U.S. Marine Corps

150 people from 50 countries became U.S. citizens at a naturalization ceremony at Mount Vernon on July 4, 2026, marking America’s 250th birthday. The event included a U.S. Marine sergeant from Guinea and participants who underwent the citizenship process, including tests, interviews, and green cards.

The Pentagon's weapons testing office, DOT&E, faced workforce cuts reducing civilian staff from 126 to 30, leading to increased workloads and concerns about untested weapons reaching troops. A Congressional watchdog report highlights risks of malfunctions and gaps in oversight, particularly in areas like electronic warfare.

Reagan National Airport will close for rehearsals and celebrations on Friday and Saturday as part of the America 250 events, featuring military flyovers, parachute teams, and demonstrations by the Air Force Thunderbirds, Blue Angels, and other aircraft. The schedule includes multiple low-flying military formations, FAA-mandated airport shutdowns, and appearances by Air Force One and B-2 stealth bombers.

The U.S. Marine Corps rapidly developed a first-person view (FPV) drone training program from scratch, led by a team at Weapons Training Battalion in Quantico. Key personnel included Col. Scott Cuomo, CWO5 Steve Pearsoll, and others, though Cuomo has since moved to a new assignment. The program now serves as a corps-wide system for FPV drone training.

Lance Cpl. Armando Ortiz Canseco, a 21-year-old Marine from Minnesota, went missing during a training exercise off the coast of Southern California. Extensive search efforts by the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force were conducted, but he was declared dead.

The US Marine Corps awarded a $20 million production contract to Overland AI for autonomous ground vehicles to transport air defense systems. The contract marks the first of its kind for ground autonomy providers in the U.S. military, with vehicles expected to support resupply, ISR, and potential integration into the Marine Air Defense Integrated System.

A U.S. Marine aboard the USS Anchorage went missing during a training exercise off Southern California, prompting a multi-agency search that shifted to a recovery operation. The Navy confirmed the search involved three ships and 12 aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force, covering 2,400 square miles over 43 hours.

President Donald Trump announced the nomination of a former Oklahoma state trooper and U.S. Marine to lead the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The individual will serve as the director of ICE, an immigration enforcement agency.

President Donald Trump announced the nomination of a former Oklahoma state trooper and former U.S. Marine to lead the nation’s immigration enforcement agency. The individual will serve as the director of ICE.

President Donald Trump announced the nomination of Lance Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper and U.S. Marine, as the next director of Immigration and Customs and Enforcement. The nomination follows the resignation of former ICE director Todd Lyons, with David Venturella currently serving as acting head. Schroyer's appointment aligns with Trump's immigration enforcement priorities.

The U.S. Southern Command is deploying military resources, including C-17 aircraft and Miami-Dade urban search and rescue teams, to Venezuela for earthquake relief. The mission, requested by the Venezuelan government and led by the U.S. State Department, focuses on restoring air traffic and conducting search-and-rescue operations in affected areas.

A Southern California man was found guilty of federal drug trafficking and firearm crimes for supplying fentanyl-laced oxycodone pills that caused the death of an active-duty U.S. Marine Corps lance corporal. The Department of Justice announced the verdict, citing evidence presented during the trial.

A top Marine general warns that the US Marine Corps' air-defense modernization efforts are insufficient to address rapidly evolving drone and missile threats. The Corps is prioritizing interoperable, upgradable systems but faces challenges in accelerating deployment to match the pace of emerging threats.

U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning IIs conducted flight operations from a highway in Tervo, Finland, as part of NATO-led Exercise Ramstein Flag 2026. The exercise involved 19 nations and tested combat adaptability in the Arctic, with air operations coordinated from Norway's Combined Air Operations Center.

President Trump presented the Medal of Honor to retired U.S. Marine Corps Major James Capers Jr. during a White House ceremony on June 18. The president assisted Capers as he stood before awarding him the nation’s highest military honor.

President Donald Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to three U.S. military members for acts of gallantry in combat. Recipients included Major James Capers Jr. (U.S. Marine Corps) for actions in Vietnam, Colonel John W. Ripley (posthumous) for actions in Vietnam, and Major Nicholas Dockery (U.S. Army) for actions in Afghanistan.

Dave Berke, a US Marine Corps fighter pilot and Top Gun instructor, discusses the realities of carrier-based aviation and combat operations. He served as an F-35B instructor and flew missions in Iraq, and now teaches leadership at Echelon Front. US aircraft carriers conducted combat missions in Venezuela, Iran, and Yemen in 2026.

A new report reveals only 25% of US F-35 fighters were fully mission-capable last year due to maintenance and spare parts issues, with readiness rates declining from 67% to 44% between 2021 and 2025. The Pentagon's $13.7 billion readiness plan faces risks like contractor reliance and cost gaps, as the F-35 program's total costs now exceed $2 trillion.

The US military is establishing a permanent war-ready weapons stockpile for its Marine Corps in southeastern Australia, beyond the range of most Chinese missiles, to counter China's military expansion. The $30 million project, set to reach full capacity by 2028, will store equipment in Melbourne before relocating to a base in Bandiana, Victoria, with operations coordinated with Australia's Department of Defence.

The U.S. and Iranian militaries exchanged strikes for the second consecutive day in the Middle East, escalating hostilities and derailing negotiations. U.S. Central Command (Centcom) targeted Iranian military surveillance, communication systems, and air defense sites using Marine Corps, Air Force, and Navy assets.

A Marine veteran was convicted by a jury of threatening to kill the president-elect through documents filed at federal courthouses, which detailed methods to assassinate either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump. His defense argued the filings were symbolic and not intended to be taken seriously, but prosecutors emphasized the criminal nature of the threats themselves.

The U.S. Marine Corps retired the AV-8B Harrier II, a vertically takeoff and landing fighter jet, during a ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina. Over 5,000 people attended the event to witness the last U.S. unit flight of the aircraft.

The article outlines developments in a cyber force, discusses the shipbuilding industry, and mentions the U.S. Marine Corps' request for the JLTV program. Key defense business topics include cyber strategy, naval manufacturing, and military vehicle procurement.

David Greene, a U.S. Marine who survived the 1945 Battle of Iwo Jima, died at age 101. He was recognized for his survival after an artillery shell blast buried him on Iwo Jima and for his later advocacy for peace with Japan. A memorial event with military honors will be held in Waterloo to celebrate his life.

David Greene, a U.S. Marine who survived the deadly 1945 Battle of Iwo Jima, died at age 101. His survival of a shell blast on Iwo Jima and subsequent peace advocacy with former Japanese foes are highlighted, with a memorial event planned in Waterloo, Iowa.

Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner refused to apologize for a deleted Reddit post mocking Purple Heart recipient Pfc. Ted Daniels, claiming he 'didn’t deserve to live.' Platner, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, faced backlash from veterans including Rob O’Neill, a Navy SEAL who killed Osama bin Laden, who called the remarks 'completely barbaric.'

Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner refused to apologize for a deleted Reddit post mocking wounded soldier Pfc. Ted Daniels, a Purple Heart recipient, and faced criticism from veterans including Rob O’Neill, who killed Osama bin Laden. Platner, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, defended his remarks by citing his military experience but did not regret the offensive comments.

Disneyland hosted over 100 sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen during Los Angeles Fleet Week, an annual event held ahead of Memorial Day weekend. The gathering coincided with the 250th anniversaries of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, featuring ship tours, demonstrations, and community outreach.

The U.S. Marine Corps successfully tested using a UH-1Y Venom helicopter as a mobile command center for controlling FPV drones during a Southern California exercise. The test demonstrated the feasibility of deploying and remotely operating low-cost Neros Archer drones from a moving aircraft, extending their operational reach. This integration supports the Corps' modernization efforts as low-cost drones become increasingly important in modern warfare.

Combat veteran Ted Daniels, a Purple Heart recipient who survived Taliban attacks, criticized Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner for a deleted 2019 Reddit post in which Platner said Daniels should not have survived. Platner's resurfaced online comments, including vulgar posts and criticism of other military members, have drawn backlash from veterans and lawmakers across the political spectrum.

Combat veteran Ted Daniels, a Purple Heart recipient who survived a Taliban attack, condemned Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner for a deleted 2019 Reddit post stating Daniels should not have survived. Daniels called Platner a coward for making hateful online comments that he would not say in person, while Platner faces mounting backlash over his controversial past social media posts.

The U.S. and Iran traded attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, with the Trump administration maintaining that a ceasefire remains in place. The situation has escalated tensions between the two nations. The incident is being closely monitored by international observers.

A 25-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Ivy Unruh, was allegedly shot and killed by her estranged husband, Joshua Orlando, outside her Wichita, Kansas, apartment on April 17. Orlando, 29, faces charges of premeditated first-degree murder in connection with the domestic violence-related homicide. Unruh, who served from 2020 to 2024 and worked at PBS Kansas, had filed for divorce in August 2025.

A 25-year-old U.S. Marine and PBS employee was allegedly shot and killed outside her home by her estranged husband. The incident underscores domestic violence concerns within military and media communities.

An Australian judge rejected Daniel Duggan's appeal to avoid extradition to the U.S. over allegations of illegally training Chinese military aviators over a decade ago. Duggan, a former U.S. Marine pilot, faces charges related to unauthorized training activities with the Chinese military.

An Australian judge rejected former U.S. Marine pilot Daniel Duggan's appeal to avoid extradition to the U.S. over allegations he illegally trained Chinese military aviators over a decade ago. The decision upholds U.S. legal proceedings against Duggan.

The FBI and U.S. Marine Corps organized a joint physical training event and career fair at Marine Corps Base Quantico. The event brought together the Wounded Warrior Regiment with FBI personnel for fitness activities and career development opportunities.