As we prepare our interviews from the MAWTS-1 visit in November 2023, which includes one with a Marine Corps officer that deployed on the new British carrier, we looked back at her deployment. MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. – (December 8, 2021) With the arrival of aircraft from Marine…
By Robbin Laird From my first visit to MAWTS-1 with Ed Timperlake to MAWTS-1 to my most recent visit in November 2023, I have been impressed with how focused the team is upon force integration which can be created with real forces, not power points or by wargames or what…
These photos highlight both the legacy heavy life helicopter -- the CH-53E -- and the new King Stallion, the CH-53K -- supporting training during WTI-1-24. WTI is an advanced, graduate-level course for selected pilots and enlisted aircrew providing standardized advanced tactical training and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons…
By Pierre Tran Paris - The French, German and Spanish air force teams have trimmed down a shortlist of architectures for a European Future Air Combat System to four from five, French air force major general Jean-Luc Moritz said Nov. 9. The air force officers were working in close cooperation on selecting…
By Robbin Laird In November 2023, I sat down with George Galdorisi to discuss the way ahead for maritime autonomous systems. He started by looking at where we are currently with autonomous systems more generally. He noted that we have seen significant progress with air and ground unmanned systems over…
By Ed Timperlake The horrific aftermath of the tragic end of the Afghan war is rippling through that country. But you can help deal with the tragedy left behind by the way the Afghan withdrawal was done. These truly courageous Afghans are in clear and present danger. The fanatical Taliban…
Recently, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s Task Force 59 demonstrated a new mission capability which a UAS can deliver for the fleet. As J.P. Lawrence wrote in a 3 November 2023 article published in Stars and Stripes: "The 5th Fleet has used drone boats extensively in the Middle East for…
By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake We started our series of interviews of the founders of MAWTS-1 with Randy Brinkley, call sign “Dragon.” He was the fourth commander of MAWTS-1. As Dragon explained it: “Howard DeCastro was the first commander of MAWTS-1, followed by Bobby Butcher who become a Major…
