The F-35 and Weapons Certification

10/18/2012
Weapons certification is the next step to moving the F-35 along to initial operational capability. The standing up of the first F-35 B squadron at Yuma Air Station in November will see the process of building a capable F-35 force begin. Weapons certification is an important step as well. In…

A Libyan “Loose” Manpads Update: In Use Against Israelis

10/17/2012
According to a report in The Jerusalem Post, Libyan manpads have been used against Israeli forces. The IDF has refused to officially comment on reports that Palestinian terrorists fired a shoulder-launched surface-to-air missile at an IAF helicopter over Gaza last week. According to the report, which appeared in Yediot Aharonot…

The USCG and the Arctic

10/15/2012
2012-10-15 Recently, Rear Admiral Thomas P. Ostebo, Commander of the USCG, 17th District, appeared before the US Senate and provided an overview on recent USCG activity in the Arctic. (For the complete testimony read the document below: Operation Arctic Shield). Notably, the Admiral provided a succinct overview on Operation Arctic…

West Hemisphere Defense: Where is the Beef?

10/13/2012
2012-10-13 recently, the Pentagon released its guidance with regard to building Western Hemisphere defense in the period ahead.The document highlights the strategic need to evolve partnerships in more effective directions and across the board in delivering security in challenging times. The document highlights the need for evolving the collaborative approach,…

The Changing Balance of Power in Space

10/06/2012
2012-10-06 by Robbin Laird It is not surprising that the US's position in global space is declining. With an uncertain space policy, and conflicting priorities in space investments, the US lead in space would be under challenge. And the rise of other space powers, an inevitable process, is altering the…

The China Crisis and the Japanese Coast Guard: Japanese Youth Seek to Join

10/05/2012
2012-10-05 In a recent article in The Asahi Shimbun, the growing interest in joining the Japanese Coast Guard is the focus of attention. [caption id="attachment_45930" align="alignnone" width="300"] Graphic Credit The Asahi Shimbun[/caption] Being an officer in the Japan Coast Guard is now seen as a really cool job, as shown by…

All Aussie F-35 maintenance to be performed in Australia

10/03/2012
Kym Bergmann / Canberra Speaking to the media on August 23 August in Canberra, Lockheed Martin’s F-35 program manager Tom Burbage explained that once Australia’s F-35s are delivered they will never have to return to the US for maintenance. He seemed surprised that the media was surprised by the information,…