Read the latest articles from Task & Purpose (Page 36)

Air Force

‘Exercise Sourdough’ — How the Air Force turned San Francisco into an urban evasion course

“This is kind of mimicking if they are in an urban environment in a foreign country and the American forces need to devise a plan to extract them.”

Coast Guard

Here’s why the Navy is planning to turn a Coast Guard cutter into a frigate

The Navy is looking to rebound from its latest shipbuilding SNAFU by basing the design of its new frigate on a Coast Guard cutter.

Army

National Guard pilot admits to landing Black Hawk helicopter to pick up elk antlers

The Montana soldier entered a no-contest plea to trespassing charges for landing a UH-60 helicopter on a remote ranch to collect elk antlers.

Space Force

Married Space Force officers lose home after fire and burglary

A car belonging to one of the officers was defaced with graffiti that included the messages “F**k Trump” and “F***k you space man.”

Army

These are the first photos of the Army’s M1E3 Abrams prototype

Rumors of the demise of the tank have long been exaggerated.

Americas

Here’s what we know in the wake of Operation Absolute Resolve (and what we don’t)

We break it down in our most recent video, from the aircraft to weapons systems to the hazy legality of it all.

Air Force

Airmen can now swap out the 2-mile run on both yearly fitness tests

Airmen can now swap out of their run on both tests — and Space Force guardians will take theirs twice a year.

News

Federal watchdog reports ‘suicide hazards’ at VA hospitals

The Inspector General found physical safety risks for mental health patients at a Massachusetts hospital and warned about “similar concerns” at other facilities.

United States

Pentagon orders review on ‘effectiveness’ of women in combat arms jobs

Pentagon officials ordered a review of the “effectiveness” of women serving in combat after a ratcheting up of rhetoric around “sex neutral" fitness standards.

Navy

Here is the Navy’s new fitness test for SEALs and other combat jobs

SEALs and special warfare combat crewman will face slightly higher standards than EOD techs and fleet divers in the Navy's new combat arms test.

News

For some veterans, the specter of Iraq and Afghanistan looms over the Maduro raid

Even as veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan acknowledge the skill required to pull off the operation, the question of “what comes next” hangs over it.

News

Hegseth moves to reduce Sen. Kelly’s military retirement pay over unlawful orders video

Sen. Mark Kelly may see his retirement pay reduced after participating in a video with other members of Congress urging troops not to obey unlawful military orders.

History

The military once considered using balloons as nuclear weapons systems

A 1957 study looked at the possibility of an American strategic floating bomb force.

Americas

More than 150 fighters, bombers and other aircraft took part in Venezuela strike

The force of Navy, Air Force and Marine F-22s, F/A-18s, F-35s and drones struck several sites in Caracas as the Army captured Nicolás Maduro.

Army

Delta Force, other special operations soldiers carried out Venezuela raid

President Donald Trump said no personnel were killed in the attack on Venezuela, dubbed “Operation Absolute Resolve.”

Americas

US military captures Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro after striking military sites

President Donald Trump has issued a statement saying U.S. forces have captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

Coast Guard

Coast Guard halts search for survivors of US strikes on boats in the Pacific

The effort, which lasted four days, is the most extensive one conducted by the U.S. since it began attacks on alleged drug ships in September.

Army

Army creates new AI-focused career field for officers

The new 49B area of concentration will get its first cadre of officers who are tasked with integrating AI into logistics, robotics and combat.

History

When the military tried to give soldiers personal flying platforms

In the 1950s the Navy and Army worked on small VTOL machines to make troops go airborne. They worked, just not well enough.

Air Force

Lack of supervision contributed to Alaska airman’s death, report finds

A new Air Force review of Staff Sgt. Charles Crumlett’s death in March 2024 noted failures in supervision, communication and procedures while working on a F-22.