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.
Threats

After 40 days of combat, Navy destroyer returns home

During its 10-month deployment, USS Frank Petersen Jr. warded off scores of Iranian missiles and drones.

Business

Treat operational feedback as a strategic resource, new paper argues

And view software as a continuously developing capability, rather than a completed product.

Science & Tech

Can AI help the Marines simplify sustainment in the Pacific?

The service is testing a “logistics decision engine” at the theater level.

Threats

A Pacific conflict may not look like conventional war, SOCPAC commander says

At an irregular-warfare forum in Hawaii, commanders offer warnings and advice.

Policy

New Marine commander takes the helm in the Pacific

Lt. Gen. Glynn passed the flag to Lt. Gen. Turner, a classmate from The Basic School, on Tuesday.

Science & Tech

Rough waters help firm demo ‘expeditionary manufacturing’ aboard warship

Firestorm Labs says it 3D-printed thousands of parts as waves buffeted USS Essex.

Science & Tech

Can new drones, 3D printers defeat distance’s tyranny? RIMPAC aims to find out

“This is Uber for manufacturing delivered at the speed of Amazon, for the highest quality of parts,” Marine Lt. Col. Michael Radigan told reporters.

Threats

Philippine exercise showcased Marine Littoral Regiment’s growth

3rd MLR "basically did exactly what it was designed to do,” Col. Gabe Diana said.

Threats

Marines from multiple nations train together for potential future conflict

Infantry skills exercises were part of ongoing RIMPAC.

Science & Tech

Army using AI, robot boats for Pacific logistics

“If you can work in the Pacific, you can work anywhere in the world,” said Maj. Gen. Gavin Gardner.

Science & Tech

RIMPAC kicks off in Hawaii with a focus on experimentation

The theme of this edition of the biennial exercise is “partners: integrated and prepared.”

Threats

The military says it’s ready to ‘fight tonight’ in the Pacific. Can it sustain that fight?

“We cannot win if our supply lines are 5,000 miles long,” says U.S. Forces Korea commander.

Science & Tech

Even as drones usher in an era of ‘cheap kill,’ Army leaders look to what’s next

Uncrewed vehicles were everywhere at LANPAC—even above a general’s head.

Threats

Five ways of looking at the Japanese sinking of a decommissioned Philippine ship

Philippines’ Balikatan exercise saw several missile milestones.

Threats

'This is how we prevail in the Pacific': US, allies train to repel amphibious assault

The U.S. Army's 25th Infantry Division brought several new weapons to this year's Balikatan exercise.

Policy

How the Pentagon is working to wriggle out of China’s rare-earths grip

At a conference in Honolulu, the assistant defense secretary for industrial base policy detailed the challenge.

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.