April 26, 2024

Medals Awarded to US-Mexico Border Troops

US-Mexico Border

Thousands of US troops who deployed to the US-Mexico border will receive the Armed Forces Service Medal, created by President Bill Clinton.

Navy Tests Cutting-Edge V-BAT Drone

V-BAT Drone

The US Navy sent its expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Spearhead to sea to experiment with a number of cutting-edge technologies, including MartinUAV’s V-BAT drone. V-BAT is capable of vertical takeoff and landings while also retaining the high efficiency of a fixed-wing aircraft for long-endurance missions.

Tensions Escalating in Persian Gulf

Hazardous Duty

Tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate. Over the weekend, the FAA warned that current tensions in the Persian Gulf area could pose a threat to air travel in that region.

US Downplays N. Korean Missile Tests

N. Korean Missile Tests

President Donald Trump is downplaying a series of recent missile tests by North Korea, saying he doesn’t consider the launches a setback amid stalled nuclear talks. South Korea believes they are in protest of the failed summit.

F-35 Joins Philippines’ Training Exercise for 1st Time

F-35

The military exercise in the Philippines, Balikatan, has begun with US and Australian troops participating. For the first time, F-35B Lightning IIs join the training in Southeast Asia.

Md. Native Nominated to Be USMC Commandant

USMC commandant

Maryland native Lt. Gen. David H. Berger has been nominated to serve as the 38th commandant of the US Marine Corps. The appointment is pending Senate confirmation.

Navy Estimates $40B a Year to Maintain New Fleet

7th Fleet

The US Navy unveils plans to get to a 355-ship fleet two decades more quickly. The service also outlines a rough estimate of $40 billion a year to maintain that fleet.

China Is Biggest Exporter of Combat Drones

combat drones

China is now the biggest exporter of combat drones, with the Middle East among the main recipients.

Navy’s F-35C Passes Major Milestone

Major Milestone

The F-35C, the variant used by the US Navy passed a major milestone last week, when it achieved Initial Operational Capability, becoming the final variant of the jet to pass the requirements.

General: Consider Russia, China ‘Very Real’ Threats

Air Force Gen. Terrence O’Shaughnessy told a Senate committee that he sees no military threat coming from the southern border with Mexico, but his focus is on “very real” threats from China and Russia.