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Hegseth campaigns for congressional race, breaking with Pentagon neutrality
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday campaigned for a congressional challenger endorsed by President Donald Trump in a move that has sparked outcry.
Hegseth mulls benefits fix for veterans exposed to radiation at A-bomb test site
Civilians have received benefits for work at the Nevada test site, but Cold War-era regulations still do not allow veterans to prove they were there, too.
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ISIS leader killed in Africa as US commander raises force reduction concerns
Despite recent operations, U.S. force reduction moves have ignited concerns over America's ability to stifle terror plots emanating from the continent.
Ukraine declares its first homegrown guided aerial bomb combat-ready
A 250-kilogram answer to Russia's daily glide-bomb campaign and Kyiv's dependence on Western precision strike capabilities for mid-range targets.
Ford Carrier Strike Group receives Presidential Unit Citation after historic deployment
The USS Gerald R. Ford returned Saturday after sailing 57,713 nautical miles over the course of 326 days.
US Air Force looks to convert offshore oil rigs into rocket recovery platforms
An Air Force plan calls for old oil platforms to become Sea-based Recovery Stations for the U.S. Space Force and private spaceflight companies.
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F/A-18 Super Hornet pilots practice touch-and-go landings — on Iwo Jima
Since 1991, Iwo Jima, known today in Japan as Iwo To, has been the practice site of “touch-and-go” landings for pilots looking to hone their skills.
After 7 years, Space Force’s first paratrooper takes to the skies
Lt. Col. Mark Natale jumped from a Marine Corps KC-130 Hercules into the Sullivan Drop Zone at Fort Carson, Colorado, on April 24.
Pentagon inks $500 million deal with Perennial Autonomy for counter-drone tech
The Pentagon awarded Perennial Autonomy a $500 million contract to accelerate procurement of counter-drone technology.
US Navy commissions final littoral combat ship after years of issues
The USS Cleveland was commissioned on Saturday, becoming the fourth vessel to bear the name of the Ohio city.
In other news
The F4F Wildcat: The little fighter that could
Many Allied aircraft achieved greatness during WWII, but the Wildcat, usually outnumbered and almost always outclassed, proved to be a stubby hero.
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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DARPA eyes breakthrough with synthetic human blood | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 5.19.26
Pushing the biotech envelope, DARPA and researchers are on the cusp of a massive breakthrough in emergency battlefield medical care.
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Vets to VA: Formally rescind new disability ratings rule
Veterans want the VA to rescind a controversial regulation published Feb. 17 that put compensation ratings in legal limbo.
By Patricia Kime
Military dogs are facing substandard conditions, leading to deaths, report finds
An Office of the Inspector General report found that poor kennel conditions and a lack of enough caretakers can result in health issues, death.
Putin has ‘not broken’ Ukraine in 4 years since Russian invasion, Zelenskyy says
Russia’s larger army over the past year of fighting has captured just 0.79% of Ukraine's territory, according to the Institute for the Study of War.
CarMax to pay at least $420K to settle allegations of illegal repossessions of troops’ cars
Affected troops will receive $15,000 each, plus any lost equity in the repossessed vehicle, according to the settlement agreement.
By Karen Jowers
Supreme Court declines COVID vaccine mandate cases
The justices denied petitions Monday for Poffenbarger v. Meink and Doster v. Meink.
By Patricia Kime
Airman, spouse indicted in fraud scheme, costing military millions
Richard Stefon Ramroop and his spouse, Manuel George Madrid, allegedly stole millions in taxpayer dollars from the DoD in a years-long scheme.
Navy may shorten some at-sea tours to aid retention
While retention remains high, with the service hitting more than 99% of its re-up goals last year, the Navy is still battling gaps in key billets.
By Hope Hodge Seck
Danish military evacuates US submariner who needed urgent medical care off Greenland
The U.S. crew member was retrieved from the submarine about 8 miles off the coast of Nuuk, Greenland, by a Danish Seahawk helicopter.
By AP Staff
VA restores gun rights to some disabled veterans
The VA announced it will immediately stop reporting veterans to the FBI’s national background check database if they need a fiduciary for their finances.
By Patricia Kime