Matthew Cox
Matthew Cox has been a defense reporter since 1998. Prior to working for three years in media relations at Thales, he worked for Military.com from 2011 to 2021, covering Army and Marine Corps readiness and modernizations with a focus on weapons development and procurement. Before that he worked for more than 12 years at Army Times. He focused on modernization, training, and readiness as well as covering light infantry units in combat in both Afghanistan from 2002 to 2008. He also spent four years in the U.S. Army during the second half of the 1980s, serving as an infantryman in the 82nd Airborne Division.
Recent stories by Matthew Cox
Time is Running out for Airmen, Guardians to Enroll for Health Care
Don’t forget--the deadlines for Airmen and Guardians to sign-up for 2026 health, dental and vision benefits are quickly approaching.
Air Force to Unveil Training, Grooming, and Fitness Changes Next Year
New grooming standards for facial hair and new military fitness for some Airmen are coming—but probably not until next year.
Airman Wounded in Shooting One of Few Air Guardsmen on DC Mission
One of the two West Virginia National Guard members shot in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 26 is a member of the Air National Guard—one of only a few Air Guard members involved in the law enforcement support mission in the nation’s capital.
B-52s Wrap Up Spain Rotation with Training in Middle East, Africa
Several B-52 Stratofortresses just completed a deployment to Spain that included training missions over the Middle East and Africa.
Air Force Wants Guided Rocket System for Ground-Based Counter Drone Ops
The Air Force is looking to adapt the laser-guided rocket pods it currently mounts on fighter aircraft for targeting swarms of small drones from the ground.
Air Force Buying $50 Million in Small Drones to Support Special Ops Missions
A recent Air Force contract to buy up to $50 million worth of small drones from Anduril Industries may soon allow the service’s special operations command to transform its MQ-9 Reapers into drone-launching motherships.
Air Force Set to Evaluate New Industry Offerings for Low-Cost Missiles
The Air Force is poised to begin evaluating a new class of low-cost missiles needed to defeat the rapid growth of aerial threats it’s likely to face in the next conflict.
Air Force Issues Guidance on Shutdown Backpay, Telework for Returning Workers
With the 43-day government shutdown officially over, Air Force and Space Force civilian workers are no longer furloughed, but it may take time to get every employee paid and back in the office, service officials advise.
Air Force Chief OKs Daily Callsign Nametags, Friday Morale T-Shirts
Air Force Chief of Staff Kenneth S. Wilsbach is allowing Airmen to wear unit pride T-shirts on Fridays and aircrew to wear nametags with their callsigns daily. The morale-boosting gesture is one of his first official acts as Chief and comes at a time when ...
Record Government Shutdown Ends, Pentagon Employees to Return
President Donald Trump signed legislation reopening the federal government late Nov. 12, ending the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The move sets the stage for tens of thousands of defense civilians to return to work and guarantees troops will be paid in a few days’ ...
Unique Group of Airmen Face a Third Missed Paycheck Without Shutdown Resolution
Congress is making moves to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, but lawmakers have only a few days left to clear the procedural hurdles necessary to ensure troops get paid Nov. 14. The issue is particularly pressing for tens of thousands of uniformed ...
After Decades of Homeland Defense, Barnes ANG Base Bids Farewell to F-15s
U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles have roared out of Barnes Air National Guard Base, Mass., for the last time. The 104th Fighter Wing’s last three F-15Cs departed the base Oct. 23 for the “Boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., ending the aircraft's era on ...
Former ACC Command Chief Wolfe Tapped as New CMSAF
Chief Master Sgt. David R. Wolfe will be the 21st Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, the service announced Nov. 6.
Air Force Issues New Mustache, Sideburn Standards
The Air Force recently tightened its standards on mustaches and sideburns to comply with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s strict new guidance on facial hair.
‘Here’s the Story’: How an Airman Lied to Cover Up M18 Shooting
Airman 1st Class Marcus White-Allen concocted a story to cover up that he fired his M18 9mm pistol into Airman Braden Lovan’s chest, killing him on July 20, two Airmen from F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., testified during separate courts martial proceedings on Oct. ...
