Read the latest articles from Task & Purpose (Page 18)

Guardian Angel team members from the 129th Rescue Wing, California Air National Guard, prepare to jump from an HC-130J Combat King II during a long-range maritime rescue mission approximately 885 nautical miles off the California coast. The team parachuted with medical equipment to reach the Panamanian-flagged cargo vessel Grand Vega and stabilize a Filipino mariner suffering stroke-like symptoms. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Joseph Prouse)
National Guard

Air Guard pararescue team leaps onto a freighter at sea to rescue patient

Search and rescue teams from the 129th Rescue Wing pulled off a long-distance, two-day mission to medevac a mariner suffering stroke symptoms.

George Hardy, in a red sweater wearing a hat that says "Tuskegee," stands in front of his plane from World War II.
World War II

One of the last original Tuskegee Airmen dies at 100

Lt. Col. George Hardy flew 21 combat missions in World War II, then went on to fight in the Korean and Vietnam wars.

A North American Aerospace Defense Command F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft escorts a Russian Su-35 Flanker and Tu-95 Bear bomber through the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone over the Bering Sea on Sept. 24, 2025.
Russia

NORAD scrambles jets to intercept Russian planes near Alaska

Several planes went up to track four Russian aircraft on Wednesday, the first incursion into the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone since multiple incidents in August.

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 8: Members of the National Guard stand outside Union Station on September 8, 2025 in Washington, DC. Congress is not expected to extend the Trump administration's federal control of the DC Metropolitan Police Department which is set to expire September 10th. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
United States

Trump says he’s sending troops into Portland

The president also said he was authorizing “Full Force, if necessary” against antifascists. 

Soldiers from A Company and B Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, conduct inspections on an M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles at the Coleman Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 worksite in Mannheim, Germany, Sept. 5, 2025. The Fort Hood, Texas, Cavalry Soldiers were issued almost three dozen Bradleys from Army Field Support Battalion-Germany at Coleman for their upcoming rotational mission to Poland.
Army

Most of the Army and Marine Corps’ vehicles are not ready for combat, watchdog finds

The amount of maintenance done on ground vehicles over the last decade has steadily declined, the Government Accountability Office found.

U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 13, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), pin chevrons on Cpl. Amaury Ferrer, wrecker operator, while at sea aboard the Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47), May 1, 2018. The Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 13th MEU integrated to conduct the second major exercise of their pre-deployment training. ARG, MEU Exercise (ARGMEUEX) provides essential and realistic ship-to-shore training, designed to enhance the integration of the Navy-Marine Corps team. ARGMEUEX provides an opportunity to integrate unique individual and unit skills and develop the Essex ARG and 13th MEU’s collective proficiency in challenging and unfamiliar environments. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Danny Gonzalez)
Marine Corps

Marine infantry battalion backtracks on mustache ban

Terminal lances rejoice, your 'staches are safe … for now.

“Wildboy” and “Jizzle” are in trouble with federal prosecutors after allegedly scamming military members in a bank scheme.
Navy

Feds bust scammers known as ‘Wildboy,’ ‘Low Ball’ and others for targeting military members

Prosecutors accused 10 people of scamming 500 members of the Navy Federal Credit Union out of nearly $2 million.

The MV Ocean Trader, a merchant ship outfitted for U.S. special operations, including addition of a helicopter hanger and extensive communication equipment over its bridge, in Fremantle, Australia in 2022.
News

The elusive ship built to carry US special operators is in the Caribbean

The MV Ocean Trader, a floating barracks, helicopter base and command center for special ops forces, is currently operating in the Caribbean.

Soldiers with the 34th Infantry Division receive instruction on the M250 automatic rifle during a New Equipment Training fielding at Camp Ripley, Minn. September 14, 2025. The M250, part of the Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapon program, replaces the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Timothy Hamlin)
Army

National Guard units are getting the new M250 machine gun

A Minnesota guard unit is among the first to begin using the M250, the Army’s replacement for the Cold War-era M249 light machine gun.

A Fort Hood sergeant sentenced to life in prison for rape, kidnapping and dozens of other crimes died in his prison cell Friday.
Army

Soldier serving life sentence for Fort Hood assault spree dies in prison cell

Sgt. Greville Clarke, 32, was found unresponsive in his prison cell five months into his life sentence for rape, assault, and other crimes.

Senior man repairing kitchen cabinet at home

Home Equity 101: What you need to know about your house’s worth

Pro tips for savvy homeowners from Navy Federal Credit Union.

WASHINGTON, DC - SEPTEMBER 09: Win without War Mobile Billboard drives near the US Capitol on September 09, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Win Without War)
News

Billboards aimed at troops ask ‘is this what you signed up for?’

The signs are aimed at troops troubled by legal issues around military units ordered into domestic law enforcement roles.

Lt. Col. Rhonda C. Martin is the longest-serving active duty Marine and she is set to retire soon.
Marine Corps

Longest-serving active duty Marine to retire after 42 years

“To say that I came in and saw so much progress for Marines, and especially female Marines, over my time … it hits me really hard.”

F-15s Against Drones
Air Force

No missiles, no problem. F-15 crews dropped bombs on Iranian drones.

Three F-15 crews attempted to drop laser-guided bombs on Iranian drones after exhausting their supply of air-to-air missiles.

Christopher Wilkinson, a former Army captain, was captured after almost five years on the run. (Left) Before his arrest. (Right) After his arrest.
Army

Army captain who fled court-martial found in mother’s home 5 years later

Christopher Wilkinson, an ex-Army captain, fled into the Arizona mountains near Fort Huachuca days before he faced a court-martial on charges of child abuse.

A Kleber Kaserne Clocktower Cafe Dining Facility employee hands a Soldier her lunch on March 20, 2025 at their “Welcome Back” lunch, featuring filet mignon, shrimp scampi, and king crab legs. On March 10th, the dining facility reopened its doors after a three-month closure, giving Soldiers and civilians working in the Kaiserslautern military community a healthy and reliable meal option again. (Photo by Sarah Ridenour, 21st TSC public affairs)
Army

Food at dining hall with ‘F’ rating did not make 40 soldiers sick, officials say

Base officials said the dining hall’s “F” rating was due to a "damaged pipe, not due to issues with food storage or food preparation.”

Air Force Fitness Program
Air Force

Air Force announces new force-wide fitness test: 2-mile run, twice per year

Airmen will be required to complete two physical fitness tests per year. In at least one, they must complete a 2-mile run.

U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Brian Myers, an automotive maintenance warrant officer for 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, wears the rank of chief warrant officer 3 at Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, July 5, 2022. The 3/4 ABCT is among other units assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, proudly working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward-deployed corps in Europe. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Sgt. Tara Fajardo Arteaga)
Army

Army approves $1,550 monthly bonus for some warrant officers

The recently announced bonus program will pay senior warrant officers nearing retirement a bonus to serve more years. The Army wants to retain their technical skills.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Brianna Eisenhower, left, a combat marksmanship trainer assigned to Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, corrects a shooter’s position in preparation for an all-female marksmanship subject matter expert exchange between U.S. Marines and Jordanian Soldiers during Intrepid Maven 25.1 in Al-Quwayrah, Jordan, Oct. 26, 2024. The second iteration of this exchange between U.S. and Jordanian female engagement teams was nested in Intrepid Maven 25.1 and represents a step forward in strengthening military cooperation and promoting Women, Peace, and Security initiatives. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Angela Wilcox)
Air Force

Pentagon shutters women’s advisory group

In 2024, the group focused on recruiting and retention, women serving on submarines and mothers reintegrating to military life after pregnancy.

Air Force Basic Military Training Changes
Air Force

Air Force to roll out major boot camp changes early next month

The boot camp overhaul known as "BMT 2.0" will increase daily physical training and aim to better prepare airmen for modern deployments and combat.