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
Experts See Urgent Need to Defend Bases from Drone Attack. Here’s What USAF Is Doing
The Air Force is racing to create a “Point Defense” force of Airmen, specially trained and equipped to protect air bases from unmanned attack more effectively than ever before. But in a new report, an expert says even more is needed to defeat the large-scale ...
CMSAF Challenges Airmen with New Workouts: ‘Let’s See What You’ve Got!’
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David R. Wolfe is challenging Airmen with new weekly workouts that are likely to hurt way more than the service’s new fitness test.
Air Force: Waist-to-Height Ratio Required by July 31 Will Not Be Scored
Active-Duty Airmen only have a few days left to submit an official waist-to-height ratio into the Air Force’s new online application. But the service clarified July 23 that this first body composition measurement is not meant to be scored as part of the new Physical ...
Air Force Wants New Ground-Based Launcher for Air Base Defense
The Air Force is searching for a new “ground-based launcher” as it ramps up its air base defense capabilities to counter enemy attacks from the sky.
An Early Look at the Air Force’s New Counter-Drone Units
The Air Force has stood up the first rapidly deployable units of Airmen designed to protect air bases in the Pacific or other potential hotspots from aerial attack.
Space Force Offering $25K Bonus for 8-Year Enlistments, but Slots Are Limited
Future Guardians willing to serve eight years for their first Active-Duty enlistment are now eligible for a $25,000 bonus—but the deal won’t last long, according to a recent Space Force announcement.
In First, TRANSCOM Operationalized AI Agents to Support Epic Fury
In an operational first, U.S. Transportation Command planners turned to artificial intelligence agents for help when Spain denied Air Force tankers access to its bases to support strikes on Iran.
AMC Gains Momentum in Push to Equip Tankers with Better Connectivity
The Air Force has started upgrading some of its KC-46 refuelers with new beyond-line-of-sight connectivity to help them have greater battlefield awareness, the latest step in a long-term plan to equip tanker and airlift fleets with tools that have long been reserved for fighter and ...
Wilsbach: Active Airmen Must Have Body Composition Scores by July 31
Active-Duty Airmen must ensure they have a waist-to-height ratio assessment in their official record within the next two weeks, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said in a July 13 letter to the force focused on physical fitness and appearance standards.
Air Force Discovers Scoring Error, Revises E-6 Promotion List
Scoring errors revealed in a review of recent Air Force promotions means that 135 security forces staff sergeants are getting belated good news about promotions—while 135 others are discovering they will not be promoted as previously told.
ACC Battle Lab Wants More Counter-Drone Options
The Air Force Point Defense Battle Lab is searching for more defense firms to demonstrate counter-drone capabilities at upcoming exercises designed to test base defenses against unmanned aerial attack.
Air Force Taps Industry to Study Active Defenses for Tanker Fleet
The Air Force is quietly wrapping up a round of market research on arming its tanker fleet with weapons capable of shooting down incoming enemy threats. The service awarded contracts to four firms beginning in February to study options for equipping refuelers such as the ...
Air Force Creating New Job Specialty in Base Air Defense
The Air Force is developing a new enlisted job specialty to defend bases against missile and drone attacks. Alarming damage to air bases across the Middle East during Operation Epic Fury focused leaders’ attention on the requirement.
‘When in Doubt, Salute’: New Rules for Greeting Chaplains Without Rank Insignia
The Department of the Air Force has released new guidance for the policy that directs chaplains to remove rank insignia from their uniforms, an update that directs Airmen and Guardians to treat chaplains as they always have—as commissioned officers.
Where Things Stand with the Pentagon’s $350 Billion Reconciliation Request
With key members of Congress wavering on the possibility of a $350 billion defense reconciliation bill, defense experts told Air & Space Forces Magazine that the Pentagon is likely drawing up budget backup plans—but such plans would face hard choices between high-end weapons and low-cost ...