J.D. Simkins
Executive Editor
J.D. Simkins is Editor-in-Chief of Military Times and Defense News, and a Marine Corps veteran of the Iraq War.
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Pentagon identifies six airmen killed in KC-135 crash in Iraq
Six airmen were killed when a U.S. Air Force KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed during ongoing combat operations against Iran.
US forces kill terror leader linked to ambush on Americans in Syria
The strike in Syria is the latest U.S. response in the wake of a Dec. 13 ambush there that killed two U.S. soldiers and one U.S. interpreter.
US forces kill, capture ’nearly 25 ISIS’ fighters in Syria operations
Over a nine-day period, U.S. and allied forces conducted 11 operations that killed at least seven ISIS fighters and destroyed four weapons caches.
New charges for Guard shooting suspect enable death penalty talks
Lakanwal remains charged with first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill and illegal possession of a firearm in the Nov. 26 shooting.
Ode to James Ransone’s memorable portrayal of a junior enlisted Marine
In just seven episodes, James Ransone churned out one of the most relatable on-screen depictions of life as a junior enlisted Marine.
Iowa National Guard IDs soldiers killed in ambush in Syria
Both soldiers were deployed with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, which is currently conducting ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the region.
Pentagon must do better to safeguard public information, GAO warns
Of 10 DOD components assessed, only U.S. Special Operations Command was found to have consistently trained troops about the risks of digital information.
Soldiers stress-test translator tech to bridge allied language gaps
The exchange program marked one small part of an ongoing effort to stress-test military technology across the continent’s 54 sovereign nations.
Armored soldiers get first live-fire work on Switchblade 600
1st Cavalry Division soldiers tested the system during an exercise at Fort Hood, marking the first time it was live-fired on the Texas installation.
Here’s what’s new in soldier gear in 2025 and beyond
From body armor to loitering munitions, the center for all things soldier gear is upgrading and fielding new equipment to troops.
