Defense One

A-10 Thunderbolt IIs are strafing boats in the Straits of Hormuz as part of Operation Epic Fury, and at least some experts say it shows why the venerable aircraft should remain in service. More here @DefenseOne: defenseone.com/threats/2026/0…

Aircrew who died in KC-135 crash likely lacked parachutes | The Air Force removed chutes from the tankers in 2008 to save time and money. buff.ly/O8wyY2v

Fighter jets are downing Iranian drones—a dangerous, expensive mission buff.ly/AcikAV8 by @tomnovelly

AI-enabled watch towers set to proliferate along the border | GDIT pitches autonomous station with better sensors, more computing power. by @defetechpat buff.ly/ozZddSY

INDOPACOM was all in on Anthropic. Now it’s working to adjust | The administration’s government-wide ban on the company’s AI tools has forced the command to work faster to be “model-neutral.” by @jhlad buff.ly/DwVsdb2

B-21 spotted in aerial-refueling test flights | The milestone follows a top commander’s warning about aging tankers supporting the new bomber. by @tomnovelly buff.ly/G79t2T7

A year into Hegseth’s cuts, defense civilians report ‘degraded performance’ and low morale | And the hiring freeze is still keeping overseas civilians from taking new jobs stateside. by @meghannmyers_ buff.ly/9pBPJhK

Last month, I asked the Pentagon for some updated numbers on the total civilian employees it shed last year and how many it had brought on from a small set of jobs exempt from the ongoing hiring freeze. defenseone.com/policy/2026/03…

Next week in Chicago, I'll sit down with former deputy defense sec Kath Hicks to discuss how drones, AI and all the stuff you're reading about is changing the nature of military power. (You can watch it online, too). Thank you for your attention to this matter! cc @DefenseOne

The latest: Air Force confirms to @DefenseOne that a B-21 Raider flight test aircraft completed a a close-proximity flight with a KC-135 Stratotanker yesterday after images by @minor_triad and others started circulating online. More details here: defenseone.com/defense-system…

6/ In my Big Five recommended readings this week, there are articles from: @peterwsinger @august_cole @DefenseOne @rand @scsp_ai @SIPRIorg @ForeignAffairs @KTristanTang

"The Quantum Curtain" defenseone.com/ideas/2026/03/… Your Fictional Intelligence #weekendread from Useful Fiction and @DefenseOne Discussions of quantum computing regularly predict the end of digital secrecy, which would have society-altering consequences. But what if the opposite happens? If quantum encryption software becomes available to citizens around the world, digital secrets might become harder to harvest, altering intelligence collection and national security. #quantum #cyber #intelligence #ficint

COMMENTARY: The US built up its missile defenses—and will need to do it again | The war against Iran has depleted stocks of vital interceptors. buff.ly/unA143P

EXCLUSIVE: CISA nominee: I left Coast Guard to address GOP hold | Sean Plankey told Nextgov he was reacting to lawmakers' concerns about his shipbuilding ties. buff.ly/kX91o09

Two days ago, I asked @CENTCOM detailed question about space operations and forces in the region. I just got a response back today: “see attached our Operation Epic Fury Fact Sheet.” It’s the 72 hour fact sheet … the war has been going on for six days.

COMMENTARY: Why the US went to war without a plan to evacuate DOD civilians, contractors, and others | A diplomatic veteran cites operational secrecy—and describes how things might have gone better. buff.ly/ZJBUqO1

B-1, B-52 bombers join Trump’s war on Iran | Modernized 20th-century aircraft are still crucial for the conflicts of today and tomorrow, aviation experts say. buff.ly/dAiIy8Q by @tomnovelly

Air Force cybersecurity chief tapped to lead Pentagon's information-security efforts | James Bishop will replace acting DCIO(CS)-CISO David McKeown, who followed acting chief Katie Arrington. buff.ly/eCS7Wmv

Trump to fire DHS Secretary Noem, picks Mullin as successor | The controversial Homeland Security leader will end her tenure amid a budget shutdown of her agency and bipartisan criticism in both houses of Congress. buff.ly/6McBYyq

‘Firepower about to surge dramatically’ over Iran: Hegseth | The defense secretary asserts that the U.S. has no shortage of munitions. | by @meghannmyers_ buff.ly/Eoq3jTo