Thomas Novelly

Thomas Novelly is a reporter for Military.com focusing on coverage of the Air Force and Space Force. He previously covered veterans, military bases and federal politics in South Carolina for The Post and Courier as well as breaking news for the Courier-Journal in Louisville, Kentucky. He lives in Charleston, South Carolina.

Latest Articles

Flight instructors before their flight at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas

Air Force on Course to Again Miss Pilot Goal as Problems with Training Aircraft Persist

With little more than a week until the fiscal year ends Sept. 30, the Air Force is set to finish with 1,350 new aviators...

Air Force's 9th Bomb Squadron Commander Fired After Just a Couple of Months on the Job

Lt. Col. Brian Milner, the commander of the 9th Bomb Squadron, was relieved of command due to "a loss of confidence in his...

A pilot in an F-35B Lightning II awaits further instructions

After Daylong Search, Likely F-35 Debris Found After Jet Went Missing in South Carolina

The jet was lost after a pilot ejected Sunday afternoon, triggering a search that lasted for more than a day for the roughly...

U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II performs aerial maneuvers

F-35 Fighter Jet Still Missing in South Carolina After Pilot Ejected on Sunday

The F-35 was based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort at the state's southern tip.

Army Temporarily Suspends Reenlistment Bonuses for Soldiers After Hitting High Retention Rates

Soldiers will not be able to contract under the old selective retention bonus until it is reinstated, according to the...

Roger A. Towberman poses in front of his Mercedes Sprinter van

Service Was a Second Chance for the Space Force's Enlisted Leader. He Tried to Give Others the Same Shot.

During his 33-year career, Roger Towberman was stationed everywhere from Hawaii to the United Kingdom until he was selected...

Afghan and American evacuees board a C-17 at Kabul International Airport

Air Force General Fighting to Get Airmen Presidential Unit Citation for Afghanistan Evacuation

Gen. Mike Minihan, the head of Air Mobility Command, told reporters during a media roundtable that it's a top priority to get...

Aerial refueling of a CV-22 Osprey from an MC-130J Commando II

Air Force Says It Remains Confident in Osprey Aircraft Despite Recent Deadly Mishaps

The Air Force, which uses the aircraft for special operations missions, remains dedicated, committed and confident in the...

Oath of Enlistment for members joining the U.S. Air Force

Air Force to Miss Recruiting Goals for First Time in More Than 2 Decades

The last time the Air Force did not reach 100% of its recruitment goal was 1999, according to the Air Force Recruiting...

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.

'Hundreds' of Service Members Are Being Solicited by China for Insider Info, Air Force Says

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles "C.Q." Brown warned airmen and allies that China's People's Liberation Army "wants to...

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall

Air Force Secretary Calls Tuberville's Hold on Military Promotions 'Unprecedented'

Tuberville's move has stopped the Pentagon from putting nearly 300 officers into new positions and duty stations, and has...

Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman takes a question

After Criticism from Its Top Commander, Space Force Adopts New Mission Statement

After the Space Force's top officer criticized the service's mission statement this past May, Guardians weighed in. Now, the...

Air Force Has Most Delayed Promotions from Tuberville Hold as New Vice Chief Nominated

An appointment for Lt. Gen. James Slife to be vice chief was received in the Senate as the Air Force shouldered more delayed...

'Unfair Burden': Tuberville Blockade on Promotions Is Stressing Military Families, 3 Service Secretaries Say

Tuberville's move has stopped the Pentagon from putting nearly 300 officers into new positions and duty stations, and has...

Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman swears in members of the first Space Force Honor Guard, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C.

Space Force Stands Up Honor Guard Program Manned by Guardians

The Space Force has enlisted 16 new Guardians who will start the service's own honor guard program, one of the major public...

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