities.
Lockheed Martin wins over $35 billion contract to quadruple THAAD production
As U.S. lawmakers worry over the munitions stockpile, Lockheed Martin announced a multiyear contract to increase THAAD production from 96 to 400 a year.
Marines create dedicated track for Doctor of Philosophy officers
The new MOS 8899 establishes a career path for PhD-trained officers in technical fields.
US Army sergeant sentenced to six life terms for shooting spree at Georgia base
A U.S. Army sergeant was sentenced to six life sentences for shooting and wounding his fiance and four other soldiers at a Georgia base last August.
In other news
Airstrike killed senior ISIS commander in Syria, CENTCOM says
A senior Islamic State leader was killed by an airstrike last week, Central Command announced on Wednesday.
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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VIDEOS
GWOT Memorial Foundation president on proposed design: 'We're listening'
Head of the group behind the forthcoming Global War on Terrorism memorial says first public renderings are not the "final concept," and changes are expected.
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In shift, Pentagon grants flu vaccine exceptions to military services, some federal agencies
The Pentagon has updated their guidance on influenza vaccinations, giving select forces and agencies exceptions to the optional policy.
Can the US military preserve decades of wartime experience?
Thousands of post-9/11 veterans are reaching retirement. Whether the lessons they learned during two decades of combat will be retained remains to be seen.
By Natalie Oliverio
US, UK, France, Germany raise alarm about Chinese patrols off eastern Taiwan
The countries said Chinese patrols off the coast of Taiwan threaten regional stability and freedom of navigation.
By Yimou Lee, Ben Blanchard and Michael Martina, Reuters
US Army sergeant sentenced to six life terms for shooting spree at Georgia base
A U.S. Army sergeant was sentenced to six life sentences for shooting and wounding his fiance and four other soldiers at a Georgia base last August.
By Eve Sampson
China studied US stealth aircraft — and learned the wrong lessons
An Air Force researcher said China's assessments of U.S. stealth capabilities "diverge from technical reality and operational practice."
By Michael Peck
Missing sailor found dead near Naval Station Norfolk
The death will likely not be ruled a homicide, a U.S. Navy official told Military Times.
By Riley Ceder
F-35 program chief warns fleet has outgrown its support system amid record-low readiness
The hearing comes on the heels of a Government Accountability Office report this month that found just one in four F-35s were fully mission capable.
Airstrike killed senior ISIS commander in Syria, CENTCOM says
A senior Islamic State leader was killed by an airstrike last week, Central Command announced on Wednesday.
By Eve Sampson
Navy announces E-6 sailors of the year, meritorious chief advancements
Bravo zulu to these sailors.
By Riley Ceder
Gen. Christopher Donahue to unexpectedly relinquish command of Army Europe and Africa
U.S. Army Gen. Christopher Donahue will unexpectedly relinquish command next week after just 18 months in the role, the Pentagon confirmed Wednesday.
By Eve Sampson