USS Green Bay Docks in Darwin for Talisman Saber 15

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
07/12/2015

07/12/2015: U.S. Military Members aboard Amphibious Transport Dock Ship USS Green Bay LPD-20 check equipment and personnel during Talisman Sabre 15 at the Port of Darwin, Australia, July 8, 2015.

Talisman Sabre is a biennial exercise that provides an invaluable opportunity for approximately 30,000 U.S. and Australian service members to conduct operations in a combined, joint and interagency environment that will increase both countries’ ability to plan and execute contingency responses, from combat missions to humanitarian assistance efforts.

Credit: U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific:7/8/15

 

C-27J Spartan Arrival in Australia

Posted on | by Caroline Teames

07/12/2015: An acceptance ceremony was held at RAAF Base Richmond on 30 June 2015 for the first of ten C-27J Spartan battlefield airlifters to enter service with the Royal Australian Air Force.

The aircraft, operated by No. 35 Squadron, will fulfill an airlift role between the Army rotary-wing fleet and Air Force’s larger airlift transport aircraft. RAAF C-27J Spartans will provide airlift to Defence Operations in warlike environments, as well as support Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief missions, being able to deliver payloads and personnel to airfields that are unsuitable for larger aircraft.

Credit: Australian Ministry of Defence:7/1/15

 

The new Chief of Staff focused on the importance of the C-27J as an asset which would allow the Australian Defence forces to operate throughout the island chains of the Pacific.

For the Second Line of Defense interview with the new Chief of Staff see the following:

https://sldinfo.com/the-australian-path-to-defense-innovation-the-perspective-of-the-incoming-chief-of-the-royal-australian-air-force/

 

Air Marshal Brown Bids Farewell to the RAFF

Posted on | by Caroline Teames

07/12/2015: In this video, the outgoing Chief of Staff of the RAAF talks about his look back and ahead. 

He highlights the evolving capability for global and regional operations as the RAAF has become a more sustainable force with global reach with the C-17s and the KC-30As and is looking forward to the impact of the fifth generation revolution on the RAAF.

Credit: Australian Ministry of Defence :7/1/15

For the Second Line of Defense report on RAAF transformation, see the following:

https://sldinfo.com/australian-defense-modernization-shaping-capabilities-for-21st-century-operations/

On the third of July, I’ll hand over the command to the new Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Leo Davies, bringing to a close an incredibly happy and fulfilling chapter of my life. I want to take the opportunity to bid farewell to the entire Air Force family. I leave knowing that the Air Force is in great shape, and that it will be in very good hands.

Never in our long, distinguished history have we been a more balanced or a more capable force. The speed with which we deployed a fully self-contained and potent air task group to the Middle East last September is one example of your professionalism and dedication. Few Air Forces in the world could have mounted such an operation at short notice. And we did it while sustaining a major, ongoing commitment to the security of our maritime borders.

At the same time, responding to humanitarian and natural disasters, both in our region, and as far afield as the Ukraine. It was all of you who made that possible. And as we enter the era of fifth generation air power, it will be a challenging and stimulating time. You should all be incredibly proud of your Air Force, and where you’ll be taking it in the future. I’d actually love to be starting all over again.

But, of course, no farewell would be complete without expressing my heartfelt thanks to every one of you for your support over the past 35 years.

You, the Air Force family, have inspired me, encouraged me, and supported me in all that I’ve done. I could never give Air Force even a fraction of what it has given me– a rewarding career, and friendships and memories that I will always treasure. I also want to thank your families, whose willingness to bear the burdens of service life can never be underestimated, and is highly valued. They make Air Force a family of families.  And, of course, I must say a word about my family, who– as with you– I could have never done any of this without them. They are the best ground crew this pilot could have ever wished for.

In closing, I wish Leo every success in his term as Chief of Air Force. I trust that you give him the same support that you’ve given me. Farewell, and thank you.

VMM-162 Reinforced Conducts Air Delivery Ground Refuling

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
07/11/2015

07/11/2015: U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 Reinforced, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), train in air-delivered ground refueling (ADGR) at Fort Pickett VA., April 26, 2015.

The training was conducted to allow the Marines to be more proficient in refueling smaller aircraft, such as the UH-1Y Venom, from larger aircraft, such as the MV-22B Osprey.

The 26th MEU is conducting realistic urban training in preparation for deployment to the 5th and 6th Fleet area of responsibility later this year.

Credit:26th Marine Expeditionary Unit:4/26/15

 

Coordinating Air Power at Emerald Warrior 2015

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
07/09/2015

07/09/2015: Emerald Warrior 2015 is the Department of Defense’s only irregular warfare exercise, allowing joint and combined partners to train together and prepare for real world contingency operations.The exercise is based out of  Hurlburt Field, FL.

21st Special Tactics Squadron Combat Controllers perform Joint Terminal Attack Controller training to coordinate air support from AC-130 and F-16 Airframes and an HH-60 Helicopter at Emerald Warrior 2015.

The video includes soundbites from an unnamed JTAC qualified Combat Controller with the 21st Special Tactics Squadron who wished to conceal his identity.

Credit:1st Combat Camera Squadron:4/22/15

 

CV-22 Infiltration and Exfiltration Emerald Warrior 2015

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
07/08/2015

07/08/2015: 21st Special Tactics Squadron and Chilean military forces trained at rappelling from a CV-22 Osprey on Sontay Drop Zone near Hurlburt Field, Florida to improve their proficiency at infiltration and exfiltration from a CV-22.

Emerald Warrior is the Department of Defense’s only irregular warfare exercise, allowing joint and combined partners to train together and prepare for real world contingency operations.

Credit:3rd Combat Camera Squadron:4/21/15

 

 

 

Navy Cargo Handling Batallion One Loads Munitions

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
07/06/2015

07/06/2015: Sailors assigned to Navy Cargo Handling Battalion (NCHB) 1 stack munition containers while working with Commander, Task Force 75 aboard the Military Sealift Command motor vessel Maj. Bernard F. Fisher (T-AK-4396) April 17, at U.S. Naval Base Guam.

NCHB 1 is the only active duty, rapid deployable unit of the Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group.

Credit: Fleet Combat Camera Pacific:4/17/15

 

Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course Aerial Refueling

Posted on | by Caroline Teames
07/05/2015

07/05/2015:U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1 conduct an aerial refuel during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) 2-15 near Yuma, AZ., April 16, 2015.

WTI is a seven-week event hosted by MAWTS-1 cadre.

MAWTS-1 provides standardized tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine aviation Training and Readiness and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics.

Credit: Marine Corps Air Station Yuma Combat Camera:4/16/15