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Six US service members killed in KC-135 crash in Iraq
“All six crew members aboard a U.S. KC-135 refueling aircraft that went down in western Iraq are now confirmed deceased,” CENTCOM announced.
US Air Force KC-135 goes down in Iraq, CENTCOM says
“The incident was not due to hostile fire or friendly fire,” the release said, adding that rescue efforts are ongoing.
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Pentagon & Congress
Iran’s new supreme leader was ‘wounded and likely disfigured’ in US-Israeli strikes, Hegseth contends
Khamenei has remained out of view since his selection on Sunday by Iran’s clerical establishment.
Military hospitals, clinics resume billing civilians following 3-year pause
An estimated 137,000 civilians are expected to receive bills for medical care they received at military hospitals and clinics since 2023.
Facing death 275 feet beneath the sea, this pioneering naval diver earned the Medal of Honor
For more than two hours, Frank Crilley struggled to save his entangled shipmate below the sea.
Lawmakers seek coverage for expedited fertility care under PACT Act
New legislation would speed coverage for fertility treatments without requiring veterans to prove their infertility was directly tied to military service.
In other news
US Marine Corps pursues thermal cloaks to hide troops from heat sensors
The U.S. Marine Corps is looking for camouflage cloaks that shield wearers from prying eyes and infrared cameras.
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?
By Clay Beyersdorfer
When veterans take the pen, war stories start to change
Hollywood has never lacked war stories. But it has often lacked veteran storytellers telling them.
How MREs inspired today’s meal-delivery industry
The MRE has to survive heat, cold, impact and time. And it has to do all of that at scale. Sound familiar?
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CENTCOM says US destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels
Military officials say they targeted ships threatening traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
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By Karen Jowers
Nonprofit helps expand child care for military families in five states
Summer camps and more care for school-aged children will help ease shortages in five locations.
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Work on annual defense authorization bill will wait until September
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of July 28, 2025.
CENTCOM strike kills ISIS leader in Syria amid US troop drawdown
American officials said that Dhiya’ Zawba Muslih al-Hardani posed a threat to U.S. and allied forces.
DOD trying to head off problems with troops’ household goods moves
PCS task force working to solve troops' real-time household goods moving problems.
By Karen Jowers
Trump pick to lead VA health care reopens fight over ‘choice’ for vets
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Republican lawmakers take aim at VA bonuses amid staffing cuts
GOP lawmakers are pushing reforms for a host of department employee financial incentives, but Democrats worry the moves will hurt recruiting efforts.
Over 20 million DOD users to get new online login verification process
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By Karen Jowers