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
F-16 Pilot Becomes First Air Guardsman to Win Prestigious Shine Award
Air Force F-16 pilot Lt. Col. Eric R. Emerson, who commanded a small quick reaction force of fighters responding to Iranian-backed militia groups in 2024, became the first Air National Guardsman presented with the Anthony C. Shine Award on Feb. 10.
Airmen, Soldier Shot in DC Attack to Receive the Purple Heart
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, one of two National Guard members shot in a Washington, D.C., attack, will soon be awarded the Purple Heart.
Air Force’s Anticipated William Tell Weapons Meet Postponed
A few weeks after the Air Force announced its prestigious William Tell Air-to-Air Weapons Meet would return in March, the service has decided to postpone the event to later this year, according to Air Combat Command.
Raytheon to Radically Boost Production of Air Force’s Main Dogfighting Missile
Raytheon, a division of defense giant RTX, recently announced a multiyear deal with the Pentagon to increase annual production of the Air Force’s primary dogfighting missile by more than 50 percent from two years ago.
USAF to Security Forces Airmen: Sharpen Up Your Greetings
Senior Air Force leaders have a message for security forces Airmen: Set a better example. “To security forces: you are expected to set the example by upholding standards and enforcing rules with integrity," states a Jan. 30 memo from Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. ...
Air Force Grapples with Challenges to Aircraft Readiness: Parts and Maintainers
If the Air Force is in line for a big budget bump from President Donald Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget in 2027, the head of Air Combat Command said he would make aircraft spare parts his top spending priority—but cautioned that more money to ...
Midnight Hammer Lessons: USAF Needs More Tankers, Munitions
Air Force leaders hail recent strike missions like Midnight Hammer as a shining example of operational readiness, but that success also highlights the challenges ahead should USAF need to mount an extended long-range strike campaign.
Air Force Orders No-Notice Readiness Inspections to Hold Commanders to Account
Air Force senior leaders may have recently cut back on the number of required annual inspections, but they are now requiring units to undergo separate, surprise readiness inspections that will hold commanders accountable for their outfit’s combat readiness, acting Air Force Vice Chief of Staff ...
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.
