Read the latest articles from Task & Purpose (Page 87)

Marine Corps

Drinking conviction against 2 members of ‘MARSOC 3’ overturned, ending yearslong case

The only felony conviction against Gunnery Sgts. Daniel Draher and Joshua Negron — drinking while deployed — has been overturned, putting a legal end to the case of the death of a former Green Beret six years ago in Iraq.

History

The Army once hoped jetpacks could give soldiers the edge in combat

In the late 1950s the U.S. Army began thinking that soldiers flying over battlefields was the way of the future.

Navy

US Navy carries out strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen

These are the first major strikes since the Navy accidentally shot down its own F/A-18F fighter jet on Dec. 22.

National Guard

National Guard soldier dies in Iraq in ‘non-combat’ incident

Capt. Eric Richard Hart, 34, with the 38th Infantry Division of the Indiana Army National Guard, was deployed as part of Operation Inherent Resolve.

World War I

When Americans spent Christmas and New Year’s freezing in Russia

As World War I ended, thousands of American troops were fighting in the early stages of Russia’s civil war.

News

President Jimmy Carter, Navy veteran and humanitarian, dies at 100

The 39th president died "peacefully" on Dec. 29, his family said.

History

The Air Force once proposed bombing Earth from the Moon

Air Force

Air Force expands the number of skilled jobs up for retention bonuses

The Air Force is hoping large amounts of cash can help it hold onto airmen whose specialized talents are in demand.

World War II

Pearl Harbor survivor and last living crewmember of the USS Utah dies at 105

Coast Guard

Coast Guard pilot receives top flying honor for helicopter rescue

Lt. Cmdr. Jacob Conrad and his crew braved bad weather and mechanical issues to save four people.

Army

Special Forces soldier dies in non-combat incident at Eglin range

Sgt. Thomas Lazzaro was shot in a hunting accident on Sunday, Dec. 22.

Coast Guard

The Coast Guard is building up its Arctic fleet

The service is working to quickly acquire and build new ice breakers to counter threats in the polar regions.

History

This tiny crossbow is the perfect Christmas gift for your favorite World War II Spy

This Christmas, get that spy in your family the one thing they don’t have: an OSS crossbow designed to be deadly and silent.

Entertainment

The Pearl Harbor movie scene that accidentally filmed a real plane crash 

A scene in “Tora! Tora! Tora!,” the 1970 Pearl Harbor movie, sent stuntmen running for their lives during a real-life airplane crash.

News

More than 4,500 US troops are spending Christmas in Iraq and Syria, according to Pentagon figures

The Pentagon has admitted that at least 1,100 more US troops are deployed to Iraq and Syria than had been previously acknowledged.

News

A Marine’s disciplinary record from 100 years ago reveals rank-and-file life as much the same

A currently serving Marine discovered the disciplinary record for his great-grandfather, back when he was a sergeant in 1926.

Military Life

Congress authorizes free Wi-Fi for troops in barracks

The approval comes three months after the Pentagon announced pilot programs to test out free broadband Internet across the military branches.

Navy

Navy shoots down its own F/A-18 in Red Sea fight

The two aviators were able to eject and were recovered safely.

News

Veteran suicides stayed at same level in 2022, despite efforts to reduce deaths

After spiking in 2021, the number of women veterans who killed themselves in 2022 dropped by nearly a quarter.

Tactics

Space Force to deploy new jammers to yell at enemy satellites

In space, they apparently can hear screams.