Marines load an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile onto an F-35B Lightning II aircraft during training to maintain unit proficiency in the Indo-Pacific at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, May 6, 2026.

Army Spc. 5 James C. McCloughan's bravery as a Vietnam War combat medic during a three-day battle in 1969 led to him receiving the Medal of Honor nearly 50 years later. 

Airmen assigned to the U.S. Air Force Band Ceremonial Brass perform during a Freedom 250 event in Washington, May 17, 2026.

A sailor assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 5 signals the landing of an MH-60S Sea Hawk aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush in the U.S. Central Command area of operations, May 13, 2026.

Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn shoot a line during a replenishment with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Lewis, May 13, 2026. The John Finn is deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of operations to support maritime...

An F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 prepares to take off from the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli in the U.S. Central Command area of operations, May 13, 2026.

The U.S. will prioritize theaters with the greatest consequence for national interests and where only American power can play a decisive role, said Daniel Zimmerman, assistant secretary of war for

Army Sgt. Todd Kelly hand-launches a Peregrine one-way attack unmanned aerial system during Project Flytrap at Pabradė Training Area, Lithuania, May 15, 2026. Project Flytrap is part of a series of exercises that allow soldiers to integrate...

A sailor signals to an F/A-18E Super Hornet in preparation for flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush in the U.S. Central Command area of operations, May 14, 2026. The USS George H.W. Bush is deployed to support maritime...

A Run, Honor, Remember 5K participant places an American flag inside one of more than 7,500 combat boots at Fort Bragg, N.C., May 16, 2026. The annual display honors service members lost since Sept. 11, 2001. More than 2,000 soldiers, families and...

An Air Force B-52 Stratofortress leads a formation of a B-1 Lancer, A-10 Warthog, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-18 Hornet, F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning during the Hyundai Air and Sea Show in Miami, May 23, 2026. The event underscored the Air Force's...

Sailors prepare an F-35C Lightning II, assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314, to launch from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, June 1, 2026.

Air Force Col. Joshua Arki conducts preflight checks on an F-35A Lightning II aircraft during Ramstein Flag at Pirkkala Air Base, Finland, June 10, 2026. The exercise is designed to demonstrate NATO's commitment to countering modern threats in highly...

Airmen assigned to the Minnesota Air National Guard 133rd Airlift Wing concluded a historic deployment to Africa, as airmen assigned to the Air Force Reserve 815th Airlift Squadron, known as the

Marines unload inert ordnance from an F-35B Lighting II fighter jet aircraft during flight operations aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer in the South China Sea, June 13, 2026. The Marines and aircraft are assigned to the 11th Marine...

Two F-35 Lightning II fighter jet aircraft, assigned to the Air Force's 48th Fighter wing, fly in formation over Finland during Ramstein Flag 26, June 12, 2026. U.S. and NATO allied air forces conduct combined air operations in Europe during the...

A Navy F-35C Lightning II jet, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 86, launches off the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Pacific Ocean, June 16, 2026.

Nearly 400 visitors attended the National Museum of Health and Medicine's Bugapalooza to learn how insects affect health, support the environment and affect military readiness.

Soldiers assigned to the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School are exposed to stressful conditions while donning their gear during the Maritime Assessment Course at Fort Bragg, N.C., June 26, 2026. The course prepares candidates...