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 B-1 Bombers, F-15 Fighters Tapped for Super Bowl Flyover
U.S. Air Force B-1 Lancer bombers and F-15C Strike Eagle fighters will join Navy combat aircraft in a flyover of Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8 to help commemorate America’s 250 birthday celebration.
New Defense Strategy Prioritizes Western Hemisphere. Where Does that Leave the Pacific?
The Pentagon released its new National Defense Strategy late Jan. 23, emphasizing a new commitment to the Western Hemisphere. But while that focus garnered most of the headlines, the strategy’s subtle shifts on China raise questions about how the Trump administration aims to leverage U.S. ...
Air Force Bringing Back William Tell Weapons Meet in March
Air Combat Command will hold its distinguished William Tell Air-to-Air Weapons competition in March after it was postponed last year.
Coming Soon to Air Force Basic Training: Mock Airfields Complete with F-16, C-130s
Second Air Force officials plan to inject more realism in Basic Military Training this year by building two mock airfields where Airmen will get hands-on training with real combat aircraft.
NORAD Exercises, Space Force Missions: What US Military Does in Greenland
U.S. and Canadian military aircraft are on their way to Greenland for a “long-planned” North American Aerospace Defense Command exercise as the future of the Arctic territory’s sovereignty remains in the spotlight.
DOD Task Force Moves Closer to Launching a Counter-Drone Shopping Site
The Pentagon’s Joint Interagency Task Force 401 took a step toward making an Amazon-like online marketplace for counter-drone tech a reality this week with its first acquisition under the Replicator 2 effort.
Space Force Sets Mandatory Wear Date for PT Uniform, Service Dress Remains Optional
The Space Force put Guardians on notice to purchase the service’s new physical training gear uniform by the end of January, but it isn’t ready to set a mandatory wear date for its new service dress uniform.
Pentagon Sets New Body Composition Standards Matching Existing Air Force Policy
Airmen and Guardians preparing to take updated physical fitness assessments this year won’t be surprised by the Pentagon’s updated body composition standards that all service members will have to meet; the Air Force worked up similar standards three years ago.
Air Force Clamps Down on Airmen Walking with Phones
The Air Force is clamping down on digital multitasking while on duty, ending a previous policy that allowed Airmen to use phones and other digital devices while walking in uniform.
New Legislation Aims to Protect Guard, Reserve Benefits by Simplifying Duty Statuses
Lawmakers in Congress have introduced new legislation aimed at fixing a complex system that has many times prevented Airmen serving on Air National Guard and Reserve duty status from getting the same benefits as their Active-duty counterparts.
B-2 Units That Flew Midnight Hammer Win Awards from Air Force Historical Foundation
The Air Force Historical Foundation has recognized two Air Force B-2 Spirit bomber wings among the winners of its 2025-2026 prestigious annual awards, selecting both for their part in Operation Midnight Hammer, the daring raid on Iran’s fortified nuclear weapons sites.
Air Force Drops Mandatory 2-Mile Run on New PT Test, Moves Start Date Up to July
Airman will start being officially scored on the new physical fitness assessment in July rather than September and will have an alternative to a two-mile run to prove their cardio fitness, the Air Force announced Jan. 6.
Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Promotions Soar to Decade-High
The Air Force is promoting 640 senior master sergeants to chief master sergeant this year, about a 27 percent increase over last cycle’s numbers. The Space Force is also increasing its senior master sergeant promotions by 48 percent.
Procedural Failures, Poor Supervision Led to F-22 Maintainer Death: Report
An Air Force maintenance team in Alaska failed to follow “prescribed procedures” while working on an F-22 weapons bay, leading to a mishap March 25, 2024 that killed Staff Sgt. Charles A. Crumlett, according to a recent accident investigation report.
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, ...
