The Partnership for Global Security (Ken Luongo, 13 March 2026) writes that the Wall Street Journal reported Valar paid for the three C-17 flights of Operation Windlord, roughly estimated at less than $1 million; the WSJ article itself is behind a subscription and was not read. The War Zone's detailed account of the flights (15 Feb 2026), which quotes the Pentagon's release, says nothing about cost or payment. No Defense Department contract, reimbursement or award to Valar appears on USAspending (fund-011, gov-027), and no DoD or DOE document read states the cost, the payer or the legal authority used. A payment from Valar to the government would not show up as an award to Valar on USAspending, so the database's silence neither confirms nor contradicts the report.

• A Hollywood Highlight Reel for the Nuclear Renaissance (Ken Luongo) (Partnership for Global Security, 2026-03-13) analysis “Valar paid the cost of the flights, roughly estimated at less than $1 million”
• C-17 Airlifts A Micro Nuclear Reactor For The First Time (Tyler Rogoway) (The War Zone, 2026-02-15) news
• USAspending award search, recipient 'VALAR ATOMICS', every award-type group (contracts, IDVs, grants, loans, direct payments, other), FY2008 to Sept 30, 2026 (run 2026-09-29; one result, $0) (USAspending.gov (U.S. Department of the Treasury)) primary government