Top stories
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.
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower returns to port after aircraft mishap
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower returned to its homeport in Norfolk, Virginia, after an E/A-18G Growler mishap injured eight service members aboard the ship.
Latest
Fort Hood mass shooter Nidal Malik Hasan to die by US Army firing squad
Hasan, a former Army officer who killed 13 people and injured 32 others during a mass shooting at Fort Hood in 2009, will be executed by firing squad.
Veteran suicides declined in 2024 for second straight year
According to a new VA report, 17.7 veterans die by suicide each day.
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.
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MilTech
Pentagon names 4 directed-energy weapons for counter-drone program at US bases
The Pentagon named four directed energy weapons for a homeland counter-drone program, the first systems to be fielded and tested at U.S. bases.
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.
They served in Asia and came home. Decades later, the kids they left behind are searching for them.
For aging veterans and the children they left behind, DNA testing is offering a chance to answer questions that have lingered for decades.
Opinion
The Army’s most dangerous logistics problem is hiding behind motor pools
The Army must establish company-level asset management chiefs before the next major conflict, an active-duty officer writes.
In other news
Green Beret who survived an IED now clears Ukraine’s landmines
A Green Beret and Silver Star recipient who once survived an IED and now clears Ukraine's landmines is the subject of a new documentary, "Safe Ground."
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
Air Force explosive ordnance technicians to sport new rust-colored beret
Air Force EOD technicians will wear a rust-colored beret with a metallic emblem in addition to their uniform to recognize their combat arms mission.
US Marine arrested, suspected of robbing, murdering woman in Okinawa
LCpl. Devin Jacob Ballard, assigned to the III MEF, was arrested by local authorities after allegedly murdering and robbing Okinawa resident Anna Yagi.
US Army tests counter-drone tech at Mexican border as cartel drone use rises
The service is seeking to sharpen its defenses against the growing threat of drone use by cartels.
By Mike Blake, Reuters
Aboard the USS George Washington, young sailors adjust to war with Iran
Sailors must maintain a state of alert and readiness, heightened in the case of the George Washington due to the threat of Iranian attacks.
By Ed Ou, Reuters
US Marine Corps anti-ship weaponry to see exercise action on remote Japan island near Taiwan
The U.S. Marine Corps will deploy its ground-based anti-ship and air-defense systems to Japan’s southwesternmost island for exercises this month.
US removes B-1 bombers from UK base amid security concerns
The United States removed its B-1 bombers from a U.K. air base one week after several men were arrested there on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts.
By Svea Herbst-Bayliss, Reuters
Naval Special Warfare Command failed to identify, treat TBI in service members: Watchdog
The DOD Inspector General found that Naval Special Warfare Command failed to identity and treat traumatic brain injuries in personnel.
By Riley Ceder
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.
Marine Corps meets 2026 goal with over 31,000 new recruits
The Corps recruited 31,250 enlisted Marines alongside 1,672 officers and 3,503 prior service reserve Marines in what the service calls a “rebound."
Navy selects 3 companies to develop mine countermeasure technology
BeeX, BlackSea Technologies and Vatn Systems were selected as prize winners after successfully completing a mine countermeasures modernization challenge.
By Riley Ceder