The Challenge Facing a German Reset on Direct Defense: The Perspective of Lt. General (Retired) Klaus-Peter Stieglitz

02/16/2019
By Robbin Laird I first had the opportunity to meet Lt. General (Retired) Klaus-Peter Stieglitz, a former German Air Chief, last Fall in Berlin at the International Fighter Conference. During my visit to Germany in February 2019, where I was continuing my look at the challenge of building a 21st…

German Defense Policy at a Crossroads: The Tornado Successor Issue

02/15/2019
By Karl Müllner and Klaus-Peter Stieglitz The successor to the Tornado fighter jets is about Germany's NATO contribution to credible deterrence. The government has ruled out the most advanced weapons system F-35 - for political reasons. Two ex-generals warn of the consequences With the decision to take the fighter aircraft F-35…

RAAF F-35s Commence Flight Operations

02/14/2019
F-35A aircraft commenced scheduled flying operations at RAAF Base Williamtown during the last week of January 2019. [maxgallery id="123444"] The two aircraft from No 3 Squadron began a phase of operations designed to verify and validate the jet’s capabilities. These operations will continue for the next two years, in the…

Japanese Chief of Staff for Maritime Self Defense Force Visits the Australian Navy

02/14/2019
Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, AO, RAN hosted Chief of Staff for the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force, Admiral Yutaka Murakawa in Sydney for a Counterpart Visit on the 29th January 2019. [maxgallery id="123430"] This is Admiral Murakawa’s first visit to Sydney, Australia which included wreath laying at…

Strategic Partnering Agreement for the Future Submarine Program  

02/14/2019
On February 11, 2019 the Government announced the formal signing of the Strategic Partnering Agreement for the Future Submarine Program between Defence and Naval Group.  The signing, held at Russell Offices, Canberra, was attended by Australian Prime Minister the Hon Scott Morrison, MP, Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne…

The Osprey at 2nd Marine Air Wing: An Update from Colonel Boniface

02/14/2019
By Robbin Laird During my visit to 2ndMAW in January 2019, I had a chance to talk with the Commanding Officer of MAG-26, Colonel Boniface. I have had the opportunity to talk with Chris Boniface several times since we first met at the Bold Alligator exercises almost a decade ago.…

Australian Military Engaged in Australian Disaster Relief: Dealing with a Once in a Lifetime Floods

02/13/2019
In an article published by AFO on February 4, 2019: Australia's military has been deployed to tackle devastating "once-in-a-century" floods that have inundated homes, schools and airports in the country's northeast, forcing hundreds to flee and bringing crocodiles onto the streets. [maxgallery id="123376"] The Australian Defence Forces delivered 70,000 sandbags,…

The RAF Tornado Returns Home from the Middle East for the Last Time

02/13/2019
The last Operation Shader RAF Tornado has left the Middle East for the UK. According to an article published on February 5, 2019 on the UK Ministry of Defence website, after almost 40 years serving the UK on military operations across the world, RAF Tornados have returned home for the…