The air arm of the U.S. Armed Forces within the DoD.
The UK has granted Ukraine access to declassified blueprints for British-made components used in the Scalp missile, the European-produced version of the Storm Shadow. Russia has warned of consequences and highlighted potential threats to UK bases in Europe as Kyiv deepens its defense production.
A B-52 Stratofortress has crashed shortly after takeoff from Edwards Air Force Base on Monday, killing all eight people aboard. The aircraft was on a routine test mission supporting a radar modernization program. Military officials have opened an investigation that could take up to six months.
NATO and allied nations are accelerating development and deployment of cheaper, scalable defenses in response to drone threats and rapid battlefield innovation. Ukraine’s front-line feedback is driving faster iteration, with manufacturers delivering updates within days or weeks as the war reshapes planning for 2030-era air defense.
The military has reinstated flu vaccination requirements for recruits after a localized outbreak at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas has sickened hundreds. Officials say exemptions were granted earlier in the year, but ongoing cases and a recruit death have prompted renewed vaccination efforts across basic training.
President Donald Trump has unveiled a Qatari‑donated Boeing 747 that the Air Force has converted and repainted as a temporary Air Force One. The plane has completed flight testing, will serve as a "bridge" until purpose‑built VC‑25Bs arrive around 2028, and has drawn questions about cost, security and the ethics of accepting a foreign gift.
A Marine who disappeared from the USS Anchorage during training has been declared deceased after a multi-service search covered about 2,400 square miles. Recovery operations are ongoing for his family and unit.
Avi Loeb has been appointed to head a White House scientific advisory council probing unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP). The team will report to a separate presidential panel and has begun requesting more than 50 videos, images and documents to investigate recent military sightings. Critics question the panel’s methods and Loeb’s unconventional theories.
The Navy has named the crew member lost after an MH-60S Sea Hawk crash in the Arabian Sea as the search continues for the remaining missing aircrew. Three crew members have been rescued and are in stable condition aboard the USS George H.W. Bush. The incident is under investigation and authorities say hostile action is not suspected.
President Trump has begun flying a $400m Boeing 747-8 donated by Qatar but used an older Air Force One during a July NATO trip after officials raised security concerns. The administration has launched a leak probe led by the FBI director and White House chief of staff; The New York Times reporters were subpoenaed as investigators sought sources about the jet's defensive capabilities.
The White House has removed two Democratic members of the Election Assistance Commission and accepted a Republican member’s resignation, narrowing the panel ahead of the midterms. The action follows a Supreme Court ruling expanding presidential authority over independent agencies and comes amid broader moves to shape election administration. Agencies warn officials of potential prosecutions for interfering with voting and residents are urged to ensure compliance with new election rules.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national accused in the November ambush near the Farragut West Metro Station, has collapsed health-wise and is being treated at George Washington University Hospital after reportedly refusing food and water. Prosecutors have sought the death penalty on a 17-count indictment; a judge has granted access to limited medical records for court considerations.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the Afghan national charged in a Washington, D.C. ambush, has been rushed to a hospital with life-threatening conditions after allegedly refusing food. Prosecutors seek the death penalty; a judge has ordered access to medical records as his health deteriorates behind federal custody.
Iran has continued attacks on US bases across the Gulf region, targeting Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman with missiles and drones. US-led airstrikes have responded with approximately 90 targets hit in Iran as the Strait of Hormuz remains a focal point of the conflict. Regional leaders urge restraint while diplomacy is pursued.
The count of wounded troops has risen to over 400. Central Command reports traumatic brain injuries are common among the injured. A July 1 helicopter crash is described as an emergency landing with no hostile action. The Pentagon records a non-hostile death in July; details on the airman’s injury remain sparse. Most injured have returned to duty, but the full long‑term impact remains unclear.
The Pentagon has rolled out annual testosterone screenings for service members aged 30 and older, with younger troops able to volunteer. Officials describe the measure as part of maintaining a “strong, resilient and capable” fighting force, while experts warn on possible health risks and ethical concerns about medical oversight.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced a testosterone screening program for service members, extending annual checks to those 30 and older while offering voluntary testing for those under 30. Treatment remains voluntary, framed as restoring natural health rather than artificial enhancement. The move follows broader debates around testosterone policy in the administration.
A US Navy Blue Angels flyover at Pensacola Beach has prompted a safety review after a low-altitude pass sent chairs and tents flying and drew mixed political and public reactions. Officials say the maneuver is under review and applicable safety standards are being reassessed.
NATO allies have announced more than $50 billion in new procurements and cross-border production deals, signaling a rapid buildup in military hardware and cooperation. The moves include drones, airborne warning aircraft, and a transatlantic push to expand European manufacturing capacity. Analysts say the money is real and the pace will accelerate, with continued questions about political turnout and legitimacy.
At Farnborough, Boeing’s Ghost Bat leads a pack of rival autonomous combat aircraft, with General Atomics, Anduril, and Lockheed Martin unveiling or showcasing models. The U.S. Air Force aims for a price well under $80 million per jet and expects hundreds of aircraft annually by the mid-2030s, as world powers invest in crewed-uncrewed teaming and next‑generation combat air power.
The crash near Miramar Air Base has prompted an ongoing investigation. The pilot has ejected and is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. An aerial plume of smoke and ground debris are visible as responders contain a vegetation fire at the site. Officials say the F-35B costs about $109 million and the broader program carries a multi-trillion price tag.
The US has ongoing shortages of long‑range missiles and interceptors amid the Iran war. Authorities are replenishing stockpiles, ramping up production, and monitoring ally readiness as munitions levels remain stressed. Multiple outlets report depleted Patriot and THAAD interceptors and widespread use of ATACMS, PrSM, Tomahawks, and other missiles.
Survivors and officials mark the Nagasaki and Hiroshima anniversaries while Japan debates its nuclear policy. Leaders reaffirm non-nuclear principles while signals of policy shifts surface amid regional tension and calls for a clear stance.
The Washington Post has reported that President Trump has secretly swapped planes when leaving a NATO summit in Ankara due to a credible Iranian threat. He boarded Air Force One in view of cameras and was later transported to a military aircraft via a catering truck, with journalists unaware. The president asserts he follows security guidance, while the administration defends the newer aircraft’s security.
The Washington Post reports a covert move during July’s NATO summit in Ankara, where Trump reportedly boarded the older Air Force One, then was secretly moved to a smaller jet via a catering truck. Reportedly, journalists believed they were traveling with him on Air Force One, while he flew to RAF Mildenhall in the UK on a different plane.
Dwindling MQ-9 Reaper stockpiles have escalated concerns over American drone warfare capabilities. The Washington Post reports 45 drones have been lost, with costs exceeding $1.3 billion, as Iran’s actions and the Ukraine conflict shape the battlefield. US officials caution that dwindling munitions are limiting options while drone warfare dominates current tactics.
A Piper PA-24 has crashed into Seldovia Slough after departing Anchorage, killing the pilot and three passengers. State troopers recovered four bodies after waiting for the tide to recede; the wreckage rested in about 15 feet of water. The NTSB and FAA have opened an investigation; officials have identified the pilot and passengers and sent remains to the state medical examiner.
The US Army has used a high-energy laser system to track and destroy drones near the US–Mexico border. The operation occurred late August and involved Joint Task Force Southern Border and AeroVironment’s Locust Laser Weapon System, signaling a broader push to defend personnel and partners with layered counter-drone defenses.
The White House has faced mounting pressure to escalate actions against Iran following the November 3 elections. Officials say the administration is maintaining pressure while considering a calibrated ramp-up in military action if domestic and regional conditions evolve, with a focus on economic leverage to secure concessions in diplomacy.
The military has disabled advertising tracking on government devices, including iPhones, Androids, and Windows PCs, to curb location data used by adversaries. The moves come amid wider debate on data privacy and security in conflict zones.