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 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, ...
Inside the Air Force Plan to Start Its Own Experimental One-Way Attack Drone Unit
The Air Force will stand up a new unit next year to shape how the service fights with one-way attack drones.
Airmen Won’t Be Booted from Courses for Failed Fitness Tests During Shift to New PT
Airmen won’t be sent home from enlisted professional military education schools next year for failing the course’s mandatory fitness assessment.
Air Force Cuts Inspections for Airmen to One a Year: ‘Heard Your Feedback’
Air Force senior leaders are dialing back a forcewide requirement for commanders to hold quarterly “standards and readiness reviews” of their Airmen to once per year.
Air Force: Medical Shaving Profiles Issued Before March Will Soon Be Invalid
The Department of the Air Force is limiting medical shaving profiles to a maximum of six months, down from the previous limit of five years, and will soon require Airmen and Guardians with profiles issued in the last 10 months to be reevaluated as part ...
WV Air Guardsman Wounded in DC Attack Making ‘Extraordinary Progress’
Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, who was wounded in an attack while serving in Washington, D.C., is making “extraordinary progress,” while being treated at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, the West Virginia National Guard recently announced.
New B-52 Radar Makes First Flight
A B-52 equipped with the new Stratofortress radar flew Dec. 8, a key first step in modernizing the Cold War bomber.
NORTHCOM Boss: No Plans for Military Training Grounds in US Cities
Air Force Gen. Gregory M. Guillot, head of U.S. Northern Command, told lawmakers that NORTHCOM has no plans to use U.S. cities as “training grounds” as President Donald Trump recently suggested to a room full of his top military leaders.
Pentagon Orders Thousands of Laser-Guided Rockets for $322 Million
BAE Systems has received a contract worth $1.7 billion to produce laser-guidance kits for the 2.75-inch rockets the Air Force relies on for a wide range of combat missions.
New CMSAF Pledges High Standards, Better Resources for Airmen
Upon assuming his post, new Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David Wolfe said he will prioritize high standards and pledged to ensure Airmen of all specialties get the equipment they need to project U.S. airpower.
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.
