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A U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II assigned to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, flies over the 56th Fighter Wing, March 20, 2026, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Events that bring together service members and communities help reinforce support for the joint force mission. Sharing the capabilities of modern and historic aircraft helps connect communities with the legacy and future of American airpower. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Belinda Guachun-Chichay)
Iran

General confirms A-10 lost, helicopter damaged during F-15 rescue in Iran

The pilot of an A-10 Warthog had to eject due to damage sustained during an operation to rescue one of the two downed F-15 crew members.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 16: A military veteran leaves a Stand Down event designed to help veterans who are homeless or housing insecure on June 16, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. The semi-annual event helps veterans who are experiencing homelessness connect with services to find them housing. The event also connects veterans with agencies to help with medical services, food, clothing, and also helps veterans navigate the VA benefits system. There are an estimated 500 homeless veterans in the Chicago area, and 38,000 nationwide. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Veterans

VA staffing shortages led to failure to refer veterans to supportive housing, investigators find

As many as 174,000 veterans were not referred to a federal housing program between 2020 to 2024.

M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) conduct live-fire missions during Operation Epic Fury in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Army Photo)
Army

Army lets soldiers deployed for Operation Epic Fury reenlist two years early

The Army aims to “maximize benefits for personnel who are serving deployed in support” of the war with Iran.

U.S. Army MH-60M Black Hawks assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) fly in formation during a helicopter air-to-air refueling exercise above the Southeastern United States, Jan. 23, 2026. Air to air refueling extends a helicopter’s non-stop flight distance, a capability necessary for joint special operations missions far from established airfields and logistical support. These exercises demonstrate the 1 SOW’s ability to project specialized airpower whenever and wherever needed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Isabel Tanner)
Air Force

What we know about the commando raid to recover the F-15 crew member in Iran

Special operations teams raced against Iran to locate the missing airman, setting up a temporary airstrip to extract U.S. forces.

Four U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs from the 466th Fighter Squadron and two French Dassault Rafales fly over the Balau Games, Palau, July 9, 2023. The fighter jets, in Palau for Northern Edge 23-2, a Pacific Air Forces led multilateral, joint field training exercise, showed their commitment to the Indo-Pacific region by performing this movement at the closing game of the annual local olympic tournament in which all 13 states of Palau participate. (U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Michelle Chang)
Air Force

Former airman pleads guilty to defrauding Air Force of $37 million

A former master sergeant who called himself “Al Capone” inflated costs of IT contracts to enrich himself and others.

F-15s in Middle East
Air Force

What we know about a downed US F-15 and its crew in Iran

Several reports indicate one of the two flyers on board was rescued in a large-scale rescue operation.

A maintenance crew comprised of AH-64 Attack Helicopter Repairers assigned to Delta Company, 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment "Sabers", 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, rebuild a rotor head after a static mass repair on a AH-64 Apache Helicopter at Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii from February 2-25, 2026. This repair took place during aerial gunnery. For AH-64 Apache crews, aerial gunnery is a semi-annual requirement necessary to maintain proficiency of aircrews, and allows the unit to build a more reliable combat power. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Olivia Cowart)
Tech & Tactics

Right to repair: Why the US military can’t fix much of its own equipment

Restrictive agreements with defense contractors leave service members unable to fix the expensive ships, fighter jets, and ground vehicles they depend on.

Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George answers questions from members of the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., July 12, 2023. George was nominated to become the next Army Chief of Staff by President Joseph R. Biden. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. David Resnick)
Army

Hegseth asks top Army officer to step down

A Pentagon official confirmed that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has asked Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George to step down.

The world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), conducts flight deck operations during Operation Epic Fury, March 15, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo)
Commentary

How does the Iran war end?

One month into the Iran war, the U.S. military finds itself in a familiar position: Despite apparent battlefield successes, it's not clear how the conflict will end.

Paratroopers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division march in a Division Review at Pike Field, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, May 22, 2025, marking the end of All American Week. AAW 2025 is a dynamic celebration of the 82nd Airborne Division’s unwavering identity: “We’re All American and Proud to Be.” It honors the sacrifice, courage, and legacy of our Paratroopers, past and present, and the enduring strength of America’s Guard of Honor. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jayreliz Batista Prado)
Army

82nd Airborne Division cancels All American Week amid Iran war deployments

Officials said the event was cancelled “due to competing requirements."

USA; Southwest; New Mexico,White Sands Missile Range Museum
Army

Army ‘pauses’ plan to close more than 20 base museums

The Army has 45 facilities in its museum network, and planned to close about half. Now congress wants to see a plan for which should be kept open.

Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, fire cannons during a relinquishment of responsibility ceremony at Fort Stewart, Georgia, July 18, 2025. The ceremony stems from traditions practiced since the birth of the United States Army. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Dustin Stark)
Military Branches

Infantry, artillery, other combat arms troops had highest suicide risk in 2024

For the first time, the Pentagon’s annual suicide report broke down rates based on military job fields.

Marine Expeditionary Unit
Amphibious Operations

Here’s what Marine Expeditionary Units are designed to do

Marine Expeditionary Units are self-sustaining forces that can quickly deploy for both combat and humanitarian missions.

U.S. Sailors assigned to Carrier Air Wing 8 observe an F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 31, land on the flight deck of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), while underway during Operation Epic Fury, March 18, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo)
Iran

Troops in Qatar, UAE, 8 other regions now get combat pay for Epic Fury

Troops can receive up to $225 a month in either imminent danger pay or hostile fire pay, but not both.

Army officials said they have opened an investigation into the flight of two AH-64 attack helicopters that buzzed a Nashville, Tennessee-area home with Kid Rock.
Army

Apache crews who buzzed Kid Rock’s home won’t be punished, Hegseth says

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Tuesday that the crews of two Apache helicopters are no longer suspended and won’t be punished for flying by Kid Rock’s home.

USS Gerald R. Ford
Navy

USS Gerald R. Ford’s ‘record-breaking’ deployment could last 11 months, top admiral says

The already long deployment for the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier could last 11 months, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle said.

U.S. Air Force Airman assigned to the 174th Attack Wing, New York Air National Guard, conduct pre-flight operations on an MQ-9 Reaper aircraft during exercise Sentry South 26-2 in Gulfport, Mississippi, March 3, 2026. Sentry South 26-2 is a large force employment exercise focused on major combat operations and joint maritime opportunities in a contested or degraded operational environment. Sentry South 26-2 applies joint and combined warfighting doctrine against realistic and robust enemy integrated threat systems, all while under safe and controlled conditions. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Dylan McCrink)
Air Force

Air Force reactivates Reaper drone squadron at Nevada base

The squadron activation is part of an organization of Reaper units brought about by new technology that automates the takeoff and landing process.

U.S. Army Spc. Jake Amato, an MK48 machine gunner assigned to Laghman Provincial Reconstruction Team, patrols through a field looking for triggermen in the Alisheng district, Laghman province, Afghanistan, on Sept. 12, 2011. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Crane, U.S. Army. )
Army

Hegseth says US won’t rule out deploying ‘boots on the ground’ for Iran war

“You can't fight and win a war if you tell your adversary what you are willing to do or what you are not willing to do, to include boots on the ground,” Hegseth said

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Zachary Savage, an anti-tank missile gunner with 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines, forward deployed with 4th Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division as part of the Unit Deployment Program, fires a Javelin shoulder-fired anti-tank missile during the Korean Marine Exercise Program 25.2 in Pocheon, South Korea, July 29, 2025. KMEP is conducted regularly between the ROK and U.S. Marine Corps to increase their combined capabilities through realistic training geared towards deterrence and maintaining peace in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Van Hoang)  
Marine Corps

Marine corporal charged with stealing and selling a Javelin missile

Marine Cpl. Andrew Paul Amarillas is accused of taking a Javelin anti-tank missile along with some 5.56mm ammunition to Arizona and allegedly selling them.

U.S. Army Soldiers with 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment and Task Force Bayonet, currently deployed throughout the Horn of Africa, received a combat patch during a battlefield circulation, June 20 – Sept. 11, 2020. Patching is a custom reserved for those serving in a combat zone and Soldiers from the eight elements that comprise the task force were awarded their patches over the span of three weeks. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Sirrina Martinez)
Army

Army approves combat patches for soldiers in Iran war zone

The new approval for soldiers to wear a combat patch on their right sleeve covers those currently deployed in countries under U.S. Central Command and Africa Command.