House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee leaders introduced parallel bills today enabling spouses and dependent children of severely combat-wounded troops to apply for VA education benefit assistance without first waiting for the injured military member to be discharged from active duty. Currently, individuals seeking the education benefit must wait until the military member completes the separation from service, a process that is sometimes as long as two years. The legislation would help family members of injured veterans “improve their ability to compete in the job market,” since some family members often must become breadwinners, said Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.). Commented Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho): “This change will be a win-win for all. It’s simply the right thing to do.”
‘Angry Kitten’ EW Pod Tested on Search-and-Rescue HC-130
April 17, 2026
The Air Force recently tested its “Angry Kitten” electronic warfare pod on an HC-130J during Exercise Bamboo Shield, showing the pod can turn the rescue platform into a command-and-control node and protect it from enemy radars.The tests follow what could be the pod’s first use in combat after it was…