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DC resident who played Darth Vader’s ‘Imperial March’ at troops receives settlement
Sam O'Hara's Star Wars-inspired protest set off a monthslong lawsuit between O’Hara, the distrist, several D.C. police officers and an National Guardsman.
20-year trove of shipboard assault cases now public after data request
Launched earlier this month, the archive, which covers all relevant cases between 2000 and 2022, shows a broad range of alleged misconduct.
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US strikes Iranian missile, drone, radar sites
The U.S. struck Iranian missile, drone and radar sites on Friday, U.S. Central Command said.
Feds pay out $17M to families sickened by Navy’s fuel-contaminated water in Hawaii
Each of the 629 people received about $27,000. Affected service members have received nothing.
Military recruiting hit a 15-year high. How quickly do recruits become mission ready?
How quickly recruits move from accession to operational qualification can affect force generation, unit staffing and long-term readiness planning.
101st soldiers use drones to drop grappling hooks, breach razor wire
The Army should treat drones like ammo, one officer said, estimating a brigade needs between 1,000 to 1,500 drones per week in sustained combat operations.
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USMC awards $20 million contract for first autonomous ground vehicles
The Marine Corps is pursuing a first-of-its-kind $20 million production contract for fully autonomous ground vehicles.
Pilot shut off fuel supply, leading to October 2025 Skyraider II crash, Air Force finds
A student pilot reached for the wrong fuel control in his Block-1 OA-1K Skyraider II, forcing a crash-landing, an Air Force investigation found.
US Marine declared dead after being reported missing from USS Anchorage
Lance Cpl. Armando Ortiz Canseco, 21, disappeared from the amphibious transport dock ship on Thursday, prompting a search and rescue operation.
Military Sealift Command ship makes history with rare combat award
The award cements the USNS Kanawha as the first-ever auxiliary ship the receive nation’s highest military honor for unit-level combat valor.
In other news
Is GPS reliance making troops less observant? Yearlong study aims to find out.
The study will use virtual reality simulations to track aspects of observation and recall in subjects with and without navigation aids.
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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GWOT Memorial group open to design changes | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 6.30.26
The president of the GWOT Memorial Foundation says he’s taking feedback on the installation’s design. Plus, foam drones and a throwable 360-degree camera.
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MORE STORIES
Elmo and friends help military families build healthy habits
Military families asked for ways to incorporate habits into their busy lives to keep their young children healthy. Sesame Workshop delivered.
By Karen Jowers
Experts debunk DOD claim about autism therapy, demand its availability
A new report urges the DOD to provide Applied Behavior Analysis as a basic benefit for the one in 28 military children diagnosed with autism.
By Karen Jowers
DOD needs more feedback from troops in future PCS moves, GAO finds
More comprehensive feedback from troops and families can help DOD assess movers' performance, Government Accountability Office auditors said.
By Karen Jowers
Pick to lead VA benefits work faces criticism over reform proposals
Several Democratic lawmakers argued nominee Karen Brazell’s non-answers about the potential for benefits eligibility changes should be disqualifying.
Veterans volunteer longer, vote more often than civilian peers: report
Fewer veterans are donating their free time to charities today then they did four years ago, but their involvement remains strong.
House passes $893 billion defense policy bill with war powers repeal
Only a handful of Democrats supported the defense authorization bill plan, because of social issue fights included in the measure.
Dem senator to oppose military honors for Capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt
Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, a Marine Corps veteran, has expressed disgust at plans to honor participants in the Jan. 6 insurrection attempt.
Advocates lobby for new approaches to preventing veteran suicides
The Veteran Alliance for Legislative Outreach and Reform wants more research into psychedelic-assisted therapy and other unconventional treatments.
Fort Irwin breaks ground on first privatized junior enlisted barracks
The project will feature two-bedroom, two-bathroom units with shared kitchens, plus community amenities, including a pool and clubhouse with TVs.
By Karen Jowers