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Marine F-35B stealth fighter squadron arrives in Japan
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211, based in Yuma, Arizona, recently deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.
Pentagon silent, aviation experts baffled by Trump’s fighter comments
“President Trump appears to have been speculating out loud about future airplanes that, as far as I know, don’t exist," said former SECAF Frank Kendall.
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Former AMVETS commander indicted on $622K fraud allegations
The ex-AMVETS branch commander faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
Homeland Security eyes new $50M jet for Noem, Coast Guard officials
The request for a new jet comes as President Donald Trump considers accepting a luxury Boeing jumbo jet as a gift from the ruling family of Qatar.
Pacific land force leaders seek ‘positional advantage’ against China
More ships, partnerships and strike assets are in store for Pacific land forces.
Vets disability claims backlog down to 200K cases, a post-pandemic low
The number of overdue disabiltiy claims rose to more than 400,000 cases after COVID-19 office closures and toxic exposure benefits expansion.
In other news
Trump’s vow of ‘substantial’ pay raise for troops counters budget plan
The White House spending plans call for a 3.8% pay boost next year, a smaller raise than troops saw in January.
How Battle Brick Customs carved out a space for military collectors
The company produces kits based on real military vehicles, ranging from World War II tanks to modern U.S. Army Humvees and Special Forces boats.
This sailor requested leave to get his wife pregnant. It was approved.
“My wife is planning on getting pregnant this weekend,” the 1967 liberty request read, “and I would sure like to be there when it happens.”
What surviving an IED taught me about being a stand-up comedian
An Army veteran-turned-stand-up comedian discusses the importance of laughter in the wake of trauma.
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.
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MORE STORIES
Marine F-35B stealth fighter squadron arrives in Japan
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211, based in Yuma, Arizona, recently deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.
By Riley Ceder
Air Force One greeted by fighter escorts during Trump’s Mideast visit
Like Saudi Arabia did a day earlier, Qatar gave Trump's Air Force One a ceremonial escort from its F-15 fighter jets — an exceptionally rare sight.
VA errors in benefits payouts down, but still total more than $1.3B
Recurring errors in VA benefits processing amounted to hundreds of millions in losses for U.S. taxpayers in fiscal 2024.
Dems demand military investigation into Qatar’s plane gift to Trump
Lawmakers worry the expensive gift could create financial and legal issues for the Defense Department.
Trial opens for Navy vet arrested near Obama’s DC home in 2023
Investigators found two guns, roughly 400 rounds of ammunition and a machete in Taylor Taranto’s van after he showed up near Obama’s home.
By Michael Kunzelman, The Associated Press
Hegseth’s plan to trim top ranks could hit more than 120 officers
About 20% of top active duty general and admiral jobs would be eliminated, plus 10% of the more than 800 positions across other leadership levels.
By Lolita C. Baldor
Navy officer charged with killing of wife at Japanese hotel
Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Olsen was charged May 7 at Naval Base San Diego with the unpremeditated murder of his wife.
By Riley Ceder
Navy seeks to fast track nuclear weapons systems
Vice Admiral Johnny Wolfe told Congress the Navy is working to improve and develop three critical weapons systems.
By Zita Ballinger Fletcher
DHS ends deportation protections for Afghans
Refugees from Afghanistan previously granted temporary protected status may now be forced to return to a region many feel is unsafe.
By Riley Ceder
Experts: Qatar-gifted Air Force One may be security, upgrade disaster
Upgrading a Qatar-donated 747 into a new Air Force One would take a large sum of money and years to complete, aviation experts said.
Army jailbreak foiled at Fort Leavenworth
Two prisoners who attempted to escape the Fort Leavenworth Army Corrections Brigade were stopped by correctional officers on April 29.
By Riley Ceder
Sunken USS Yorktown leaves researchers ‘flabbergasted’ in latest dive
Eighty-three years after sinking during the Battle of Midway, the USS Yorktown is still revealing secrets.
Quantico EOD called to remove WWII-era mortar from Virginia home
In Virginia, it’s not uncommon to unearth relics from the Civil War, but finding a 50mm French mortar dating to WWII is something else entirely.
By Hope Hodge Seck
Breaking down Trump’s executive order mandating multiple VA reforms
The president signed an executive order Friday calling for several sweeping changes in VA operations and construction goals.
Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard outline FY26 budget needs this week
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of May 12, 2025.
How a soldier’s relentless charge broke Japan’s line on Okinawa
The enemy positions that Pfc. Clarence Craft took out one by one added up to victory on Hen Hill.
By Jon Guttman