Balikatan 2013 Exercise

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06/17/2013

06/17/2013: U.S. Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 37, Landing Support Company practice transporting a quadcon container, utilizing the MV-22 Osprey attached with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron at Subic Bay, Olongapo, Zambales, Philippines, April 8, 2013, in support of exercise Freedom Banner 2013. 

According to a press release on April 5, 2013:

More than 8,000 combined Philippine and U.S. personnel will participate in the exercise, which will take place at various locations throughout Luzon. The exercise will consist of humanitarian civic assistance projects, senior leader engagements, a command post exercise, field training exercises, and maritime security and ship drills to enhance Philippine-U.S. military interoperability and build military-to-military relations.

During the opening ceremony, Ambassador Thomas noted the strong cooperation between the Philippine and U.S. militaries in the aftermath of super-typhoon Pablo four months ago.  “Through that tragedy, we saw the best of our partnership,” he said.  “Members of the U.S. Armed Forces were here in the Philippines planning for this Balikatan exercise when Pablo began its destruction.  Within seven hours of the request from the Philippine Government to assist with the typhoon relief, the first U.S. aircraft arrived here in Manila to begin rescue operations,” said Ambassador Thomas…..

Balikatan 2013 is hosted annually in the Philippines.  The exercise characterizes the longstanding Philippine-U.S. partnership, deeply rooted in cooperation and a shared commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty. Balikatan 2013 is scheduled to conclude on April 17.

 http://manila.usembassy.gov/balikatan2013kickoff.html

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 Credit:Exercise Balikatan 2013: 4/8/13

The Joint Strike Missile for the Joint Strike Fighter

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06/14/2013

2013-06-14 According to a UPI article published on June 10. 2013 and bylined from Norway, the next step in fitting the Kongsberg missile onto the F-35 has taken place.

F-35 Joint Strike Fighter by Kongsberg of Norway has successfully completed a second fit test.

The testing conducted by Kongsberg and Lockheed involved fitting the Joint Strike Missile into the internal carriage bay of the aircraft and followed tests in which the weapon was fitted onto the F-35’s external pylons.

“JSM is a true fifth generation missile,” said Harald Annestad, president of Kongsberg Defense Systems, “the first long-range, stealthy and passive, sea — and land-target precision strike missile developed for the JSF. The combined capability of the JSF and JSM provides JSF users with unique and innovative strike capabilities.”

The Joint Strike Missile, based on the company’s naval missile, is a long-range, low-observable stand-off weapon engineered for internal carriage on the F-35A and F-35C variants of JSF to enable the aircraft to maintain its stealth characteristics.

It features a low radar signature and capabilities such as sea-skimming, variable speed, range and high-g maneuvers.

http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2013/06/10/Kongsberg-Lockheed-fit-test-F-35-missile-test-successful/UPI-40951370875501/

For our look at the F-35 and the weapons revolution see the following:

https://www.sldinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/21st-Century-Weapons-Enterprise.pdf

 

Israeli Supplier Delivers to the F-35 Program

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06/12/2013

2013-06-12 According to an article (June 11, 2013) by Courtney Howard, Executive Editor of Avionics Intelligence:

Elbit Systems-Cyclone, a Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:NOC) supplier in Israel, delivered its first advanced composite component for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter center fuselage produced by Northrop Grumman.

Northrop Grumman Corporation’s supplier in Israel – Elbit Systems-Cyclone – delivered its first advanced composite component for the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter center fuselage produced by Northrop Grumman. This delivery is a significant milestone for the F-35 program, as it is the first composite part manufactured by a country committed to purchasing future F-35s under the U.S. foreign military sales agreement. Credit: Northrop Grumman

This delivery marks a significant milestone in the F-35 program: the first composite part manufactured by a country committed to purchasing future F-35s under the U.S. foreign military sales agreement.

The composite component delivered is one of 16 unique parts to be manufactured by Elbit Systems-Cyclone under a seven-year F-35 agreement with Northrop Grumman signed in Dec. 2011.

“We’re anticipating receiving more than 50 component deliveries from Cyclone this year, so this is a great start and shows Cyclone’s commitment to the program,” says Michelle Scarpella, vice president of the F-35 program for Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. “With the first delivery under its belt, Cyclone has demonstrated that it is equipped and qualified to manufacture and deliver quality composite parts for the joint strike fighter aircraft, 19 of which Israel has committed to purchasing.”

http://www.avionics-intelligence.com/articles/2013/06/ng-supplier-f-35.html

 

F-35 Test Missile Launch at Edwards AFB

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2013-06-12 According to an article in The Los Angeles Times (June 10, 2013) by W.J. Hennigan:

An F-35 fighter jet launched a missile in mid-flight from its internal weapons bay for the first time in a test flight for the Air Force.

The missile firing took place last week about 60 miles northwest of Los Angeles at the Navy’s Point Mugu Sea Test Range after the plane took off from Edwards Air Force Base.  It is a milestone that paves the way for targeted launches later this year.

http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-lockheed-f-35-fires-missile-20130610,0,1760150.story

11th MEU and the Japanese Self Defense Force during Exercise Dawn Blitz

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06/10/2013

06/10/2013: 11th MEU and the Japanese Self Defense Force during Exercise Dawn Blitz

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Credit:11th Marine Expeditionary Unit:6/6/13

  • In the first two photos, members of the Japanese Self Defense force launch a boat from the back of a helicopter during helocast training here June 6. The purpose of the training was to teach the Japanese forces how to execute amphibious operations from their air. This training is part of exercise Dawn Blitz, which is mulitnational amphibious exercise that refocuses Navy and Marine Corps and coalition forces in their ability to conduct complex amphibious operations essential for global crisis response across the range of military operations.
  • In the third photo, members of the Japanese Self Defense force jump from the back of a helicopter during helocast training here June 6.
  • In the fourth photo, members of the Japanese Self Defense force participate in nighttime Combat Rubber Rating Craft, better known as CRRC, training here June 5. The purpose of the training was to teach the Japanese forces how to execute amphibious operations from ship to shore.
  • In the final photo, Capt. Philipp Buckhahn, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit assistant air officer, assist with instructing members of the Japanese Self Defense Force about amphibious operations during a planning exercise on board the Japanese ship Hyuga at Naval Base San Diego June 6.

 

BALTOPS 2013

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06/10/2013: Capt. Rimants Strimaitis, left, commander, Latvian Naval Forces, and Rear Adm. Ann Phillips, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group Two, speak to members of the media during a press conference onboard the amphibious command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) during Exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2013.

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Credit:U.S. Naval Forces Europe, 6th Fleet Public Affairs:6/10/13

Now in its 41st year, BALTOPS 2013 is an annual, multinational exercise to enhance maritime capabilities and interoperability with partner nations to promote maritime safety and security in the Baltic Sea.

  • In the second photo, the Royal Netherlands navy frigate HNLMS Evertsen (F805) departs port and sails by the amphibious command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) during Exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2013.
  • In the third photo, Capt. Craig Clapperton, USS Mount Whitney’s (LCC 20) commanding officer speaks to members of the media during a press conference held onboard the ship during Exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2013.

For our interview of Rear Adm. Phillips see the following:

https://www.sldinfo.com/bold-alligator-2013-crafting-a-21st-century-insertion-force/

 

 

USS SAN ANTONIO and Its Air Component in Operation

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06/09/2013

06/09/2013: U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Matthew R. Nesbit, a New Castle, Pa., native, and infantry rifleman assigned to Lima Company, Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 3/2, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), stands guard while an CH-53E Super Stallion assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266 (Reinforced), 26th MEU, flies near the USS San Antonio (LPD 17), while sailing in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, June 2, 2013.

The 26th MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force forward deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility aboard the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group.

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Credit:26th Marine Expeditionary Unit:6/2/13

  • In the second photo, an MV-22B Ospreys assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), prepares to land on the flight deck of the USS San Antonio (LPD 17), in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, June 5, 2013. The 26th MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force forward deployed to the U.
  •  In the third photo, MV-22B Ospreys assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), prepare to take off on the flight deck of the USS San Antonio (LPD 17), in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, June 5, 2013.
  • In the fourth photo, An CH-53E Super Stallion assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266 (Reinforced), 26th MEU, prepares to land on the flight deck of the USS San Antonio (LPD 17), while sailing in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, June 2, 2013.
  • In the final photo, an CH-53E Super Stallion assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266 (Reinforced), 26th MEU, flies near the USS San Antonio (LPD 17), while sailing in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility, June 2, 2013.

 

 

 

 

 

Air Mobility in the Mali Operation

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06/09/2013: Lift and tanking in support of air mobile operations has been a key element of the Mali operation. 

In this slideshow, various shots taken by Murielle Delaporte during her time in Mali in April 2013, illustrate the variety of assets relied upon, including those which brought supplies close to the point of attack.

The venerable C-160 played a key role, with the third photo showing a Canadian C-17 along with a French tanker and also the AN-124 delivering supplies at night in the fourth and last photos. 

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The first photo was taken at Gao’s airbase and features the loading of a French C160 with an Army Aviation helo in the background ; the other photos were taken in Bamako and feature mostly C160s, one Canadian C17, one French C135 tanker and one An-124 (photos 4 and 10), Mali, April 2013

Credit: Murielle Delaporte:SLD 2013