Oriana Pawlyk

Oriana Pawlyk is Military.com’s air warfare reporter covering everything from the latest personnel trends, aircraft, investigations, defense technology, to Air Force operations all over the world. Pawlyk is also an active member of the Pentagon Press Association.

She previously covered air campaign operations in the Middle East and Europe, plus uniforms, cyber, Guard and Reserve duties, physical training and technology for Air Force Times. Pawlyk edited the Military Times Early Bird Brief newsletter in 2015, compiling the top national security stories driving the day. Pawlyk attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where she received a bachelor’s in Journalism and English Literature.

Email: oriana.pawlyk@monster.com

Latest Articles

U.S. Air Force Gen. Mike Holmes, the commander of Air Combat Command, and 1st Lt. Wade Holmes, his son, battle each other in a combat flight action video game June 29, 2019, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. (U.S. Air Force/Emerald Ralston)

Air Force 1st Lieutenant Beats 4-Star Dad in Livestreamed Dogfight Game

Score a win for the Viper pilot in the battle over which Air Force fourth-generation aircraft brings the heat.

Hill Air Force Base F-35As fly over the Utah Test and Training Range, March 30, 2017. (U.S. Air Force photo/R. Nial Bradshaw)

F-35 Dogfight Accidentally Resulted in a Sky Penis, Officials Say

Six F-35 Joint Strike Fighters simulating aggressor air training accidentally created contrails that resembled a penis.

Leland Thomas, 87, receives handshakes from children at the Korean War Memorial on Nov. 8, 2018. Thomas served in both Korea and Vietnam as a combat cameraman, and conducted interviews with prisoners of war. (Oriana Pawlyk/Military.com)

War Memorial Visits Offer Reflection, Closure for Vets on Honor Flight Journey

The Kansas vets made the trek from Wichita through the Honor Flight Network, an organization that brings veterans to D.C.

Retired Lt. Col. Dick Cole, a co-pilot in the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo, raises a glass to toast the 74th anniversary of the raid on April 18, 2016, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. (Photo: Airman 1st Class Stormy Archer)

Last of the Doolittle Raiders, Dick Cole, Dies at 103

Retired Lt. Col. Richard "Dick" Cole, the last veteran of the "Doolittle Raid" on Tokyo during World War II, died Tuesday.

The teal ribbon is a national symbol of support for victims of sexual assault.

Facing Sexual Assault Charges, Air Force Colonel Heads to Court-Martial

The Air Force brought charges against McNamara in October following an investigation that began in 2019.

Air Force Global Strike Command bombers perform the Super Bowl LV flyover.

How the Air Force Pulled Off the First-Ever Super Bowl Flyover with All 3 Bombers

The B-52, which dates back to the early 1960s, had to keep in line with its B-1B Lancer and B-2 Spirit cousins.

Retired But Still Flying, the F-117 Nighthawk May Soon Fade to Black

How did the "retired" F-117 Nighthawk plane make its way onto a flightline?

Aircrew egress systems specialists hoist an F-16 Fighting Falcon canopy

Lawmakers Move to Protect Pilots from Ejection Seat Problems

Lawmakers plan to require the Air Force and the Navy to notify them when the live-saving seats are in need of repair.

Two A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft fly a flight training mission March 16, 2010, over Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The A-10C is the first Air Force aircraft specially designed for close-air support of ground forces. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wiseman)

Congress Rebuffs Air Force's Plan to Retire Older Aircraft, Putting A-10 Move on Hold

Lawmakers would block the retirement of the A-10s again if the recent Senate Armed Services Committee’s version of the bill...

Former Airman Who Leaked Details of Drone Program Sentenced, Will Serve Prison Time

A former Air Force intelligence analyst has been sentenced to 45 months in prison for leaking classified information.

Biden shakes hands with Iraqi prime minister in Oval Office.

US Ending Combat Role in Iraq by End of Year

The United States will formally end its combat mission in Iraq by the end of the year, President Joe Biden announced Monday.

Frank Kendall III, President Joe Biden's nominee to be secretary of the Air Force, appears for his confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, May 25, 2021. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)

Senate Confirms Frank Kendall to Lead Air Force

Despite facing several holds during the confirmation process, senators ultimately voted to confirm Frank Kendall as the 26th...

Defense Department police officer Richard Martinez, a patrol officer with the 673d Security Forces Squadron, turns on a new body camera during a routine stop Jan. 8, 2021, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. (Senior Airman Crystal A. Jenkins/U.S. Air Force)

Air Force Suspends Using Body Cameras for Its Security Personnel

The service estimates 13 units actively employed body cameras; nine had bought the equipment but had not activated them for...

Black Rifle Coffee Company aspires to help you live the life of your dreams.

Black Rifle Coffee Distances Itself from Extremists, Including Some Who Loved Their Brand

The company had to deliberately state what kind of followers wouldn't be tolerated: extremists.

Patriot Express service flight from Italy

After the Air Force Ended Rapid COVID Testing at Patriot Express Ports, Hundreds Couldn't Fly

To avoid further problems, Air Mobility Command is asking passengers to check health protection and traveler guidance

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Most Popular Military News

Rep. Michael Lawler, R-N.Y., left, confronts House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y.

Federal Government Shutdown Grinds into a Second Week as Tempers Flare at the Capitol

As the federal government shutdown enters a second week, there’s no discernible endgame in sight.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) questions U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi as she testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the Hart Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

Trump Targets Blumenthal, Calling for Investigation into Senator's Vietnam Service Claims

President Donald Trump is targeting U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal again after Connecticut’s senior U.S. senator grilled U.S...

Pvt. Paul Douglas, age 50, performs a rifle inspection with his drill instructor aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot S.C., 1942. Douglas, at age 50 was the oldest recruit in the history of Parris Island, and went on to become a purple heart recipient and Chicago senator (DVIDS).

At 50, He Survived Marine Boot Camp — Then Fought at Peleliu and Okinawa

When 50-year-old Paul Douglas showed up at Marine Corps boot camp in 1942, the white-haired economics professor looked more...

Pack and transport platoon of the Russian army. Southern Military District. Ministry of Defense of Russia (Wikimedia Commons).

Ukrainian Drones Attack Russian Cavalry Troops in Rare 21st-Century Encounter

A short video circulating online this month appears to show a Russian mounted patrol being struck by a Ukrainian drone near...

When The Government Can Afford Everything Except The Essentials

Every shutdown forces the government to decide what counts as “essential.” Air traffic controllers and TSA agents fall into...

Troops Will Miss Paychecks Next Week Without Action on the Government Shutdown

The federal government shutdown is raising anxiety levels among service members and their families, because those in uniform...

Latest Military Videos

Mothers and Wives of Fallen Ukrainian Soldiers Plant Trees to Remember Their Sacrifice

Wives and mothers of Ukrainian soldiers who died in the fight against Russia planted trees in a public park...

Destruction in Gaza Visible from Southern Israel

From multiple vantage points, debris piles are visible as a result of bombing in Gaza. (AP) Oct. 24

Russia Targets Kyiv with Drones, Killing 3 and Wounding 29

Russia attacked Ukraine with 101 drones over Saturday night into Sunday, according to Ukraine’s air force, of which 90...

Master Class: Resume Writing Workshop for Military Members & Spouses

Learn how to translate your military experience into a results-driven resume that speaks to civilian employers. Walk away with...

Investigations and Features

In One of the Marines' Most Iconic Jobs, a Stunning Pattern of Suicide

Marine Corps drill instructors are a national symbol of discipline. But for some, their imposing persona belies a dark...

Army Capt. Jeremy Kuykendall and his wife Kate, cradle their daughter

Unsupervised: Military Child Care Centers Slow to Report Abuse with Little Oversight

A Military.com investigation into military day care centers revealed that service branch rules generally prioritize...

Army News

Florencio Davila. His family made sure that his final wish was honored with the help of the local community. (Submitted photo)

Fort Hood Steps In After Shutdown Halts WWII Veteran’s Military Funeral

Florencio Davila, a World War II veteran, died recently at age 99. His dying wish was to be buried with full military honors...

Lauri Törni served as an SS-Untersturmführer in the Waffen-SS near the end of World War II, after Finland's armistice with the Soviet Union forced him to seek other ways to continue fighting against Soviet forces. (Wikimedia Commons)

How a Former Waffen-SS Officer Became an American War Hero Buried at Arlington National Cemetery

A white granite headstone in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery bears a name that sounds American: Larry Allan Thorne...

Navy News

In this July 6, 2020, file photo provided by U.S. Navy, the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76, front) and USS Nimitz (CVN 68, rear) Carrier Strike Groups sail together in formation, in the South China Sea. (Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jason Tarleton/U.S. Navy via AP, File)

Crews Are Safe Following Two Navy Crashes

Two Navy aircraft from the USS Nimitz crashed minutes apart in the South China Sea.

Venezuela Moves to Cancel Energy Agreements With Trinidad After US Warship Arrives at Island Nation

Venezuela's vice president has called for canceling energy agreements with Trinidad and Tobago.

Air Force News

President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington.

Former US Airman Threatened to Assassinate Trump Over LGBTQ+ Policies, Feds Say

Joshua Levi Young, 21, of Ishpeming, is accused of issuing several threats since January that called for the execution of...

Shield AI's newly unveiled X-BAT autonomous fighter jets. The VTOL drones are designed to fly combat missions alongside crewed aircraft as part of the Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. (Shield AI)

Shield AI Unveils Fully Autonomous VTOL Fighter Jet

A San Diego defense technology company unveiled an artificial intelligence-piloted fighter jet Tuesday that can take off...

Space Force News

U.S. Air Force U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Rachel Harmon and Master Sgt. Tom Anderson, weapons loaders assigned to the 174th Attack Wing, checks an inert GBU 12 laser guided missile on an MQ-9 Reaper at Springfield-Beckley Air National Guard Base in Springfield, Ohio.

Two Space Force Units Bring the 'Invisible Front Line' to Ohio

A ceremonial ribbon-cutting is planned for Friday for the Space Intelligence Production Cell at the Springfield-Beckley Air...

A painting of a Defense Support Program satellite from the Air Force Art collection. DSP provides a variety of national security capabilities. Its flagship mission of launch detection was made famous during the Cold War. (U.S. Air Force image)

Clearing The Orbits: Space Force Partnerships In Orbital Cleanup

The growing congestion of Earth orbit has raised risks to satellites, space stations, and long-term space sustainability. The...

Marine Corps News

Racers compete in the 50th Marine Corps Marathon on October 26, 2025 (Eric Kayne, Stars & Stripes).

50th Marine Corps Marathon: New Record Set, Marine Major Claims Third Win

The 50th running of the Marine Corps Marathon wrapped up with a record performance by the women's winner, as well as a third...

Runners and Marine Corps service members at the 2024 Marine Corps Marathon. (Photo by Marine Corps Marathon media team)

Marine Corps Marathon Marks 50 Years of Running With Purpose

This Sunday, Oct. 26, the Marine Corps Marathon will mark its 50th anniversary as one of the largest races in the U.S.

Coast Guard News

Coast Guardsmen stand watch behind a barrier at Coast Guard Base Alameda.

Shots Fired, Driver Hurt and Held After Truck Rams Into Coast Guard Base Alameda

No Coast Guard personnel were hurt.

The East Oakland entrance to the military installation — which marks the only way on or off of the island by car or truck — became the site of protests Thursday when federal agents arrived in the Bay Area as part of the next phase of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. (Kyle Martin)

Security Personnel Outside Coast Guard Base Open Fire at U-Haul Truck at Scene of Immigration Protests

Multiple security personnel opened fire Thursday night at a U-Haul truck that had been backing up to the entrance to Coast...