The Launch of MAWTS-1: Shaping an Integrated Air-Enabled Force

11/04/2023
By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake We started our series of interviews of the founders of MAWTS-1 with Randy Brinkley, call sign “Dragon.” He was the fourth commander of MAWTS-1. As Dragon explained it: “Howard DeCastro was the first commander of MAWTS-1, followed by Bobby Butcher who become a Major…

An Update on the French A330MRTT: October 2023

10/31/2023
By Pierre Tran October 31, 2023 Paris - France signed Oct. 6 a contract with Airbus Defence and Space to add a secure, high-speed satellite communications link to the A330 multirole tanker transport, a deal the company sees as plugging MRTT jets into a network of a planned European future…

Leveraging a Digital Aircraft to Shape a Sustainment Enterprise Extending to the Tactical Edge

10/30/2023
By Robbin Laird I have focused in a series of interviews with Pierre Garant on how to leverage a new digital aircraft, the CH-53K, to shape an innovative new approach to sustainment. Clearly, technology is not enough. Organizational change enabled by technology is required and to do so in terms…

Triton in the Reshaping of the Australian ISR-T Enterprise

10/25/2023
During my recent visit to Australia in support of the 27 September Sir Richard Williams Foundation, I had a chance to meet again with Wing Commander Keirin Joyce and to discuss the impact of the Triton on the ISR-T enterprise in Australia. Wing Commander Keirin Joyce has dealt with uncrewed…

The Australian Government’s Asian Balancing Act: How does it Deal with the Chinese Challenge?

10/23/2023
By Robbin Laird If one simply read this year’s Defence Strategic Review, the position of the current Australian government towards China would seem very clear: “A large-scale conventional and non-conventional military build-up without strategic reassurance is contributing to the most challenging circumstances in our region for decades. "Combined with rising…

Flight Line Maintenance at MAWTS-1: WTI-1-24

10/21/2023
Currently, MAWTS-1 is conducting its latest WTI course. These photos show flight line maintenance during the course. The current course includes the new King Stallion it is training regime. The King Stallion is the third major new air systesm introduced into the USMC since 2007, the first being the Osprey…

Poland After the Elections: What Happens Next?

10/21/2023
By Robert Czulda Last Sunday, millions of Poles voted for a new parliament for a four-year term. These elections had record-breaking turnout (74.38%) and attracted the attention of global media like no other recent election. Although Western liberal media immediately declared a great victory for the opposition in Poland, the…

The DSR Introduces Change: But How to Shape a Realistic Force Re-Design?

10/17/2023
By Robbin Laird During my current visit to Australia is support of the 27 September 2023 Williams Foundation seminar, I was able to meet with Dr. Stephan Frühling, Professor at the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs at the Australian National University. Professor Stephan Frühling teaches and researches at…