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Task & Purpose. News, culture, and analysis by and for the military community.

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Each week on Tuesdays and Fridays our team will bring you analysis of military tech, tactics, and doctrine delivered from a rank-and-file perspective.

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U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman speaks to graduates of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School in Las Vegas, Nevada, June 13, 2026. Saltzman encouraged the class to lead with humility, expertise, and innovation as they returned to their units as the Air Force and Space Force’s premiere tactical and operational experts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Bella Swarr)
Space Force

Space Force to test new mess dress uniform this fall

The Space Force is testing its new mess dress uniform for guardians to wear for formal occasions.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Task Force Associator, East Africa Response Force sit inside an MV-22 Osprey prior to takeoff at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 15, 2025. The EARF conducted a crisis response drill to Mogadishu, Somalia, one of their primary roles in safeguarding U.S. citizens and commercial interests across the continent. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Nicholas Session)
Africa

US carries out days of airstrikes in Somalia after a month’s pause

A week of strikes targeted al-Shabab in renewed fighting against the militant group.

A Soldier assigned to 7th Infantry Division (Multi-Domain Command - Pacific) switches their patch from the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force patch to the 7th ID (MDC-PAC) patch during a redesignation ceremony at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., June 18, 2026. The redesignation honors the Bayonet Division’s legacy while establishing 7th ID (MDC-PAC) as the Army’s newest theater-enabling command, built to integrate maneuver, fires, air defense, cyber, space, electronic warfare, intelligence, unmanned systems, sustainment, and command and control in support of the Joint Force across the Pacific. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Taylor Zacherl) 
Army

Army forms new command to create a ‘covering force’ in the Pacific

The new formation combines the 7th Infantry Division and 1st Multi-Domain Task Force into one command. 

HINES, ILLINOIS - JUNE 03: An Intersex-Inclusive Pride Progress Flag is raised in front of the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital during a brief ceremony on June 03, 2024 in Hines, Illinois. The flag will fly in front of the facility during the month of June in recognition of Pride Month. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) 
News

VA ends gender identity-based programs, messaging and activities

The new directive reclassifies LGBTQ+ care coordinators as just care coordinators, with advocates and workers concerned for what it means for veterans’ treatment.

A U.S. Air Force RQ-4B Global Hawk Block 40 assigned to the 4th Reconnaissance Squadron taxis on the runway at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 27, 2026. The mission of the 4 RS is to support U.S. intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance priorities, operational plans and contingency operations throughout the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacob Wood) 
Air Force

Air Force relocates recon drone squadron to Japan

Three of the Air Force’s large RQ-4 Global Hawk drones will be permanently stationed in Yokota Air Base.

Members of the funeral cortege for 13 Revolutionary War soldiers arrive at Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Camden, South Carolina, April 22, 2023. The American and British soldiers honored in the procession fought and died in the Battle of Camden in 1780, and researchers discovered their remains over the last few years. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Margaret Taylor) 
History

Revolutionary War soldier identified after 246 years

Pvt. John Pumphrey was one of 14 soldiers whose remains were found in 2022.

Image: U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit board M/T Celestial Sea, an Iranian-flagged commercial oil tanker suspected of attempting to violate the U.S. blockade by transiting toward an Iranian port, May 20, 2026. American forces released the vessel after searching and directing the ship’s crew to alter course. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo) 
Iran

Navy lifts blockade, will keep ships around the Strait of Hormuz

American forces will stay in the area to monitor the ceasefire, U.S. Central Command said.

More than 500 Airmen assigned to the 324th Training Squadron graduated from Basic Military Training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Sept 7-8, 2022. Maj. Gen. Craig Wills, 19th Air Force commander, reviewed the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by C Arce)
Air Force

Flu outbreak leaves nearly 160 Air Force trainees sick

The three-week-long outbreak at Joint-Base San Antonio-Lackland comes two months after the Department of Defense ended its flu vaccine mandate.

Capers Ripley Dockery 2026
Army

Three officers who overcame desperate odds receive Medals of Honor

Two Marines who served heroically in Vietnam and an Army officer who used his body to shield a soldier in Afghanistan received the award.

260422-N-FT324-8777. ROTA, SPAIN (April 23, 2026)- U.S. Navy Sailors stand in formation during a dress white uniform inspection at Naval Station Rota. The Sailors are inspected to ensure uniform standards, attention to detail, and overall readiness. The inspection reflects the professionalism, discipline, and pride Sailors take in their service while highlighting the teamwork that supports the mission at NMRTC Rota. (U.S. Navy photo by Mr. Everett Lopez)
Navy

New officers in Navy tech unit could join at ranks as high as captain

The officers will join a new Reserve unit called the Navy Innovation Unit. Officials are planning to begin direct commissioning new officers in fiscal year 2027.

Marines of 1st Platoon, Combat Logistics Company 115 return to the safety of Camp Fallujah the morning of May 24, 2006.
Drones

Ukraine is shredding Russian supply lines. The US should pay attention

Ukraine’s drone campaign against Russian logistics is a preview of what U.S. forces could encounter in future conflicts.

James Capers Jr.
Marine Corps

Vietnam War Recon Marine, James Capers Jr, to receive Medal of Honor

Bloody and under fire in Vietnam, he led his men to safety 60 years ago. On Thursday, he will receive the Medal of Honor.

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 3: Members of the National Guard stand near the White House on June 3, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
National Guard

New law could simplify Reserve and Guard orders that affect pay, benefits

“The system rewards how orders are written over the duty actually performed, and members can serve almost full-time yet keep falling through the cracks on housing and health care.”

The Air Force released the names of the crew killed June 15 in a crash at Edwards Air Force Base, California. (top row) Col. (select) Gregory Watson; Lt. Col. Gabriel Estrella; Maj. Alexander Davis; Maj. Robert Dee; (bottom row) Maj. Brad Hovey; retired Lt. Col. Miles Middleton; civilians Christopher Rischar and Jeromy Smith.
Air Force

Air Force identifies crew members killed in California B-52 crash

“These Airmen were more than coworkers. They were friends, mentors, teammates and valued members of our Edwards and Air Force family.”

U.S. authorities say they captured a former soldier and fugitive living in Spain who deserted in 1996.
Army

Army ‘Most Wanted’ fugitive caught after 30 years on the run

Former Army Staff Sgt. Jesse Bussey disappeared in September 1996 while stationed in Germany. He was later convicted in absentia of a series of attacks on fellow soldiers.

Army High School Graduation
Army

Army program allows children to finish high school without moving

In the past year, roughly 4,000 soldiers took part in the program, which keeps experienced troops in one place during high school years.

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Tech & Tactics

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

Iran

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

Tanks

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

Army

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

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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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