Read the latest articles from Task & Purpose (Page 19)

FILE: F-16 Fighting Falcons based in the Central Command area of operations conduct armed aerial patrols over Somalia on Jan. 2, 2021. (Staff Sgt. Trevor T. McBride/U.S. Air Force)
Africa

US forces bomb al-Shabab in Somalia over eight days

At least five American airstrikes helped Somalia’s military retake an important town from militants. 

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 14: A National Guard vehicle is parked near the Lincoln Memorial on August 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Donald Trump announced plans to deploy federal officers and the National Guard to the District in order to place the DC Metropolitan Police Department under federal control and assist in crime prevention in the nation's capital. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
National Guard

3 states sending 700 National Guard troops to DC

At least 700 National Guardsmen will be sent to Washington, D.C., nearly doubling the number of troops already activated in the capitol.

A man, who was later arrested for assaulting law enforcement with a sandwich, interacts with Border Patrol and FBI agents along the U Street corridor on August 10, 2025, in Washington, DC. U.S. President Donald Trump ordered an increased presence of federal law enforcement to Washington, DC in an effort to curb crime. (Photo by Andrew Leyden/Getty Images)
Air Force

Air Force veteran hit with felony sandwich assault

“I did it. I threw a sandwich,” Sean Dunn told an officer.

John Perryman in full dress uniform.
Navy

Navy names new top enlisted leader sailor

Fleet Master Chief John Perryman will take over for Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James Honea, who announced his retirement in July.

A B-2 bomber (C) and four F-35 fighter jets fly overhead as US President Donald Trump greets Russian President Vladimir Putin on the tarmac after they arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, on August 15, 2025. Putin is in Alaska at the invitation of Trump in his first visit to a Western country since he ordered the 2022 invasion of Ukraine that has killed tens of thousands of people. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
Air Force

A B-2 bomber fly-by greeted Putin over summit in Alaska

The Air Force staged a show of power with a flyover featuring a B-2 bomber as Trump and Putin met for talks in Alaska.

Soldiers carry a simulated casualty dummy during an EMP exercise.
Warfare

The reality about EMPs and the US military

An EMP could disrupt U.S. military operations, but it’s no instant knockout. Here is what’s real, and what’s hype.

Air Force Moves
Air Force

Air Force delays stateside PCS moves due to budget crunch

The delays affect some airmen who had expected to move starting on Oct. 1.

A Hawaii airman hit the surf in dress blues on his first day out of the Air Force
Air Force

A Hawaii airman hit the surf in dress blues on his first day out of the Air Force

Siaosi Soto, who grew up bodyboarding on O'ahu, wanted to make his first day out of the Air Force memorable, so he put on dress blues and hit his hometown surf spot.

Maj. Gen. Michael J. Turley, the adjutant general of the Utah National Guard, speaks at the graduation ceremony for the Utah National Guard Best Warrior Competition at Camp Williams, Utah, March 24, 2021. Soldiers representing the Utah National Guard’s major commands endured intense mental and physical tests over a three-day competition to determine the state’s Soldier of the Year, Non-commissioned Officer of the Year and Senior NCO of the Year. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Bryton Bluth)
Army

2-star general busted down to lieutenant colonel over ‘inappropriate relationship’

Maj. Gen. Michael J. Turley will retire as a lieutenant colonel, which according to an Army spokesperson was "the last grade in which he honorably served.”

Recruits with Fox Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, march to the firing line during the Entry Level Rifle Qualification on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., Feb. 3, 2025. During qualification, recruits are tested on their knowledge of the fundamentals of marksmanship. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ayden Cassano)
Marine Corps

Marine recruit sustains gunshot wound during marksmanship training at Parris Island

A recruit going through boot camp suffered a gunshot wound to the leg during marksmanship instruction at the South Carolina base.

F-15D
Air Force

Service member accidentally ejects from Air Force F-15D on flightline

A “ground mishap” took place on Tuesday involving two members of the 104th Fighter Wing of the Massachusetts Air National Guard.

Lt. Col. Jared Sheets of the Indiana National Guard during the rescue of several Kosovo police officers trapped in a truck during a major riot in the town of ​​Zvecan in May 29, 2023. The riot ended with injured 93 UN peacekeepers, including those behind Sheets.
Army

The inside story of 8 US soldiers caught in a major Kosovo riot

In the most violent clash involving U.S. troops in Kosovo since 2004, eight Indiana National Guardsmen faced rioters who threw 56 grenades and injured 93 NATO troops.

Stress cards
Army

The truth behind the myth of ‘stress cards’ in boot camp

"The stress card is a myth and needs to stay a myth."

A U.S. soldier fires an Austrian Steyr AUG bullpup rifle.
Guns

Why the US military refuses to adopt bullpup rifles

The Pentagon has tested bullpup rifles for decades, but from the Steyr AUG to the RM277, every one has been rejected.

Sailors man the rails on the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) as it transits under the Coronado Bay bridge. Peleliu will participate in exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), a large multinational naval exercise, as the command ship for the expeditionary strike group and is scheduled to conduct a follow-on deployment to the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dustin Knight/Released)
Navy

Navy fires commanding officer of San Diego Reserve Center

Capt. Russell A. Herrell was relieved of his duties on Tuesday as commanding officer of the Naval Information Force Reserve Readiness Center in San Diego.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dylan Weil, 16th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, looks out over the water from a C-17 Globemaster III during cargo airdrop proficiency training over the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility in support of Talisman Sabre 2025, July 25, 2025. Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral military exercise between Australia and the United States, aimed at strengthening relationships and interoperability among key allies and partners to promote a safe and secure Indo-Pacific. The exercise also enhances collective capabilities to respond to a wide range of potential security concerns. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Eric Summers Jr.)
Air Force

Air Force backtracks on approved retirement for some trans troops, sparking ‘confusion’ and ‘betrayal’

The reversal is causing mass confusion and a sense of “loss and betrayal” among airmen who thought they had their exit from the military sorted out.

Secretary of the Army Hon. Daniel P. Driscoll addresses Soldiers, leaders, and Family members during a press brief after recognizing the bravery of Soldiers who intervened during the Fort Stewart shooting at Fort Stewart, Aug. 7, 2025. Their actions protected lives and prevented further casualties. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Bernabe Lopez)
Army

Army charges Fort Stewart shooter with premeditated murder, assault

The charges will be reviewed before Army officials decide whether the soldier faces a court martial.

USACE Fort Meade Bay Area Office Project Engineers Marcus Bryant, Melvin Damoudt, and Captain Anthony Adams inspect construction progress at the Freedom Center barracks project, designed to support present and future warfighters. The $38 million development features two multi-story buildings with 190 personnel capacity, offering modern accommodations including living/sleeping rooms with semi-private baths, walk-in closets, and kitchen/living areas. The complex incorporates advanced security through intrusion detection systems and energy monitoring capabilities, reinforcing the Army and NSA's commitment to providing high-quality housing for service members. Scheduled for completion in October 2025, this project represents a significant investment in military readiness and quality of life.
Housing

Frustrations over mold, pests and security concerns front and center in Army barracks survey

What’s old is new, except for your barracks, which are still old (and moldy) apparently.

Marines reenlist
Culture

Marines reenlist in disgusting pool of muck because Marines

Two Marine water support techs — whose job it is to purify dirty water — reenlisted in the filthiest pond they could find.

National Guard troops carry riot shields with "California National Guard" on them.
National Guard

Several thousand US troops deployed to LA. Now a judge will decide if it was legal.

California is arguing that the federalization and deployment of Guardsmen to Los Angeles in June violated the law.