https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/ Stories from around the Department of War. en-us Fri, 11 Sep 2026 16:56:00 GMT Sun, 13 Sep 2026 21:28:51 GMT https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4599127/trump-hegseth-commemorate-25th-anniversary-of-911-at-the-pentagon/ President Donald J. Trump, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Air Force Gen. Dan Caine hosted the 25th Anniversary 9/11 Observance Ceremony at the Pentagon. Fri, 11 Sep 2026 16:56:00 GMT Matthew Olay https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4599127/trump-hegseth-commemorate-25th-anniversary-of-911-at-the-pentagon/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4596754/war-department-marks-911-anniversary/ The War Department conducted an early morning flag unfurling at the Pentagon to mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Fri, 11 Sep 2026 12:41:00 GMT Pentagon News https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4596754/war-department-marks-911-anniversary/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4594195/space-academy-commission-holds-first-meeting/ Secretary of War Pete Hegseth attended the first meeting of the presidential commission on the U.S. Space Academy at NASA's headquarters in Washington. Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:01:00 GMT Matthew Olay https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4594195/space-academy-commission-holds-first-meeting/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4594128/dow-hosts-2nd-interagency-summit-to-strengthen-counter-drone-defense/ Joint Interagency Task Force 401 recently hosted its second interagency summit to accelerate cooperation against rapidly evolving drone threats. Wed, 09 Sep 2026 22:18:14 GMT Army Lt. Col. Adam Scher, Joint Interagency Task Force 401 https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4594128/dow-hosts-2nd-interagency-summit-to-strengthen-counter-drone-defense/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4593593/exercise-big-rescue-kanagawa-2026-strengthens-bilateral-disaster-medical-readin/ Sailors assigned to the U.S. Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Yokosuka, Japan, joined U.S. and Japanese military, government, medical and emergency response organizations for Exercise Big Rescue Kanagawa 2026. Wed, 09 Sep 2026 17:46:34 GMT Daniel Taylor, U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4593593/exercise-big-rescue-kanagawa-2026-strengthens-bilateral-disaster-medical-readin/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4593037/rebuilding-defense-industrial-base-requires-skilled-labor/ Rebuilding the defense industrial base means more than just facilities and businesses. It also means having the right people to do the skilled work, said Michael Cadenazzi, the assistant secretary of war for industrial base policy, during a field hearing before the House Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee. Tue, 08 Sep 2026 22:42:12 GMT C. Todd Lopez https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4593037/rebuilding-defense-industrial-base-requires-skilled-labor/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4592780/joint-interagency-task-force-401-publishes-counter-uas-reference-guide/ Joint Interagency Task Force 401 published its 2026 Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Quick Reference Guide, establishing a shared baseline of technical and tactical knowledge across the joint force and interagency partners. Tue, 08 Sep 2026 20:20:22 GMT Army Lt. Col. Adam Scher, Joint Interagency Task Force 401 https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4592780/joint-interagency-task-force-401-publishes-counter-uas-reference-guide/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4592628/department-recognizes-suicide-prevention-programs-for-supporting-warfighters/ The War Department recognized unique and innovative suicide prevention programs during a ceremony in the Pentagon's Hall of Heroes. Tue, 08 Sep 2026 19:40:15 GMT Robert Hammer, Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Health Affairs https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4592628/department-recognizes-suicide-prevention-programs-for-supporting-warfighters/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4592306/army-garrison-prepares-for-milestone-911-commemoration/ A quarter of a century after the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, U.S. Army Garrison Italy soldiers, military police and firefighters will gather alongside local Italian officials in Padua, Italy, for a solemn 25th anniversary commemoration at the Memory and Light memorial. Tue, 08 Sep 2026 17:43:00 GMT Anna Ciccotti, U.S. Army Garrison Italy https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4592306/army-garrison-prepares-for-milestone-911-commemoration/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4591661/gps-free-test-flight-success-marks-critical-advance-for-aviation-national-secur/ The Defense Innovation Unit's latest quantum sensing milestone shows aircraft can safely and accurately navigate vast stretches of ocean without relying on the same GPS that millions of civilians use to move through traffic. Fri, 04 Sep 2026 21:06:55 GMT Defense Innovation Unit Staff https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4591661/gps-free-test-flight-success-marks-critical-advance-for-aviation-national-secur/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4591529/special-operations-forces-tackle-unseen-threat-of-blast-exposure/ The U.S. special operations forces community is actively tackling the invisible threat of repeated blast overpressure to protect warfighters' brain health without compromising combat readiness.   Fri, 04 Sep 2026 19:04:00 GMT Derik Crotts, Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Health Affairs https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4591529/special-operations-forces-tackle-unseen-threat-of-blast-exposure/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4591269/exercise-urgent-response-tests-marine-corps-installation-partnerships/ Service members, civilians and contractors at Marine Corps Support Facility Blount Island, Fla., participated in Exercise Urgent Response, a four-hour force protection exercise that tested how they preserve the military installation's mission during a complex emergency. Fri, 04 Sep 2026 16:24:00 GMT Dustin Senger, Blount Island Command https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4591269/exercise-urgent-response-tests-marine-corps-installation-partnerships/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4590564/cadets-explore-potential-army-careers-during-branch-week/ Representatives from 16 Army branches provided members of the U.S. Military Academy's Corps of Cadets a glimpse into what they may encounter after graduation and commissioning during Branch Week at West Point, N.Y.  Thu, 03 Sep 2026 19:03:00 GMT Eric Bartelt, United States Military Academy at West Point https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4590564/cadets-explore-potential-army-careers-during-branch-week/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4590448/naval-warfare-center-showcases-unmanned-refueling-at-sea/ The Navy took a major step toward enabling persistent, unmanned operations when the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division led a demonstration off the coast of Virginia using a robotic towed connector to repeatedly capture, refuel and release an unmanned surface vessel. Thu, 03 Sep 2026 17:55:00 GMT Latasha Chavez, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4590448/naval-warfare-center-showcases-unmanned-refueling-at-sea/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4588907/hegseth-welcomes-australian-deputy-prime-minister-commemorates-alliance/ Secretary of War Pete Hegseth hosted Richard Marles, Australia's deputy prime minister and defense minister, at the Pentagon, where the two men commemorated the 75th anniversary of the historic alliance between Australia, New Zealand and the U.S. Wed, 02 Sep 2026 22:27:00 GMT Matthew Olay https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4588907/hegseth-welcomes-australian-deputy-prime-minister-commemorates-alliance/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4589357/sentinel-samurai-strengthens-joint-eod-readiness/ Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy explosive ordnance disposal technicians participated in Exercise Sentinel Samurai at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Wed, 02 Sep 2026 20:12:00 GMT Air Force Senior Airman Mason Hargrove https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4589357/sentinel-samurai-strengthens-joint-eod-readiness/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4588980/army-artillery-brigade-builds-tactical-proficiency/ Soldiers assigned to the 75th Field Artillery Brigade's 2nd Battalion, 4th Field Artillery Regiment, recently trained at Fort Sill, Okla., to execute Artillery Table VI section qualifications and validate Role 1 combat medical support capabilities. Wed, 02 Sep 2026 17:08:00 GMT Army Capt. Lydia Laga, 75th Field Artillery Brigade https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4588980/army-artillery-brigade-builds-tactical-proficiency/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4588400/officials-provide-progress-update-on-major-operation-1-year-after-its-launch/ Officials spoke to the media regarding the successful progress of Operation Southern Spear, the large-scale counter-narco-terrorism campaign in the Western Hemisphere, one year after the operation launched in September 2025. Wed, 02 Sep 2026 12:01:00 GMT Matthew Olay https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4588400/officials-provide-progress-update-on-major-operation-1-year-after-its-launch/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4588244/chatgpt-grok-added-to-war-departments-ai-system-options/ The War Department increased its artificial intelligence offerings by launching versions of Grok and ChatGPT to GenAI.mil to go alongside Google's Gemini.  Tue, 01 Sep 2026 21:26:00 GMT C. Todd Lopez https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4588244/chatgpt-grok-added-to-war-departments-ai-system-options/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4587771/airlift-wing-builds-mobility-readiness-during-exercises/ The 86th Airlift Wing recently supported Exercise Saber Junction 26 with joint air mobility operations alongside Army and Marine Corps forces at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Tue, 01 Sep 2026 16:59:00 GMT Air Force Senior Airman Brenden Beezley https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4587771/airlift-wing-builds-mobility-readiness-during-exercises/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4586595/michigan-national-guard-trains-mission-ready-pilots-over-lake-huron/ The Michigan National Guard debuted its newly acquired Mark VI patrol boat in Lake Huron during Exercise Northern Strike 26-2 to simulate fast-attack threats and train visiting aviation units in complex maritime targeting. Mon, 31 Aug 2026 17:16:00 GMT Air Force Tech. Sgt. Tristan Viglianco, Michigan National Guard https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4586595/michigan-national-guard-trains-mission-ready-pilots-over-lake-huron/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4586023/army-lasers-blast-drones-proving-directed-energy-weapons-are-future/ Service members assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border used the Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser system to stop three hostile, unmanned aircraft systems deemed a threat. They were believed to be linked to drug cartels.  Fri, 28 Aug 2026 22:02:00 GMT C. Todd Lopez https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4586023/army-lasers-blast-drones-proving-directed-energy-weapons-are-future/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4585627/guard-program-links-global-partnership-to-dow-priorities/ Senior leaders and security cooperation personnel from across the War Department gathered for the 2026 National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program conference in Atlanta to align activities and engagements with national defense strategy lines of effort.  Fri, 28 Aug 2026 17:42:00 GMT National Guard Bureau https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4585627/guard-program-links-global-partnership-to-dow-priorities/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4585252/sky-soldiers-train-for-modern-conflict-in-europes-premier-crucible-event/ U.S. soldiers participated in Exercise Saber Junction 26 alongside allied troops in Germany to test combat readiness and new drone technology. Fri, 28 Aug 2026 13:19:00 GMT U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4585252/sky-soldiers-train-for-modern-conflict-in-europes-premier-crucible-event/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4584583/army-selects-vendors-sites-for-nuclear-microreactors/ The Army's Janus Program selected five nuclear energy vendors and five initial locations to build and operate nuclear microreactors. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 18:19:00 GMT U.S. Army Communication and Outreach Office https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4584583/army-selects-vendors-sites-for-nuclear-microreactors/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4584469/global-strike-reimagines-readiness-with-tactical-training-simulator/ To ensure operational readiness and maintain the tactical edge, airmen must train their brains with the same rigor as their bodies. Air Force Global Strike Command is looking to accelerate and modernize this effort with MindGym, a tactical training simulator. Thu, 27 Aug 2026 16:05:00 GMT Air Force Tech. Sgt. Shelby Thurman, Air Force Global Strike Command https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4584469/global-strike-reimagines-readiness-with-tactical-training-simulator/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4583445/marines-receive-upgraded-awards-for-2021-abbey-gate-attack-response/ Secretary of War Pete Hegseth presented three retired Marines with upgraded awards for valor during a ceremony at the Pentagon. The upgrade was as a result of their heroic actions immediately following the Aug. 26, 2021, suicide bomber attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, which killed 13 service members and approximately 170 Afghan civilians.  Wed, 26 Aug 2026 22:17:00 GMT Matthew Olay https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4583445/marines-receive-upgraded-awards-for-2021-abbey-gate-attack-response/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4583941/the-capitals-defenders-two-centuries-after-historic-battle-citizen-soldiers-are/ A ceremony commemorating the 212th anniversary of the Battle of Bladensburg connected America's Freedom 250 celebration with the citizen-soldier tradition that helped defend the nation in its earliest years and continues today with the National Guard. Wed, 26 Aug 2026 21:42:24 GMT Air Force Master Sgt. Arthur Wright, D.C. National Guard https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4583941/the-capitals-defenders-two-centuries-after-historic-battle-citizen-soldiers-are/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4583508/army-armaments-center-unveils-new-ammo-packaging-system/ The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center's new SixPAC system blends lightweight polymers with a rugged steel shell, marking a leap in small-caliber ammunition packaging intended to reshape how soldiers use munitions.  Wed, 26 Aug 2026 17:28:00 GMT Tyler Barth, Picatinny Arsenal https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4583508/army-armaments-center-unveils-new-ammo-packaging-system/ https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4582866/review-panel-continues-its-mission-as-pentagon-marks-fifth-anniversary-of-abbey/ Senior Advisor to the Secretary of War Sean Parnell revealed in a social media post that an ongoing War Department investigation into the circumstances surrounding the 2021 terrorist airport bombing in Kabul, Afghanistan, has uncovered classified documents that had not been previously located. Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:26:00 GMT Matthew Olay https://www.war.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4582866/review-panel-continues-its-mission-as-pentagon-marks-fifth-anniversary-of-abbey/