Secretive Space Plane Releases Photo of Earth
There are few specifics about what the military’s X-37B space plane has been doing, but the view is pretty good based on the single photo the Space Force released, showing part of the robotic space plane and a detailed look at the Earth reminiscent of astronaut William Anders’ “Earthrise” picture.
5,400 Job Cuts to Hit Pentagon This Week
About 5,400 Defense Department employees will lose their jobs this week. The cuts are the first in what is expected to be a 5% to 8% reduction of the civilian workforce. The department employed 764,000 civilians as of June 2024, which means more than 61,000 people could lose their jobs. The White House also wants an 8% cut to the DoD budget.
3 Carriers from 3 Countries Train in Philippine Sea
Elements of the US Navy’s 7th Fleet are sailing through the Philippine Sea with French and Japanese vessels in a joint exercise meant to train crews and show just how much force they can project at sea. Meanwhile China continues air and sea pressure to claim disputed areas of the South China Sea.
Fort Liberty Name Out. Fort Bragg Is Back
The Pentagon will change the name of Fort Liberty in North Carolina back to Fort Bragg. The Army base was originally named for Confederate GEN Braxton Bragg; the order lists another Bragg as its new namesake – PVT Roland L. Bragg of Maine, who fought in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II.
Hegseth Seeks Government Housing; Faces Questions
DefSec Pete Hegseth wants $137,000 to repair a government-provided home, prompting Democrats to ask why he needs the government-provided home, why it needs to be improved, and how much he plans to pay in rent. When the query was reported by Fox News, Hegseth called a former colleague a “Trump hater” and reporting “fake news.”
Trump: Musk Will Find Billions in Waste at DoD
President Donald Trump told Fox News on Sunday that he expects Elon Musk and Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to find billions of dollars of fraud and abuse at the Pentagon.
Iran Praises Halt of USAID
Iranian state media says the US’s moves to freeze spending on foreign aid and maybe end the US Agency for International Development will halt funding for opponents of the Iran’s Shiite theocracy, pro-democracy activists, and other worldwide efforts to support democracy.
Black Hawk Pilot in Crash Was Great Mills Resident
Investigators are intensifying their search into what caused the collision between a commercial jet and a US Army Black Hawk last week near National Airport. One of the soldiers piloting the helicopter was Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Eaves, 39, of Great Mills.
F-35 Crashed in Alaska, Pilot Safe
A USAF pilot crashed an F-35 on Tuesday during the landing phase of a training exercise at Eielson Air Force Base, 25 miles south of Fairbanks, AK. The pilot was able to eject from the aircraft and was in stable condition at a medical facility. The crash caused significant damage to the aircraft.
Hegseth Sworn-In as New DefSec
Pete Hegseth was confirmed as defense secretary Friday night after a 51-50 vote, reports The Washington Post. Vice President J.D. Vance cast the vote to break the Senate’s 50-50 vote.
