Read the latest articles from Task & Purpose (Page 30)

Air Force

As aging Air Force AWACS heads to Middle East, where is its replacement?

The vital but rapidly aging Air Force E-3 Sentry is back in the Middle East while a replacement could still be years away.

Army

Army warrant officers will ‘bid’ against each other for their next bonus 

Officials said it was a way for warrant officers to bid their “true value.”

Navy

The Navy is ditching its original PT uniform, known for its gold shirt

The Navy is phasing out its original physical training uniform, which includes a gold shirt and blue shorts, after sailors said they preferred newer fitness gear.

Air Force

This Air Force officer has set 17 Guinness World Records — so far

Air Force Maj. Johnny Cruz Buckingham, a former tanker pilot, raises money for children's programs by attempting to set new Guinness World Records.

Benefits

VA pauses new disability rule 2 days after announcing it

Department of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins announced the rule ‘will not be enforced at any time in the future.’

Air Force

Military leaders should assume an absent troop is ‘in danger,’ watchdog finds

Troops who are "involuntarily absent" are almost always in severe danger, but the Army, Navy, and Air Force all have different rules for how commanders should react, a new report found.

Army

Soldier who shielded Jewish POWs from guards will receive Medal of Honor

Ordered at gunpoint to separate Jewish soldiers from other POWs, Army Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds called a full formation of Americans and told a German commander: "We are all Jews."

Benefits

Concern and confusion erupt over new VA disability rule

The Department of Veterans Affairs says the rule will not directly impact veterans' current disability ratings, while advocates are concerned it could lead to benefits being reduced.

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Benefits

New VA rule could lower veterans’ disability rating if medication improves their symptoms

The new rule might mean that veterans receive lower disability ratings from the VA, officials from major veterans service organizations said.

Marine Corps

Father of 3 Marines won’t be deported, immigration judge rules

Narciso Barranco’s eligibility for Parole In Place under his sons' military service means he can not be immediately deported, an immigration judge ruled.

Benefits

‘Double-dipping’ controversy bars injured and ill vets from getting full benefits

"You wanna fight wars? Well, it costs money. The shit ain't cheap," one veteran said.

Army

Army successfully tests Apache with new ammunition meant to shred drone swarms

The new airburst-capable 30mm round is meant to give the helicopters drone hunting capabilities without extensive new training for pilots.

Africa

US troops deploy to Nigeria to train its military

Roughly 100 American troops deployed to Nigeria, almost two months after the U.S. carried out several strikes in the country.

Vietnam War

A father and uncle were killed in Vietnam. This family returned to remember them.

Jeff Evans' father and uncle were killed in Vietnam. More than five decades later, he wanted to visit the two sites where the men died.

Space Force

Space Force beats its recruiting goal in just five months as service rushes to expand

The service continues to beat its recruitment benchmarks and now wants to double in size to meet orbital threats from China and Russia.

Middle East

US hits dozens of Islamic State targets in Syria amid base withdrawals

The 10 days of airstrikes came as the U.S. handed over the al-Tanf Garrison, a long-time base, to the Syrian military.

Army

‘Are you a spy?’ Army warns against falling for a honeypot

The Army Counterintelligence Command is getting into the Valentine’s Day spirit with a special message about the dangers of people “way too cute” to be talking to soldiers.

Navy

US sends Ford aircraft carrier, fresh off Venezuela operations, to the Middle East

The carrier, currently in the Caribbean, will join the USS Abraham Lincoln as American military buildup in the region continues.

Army

Marines not interested in switching from M27 to Army’s M7 anytime soon

The Marines are sticking with the M27 while they will also “continue to monitor development” of the Army’s M7.