Thomas Novelly
@tomnovelly.bsky.social
160 followers 59 following 76 posts
Military.com Air Force & Space Force Reporter | “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” | country/western music fan | DM for Signal | Email me at [email protected]
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tomnovelly.bsky.social
Today marks three years at @militarydotcom.bsky.social! This past year, I published the most important work of my career thanks to @travistritten.bsky.social's and @zachfb.bsky.social's editorial guidance and the immense talent in the @militarydotcom.bsky.social newsroom.

Here are my favorites 🧵
tomnovelly.bsky.social
@kheel.bsky.social, @ktoropin.bsky.social, @dflawrence.bsky.social, @stevenbeynon.bsky.social, @patriciakime.bsky.social and Rich Sisk are simply the best in the biz. I'll miss working with them.

Excited to share where I'll be reporting next soon. But, tonight, I raise a glass to all these folks.
tomnovelly.bsky.social
I revealed the schemes of an alleged cult preying on VA benefits. I spent a week with Space Force Guardians marking history at boot camp. I disclosed longstanding issues facing the V-22 Osprey, and I detailed growing health and cancer concerns in the Air Force. It made an impact.
tomnovelly.bsky.social
Zach is one of the best editors in the biz and encouraged me to take big swings with investigations and features. Travis is a journalism role model for me and made sure my daily stories always focused on people first. Their guidance resulted in some of the best work of my journalism career thus far.
tomnovelly.bsky.social
Personal news: Today is my last day with @militarydotcom.bsky.social. Four years ago, @zachfb.bsky.social and @travistritten.bsky.social took a chance on a guy far outside DC to be the Air/Space Force Reporter and brought me on to join an incredible team of journalists. Best choice I ever made.
tomnovelly.bsky.social
If you’re a guardsman assigned to the DC mission, I want to chat! DM me here or reach me on Signal: tomcnovelly.61
Reposted by Thomas Novelly
vsamsondc.bsky.social
THANK YOU: the X-37B "does not swirl and manoeuver like an X-wing Starfighter or Tie-fighter, changing orbital plane at will. In many ways, on-orbit it is just another satellite, moving in a fixed orbital plane...The wings only function in the atmosphere, not in space"
marcolangbroek.bsky.social
Navigational Warnings have appeared for the US Space Force #X37B spaceplane mission #OTV8 (USSF-36).
Falcon 9 upper stage deorbit area suggests Low Earth Orbit of inclination 49.5 deg. Window opens 22 Aug 3:40 UTC.
@dutchspace.bsky.social
Text of Navigational Warnings NAVAREA IV 877/25 and HYDROPAC 2096/25 (screenshot) defining two harzard zoines, one in the launch area at cape canaveral, Florida, the nother in the Eastern Pacific (Falcon 9 upper stage deorbit area) Navigational Warnings NAVAREA IV 877/25 and HYDROPAC 2096/25 plotted on a map of the world, with the deduced launch trajectory (for a ~350 km altitude, 59.5 degree inclined orbit). Numbers next to trajectory is elapsed time in minutes since launch.
tomnovelly.bsky.social
BREAKING: @militarydotcom.bsky.social has acquired an Air Force service record matching with Sean Charles Dunn, the 37-year-old DOJ employee and veteran accused of assaulting a federal officer by throwing a sandwich at him.

Story to come @militarydotcom.bsky.social:
Reposted by Thomas Novelly
vsamsondc.bsky.social
Bookmarking this to keep an eye on as we learn more about Golden Dome - CRS collected all of their relevant reports on US homeland air and missile defense in one place

www.congress.gov/crs-product/...
www.congress.gov
tomnovelly.bsky.social
I’m blessed to do this work and I’m thankful for all the great people I’ve met along the way.

Here’s to another decade, y’all!
tomnovelly.bsky.social
I’ve covered crime scenes and political campaigns. I’ve filed stories from wildfires and nuclear missile sites. I’ve reported on hurricanes and military operations. I’ve sourced from dusty VFW halls to the Pentagon.

I made the front page and was part of a Pulitzer finalist team.
tomnovelly.bsky.social
I turned 30 today! I’m feeling nostalgic, reflective and, most importantly, incredibly grateful.

In my 20s I’ve lived and reported in DC, MI, TN, KY, SC, CO and, now, back in DC.

Being a journalist for the past decade has given me more experiences than I could ever even fathom:
tomnovelly.bsky.social
NEW: B-2 Pilots on the Iran mission were invited to Trump's July 4 picnic. But the White House and Air Force can't say what measures are being taken to protect their identities.

Former pilots, including a B-2 commander, said that raises security worries. My latest:
www.military.com/daily-news/2...
Pilots Who Conducted Iran Strikes Invited to White House on July 4, Raising Security Concerns
The B-2 Spirit bomber pilots and crew involved with the strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities last month have been invited to attend a July 4 celebration at the White House, but it's not clear what mea...
www.military.com
tomnovelly.bsky.social
If you're a member of the Texas or California National Guard, I'd like to chat with you and we can grant you anonymity. I can be reached on Signal at tomcnovelly.61 or through my DMs here!
Reposted by Thomas Novelly
travistritten.bsky.social
The troops are not allowed to conduct law enforcement. But authorities to temporarily detain citizens and accompany federal law enforcement blur the line between forces meant to police the public and those that fight the country's wars.

Story by @dflawrence.bsky.social + @tomnovelly.bsky.social
The Marines Are in Los Angeles
Around 200 Marines armed with rifles, riot control equipment, gas masks, roughly 20 hours of civil disturbance training and the ability to temporarily detain civilians arrived in the country's second-...
www.military.com
Reposted by Thomas Novelly
zachfb.bsky.social
Really important story - army officials asked soldiers to identify themselves if they don't agree with Trump's politics that way he'd get only supportive soldiers in uniform during his political rally on base. Heavier soldiers were also barred from participating.
Bragg Soldiers Who Cheered Trump's Political Attacks While in Uniform Were Checked for Allegiance, Appearance
As Trump viciously attacked his perceived political foes, he whipped up boos from the gathered troops directed at California leaders, including Gov. Gavin Newsom.
www.military.com
tomnovelly.bsky.social
ICYMI: In an unprecedented move, Trump is asking the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who should serve as the next NASA administrator. A White House official said its because Trump "wants to ensure his next nominee is aligned with his America First vision"
www.military.com/daily-news/2...
White House Asked Joint Chiefs Chairman for Candidates to Lead NASA, Worrying Experts
The White House made the unusual move of reaching out to Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for advice on who should serve as the next NASA administrator, causing experts to worry ...
www.military.com