Coast Guard to work without pay during DHS shutdown
Coasties will likely not feel the effects until the next scheduled military payday Feb. 27, which they could miss if Congress can’t reach an agreement.
Pentagon & Congress
Pentagon to deploy roughly 200 troops to Nigeria
The 200 troops will supplement a small team of American military officers already embedded with Nigerian forces.
Pentagon wants counter-drone sensors to protect US infrastructure — and fast
“The urgency of the threat” is prompting the Defense Innovation Unit to solicit products in time for a spring 2026 demonstration.
USS Gerald Ford the second aircraft carrier sent to Middle East: Report
The USS Gerald Ford set out on deployment in late June 2025, which means the crew will have been deployed for eight months in two weeks time.
2027 defense budget could double 2026 ship requests, US Navy secretary says
The 2026 defense budget set aside $27.2 billion dollars for the Navy to procure 17 ships.
Health care access a top complaint among troops, top enlisted leaders tell lawmakers
A Democratic senator also questioned whether the services are doing everything they can to increase child care slots.
No evidence women in combat roles lower standards, top enlisted leaders say
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s call for a review of the effectiveness of women in combat roles prompted questions during a Senate Armed Services hearing.
Judge temporarily blocks Pentagon from punishing Kelly over unlawful orders video
Sen. Mark Kelly sued in federal court to block his Jan. 5 censure from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Pentagon let CBP use anti-drone laser before FAA closed El Paso airspace: Report
The confusing arc of events began as the FAA announced it was shutting down all flight traffic over the city on the U.S.-Mexico border for 10 days.
VA reorganization projected to cost at least $312 million
The reforms, known as the RISE initiative, are expected to begin this year with an aim to reduce the VHA’s administrative overhead, improve clinical care.
NATO kicks off ‘Arctic Sentry’ operation following Greenland brouhaha
The mission will tie together various allied activities in the region, according to NATO officials.
Mexican cartel drones breach US airspace, prompt El Paso airport closure, admin says
“The Department of War took action to disable the drones,” an administration official told Military Times.
Experts argue Marine pullback in Okinawa should be halted as China threat rises
A plan to shift nearly 10,000 Marines away from Okinawa would dangerously weaken deterrence against Beijing, warns an Atlantic Council report.
National Guard members shot in DC will receive Purple Hearts
Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe and Spc. Sarah Beckstrom were fired upon in an ambush-style shooting just blocks from the White House in November.
Ukraine seeks god mode with new control app for drone war
Mission Control feeds directly into Ukraine’s performance-based “gamification” model, where drone units earn points for verified kills.
Research on problem gambling included in defense funding law
Under a new Department of Defense program, gambling addiction is now a topic of research.
Negotiators push for more talks after US and Iran convene in Oman
U.S. and Iranian officials convened in Oman on Friday, opening the door to a modest easing of tensions even as American warships mass in the Arabian Sea.
