By Stephen Blank There was a time when the mere mention of a projected Russian (or Soviet) air or naval base in Latin America would have immediately generated a firestorm in Washington. Those times are now long gone. The announcement that Russia is obtaining a long-term base on the island…
From October 25 through November 7, 2018, four Mirage 2000s and 70 airmen participated in Trident Juncture 2018. “ This major exercise of NATO has allowed the French pilots to develop their expertise in a context of multilateral cooperation and in extreme climatic conditions.” [maxgallery id="122206"] “Located beyond the Arctic Circle,…
By B-17 Operator Elly Sallingboe Sally B’s last air display of the 2018 display season was at the Battle of Britain air show at Duxford on the 29/30 September, this was a hugely delightful show, where else would you see 18 Spitfires in formation – what a sight! Thus, our…
During the exercise, the 24thMEU exercised its amphibious capabilities. In a story by Lance Cpl. Margaret Gale, 24thMEU, published on November 13, 2018, the mission was highlighted. Marines and Sailors from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit participated in exercise Trident Juncture 18 in Iceland and Norway during October and November,…
From 05-18 December 2018, the Royal Australian Air Force joined the United States Pacific Air Forces and Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self-Defense Force) for Operation Christmas Drop, the Department of Defense’s longest-running humanitarian airlift operation. [maxgallery id="122143"] Launching from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, C-130J Hercules aircraft delivered donated…
Although questions have been raised about trans-Atlantic solidarity, the Trident Juncture 18 exercise was a demonstration of its reality. The bond between North America and NATO was underscored when the United States and Canada sent thousands of troops to Europe for exercise Trident Juncture 2018. Since its founding in…
The first two RAAF Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighters to be based in Australia have been formally welcomed to their home base of RAAF Williamtown December 10, 2018. [maxgallery id="122262"] The two jets, A35-009 and -010 arrived at Williamtown at 10:20am on December 10 from RAAF Amberley Williamtown. The aircraft…
The ADF’s newly-created role of the Chief of Joint Capabilities has been upgraded to a three-star officer position to align it with the chiefs of the ADF’s three services and Joint Operations Command. The position, held by the newly-promoted AIRMSHL Warren McDonald since it was formed in July 2017, is…
