The American military denied claims that a deadly fight broke out between sailors on the USS Abraham Lincoln amid its lengthy deployment to the Middle East as the war with Iran carries on. 
U.S. Central Command said Thursday that claims about a rise in suicidal ideations on the aircraft carrier and a supposed fight among American sailors that killed seven were false. The statement came after <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/uss-george-washington-to-replace-uss-abraham-lincoln-as-concerns-grow-about-mental-health-of-crew">reports</a> that two sailors had attempted to jump overboard during the deployment and reports of poor conditions on the USS Abraham Lincoln.
“Over the past 48 hours, multiple media outlets have reported several false claims related to USS Abraham Lincoln&#8217;s (CVN 72) deployment to the Middle East,” Central Command said. “One report alleged seven Sailors died in a brawl aboard the aircraft carrier and others have recently suggested a spike in suicidal ideations. These reports are FALSE.”
The claim about American soldiers killing each other originated with Iranian news outlets and was repeated across Asian media outlets. 
Central Command also pushed back on reports of low morale, saying that the vessel crew reenlistment rate of over 84%, the highest in the Navy. 
“The Sailors and Marines of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group remain resilient and resolved after more than 260 days at sea, 10,000 aircraft flights, and 1.5 million pounds of ordnance expended,” Central Command said. “No service members aboard the aircraft carrier have died, and the one Sailor who fell overboard Aug. 3 was quickly and safely recovered. The rampant misreporting on Abraham Lincoln&#8217;s historic deployment is a disservice to our men and women in uniform and their loved ones.”
The statement from Central Command came after the Military Times <a href="https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/08/11/multiple-uss-abraham-lincoln-sailors-have-tried-to-go-overboard-amid-extended-deployment-families-say/">reported</a> earlier this week that two sailors attempted to jump overboard. Annabelle Loma said her husband was placed on a medical hold after he attempted to jump off the aircraft carrier. 
“He’s scared. He thinks he’ll get a dishonorable discharge, and just because he was burnt out, his 13-year career is ruined, just like that. That’s not fair, that’s not right. That’s not what he should be worrying about right now,” she said.
Other reports from the carrier have pointed to plumbing issues, moldy showers, water, contamination, and food shortages.
The aircraft carrier USS George Washington is on its way to replace the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been deployed for over 250 days. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Thursday that some of the reporting concerning the conditions on Lincoln had been “completely misrepresented,” but said he understood it was difficult to be deployed so long. 
“Americans don’t understand what it’s like to do that,” he said. “As someone who’s — not been on a ship like that — but been on long deployments, I feel it. I want them home as soon as everybody else. I want folks rotated as quickly as possible … to that crew and to all those crews, we’re going to do everything we can for you and we are so grateful for their dedication.”

U.S. Conducts Blockade Operations Near Strait Of Hormuz

U.S. Military Responds To Disturbing Claims Coming From American Warship

Central Command

Iran war

Pete Hegseth

U.S. Military

U.S. Navy

Two U.S. soldiers were killed Wednesday when an Army Apache attack helicopter crashed in a field near Fort Hood, Texas, sparking a wildfire that forced nearby homes to evacuate.  
The Fort Hood-based AH-64 Apache was on a routine training flight when it crashed near Salado, about 50 miles north of Austin, shortly after 1:30 p.m. local time, according to the Bell County Sheriff’s Office.
Emergency responders received multiple 911 calls reporting the crash and a large fire. When deputies arrived, they found the wreckage and what officials initially described as an uncontrolled blaze. 
“You could tell it was a violent crash,” Bell County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Cliff Coleman said during a news conference Wednesday.
The two soldiers aboard the helicopter were pronounced dead at the scene. Their identities are being withheld until their families have been notified.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families, friends, and fellow Troopers of those involved during this incredibly difficult time,” Brigadier General Ethan Diven, acting commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division, said in a statement.
The crash did not injure anyone on the ground, and no buildings or other structures were damaged, officials said. 
It nevertheless ignited a significant grass fire, which grew to roughly 155 acres and prompted evacuations. By Wednesday evening, the blaze was about 85% contained, <a href="https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/officials-confirm-2-dead-after-violent-crash-of-military-helicopter-in-central-texas-residents-evacuated-due-to-grassfire/287-cd37737d-8fc5-456f-afaa-bf350e7d2ecd">according</a> to local reporting. Emergency crews from multiple fire departments responded to the scene as officials urged residents to avoid the area.
The AH-64E Apache is a two-seat Army attack helicopter used for armed reconnaissance, close combat, mobile strikes and other missions. 
Fort Hood’s Criminal Investigation Division is leading the investigation into the crash. 
“Our immediate priority is securing the site and supporting the initial response efforts,” Diven said. “Our thoughts are with the crew and their families as we await further information.”
Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott also offered condolences to the soldiers’ families and the Fort Hood community. 
“Join Cecilia and me in prayer for their families and the entire Fort Hood community,” Abbott wrote on <a href="https://x.com/GregAbbott_TX/status/2087654465134354809">X</a>. “Texas is forever indebted to those who serve our state and nation.”

helicopter crash

Two Soldiers Killed In Apache Helicopter Crash, Wildfire Forces Evacuations

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U.S. Army

The United States military is reportedly close to a breakthrough in the development of high-energy laser weapons, opening the doors to a future battlefield where targets are destroyed at the speed of light.
Laser weapons would give the United States an obvious advantage with regard to defensive capabilities, especially because they would allow operators to target incoming enemy drones and missiles for almost immediate destruction. In addition, they would not be forced to deploy missile interceptors — such as the Patriot (MIM-104) or the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) — at a much higher cost.
The U.S. Army is close to awarding a contract for a laser weapons system: Enduring High Energy Laser (E-HEL), according to a <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/inside-americas-laser-revolution-military-nears-big-battlefield-breakthrough">report</a> from Fox News.
Army acquisition executive Lt. Gen. Frank Lozano said that the service was negotiating a contract with AeroVironment for the E-HEL, saying that it had been tested recently at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, where it had shown &#8220;a lot of recent promise and capability.&#8221;
The initial goal is to implement E-HEL in a defensive posture so that the United States is not forced to put millions of defense dollars into traditional kinetic weapons that will be used to shoot down relatively cheap enemy drones — a move Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/OLi34jNSBHk">likened to</a> &#8220;throwing Ferraris at frisbees.&#8221;
Lasers, in contrast, may only cost a few dollars each time they are fired — and they require no additional ammunition, only maintenance — meaning that the operational costs are almost nothing once the system has been installed.
The U.S. military has attempted to add lasers to its arsenal several times in the past, from a 747-mounted &#8220;ray gun&#8221; to a Humvee-mounted laser designed to target roadside bombs — but as WIRED <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/landmark-deal-would-officially-add-laser-weapons-to-us-army-arsenal/">reported</a>, none of those attempts were able to deliver on the promise of low-cost effectiveness.
The Army is not alone in its efforts to develop and implement laser-based weaponry. The U.S. Air Force has already implemented a compact laser weapon system as a defense against enemy drones, and the U.S. Navy has been slowly integrating HELIOS (high-energy laser with integrated optical-dazzler and surveillance) after years of testing.
Outside the United States, China has also put considerable time and money into laser-based counter-drone weapons and other laser weapon systems.
And in the United Kingdom, the <a href="https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2025/november/20/20251120-dragonfire-trials">Royal Navy</a> has already inked a £316 million (over $426 million) deal to develop a laser weapon after successful trials shooting down high-velocity drones. Until now, the Royal Navy has relied on a combination of kinetic weapons — including Sea Viper missiles and other traditional weapons — and the Phalanx system to defend against aerial attacks.

Red Laser Beam and Reflections

Experimental Weapons Offer Glimpse Of The Battlefield Of The Future

China

Military Weapons

U.S. Air Force

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The United States Army has reportedly been testing a new electronic warfare system that could potentially change the face of modern warfare.
The Hammer of the Gods, as it is known, works by scrambling the navigation systems of targeted weapons — and doing so without detection — so that they cannot strike their intended targets from a distance without revealing themselves. As Fox News Digital <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/army-conducts-first-overseas-test-hammer-gods-weapon-disrupting-system">reported</a> on Wednesday, similar systems have been tested on land in recent months.
The most recent test, which occurred during the <a href="https://www.army.mil/article/294121/project_convergence_capstone_6_experiments_with_hammer_of_the_gods">Project Convergence Capstone 6</a> (PC-C6) experiment in mid-July, marked the first time such a system had been tested at sea.
&#8220;Joint experimentation is how we prepare for future fights,&#8221; Lt. Col. Darrin Hall, chief of Modeling, Simulation, and Integration (S7/8), U.S. Space Forces Pacific, said of the experiment. &#8220;By integrating space, cyber, and conventional forces into realistic scenarios, we strengthen our ability to operate as one joint team in contested environments.&#8221;
The system uses a portable signal disruptor that emits radio signals capable of jamming multiple Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) signals. Those signal disruptions cause weapons systems that rely on that information to miss their intended targets — and cause critical mission delays.
The downside of such systems has always been that, because they jam radio signals used by enemy forces, they could also jam friendly signals and leave allies blind. But according to Fox, the Hammer of the Gods circumvents that problem by simultaneously establishing a communications system that allows continued contact between friendly forces even after the disruptor has been deployed.
&#8220;This experiment proved that counter-PNT capabilities can be deployed, controlled, and recovered in real-world maritime operations while extending operational reach through resilient mesh networking. It demonstrates the value of joint collaboration in advancing operational readiness,&#8221; Hall added. &#8220;Positioning, Navigation, and Timing is the foundation of modern military operations. Understanding how to protect and operate through PNT disruption ensures our forces can continue to shoot, move and communicate effectively.&#8221;
Experiments undertaken during operations such as PC-C6 allow the military to field-test equipment in settings that better reflect typical operational conditions.

Defence Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz Leads Land Forces Day Celebrations In Krakow

The Army’s New ‘Hammer Of The Gods’ Could Change Modern Warfare

The Army's New 'Hammer Of The Gods' Could Change Modern Warfare

Technology

Consider scenario one: American assets overseas are under attack and must quickly mobilize a response, but the necessary aircraft carriers cannot deploy until crew members obtain key parts needed for the mission. A mission that should have begun immediately is delayed indefinitely.
Now consider scenario two: immediately following an initial attack, the American response is launched. Aircraft carriers deploy on a moment’s notice because they have the capability to build new parts on the way to their destination.
General George S. Patton always said, “A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week.” Even when his men were figuring things out as they went — and things occasionally got a bit messy — there was always a clear advantage to moving forward quickly.
Solving the above problem was recently a key subject at RIMPAC, the largest international military maritime training exercise in the world. A biennial naval exercise, RIMPAC sees some 30 ships and 30,000 service members — in coordination with more than two dozen countries — stress test new technology in the context it would operate under in the real world.
One of those technologies is 3-D printers. They aren&#8217;t new to the world, but ones capable of manufacturing everything from water filtration systems to helicopter parts are new to aircraft carriers.
Morgan Bower, hub director for FLEETWERX, the &#8220;innovation hub&#8221; working to bring this new tech to the U.S. military, said it&#8217;s all about connecting small business innovators with an often slow-moving Pentagon bureaucracy.
“We try to make it a little easier for technology and money to flow in both directions, to help small businesses and government work together to make development work for everyone,&#8221; Bower told The Daily Wire.
“FLEETWERX,” according to its website, “Is an innovation hub established in 2023 through a Partnership Intermediary Agreement between DEFENSEWERX (DWX) 501(c)(3) and the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). FLEETWERX cultivates a dynamic environment designed to create purposeful collisions between innovators through ecosystem building and neutral facilitation. By uniting Government, Industry, and Academia, we bring together people to advance solutions for critical issues facing the operator.”
<div id="attachment_1145595" style="width: 932px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1145595" class="wp-image-1145595 size-large" src="https://www.dailywire.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Hybrid-x-Print-in-progress-922x576.jpg" alt="Civilian contractor Rogelio Jacobo Martinez operates the ADDITEC Hyper X 3D printer in the hangar bay of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in the Pacific Ocean enroute to participate in Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026, June 17, 2026. Thirty nations, over 30 surface ships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, more than 206 aircraft and 30,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 24 to July 31. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2026 is the 30th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Tyler Harstad)" width="922" height="576" srcset="https://www.dailywire.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Hybrid-x-Print-in-progress-922x576.jpg 922w, https://www.dailywire.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Hybrid-x-Print-in-progress-300x188.jpg 300w, https://www.dailywire.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Hybrid-x-Print-in-progress-768x480.jpg 768w, https://www.dailywire.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Hybrid-x-Print-in-progress-1536x960.jpg 1536w" sizes=" (max-width: 922px) 100vw, 922px" />Photo courtesy of FLEETWERX</div>
“When you engage in these exercises, you’re always learning things — taking things out of the lab and putting them in the field,” Bower explained. “We are always looking for what goes right, obviously, but sometimes things go wrong, and the things that go wrong can be the bigger lesson and more important than what goes right. It’s great to identify that problem when it’s a matter of tens of thousands of dollars rather than millions — and early in the process.”
He cited an example from RIMPAC in which planes landing on the deck of the aircraft carrier created vibrations that caused lasers in the metal printers to misalign just slightly — something that never could have been tested in the lab — and the designers were able to recalculate and adjust for the additional vibrations.
And in one case in which something went right, a part from the carrier’s water filtration system broke — and the onboard 3-D printers were able to manufacture a new one without waiting for a traditional resupply.
Another area that was tested at RIMPAC was the use of unmanned surface vessels for supply runs.
<div id="attachment_1145599" style="width: 864px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1145599" class="wp-image-1145599 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/07/Typhoon-bringing-parts-to-CVN-854x576.jpg" alt="A digitally crewed surface vessel heads out to sea from Sand Island near Honolulu, Hawaii, to deliver parts for a 3D printer aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2) during Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2026, July 7, 2026. Unmanned and remotely operated vessels extend the capability of interconnected manned platform sensors to enhance capacity across the multinational force. Thirty nations, over 30 surface ships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, more than 206 aircraft and 30,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 24 to July 31. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2026 is the 30th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 3rd Class Charles Harbour)" width="854" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/07/Typhoon-bringing-parts-to-CVN-854x576.jpg 854w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/07/Typhoon-bringing-parts-to-CVN-300x202.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/07/Typhoon-bringing-parts-to-CVN-768x518.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/07/Typhoon-bringing-parts-to-CVN-1536x1036.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/07/Typhoon-bringing-parts-to-CVN-2048x1381.jpg 2048w" sizes=" (max-width: 854px) 100vw, 854px" />Photo courtesy of FLEETWERX</div>
Using unmanned vessels — particularly in rough maritime conditions or through dangerous areas — limits the number of personnel at risk when undertaking any given mission. The success of test runs like these could ultimately lead to unmanned vessels taking on the role of “escort” vehicles in particularly dangerous areas such as the Strait of Hormuz.
The main goal is to streamline the development process so that the maritime military services have access to the best possible technology — and while the Naval Postgraduate School is broadly considered to be the “research” wing of the joint forces, they don’t always have a good bead on where the best innovators are and what they might be building. FLEETWERX is making that connection.

Digitally crewed surface vessel returns to Sand Island during RIMPAC 2026

3-D Printed Helicopters And Self-Repairing Carriers? America’s Navy Tests Wild New Technology

Pentagon

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President Donald Trump delivered a scorched-earth warning to Tehran on Wednesday, declaring the United States will &#8220;beat the f*cking sh*t out of&#8221; Iran following a brazen overnight sneak attack targeting American troops stationed in Jordan.
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Speaking to Fox News, a furious Trump did not mince words about how the United States intends to handle the Islamic Republic&#8217;s latest provocation.
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“We’ll be hitting them hard, they’re going to get a beating,” Trump warned, promising a swift and devastating response to the surprise barrage.
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According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the assault <a href="https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/2082231500318114110?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2082231500318114110%7Ctwgr%5E6fee11305a9cb341fe108ab05a5e98353ea31bca%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fnews.dailywire.com%2Fwp-admin%2Fpost.php%3Fpost%3D1146061action%3Dedit">began</a> at 5:45 p.m. ET when the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) unleashed a salvo of ballistic missiles directly from Iranian territory aimed at U.S. bases in the Middle East.
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American defense systems locked on and successfully intercepted every single incoming missile in a high-stakes, real-time operation. Trump revealed he reviewed intense video footage of the shootdown, describing U.S. service members frantically calling out coordinates with just minutes to spare to ensure no enemy fire slipped through.
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The dramatic escalation comes despite behind-the-scenes diplomatic talks. Following a crushing 13-day U.S. bombing campaign, Iranian officials had reportedly approached the White House seeking negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz and their nuclear ambitions. However, Tehran shattered any goodwill with the surprise attack.
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The Iranian regime’s aggression appears to be wildly backfiring. By indiscriminately launching attacks across the Middle East, Tehran has accidentally forged a powerful, informal coalition of regional rivals now uniting to crush Iranian proxies.
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Overnight, U.S. forces teamed up with Saudi Arabia to launch coordinated airstrikes hitting Iran-backed Iraqi Shia militias. Trump confirmed the strikes were coordinated with Iraq&#8217;s government. He slammed the militias as “a cancer on the world” and signaled more warnings to Iranian proxies are coming. Other Gulf nations, including Kuwait and the UAE, have also taken limited military action against Iranian coastal strongholds like Bandar Abbas.
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The explosive developments follow Trump’s Oval Office meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called “positive and productive.” It signaled an ironclad, united front between Washington and Jerusalem as Operation Epic Fury heats up.
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While Trump noted behind-the-scenes talks will technically continue, his message to Tehran was crystal clear: an American reckoning is coming.
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President Trump Meets With Lebanese President Joseph Aoun

Trump Vows To ‘Beat The F*cking Sh*t Out Of’ Iran After Its Sneak Attack On U.S. Troops

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Donald Trump

Iran

This week, we mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Throughout our history, one facet has remained constant: the resolve of the American warfighter. From Lexington and Concord to Fallujah, Americans have fought with all the strength God gave them to protect this country and its people from those who wish us harm.
Those challenges have only grown more complex. The Founders could not have imagined that some of our closest allies were once our adversaries, or that the gravest threats to our way of life would come from forces they never conceived of. Near-peer adversaries like China test us every day, seeking to divide Americans from within, manufacturing the chemical precursors used to produce fentanyl, stealing our innovation, and running influence campaigns built to turn Americans against one another. Countering them takes more than technology or policy. It takes the strength of the Americans in uniform, the ones willing to give their last breath so that others may live.
Supporting those soldiers requires real investment and hard conversations. The all-volunteer force is exactly that: all volunteer. Sustaining it is not just a matter of operations or munitions depth. People are America’s greatest military advantage: the enlisted warfighter sleeping in the dirt, the noncommissioned officer corps that sets us apart from every other military on earth, and the officers entrusted with making decisions that affect the lives of our service members and their families.
America could not have reached its 250th year without service and sacrifice. Generations of Americans built and defended the foundation of freedom we stand on today, and the threats to that freedom are not going away.
Honoring that legacy means supporting our servicemen in every way we can. In Congress, that means robustly funding the Department of War, scrapping outdated policies that hinder the warfighter, and ensuring our forces have the tools not just to fight a war, but to win it. No American soldier, sailor, airman, guardian, or marine should ever meet an enemy on equal footing. A fair fight is a policy failure. Matching an adversary&#8217;s capabilities is not victory. The advantage should always be ours.
That means passing a robust National Defense Authorization Act and my <a href="https://vanepps.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-van-epps-kiggans-tokuda-introduce-legislation-to-double-gold-star-family-bridge-payment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HONOR Gold Star Families Act</a>, which increases the death gratuity for the families of those who make the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation — and the core components of which have been included in the NDAA as an <a href="https://vanepps.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-armed-services-committee-advances-rep-van-epps-gold-star-families-act-in-fy27-ndaa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">amendment</a>.
It also means rebuilding America&#8217;s defense industrial base and moving toward defense spending equal to 5% of GDP. It also means expecting our NATO allies to meet the same standard — a commitment reinforced under President Donald Trump&#8217;s leadership. Above all, it means remaining relentless in our support for the men and women who defend this country every hour of every day.
So, this week, take a moment to remember what 250 years of this experiment has cost and that someone is still making sure there is a 251st. Congress owes them more than gratitude. We owe them the decisive edge they need to win.
Matt Van Epps is a former Army officer and the representative for Tennessee&#8217;s 7th congressional district.

250 Years Of Freedom, Carried By Those Who Serve

America 250

Freedom

Marines

NDAA

A United States Coast Guard helicopter on Monday carrying four crew members crashed during a training flight near Harbor Mountain in Sitka, Alaska, igniting a desperate search-and-rescue mission, the military said.
The crash, which happened at 10:07 a.m. local time, involved a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, according to the Coast Guard. 
No deaths were reported. All four crew members were transported to Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
“First responders and search and rescue assets are currently responding. The safety, well-being, and rescue of our crew members is our absolute, immediate priority,” the military <a href="https://x.com/USCGArctic/status/2069134481500602713?s=20">said in a statement.</a> 
“A formal investigation will be conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding the event,” the Coast Guard said. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
The U.S. Coast Guard is actively responding to a reported crash involving a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter that occurred today in Sitka, Alaska.
First responders and search and rescue assets are currently responding. The safety, well-being, and rescue of our crew members
— USCGArctic (@USCGArctic) <a href="https://x.com/USCGArctic/status/2069134481500602713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2026</a></blockquote>
Monday’s crash comes one week after <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/eight-feared-dead-after-b-52-crash-deemed-not-survivable">eight people were killed</a> Monday when a B-52 Stratofortress crashed shortly after takeoff at Edwards Air Force Base in California during a routine test mission. 
This is a breaking story. Stay with The Daily Wire for updates.

U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter

U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter Crashes In Alaska

Coast Guard

News

President Donald Trump shared previously unreported details about a downed U.S. Army Apache helicopter on Wednesday, including how the two pilots survived after an Iranian drone lodged in between them as they were flying.
Trump described the incident and rescue mission in an exclusive call with Fox News chief foreign correspondent Trey Yingst. The U.S. Army Apache helicopter was shot down earlier this week when, according to the president, an Iranian drone struck the helicopter but failed to detonate, lodging itself between the two pilots as they flew at low altitude.
Flying a gunship with a live, burning drone embedded in the cockpit, the pilots faced the possibility of explosion at any moment. Trump said the cockpit filled with heat and fire before the crew managed to ditch the aircraft into the sea. The two pilots were subsequently rescued — in what Trump described as the first-ever rescue of its kind — by an unmanned sea drone.
After the Iranian drone attack, Trump warned Wednesday that he is nearing a decision to order strikes on Iranian power plants and bridges, signaling a sharp escalation in the ongoing military confrontation with Tehran amid stalled nuclear negotiations.
The revelation comes amid a broader military campaign against Iran. Overnight Tuesday, U.S. fighter jets struck Iranian radar systems and air defense sites in response to what the administration characterized as ceasefire violations. Iran had reportedly attempted to rebuild its defensive capabilities during a pause in hostilities, an effort Trump said was explicitly prohibited. The overnight strikes were described as highly effective: even the partial reconstruction Iran managed represented &#8220;just a few percentages&#8221; of its original capacity, and Trump said U.S. forces destroyed roughly 55% of even that rebuilt capability.
Iran also fired missiles at U.S. forces stationed in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan — attacks that Trump suggested could prompt further American military action. When Yingst asked about a possible response, Trump said, &#8220;I may keep going.&#8221; In a post on Truth Social Wednesday morning, the president pointedly declared, &#8220;The bully of the Middle East is DEAD.&#8221;
The president&#8217;s most pointed remarks concerned the state of nuclear negotiations. Trump said Iran has been &#8220;tapping the United States along&#8221; in talks, and that he is now seriously considering strikes on Iranian power plants and bridges to increase pressure. He said Iran &#8220;had a chance to sign a deal and survive,&#8221; a phrase widely interpreted as a direct warning that the window for a diplomatic resolution may be closing.
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BREAKING: President Trump exclusively tells <a href="https://x.com/TreyYingst?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TreyYingst</a> that the U.S. is getting close to ordering new strikes against Iranian power plants and bridges in response to “tapping the United States along” when it comes to drawn out negotiations.
The U.S. launched overnight strikes… <a href="https://t.co/Eh3zZBWh7q">pic.twitter.com/Eh3zZBWh7q</a>
&mdash; Fox News (@FoxNews) <a href="https://x.com/FoxNews/status/2064674387941314810?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 10, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The dual-track pressure — military strikes coupled with explicit threats of further escalation — marks a significant hardening of the U.S. posture. Whether Tehran responds at the negotiating table or with additional military action is now the central question as the confrontation enters a potentially decisive phase.

POLAND-NATO-DEFENCE-DRILL

The Heart-Stopping Scene Inside U.S. Chopper Cockpit Revealed After Iran Drone Strike

Drones

The widow of the late American hero Chris Kyle ripped into Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner for disparaging her dead husband. 
Taya Kyle told Fox News on Sunday that Platner was &#8220;cowardly&#8221; for lying about her late husband, and accused the Democrat of using a &#8220;cheap political trick&#8221; to distract from Platner&#8217;s controversies. 
In a resurfaced podcast episode, Platner in 2024 suggested Kyle, the deadliest sniper in U.S. military history, intentionally killed civilians to inflate his sniper kill count. Kyle was murdered in 2013 by a veteran suffering from PTSD he was trying to help.
&#8220;To me, nothing says, &#8216;I want attention&#8217; more than disparaging a national hero who&#8217;s also dead,&#8221; Taya <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/video/6396510537112">said</a>. &#8220;It&#8217;s transparent, it&#8217;s cowardly, it&#8217;s lowbrow to lie about somebody else, and it distracts from &#8230; I think some things that he has said.&#8221;
&#8220;It&#8217;s this cheap political trick to say, &#8216;Ya know, I haven&#8217;t done a whole lot, so let me attach my name to somebody who&#8217;s beloved, and if nothing else, I&#8217;ll get out in the news,'&#8221; the widow continued. &#8220;And that&#8217;s working for him to get that notoriety. But to me, it shows a total inability to lead with character. So for me, he would be out of the running immediately.&#8221;
Platner&#8217;s comments have hurt the Kyle family, Taya said. &#8220;My kids are 21 and 20 — they&#8217;re grown adults, and I wish I could tell you that it doesn&#8217;t hurt, but it does.&#8221;
Taya added that it&#8217;s &#8220;obvious&#8221; to her family that Platner did not know her late husband, yet still made his disparaging remarks. &#8220;I can&#8217;t imagine anyone voting for someone like that,&#8221; she said.
Robert O&#8217;Neill, the Navy SEAL credited with killing Osama bin Laden, recently sounded off on Platner&#8217;s comments, <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/navy-seal-killed-bin-laden-rips-platner-barbaric-post-trashing-soldier-fire-line">calling</a> the candidate jealous.
&#8220;That would just stem from jealousy, maybe because Chris Kyle&#8217;s name became famous for a whole bunch of confirmed kills,&#8221; O’Neill said. &#8220;The jealousy is there. I&#8217;ve seen the jealousy too, but professional jealousy, stuff like this is really, really rare between veterans.&#8221;
Platner is also taking heat over <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/purple-heart-hero-mocked-by-graham-platner-has-one-question-for-dems?author=Jordan+Schroeder&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=3&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Hotwire&amp;rowType=Four+Column+Grid&amp;title=Purple+Heart+Hero+Mocked+By+Graham+Platner+Has+One+Question+For+Dems">resurfaced Reddit comments</a> showing the candidate mocking Purple Heart recipient Ted Daniels and saying he “didn’t deserve to live” following a brutal firefight in Afghanistan.
Daniels recently told the New York Post he wants liberal lawmakers like Senators Elizabeth Warren, Chuck Schumer, Bernie Sanders, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to explain to his children why they are backing a candidate who mocked the possibility of their father being killed in combat.
Additionally, Platner has been criticized for resurfaced images allegedly showing the Democrat with a Nazi-linked tattoo.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/purple-heart-hero-mocked-by-graham-platner-has-one-question-for-dems?author=Jordan+Schroeder&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=3&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Hotwire&amp;rowType=Four+Column+Grid&amp;title=Purple+Heart+Hero+Mocked+By+Graham+Platner+Has+One+Question+For+Dems">Purple Heart Hero Mocked By Graham Platner Has One Question For Dems</a>

Graham Platner. Taya Kyle

‘American Sniper’ Widow Torches Graham Platner For Smearing Late Husband

2026 Midterms

graham platner

Maine

Senate

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Before the engines roared at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, the world’s largest single-day sporting event pulled off the ultimate tribute to America’s fighting forces: total, spine-tingling silence.
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Nearly 400,000 fans packed into the Brickyard for the 110th running of &#8220;The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,&#8221; but before the green flag waved, the massive crowd went completely silent as the somber, 24-note melody of &#8220;Taps&#8221; echoed across the track in honor of America&#8217;s fallen service members.
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House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) couldn&#8217;t help but marvel at the powerful moment, taking to X to declare it the highlight of his holiday weekend.
&#8220;Our country never takes for granted the profound sacrifices that have been made in the defense of freedom,&#8221; Johnson wrote.
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Our best moment of the Indy 500 yesterday was when nearly 400,000 Americans at the world’s largest single-day sporting event went completely silent for the playing of Taps. 
Our country never takes for granted the profound sacrifices that have been made in the defense of… <a href="https://t.co/HZWUdhRavP">pic.twitter.com/HZWUdhRavP</a>
&mdash; Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerJohnson/status/2058894443877486622?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 25, 2026</a></blockquote>
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For more than 75 years, &#8220;Taps&#8221; has been the emotional cornerstone of the Indy 500’s pre-race pageantry. Played by a lone bugler and accompanied by a military rifle volley, it’s the ultimate &#8220;calm before the storm.&#8221;
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But this hauntingly beautiful tune wasn&#8217;t born in a cozy studio. It was forged in the bloody trenches of the Civil War.
In July 1862, Union General Daniel Butterfield decided the Army’s standard &#8220;Lights Out&#8221; call was way too harsh for exhausted soldiers who had just survived horrific combat. Lacking any musical training, Butterfield hummed a new melody to his brigade bugler, Oliver Wilcox Norton, who scratched out the notes on the back of an envelope.
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The battlefield lullaby quickly morphed into a funeral farewell. During that same campaign, Captain John C. Tidball used the new tune to bury a soldier, fearing that a traditional three-gun salute would tip off nearby Confederate troops. By 1891, the U.S. Army made the 24-note salute mandatory for all military funerals, locking it into American history forever.
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Sunday’s race needed that peaceful moment, because what followed was absolute, unadulterated chaos in a finish worthy of Indy history.
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In a late restart on the final lap, David Malukas snatched the lead, seemingly destined for his first Indy 500 win. But Felix Rosenqvist had other plans. In a gutsy, high-octane move right after the final turn, Rosenqvist roared into the outside lane, passing Malukas with just feet to spare.
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When the smoke cleared, Rosenqvist snagged the checkered flag by a razor-thin 0.0233 seconds—the absolute closest finish in Indy 500 history.
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FELIX ROSENQVIST WINS THE CLOSEST FINISH IN INDY 500 HISTORY! <a href="https://t.co/BBGobsgX3I">pic.twitter.com/BBGobsgX3I</a>
&mdash; INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndyCarOnFOX/status/2058643153901568467?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2026</a></blockquote>
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From a breathtaking moment of silence honoring America&#8217;s bravest, straight to a historic fraction-of-a-second photo finish— an American Memorial Day weekend.
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The 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500

400K Indy 500 Fans Fall Silent For ‘Taps’ Before Record-Breaking Finish

Indianapolis 500

Memorial Day

Silence

The Pentagon released new UFO footage on Friday that includes dozens of videos as part of a scheduled declassification. 
Friday’s release marked the <a href="https://www.war.gov/UFO/">second tranche</a> of records that Trump ordered declassified in his push for transparency on U.S. government information regarding Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP). 
One of the new videos shows a U.S. fighter jet shooting down a UAP over Lake Huron in February 2023. The U.S. military shot down the object shortly after a Chinese spy balloon crossed over the entire continental United States in an embarrassing moment for former President Joe Biden.
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At the time, then-NORAD Commander Gen. Glen VanHerck <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/us-military-shot-unidentified-object-lake-huron-rcna70289">said</a> officials did not know how the object was able to &#8220;stay aloft&#8221; over Lake Huron.
&#8220;We’re calling them objects, not balloons, for a reason,&#8221; he said.
Other videos released on Friday show aerial views of UFOs in the atmosphere, including two strange objects near a U.S. submarine and another object near Columbus, Ohio. 
<div style="max-width: 728px; margin: 0 auto;"><iframe style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; max-width: 100%; width: 100%; margin: 20px auto 5px; border: 0;" src="https://player.mux.com/TBXZaDdFKLUW02AoZqnibQjDBu67wWMrg?metadata-video-content-type=embed_video&amp;metadata-video-id=b8052a61-cfb8-4447-afd0-ffda2804c650&amp;metadata-video-stream-type=on-demand&amp;metadata-video-title=UFO%20Columbus%2C%20Ohio&amp;poster=https%3A%2F%2Fdailywireplus-v2.imgix.net%2Fimages%2Fembedded-videos%2Fa8ede0eb-f4d6-4801-b336-09da937e9065.png&amp;autoplay=false&amp;accent-color=%23DB3D3B&amp;primary-color=%23ffffff&amp;secondary-color=%23000000" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>
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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth is overseeing the process of finding, reviewing, identifying, and publicly releasing unresolved UAP-related records that are in the federal government’s possession. Releasing the files is a difficult process as it requires cross-agency coordination and reviewing tens of millions of records with many existing only on paper from decades ago. Due to the quantity of records under review, the White House developed a plan to release records in phases.
The Department of War said it remains unable to make a &#8220;definitive determination on the nature of the observed phenomena” due to not having sufficient data. The department added that it welcomes private-sector analysis, information, and expertise to help identify objects released. Along with a desire for private sector analysis, President Trump <a href="https://www.war.gov/UFO/">said</a> the files were declassified based on &#8220;tremendous public interest.&#8221;

Pentagon Releases Wild Footage Of Fighter Jet Taking Down UFO

Trump Administration

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