Top stories
Pentagon bows to criticism, admitting ‘mistake’ over new religious list
The Pentagon revised its abridged list of officially recognized faith affiliations after Utah lawmakers balked at the omission of Mormonism.
US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet strikes, disables oil tanker in Gulf of Oman
An F/A-18 Super Hornet assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln fired a precision munition into the vessel's engineering and steering spaces.
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US approves Kuwait request to buy nearly $2 billion of counter-drone platforms
Following recent Iranian strikes on Kuwait, the U.S. approved a potential foreign military sale of counter-UAS platforms made by Anduril.
US troops, families adjust to new normal of Iran war
“To maintain this constant state of ‘Level 10’ alert vigilance, to be ready to go at the drop of a hat, is a very stressful ... operational mission."
US must learn lessons from Ukraine, innovate faster and cheaper: Anduril president
Anduril President Christian Brose discussed the need to develop cheaper weapons systems at scale to avoid quick depletion of exquisite munitions.
Joint Chiefs head makes first official visit to post-Maduro Venezuela
The visit comes five months after the high-risk U.S. military operation to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
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Pentagon & Congress
House panel quashes attempt to stop integration of US, Israel defense tech sectors
"Only the United States Congress would dream up at this moment, ‘Let’s actually do more for Israel,’ not less," argued Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif.
US strikes Iranian sites after Iran launches drones, in latest Gulf flare-up
U.S. forces struck Iranian coastal radar sites on Saturday after shooting down drones launched by Iran toward the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. military said.
Huge fascist-era underground cisterns draw Western special forces to Italy for tunnel training
After resisting 150 bombing runs by the Allies in the Second World War, the cisterns continued to be used by the Italian Air Force to hold aviation fuel.
US forces board sanctioned tanker in Indian Ocean, Pentagon says
U.S. forces have intercepted multiple commercial and oil tankers in the Indian Ocean in recent months.
In other news
The US Army wants thousands of air defense missiles to replace the Stinger
A new Army Request for Information seeks to identify companies that can deliver 11,000 next-gen, short range interceptors beginning in Fiscal Year 2028.
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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More new tech and gear from Modern Day Marine | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 6.9.26
A remote turret that keeps you on target in heavy seas, and lightweight belt-fed options. Plus, advice from MOAA.
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Congress offers procurement boost for F-35 jets in FY24 spending bill
The U.S. Air Force would receive enough money to buy 51 F-35As in fiscal 2024 under the compromise defense spending bill lawmakers released.
That time a helo crew dropped greased pigs onto an aircraft carrier
In the video, three pigs can be seen being released from the helo onto the flight deck of the Kennedy, as bewildered sailors give chase.
Welcome home, Bataan Amphibious Ready Group
Sailors and Marines deployed with the group spent nearly nine months deployed before coming home this week.
Some military activities could shut down this weekend amid budget rush
If Congress does not approve a federal appropriations plan by midnight, some military activities could be postponed or canceled over the weekend.
This Marine ruled as the king of a Haitian island for three years
Sgt. Faustin Wirkus’ ascent from a poor 'breaker boy' — separating coal from slate — to king, is the stuff of Marine Corps legend.
Marine Corps is reviving a light attack helicopter unit it cut in 2022
Welcome back, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269.
Monthly bonuses for junior troops included in defense budget plan
Under the latest congressional budget plan, troops E-6 and below could start getting monthly bonuses from the Defense Department to offset low base pay.
More military commissaries to offer home grocery delivery this year
More troops and their families will be able to get groceries delivered directly to their doorsteps starting this summer.
By Karen Jowers