Read the latest articles from Task & Purpose (Page 57)

An American medical evacuation 'dustoff' helicopter takes aboard a casualty during operations in the jungle.
History

Forefathers of modern MEDEVAC crews flew through hell for their soldiers in Vietnam

Vietnam War Dustoff crews flew countless missions into unsecured landing zones with one mission: save the wounded.

F-35 Crash investigations eject
Marine Corps

Marines say crashed F-35B malfunctioned, but pilot didn’t need to eject

The near-$100 million fighter crashed in thick woods after the Marine pilot wrongly ejected over rural South Carolina last year, a Marine investigation ruled.

Army investigators have a person of interest in the homicide case of a soldier at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri who was found dead earlier this week, officials said Thursday.
News

Fellow soldier charged in murder of Army sergeant at Fort Leonard Wood

Spc. Wooster Rancy, 21, was charged Wednesday with murder and obstructing justice under the military justice system.

Army developing robotics technician field for special operations
Army

The Army is planning for a new robotics technician MOS

The robot and autonomous system-focused warrant officers would initially be part of Army special operations forces to help manage and integrate the new tech into operations.

Military Recruiting medical conditions
News

DoD program makes it easier to enlist with ADHD, asthma, other medical conditions

A pilot program has allowed recruits with a history of medically disqualifying conditions to enlist without getting waivers.

USMC sister brother Eagle globe anchor
Marine Corps

Marine Corps corporal surprises little brother with EGA at boot camp ceremony

"There isn’t a prouder big sister out there," his big sister wrote. "I have no doubts that you’ll be a stellar Marine. I love you, kid."

National Museum of the Marine Corps
Marine Corps

Garbage, PowerPoint, combat: Father and son revisit their wars at Marine Corps museum

For Travis and Patrick Reese, the museum gave them a chance to reflect on their combat experiences while recognizing that they were not defined by their wars.

VA investigates, veterans affairs employee with El Paso, Texas VA who called veteran and left voicemail that prompted an investigation.
News

‘All about the money’ — VA employee’s accidental voicemail to veteran prompts investigation

Veterans Affairs employees called and left a voicemail for a veteran patient, but forgot to hang up.

Navy reserve commander sentenced to prison for accepting bribes for paperwork for Special Immigrant Visas that should have gone to Afghan allies.
Afghanistan

Navy commander accepted bribes for Special Immigrant Visa papers that should have gone to Afghan allies

Jeromy Pittmann was sentenced to 30 months in prison for accepting bribes for visas that were intended for Afghan nationals who worked with U.S. troops during the war.

Airmen of the Iowa Air National Guard’s 185th Air Refueling Wing take part in a 9/11 20th anniversary ceremony in Sioux City, Iowa September 11, 2021. During the ceremony 185th Wing Commander Col. Muckey reminded members of the importance of remembering the events that took place on September 11, 2001 and the many achievements the unit had accomplished since. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Ter Haar/Released)
Air Force

Federal judge tosses lawsuit that challenged Pennsylvania military ballots

A federal judge has denied a request by Republican lawmakers to set aside votes from troops and their families overseas until their identities could be confirmed.

JUNEAU, Alaska (May 4, 2024) - Commander, Navy Region Northwest Rear Adm. Mark Sucato (seated front right) joins Alaskan Natives on the One People Canoe Society's traditional tribal canoe paddle and welcoming ceremony to kick off the annual Juneau Maritime Festival. Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) and Navy Band Northwest are taking part in a scheduled port visit to the capital city of Alaska. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Gretchen Albrecht)
Navy

The Navy destroyed an Alaskan village in 1882. It just apologized.

A Naval force shelled, looted and burned an Angoon village in 1882. Several children died in the attack and many residents died in the subsequent winter months.

pennsylvania voter lawsuit military absentee ballots election
Analysis

Military absentee ballots in Pennsylvania could be caught in GOP lawsuit

Republican lawmakers want absentee ballots — which includes many US troops overseas — set aside until identities are verified. State officials say the ballots are legal.

An Army AH-64E Apache flight path drew 'hang loose' sign in sky
Culture

Army Apache pilot draws a ‘hang loose’ Shaka hand in Hawaii skies

Aloha and Maholo! We salute this pilot and their 'hang loose' flight path.

Concept art showing an L-shaped tubular base on the Moon mid-construction.
History

The Army once planned for an armed base on the Moon

Project Horizon was a Cold War idea for creating a nuclear-powered lunar outpost, staffed with heavily armed soldiers, by the mid-1960s.

U.S. Army E3 Terminal High Altitude Area Defense soldiers and deployed Bomber Task Force U.S. Airmen, pose for a photo in front of a THAAD anti-ballistic missile defense system during a U.S. Army led tour on North West Field at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, May 12, 2021. The THAAD mission is to protect the homeland, deployed military forces, friends, and allies from short, medium, and intermediate range ballistic missiles. The BTF was deployed to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility to meet Pacific Air Forces training objectives. PACAF in coordination with other components, allies, and partners, provides USINDOPACOM with continuous unrivaled air, space, and cyberspace capabilities to ensure regional stability and security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Louis Vega Jr.)
Indo-Pacific

US military scales back missile defense plans for Guam

The U.S. military is reducing the number of missile defense sites it intends to put on Guam, cutting the previous proposal of 22 down to 16 locations.

Screenshot of the video game Command, showing a two-dimensional grid off of the Korean Peninsula and a ship on the western side of it.
Culture

The Air Force is letting troops play this wargame on its secure networks

Airmen can now play the strategy game "Command" inside the secure Air Force network to help plan for potential real-world conflicts.

Two men in dress uniform, both standing in front of American flags.
Coast Guard

Coast Guard temporarily relieves CO, senior enlisted leader for San Diego sector

The two were removed due to a "loss of confidence" following an inquiry.

A former U.S. soldier was sentenced to 30 years in prison for murdering a pregnant, 19-year-old soldier on an American Army base in Germany more than two decades ago, officials said.
Army

Ex-soldier sentenced to 30 years for cold case murder of fellow soldier

Shannon Wilkerson was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the 2001 murder of Pfc. Amanda Gonzales, who was believed to have carried his baby at the time.

U.S Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, line up their M1A2 Abrams tank in the firing range staging area in Bemowo Piskie, Poland, Feb. 16, 2023. The 4 ID and their supporting units are proudly working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America’s forward deployed corps in Europe. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. John Schoebel)
Culture

How Army tank crews earn the right to name their tanks

Tanker culture dates back to World War II, an integral part of which is crews naming their tanks.

Navy SEAL candidates train at Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) in June 2023.
Navy

Navy SEAL training is safer after a trainee’s death, but Hell Week sleep rules remain unclear

An Inspector General review of the infamous Navy SEAL Hell Week training questioned the amount of sleep candidates get but found new safety policies were working.