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As aging Air Force AWACS heads to Middle East, where is its replacement?
The vital but rapidly aging Air Force E-3 Sentry is back in the Middle East while a replacement could still be years away.
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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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VA pauses new disability rule 2 days after announcing it
Department of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins announced the rule ‘will not be enforced at any time in the future.’
Military leaders should assume an absent troop is ‘in danger,’ watchdog finds
Troops who are “involuntarily absent” are almost always in severe danger, but the Army, Navy, and Air Force all have different rules for how commanders should react, a new report found.
Soldier who shielded Jewish POWs from guards will receive Medal of Honor
Ordered at gunpoint to separate Jewish soldiers from other POWs, Army Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds called a full formation of Americans and told a German commander: “We are all Jews.”
Concern and confusion erupt over new VA disability rule
The Department of Veterans Affairs says the rule will not directly impact veterans’ current disability ratings, while advocates are concerned it could lead to benefits being reduced.
New VA rule could lower veterans’ disability rating if medication improves their symptoms
The new rule might mean that veterans receive lower disability ratings from the VA, officials from major veterans service organizations said.
Father of 3 Marines won’t be deported, immigration judge rules
Narciso Barranco’s eligibility for Parole In Place under his sons’ military service means he can not be immediately deported, an immigration judge ruled.
‘Double-dipping’ controversy bars injured and ill vets from getting full benefits
“You wanna fight wars? Well, it costs money. The shit ain’t cheap,” one veteran said.
Army successfully tests Apache with new ammunition meant to shred drone swarms
The new airburst-capable 30mm round is meant to give the helicopters drone hunting capabilities without extensive new training for pilots.
US troops deploy to Nigeria to train its military
Roughly 100 American troops deployed to Nigeria, almost two months after the U.S. carried out several strikes in the country.
A father and uncle were killed in Vietnam. This family returned to remember them.
Jeff Evans’ father and uncle were killed in Vietnam. More than five decades later, he wanted to visit the two sites where the men died.
Space Force beats its recruiting goal in just five months as service rushes to expand
The service continues to beat its recruitment benchmarks and now wants to double in size to meet orbital threats from China and Russia.
US hits dozens of Islamic State targets in Syria amid base withdrawals
The 10 days of airstrikes came as the U.S. handed over the al-Tanf Garrison, a long-time base, to the Syrian military.
‘Are you a spy?’ Army warns against falling for a honeypot
The Army Counterintelligence Command is getting into the Valentine’s Day spirit with a special message about the dangers of people “way too cute” to be talking to soldiers.
US sends Ford aircraft carrier, fresh off Venezuela operations, to the Middle East
The carrier, currently in the Caribbean, will join the USS Abraham Lincoln as American military buildup in the region continues.
Marines not interested in switching from M27 to Army’s M7 anytime soon
The Marines are sticking with the M27 while they will also “continue to monitor development” of the Army’s M7.
Navy relieves USS Mason commander for ‘loss of confidence’
Capt. Chavius Lewis had been command of the guided-missile destroyer since Nov. 2024. No further reason was given for his firing.
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.
