Venezuela Preps for US Attack
The Venezuelan government says its preparing its armed forces in the event of an invasion or military attack by the United States, after the arrival this week of the USS Gerald Ford, the Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, into the US Southern Command region covering Latin America south of Mexico, the waters adjacent to Central and South America, and the Caribbean Sea.
Military to Lease Base Land for AI Data Centers
The US Air Force wants to lease land — 3,000 acres at five bases — to companies to use for their private AI data centers.
Top US Military Officers Ordered to Pentagon Summit
The US military’s top officers have been called to Quantico tomorrow, Sept. 30. DefSec Pete Hegseth’s directive did not offer a reason for the gathering of hundreds of generals and admirals from all across the globe. The move has created some confusion and alarm. Some top generals are bracing for possible firings or demotions. Although the White House has been downplaying the event, the president announced on Sunday he would be speaking at it.
DoD Rebrand: US Department of War
The US Defense Department will now be known as the Department of War. “It’s … restoring the warrior ethos, restoring victory and clarity as an end state. Restoring intentionality to the use of force,” DefSec Pete Hegseth said.
White House: ‘Higher Priority’ Is F-47, Not Navy’s F/A-XX
The White House supports reevaluating the Navy’s F/A-XX program due to concerns of two sixth generation programs occurring simultaneously. Awarding the contract would likely delay the “higher-priority F-47,” the administration said.
KC-46 Tanker Loses Boom in Aerial Refueling
An Air Force KC-46 Pegasus tanker lost its boom on July 8 while refueling an F-22 Raptor fighter jet off the coast of Virginia.
Supreme Court to Review Contractor Negligence
Army veteran Winston Hencely, who sued defense contractor Fluor Corp. over injuries from a suicide bombing in Afghanistan, wants the Supreme Court to give a definitive answer to how a federal claims act applies to claims against government contractors. Four appellate courts have reached different conclusions.
DOGE Can Now Review Unclassified Contracts at DoD
The DoD Department of Government Efficiency team will now get a chance to assess unclassified contracts before they’re awarded. DOGE may now review solicitations, requirements, and cost estimates for new contracts and modifications,
Admission to Academies Will Be Based Exclusively on Merit
US military academies have been ordered to end consideration of race, gender, and ethnicity in their admissions processes. Acceptance will be based “exclusively on merit.”
New Names for DoD and Veterans Day?
DefSec Pete Hegseth wants a new name for the Defense Department. He wants to call it the War Department. And President Donald Trump wants to rename the federal holiday Veterans Day “Victory Day for World War I Day” and create another holiday to commemorate World War II on May 8.
