Read the latest articles from Task & Purpose (Page 37)

Navy

Navy rolls out twice-a-year fitness tests

The new system goes into effect in the new year, with all active-duty sailors required to complete a fitness assessment every six months.

Army

Army changes course, decides to keep horses at two bases

The Army previously planned to phase out its Military Working Equid program at five different bases to focus on “warfighting priorities.”

Americas

Trump says US took out a ‘big facility’ in Venezuela

The president would not say if the U.S. military was involved in the operation on Christmas Eve.

Africa

US targets ISIS in Somalia with multiple airstrikes over four days

The wave of attacks comes as American forces bombed ISIS for the first time in Nigeria. 

News

Appeals court upholds order for the VA to build 2,550 housing units in Los Angeles

The Department of Veterans Affairs "has strayed from its mission," the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals found, and must build 1,800 permanent and 750 temporary housing units on its West Los Angeles campus.

Africa

US targets ISIS with multiple strikes in Nigeria

The Christmas day attacks in the country’s northwestern Sokoto state are the first direct strike against militants in Nigeria by the U.S.

Space Force

Space Force guardians graduate basic training in their own uniforms for the first time

“This milestone reflects more than a uniform change. It represents the strength of a shared training foundation and the future focused mission these guardians are stepping into.”

World War II

How US troops in World War II celebrated Christmas dinner on the front

Fighting was brutal, rationing was strict, but turkey was never in short supply.

Culture

Happy holidays from Task & Purpose

It's been quite a year, and we're glad we got to share it with you.

Navy

The Navy’s railgun may be back from the dead — for now

President Donald Trump announced that the Navy’s new “battleships” will each be armed with “state-of-the-art electric railguns.”

Marine Corps

Marines may finally get landing ships for modern-day island hopping

The Navy plans to buy between 18 and 35 Medium Landing Ships, which each can carry more than 200 Marines ashore along with helicopters and vehicles.

Americas

Have you served on the US-Mexico border in the last year? We want to hear from you.

In the new year, we’ll continue to report on challenges facing deployed troops, whether abroad or at home. But to do that, we need your help.

News

Fort Hood OB-GYN abuse case raises questions on chaperone policy

The Army hospital’s policy states that patients can request a chaperone and staff will try to honor it. Advocates say it should be mandatory for all sensitive exams.

National Guard

California Air Guard team pulls off ‘high risk’ night rescue from fog-covered cruise ship

"We don't train to do it inside a fog bank," said one of the rescue pilots after the crew of guardsmen faced rough winds and poor visibility to reach a woman on a cruise ship 100 miles from shore.

Coast Guard

US forces seize oil tanker in the Caribbean

The Coast Guard and other troops boarded the M/T Centuries after it departed Venezuela. It’s the second tanker seized this month.

Air Force

US forces returning to Ecuador for ‘short-term’ counter-drug mission

The return to the base at Manta comes a month after Ecuadorian voters rejected a measure to allow the reopening of foreign bases.

Army

Army tosses out its Spiritual Fitness Guide after four months

The recently launched effort to boost resilience in the “spiritual domain” is already canceled.

News

Pentagon fails its 8th audit in a row

The Department of Defense once again promised it will achieve a clean audit in 2028.

Middle East

US forces launch strikes on ISIS in Syria in retaliation for the death of 2 soldiers

The large-scale ground and air campaign against multiple ISIS sites comes in response to last weekend's attack that killed two US soldiers.

Marine Corps

Marines moving to gender-neutral Physical Fitness Test for combat jobs

Combat roles in the Marines have had gender-neutral requirements since 2015. A new policy will extend that rule to annual fitness test scores.