At Camp Grayling in northern Michigan, more than 7,500 U.S. troops and international partners—including over 500 Taiwanese soldiers—took part in Northern Strike 2025, the Pentagon’s largest reserve component exercise, which for the first time simulated an Indo-Pacific conflict scenario amid rising tensions with China. Spanning land, air, and maritime domains across Michigan’s vast training grounds, the drills included supply drops in Lake Huron, special operations island resupply missions, live-fire air-to-ground strikes, B-2 Spirit stealth bomber landings outside their home base, and rapid runway repair using new fiber-reinforced plastic matting designed for dispersed island warfare. The exercise, which also featured Marines, National Guard units, and allies from nine nations, is now permanently oriented toward preparing for large-scale combat in Asia, reflecting Washington’s strategic pivot. Planners said the training not only strengthens combat readiness but also signals deterrence by demonstrating the U.S. military’s ability to operate jointly and flexibly against powerful adversaries like China. Click here to read more.

A US Air Force B-2 Spirit—escorted by four F-35s—performed a flyover as Russian President Vladimir Putin met President Donald Trump on the tarmac at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, for a summit focused on the four-year war in Ukraine; flight data showed two B-2s staged from Whiteman AFB, whose fleet famously executed June’s “Operation Midnight Hammer,” dropping 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrators on Iranian nuclear sites before returning to Missouri, while the Alaska event unfolded amid Northern Edge 2025 exercises and a long history of U.S.–Russian aerial gamesmanship in the region, with F-22s flanking the red carpet on the ground as talks began. Click here to read more.

Eight Indiana National Guard soldiers were at the center of Kosovo’s worst clash involving U.S. troops since 2004 when a May 29, 2023, protest in Zvecan escalated into a violent riot. Leading Italian, Hungarian, and Polish peacekeepers under NATO’s Kosovo Force, they advanced to rescue two police vehicles trapped by an aggressive Serb crowd, which responded with bottles, bricks, and 56 grenades—both flashbang and fragmentation—injuring over 90 troops. Lt. Col. Jared Sheets led the shield wall to the trapped officers while Maj. Brendan Williams coordinated triage and mass evacuation, aided by medics, non-medical personnel, and UH-60 helicopters from the Alabama National Guard. Army investigators later found the grenades had been modified for greater impact. Seven of the eight Guardsmen sustained minor injuries but continued leading throughout the fight, earning Combat Action Badges alongside combat patches for all 300 soldiers in their brigade. The officers warned that the incident showed how quickly peacekeeping missions can turn deadly and the danger of complacency in volatile regions. Click here to read more.

Paratroopers tested the Overland AI ULTRA Fully Autonomous Tactical Vehicle during the multinational Agile Spirit 25 exercise in Georgia on July 29, aiming to enhance battlefield safety by keeping soldiers out of harm’s way. The ULTRA, an all-wheel, off-road vehicle capable of carrying up to 1,000 pounds at speeds of 35 mph, ran mortar resupply missions for 60mm and 120mm units. Controlled via satellite or internet connectivity — or pre-programmed for autonomous routes — the system is designed to be affordable and expendable, costing far less than crewed combat vehicles. Overland AI sees future roles for ULTRA in breaching obstacles, reconnaissance, and medical evacuation. Army leaders say exercises like Agile Spirit help test and refine such capabilities, with soldiers reporting strong interest in wider adoption. Click here to read more.

The Coast Guard has commissioned the USCGC Storis, its first new icebreaker in more than 25 years, converting a former Royal Dutch Shell oil drilling support vessel to bolster U.S. Arctic capabilities ahead of new ship deliveries in 2030. The $125 million upgrade gives the Storis navigation, communications, and defensive enhancements, joining the Polar Star and Healy as the nation’s only icebreakers amid rising competition with Russia and China in the resource-rich Arctic. While Congress has approved $25 billion for 40 new cutters, including icebreakers, and $300 million for new port facilities, all three vessels will remain homeported in Seattle until at least next year. Click here to read more.

Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Bainbridge and USS Winston S. Churchill have been outfitted with Coyote Block 2 loitering drone interceptors, enhancing the Navy’s ability to counter uncrewed aerial threats with lower-cost, flexible defense systems. These jet-powered interceptors, capable of lingering in the air and being dynamically retasked, mark a significant shift from traditional surface-to-air missiles like the SM-2 and ESSM, which are more expensive and less adaptable. The new launchers were spotted on the destroyers assigned to the USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group, and their deployment follows lessons learned from recent Houthi drone attacks in the Red Sea. Designed to meet the growing complexity of drone warfare, the Coyotes add a crucial layer to the Navy’s multi-tiered ship defense strategy, offering cost efficiency and operational versatility. Click here to read more.

The U.S. Air Force plans to purchase two Tesla Cybertrucks to use as missile target vehicles during weapons testing and training, citing the possibility that adversaries may begin using them in future conflicts. The request, part of a broader acquisition of 33 target vehicles, is tied to testing for U.S. Special Operations Command’s precision-guided munitions, including Hellfire and Griffin missiles. The Air Force justified the Cybertruck’s inclusion due to its unique stainless steel design, impact resistance, and potential battlefield durability. While the trucks don’t need to function, they must be towable to simulate real-world scenarios. Click here to read more.

The U.S. Air Force is moving 31 F-16s and 1,000 airmen from Kunsan Air Base to Osan Air Base closer to North Korea as part of its “Super Squadron Test Part II” to consolidate combat power and improve operational efficiency. The temporary shift aims to bolster U.S. and South Korean readiness through expanded joint exercises and strategic positioning, reinforcing Osan’s defensive posture amid heightened threats. Air Force leaders say the test will assess whether a larger, centralized squadron can generate more combat power and streamline logistics. Click here to read more.

The U.S. Army has released a 112-page Spiritual Fitness Guide aimed at helping soldiers strengthen their inner resilience, find purpose, and bolster their “will to fight.” Developed by the Army Chaplain Corps as part of the broader Holistic Health and Fitness program, the guide highlights belief systems, creative expression, and emotional intelligence as key elements of spiritual readiness alongside physical and mental health. It outlines stages of spiritual development and includes exercises to help soldiers move from helplessness to empowerment. Army leaders say spiritually grounded soldiers are more prepared for both war and life. Click here to read more.

The U.S. Army’s Dark Eagle hypersonic missile system made its overseas debut during the Talisman Sabre exercise in Australia’s Northern Territory, highlighting the military’s ability to rapidly deploy cutting-edge weapons with allies. Though not fired, the system—capable of speeds over Mach 5 and ranges up to 1,700 miles—was showcased to allied troops by the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force. The joint U.S.-Australian efforts underscore a strategic shift toward long-range precision strike in response to China’s military buildup. The exercise also featured Typhon missile live fire and Australia’s HIMARS debut. Click here to read more.