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A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232 (Reinforced), Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, takes off to conduct a simulated suppression of enemy air defenses mission in support of exercise Arctic Defender at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, July 9, 2024. The simulated SEAD mission included aircraft from Germany, France, Spain, and the U.S. VMFA-232 (Rein.) is participating with approximately 360 Marines and 19 F/A-18 aircraft in Arctic Defender, a German Air Force-led exercise that provides a unique opportunity to integrate various forces into joint, coalition and multilateral training from simulated forward operating bases. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Luc Boatman) 
Marine Corps

Marine Corps F/A-18 crashes in Washington state, sparks wildfire

The pilot, from Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, safely ejected.

TOPSHOT - Kenyan police officers monitor a road as a police water cannon vehicle removes barricades during clashes with protesters at a demonstration against a controversial US-built Ebola quarantine centre slated to begin operations at Laikipia Air Base in Nanyuki on June 9, 2026. Several Kenyans were arrested on June 9, 2026 in the latest protests against an Ebola quarantine centre being built for US citizens in a tourist town.The centre at Laikipia Air Base in the town of Nanyuki, under the shadow of Mount Kenya, is set to quarantine Americans arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is battling a major Ebola outbreak. (Photo by Luis TATO / AFP via Getty Images) 
Africa

US deploys troops to Kenya to support Ebola isolation facility

Africa Command sent medical, communications and security personnel to Lakipia Air Base in Nanyuki, but the troops will not provide frontline health care.

U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers, F-15E Strike Eagles, and F-35A Lightning IIs fly in a formation during Astral Knight 26 over the North Sea, June 8, 2026. Aerial refueling operations increase the range and endurance of combat aircraft, supporting tactical integrated air and missile defense and tactical command and control during AK26. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nash Truitt)  Caption: Air Force B-1B bombers, F-15E Strike Eagles and F-35A Lightning IIs fly over the North Sea on June 8, 2026 as part of the Astral Knight 26 exercise. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nash Truitt
Europe

US to cut fighters, warships from NATO mission in Europe

The plan calls for restationing a carrier strike group as well as moving F-15s and F-16s, according to a report.

A building allegedly housing Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores as it explodes. Image via Donald Trump on Truth Social.
Americas

Head of Tren de Aragua gang killed in US strike in Venezuela, Trump says

The attack on Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores is the apparent first American operation inside the country since the capture of Maduro in January.

McGregor Dining Facility
News

Soldiers at New Mexico base say they are missing meals due to long lines

Daily lines outside the McGregor Range Complex’s dining facility are so long that some soldiers said they have missed meals while waiting.

A Ranger from 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment participates in the IVAS Capability Set 4 tropical weather testing in Camp Santiago, Puerto Rico, in March 2021.
Army

The Army bought 10,000 IVAS headsets. Soldiers won’t use them.

Soldiers said the headsets caused neck strains and headaches during use in the field. The Army spent close to $2 billion on the systems, which will be put in storage.

The design for the Global War on Terrorism Memorial has prompted some veterans to question whether the monument accurately captures that era.
News

Iraq and Afghanistan veterans say memorial design is ‘disconnected from the experience’

The initial design for the Global War on Terrorism Memorial has prompted some veterans to question whether the monument accurately captures that era.

U.S. Marines with Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico salute during a relief and appointment ceremony at MCAF on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, Dec. 3, 2024. 1st Sgt. Brandon Smart transferred authority to 1st Sgt. Christopher Rushton after serving as the senior enlisted leader for over a year. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ethan Miller)
Marine Corps

‘Sounds Like a Mutiny’ — Secret recording exposes claims of toxic leadership after a Marine’s suicide

A War Horse investigation points to systemic failures before and after the death of Cpl. Drew Mobley, whose suicide was the third in two years at the airfield at Marine Corps Base Quantico

31st Marine Expeditionary Unit
Iran

The US would need at least 1,200 troops to take Kharg Island, experts say

Kharg Island, which is between 15 and 20 miles from the Iranian coast, typically processes about 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Zachary Strader, a drill instructor with Mike Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, instructs recruits during Pick-Up Day at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, May 30, 2026. Pick-Up Day signifies the first official day of training in which recruits will meet their drill instructor team for the first time, prepare their gear and squad bays, and expectations are set for the remainder of their time in recruit training. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Evelyn Doherty)
Military Life

This is what it looks like when Marine recruits meet their drill instructors for the first time

“Pick-Up Day introduces them to that intensity that recruit training is known for.”

An Armored Crew from the 3rd Battalion 73rd Armor Regiment (Airborne), 82d Airborne Division, driving a M551A1 Sheridan light tank.
Tanks

The last light tank the Army had actually wasn’t bad

The M551 Sheridan was asked to do a lot, and though it didn’t do any of it particularly well, it did serve in three conflicts and proved useful in all of them.

A U.S. Army recruiter with the U.S. Army New York City Recruiting Battalion stands at attention during a celebration of the Army’s 250th Birthday in Times Square, New York on June 14, 2025. More than 250 soldiers, government officials, and distinguished guests attended the celebration, which featured musical performances, an Oath of Enlistment, and a cake-cutting ceremony. The event is one of the weeklong U.S. Army NYC Recruiting Battalion hosted Army 250th Birthday NYC citywide celebrations. (U.S. Army Photo By: Master Sgt. Gregory Williams/Released)
Army

Army recruiter stole identities of recruits to apply for loans, credit cards

None of the recruits were aware of the identity theft, and only one went on to join the Army.

Sgt. Major Lanette Wright, sergeant major of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, listens to a speech given by a congress woman during the Military Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, Arlington, Virginia, May 20, 2014. The Congressional Caucus for Woman's Issues hosted the ceremony at the memorial. The caucus recognized Wright as an outstanding female Marine senior enlisted non-commissioned officer.
News

Event honoring servicewomen canceled after most branches decline to attend

The annual event put on by members of Congress honors women who served by laying wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery.

U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division Artillery Brigade salute during a base redesignation ceremony on Fort Bragg, N.C. March 7, 2025. The redesignation of Fort Liberty to Fort Bragg is not just about history, it is about honoring the Soldiers, Families, and Veterans who have called Fort Bragg home for generations. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Nolan Brewer)
News

Pentagon creates ‘Joint Warfighting Evaluation’ for general and admiral promotions

The military will assess officers’ “operational analysis, communications, and decision-making skills” for promotions to one-star general and admiral.

3rd Cavalry Regiment troopers observe a Javelin anti-tank missile live fire while deployed to Iraq, Oct. 4, 2018. The 3rd Cavalry Regiment is deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, working by, with and through the Iraqi Security Forces and coalition partners to defeat ISIS in areas of Iraq and Syria. (U.S. Army photo by 2nd Lt. Jamie Douglas)
News

VA denies military sexual trauma claims more often than combat injuries

A congressionally mandated report reviewed the Department of Veterans Affairs’ disability claims process for military sexual trauma injuries.

A photo showing overgrown property at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas.
Air Force

Families at a Texas Air Force base say neighborhoods overrun by weeds

Residents say a turnover in landscaping contractors left grass and weeds in base housing unkempt for over a month.

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Tech & Tactics

Image:  U.S. Soldiers assigned to MoD Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Mobile Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), fire mortars down range during an African Lion 26 counterattack exercise at Cap Draa, Tan-Tan, Morocco, May 4, 2026. The command field exercise counterattack lane tested new combined arms breach tactics by synchronizing unmanned ground vehicles, remote systems and maneuver elements, demonstrating the integration of autonomous and conventional forces to create standoff, reduce risk and generate new tactical possibilities on the modern battlefield. Army photo by Sgt. Christopher Sanchez 
Army

The Army has a mobile app that helps soldiers adjust mortar fire

Drones

The Army’s latest anti-drone tool fires missiles from a cargo container

Fighter Aircraft

What is China’s government saying about the F-47?

Marine Corps

A final public flight for the Marine Corps’ legendary Harrier jet

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Task & Purpose was founded in 2014 to cover the military and veteran community from a rank-and-file perspective, and continues to do so with accurate reporting and great storytelling to this day. Our journalists have reported on the front lines of the Standing Rock protests in North Dakota and the war in Afghanistan. We’ve uncovered American veterans being abused in Kuwaiti prisons, deported veterans being forced to work for Mexican cartels, and drawn national attention to a longstanding legal rule barring service members from suing the government — even in the face of gross negligence.

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