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Pentagon codifies fitness standards across branches
The new regulations spell out testing timelines, standards for troops in combat arms specialties and guidelines for pregnancy and postpartum fitness.
They served through America’s post-9/11 wars. 25 years later, what did that service mean?
Nearly 3 million Americans served in the wars that followed Sept. 11. Three veterans reflect in The War Horse about what they saw, lost and still carry.
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Iran and US hit tankers in biggest wave of attacks on shipping since war began
Recent attacks by the U.S. and Iran have shattered a month of relative calm, with both hitting military, shipping and energy assets.
US Navy’s next-generation fighter decision to be unveiled soon, sources say
The program, currently unnamed but designated F/A-XX, has been buffeted by delays and funding disputes for years.
Defense startup’s AI aims to make every munition count
Smack Technologies' CEO said its AI modeling tool will help commanders decide not just which targets to strike, but how to sequence strikes over time.
US Air Force seeks ‘rapidly deployable’ drone swarms for base security
The U.S. Air Force is looking to use "rapidly deployable" swarms of AI-controlled drones for base security.
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Military History
WWII’s famed ‘Mosquito Bowl’ comes to the big screen
Netflix dropped the official teaser trailer for "The Mosquito Bowl" — the true tale of the gridiron game played out on Guadalcanal.
Roosevelt deployment to utilize lessons learned from Lincoln, Navy’s top brass say
The Navy said it was integrating lessons learned from the Lincoln deployment to better prepare sailors and families for the upcoming Roosevelt deployment.
Air Force launches B-52, B-1 readiness campaign
To increase the number of mission capable B-52 and B-1 aircraft, the North Star Readiness Campaign aims to speed up parts delivery and depot maintenance.
Navy base settles lawsuit with military spouse over Facebook ban
Attorneys for the plaintiff called the settlement a “warning” that officials cannot pick and choose what viewpoints to allow in digital public forums.
In other news
Ukraine contracting around 1,000 Patriot missiles from allies, defense chief says
Ukraine is contracting a supply of around 1,000 missiles for U.S.-designed Patriot air-defence systems.
VIDEOS
Marines to add thousands to ranks in coming years | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 9.8.26
The Marine Corps seeks to swell its ranks in the next five years. Plus, the Army museum remembers Sept. 11 and those who responded.
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
Defense startup’s AI aims to make every munition count
Smack Technologies' CEO said its AI modeling tool will help commanders decide not just which targets to strike, but how to sequence strikes over time.
Iran says it captured US submarine drone in Strait of Hormuz
Iran said Tuesday it captured a U.S. uncrewed submarine in the Strait of Hormuz. The Pentagon said it had malfunctioned more than a day ago.
By Idrees Ali and Joe Brock, Reuters
Veterans fight against arch that would obstruct view of Arlington Cemetery
Advocacy groups continue their push to halt Trump’s plans to construct a 250-foot-tall arch that would obstruct the view of Arlington National Cemetery.
Navy base settles lawsuit with military spouse over Facebook ban
Attorneys for the plaintiff called the settlement a “warning” that officials cannot pick and choose what viewpoints to allow in digital public forums.
Ukraine contracting around 1,000 Patriot missiles from allies, defense chief says
Ukraine is contracting a supply of around 1,000 missiles for U.S.-designed Patriot air-defence systems.
By Reuters
Congress may alter Air Force fighter structure as service fails to reach 1,145 aircraft minimum
In response to a 2025 Air Force report, Congress can now consider the fighter force structure amid proposals to divest older aircraft and pilot shortages.
‘Playful banter’ over Army grooming rules ends with Guardsman drawing loaded pistol
A Georgia National Guardsman serving in Washington, D.C., was arrested after allegedly pointing a loaded service pistol at a fellow soldier.
By Eve Sampson
Coasties’ photos used on stamps honoring Coast Guard Academy’s 150th
The U.S. Postal Service is launching a new Forever stamp this week to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
By Karen Jowers
US Air Force seeks air-defense guns to protect overseas bases
The U.S. Air Force plans to acquire anti-aircraft guns to protect its overseas bases following Iranian attacks on U.S. bases in the Middle East.
By Michael Peck
Man sentenced to life in killings featured in ‘The Fort Bragg Cartel’
In 2020, a Delta Force soldier and an Army veteran were found shot in the woods of a North Carolina base.
By Eve Sampson