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Read the latest articles from Task & Purpose (Page 7)

A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 55th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, lands on a runway within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, April 12, 2025. The F-16 is a multi-role fighter aircraft spearheading the coalition’s defense and deterrence mission through continuous, rapid developments while maintaining combat air superiority within the CENTCOM AOR. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Erin Dunkleberger)  
Air Force

Six F-16 pilots awarded Distinguished Flying Crosses for Operation Midnight Hammer

The fighter jets from the 55th Fighter Squadron engaged in “high-risk flights into heavily defended airspace” during last year’s attack on Iranian nuclear sites.

Image:  U.S. Soldiers assigned to Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment prepare a stinger missile for launch from an AN/TWQ-1 Avenger Air Defense System during African Lion 26 at Cap Draa, Tan-Tan, Morocco, May 1, 2026. The training advanced the unit’s ability to provide low-altitude air defense, disseminate early warning, and engage aerial threats with Stinger missiles, while integrating experimental tactics for unmanned aerial system defense alongside U.S. and multinational partners to advance collective air defense readiness and regional security. AL26 is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and global allies. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, AL26 involves over 5,600 personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Hazel Torres)
Africa

Search for missing soldiers in Morocco enters second week

A contingent of American troops will remain in the area around the Cap Draa Training Area to look for two Army soldiers who fell into the water on May 2.

Header Image: U.S. Marine Raiders assigned to Marine Forces Special Operations Command conduct live-fire training during Arctic Edge 2026 (AE26) on Fort Greely, Alaska, Feb. 21, 2026. AE26 is a NORAD and U.S. Northern Command-led homeland defense exercise designed to improve readiness, demonstrate capabilities, and enhance Joint and Allied Force interoperability in the Arctic. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Trey Hutcheson)  
Marine Corps

Marines set up new rotational force in Alaska

The Marine Corps is expanding its Arctic footprint, with a new training presence and a permanent detachment into what Gen. Eric Smith called "a region of growing strategic importance."

The LOCUST directed-energy system was deployed to the southern border earlier this year, and tested at White Sands Missile Range. AeroVironment Inc. photo.
United States

Pentagon names five bases that will get anti-drone energy weapons

Two Army bases, two Air Force bases and one Navy installation are getting high powered microwave and laser air defense systems.

Astronaut Harrison Schmitt poses on the Lunar surface next to an American flag during Apollo 17. (moon surface seen on bottom of image). (Photo by: HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
News

New Pentagon UFO files include reports from moon landings

The site includes about 160 documents, with sightings from Apollo moon landings to combat flights in the Middle East.

Air Force One, carrying departs from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland with President Donald J. Trump on board, June 20, 2020. When the president is aboard any Air Force aircraft, the radio call sign is "Air Force One." (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Kentavist P. Brackin)
News

Joint Base Andrews leaked jet fuel for weeks before officials noticed

The base, which hosts Air Force One, leaked 32,000 gallons of fuel between January and March. Maryland's top environmental official called the spill "unacceptable."

A crowd gathers after federal agents shot a protestor in a scuffle, January 24, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where the Trump administration had sent thousands of federal agents to arrest undocumented immigrants.
News

Use of JAG officers to prosecute civilians flouts Pentagon’s own rules, judge says

The Department of Justice's reliance on JAG officers to prosecute cases without a military connection is unprecedented, experts say.

Maverick Act
Navy

Last of the F-14 Tomcats could fly again under Maverick Act

The Maverick Act would send three retired F-14D Tomcats to a museum in Alabama and possibly restore one to flight.

Military applicants who processed through Chicago MEPS take the Oath of Enlistment during a ceremony at U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command headquarters in North Chicago, Illinois, April 15, 2026. USMEPCOM is responsible for processing applicants into the Armed Forces, ensuring each meets enlistment standards.
News

Military will now prescreen recruits for 28 medical conditions

Applicants for military service will be cut earlier in the recruiting process if they have any of 28 medical conditions that are unlikely to receive a waiver.

Air Force Weapons
Air Force

Air Force cargo hub stored weapons in unguarded building, IG finds

Officials at Travis Air Force Base said they were moving to fix the 'increased risk for unauthorized access and theft’ at the storage facility.

Super Hornet
Navy

Navy F/A-18 disables ship in Gulf of Oman with 20mm cannon

The Navy fighter from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln disabled a ship that U.S. military officials say failed to comply with warnings.

Captain John Miller, 716th Military Police Battalion Chaplain, calls a 9-line medevac as part of the Best Unit Ministry Team Competition, July 27, 2022, on Fort Campbell, KY. The Best Unit Ministry Competition is a multi day challenge including an Army Combat Fitness Test, land navigation, 8-mile foot march, obstacle course, and tactical religious support knowledge board designed to test the mental and physical capabilities of chaplains and religious affairs specialists. (U.S. Army Photo by Pfc. Matthew Wantroba)
Army

A field competition for Army chaplains tests spiritual mettle

Between obstacle courses and medical events, chaplains in Korea performed last rites for soldiers and broke up fights between angry commanders.

The Marine Corps is considering creating an Infantry Scout primary military occupation specialty, or PMOS, for infantry Marines.
Marine Corps

Marines may create new Infantry Scout career field

So far, Scouts have not had their own Primary Military Occupational Speciality, equivalent to a mortarman or machine gunner. But that could change.

a way for pilots to Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)
Air Force

Retired fighter pilot taught Chinese airmen secret US tactics, feds say

After two years in China, authorities allege the retired U.S. Air Force fighter pilot appeared to return home to sell a condo. FBI agents said they found fake currency and a fake passport in his home office.

Security Forces
Air Force

Air Force removes security airmen from full duty after entering wrong home with a child inside

A Joint Base Andrews spokesperson said the airmen have been assigned to duties that don’t require them to be armed while a command investigation is underway.

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Dylan Fraley, Sgt. 1st Class Chris Prince and Staff Sgt. Jaylan Smith, assigned to the Mississippi National Guard, conduct a presence patrol near the National Mall in Washington, D.C., Jan. 27, 2026, in support of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission. Amid winter weather conditions, National Guard members maintain a visible presence across key locations throughout the District to support public safety and assist local and federal partners. The D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission includes approximately 2,500 National Guard members working alongside the Metropolitan Police Department to help ensure the safety of residents, commuters and visitors throughout the nation’s capital. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. William Blankenship)
National Guard

Guardsmen who reacted to November attack receive medals for heroism

Army Maj. Ryan Reynolds and Air Force Maj. Edwin Stanfield received the Soldier’s Medal and Airman’s Medal for subduing a gunmen in Washington, D.C.

Army AH-64 Apache attack helicopters sunk several Iranian boats, U.S. officials said, as the first day of the operation to escort commercial ships through the Straits of Hormuz resulted in combat.
Army

US Army and Navy helicopters sink six Iranian small boats, commander says

The opening day of the U.S. efforts to escort commercial ships through the Straits of Hormuz saw U.S. ships and aircraft forces engage in combat with Iranian forces.

Image: ARABIAN SEA - APRIL 20: (EDITOR'S NOTE: This Handout image was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images' editorial policy.) In this handout photo provided by U.S. Central Command, U.S. forces patrol the Arabian Sea near M/V Touska on April 20, 2026, after firing upon the Iranian-flagged vessel that the U.S. accused of attempting to violate the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports near the Strait of Hormuz. (Handout Photo by the U.S. Navy via Getty Images) 
Iran

US will help ‘guide’ trapped ships out of the Strait of Hormuz

Central Command and the president said the effort will start Monday but the U.S. will “maintain the naval blockade” on Iran.

A U.S. Army cannon crewmember assigned to Chaos Battery, 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment, 173rd Mobile Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), carries an M249 machine gun during an African Lion 26 live-fire exercise at Cap Draa, Tan-Tan, Morocco, April 21, 2026. The live-fire exercise evaluated the unit’s ability to coordinate, maneuver and deliver precise, synchronized fires in a dynamic environment, ensuring the unit is ready and proficient for any combat mission.
Army

Two US soldiers missing during exercises in Morocco

Search and rescue operations are underway after they were reported missing near Tan Tan in the country’s southwest.

Image: A group of soldier competitors eat dinner in the field after completing a land navigation course during the 2022 Combined Best Warrior Competition at Fort Hunter-Liggett, California, April 1. 15 Soldiers traveled to compete in this year’s Best Warrior, hosted by United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), 84th Training Command, and 108th Training Command (IET) from March 31 through April 5, 2022. Competitors are evaluated on their individual ability to adapt and overcome challenging scenarios and battle-focused events, which test their technical and tactical abilities under stress and extreme fatigue. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Spc. Olivia Cowart)
Army

The Army is looking for ‘alternative protein’ for soldiers in the field

The service hopes it can find meatless proteins to put in rations and even manufacture them in combat zones.