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Thousands of US Army paratroopers arrive in Middle East as buildup intensifies
The paratroopers add to the thousands of additional sailors, Marines and Special Operations forces sent to the region.
Pentagon reportedly preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran
The report comes as U.S. military assets — most recently the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 31st MEU — continue to flood the region.
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MilTech
The US Navy wants you ... to make ‘Drone Killer’ ammunition
The Navy designed the Drone Killer Cartridge to address the emerging threat of small quadcopters. It now wants ammo makers to make millions of the rounds.
Aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford arrives in Croatia for repairs
The warship has been deployed for nine months and also took part in operations against Venezuela in the Caribbean prior to arriving in the Middle East.
Hegseth reportedly removes 2 Black, 2 female Army officers from 1-star promotion list
Hegset has blocked promotions of four Army officers — two Black men and two women — to the rank of brigadier general, the New York Times reported Friday.
A war zone, minus the war: One year later, has the military really secured the US-Mexico border?
An investigation into how Trump’s emergency declaration expanded military power, blurred legal lines and helped spread the use of military-grade tech.
In other news
The Nationals honor baseball players turned citizen soldiers in Arlington tribute
Arlington National Cemetery placed official MLB baseballs — courtesy of the Nationals — on the gravesites of six men, all former baseball players.
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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VA shifts survivors assistance office in effort to speed up benefits
Officials hope to cut down on red tape for individuals seeking support and benefits after a veteran's death.
Controversial military personnel nominee faces Senate panel this week
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of May 5, 2025.
White House budget plan gives 4% boost for VA amid other agency cuts
VA would be one of only a few federal departments to see a funding increase under the president's $1.7 trillion budget plan.
Military families get another extension to ease Tricare West problems
But advocates question how much this move will help military families and medical providers.
By Karen Jowers