Read the latest articles from Task & Purpose (Page 32)

Navy

Navy destroyer crew awarded Armed Forces Service Medal for downing Iranian missiles

In 2024 and 2025, USS Arleigh Burke shot down Iranian missiles launched against Israel. The ship’s crew has received the Armed Forces Service Medal.

Air Force

Air Force bans smart glasses for troops in uniform

Air Force officials cite opsec concerns as the reason for the blanket ban.

Air Force

An Air Guard wing touched down on all 7 continents in 2-year span

Crews from the Nevada Air National Guard completed a sweep of missions from Antarctica to Africa in less than two years. They also found time to fight fires in California.

Korea

Navy pilot to receive Medal of Honor nearly 75 years after shooting down 4 MiGs

Retired Navy Capt. Royce Williams downed four Soviet MiGs during the Korean War in the longest dogfight in Navy history.

Get your finances in order this year with a debt balance transfer

Start 2026 off right.

Warfare

A brief history of the US military’s presence in Greenland

U.S. troops have been based in Greenland for decades, starting in World War II, when weather stations on the island provided vital intelligence to the Allies.

National Guard

Air Guard pilots downed over a dozen Iranian drones to earn Distinguished Flying Crosses

The three Air National Guard F-16 pilots — with callsigns "Fume," "Boom," and "Hammer" — took down at least 15 drones and missiles, including a rare kill with a plane's gun.

Army

Army will now tie retention bonuses to PT scores, job performance

Reenlistment bonuses will still go to in-demand jobs, but a new program will make bonuses larger for top performers on PT tests and day-to-day job skills.

Army

Soldier who died saving Polish officer in Afghanistan to receive Medal of Honor, family says

Army Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis’ parents have announced that President Donald Trump will award the Medal of Honor to their son.

Culture

‘A Damn Good Time’ — Crew of well-named tank unfazed by frigid winter in Poland

"Armored Palmer," "Aneurysm," and "About 50/50" were also training last month. Army crews traditionally are allowed to pick their tank names during gunnery qualification.

Army

Soldiers with the 10th Mountain Division are headed back to the Middle East

The unit previously deployed to the region in 2023, where they countered nearly 100 Iranian drone attacks on American bases in Iraq and Syria.

Air Force

Top enlisted leader in the Air Force explains why he wears his father’s service pin

“The pin inside my coat reminds me that service isn't just a phase of life, it’s the whole point,” wrote Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Wolfe.

Army

Army recruiting waivers for mental health will be approved at lower levels

Approval for waivers for recruits with mental health exemptions will now be handled by two- and three-star commanders who more directly oversee street recruiters.

News

Veterans Affairs personnel say ‘silence is deafening’ from leaders after Alex Pretti’s death

A memorial for Pretti at the Minneapolis VA is now planned, a week after the ICU nurse was killed. Several Minneapolis VA employees report slow responses from national leadership in the days following.

Marine Corps

Marine drill instructor sentenced over boot camp hazing death arrested after early release

Joseph Felix was sentenced to 10 years in prison, but was released early and recently arrested in South Carolina for cruelty to children.

Space Force

Space Force stands up new command for the Northern Hemisphere

The new Space Force command focuses on terrestrial and orbital defenses over the United States proper, as well as Canada and Greenland.

Africa

US starts $70 million upgrade to Kenyan airfield used in Somalia operations

The $70 million overhaul includes expanding the runway at Manda Bay. The base is used as part of counterterrorism operations against al-Shabab and ISIS-Somalia.

Air Force

Air Force to bring back ‘no-notice’ combat readiness inspections

The Air Force recently reversed course to require only one annual scheduled review, but plans to include unscheduled ones as well.

Drones

Pentagon gives base commanders more control on countering drones

Military installation commanders now have more leeway to determine threats from unauthorized drones nearby and deal with them.

News

Alleged ringleader arrested for plot to sell drugs to veterans on a VA campus

Maryland State Police and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Office of Inspector General have been investigating a drug ring for months.