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As a young (or less young) military spouse, you’ll have some unique experiences. We’re talking stuff with which the majority of the public will never have to deal, including: 

Frequent moves.
Switching jobs (or careers).
Having Uncle Sam dictate so many things about your life.
Where you’ll live and how long you’ll be there.

And in most cases, you don’t get a say in any of it. Where you go to receive medical care is decided for you, as is your spouse’s job and so many more aspects about your life.

The sightings highlight concerns about drone attacks from the sea, especially at a time of extreme hostility between Iran and the U.S.

Public Domain

Drones of an unknown origin were reportedly sighted over the remote joint U.S.-U.K. Diego Garcia installation located deep in the Indian Ocean. As we have frequently reported, this island base has long been a highly strategic operating location for the U.S. military. Beyond its large airfield that has been an epicenter of bomber operations over the decades, it plays many roles for the Pentagon.

A Ukrainian drone barrage plunged Sevastopol into darkness overnight on August 13 after Ukraine reportedly struck near the Balaklava power plant.

Russian occupation authorities said they restored power through a temporary scheme.

Tu-160 Bomber from Russia. Image Credit: Creative Commons

Tu-160 Bomber Russian Air Force. Image Credit: Russian State Media.

Sevastopol Goes Dark
The major Black Sea port city has undergone several power outages since Ukraine began stepping up its campaign there in June.

Ukrainian strikes previously knocked out electricity across Sevastopol on June 24.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright says far more oil is moving through the Gulf region than commercial ship tracking data suggests, and in an interview this week, he explained the logic behind his claim.

The Trump administration official said that ships are passing through the strait with their AIS transponders off, meaning that they cannot be reliably tracked – and while the claims hold up, they are still not providing the confidence that shipping companies and insurers need to return to business as usual in one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints.

A top U.S. Northern Command general is once again warning of the American military’s inability to effectively counter drones stateside.
Army Lt. Gen. Joseph Jarrard, deputy commander of Northcom, cited a shortage of detection capabilities and weapons as a key reason why the military wouldn’t be able to defeat a swarm of unmanned aerial systems in the homeland.

The Army is temporarily halting all Apache helicopter training flights after two soldiers were killed in a crash this week.
On Friday afternoon, the Army said leaders ordered a “temporary stand-down of AH64 Apache training flight operations.” The announcement came two days after an AH-64E Apache from 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood crashed during a maintenance test flight.
“The stand-down will remain in effect until we have a better understanding of the root cause of the accident,” the statement said. “We currently have no additional information to share.”
The U.S.

Iran’s successful use of the Strait of Hormuz as leverage against the United States may be working now, but it won’t in the long run.

The longer the disruption goes on, and the economic fallout worsens, some of the world’s biggest oil buyers are looking elsewhere for their crude – and Gulf oil producers are looking for alternative routes to the international market.

President Donald Trump attends UFC 314 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, Saturday, April 12, 2025.

The Navy is sending more mental health support to the USS Abraham Lincoln as it prepares to leave the Middle East, officials said. The effort comes as the Acting Secretary of the Navy acknowledged that the service had “treated” sailors’ mental health on the aircraft carrier.
“The Navy is working to send additional resiliency counselors and social workers to augment the already robust mental health resources available to the crew 24/7,” Navy officials told Task & Purpose in a statement Friday.

Under new military leadership, Iran appears to be preparing for what could become one of the most consequential moments of the war and the greatest test of the U.S. naval blockade.

Reports on Friday, August 14, revealed how a massive Iranian oil tanker was being loaded with crude oil at the country’s most important export terminal following weeks of inactivity.

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) arrives at Pier 88 during the International Naval Review (INR) 250 Parade of Sail in New York, July 4, 2026.

Moscow Rejects Black Sea Truce Offer – Ukraine’s call for a ceasefire in the Black Sea was rejected by Russia on Friday.

The news comes as tit-for-tat attacks on ports and commercial shipping are plunging both countries’ grain exports into crisis, putting worldwide food prices under strain.

Su-35 from China. Image Credit: Chinese Air Force PLAAF.

Sukhoi Su-35 Fighter. Image Credit: Creative Commons.