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
Air Force Leaders: More Parts Key to Bringing Up C-5’s Low Readiness Rate
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach told lawmakers Apr. 30 that the service’s biggest airlifter, the C-5 Galaxy, has a 37 percent mission capable rate—one of several challenges facing the mobility fleet.
How the 2027 Budget Will Change the Air Force Tanker Fleet
The Air Force is planning to retire more tankers than it buys in its fiscal 2027 budget, but an increase in deliveries of new KC-46s next year will cover the gap to ensure the service satisfies a congressional mandate to build up the overall refueling ...
We’ll Bring You Home: USAF’s Unwritten Contract with Every Combat Pilot
When Airmen eject, the mission is clear: America leaves no warrior behind. Airmen are trained to survive, evade, resist, and escape the enemy, and everyone from ground crew to rescue personnel and commanders are committed to doing everything necessary—and possible—to bring downed Airmen home.
Space Force Selects Reservists to Become New Part-Time Guardians
Nearly 250 Air Force Reservists with space-related skills have been selected to be the Space Force’s first part-time Guardians, according to an April 22 announcement.
Air Base Defense Would Get $1.4 Billion in ’27 USAF Budget
The Air Force wants to funnel $1.4 billion into air base defense with new weapon systems designed to protect homeland installations and forward-deployed airfields against drones and missile threats, Air Force budget officials said April 21.
Air Force Seeks $3.2 Billion Plus-Up to Improve Aircraft Readiness
The Air Force is asking Congress for an additional $3.2 billion for spares as part of a larger push to increase aircraft readiness, Vice Chief Gen. John D. Lamontagne told Congress on April 15.
PHOTOS: Air Force Shows B-21 Refueling Tests with KC-135
The Air Force released new photos of the B-21 Raider conducting aerial refueling tests with a KC-135 Stratotanker—confirming a key milestone in the new long-range strike bomber’s development and offering a rare glimpse of the secretive aircraft’s features.
Air Force Invites AI Firms to Build up to 12 Data Centers on Three Alaska Bases
The Department of the Air Force is inviting artificial intelligence companies to submit proposals to build potentially a dozen data centers on 4,700 acres located on Air Force and Space Force installations in Alaska.
Air Force Offering Bonuses up to $600K for Aviators to Stay in Service
Some Air Force aviators may be able to earn up to $600,000 if they extend their service through the fiscal 2026 Aviation Bonus program. But they have just a few weeks to apply before the May 31 deadline, according to an April 8 announcement.
Air Force Tanker, Airlift Fleet Could Get a ‘Moving Map App’ to Boost Battlespace Awareness
In an effort to improve connectivity aboard Air Force tanker and mobility aircraft, the Pentagon’s commercial technology innovation unit wants a system to install new applications on aircraft, such as a moving map display that helps aircrew see through the fog of war.
Department of Air Force Cuts Transition Window for Civilian Job Training
The Department of the Air Force has cut the number of days all ranks of Airmen and Guardians can gain civilian work experience through the SkillBridge program during their last six months of service.
Pentagon Requests 38 F-35s for the Air Force in 2027 Budget
The Pentagon is requesting funds to buy 85 F-35s in its 2027 budget, 38 of them for the Air Force, a number that analysts say is not enough to reverse service’s fighter shortfall.
What Options Does the Air Force Have for E-3 Taken Out by Iran?
When an E-3 Sentry battle management aircraft was damaged in an Iranian attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, it sparked a host of questions about one of the Air Force’s oldest, smallest, but most critical fleets. Experts say the service doesn’t have many ...
Missile Cancer Study Finds Increased Rate of Two Cancers Based on More Data
Air Force Global Strike Command has found increased rates of testicular cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma in the nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile community compared to other service career specialties, service officials said March 27.
WORLD: Air Warfare Symposium 2026: Readiness Informed Metrics
When Air Combat Command began developing a simplified aircraft readiness metric two years ago, the aim was to turn voluminous data points into a single number that could enable commands at every echelon to know exactly how many planes they could get off the ground ...