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

Guantanamo Bay could hold 30,000 migrants in Trump deportation plans
Middle East

Guantanamo Bay could hold 30,000 migrants in Trump deportation plans

President Donald Trump directed the Department of Defense to ready facilities at the base used for over two decades to house and prosecute terrorism suspects.

Contractors with JMJ Construction of New Lisbon, Wis., along with support from Heritage Movers of Blue River, Wis., move a World War II-era building in the 1600 block on the cantonment area Feb. 24, 2023, at Fort McCoy, Wis. The contractors are relocating and repairing four barracks buildings that are currently located in the 1600 block to alternate locations in the 1700 and 1800 blocks, according to the Fort McCoy Directorate of Public Works. The plan is to relocate the buildings to the new locations before the ground thaws, then lift them onto the new foundations and complete the remaining work by summer 2023. This was the first time in Fort McCoy's history a barracks building was moved like this. (U.S. Army Photo by Greg Mason)
World War II

The Army is moving WWII-era barracks across a base to house visiting troops

New barracks cost millions, so to save money the Army is moving five 83-year-old barracks buildings across a Wisconsin base.

Brig. Gen. Erik Quigley fired
Air Force

Air Force one-star general fired for ‘inappropriate personal relationships’

Air Force Brig. Gen. Erik Quigley was fired on Tuesday after an internal investigation revealed he had “inappropriate personal relationships.”

Air Force shaving waivers will soon expire under new policy
Air Force

Air Force shaving waivers will soon expire under new policy

Starting on March 1, medical shaving waivers that were once good for five years will now expire 90 days after an airmen or guardians’ annual physical.

Sgt. Robert Love, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, and Spc. Alexander Van Meter, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, conduct combatives training, June 5, at Fort Benning, Ga. Love and Van Meter are preparing for the USASOC Best Warrior Competition. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Eric Overfelt/Released)
Culture

How Army Rangers constantly train in hand-to-hand fighting

An Army Ranger hand-to-hand instructor spells out how the elite soldiers are taught hand-to-hand combat skills from their first day of selection through every phase of their career.

Soldiers silhouettes.
News

Trump’s overhaul of military continues with orders on transgender troops and DEI

President Trump has signed executive orders declaring that transgender people people cannot meet the military’s standards and ordering the Pentagon to abolish all diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

Trump executive order on COVID-19
News

Troops booted from military for refusing COVID-19 vaccine can return with back pay and benefits

About 8,000 troops were booted from the miitary for refusing COVID-19 vaccinations. The order paves the way for them to be reinstated in the military with back pay.

m4 military rifle lost during trump inauguration training
National Guard

A National Guardsman lost their rifle when it fell off a truck on a Delaware highway

A civilian found the M4 rifle after it fell off a Delaware Guard truck. A day later, they still hadn't reported finding it when police tracked them down.

A casino roulette wheel with chips.
Military Life

Troops used government cards to pay for casinos, online gaming and Super Bowl parties

One Air Force cardholder took out over $10,000 in cash against their government travel card on 23 trips to a casino. Still, compliance is better than a decade ago.

Coast Guard flying migrants to California and Texas for deportation
Coast Guard

Coast Guard flying migrants to California and Texas for deportation

The interstate flights are being done in coordination with the departments of Homeland Security and Defense.

Five men stand listening to their instructor who is pointing at a plane.
Air Force

Boot camp recruits will learn about Tuskegee Airmen, Air Force insists

The Air Education and Training Command clarified changes to basic military training after a course featuring lessons on the celebrated airmen was pulled last week.

Two sailors stand in front of a computer screen mapping out potential scenarios.
Navy

New Navy video imagines high-tech warfare in 2043

The Navy's new sci-fi short "Sea Strike" showcases how new tools including artificial intelligence, drone wingmen and, yes, lasers could help in future peer-to-peer conflicts.

Air Force cuts Tuskegee Airmen, WASP history class from boot camp on Trump order
Air Force

Air Force cuts Tuskegee Airmen, WASP history class from boot camp on Trump order

A video on the famed unit, as well as one on World War II-era women pilots, was part of three courses removed from Air Force basic training curriculum.

Soldiers in uniform and camouflage consult documents while in the field.
Army

101st Airborne, other Army units deploying to Europe, Middle East and South Korea

Soldiers will head overseas in support of deterrence missions in eastern Europe and the Korean Peninsula, as well as U.S. operations in the Middle East.

Pete Hegseth in a blue suit raises a finger next to his microphone.
News

Pete Hegseth confirmed as Secretary of Defense after Vance casts tiebreaking vote

His confirmation is the second time in history the vice president has had to vote to confirm a cabinet position, and the closest vote for any Secretary of Defense.

Soldiers from the 97th Military Police Brigade, and 41st Engineering Company, Fort Riley, KS., work along side with U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Hidalgo, TX., port of entry, applying 300 meters of concertina wire along the Mexico border in support of Operation FAITHFUL PATRIOT November 2, 2018. Soldiers will provide a range of support including planning assistance, engineering support, equipment and resources to assist the Department of Homeland Security along the southwest border. (U.S. Air Force photo by SrA Alexandra Minor)
Army

Here are the first Army and Marine Corps units heading to the border

Soldiers from the 82nd Airborne and 10th Mountain Divisions and a Stryker brigade from the 4th Infantry Division have been told they are next up.

Pentagon Rundown January 24, 2025
The Pentagon Rundown

‘This is just the beginning’: Pentagon enters Trump 2.0

The Pentagon sends 1,500 active-duty troops to the southern border. The Air Force ends DEI efforts. Troops’ families are stuck in Afghanistan.

Airmen of the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing take part in a 9/11 20th anniversary ceremony in Sioux City, Iowa September 11, 2021. During the ceremony 185th Wing Commander Col. Muckey reminded members of the importance of remembering the events that took place on September 11, 2001 and the many achievements the unit had accomplished since. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Ter Haar/Released)
Air Force

Army and Air Force sweep out DEI-coded programs

Army officials were instructed to remove diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility communications and trainings. The Air Force shuttered groups that targeted professional barriers faced by Black and Native airmen, women, and others.

Capt. Jordan Wiggins, 23d Fighter Group pilot, speaks into his HGU-55/P helmet prior to departure July 2, 2020, at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. Wiggins is flying one of the two A-10s assigned to the 23d Fighter Group that are scheduled to conduct a flyover as a part of the 2020 Salute to America in Washington, D.C., celebrating the United States of America’s 244th birthday. The flyover provides the men and women of the 23d Fighter Group the opportunity to demonstrate capabilities and join in national celebration, while obtaining necessary training hours. (U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. Kaylin P. Hankerson)
Air Force

Cancer rates in military pilots and other aviators could get a closer look

Previous studies military aviators have found higher rates of cancer than the general population. A new bill in Congress would further study what links those jobs with increased risk.

Pvt. Alecsander Daniel (Left) and Sgt. Kyle Angove (Right), with Alpha Troop, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, bore-sight their M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle in Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility, Oct. 20, 2020. The soldiers are in Syria to support Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) mission. CJTF remains committed to working by, with and through our partners to ensure the enduring defeat of Daesh. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jensen Guillory)
Army

Army recruits hoping for cav scout or armor jobs will have to wait for boot camp

Army recruits hoping for a job in a tank or other mechanized armor will now be assigned during basic training, similar tor recruits in air defense and infantry roles.