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A new school will train U.S. troops to fight a growing threat: small weaponized drones

Caption: Army Chief Warrant Officer Michael J. Spicer tests a "Nightfighter" anti-drone system at Fort Bliss, Texas in December 2022. The manufacturer says the system interrupts the radio signals that are used to control drones., Credit: Raquel Birk / U.S. Army

The Pentagon said the new institution - housed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma - will train about 1,000 troops a year to plan, install, and operate a variet...

Bought by Texas Public Radio, WRFA-LP, KTEP, WHRV, KUT and more

As data plays a bigger role in warfare, the military is building a new center to analyze it

From: American Homefront Project

Caption: The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency plans to move into its new St. Louis building in 2025. The Pentagon is spending close to $2 billion on the facility, which will increase the government's capacity to analyze maps and satellite imagery., Credit: Brian Munoz / St. Louis Public Radio

The new western headquarters for The National Geospatial Intelligence Agency in St. Louis will mainly deal with mapping and satellite imagery.

Bought by KUT, WRFA-LP, and Texas Public Radio

To prepare for new international threats, the Air Force is readying pilots for the unexpected

From: American Homefront Project

Caption: Air Force Capt. Dylan Rabbitt guides student pilots through a training scenario using virtual reality simulators at Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas., Credit: Carson Frame / American Homefront

The Air Force is revamping the way it trains pilots so they can better respond to potential challenges from countries like China and Russia.

Bought by WRFA-LP and KWMU St. Louis

The Space Force will track troops' fitness with wearable devices. Will that keep them healthier?

From: American Homefront Project

Caption: Air Force troops run a timed 1.5 miles during their annual physical fitness test at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois on June 9, 2022. The U.S. Space Force intends to do away with a once-a-year assessments in favor of wearable technology that constantly tr, Credit: Eric Schmid / American Homefront

Instead of an annual fitness test, the devices will monitor troops' activity throughout the year.

Bought by KPBS, WRFA-LP, KRPS, Texas Public Radio, and KUT

Misunderstood and sometimes parodied, the U.S. Space Force is educating the public about its mission

From: American Homefront Project

Caption: Troops operate the Space Based Infrared System satellite constellation from Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado. The system enables service members to report ballistic missiles and space launches, nuclear detonations, and other data to the President, S, Credit: JT Armstrong / U.S. Space Force

The newest military service branch is responsible for protecting satellites and other objects in space, which it expects will be critical parts of ...

Bought by KRPS, WRFA-LP, Texas Public Radio, KPBS, and KUT

These Air Force trainees spend less time in the cockpit, more time in flight simulators

From: American Homefront Project

Caption: Airman 1st Class Jack Pepper (with goggles) attempts a maneuver on a simulator while Lt. Col. Paul Vicars looks on. Pepper is among the first participants in Pilot Training Next, which uses off-the-shelf virtual reality technology., Credit: Carson Frame / American Homefront

Facing a shortage of pilots, the Air Force is experimenting with ways to make training programs faster and less expensive.

Bought by Texas Public Radio, WUSF, KBCS 91.3 FM Community Radio, KPBS, and KPCC

Permanent Warrantless Spying Before Congress This Week

From: John Shuck
Series: Beloved Community

Congress to Act on Extension of Section 702 of Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA)

Smartphone App Warns Israeli Citizens if Missiles are Headed Their Way

From: A. Randall Wenner

A new smartphone app developed by an American college student and his colleague uses up-to-the minute data from the Israeli Defense Force to warn I...

Bought by PRX Remix

Drone practice above Upstate New York

From: North Country Public Radio

Caption: Air National Guard students train on maintaining the MQ-9 Reaper at Hancock Air Base in Syracuse, NY., Credit: David Sommerstein, NCPR

Drones, or unmanned aircraft, are making headlines for their controversial attacks in Afghanistan and Pakistan…and for how they could be used for s...

Bought by New Hampshire Public Radio

Even with new treatments, few PTSD vets seek help

From: KALW

Caption: Under CC License by The U.S. Army http://www.flickr.com/photos/soldiersmediacenter/2898270225/

Just as the state California needs to shift gears to address the needs of today’s veterans, so does the medical community. Veterans Association stu...