Read the latest articles from Task & Purpose (Page 16)

Alaska Air National Guard C-17 Globemaster III aircrew, assigned to the 176th Wing, evacuate approximately 300 displaced western Alaska residents from Bethel, Alaska, following Typhoon Halong, Oct. 15, 2025. The State Emergency Operations Center and the Alaska Organized Militia continue to coordinate response operations following the severe storm that struck Alaska’s West Coast. (Alaska National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Moon) This photo was altered for privacy purposes by blurring out faces.
Coast Guard

Alaska guard C-17 evacuated at least 300 on one flight amid ongoing rescues after floods

The Coast Guard and National Guard have rescued at least 51 people in western Alaska after the remnants of Typhoon Halong struck the region over the weekend.

A smoke grenade is activated during exercise Jolly Vihar 24 near Pápa Air Base, Hungary, July 23, 2024. The 56th and 57th Rescue Squadrons participated in exercise Jolly Vihar 24 with their Hungarian partners to practice combat search and rescue in integrated operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Bartoszek)
Army

The Army is buying 30 tons of powdered sugar to use in its smoke grenades

The Army is looking to buy 65,000 pounds of powdered sugar, a little-known but key ingredient in the chemical reaction that ignites military smoke grenades.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Steele Armstrong, a satellite transmissions systems operator, and U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jaden Coleman, a transmission systems operator, both with Marine Wing Communications Squadron 18, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, set up a radio call during the inaugural Thunderstruck Communications Competition, hosted by MWCS-38, MACG-38, 3rd MAW, at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, Sept. 10, 2025. Thunderstruck is a service-wide competition dedicated to communications Marines, showcasing the increasing importance of resilient command and control in distributed operations. The six-mile course integrated high frequency radio, Mobile User Objective System satellite communications, and data networking tasks under expeditionary conditions, testing the tactical, technical, and physical proficiency of Marine Corps communicators. Armstrong is a native of Minnesota, and Coleman is a native of Florida. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Renee Gray)
Marine Corps

Marine communications experts were ‘Thunderstruck’ in first-ever competition

More than a dozen teams of Marine communications experts from units across the fleet competed in Thunderstruck, a first-of-its-kind contest of field radio and combat skills.

Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlos Ruiz leads Sailors and Marines in cadence pushups at the Philadelphia Museum of Art after a formation run to celebrate the Navy and Marine Corps 250th birthday in Philadelphia, Pa., Oct. 10, 2025. The Navy and Marine Corps returned to Philadelphia, the birthplace of the sea services, to celebrate 250 years of heritage. The anniversary event highlighted advances in military technology and the commitment of service members, while providing the public the opportunity to visit ships and engage with Sailors and Marines while experiencing the hospitality of the City of Brotherly Love. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Miguel Santiago)
Air Force

Troops are starting to get paid, but aren’t out of the woods as shutdown continues

After days of uncertainty and mounting financial concerns, service members are seeing deposits hit their bank accounts after the Defense Department reallocated billions to cover military pay.

The shut down Grohnde nuclear power plant (KWG) is located next to River Weser, north of the town of Grohnde in the Lower Saxony municipality of Emmerthal in the Hameln-Pyrmont district. The plant began commercial power operation February 1, 1985. The plant was shut down on 31 December 2021 as part of Germany's transition to a renewable energy future (Atomausstieg). Nuclear decommissioning is expected to take 15 years.
Army

Army details plans to put nuclear reactors on 9 bases

Army officials said they want to have small-scale nuclear reactors providing power on nine Army bases in the U.S. by 2028. Even smaller, air-mobile plants could see field use.

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ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Jul. 25, 2025) Midshipmen 4th Class, or plebes, from the United States Naval Academy class of 2029 participate in the second formal parade during Plebe Summer, a demanding indoctrination period intended to transition the candidates from civilian to military life. Parades are a visual presentation of the military discipline, professionalism and teamwork necessary to succeed as a member of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, and have been a part of Naval Academy training since its establishment in 1845. (U.S. Navy photo by Stacy Godfrey)
Marine Corps

Naval Academy dropout indicted over threat that led to accidental shooting

During a school-wide lockdown in response to the threat, a police officer shot a current student during a chaotic scuffle, when each believed the other was a threat.

Two Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crewmembers prepare to depart on a mission at the Air Station, December 20, 2024. The MH-65E Dolphin typically carries a crew of four, consisting of two pilots, one flight mechanic and one rescue swimmer. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Coast Guard Auxiliarist Leon C. DeFulgentis)
Coast Guard

Coast Guard may now be paid with Pentagon-style money shift

The Department of Homeland security said it would fund paychecks through “unobligated” funds similar to a Pentagon move.

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David Flosi
Air Force

Air Force’s highest ranking enlisted leader announces retirement

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Flosi said he is leaving active-duty service. He announced late last month that his wife, Katy, had died on Sept. 20.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Nikko Guerra, left, 718th Force Support Squadron food services shift lead, hands food to Airman 1st Class Gavin Lunn, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron supply journeyman during the midnight service at the Marshall Dining Facility on Kadena Air Base, Japan, July 24, 2025. Dining facilities ensure service members receive nutritious meals to maintain peak performance. (U.S Air Force photo by Senior Airman James Johnson)
Army

Army now planning campus–style dining at up to 10 large bases

Officials said they’re looking at eight to ten more bases, including overseas locations.

A S-70UAS U-Hawk, a modified uncrewed Black Hawk helicopter.
Army

This wild new Black Hawk prototype is part drone, part Transformer

Sikorsky has turned a Black Hawk helicopter into an autonomous aircraft with the goal of accompanying manned missions in the air.

Alaska National Guard photo by Dana Rosso
Coast Guard

At least 30 rescued in Alaska floods as military teams rush to remote villages

Multiple search and rescue helicopters and planes from the state's Army and Air National Guard forces, along with Coast Guard units, were scrambled in the wake of typhoon-fueled flooding.

ELWOOD, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 07: Members of the Texas National Guard stand guard at an army reserve training facility on October 07, 2025 in Elwood, Illinois. The Trump administration has been threatening for more than a month to send the guard to Illinois to address Chicago's crime problem and to support ICE and CBP during Operation Midway Blitz. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has been outspoken in his opposition to the move, accusing the president of using the guardsmen as political pawns. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
National Guard

Some Texas National Guard troops replaced in Illinois after failing to meet standards

“National Guard Soldiers and Airman are required to meet service-specific height, weight and physical fitness standards at all times,” the National Guard Bureau said on Thursday.

US Navy sailors listen to US President Donald Trump speak as he visits the USS Harry S. Truman during the US Navy's 250th anniversary celebration, "America's Navy 250: Titans of the Sea - A Salute to the Fleet", at Naval Station Norfolk Pier 14 in Norfolk, Virginia on October 5, 2025. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
News

Pentagon moves $8 billion from research to pay troops 

Left over research and development funds will be reallocated to pay military members on Oct. 15, the Department of Defense said, following orders from President Trump.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Aug. 8, 2025) Midshipmen 4th Class, or plebes, from the United States Naval Academy class of 2029 participate in noon meal formation in T-Court. Afterwards they are given the opportunity to meet with their families during Plebe Parents Weekend, a time for the families of the incoming class to see the progress made during Plebe Summer, a demanding indoctrination period intended to transition the candidates from civilian to military life. As the undergraduate college of our country’s naval service, the Naval Academy prepares young men and women to become professional officers of competence, character, and compassion in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. (U.S. Navy photo by Stacy Godfrey)
Benefits & Pay

Troops stung by ‘hard’ credit checks and unexpected denials in USAA’s relief loans

As troops scrambled ahead of a missed paycheck, some were surprised by credit checks and denials at military-friendly USAA. A chatbot told one soldier to open a credit card or visit a competitor.

Missiles on display at the entrance to F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming.
Air Force

Fourth death in four months linked to Air Force nuke base

An airman’s death on Wednesday came only a week after another airman assigned to F.E. Warren Air Force died in an apparent murder-suicide.

A US soldier gives the thumbs-up as an Israeli digger attempts to extricate a US military vessel (not pictured) that ran aground at a beach in the Israeli coastal city of Ashdod on May 25, 2024. The US military said four of its vessels, supporting a temporary pier built to deliver aid to Gaza by sea, had run aground in heavy seas. (Photo by Oren Ziv / AFP) (Photo by OREN ZIV/AFP via Getty Images)
Middle East

US to send 200 troops to monitor Gaza ceasefire

The force will not enter the Gaza Strip, but focus on logistics, according to officials.

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle conducts combat patrols over the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility Oct. 19, 2024. The F-15E is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to allow the Air Force to gain and maintain air supremacy over the CENTCOM area of responsibility and provide security to ground forces conducting counter-violent extremist operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Zachary Willis)
Air Force

Idaho Air Force base will host a Qatari F-15 training unit

Qatar will set up a facility at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho to train F-15 pilots. Secretary Hegseth had to clarify it will be on an existing, U.S.-controlled base, not a new separate Qatari one.

As teams, candidates maneuver an obstacle course during the Special Warfare Training Wing Assessment & Selection Course at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland on March 14, 2023. The Special Warfare Training Wing prepares candidates physically, mentally, emotionally and cognitively for demanding careers as special warfare operators. (U.S. Air Force photo by Miriam Thurber)
Air Force

Air Force revamps its special warfare training pipeline

Starting in November, Air Force special warfare students will go through a 16-week “Zulu Course" on combat skills after the assessment and selection process.

The Navy's nuclear ballistic submarine USS Maine conducts surface navigational operations about 50 miles south of Puerto Rico. U.S. Strategic Command is working with the Navy to develop a replacement for the Ohio-class submarine fleet to ensure a continued strong nuclear deterrence into the future. U.S. Navy photo
Navy

Navy fires commanding officer of missile submarine USS Wyoming

Cmdr. Robert Moreno was relieved as commanding officer of the USS Wyoming’s Blue Crew on Oct. 8. The Navy has not said why he was fired other than a "loss of confidence."