Author Archive

Jennifer Hlad

Managing Editor, Defense One

Jennifer Hlad
Jennifer Hlad is managing editor at Defense One and lives in Kailua, Hawaii. Hlad was a Stars and Stripes reporter at the Pentagon and West Coast bureau chief in California before traveling with her Marine Corps husband to posts in Manama and Okinawa, all the while working a mix of assignments with Air Force Magazine, the Daily Beast, Military Times and other publications. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia, and holds a master’s degree in journalism from the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland. Contact her on Signal at jhlad.25.
Policy

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.”

Threats

‘It sounded relentless’: American in Bahrain describes days of drone and missile attacks

A “constant barrage of sirens, missile impacts, Patriot interceptors, drones, and jet engines.”

Threats

Iranian drones damage US Navy base in Bahrain; Americans evacuate

Retaliatory strikes damaged facilities at the home of the 5th Fleet headquarters.

Policy

With an eye on China, Air Force hones its hub-and-spoke approach to basing

“The strategic attention is here in this theater,” undersecretary says during a visit to the Indo-Pacific.

Threats

Three ‘meta trends’ are reshaping warfare, INDOPACOM commander says

Adm. Paparo says they’re key to keeping the U.S. military ready to face off against China.

Science & Tech

Lightning Lab gives Pacific Army division drone-building capabilities on the front lines

The small group of soldiers can produce gear—and then immediately take feedback to make it better.

Threats

Pacific Marines modernize, prep for a busy year

III MEF includes the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, which is “leading the service” in various capabilities.

Business

Can partner nations help solve the Navy’s shipbuilding woes?

On a trip through the Pacific, the chief of naval operations sought ways to get more warships faster.

Science & Tech

How the Army’s most tech-forward units are practicing for war

A two-week exercise simulated island battles—and put some 75 new technologies to the test.

Business

Just one prototype won’t cut it anymore, Pacific Marine commander tells industry

MARFORPAC is working faster, so it needs companies with innovative gear to show up with multiples.

Threats

Exercise underscored need for AI, autonomy, C2, and networks

Operating with speed, scale, and agility in the Indo-Pacific is “probably the most challenging thing” the military does, PACAF commander says.

Threats

China is already dominating the data war in the Pacific, experts say

'Lack of focus' is slowing needed change at the Pentagon, a former acting SecDef says.

Science & Tech

PacFleet is rushing to create new capabilities, operating concepts

Adm. Koehler: “It might sound to you like we’re building the airplane while we fly it. That is no accident.”

Business

Has Space Force cracked the code on faster acquisition?

Leaders say the service is “disrupting” the Valley of Death, among other innovations.

Exclusive Science & Tech

When China plays orbital hide-and-seek, Maui’s telescopes give the US an edge

In an interview, Space Force’s Saltzman reveals what’s next for the key sensor site.