Read the latest articles from Task & Purpose (Page 35)

Army

Army Corps of Engineers commander fired amid political dispute over lake properties

Two members of Congress and a senior Pentagon official weighed in on the firing, implying it was tied to a Corps of Engineers dispute with homeowners around a lake in Missouri.

News

The military will now do grocery delivery for 70 on-base commissaries across the US

The Defense Commissary Agency will offer online delivery from 70 base stores by the end of January and the remaining 108 stores by the summer.

News

VA watchdog issues warning on AI use by medical staff

Two AI chat tools, including Microsoft Copilot, are in use at the VA but have not been reviewed by patient safety offices.

Army

Top enlisted soldier says he got ‘over my skis’ on new Army PT uniform

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael R. Weimer said the plans he announced in 2024 to replace the service’s physical fitness gear had been “put on pause.”

News

Pentagon officials blame government shutdown for delaying annual suicide report

The report, due last fall, will be released in “early 2026,” officials said.

Marine Corps

Navy and Marine aviation accidents doubled amid Red Sea fight

"There's no question that the extended deployment, the material degradations and so forth, are going to have that kind of impact," one expert said about mishaps amid sustained operations.

News

What is a loot box and why is there one at the Pentagon?

A Lucky Box machine has been up and running in the Pentagon since Dec. 23.

News

Veterans defend Afghan ally programs as Trump closes doors

Established visa pipelines for Afghan allies have been shuttered, veterans say, despite having no connection to a November National Guard shooting.

News

Pentagon attempts to assure Congress that hazing is still not tolerated

Nearly 30 lawmakers wrote Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asking why the Pentagon is seeking to redefine hazing and bullying.

Air Force

Air Force crew reacted rapidly to sudden power failure in Osprey mishap

The crew of an Air Force CV-22 Osprey that suffered a hard landing in late 2024 had just completed safety training to get the aircraft on the ground in such moments.

Army

Here’s why a Fort Bragg dining facility got an ‘F’ sanitation rating

An Army official said the failing health grade was the result of "one incident of a mislabeled item." Corrections by staff have since raised the grade to a "C."

Army

The Army wants soldiers to travel less for training, do more in virtual reality

Army leaders said they are looking at more virtual reality and remote training inspired by civilian programs at universities.

Air Force

Twin Air Force pilots connect in refueling flight over the Pacific

Capt. Jordan Wesemann, a KC-135 tanker pilot, refueled his twin brother Jared's F-35 fighter jet during an exercise in Japan. Their father is a former Air Force rescue pilot.

News

Pentagon announces new way military will measure troops’ body fat

To pass the new standards, a service member’s waist measurement can be only slightly more than half of their height.

News

Fight between Kelly and Hegseth over ‘unlawful orders’ video headed to court

The Arizona senator and Navy veteran sued Hegseth and the Department of Defense on Monday, saying actions against him would cause a chilling effect on veterans' speech

Middle East

An A-10 taking part in Syria airstrikes sports ‘Metroid’ nose art

Warthogs have been a major part of recent U.S. operations against ISIS in Syria, including this A-10 paying homage to a classic video game character.

Army

Missile defense base dealing with ‘critical’ disruptions at its dining facility

Federal worker buyouts, retirements and not enough MREs left soldiers at Fort Greely with limited food services for more than two months.

Middle East

US, Jordanian air forces conduct dozens of airstrikes in Syria against ISIS

They’re the first American airstrikes reported in Syria this year and the second wave of Operation Hawkeye Strike.

Air Force

Air Force plans for new electronic warfare squadron to aid combat training 

The 562nd Electronic Warfare Squadron will help airmen with the Air Force Warfare Center at Nellis Air Force Base deal with "contested electronic environments."

Air Force

Air Force brings back job patches, which were banned for some reason

Banned a year ago to emphasize a “warfighting team,” the patches that identify an airman’s job are once again allowed on uniforms.