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US service member killed in northern Iraq, US Central Command says
A U.S. service member was killed on Saturday “during a controlled detonation of unexploded ordnance” in northern Iraq, CENTCOM confirmed.
2 US troops killed, 1 missing after Iranian missile, drone attack in Jordan
Two U.S. service members were killed in action on Friday in an Iranian ballistic missile and drone attack on U.S. and partner forces in Jordan.
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MilTech
Thunderstruck: Anduril unveils autonomous attack rotorcraft
Anduril's autonomous attack rotorcraft, dubbed Thunder, is designed to operate with current and next-generation crewed attack helicopter platforms.
New AI tool helps Afghan allies at risk find visa pathways
The veteran-led organization AfghanEvac hopes a new AI-powered tool will benefit from the extensive data it’s gathered about the tortuous visa process.
Wheels up, instructor down: Army aviation students to fly solo cross-country
For the first time in decades, student pilots are flying solo across the country, the Army announced Thursday.
Military spouses can find jobs. Keeping careers is the hard part.
Unemployment among active-duty spouses actively seeking work climbed to 29.9% in 2025, up from 21.8% in 2023.
In other news
Hegseth ordered a new study of women in combat. Critics say it’s built to reach one conclusion.
Researchers who spoke with The War Horse said a new study makes sense if at least some anecdotal evidence found problems in mixed-gender combat units.
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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Are changes coming to veterans’ benefits? | Defense News Weekly Full Episode 7.21.26
A leader at the center of Congress’ efforts to revamp some veterans’ benefits weighs in on the changes. Plus, testosterone tests for troops.
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MORE STORIES
The new military family: staying together while living apart
The DoD does not recognize “geo-bachelor” as an official personnel status or maintain department-wide data on how many families live this way.
By Natalie Oliverio
Bad actors use bogus offers to go after payouts to families affected by first atomic bomb test
Scam artists are targeting the $100,000 now available to eligible New Mexico victims of radiation exposure dating back to the Trinity blast.
By Richard Sisk
Army fields device that detects traumatic brain injuries in just 15 minutes
The Army is introducing a handheld blood-testing device that can help detect traumatic brain injuries in just 15 minutes.
By Eve Sampson
Senators question whether military pharmacy program is the best deal for beneficiaries
Senators raised concerns about the potential anti-competitive tactics of the military’s Tricare pharmacy program contractor, Express Scripts.
By Karen Jowers
Panel to study Pentagon’s COVID vaccine mandate, troops dismissal
The panel will examine the processes regarding the Pentagon's COVID-19 policies and what led to the dismissal of those who refused the vaccine.
By Patricia Kime
Top House Democrat calls to split veterans omnibus, advance Major Richard Star Act
If Congress cannot reach agreement on the omnibus, lawmakers may face a choice: continue negotiating a single package or advance one bill at a time.
By Natalie Oliverio
Forged by the T: Pentagon launches testosterone screening program for troops
DoD will begin screening and offering TRT for troops with testosterone deficiency to ensure they maintain a “biological foundation" to fight, Hegseth said.
By Eve Sampson
‘Cruelty was the point’: Transgender troops look back on their ban as it’s set to end
Thirty enlisted transgender service members are in line to be allowed to serve again starting Thursday after being banned from the military in 2025.
By Riley Ceder
4,000 troops lose air conditioning in Hawaii
Mechanical problems with a water treatment plant in Hawaii have left thousands of soldiers without central air conditioning in the barracks.
By Eve Sampson
Manufacturing woes hamper US 155-mm ammo production
Manufacturing problems are dashing the U.S. Army’s plans to boost production of urgently needed 155-mm howitzer shells, a government watchdog said.
By Michael Peck
Army to move aerial intelligence brigade to Texas for HADES program
The U.S. Army is relocating its fixed-wing aerial intelligence brigade to Texas as part of a modernization effort centered on the HADES program.
By Eve Sampson
The US military measures readiness. What about adaptability?
Many of the qualities defense experts say will matter most in future wars are difficult to define and even harder to quantify.
By Natalie Oliverio
German-American veteran of the Battle of the Bulge dies at 100
Col. Frank Cohn, a veteran of the Second World War, Korea and Vietnam, died on July 4 at the age of 100.
US recovery teams begin new search in China for remains of MIAs amid looming budget cuts
Recovery teams from the DPAA traveled over the weekend to China to renew searches for the remains of MIAs ahead of projected budget cuts.
By Richard Sisk
US creates task force to prosecute leaks to news media, Hegseth says
The Justice Department and Pentagon created a joint task force to identify and prosecute leaks to news media.
US industrial base is becoming stronger for wartime production, study finds
As recent conflicts consume weapons at a ferocious rate, America’s defense industrial base is becoming more prepared to sustain a major war.
By Michael Peck