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U.S. Marines with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, Maritime Raid Force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fast rope out of a U.S. Navy MH-60S Seahawk assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) Squadron 25, during a fast rope exercise in the Philippine Sea, Feb. 12, 2026. Marines and Sailors conducted fast-rope training to enhance air-to-ground insertion capabilities for operations in support of the 31st MEU. The 31st MEU is a persistent, combat credible force operating aboard the ships of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group in the U.S. 7th fleet area of operations, routinely interacting and operating with our allies and partners to contribute to deterrence, security, crisis response, and combat operations in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Victor Gurrola)
Iran

This is what we know about the Maritime Raid Force used to seize Iranian vessel

A Maritime Raid Force, which consists of both reconnaissance and infantry Marines, boarded and seized an Iranian vessel on April 19.

SMASH 2000L
Marine Corps

Marines on way to Middle East seen using rifles with anti-drone smart scope

The company that makes the SMASH 2000L advanced fire control system confirmed that a recent series of photos show deployed Marines using the smart scope.

Marine Expeditionary Unit
Helicopters

Here’s what Marine Expeditionary Units are designed to do

Marine Expeditionary Units are self-sustaining forces that can quickly deploy for both combat and humanitarian missions.

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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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BAGRAM AIR BASE, AFGHANISTAN - MAY 11: U.S. Army soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division march from the back of a C-17 cargo plane May 11, 2013 at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. After flying from their Division headquarters at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, the soldiers will deploy for 9 months replacing other U.S. Army units. U.S. soldiers and marines will maintain a presence inside Afghanistan until their planned withdrawal by the end of 2014. (Photo by Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images)
News

Military contractors no longer have ‘immunity’ to lawsuits brought by troops

The Supreme Court said an Army veteran can sue a contractor whose employee carried out a suicide attack in Afghanistan.

A U.S Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 225, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, takes off from the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Tsushima Strait, Sept. 18, 2024.
Fighter Aircraft

How the F-35 is changing Marine airpower

The F-35 may be the most capable fighter aircraft the Marines have ever flown, but it also might be the most complicated.

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 25th Infantry Division Artillery, work with Philippine Army partners to sling load a Philippine Army M101 howitzer to a CH-47 Chinook during an air assault operation as part of Exercise Salaknib 2026 at Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, April 7, 2026. The training enhances the rapid deployment of artillery assets, increasing the combined readiness of the U.S.-Philippine Alliance. Salaknib is an annual exercise designed to enhance combat readiness and strengthen the U.S.-Philippine Alliance. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Taylor Gray)
Army

Army Chinook makes first landing without a pilot

As the Army looks to cut 6,000 pilots and aviation crew, the Chinook is the second current Army helicopter modified to fly without a pilot.

Secretary of the Navy John Phelan speaks to Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Christian Mercado, from Orlando, Florida, assigned to supply department’s material division in the hangar bay aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) while moored pierside at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, April 28, 2025. George Washington is 7th Fleet’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, while operating alongside Allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Tyler Crowley)
Navy

Navy Secretary leaving role ‘effective immediately,’ Pentagon announces

Undersecretary Hung Cao will serve as the Navy’s acting secretary amid John Phelan’s sudden departure.

A Marine assigned to the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Crisis Response- Central Command carries a child to be processed during an evacuation at Hamid Karzai International Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 25.
Marine Corps

7 Marines receive award upgrades for Abbey Gate

The move comes after a review found that several of the Marines’ awards had been “inappropriately downgraded,” according to the Pentagon.

An HH-60W Jolly Green II hoists a simulated survivor during an aerial demonstration for Saluting Our Aviation Roots, Feb. 25, 2026, at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. The demonstration highlighted combat search and rescue capabilities for students and families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Bre Lewis)
Air Force

Air Force wants to use lasers to help protect rescue helicopters after Iran mission

The Air Force wants to install a new laser countermeasure aboard its HH-60W rescue helicopters to fend off heatseeking missiles.

Students with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, load a C-130 aircraft during jump week, May 20, 2025, at the Basic Airborne Course on Fort Benning, Georgia. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Stephanie Snyder)
Military Branches

The US military wants to add 44,500 additional troops next year

These are the branches they’ll be going to.

Sgt. Nathan Winter lifts a 40-lbs sandbag as part of the Army's new Combat Field Test at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia.
Army

Army releases details on new test for combat arms soldiers

The new annual test is adapted from the 7-event field fitness test currently required for the Army’s Expert Infantryman Badge.

Barracks Repair
News

Military budgets $57 billion to fix bases and ‘substandard’ barracks

“The investments in this budget will fix all substandard barracks and eliminate barracks that have been deemed poor or failing.”

A U.S. Air Force Airman from the 23rd Medical Group administers a dose of the influenza vaccine at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, Nov.16, 2022. The mass vaccination campaign enabled the 23rd MDG to vaccinate more than 500 personnel per day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Whitney Gillespie)
News

Hegseth says flu vaccines are now optional across the active duty and reserve force

Under new Defense Department guidance, annual influenza vaccines are now voluntary for all active duty and reserve service members.

A prototype of the new M1E3 Abrams tank was revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan in January.
Army

1st Cavalry Division soldiers will get the Army’s newest tank and infantry combat vehicle first

The soldiers will get prototypes of the new tank and fighting vehicle in the fall. The unit plans to bring them to the National Training Center next Spring.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Josiah Bierle, 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron pilot, awaits takeoff in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Dec. 30, 2025. Stationing A-10s in the CENTCOM AOR reinforces U.S. commitment to regional stability and strengthens deterrence against potential threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jonah Bliss)
Air Force

Air Force can’t quit the A-10 Warthog, extends service into 2030

The Air Force can’t quit the “Brrrrt.”

A U.S. Sailor aboard the world's largest aircraft carrier, Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), signals the launch of an F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft from the flight deck, Nov. 17, 2025. U.S. military forces are deployed to the Caribbean in support of the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the president's priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. (U.S. Navy photo)
Navy

Navy tells sailors to ‘beware’ of dating apps, button-up social media amid Iran conflict

The Navy notices comes as officials say cyber adversaries are targeting sailors and their families online “in response to Operation Epic Fury.”

Two married individuals hold hands at Fort Knox, Kentucky on Feb. 24, 2026.
Veterans

Caregivers need greater support to help assist veterans, watchdog finds

Caregivers, who are often the spouses or partners of veterans, may be underutilizing mental health resources available to them, a recent Government Accountability Office report found.

Image: U.S. Marines fire rifles during a deck shoot aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7), in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility during Operation Epic Fury, April 2, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo) 
Marine Corps

Marines seize Iranian cargo ship

The USS Spruance fired on the ship and Marines boarded it as it tried to get past the blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

A Hunter Wolf unmanned ground vehicle assigned to Charlie Battery, 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Mobile Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), holds a steady overwatch position with a mounted remote operated .50-caliber machine gun during a combat simulation exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, Louisiana, April 13, 2026.. The Hunter Wolf platform has been selected by the U.S. Army for the Small Multipurpose Equipment Transport (S-MET) program. (U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Anthony Hewitt)
Army

The Army wants an unmanned ground vehicle to evacuate wounded and resupply the front line

A new solicitation seeks a modular ground drone that can help navigate the “last tactical mile,” helping to reduce the risk to soldiers.

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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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