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Lloyd Austin ends term marred by Afghanistan but buoyed by Ukraine
Defense Secretary Austin will bid farewell Friday following a term that included three major military crises, a global pandemic and a brush with cancer.
How a Korean War helicopter pilot made Medal of Honor history
Lt. j.g. John Koelsch's most notable sortie ultimately cost him his life, but through his actions, the pilot he risked his life to save survived.
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Pentagon & Congress
Pentagon announces slate of new officials for second Trump term
The 32 leaders will steer the department while its top officials await Senate confirmation.
Army lawyer sentenced for deleting files, lying about Russian contacts
The ex-Army Ranger, who lied about contacting the Russian Embassy, was also indicted for cyberstalking an ex-girlfriend.
VA secretary nominee promises more medical care options and upgrades
Nominee Doug Collins said he wants to expand VA's community care program while still strengthening the existing department health care system.
Convicted veterans among Jan. 6 rioters granted pardons, commutations
About 230 people with military backgrounds were charged in connection with the attack and have now been granted clemency by President Trump.
In other news
Coast Guard commandant fired after Trump returns to White House
Adm. Linda Fagan had served in the top Coast Guard role since June 2022 and was the first uniformed woman to lead a military branch.
Life of pie: Soldier charged with loan fraud in bakery boondoggle
The soldier has been charged for allegedly using a fraudulent pie business called “Granny’s Delight” to obtain COVID-related business relief loans.
Marine lights candles for romantic hotel surprise, sets room on fire
Update the safety brief.
By J.D. Simkins
Did a US F-22 shoot down a UFO? Photo of aerial object adds to mystery
A grainy image (it’s always a grainy image) of an object downed by an F-22 over Canada's Yukon territory has aviation (and UFO) enthusiasts chattering.
Air Force Falcons unveil glorious AFSOC-themed football unis
The Air Force just dropped some special edition football uniforms and they are certifiably fire.
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VIDEOS
He was shot in the hand, arm and chest but this Sgt. says that ‘doing the right thing is courage’
Staff Sgt. Melvin Morris fought his way out of the jungles of Vietnam in 1969, yet to him, his idea of courage is from the example his father set.
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MORE STORIES
Polish general fired after anti-tank mines found in Ikea warehouse
An Ikea warehouse representative reportedly telephoned military officials and inquired about “when they would collect their mines.” As one does.
By J.D. Simkins
Lawmakers again push to ease firing rules for misbehaving VA staff
Punishing underperforming VA workers was a priority during Trump's first term. Congressional leaders want to zero in on the problem again.
Lloyd Austin ends term marred by Afghanistan but buoyed by Ukraine
Defense Secretary Austin will bid farewell Friday following a term that included three major military crises, a global pandemic and a brush with cancer.
By Tara Copp, AP
Trump picks intel community official as next Air Force secretary
If confirmed, Troy Meink would inherit key decisions about the Air Force's fighter force and how to right-size the Space Force as it takes on new missions.
Multi-year outreach blitz helped bring more vets into VA services
Department leaders have used high-profile partnerships and ad campaigns to reach out to veterans perviously leery of VA programs.
Coast Guard arrests human smugglers who ram boat
The smugglers, Mexican citizens, were detained after Coast Guardsman disabled their motor with gunfire and pepper sprayed them.
By Riley Ceder
Watchdog rebukes VA over failure to refund $110M in medical fees
The Office of Special Counsel said VA owes about $110 million to nearly 1 million veterans for voided medical co-pays.
More military children will soon have access to DOD-operated schools
A new program ends a blanket requirement that families must live on base in order for their children to attend DOD schools.
By Karen Jowers
Navy names aircraft carriers after former presidents Bush and Clinton
The Navy vessels will be the first to bear the names of former presidents William J. Clinton and George W. Bush.
By Riley Ceder
Pentagon report backs quality-of-life tweaks, not major pay changes
The periodic review of military compensation called troops' pay "strongly competitive" when compared to civilian wages.
Hegseth promises to reinstate, repay troops who refused COVID vaccine
About 8,000 troops were kicked out of the military for refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
Trump’s pick to lead Pentagon spars with Dems at confirmation hearing
Former FOX News host Pete Hegseth billed himself as an unconventional pick to shake up Pentagon operations.
Navy shipbuilding plan would cost $1 trillion over the next 30 years
The Navy's plan for its future fleet would require $1 trillion and a drastic increase in productivity at the nation's shipyards.
The Pentagon’s ‘Replicator’ drone bonanza faces an uncertain future
At stake is the military's ability to adjust to the future of war and compete with China, its main rival.
1,800 California National Guardsmen activated for LA fire response
California Governor Gavin Newsom increased the number of Guardsmen over the weekend, as the death toll for the wildfires climbed to 24.
By Riley Ceder