Marine veteran Thomas Gray Harris died in Ukraine on Nov. 24, 2023. (Photo courtesy of Richard B. Harris.).
Marine veteran Thomas Gray Harris delivered a baby during a medical internship in Ghana, helped fellow veterans access services from the Department of Veterans Affairs, and officiated a Marine buddy’s wedding after becoming an “internet minister.”
Harris filled his life, his parents told Task & Purpose, with acts of compassion.
It was this protective instinct that prompted him to travel to Ukraine in August and join the country’s International Legion, they said.

Soldiers with the 1st Ranger Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, inspect their radios during the Rapid Removal of Excess Pilot (R2E) at Fort Stewart, Georgia, Nov. 9, 2023. According to the Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George, the U.S. Army is moving into a new era, and by getting rid of the excess equipment during the R2E, they are creating space for more modernized weapons. (U.S. Army Photo by Pfc. Rebeca Soria).

President Joe Biden’s nominee to be the first-ever assistant secretary of defense for science and technology told lawmakers that development of hypersonic weapons and quantum computing will be top priorities if she’s confirmed.
She also pledged to improve the department’s partnerships with small businesses in order to better integrate new capabilities into the services.

Certain nations participating in the U.S.-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) are launching six new “capability coalitions” to help strengthen the Ukrainian military’s air force, ground-based air defenses, artillery, maritime security, de-mining and information technology assets as it continues to combat Russian aggression, according to senior Pentagon officials.

Defense Department leaders are eager for high-energy lasers to get fielded in larger numbers. However, introducing these types of systems will bring significant command-and-control challenges — particularly when they’re facing more advanced threats, according to the Pentagon’s principal director for directed energy.

U.S. Air Force Trainees from the 326th Training Wing low crawl during an obstacle course as part of the Primary Agile Combat Employment Range Forward Operations Readiness Generation Exercise, or PACER FORGE, August 8, 2023, on Joint Base San Antonio-Chapman Annex. (Airman 1st Class Erin V. Currie/U.S. Air Force).
U.S. Air Force Basic Military Training is any airman’s first step into the massive world of the Air Force. From security forces to combat controllers, logisticians to mechanics, all airmen start their careers at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

Air National Guard
Air National Guard MQ-9 Reaper drones were armed and ready, if they had been required, to sink a rocket booster off the coast of California as part of a missile defense test last month. The Reapers were ostensibly on station to help ensure the booster, which was from a Ground-Based Interceptor, slipped beneath the waves and did not become a hazard to maritime traffic.
The two California Air National Guard MQ-9 Reapers that supported the Missile Defense Agency’s test in December 2023.

Andrew Kanei
In the wake of successful test flights of the most advanced combat aircraft ever to be built, the Pentagon says Northrop Grumman has been awarded a low-rate initial production contract for the B-21 Raider stealth bomber
However, few details are being released about that award, which was first reported on by Bloomberg.
The B-21 seen during its maiden flight from Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, in November 2023. (Andrew Kanei photo) Andrew Kanei
“Production of the B-21 ‘Raider’ stealth bomber is moving forward,” Dr.

Roi-Namur, which is part of U.S. Army Garrison Kwajalein sustained massive damage after it was struck by huge waves on Jan. 20, 2024. (Twitter screenshot and Army photo).
The island of Roi-Namur, which is part of U.S. Army Garrison Kwajalein Atoll, was recently struck by huge waves caused by rough weather, resulting in extensive damage that could take months to repair, according to the Army.
U.S. Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll supports the U.S.

Defence Sciense and Technology Laboratory (Dstl)
The prototype for the British Army’s next main battle tank, the Challenger 3, has been revealed. Following its completion in the factory in Telford, England, the new tank is scheduled to begin trials soon, ahead of planned service entry in 2027.
While the United Kingdom currently plans to convert a relatively small number of Challenger 2s — just 148, including eight prototypes — into the new version, the situation could have been very different.

The UK Ministry of Defence will undergo its Boxer mechanised infantry vehicle qualification trials while also feeling the pinch in supply.

Latvia is primed to boost its defence budget by 70% over the next four years according to research from GlobalData.

The 2024 International Armoured Vehicles Conference features the Thales land team’s display of the Hawkei, seeking export opportunities.

An F-35B with UK-specific ASRAAM, SPEAR 3, and Meteor laid out in front of it. While the ASRAAM is already fielded, the SPEAR 3 and Meteor will not be available until the end of the decade, the government has now said. (Crown Copyright)
The Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning should receive additional UK-specific weapons “by the end of the decade”, the government said on 16 January.

Türkiye objected to Finland joining Nato after Helsinki applied in 2022, before finally acceding to its application.

NatDef
Every industry that makes modern life possible relies on a microelectronic stack consisting of computer chips, substrates and printed circuit boards, or PCBs.

Brett Davis, Seapower
Delaying the next two-aircraft carrier buy beyond fiscal year 2028 would lead to sizable delays, growing cost and would have a serious impact on the shipbuilding…

Loren Thompson, Forbes
Earlier this month the Department of Defense released its first-ever National Defense Industrial Strategy, setting forth a framework for revitalizing the sinews of…

Mackenzie Eaglen, RCDefense

Audrey Decker, Defense One
Defense undersecretary confirms Northrop Grumman has approval to start making non-test variants of the stealth bomber.

Germany is to join Spain and the UK in integrating the Brimstone air-to-surface missile onto its Eurofighter combat aircraft. (Janes/Patrick Allen)
Germany is to equip its Eurofighter combat aircraft with the MBDA Brimstone air-to-surface missile, the government revealed on 17 January.
Revealed in Bundeswehr budgetary documents disclosed by Der Spiegel, the Luftwaffe intends to acquire 274 of the low-yield missiles to equip its Eurofighter fleet, with a contract to be awarded in the second quarter (Q2) of 2024.

Seen here in its company demonstrator form, the Leonardo AW149 has been selected along with the AW169M to replace North Macedonia’s ageing Soviet-built helicopter inventory. (Leonardo)
The North Macedonian Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia (Armija na Republika Severna Makedonija: ARSM) have decided to acquire Italian helicopters to replace the country’s Soviet-built airframes.

At a signing ceremony on 23 January, Nato welcomed the procurement of 220,000 shells of 155mm artillery ammunition for $1.2bn.

Royal Malaysian Navy KD
Sri Sabah
and KD
Sri Sarawak
, seen here at the vessels’ recommisioning ceremony.
(Royal Malaysian Navy)
Malaysia has recommissioned two modified Kris-class patrol boats that were retired in the mid-2000s as its navy continues to reconcile increasing operational requirements with a lack of assets.

One possible additional UK Boxer variant is the MCCO, the concept demonstrator for which fitted with a launcher for eight Brimstone missiles was displayed at DVD 2022. (Janes/Christopher Petrov)
The UK plans additional variants of the Boxer armoured vehicle, Janes learnt at the International Armoured Vehicles (IAV) 2024 conference being held in London from 22 to 25 January.
The first priority is to order Boxer Repair and Recovery Vehicle, Armoured Mortar Vehicle, and Armoured Vehicle Launched Bridge variants in 2024, with initial operating capabilities (IOCs) at the end of the decade.

The People’s Liberation Army is experiencing yet another wave of purges by Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Since July 2023, about 15 military and defense industry officials have been taken down by Xi, including defense minister Li Shangfu, the commander and commissar of the Rocket Force, and several high-ranking officers and civilian leaders in the defense industry. On Dec.

The political heat around Gen. Valery Zaluzhny’s comments last fall should not obscure the insight they offer into a shift in his approach to force design. A year earlier, Ukraine’s commander-in-chief expressed requirements in terms of platforms: “I need 300 tanks, 600–700 infantry fighting vehicles, 500 howitzers.” Now, he talks about capabilities: air superiority, counter-battery, electronic warfare, and mine breaching — to be developed using “new technological solutions and innovative approaches.

Although old technology, the P-35 missile remains in use by the Russian Federation, being an integral part of the arsenal of the Redut coastal missile complex.
Russia has used the P-35 missile in an attack on Ukraine, marking its first confirmed use and revealing details about this ancient long-range technology.
Recently, a significant event has been recorded, marking the first confirmed use of the P-35 [3М44 Progress] missile by Russia in an attack against Ukraine. Evidence of this event has emerged in the form of fragments of the missile, images of which have been published online.

Introduction
The Leopard Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), iconic German-made armored vehicles with roots dating back to the Cold War era, have recently gained renewed attention and significance. In this comprehensive article, we delve into the history, development, operational service, and prospects of the Leopard 1 and 2 tanks, exploring their impact on modern warfare.
Cold War Origins
The Leopard MBT concept emerged during the tense days of the Cold War in the mid-1950s, with the Leopard 1 officially introduced in the 1960s.

A cold wind of Soviet nostalgia blows over a Russia that uses World War II to justify its war against Ukraine.
It is no coincidence that the laying of the keel of the next nuclear-powered icebreaker takes place simultaneously as St. Petersburg celebrates the 80th anniversary of the end of the Nazi-German siege of Leningrad, the city’s former name. 
Initially, it was supposed to be called Sakhalin, but now it has been officially decided that the name will be  Leningrad, Federation Council Chairwoman Valentina Matvienko says on Telegram.

The crew training facility, BTA 122, is one of various centres receiving new Leopard 2A5 MBT simulators, replacing existing systems such as the one pictured. (Swedish Armed Forces)
The Swedish Armed Forces is procuring new Stridsvagn 122 (Leopard 2A5) tank simulators from KNDS to improve crew training.
KNDS – a joint venture between Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Nexter – will be supplying the new simulators, replacing the trainers at the BTA 122 and TBTA crew training facilities, according to an announcement by the Swedish Armed Forces on 18 January.

Which pistol are you taking into combat: the Beretta M9 or the Colt M1911? (U.S. Army photo/Sgt. Austin Berner. U.S. Marine Corps photo/Lance Cpl. Hannah Hall. Task & Purpose composite image.).
Two combat pistols ruled in different eras, though some units continued using their favorite. The M1911 is the OG pistol that’s been used in combat from 1911 well into the 2020s. The Beretta M9 pistol was introduced to the ranks as a replacement for the M1911 starting in 1985.

Crown Copyright
Newly combat-proven, having shot down Houthi drones over the Red Sea, the U.K. Royal Navy’s Sea Viper air defense system is poised to get an important two-part upgrade after around a decade in service. The first phase will focus squarely on capabilities to defeat anti-ship ballistic missiles, which the Houthis have become the first to fire in anger and present a real emerging threat.
The U.K. Secretary of State for Defense, Grant Shapps, today announced a new investment of £405 million (around $515 million at the present rate of conversion) in the Sea Viper.

Leningrad Oblast Governor
Reported long-range Ukrainian drone strikes against targets in St. Petersburg and elsewhere in Russia raise anew questions about whether Moscow will be forced to pull precious air defense systems and crews from near the front lines to protect its cities.
The Russian operator of a facility that was hit said it suspended operations after explosions and fire caused by “external action,” Financial Times reported Sunday.

Due to the fact that the word “hypersonic” became fashionable, even those that simply reached a speed of Mach 5 began to be called this type of rocket, and then it turns out that the Fau-2 was also “hypersonic.”

The Pakistan Air Force has announced that it is armed with hypersonic missiles, which should significantly strengthen its defense capabilities. This arsenal expansion was put in the statement on a par with the commissioning of Chinese J-10C fighters, Chinese Wing Loong II UAVs, and new EW and air defense systems.

Soldiers disembark from a CH-47 Chinook helicopter at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq in July 2023. Army photo by Spc. Timothy VanDusen.
At least two U.S. troops have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries after a ballistic missile attack by Iranian-backed militias on an Iraq base over the weekend.
Those two injuries, the Pentagon said Monday, brings the total number of Americans injured in Iraq in Syria to 83 since October. Officials did not disclose details on the severity of the injuries.

Photo by UK Ministry of Defence/Anadolu via Getty Images
The U.S. and U.K carried out a new round of airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, the Pentagon announced Monday afternoon.

Famous director and producer Norman Jewison passed away at his Los Angeles home Saturday, January 19, 2024, at the age of 97.
Norman Jewison made a career out of making Oscar-nominated and winning films focused on the need for acceptance and understanding. His films focused on social and political issues of the times, making his works easily transferable from the screen to daily life.

Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua
Israeli Merkava Mk 3 tanks are emerging with improved anti-drone armor screens on top of their turrets and hulls covered in strips to prevent improvised bombs with magnets from sticking to them. The new defensive features have transformed the outward look of these tanks and direct reflect the diverse array of threats their crews have been facing in the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip.

From left, Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram and Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers. Both Navy SEALs are presumed dead after going missing on Jan. 11, 2023. (U.S. Navy photos).
The two Navy SEALs who are presumed dead after going missing during a Jan. 11 boarding mission near the Somali coast have been identified as Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers and Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram.

Should the tragedy of war with China occur, the Air Force will play a critical role in ensuring America is able to meet the challenges of conflict in the vast stretches of the Indo-Pacific. Gen. David W. Allvin, the 23rd chief of staff of the Air Force, joined the show to talk with Ryan about his priorities and how he is directing the Air Force to meet America’s evolving national security needs by following through on the work of his predecessors. Listen to learn more about how Gen.

The Office of the Secretary of Defense plans to gather a select group of innovators this spring to pitch technical solutions for moving, processing and transforming data into actionable information.
The special notice about the meeting, posted Jan. 19 on Sam.gov, comes as the Pentagon is pursuing a warfighting construct known as Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2), which is aimed at connecting the U.S.

Everyone loves a good round of Jeopardy! The well-known American classic is a staple in many households, and most can recall the quiz show’s iconic jingle. You might have even picked up a few fun facts about our country over the years, as Jeopardy! often features the U.S. military as a category header or a final jeopardy topic. Quiz yourself and test your knowledge of our Armed Forces with 25 military-related Jeopardy questions! Some of these were actually used on the show, some we made up. Answers are listed at the bottom of the page, numbered according to their corresponding questions.

MBDA
The U.K. Ministry of Defense has confirmed that its F-35B stealth fighters will be armed with Meteor air-to-air missiles and SPEAR 3 precision-guided standoff munitions by the “end of the decade.” The new weapons promise to bring a major leap in capability for the F-35B, especially when combined with the enhancements that the Block 4 upgrade will provide, especially for the aircraft’s radar, which will make the Meteor even more formidable.
In response to a written question in the U.K.

Germany’s army will revive its anti-aircraft capability with a new guided missile system to be mounted on a Boxer with $1.34bn of investment.

The six-variant armoured vehicle programme is a key element of the British Army’s ongoing modernisation efforts.

Today we’re diving into Operation Desert Shield, the 1990 answer to Iraq’s less-than-neighborly invasion of Kuwait. This was the United States playing traffic cop to 34 nations, banding together like a multinational superhero squad, ready to protect Saudi Arabia from an overzealous Iraq looking to expand its sandbox.
A battalion of troops, enough to fill several sports stadiums, was posted up in the Arabian Peninsula, and the seas became a floating barricade around Iraq.

Multiple regional conflicts represents a world at war, again. War can be many things, not just bombs landing on American territory. China wants to win by collapsing America from within and without.

Image by Unknown author

By my count there are 14 major regional conflicts underway:

Europe/and the Middle East

Ukraine was the first one and Putin’s contribution to the Chinese led alliance to topple America (which is a formal agreement between China and Russia and their proxy allies of Iran, Venezuela, and North Korea).

Robson, Stars & Str.
A pair B-1B Lancer bombers are in the Western Pacific training with U.S. allies and partners, according to Pacific Air Forces.

Easley, DefenseScoop
“Tactically responsive space is about a culture shift with the United States Space Force to get the entire set of guardians thinking on tactically relevant timelines,”…