Top stories
Pentagon balks at court order allowing HIV-positive persons to serve
The Pentagon is fighting a court ruling that lifted a ban on potential recruits with controlled HIV from joining the military.
Draft defense bill would halt cuts, closures of military health facilities
House members are seeking to stop the closure or reductions of services at U.S. military hospitals and clinics.
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Creating a separate Cyber Force would require $10 billion and a minimum of 1 year, report says
Two D.C. think tanks examined a proposed implementation plan for an independent U.S. Cyber Force as some lawmakers push for its creation.
Army seeks US manufacturer to supply boots
The Army is looking for companies ready to supply troops with high-quality boots made in America.
Lawmakers quarrel over effort to boost defense tech integration between US and Israel
A new measure aims to "expand and accelerate bilateral defense technology research ... and industrial cooperation" between the U.S. and Israel.
Hidden chemical weapons sites emerge in Syria amid fragile security transition
Over a decade after Syria agreed to dismantle its arsenal, international inspectors have uncovered scores of previously hidden chemical weapons materials.
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Navy eliminates regular performance, fitness reports for select paygrades
"Personnel in these paygrades have demonstrated a sustained history of superior performance ... that negate the requirement for annual periodic reporting."
Navy recognizes USS Carl Vinson with Battle ‘E’ award
The aircraft carrier returned to port in August 2025 after a nine-month deployment covering over 275,000 nautical miles.
Army identifies soldier who died in training accident in Iraq
U.S. Army Sgt. Devin A. Seibel, 26, died on May 31 at Erbil Air Base. British Lance Corporal James Freeman was also killed in the incident.
Grab-and-go food stations will be open all day by end of 2026
In 2025, there were only a few grab-and-go food stations across all shore-based galleys. By the end of June, a majority will have them.
In other news
DoD should review special needs health care programs to ensure they’re helping military families, watchdog says
The coverage amounts for Tricare ECHO services haven't increased since 2009.
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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Game-changing new tech emerges for troops and commands | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 6.2.26
A box that makes drinkable water out of the air and hydrofoil drone tech have emerged at defense shows. Plus, an interview with a top executive at Lockheed.
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MORE STORIES
Creating a separate Cyber Force would require $10 billion and a minimum of 1 year, report says
Two D.C. think tanks examined a proposed implementation plan for an independent U.S. Cyber Force as some lawmakers push for its creation.
Draft defense bill would halt cuts, closures of military health facilities
House members are seeking to stop the closure or reductions of services at U.S. military hospitals and clinics.
By Patricia Kime
Experts warn terrorism threat is rising in Africa as US pulls back
A jihadist front is gaining ground across Africa, the Center for Strategic and International Studies warned in its annual risk analysis.
By Tanya Noury
Troops attending White House UFC event must meet physical standards, pay for travel
The hundreds of active-duty service members selected for the "high visibility" event must meet military waist-to-height standards and fund their travel.
Army seeks US manufacturer to supply boots
The Army is looking for companies ready to supply troops with high-quality boots made in America.
By Michael Peck
Lawmakers quarrel over effort to boost defense tech integration between US and Israel
A new measure aims to "expand and accelerate bilateral defense technology research ... and industrial cooperation" between the U.S. and Israel.
By Ellen Ioanes
US tells Europe, Canada to boost NATO air and naval forces
“Nations just need to assign the capabilities they have to NATO,” a spokesman for the alliance's military headquarters said.
By Sabine Siebold, Reuters
Lockheed’s GRIZZLY C-UAS system downs attack drone in live-fire demo
The live-fire demonstration paired the radars, Sanctum software and launcher to destroy the target at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.
Gulf tensions escalate as Iran hits Kuwait, US strikes near Hormuz
CENTCOM said it had carried out a new round of defensive strikes in southern Iran, while an Iranian drone attack on the Kuwait airport killed one person.
By Ahmed Elimam and Patricia Zengerle, Reuters