Read the latest articles from Task & Purpose (Page 23)

Army

Congress pushes Army leaders for answers on ouster of top general

Lawmakers are asking senior Army leaders what they know about the forced retirement of the service’s former chief of staff, Gen. Randy George.

Navy

Navy can fire warning shots to enforce blockade of Iran, top general says

The U.S. Navy is allowed to fire warning shots at any ship that tried to breach the blockade of Iranian ports, said Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Missiles

Is the US military’s most important island in the Pacific ready for war?

Guam’s vast logistics infrastructure makes it the keystone for any military operation in the Pacific — and a prime target for China.

News

How an overhaul of federal layoffs could affect veterans

About one in every four federal workers is a military veteran. A new rule proposed by the Trump administration could change protections veterans have had from layoffs.

News

How a Navy photographer snapped an iconic Artemis II astronaut photo

“I was trying to be kind of respectful and not intrusive, because they did just get back from space.”

Marine Corps

Marine Corps sets timelines for responding to missing personnel

Within three hours of a Marine not showing up for work, units are directed to make “reasonable” efforts to contact them and begin checking in with local police, hospitals and clinics.

Marine Corps

Marines on way to Middle East seen using rifles with anti-drone smart scope

The company that makes the SMASH 2000L advanced fire control system confirmed that a recent series of photos show deployed Marines using the smart scope.

Army

Army cadets recall how fallen officer defended them in Old Dominion shooting

Eight Army ROTC students credited their quick reactions to Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, their instructor. Shah was killed in the attack.

Drone Swarms

Soldiers with the XVIII Airborne Corps are training with anti-drone rounds

The round breaks apart mid-flight and effectively becomes buckshot, which can make it easier to take out small, fast-moving drones.

Army

Specialist and sergeant win Best Ranger competition for first time in nearly 40 years

“We had each other’s back, and knew that when one of us was in trouble, the other was there to carry the load.”

Drones

The Iran war took a toll on the Air Force’s Reaper fleet

The service has lost at least 35 Reaper drones in combat and aircraft accidents over the last few years, according to news reports and Air Force investigations.

Navy

What we know about the US military’s blockade of Iran

“The blockade will be enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas,” according to U.S. Central Command.

World War II

World War II B-17 gunner awarded France’s highest military honor

Phillip Bruce Cook, 100, took part in some of the most dangerous bombing missions over Europe. 

Air Force

Man arrested after climbing up on and damaging an Air Force C-130 in Ireland

A man climbed onto the transport plane while it was parked at Shannon Airport and hit it repeatedly with a tool before being stopped.

Culture

USS Stockdale flies shaken, not stirred battle flag

The USS Stockdale returned to port flying its “007” battle flag in honor of its namesake, Vice Adm. James Bond Stockdale.

Navy

Two destroyers cross Strait of Hormuz ahead of mine clearance mission

The USS Frank E. Petersen and USS Michael Murphy sailed into the Persian Gulf to start preparations for sweeping the waterway for explosives. 

National Guard

More than 300 Hawaii National Guard troops activated as a third storm hits the state

Last month’s storms saw thousands evacuated in flooded parts of Oahu, with military units carrying out extensive search and rescue efforts.

Navy

Navy divers, ship recover Artemis II crew after splashdown

Specialized medical divers made first contact with the astronauts of Artemis II after their spaceship returned to Earth on Friday.

Army

The Army is testing out a robotic kitchen that can cook for soldiers downrange

The Army is testing out an automated kitchen that basically amounts to a chef-in-a-box.

Air Force

A 2023 special ops exercise in Wyoming was a preview of the Iran rescue mission

In 2023, special ops cargo planes delivered commandos and folded helicopters to a Wyoming airstrip in search of a “missing pilot" — the same tactics behind the rescue in Iran.