Read the latest articles from Task & Purpose (Page 88)

Navy

Ospreys cleared to fly again in Navy and Air Force after inspections

The Marine Corps stopped flying its Ospreys for four days in early December but resumed flights soon after. The airplane's transmission has caused a series of deadly crashes.

History

That time the US military burned down one of its own bases with a ‘bat bomb’

Wild bats with napalm, what could go wrong?

The Pentagon Rundown

Defense bill, subordinates may weigh in on officers’ promotions, drone drama and more military news

The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act is headed to the president’s desk and more military news from the past week.

News

Troops are skipping mental health treatment over privacy fears, report finds

Almost 90% of service members interviewed for the RAND report indicated they would limit what they share with mental health providers because of privacy concerns.

News

A government shutdown would mean pay delays for troops, including those in combat zones

U.S. troops, including those deployed to Syria, Iraq, Somalia and other countries, would not be paid for the duration of a government shutdown, but they’d still have to report for duty.

History

These tiny, Vietnam-era mini-grenades were known as ‘Hooch Poppers’

Also known as "golf ball grenades," they were small and good for clearing rooms, but not much else.

Marine Corps

Marine astronaut says the space station is ‘luxurious’ compared to how Marines usually live

“At just over six months, I’m pretty sure it was the shortest of my deployments,” said Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jasmin Moghbeli.

Army

Congress demands answers on low testosterone issues among special operators

A range of health issues in the special operations community caused by low testosterone, dubbed "Operator Syndrome," has drawn congressional attention.

Afghanistan War

This pilot dropped every bomb on two different F-16s in one mission

To save a team of Rangers under fire, Lt. Col. Craig Andrle dropped all the bombs his F-16 could carry. Then he switched planes, and dropped all those bombs, too.

Commentary

What is going on in Syria and what the hell does it mean for US troops?

U.S. forces in the region continue to find themselves stuck between groups with competing interests, all of whom are likely to seek advantages in the Assad regime’s fall.

Navy

Navy thanks Tom Cruise for his service in ‘Top Gun’ movies

Tom Cruise received the Distinguished Public Service award from Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro on Tuesday.

Army

Soldiers can now get $2,000 if they travel for a family emergency

The new policy from the Army Emergency Relief nonprofit gives soldiers and their families traveling for emergencies up to $2,000 for domestic and $4,000 for international travel assistance.

Air Force

Opinions of lower-ranking troops could soon be considered in officer promotions

The pilot would include anonymous peer and subordinate feedback to be submitted as part of command selection for O-5 and O-6 ranks.

Air Force

New Jersey Air Guard names an F-16 “Jersey Jerk” to honor World War II ace

The plane honors Maj. Gen. Donald Strait, a World War II ace and Silver Star recipient. But he called himself the "Jersey Jerk."

Benefits

Veterans benefits are a cost of war that America is honor-bound to pay, a top veterans group says

“If our government wants to continue to send us to war, they need to consider the cost of the long-term, back-end impacts of combat,” said American Legion’s executive director of government affairs.

Entertainment

First ‘Warfare’ trailer paints a harrowing picture of Iraq War combat

Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza’s ‘Civil War’ follow-up, based on real events, follows Navy SEALs under siege.

Middle East

Carrier Air Wing 9 flew hundreds of combat sorties while fighting Houthis

New details shared by the Navy point to a high operations tempo for the nine fighter squadrons in the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group.

World War II

Soldiers, reenactors, mark 80 years since the Battle of the Bulge

Troops, along with heads of state and other dignitaries, paid tribute to the thousands wounded or killed in Belgium and Luxembourg resisting the German counteroffensive during World War II.

Indo-Pacific

C-130s from around the world gather for an ‘elephant walk’

Seven of the cargo planes came together on the runway at Andersen Air Force Base as part of an annual holiday humanitarian airlift.

Army

82nd Airborne soldier who deserted for 16 years pleads guilty

Sgt. Christopher Vassey entered his plea after returning to the United States and surrendering to authorities on Dec 3.