Israel claimed March 17 that two top Iranian officials were killed in its latest round of strikes on Tehran. Ali Larijani, the secretary of the country’s Supreme National Security Council, was pronounced dead by the Israel Defense Forces. His alleged death makes him the second most senior leader to be killed in the conflict since Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s death on Feb. 28 during the initial round of strikes.
A top Pentagon official told lawmakers March 17 that existing military operations targeting Latin American drug cartels are “just the beginning”—and left open the possibility of deploying ground forces even as lethal boat strikes against alleged smugglers continue indefinitely.
The Space Force now has put into place all of its mission-focused acquisition portfolios, including offices dedicated to space control and orbital warfare, according to the top space acquisition officer.
We discuss the history, current operations, and future of U.S. Space Forces-Central, SPACECENT, with its first commander, Col. Chris “Tool” Putman.” Learn about how spacepower provided key contributions to defending Israel from Iranian air and missile strikes, empowered Operation Midnight Hammer, and more.
Virtually all of the giant reconciliation fund has been doled out, the Pentagon’s acting chief financial officer said March 17. “Everything except for $1.3 billion in the $153 billion that's been given to the Department of Defense by the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act has been apportioned and [has] been released to the services and program managers. And so that money is all starting to flow,” Jules Hurst, who is performing the duties of Pentagon comptroller, said.
Less-expensive, one-way attack drones are proving to be a meaningful weapon in U.S. forces’ arsenal as they hustle to overwhelm Iranian defenses in Operation Epic Fury. But, according to the Pentagon’s chief technology officer, the joint force’s current inventory of LUCAS (Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System) drones is relatively scarce.
Amid ongoing British E-7 Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control acquisition troubles, an official charged with leading UK defense reform and investment planning took aim at U.S. giant Boeing on March 17, citing the manufacturer’s internal “difficulties.”
One person is dead and another hurt after a shooting March 17 at Holloman Air Force Base. At around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the base was placed on lockdown following reports of an active shooter, according to a news release by Holloman AFB.
The Iran War should spell opportunity for makers of American weapons, yet shares of the biggest defense companies have barely budged since the conflict broke out. Investors have good reasons to be cautious.
President Donald Trump dropped his push March 17 for U.S. allies to join in protecting the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian threats—an about-face that came just one day after he called upon nations to “get involved” so oil tankers can safely navigate the crucial shipping lane.
If there are any boats in the Air Force special warfare training pipeline, you can bet David Goggins will be carrying them. Goggins, who retired from Active duty in the Navy SEALs in 2016 and has gone on to build a brand as a bestselling author and motivational speaker, has reenlisted at age 51.
