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Army Apache crews who fired ‘first shots of Desert Storm’ receive Distinguished Flying Crosses

Army Apache crews who fired ‘first shots of Desert Storm’ receive Distinguished Flying Crosses

Four U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 115th Fighter Wing, Wisconsin National Guard, fly over the Air Dominance Center during exercise Sentry Savannah 25-1, Savannah Air National Guard Base, Georgia, Jan. 24, 2025. Sentry Savannah is the Air National Guard’s premier fighter exercise, a critical training event that aims to enhance the U.S. Air Force and Department of Defense’s fighter jet readiness, interoperability and capability in an air-to-air simulated combat environment. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Rafael D. Rosa)

Trump touts new ‘F-55’ fighter jet and upgrades to F-35s and F-22s

President Donald Trump said the U.S. military may get a new fighter jet, which he called the F-55, as long as it comes in at the right price.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Caserta died when he intentionally walked into a spinning helicopter propeller on June 25, 2018. Hi parents, Teri and Patrick, lobbied for The Brandon Act, which mandates that troops get mental healthcare and other assistance when they need it.

Parents of ‘Brandon Act’ sailor ask to meet with Hegseth about military suicides

Teri and Patrick Caserta lobbied for the Brandon Act after their son died by suicide while in the Navy, but they say they are afraid that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is not prioritizing the changes it laid out.

Soldier yells

An Army unit’s ‘extreme use of profanity’ was so bad, they made a rule about it

A unit that receives new recruits at boot camp has banned its soldiers from using vulgar language and making rude gestures when working in official capacities during duty hours.

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 354th Fighter Wing, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, flies over the Joint Pacific-Alaska Range Complex, during RED FLAG-Alaska 24-1, Apr. 26, 2024. RED FLAG-Alaska provides unique opportunities to integrate various forces into joint, coalition and multilateral training from simulated forward operating bases. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Julia Lebens)

Air Force F-16’s collision with ducks in Alaska ended in ‘flameout landing’

An official Air Force investigation of the mishap found the F-16 landed safely after some ‘quack’ thinking by the pilot.

An F-35A Lightning II performs a restricted climb over March Air Reserve Base during takeoff for a practice demonstration, April 11, 2025. The F-35A Demonstration Team showcases the power, precision, and lethality of the world’s most advanced multirole stealth fighter. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Nathan Poblete)

F-35’s close call over Yemen raises questions about how it’s used

F-35s are designed to destroy high-value infrastructure — airfields, shipyards, radar stations and the like — ideally with long-range weapons.

4th Security Force Assistance Brigade Medical Advisors instructs ROTC cadets from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs during Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) training. The hands-on session focused on lifesaving skills and leadership development to prepare future Army officers for real-world challenges. (U.S. Army photo)

Army to eliminate 2 Security Force Assistance Brigades, reassign experienced soldiers

Security Force Assistance Brigades were stood up in 2017 to train and advise the military forces of U.S. allies. The Army now plans to eliminate two of the brigades to free up the experienced soldiers assigned to them.

The bear hulu

If you’ve ever lived in the barracks, you already understand ‘The Bear’ on Hulu

The show is about anxiety, toxic work environment, and emotional breakdowns under fluorescent lights — which should be familiar to anyone who has lived in a barracks.

Air Force

Air Force delay on separation and retirement orders isn’t ‘stop loss,’ defense official says

“This action does not impact the separation or retirement dates; it only adjusts the timing of order issuance. Airmen will still retire or separate on their approved date.”

New Generation Squad Weapons

Why the Army’s new XM7 rifle reignited a debate over volume of fire

An infantry officer’s critique of the XM7 argues that the lower round capacity of the service’s new rifle could put soldiers at risk. An Army general said the rifle’s new ammunition “stops the enemy at one round.”

A soldier wearing goggles inspects a drone at a work station.

173rd Airborne builds its own FPV drone lab to get around procurement wait

Each small drone, compared to “steerable mortars,” is made in-house with soldiers building them themselves to then train with them.

A Dutch Shepherd dog, wearing a military camouflage vest and a red beret, walks on a leash.

The military’s only search and rescue dog has retired

Callie spent six years with the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, logging 750 hours of flight time, rappelling out of helicopters, parachuting and helping airmen locate people in disaster zones.

Judge David O. Carter inspects the West L.A. VA campus on Aug. 21, 2024, while overseeing a lawsuit against the VA brought by veterans. (Getty Photo via Los Angeles Times by Brian van der Brug)

Trump orders West Los Angeles VA campus to house thousands of veterans

The directive calls for creating a “National Center for Warrior Independence” even as the VA fights against a similar court order to expand housing on the grounds.

Army Pvt. Gabriel Perez

Army identifies soldier who died during basic training at Fort Jackson

Army Pvt. Gabriel Perez, 22, died during basic combat training. His death is under investigation.

U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army and U.S. Navy assets line up on the runway for an elephant walk during a routine operational readiness exercise at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 6, 2025. Team Kadena showcased an array of aircraft, demonstrating a portion of the 100+ aircraft operating from the Keystone of the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tylir Meyer)

This 53 aircraft ‘elephant walk’ has everything you’d need for a war in the Pacific

The runway display of 53 Air Force and Navy planes — plus Army missiles — ranged from rescue helicopters to fighters and hulking spy planes.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Aidan Smith, a rifleman with Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment and a native of Maine, fires an M32 grenade launcher during a live-fire shoot range as part of Exercise Chesapeake 25 at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, May 1, 2025. Exercise Chesapeake 2025 was a bilateral U.S.–French naval exercise that underscored a commitment to interoperability, maritime readiness, and shared values. The exercise took place as the U.S. Marine Corps is celebrating 250 years of warfighting excellence and reflects the Marine Corps’ commitment to global partnerships and naval integration, enabling the force to rapidly respond to crises, deter adversaries, and reassure allies. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Jack Labrador)

Hegseth orders sweeping force structure changes for the military

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a reduction of general and flag officers and directed the Army to make force structure changes, including consolidating commands.

The Pentagon Rundown

III Armored Corps Soldiers begin the week-long III AC Best Squad Competition with an Army Combat Fitness Test outside Whitside Fitness Center, Fort Riley, KS, on June 24, 2024. There are ten units from within III Corps participating in this event, all gunning for the opportunity to compete at the FORSCOM level Best Squad Competition later this year. (U.S. Army Photos by Spc. Tyler Selige)

Army closes in on its elusive goal of a gender-neutral fitness test

US war against the Houthis grinds on. Tell me how this ends.

Pentagon faces deadline on recommending whether to invoke the Insurrection Act

Did the Army actually listen to soldiers’ complaints about mandatory training?

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Task & Purpose was founded in 2014 as a voice for the military community, and continues to serve that community 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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