Top stories
Iran ‘skirmish’ has no effect on strong US economy, White House advisor claims
The rosy analysis was prompted by the monthly jobs report, which showed the jobless rate for all veterans came down from 4.1% in February to 3.9% in March.
Trump seeks to double number of ship requests with 2027 defense budget
The proposed $1.5 trillion fiscal 2027 defense budget would allocate $65.8 billion for shipbuilding, the White House said Friday.
Latest
US forces rescue downed F-15 crew member in Iran, search for second continues
One of two U.S. F-15E Strike Eagle pilots shot down by enemy fire in Iran has been rescued.
US F-15E fighter jet shot down over Iran
A search and rescue operation is underway for survivors.
Trump’s budget proposes massive defense spending with 10% cut to other programs
The proposed surge in defense spending includes a 5-7% pay raise for military personnel.
Hegseth asks Army’s top general to retire, fires two others as Iran war rages
The Pentagon intends to replace him with a leader aligned with Hegseth and President Donald Trump’s vision for the Army, an official told Military Times.
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Pentagon & Congress
Trump’s budget proposes massive defense spending with 10% cut to other programs
The proposed surge in defense spending includes a 5-7% pay raise for military personnel.
Pentagon expands firearm access for off-duty military members on base
The memorandum instructed installation commanders to consider requests with a “presumption of approval."
USS Gerald R. Ford returns to sea after brief stop in Croatia
The release did not specify whether the Ford would be returning to combat operations as part of Operation Epic Fury.
15 Fairchild airmen awarded for refueling roles in combat operations
The airmen were recognized for providing "crucial refueling" in contested airspace.
In other news
US defense stocks see no Iran war lift after early surge
U.S. defense stocks have declined even as the Iran war drags on.
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?
By Clay Beyersdorfer
When veterans take the pen, war stories start to change
Hollywood has never lacked war stories. But it has often lacked veteran storytellers telling them.
How MREs inspired today’s meal-delivery industry
The MRE has to survive heat, cold, impact and time. And it has to do all of that at scale. Sound familiar?
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VIDEOS
"It's real, it's here." Elbit shows off "combat proven" Sigma mobile Howitzer at AUSA Global Force
Elbit says its Sigma mobile Howitzer platform is American-made, combat effective and ready to roll out to the Army and other customers.
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MORE STORIES
Bipartisan group of senators vow to keep US in NATO despite Trump threats
The senators reaffirmed America's commitment to NATO just one day after Trump threatened to abandon the transatlantic alliance.
By Tanya Noury
15 Fairchild airmen awarded for refueling roles in combat operations
The airmen were recognized for providing "crucial refueling" in contested airspace.
Golden Dome, ships and missiles top Trump’s $1.5 trillion defense wish list
Trump is set to unveil the fiscal 2027 defense budget request on Friday.
By Mike Stone, Reuters
‘Prepare your family’: Marine Reserve commander gives warlike safety brief
In a March 26 message on his official letterhead, Lt. Gen. Leonard F. Anderson IV asked his Marines, "Are you truly ready to deploy, fight, and win?"
By Hope Hodge Seck
US defense stocks see no Iran war lift after early surge
U.S. defense stocks have declined even as the Iran war drags on.
By Purvi Agarwal, Rashika Singh and Johann M. Cherian, Reuters
‘Drone Hunters of Kherson’ takes viewers into a war that blends ‘trench warfare and the Terminator’
The documentary focuses on an American embed as he follows Ukrainian counter-drone units patrolling against the Russian threat.
Trump threatens to walk away from NATO
Trump’s rebuke of NATO allies stems from their reluctance to support American efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
By Tanya Noury
US carried out nearly 50 strikes in Somalia so far this year
The pace puts 2026 on track to rival or exceed last year's operations against Islamic militant groups.
By Eve Sampson
Is the US running out of Tomahawk missiles? Here’s what the experts say
The United States has purportedly launched at least 850 Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles just over one month into Operation Epic Fury.
By Ellen Ioanes
Iranian strikes target the infrastructure behind US airpower
Iran has struck radar systems, satellite communications and mission-critical aircraft at US bases across Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
By Michael Scanlon