Defense Drumbeat

WASHINGTON — Heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula underscore the need for an increased military presence there and worldwide, according to the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. Read more »

Yesterday, Rep Mac Thornberry (R-TX), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, joined Chris Wallace and Fox News Sunday. Watch the exclusive interview below: Read more »

On Wednesday, the House Armed Services Committee heard from the Service Chiefs on the "Damage to the Military from a Continuing Resolution.” To watch the hearing or read testimony click here. Below are excerpts from some of the stories identifying critical readiness shortfalls: Read more »

Washington (CNN) The Navy will cancel ship deployments and shut down carrier air wings. The Air Force will ground all non-deploying squadrons in the US. Blue Angel shows will be scrapped, and Fleet Weeks cut. Thousands of bonuses for troops will go unpaid. Read more »

WASHINGTON - The current Continuing Resolution (CR) expires at the end of April, leaving Congress little time to enact full year appropriations for America’s Military. A bipartisan majority in the House has already passed Department of Defense Appropriations for 2017. As the Senate considers adopting this desperately needed appropriations bill - or imposing billions in short sighted cuts that a CR would represent - the House Armed Services Committee has called for an assessment of the harm a full year CR would do to our men and women in uniform. The committee will hear in person next week from the chiefs of the military services on the damage of extending the CR. Read more »

On Thursday, Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-TX) joined Fox New's Happening Now to talk military readiness and the increases of U.S. troops in Syria. Watch the full piece below: Read more »

A top U.S. military official confirmed Wednesday that Russia has deployed a new type of cruise missile that violates a longstanding arms control accord. Read more »

EXCLUSIVE: One month into the American invasion of Iraq in 2003, the U.S. military conducted the longest combat air assault in history, with roughly 4,000 soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division going deep into enemy territory at night in Mosul. Three years later, the division would carry out its last brigade-size air assault in combat during Operation Swarmer, also in Iraq. Read more »

"After eight years of our military's decline, it is a welcome change to have a commander-in-chief who is willing to fight for our men and women in uniform. During President Trump's recent address to a joint session of Congress, I appreciated hearing his support for a strong national defense and his desire to begin the long process of rebuilding our military. The president's newly unveiled budget is a step in the right direction, but more is required. Read more »

Today, Chairman Thornberry (R-TX) discussed Russian INF treaty violations that stem back to the Obama Administration as well as recent Russian aggression with Fox News. To watch the interview click below: "Any time you don't stand up to aggression it will get worse. We started warning the Obama administration about this missile since 2012... They didn't ever do very much...If you don't… Read more »

The Congressional Budget Office today released a report projecting the costs of U.S. Nuclear Forces from 2017 to 2026. Calling "nuclear weapons the "cornerstone of U.S. national security since they were developed," the report highlights the fact that "current nuclear forces are reaching the end of their service life," making a compelling case for investment in modernization efforts. The… Read more »

Today, the House Armed Services Committee heard from the Service Vice Chiefs on the "State of the Military." To watch the hearing or read testimony click here. Below are excerpts from some of the stories identifying critical readiness shortfalls: Read more »

WASHINGTON - Today, Chairman Thornberry talked with Fox News and released an editorial on his vision for defense spending in the short term. Watch and read both pieces below: Read more »

January 11, 2017, marks the tenth anniversary of China's test of an anti-satellite (ASAT) missile against their own weather satellite. On that date in 2007, China provocatively demonstrated their ability to attack satellites in a domain long perceived as "sanctuary". This action received strong international condemnation and placed the United States and its Allies on notice that our… Read more »

WASHINGTON - Chairman Thornberry joined Fox News yesterday to discuss reports that a B-52 lost an engine during a training flight out of Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. Watch the entire piece below. Read more »