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

A new Honor Guard Airman grips the bugle prior to unit’s graduation ceremony at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., March 1. Approximately 12 new Airmen graduated from the 120-plus-hour course. The graduation performance includes flag detail, rifle volley, pall bearers and bugler for friends, family and unit commanders. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
Air Force

These are the funeral honors the Air Force says it will extend to Ashli Babbitt

The Air Force will extend military funeral honors to Ashli Babbitt, the Air Force veteran shot and killed as she climbed through a broken window during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.

250726-N-GC617-1241 PACIFIC OCEAN (July 26, 2025) An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151, makes an arrested landing on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Abraham Lincoln, flagship of Carrier Strike Group Three, is underway conducting routine training operations in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations. As an integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic and relevant training to ensure the readiness necessary to execute the U.S. Navy’s timeless role across the full spectrum of military operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Shepard Fosdyke-Jackson)
Marine Corps

Navy ends carrier landings as a requirement to earn ‘Wings of Gold’

Landing on an aircraft carrier defines Naval aviation. But new pilots now do it later in their training, after they've already earned their "Wings of Gold."

U.S. Army Spc. Hyrum Dore, assigned to the Tennessee Army National Guard, provides military police support to civil authorities in Washington, D.C., Aug. 24, 2025. About 2,000 National Guard members are supporting the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission providing critical support to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department in ensuring the safety of all who live, work and visit the District. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Kalina Hyche)
National Guard

What National Guard troops legally can and can’t do in Washington, DC

National Guard troops called to duty in Washington, D.C. face complex legal rules about what they can and can't do — rules that will be even less clear if they are sent to Chicago or other cities.

Marine Lt. Gen. Jerry Carter
Marine Corps

Marine general will return to Parris Island 40 years after graduating

Lt. Gen. Jerry Carter had dropped out of college and was working at McDonald’s digging through a dumpster to find a customer's keys when he decided to enlist.

Iowa Air National Guard SMSgt Greg Cleghorn recieved the Army's new Master Combat Infantryman Badge this month. He qualified for the new award by his previous service in the Army and Iowa National Guard.
Air Force

The Army created a new award for top soldiers. An Air Force member just pinned it on.

The new Army Master Combat badges can only be worn by experienced soldiers who are combat veterans. But an Air Force sergeant discovered he was eligible from previous service in the Army.

Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Estridge's TikTok profile highlights old Army photos and a video in which he discusses being counseled and removed from his Army Reserve job for social media posts.
Army

Army reservist says he was dropped from full-time role over posts on ICE agents, Israel

Sfc. Jonathan Estridge was released from his Reserve job because of social media posts in which he criticized American support for Israel and linked to apps that track ICE agents.

A soldier fires an M240 machine gun.
Guns

The Army is replacing the M240 machine gun. Here’s what could come next

After nearly 50 years in service, the Army is exploring options to replace the M240 machine gun. From .338 Norma Magnum overmatch to lightweight 7.62 alternatives, here’s what could come next.

A North American Aerospace Defense Command F-16 Fighting Falcons takes-off in support of OPERATION POLAR VORTEX on September 11, 2024 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The F-16’s conducted integration training with the 611th Air Operations Center and Navy assets in the Alaska Theater of Operations. Deterring and protecting the homelands from aggression requires the persistent and seamless exchange of information with combatant commands, conventional and special operations forces, the intelligence community, and the spectrum of interagency and international partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Carson Jeney)
Air Force

NORAD intercepts third Russian reconnaissance plane in a week near Alaska

It's a hat trick. Air Force jets based in Alaska scrambled three times in five days to intercept Russian planes in the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone.

Adm. Daryl Caudle salutes the sideboys during a U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) Relinquishment of Command ceremony aboard Naval Station Norfolk, August 6, 2025. USFFC is responsible for manning, training, equipping and providing combat-ready forces forward to numbered fleets and combatant commanders around the globe. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dustin Knight/Released)
Navy

Navy’s new top admiral takes command amid leadership purge

Adm. Daryl Caudle formally became the Chief of Naval Operations on Monday as a slew of senior leadership firings has continued over the past six months.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jackie Hamersley from the 205th Engineering Installation Squadron, Oklahoma Air National Guard, clears a SIG Sauer M18 in Camp Ripley, Minn., May 1, 2025. Airmen from the 210th and 205th EIS participated in a joint training exercise that prepared them for future missions while simultaneously completing a multi-year project to install fiber optic cable across the installation to enhance range communications. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman Kaci Brannan)
Air Force

Air Force returns M18 pistols to service after inspections across nuclear force

Global Strike Command, which operates and protects the Air Force's nuclear arsenal, says it inspected nearly 8,000 of the handguns after the death of an airman in July.

A CH-53E helicopter with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing burns on Aug. 22, 2025.
Marine Corps

Marine Corps CH-53E helicopter catches fire at Twentynine Palms

The crew was able to evacuate safely after the helicopter went up in flames on the ground.

The new Mexican Border Defense Medal, with a green and yellow ribbon.
Mexico

Pentagon releases design for Mexican Border Defense Medal

The new award uses the same design and ribbon as the Mexican Border Service Medal from 1918.

Navy aviator Donald McPherson sits inside his Grumman F6F Hellcat fighter during World War II.
World War II

Last American fighter ace from World War II dies at 103

Donald McPherson scored five aerial victories in the Pacific and spent the eight decades after living a life of service. 

A British soldier aims a rifle.
Guns

Britain’s next rifle: Inside the race to replace the SA80

After nearly 40 years, the British Army is preparing to retire the SA80. Project Grayburn will decide its replacement — and the future of British infantry.

Two Navy admirals, Milton "Jamie" Sands and Nancy Lacore, in dress uniform.
Navy

Pentagon fires heads of Navy Reserve, Naval Special Warfare Command

Vice Adm. Nancy Lacore and Rear Adm. Milton “Jamie” Sands were removed from leadership positions after just a year on the job. 

Two men in uniform in a composite. Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse on the left, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin on the right.
Air Force

A second senior Air Force general has been forced out at the Pentagon

Days after top Air Force general retires, Hegseth fires leader of agency whose report on Iran strikes angered Trump

National Guard in Washington, D.C.
United States

Pentagon authorizes National Guard troops in DC to carry ‘service weapons’

National Guardsman in Washington, D.C. “will soon be on mission with their service-issued weapons, consistent with their mission and training,” a defense official said.

Paratroopers assigned to the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, conduct a UH-60 Black Hawk aerial gunnery range at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, on April 2, 2024. Aerial gunnery ranges are used to train and progress Paratroopers on their day and night shooting qualifications. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Catessa Palone)
Army

King of Malaysia cancels purchase of UH-60 Black Hawks, calling them ‘flying coffins’

The sitting monarch of the Pacific nation, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, called the American-made helicopter a "flying coffin" just days after meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Army veteran Ryan Curtis directing on the set of "Hollywood Grit."
Entertainment

‘Hollywood Grit’ and a veteran’s mission to bring the military community into the movie business

In "Hollywood Grit," more than 50 veterans were hired to work in front of and behind the camera, from the gaffer to the onscreen talent.

Syria
News

US forces kill ISIS ‘key financier’ in Syria raid

Forces under U.S. Central Command killed a suspected senior member of ISIS during an Aug. 19 raid in northern Syria.