LOLITA C. BALDOR

US sending more warships, Marines to Gulf to counter Iran’s efforts to seize commercial ships
The U.S. is sending additional warships and thousands of Marines to the Middle East to increase security in the wake of Iranian attempts to seize commercial ships there.
 
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrives for a virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at the Pentagon in Washington, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
US approves $1.3 billion package of long-term military aid for Ukraine
The Pentagon is announcing a new $1.3 billion package of long-term military aid to Ukraine on Wednesday, including four air defense systems and an undisclosed number of drones.
 
A portrait of American soldier Travis King is displayed as his grandfather, Carl Gates, talks about his grandson Wednesday, July 19, 2023, in Kenosha, Wis. Pvt. King bolted into North Korea while on a tour of the Demilitarized Zone on Tuesday, July 18, a day after he was supposed to travel to a base in the U.S. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
North Korea stays silent on its apparent detention of a US soldier who bolted across the border
North Korea is staying silent about the detention of an American soldier who sprinted across the Koreas’ heavily fortified border as members of his tour group looked on in shock.
 
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley speaks during a news conference with Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon in Washington, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
US says Ukraine has significant combat power not yet committed to the war
The top U.S. military officer says Ukrainian forces have a “significant amount of combat power” that hasn’t yet been committed to the war. Army Gen.
 
FILE - A U.S. soldier stands outside of the Peace House, the venue for the planned summit between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during a press tour at the southern side of the Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone, South Korea on April 18, 2018. An American has crossed the heavily fortified border from South Korea into North Korea, the American-led U.N. Command overseeing the area said Tuesday, July 18, 2023, amid heightened tensions over North Korea's nuclear program. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man, File)
US soldier who fled to North Korea had served 2 months in South Korea prison on assault charge
U.S. officials say an American soldier who fled across the heavily armed border from South Korea into North Korea had served nearly two months in prison and was released.
 
FILE - In this image from video released by the U.S. Air Force, a Russian Su-35 flies near a U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone on July 5, 2023, over Syria. U.S. officials say that a Russian fighter jet flew very close to a manned U.S. surveillance aircraft over Syria Sunday, July 16, forcing it to go through the turbulent wake and putting the lives of the four-person American crew in danger.(U.S. Air Force via AP)
Russian fighter jet flies dangerously close to US warplane over Syria
U.S. officials say that a Russian fighter jet flew very close to a U.S. surveillance aircraft over Syria, forcing it to go through the turbulent wake and putting the lives of the four American crew members in danger.
 
FILE - Snow falls on the future USS Thomas Hudner, a U.S. Navy destroyer named after Korean War veteran Thomas Hudner, during christening ceremony at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine, April 1, 2017. The U.S. is sending additional fighter jets and a warship to the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman to increase security in the wake of Iranian attempts to seize commercial ships there. The Pentagon said Monday that the USS Thomas Hudner, a destroyer, and a number of F-35 fighter jets will be heading to the area. The Hudner had been in the Red Sea. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm, File)
US sending fighter jets, warship to Gulf region to protect ships from Iranian seizures
The U.S. is sending additional fighter jets and a warship to the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman to increase security in the wake of Iranian attempts to seize commercial ships there.
 
FILE - Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., listens during the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing to examine the nomination of Army Lt. Gen. Randy George to be reappointment to the grade of general and to be Chief of Staff of the Army, July 12, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Tuberville is waging an unprecedented campaign to try and change Pentagon abortion policy by holding up hundreds of military nominations and promotions, leaving key positions unfilled and raising concerns at the Pentagon about military readiness. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File)
Why a single senator is blocking US military promotions and what it means for the Pentagon
Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville is waging an unprecedented campaign to try to change Pentagon abortion policy by holding up hundreds of military nominations and promotions.
 
FILE - U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jet is on display during the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, north of Paris, France, Monday, June 19, 2023. The U.S. is beefing up its use of fighter jets around the strategic Strait of Hormuz to protect ships from Iranian seizures, a senior defense official said Friday, July 14, adding that the U.S. is increasingly concerned about the growing ties between Iran, Russia and Syria across the Middle East. (AP Photo/Lewis Joly, File)
US sending F-16 fighter jets to protect ships from Iranian seizures in Gulf region
A senior defense official says the U.S. is beefing up its use of fighter jets around the strategic Strait of Hormuz to protect ships from Iranian seizures.
 
FILE - Activists and international delegations stand next to cluster bomb units, during a visit to a Lebanese military base at the opening of the Second Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, in the southern town of Nabatiyeh, Lebanon, Sept. 12, 2011. The Biden administration has decided to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine and is expected to announce on Friday, July 6, 2023, that the Pentagon will send thousands as part of the latest military aid package for the war effort against Russia, according to people familiar with the decision. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari, File)
Pentagon says cluster munitions have arrived in Ukraine
The Pentagon says cluster munitions provided by the United States have now arrived in Ukraine. Lt. Gen.
 
FILE - Army Col. Kathryn Spletstoser speaks to members of the media following Gen. John Hyten's confirmation hearing to be vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 30, 2019. Spletstoser, a retired Army colonel, has reached a court settlement of nearly $1 million in a sexual assault lawsuit against Hyten, who served as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Spletstoser, who served as Hyten's aide in 2017, filed the lawsuit, and in the settlement reached in U.S. District Court in California on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, the federal government will pay her $975,000. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
Army colonel gets $975,000 in sex assault case against former Joint Chiefs vice chairman
A retired Army colonel has reached a court settlement of nearly $1 million in a sexual assault lawsuit against Air Force Gen. John Hyten, who served as vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
 
Army Lt. Gen. Randy George testifies during the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing to examine his nomination to be reappointment to the grade of general and to be Chief of Staff of the Army, Wednesday, July 12, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
Army chief nominee would boost recruiting, but Tuberville blockade leaves his confirmation uncertain
The Army officer tapped to be the service’s next chief of staff is outlining his plan to fix what he described as the service’s top challenge — rebuilding recruiting — as it becomes clear the Army will again fall short of its enlistment goal. Gen.
 
Cuba calls the presence of US nuclear-powered submarine at Guantanamo Bay naval base a provocation
Cuba’s government has called the presence of a U.S. nuclear-powered submarine at the Guantanamo Bay naval base for several days last week a “provocative escalation,” in what a U.S. official said was a logistics stop by the vessel at a U.S. base on its way to maritime exercises.
 
Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, testifies during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing to consider his nomination to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Tuesday, July 11, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
Joint Chiefs nominee wins over lawmakers but faces uncertain fate because of senator’s hold
President Joe Biden’s pick to serve as America’s top military officer is warning senators of the difficulties posed by any potential conflict in Asia and describing how he would use lessons learned from the Ukraine war to help the U.S. military prepare.
 
This 2015 photo provided by Chris Connell shows Fred S. Hoffman in Alexandria, Va. Hoffman, a longtime Associated Press reporter who covered the Defense Department for more than two decades and was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for an investigation into the black market in Vietnam has died. Hoffman was 100. (Chris Connell via AP)
Longtime AP Pentagon reporter Fred Hoffman, who was lauded for his Vietnam coverage, dies at 100
Fred S. Hoffman, a longtime Associated Press reporter who covered the Defense Department for more than two decades and was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for an investigation into the black market in Vietnam has died. Hoffman was 100.
 
Acting Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Eric Smith speaks during a relinquishment of office ceremony for U.S. Marine Corps Gen. David Berger on Monday, July 10, 2023, at the Marine Barracks in Washington. Smith has been nominated to be the next leader, but will serve in an acting capacity because he hasn't been confirmed by the Senate. Berger's term as Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps expired Monday. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Republican’s hold on nominations leaves Marines without confirmed leader for 1st time in 100 years
The U.S. Marine Corps is without a confirmed leader for the first time in a century as Gen. David Berger stepped down as commandant and a Republican senator is blocking confirmation of his successor.
 
In this image from video released by the U.S. Air Force, a Russian SU-35 flies near a U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, over Syria. The U.S. Air Force says Russian fighter jets flew dangerously close to several U.S. drone aircraft over Syria, setting off flares and forcing the MQ-9 Reapers to take evasive maneuvers. (U.S. Air Force via AP)
US drone strike kills an Islamic State group leader in Syria, the Defense Department says
The Defense Department says a U.S. drone strike has killed an Islamic State group leader in Syria. The military says the strike on Friday came hours after the same MQ-9 Reaper drones were harassed by Russian military jets over the western part of Syria.
 
FILE - Activists and international delegations stand next to cluster bomb units, during a visit to a Lebanese military base at the opening of the Second Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, in the southern town of Nabatiyeh, Lebanon, Sept. 12, 2011. The Biden administration has decided to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine and is expected to announce on Friday, July 6, 2023, that the Pentagon will send thousands as part of the latest military aid package for the war effort against Russia, according to people familiar with the decision. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari, File)
The US will provide cluster bombs to Ukraine and defends the delivery of the controversial weapon
President Joe Biden has decided to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine for the war against Russia, even though the United Nations urges the warring countries to avoid using them. The decision was announced Friday.
 
Pentagon spokesman U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder speaks during a media briefing at the Pentagon, Thursday, July 6, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Why the US is willing to send Ukraine cluster munitions now
The Biden administration has agreed to provide controversial cluster munitions to Ukraine that it says could help its forces penetrate Russia’s defensive lines, but that many nations have pledged not to use again due to risks to civilians.
 
FILE - Activists and international delegations stand next to cluster bomb units, during a visit to a Lebanese military base at the opening of the Second Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, in the southern town of Nabatiyeh, Lebanon, Sept. 12, 2011. The Biden administration has decided to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine and is expected to announce on Friday, July 6, 2023, that the Pentagon will send thousands as part of the latest military aid package for the war effort against Russia, according to people familiar with the decision. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari, File)
The US will provide cluster munitions to Ukraine as part of a new military aid package: AP sources
The Biden administration has decided to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine and is expected to announce on Friday that the Pentagon will send thousands as part of a new military aid package worth up to $800 million for the war effort against Russia.
 
In this image from video released by the U.S. Air Force, Russian military SU-34 and SU-35 aircraft release flares in the flight path of a U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone, lower left, on Thursday, July 6, 2023, over Syria. (U.S. Air Force via AP)
Russian jets harass US drone aircraft over Syria for the 2nd time in 24 hours
The U.S. Air Force says Russian fighter jets flew dangerously close to U.S. drone aircraft over Syria again Thursday, setting off flares and forcing the MQ-9 Reapers to take evasive maneuvers.
 
FILE - This artist depiction shows Massachusetts Air National Guardsman Jack Teixeira, right, appearing in U.S. District Court in Boston, April 14, 2023. The Pentagon on Wednesday announced plans to tighten protection for classified information following the explosive leaks of hundreds of intelligence documents that were accessed through security gaps at a Massachusetts Air National Guard base. Texeira, 21, is accused of leaking the highly classified military documents in a chatroom on Discord, a social media platform that started as a hangout for gamers. (Margaret Small via AP, File)
After secret documents leak, Pentagon plans tighter controls to protect classified information
The Pentagon is announcing its plans for tightening protections of classified information following the explosive leaks of hundreds of intelligence documents that were accessed through security gaps at a Massachusetts Air National Guard base.
 
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley holds a press briefing with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon on Thursday, May 25, 2023 in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
The US is considering providing cluster munitions to Ukraine, says America’s top military officer
The top American military officer says the U.S. is considering providing cluster munitions to Ukraine.
 
FILE - U.S.-supplied M777 howitzer shells lie on the ground to fire at Russian positions in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region June 18, 2022. U.S. officials say the Pentagon will announce it is sending up to $500 million in military aid to Ukraine, including more than 50 heavily armored vehicles and an infusion of missiles for air defense systems. The aid comes as Ukrainian and Western leaders try to sort out the impact of the brief weekend revolt against the Russian military. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File)
US sending $500 million in weapons, military aid to Ukraine
The Biden administration is sending up to $500 million in military aid to Ukraine, including more than 50 heavily armored vehicles and an infusion of missiles for air defense systems.
 
FILE - This undated image provided by OceanGate Expeditions in June 2021 shows the company's Titan submersible. Rescuers are racing against time to find the missing submersible carrying five people, who were reported overdue Sunday night. (OceanGate Expeditions via AP, File)
The Titan submersible imploded, killing all 5 on board, the US Coast Guard says
The U.S. Coast Guard says a missing submersible imploded near the wreckage of the Titanic, killing all five people on board.
 
FILE - U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jets fly over the Osan U.S. Air Base during a combined air force exercise with the United States and South Korea in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Dec. 4, 2017. The U.S. has once again buckled under pressure from European allies and Ukraine's leaders and agreed to provide more sophisticated weapons to the war effort. This time it's all about F-16 fighter jets. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon, File)
Biden’s shift on F-16s for Ukraine came after months of internal debate
President Joe Biden’s decision to allow allies to train Ukrainian forces on how to operate F-16 fighter jets — and eventually to provide the aircraft themselves — seemed like an abrupt change in position but was in fact one that came after months of internal debate and quiet talks with allies.
 
Biden says US sending medium-range rocket systems to Ukraine
 
Air Force says nearly 8,500 miss deadline for COVID-19 shots
The Air Force says nearly 8,500 active duty members of the Air Force and Space Force have missed the deadline for getting COVID-19 vaccinations, including 800 who flatly refused and nearly 5,000 with pending requests for a religious exemption.
 
More than 1,000 Guard troops now leaving DC; others stay on
More than 1,000 National Guard members will be leaving Washington, D.C. over the weekend, but several thousand others will stay on for days or weeks, in the ongoing mission to provide security for the U.S.
 
Deputy defense chief to be temporary acting DOD secretary
U.S. officials say Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist has been asked to serve as the acting secretary of defense for President-elect Joe Biden until a permanent Pentagon chief can be confirmed by the Senate.
 
Load More