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Trump administration releases first tranche of ‘never-before-seen’ UFO files
“With these new Documents and Videos, the people can decide for themselves, ‘WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?’” Trump wrote, adding, “Have Fun and Enjoy!"
US and Iran exchange fire as Trump says war will ‘be over quickly’
U.S. forces launched retaliatory strikes against Iranian military facilities Thursday after Iran fired missiles and drones at three U.S. Navy vessels.
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Presidential Fitness Test to be required at Defense Department schools
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the Presidential Fitness Test would soon be mandatory in the DoD's 161 K-12 schools.
Military moves to issue medical disqualifications earlier in the recruitment process
The military will prescreen prospective recruits for 28 medical conditions that are highly unlikely to receive enlistment waivers.
Naples naval installation verifies presence of radon in buildings
The service is now confirming the results of a radon detection test it rejected nearly three months ago.
Lawmakers introduce bill to lower drug costs for service members, veterans
The proposal would allow Tricare beneficiaries and VA patients to pay the lowest government-negotiated price for prescription drugs.
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MilTech
Pentagon turns to AI targeting to help troops shoot drones
The technology can detect threats and distinguish them from non-threats, such as birds, faster than a human operator can.
Opinion
Why Congress must end the remarriage penalty for military survivors
A policy that causes surviving spouses to lose their benefits if they remarry suggests their sacrifice ends the moment they seek a new chapter in life.
Commissaries reverse decision to charge for single-use bags
The decision came only one month after the bag fees went into effect.
Life or death centered around a canteen for this AEF soldier
While under a hail of machine gun fire, William Sawelson crawled through the mud to deliver water to a wounded soldier.
In other news
Coast Guard to stand up special forces command
The U.S. Coast Guard is standing up a new Special Missions Command to consolidate its elite maritime response forces.
VIDEOS
Navy looks to expand tech, autonomy for future fleet | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 5.5.26
The commander of the Naval Research Laboratory outlines goals for the fleet at Sea-Air-Space 2026. Plus, global defense spending updates for the year.
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Iran Coverage
Defense News is covering the evolving military, strategic, and regional implications of tensions and operations involving Iran.
Insurance Guide
Military Times has outlined helpful information about car insurance, renters insurance, and life insurance for troops.
2025 PCS Guide
Read up on tips and tricks in Military Times’ 2025 Permanent Change of Station Guide.
2025 Benefits Guide
Learn how your military benefits — including health care, retirement pay and more — have changed in 2025.
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 STORIES
Watch: First look at Guy Ritchie’s ‘Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’
The “Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” hits theaters on April 19.
By Sarah Sicard
Some vets got double housing stipends due to flaw in jobs program
Officials have no plans to try and recoup the money, noting that no laws appear to have been violated by the doubled stipend payments.
Navy unveils Wi-Fi pilot program for some Virginia sailors
The initiative is part of Big Navy's efforts to improve sailor quality of life.
By Diana Stancy
Passenger absolved of in-flight bomb hoax that prompted F-18 response
The passenger, then 18, alleged the bomb threat was a joke.
By Sarah Sicard
Fatal drone attack similar to recent incidents in Iraq and Syria
Three U.S troops were killed and at least another 40 were wounded in Sunday's attack on the Tower 22 base.
Pentagon IDs Army Reserve soldiers killed in Jordan Tower 22 attack
All three were members of the Army Reserve’s 718th Engineer Company.
By Davis Winkie
Senior enlisted leaders to discuss military quality-of-life fixes
Defense and veterans hearings for the week of Jan. 29, 2024.
Navy to allow those without high school diploma or GED to enlist
The Navy last allowed entry of candidates without a high school diploma or GED more than 20 years ago.
By Diana Stancy
USS Carney shoots down missile in first attack on Navy since October
It's the first time the Houthis directly targeted a U.S. warship since the rebels began their attacks on shipping in October, U.S. officials said.
By Jon Gambrell and Tara Copp, The Associated Press