Read the latest articles from Task & Purpose (Page 46)

National Guard

Man arrested for taunting DC troops with ‘Star Wars’ song strikes back

A lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union alleges that local police and a National Guardsman violated the D.C. resident’s constitutional rights.

Coast Guard

Guards fire on truck at Coast Guard base where federal agents had arrived

Guards at a Coast Guard Base in Oakland, California fired on a civilian truck outside the base gates. The shooting followed a day of protests sparked by the arrival of federal agents.

News

Some troops report mid-month pay issues after Pentagon shifts billions amid shutdown

Some service members and their families reported missing or incorrect paychecks, in some cases thousands of dollars.

News

Senate fails to pass bill that would have paid troops during shutdown

Both Democrats and Republicans blocked opposing bills Thursday that each would have paid active duty military and some federal workers. Next week's paychecks now in doubt.

Marine Corps

A top Marine combat instructor was killed in a traffic confrontation

Staff Sgt. Dylan Rasmussen was named the Runner-up Combat Instructor of the Year for the service in 2025. He was shot during a traffic confrontation in North Carolina.

Army

An Army brigade’s trial by fire against Iranian drones

“It felt like you were being hunted versus hunting,” said the Army colonel in charge of nearly 2,500 soldiers deployed to Erbil, Iraq in 2023.

Air Force

Air Force announces all-hands room inspections for every barracks

Commanders have until Oct. 29 to certify that all airmen are living in "clean, comfortable, and safe” barracks.

Air Force

Air Force B-52 bombers flew ‘attack demonstration’ near Venezuela

Multiple B-52H Stratofortress bombers flew for hours off the coast of Venezuela amid lethal military strikes on vessels in the Caribbean Sea.

Army

Army extends contract for soldiers nearing end of service due to shutdown

“Failure to extend personnel may result in losing access to base, housing, benefits, pay, reimbursement for travel, and household goods shipment,” an Army spokesman said.

Afghanistan War

Veterans built an interactive map of Afghanistan to record 20 years of war

Built as an interactive map of Afghanistan, Project Athena is an archive that veterans can upload photos to, chronicling the war as they lived it next to the memories of others.

Army

Trump taps Hegseth’s senior military assistant as Army’s No. 2 officer

President Donald Trump tapped Lt. Gen. Christopher LaNeve to serve as the Army’s second-highest uniformed leader, replacing Gen. James Mingus, who has spent less than two years in the role.

Air Force

A pilot went down in Vietnam to protect secrets. Will he get the Medal of Honor?

Air Force Maj. Robert Lodge decided not to eject from his stricken plane over North Vietnam to make sure the enemy never learned the vital secrets he knew.

Army

Army counterintelligence agents to get expanded authorities off base

Civilian counterintelligence agents will be able to make arrests and investigate soldiers suspected of selling military secrets or planning mass casualty events.

Marine Corps

Marine pilot killed in California helicopter crash ‘was one of the greats,’ squadron says

Maj. Tyler Braconi was killed after a his helicopter crashed during a routine flight over the California desert. A second Marine on board survived the crash.

Army

Army tightens standards for its basic training prep course

Potential recruits will now be able to attend the Army Future Soldier Preparatory Course to lose weight or improve their test scores, but not both.

Iraq

In reversal, at least 250 US troops will remain at Iraq air base

Iraqi officials had said U.S. forces would leave Ain al-Asad Air Base by the end of last month. Now a small force of US troops will remain, Iraq's prime minister said.

Army

101st Airborne soldier dies in training in Germany

Sgt. Terell Seales, an “exceptional leader and soldier,” died following a vehicle accident at Hohenfels, Germany. 

Marine Corps

Marine artillery shell detonates over freeway during Camp Pendleton event

Marines are investigating after a 155mm artillery round exploded over Interstate 5, hitting California Highway Patrol vehicles with shrapnel.

Entertainment

Netflix releases trailer for Marine Corps documentary ‘Marines’

The four-part series follows the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit as it trains in the Pacific.

Navy

United States releasing survivors of latest airstrike in the Caribbean currently held by the Navy

Two people on an alleged drug smuggling boat were recovered and detained by the Navy Thursday after the vessel was destroyed.