Colorado, Alabama congressional delegations continue debate over Space Command HQ

An intense persuasion campaign is heating up across more than 1,200 miles, from Colorado Springs to Alabama, as both states’ congressional delegations battle over landing the permanent headquarters of the U.S. Space Command.

Risky training ops for elite troops need to be studied more to help avoid deaths, injuries, GAO finds

Between 2012 and 2022, the GAO found more than 3,600 noncombat accidents involving special operators, with an average of 258 reported training accidents per year with at least minor injuries or more than $20,000 of military equipment damage.

Rebuild of historic Tun Tavern, birthplace of Marine Corps, ceremonially breaks ground in Philadelphia

Philadelphia has hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking for “The Tun” as part of a project to re-create the historic tavern known to every Marine as the service’s birthplace.

Navy, Marine Corps Ospreys make precautionary landings at Japanese airport

A Navy Osprey made a precautionary landing Thursday at a commercial airport on an island north of Okinawa, a week after a Marine Corps tiltrotor made a similar landing there.

After a decade away, USS George Washington returns to Japan in homeport shift

Hundreds of sailors stood in dress blues as the aircraft carrier USS George Washington pulled into Tokyo Bay on Friday morning for the first time in nearly a decade.

Coast Guard will hire civilian icebreaker while waiting for its own to be built

The U.S. Coast Guard plans to hire a commercial icebreaker to serve in the Arctic while waiting for the next generation of its cutters to be built in the next several years, service officials told lawmakers.

Military Sealift Command rolls out initiative to fill needed jobs at sea as it sidelines 17 ships

The command’s efforts to attract and retain workers in the next two years will focus on keeping consistent work and time-off schedules to ensure mariners have a work-life balance. The command is also seeking reforms to pay caps to offer higher wages that will attract more mariners.

Space Force announces promotions to chief master sergeant and senior master sergeant

The Space Force on Thursday announced promotions for chief master sergeant and senior master sergeant.

Home invasion thefts in Vicenza spark calls for US military personnel to take precautions

Recent break-ins at the off-post homes of U.S. military personnel stationed at area Army bases are shining a spotlight on property crime just ahead of the winter holidays.

Finland serves as field showcase for US Army’s upgraded rocket system

The U.S. Army’s 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment is no stranger to the High North, but this time its soldiers brought an attention-getting newcomer with them.

Pacific Air Forces commander helps deliver modern training aircraft to Vietnam

Vietnam this week received the first of 12 military training aircraft scheduled for delivery through a U.S. program to strengthen partner nation militaries facing China.

Marine killed in Okinawa motorcycle crash was a motor vehicle operator from Texas

Lance Cpl. Avery Wayne Leverette, 21, of the III Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion at Camp Hansen, died in the five-vehicle crash, III MEF spokesman Capt. Pawel Puczko announced in a news release Thursday. 

‘Fat Leonard’ to appeal sentence, while retired Navy captain will seek reduced charge

Leonard Glenn Francis, the Malaysian contractor known as “Fat Leonard” at the center of the U.S. Navy’s worst-ever bribery and corruption scandal, will appeal the 15-year prison sentence imposed earlier this month. In a related case, a retired Navy captain who pleaded guilty to taking bribes from Francis and recently spent two years in prison filed a motion indicating he will seek to have his felony conviction reduced to a misdemeanor.

Fort Liberty soldier charged in 2022 killing that police say he committed before enlisting in Army

An 82nd Airborne Division soldier was arrested and charged at Fort Liberty, N.C., for a killing that he is accused of committing in Indiana two years ago before he joined the Army, military and state law enforcement officials said.

Fort Cavazos soldier gets 6 months in prison, discharge for arson in the barracks, owning child sex materials

A Fort Cavazos soldier was sentenced Wednesday to six months confinement and a discharge after pleading guilty to possession of child sex materials and setting fire to a trash can in the barracks during a night of heavy drinking.

Air Force base reports lasers aimed at aircraft above Okinawa

Japanese police are investigating reports from the 18th Wing that laser pointers were aimed at two of its aircraft in the air on Tuesday.

Marine motorcyclist killed, another injured in 5-vehicle collision on Okinawa

One Marine motorcyclist died and another was injured Tuesday in a multivehicle crash in northern Okinawa, according to Japanese police and the Marine Corps.

JBLM soldier drowned in heavy surf during Hawaii vacation

Sgt. Joelle Pamplona, a 29-year-old physical therapist, was on a private trip to Hawaii. Pamplona and two unidentified friends went snorkeling in an area with signs that warned visitors not to go into the ocean.

Aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson deploys for Pacific tour

The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson has departed from San Diego without fanfare for a scheduled deployment to the Indo-Pacific region.