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Read the latest articles from Task & Purpose (Page 21)

M111 Offensive Hand Grenade
Weapons

Why the Army’s new M111 grenade uses blast overpressure instead of fragmentation

The M111 Offensive Hand Grenade is meant to be more effective and reduce the risk of injuring friendly forces when used in confined spaces.

SAN DIEGO (Nov. 29, 2022) Families and friends welcome Sailors and Marines assigned to amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7) as the ship returns home, Nov. 29, 2022. Tripoli returned to Naval Base San Diego following its initial deployment to the U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleets in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brett McMinoway)
Military Life

Military families face waves of AI videos meant to sow discord and tug at heartstrings

Fake videos of soldiers grieving over fallen friends and AI-generated combat scenes are reaching families of deployed U.S. troops.

KIA Kuwait Fallen 2026
Iran

These are the US soldiers killed in Iran’s drone strike in Kuwait

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, 54, has been identified as the sixth Army Reserve soldier killed in the March 1 Iranian drone attack on Port Shuaiba, Kuwait.

Sailors observe flight operations in the pilothouse of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in support of Operation Epic Fury, Feb. 28, 2026.
Culture

Sailor sports ‘Arrogant Bastard’ beer patch on carrier involved in Iran combat operations

Hated by many, loved by few.

U.S. Soldiers with the 1-151st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 59th Aviation Troop Command, South Carolina National Guard, conduct their annual aerial-gunnery qualification table at the Poinsett Range, Sumter, South Carolina, May 22, 2024. Aircrews fired both 30mm rounds and rockets, the training allowed Soldiers to sharpen their armory skills, communication and team work with their assigned AH-64 Apache helicopters. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Tim Andrews)
Helicopters

US Apache pilots explain how helicopters are shooting down Iranian drones

The ability of AH-64 attack helicopters to shoot drones out of the sky over the UAE shows a new, air-to-air role for the venerable gunship. And U.S. Apache pilots love it.

Soldiers assigned to Charlie Company, 2-23 Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, conduct a Combined Arms Live-Fire Exercise, honing their combat skills through realistic training scenarios
Iran

It only took 2 weeks for the Iran war to cause a draft scare

It's very unlikely.

Air Force Gen. Dan Caine
Iran

US goes after Iran’s ability to lay sea mines, build drones, top general says

The U.S. military is targeting ships and storage facilities for Iranian sea mines, along with factories that build one-way attack drones.

Aircraft is staged for flight operations on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in support of Operation Epic Fury, Mar. 3, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo)
Iran

Hegseth won’t say how long Iran war might last

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters that President Donald Trump will decide when Operation Epic Fury’s objectives have been achieved.

U.S. Army Soldiers with the 25th Infantry Division prepare to embark an MV22B Osprey attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Jan. 12, 2023. VMM-268 provided transport for troops and supplies to Pōhakuloa Training Area on Hilo, Hawaii. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Chandler Stacy)
News

Veteran who survived missile strike says field screenings ‘easily miss’ TBIs

In combat zones, traditional traumatic brain injury tests, which are intended for use in doctors' offices, can miss key signs, a retired officer says. A new test could provide better results.

U.S. Marines participate in a simulated Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear exercise during the Force Headquarters Group Super Team Competition at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 23, 2023. During the multi-day competition, reserve units from all across the Marine Corps exercised their technical and tactical proficiencies by competing in events that highlighted offensive/defensive operations, patrolling techniques, combat marksmanship, physical endurance and small unit leadership. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Mitchell Johnson)
Benefits

Senator blocks veterans benefits bill over cost in ‘dollars and cents’

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) blocked a recent attempt to pass the Major Richard Star Act, citing concerns about how much the legislation would cost.

Air Force F-35 takes flight in the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury, March 2, 2026. Air Force photo. 
National Guard

Air National Guard general says Iran operation demonstrates ‘wartime readiness’

“Our drills, our exercises, and our inspections have all been in preparation for this moment. We are writing history.”

Army Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, of Glendale, Kentucky, assigned to the 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade, Fort Carson, Colo, died March 8, 2026, from injuries sustained during an enemy attack on March 1, 2026, at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia
Iran

Soldier who died from attack on Saudi Arabia was ‘nothing less than a hero’

Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington died on March 8 after being seriously wounded by a March 1 Iranian attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia.

Image: U.S. Sailors man the rails on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during the ship's final departure from Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, Mar. 7, 2026. Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations as part of a scheduled homeport shift to Norfolk, VA. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Peter K. McHaddad) 
Navy

USS Nimitz sets off for Latin America in its last deployment

The aircraft carrier is making its final voyage, and is expected to make several stops at it travels around South America.

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151, prepares to launch from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in support of Operation Epic Fury, March 6, 2026. Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security and stability in the Middle East. (U.S. Navy photo)
Iran

US strikes continue as Iran war enters its second week

The U.S. says it has hit more than 3,000 targets in Iran as Trump calls for "unconditional surrender" and Tehran promises retaliation.

A plume of smoke rises from a destroy alleged drug smuggling building in Ecuador following U.S. strikes.
Americas

US, Ecuador strike suspected drug trafficking camp near Colombian border

The joint force carried out "lethal kinetic operations," the first known attack on cartels since the combined mission started this week.

Soldier waves an American flag
News

Fake veteran impersonated soldier to claim VA benefits, prosecutors say

James Sommers is accused of a 32-year-long scheme to use an Army veteran’s identity to receive medical care and Social Security.

Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler Jaggers died March 5 from injuries sustained during a rescue a week earlier.
Coast Guard

Coast Guard swimmer dies from injuries sustained in offshore rescue

Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler Jaggers was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross while in the hospital for his actions in a Feb. 27 offshore rescue.

U.S. Army Pvt. Stallone Ealey, assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, carries his gear after conducting a mass tactical airborne operation at North Wind 26 at Hokudai-en in Hokkaido, Japan on Jan. 22, 2026. North Wind is a bilateral U.S. Army Japan and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force winter field training exercise in Hokkaido, Japan—running from Jan. 20–Feb. 3—focused on enhancing bilateral tactics, techniques and procedures for extreme cold-weather conditions and enhancing interoperability and readiness between U.S. and Japanese forces. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Michelle Mayancela)
Army

Your next Army Field Manual might be written with AI

The soldiers who create and update the manuals and guides that make up Army doctrine are rolling artificial intelligence tools into the process.

Marine swim qualifications
Marine Corps

Marine Corps swim qualification tests are about to get tougher

Marines will have to tread water for longer periods of time under the new swim qualifications, which will go into effect on Oct. 1.

A painting by Charles Waterhouse of Marine Capt. John W. Ripley, who braved enemy fire for more than three hours planting explosives on the Dong Ha Bridge on April 2, 1972. Congress cleared the way last month for Ripley to receive the Medal of Honor.
Marine Corps

Marine who crawled under bridge to plant explosives approved for Medal of Honor

Marine Capt. John Ripley hung demolition charges beneath a key bridge, swinging hand-over-hand for three hours while under fire.