Washington, D.C. (September 19, 2025) – Defense One, the top source for news, analysis, and commentary on the future of defense and national security, is proud to announce that Thomas Novelly has joined its newsroom as Senior Reporter for Air and Space Warfare, covering the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, naval aviation, and the broader defense industry and national-security landscape.

Novelly brings to Defense One deep sourcing across the military services and years of reporting experience at the largest newspapers in several states. Most recently, he covered the Air Force, Space Force, and the broader military for Military.com, where his work spanned watchdog investigations, in-depth features, and daily breaking news. Previously, he reported on military and politics for The Post and Courier in Charleston, South Carolina, and on breaking news and politics for the Courier Journal in Louisville, Kentucky.

His team’s reporting on climate-driven flooding in Charleston earned them a spot on the 2021 Pulitzer Prize finalist list.

“Thomas brings a rare blend of investigative rigor, daily-newsroom chops, and an eye for the human element to our team,” said Bradley Peniston, Executive Editor of Defense One. “His track record covering the Air Force, the Space Force, and the broader military community will immediately strengthen our reporting on the forces shaping U.S. air and space power.”

"It’s an honor to join Defense One's newsroom, which leads the coverage of and conversation about the future of national security,” said Novelly. “I'm eager to break news and provide in-depth coverage on air and space warfare for our audience."

Novelly is based in Washington, D.C.

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About Defense One: 

Defense One is a digital and events media brand that informs the U.S. defense and national security leadership community by delivering news, breaking analysis, and ideas about the topics and trends defining the future of defense and national security. Part of GovExec, Defense One offers new voices and innovative, fearless commentary while providing national security leaders, influential professors, stakeholders, and interested citizens across the defense spectrum with the information that they need to know.

Media Contact: 

Hayley Lynch
hlynch@govexec.com