07/06/2014: U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 115 conducted daily operations with the F/A-18 Hornet at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., May 15, 2014.
Flight hours and maintenance are vital to the success of VMFA and their aircraft.
Credit:2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Combat Camera:5/15/14
07/04/2014: Shots of various U.S. and German aircraft taking off from Holloman AFB, N.M. in support of Bold Quest 14.2. Aircraft shown: T-38C, assigned to the 96th Test Group, Holloman AFB, Marine Corps VMX-22 Osprey from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., German Air Force Tornado assigned to the German Air Force Flying Training Center at Holloman AFB, Marine Corps AV8B “Harrier” from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., U.S. Air Force F-16 assigned to the 54th Fighter Group, Holloman AFB, and F/A-18 Super Hornets with the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (All-Weather) 225, assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif.
Credit:Holloman Air Force Base Public Affairs Office:5/13/14
Bold Quest 14.2 is a two-week Joint Staff-led coalition demonstration beginning May 2 involving air combat assessment, joint fires, maneuvers and system concepts.
Participating nations include Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Denmark, Finland, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United States. JTAC-Mobile makes its debut at the 2014 Bold Quest 14.2.
“Close Air Support is a complex task that requires the JTAC to be heads up and eyes out for survivability,” said Tommy Dodson, vice president and general manager, Surface Solutions, for Rockwell Collins. “JTAC-Mobile minimizes heads down time by making tasks executable within a ‘three click’ user interface.”
JTAC-Mobile features “a self-learn capability” for data link interaction, which eliminates the need for inputting network addresses, IP numbers or other complexities that make digital systems difficult to utilize.
07/03/2014: The A400M was originally conceived of in a world where lifters were trucks to carry cargo and troops from point A to B.
This world has totally been transformed by operations in the past decade, during which the A400M was being developed and readied for its roll out into operations.
With the last decade of experience and the revolution in air dropping, the air lifter is an integral part of the kind of expeditionary logistics, which insertion forces clearly need to operate with for 21st century operations.
The first operational A400Ms are to be found at the Orléans – Bricy Air Base in France.
France and Turkey are the launch customers for the A400M and my colleague, Murielle Delaporte, recently visited the squadron and interviewed several members of the French Air Force A400M team.
What she found was that the airlifter is part of reworking the entire approach to how the French Air Force will do airlifting in supporting operations.
The workflow is changing to take advantage of the rapidly reconfigurable airlifter, and the ability to shape load to mission in a rapid turn around scenario.
The ability to carry troops and equipment, which can exit the aircraft from the side and back, respectively, provides an interesting operational capability as well.
Credit Video: Airbus Defence and Space
07/03/2014: The A400M was originally conceived of in a world where lifters were trucks to carry cargo and troops from point A to B.
This world has totally been transformed by operations in the past decade, during which the A400M was being developed and readied for its roll out into operations.
With the last decade of experience and the revolution in air dropping, the air lifter is an integral part of the kind of expeditionary logistics, which insertion forces clearly need to operate with for 21st century operations.
The first operational A400Ms are to be found at the Orléans – Bricy Air Base in France. France and Turkey are the launch customers for the A400M and my colleague, Murielle Delaporte, recently visited the squadron and interviewed several members of the French Air Force A400M team. What she found was that the airlifter is part of reworking the entire approach to how the French Air Force will do airlifting in supporting operations.
The workflow is changing to take advantage of the rapidly reconfigurable airlifter, and the ability to shape load to mission in a rapid turn around scenario. The ability to carry troops and equipment, which can exit the aircraft from the side and back, respectively, provides an interesting operational capability as well.
Credit Video: Airbus Defence and Space
07/03/2014:USS Ashland leaves the pier in Thailand for the sea phase of exercise CARAT.
CARAT (Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training) is part of an annual bilateral exercise series between the U.S. Navy and the naval forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand.
As a longstanding venue in Southeast Asia, CARAT helps regional navies work together to address shared maritime security priorities during a series of cooperative training events and subject matter exchanges.
Credit: Defense Media Activity – Pacific:6/27/14
20th Annual CARAT Philippines Exercise Begins in Subic Bay
From Commander, Task Force 73 Public Affairs
SUBIC Bay, Philippines – A U.S. Navy task group comprised of ships, aircraft, Sailors and Marines arrived in the Philippines to commence the 20th annual exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), June 26.
The guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) and the dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) arrived in Subic Bay, while the diving and salvage ship USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) arrived in Sangley Point. An opening ceremony was held on board the Philippine navy ship, BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF 16), one of two former Hamilton-class Coast Guard Cutters transferred to the Philippines navy in recent years.
CARAT Philippines is part of a broader bilateral exercise series the U.S. Navy conducts with nine partner navies in South and Southeast Asia to address shared maritime security priorities, strengthen maritime partnerships and enhance interoperability among participating forces. The Philippines has participated since the series began in 1995, and the past two decades CARAT are a clear example of the longstanding and close U.S.-Philippines navy-to-navy relationship.
“It’s safe to say that after two decades, many of the senior officers and enlisted here today probably participated in a past CARAT Philippines, and this coming week, more than 1,000 U.S. Navy Sailors and Marines will join the ranks of CARAT alumni,” said Rear Adm. Stuart Munsch, commander of Task Force 74 and 7th Fleet’s Executive Agent for CARAT Philippines.
Munch noted that CARAT was part of a broader series of U.S.-Philippines navy-to-navy exercises, exchanges and staff talks that occurred throughout the year.
“These engagements share a common theme, that our security cooperation not only supports mutual interests, it contributes to regional stability and prosperity – a formula that is truly positive sum,” said Munsch.
The CARAT series promotes regional maritime cooperation with many participating navies. Planning for each phase of CARAT begins a year in advance and exercise phases take place during the same general timeframe each year. CARAT 2014 began in late May and recently completed phases with Malaysia and Indonesia. Additional phases will continue through end of year with Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Singapore and Timor-Leste.
Continuing through July 1, this year’s CARAT Philippines will focus on combined operations at sea, amphibious landings, diving and salvage, and maritime patrol and reconnaissance flights. Sailors and Marines will train with their Philippine Armed Forces counterparts during multiple drills, professional exchanges and seminars ashore. Civil action projects, community service events and band concerts will facilitate interaction with the local community.
2014 Exercise events will occur in several locations ashore and at sea including Subic Bay, San Antonio in Zambales, Sangley Point in Cavite City, and Ternate. Previous CARAT exercises were held in Mindanao (2012), Palawan (2011), Subic Bay (2010 and 2013), Cebu (2009) and other locations. As in years past, the sea phase will take place in international waters west of Subic Bay.
“We’re very much looking forward to getting underway for the at-sea phase of CARAT,” said Capt. Paul Schlise, commodore of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7 embarked on McCain. “These training opportunities are critical to enhancing our interoperability, safeguarding freedom of the seas and ensuring we’re ready to respond in partnership with the Philippines in case of an HADR scenario or other crisis.”
More than 1,000 Sailors and Marines are participating in CARAT Philippines 2014. Participating units include McCain, Ashland with embarked Marines from 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Safeguard with embarked Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1 and a P-3C maritime patrol aircraft. Also participating are Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1, a platoon from Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 1, a platoon from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5, staff from Commander, Task Force 73 (CTF 73) and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, and the 7th Fleet Band Orient Express.
07/03/2014: PEARL HARBOR (July 1, 2014) Aerial view of ships moored at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and Oahu during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2014.
The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans.
Twenty-two nations, 49 ships, six submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC
Credit: Commander U.S. THIRD Fleet, Public Affairs Office:7/1/14
07/02/2014:The Royal Australian Air Force brought two C-130J aircraft for the second iteration of exercise Red Flag-Alaska 2014.
The 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division is seen preparing to and jumping from the aircraft.
Credit:Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Public Affairs:6/26/14
07/01/2014: In the video, KC-130 aircraft are seen refueling F/A-18 jets mid-air during Exercise Southern Frontier at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia.
Exercise Southern Frontier is an annual bilateral training exercise between the RAAF and the United States Marine Corps with a primary focus on offensive air support.
The operation is seen from the cockpit of the F/A-18.
Credit: American Forces Network, Iwakuni JAPAN: 6/24/14
The Bats arrive in Australia for Exercise Southern Frontier
By Lance Cpl. Luis Ramirez
Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni | June 05, 2014
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE BASE TINDAL, Australia –
Service members with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, the “Bats,” with augments from Marine Wing Support Squadron 171 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12, arrived aboard Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, June 5, to take part in Exercise Southern Frontier 2014.
Southern Frontier is an annual bilateral training exercise between the Royal Australian Air Force and the United States Marine Corps with a primary focus on offensive air support.
Upon arrival, Marines and sailors talked eagerly about the upcoming exercise and the relations they hope to strengthen with the RAAF as they made way to the accommodation camps they will call home for the exercise.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with the U.S. Marines in the past,” said Wing Commander Mark Larter, the senior Australian defense officer for RAAF Base Tindal. “From past experiences, I have learned that the Marines who come to Tindal are professionals in every aspect of the word; they are proficient at their jobs and courteous to base residents.”
During exercises like Southern Frontier, members of the RAAF get to learn customs and courtesies while working alongside members of different coalition forces Larter.
“The Bats may have just landed here in Australia, but our presence is already felt,” said Lt. Col. Shawn Basco, commanding officer of VMFA(AW)-242. “We have big things planned for the exercise right out of the gate, and I know the Marines under my command are more than up to the challenge.”
Basco added that with a surge week kicking off SF14 the Bats are slated to drop more ordnance in the first week compared to previous instalments of the exercise.
“We are going to be busy during the exercise,” said Basco. “My Marines will be working from dusk to dawn, making sure the F/A-18s are properly working, fueled and loaded with ordnance at any given time, we are the nations force in readiness after all.”
With SF14 underway Basco said he looks forward to training with his Australian counterparts and to see the level of greatness his Marines will achieve.