Pentagon chief sounds ‘alarm’ over China’s buildup, urges allies to boost defense spending
SINGAPORE — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Asian allies on Saturday to ramp up military spending to counter China’s growing power and prevent its dominance in the region, warning of “rightful alarm” over its rapid military buildup. Hegseth, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in...
Trump invokes national security in push for White House ballroom ‘drone port’
President Donald Trump on Sunday assailed a federal judge’s injunction halting aboveground construction of the White House ballroom, emphasizing the enhanced security features that form a key part of the project. In a post on Truth Social, the president wrote that U.S. District Judge Richard...
Air Force returns T-38 Talon to flight status while crash investigation continues
The U.S. Air Force returned the T-38 Talon to flying status just over a week after implementing a fleetwide operational pause. Following a training flight incident, the force halted operations for all aircraft to guarantee the safety of aircrews while the mishap was investigated by...
US military seeks cultural advisors in Somalia amid regional strikes
The U.S. special operations task force in Somalia is looking for contractors to advise troops on Somali politics, culture and tribal dynamics, according to a newly posted federal notice, a move that comes amid the U.S.’s shrinking military footprint in the region. The solicitation, issued...
Not ‘just a gun’: New SOCOM rifle allows barrel swapping and cartridge changes
U.S. Special Operations Command will begin fielding the MK24 Medium Range Gas Gun Assault before the end of the fiscal year, furthering SOCOM’s shift away from legacy cartridges like the 7.62mm NATO round, according to a recent report. SOCOM spokesman Navy Cmdr. Joe Vermette told...
US military continues self-defense strikes against Iran, intercepts missiles
The U.S. military targeted Iranian radar and command control sites this weekend in response to hostile acts from the country, according to U.S. Central Command. The U.S. launched self-defense strikes, including fighter jets that destroyed Iranian air defenses, a ground control station and two suicide...
