The Strategic Shift: The Challenge of Mobile Basing

06/09/2018
By Robbin Laird The strategic shift is a crucial one for the liberal democracies. That strategic shift is from a primary focus on counter insurgency and stability operations to operating in a contested environment with high tempo and high intensity combat systems as a primary tool set. It is about managing conflict…

The Arrival of the F-35s at RAF Marham: The Dambusters Return

06/08/2018
The arrival of the first F-35s from the United States to Britain on June 6, 2018 to their operating base at RAF Marham required a change in the sign entering RAF Marham as can be seen in the featured photo. The entire effort to rebuild Marham to support the UK…

Indo-Pacific Endeavor 18: The Participation of the Royal Australian Navy

06/07/2018
In an article published on June 2, 2018 by the Royal Australian Navy and written by Lt. Ryan Zerbe the Royal Australian Navy's participation in Indio-Pacific Endeavour was the focus of attention. A Joint Task Group of Royal Australian Navy ships and embarked soldiers and marines has set sail from Townsville, bound…

Defense Secretary Mattis in Asia: The Singapore Speech

06/06/2018
Defense Secretary James N. Mattis met with several Indo-Pacific leaders on the sidelines of the 2018 International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore June 1. According to a June 2, 2018 article published on the Department of Defense website: During Mattis’ meeting with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the…

The Coming of TyTan: The UK Works its Typhoon Sustainment Strategy

06/06/2018
By Robbin Laird In past visits to the UK and to Spain, I have spent time with Eurofighter squadrons and have focused on the upgrade path for the aircraft. I have talked with various fighting forces about Typhoon operating in various allied operations as well to get a sense of…

Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II in WTI-2-18

06/05/2018
In a story written by Lance Cpl. Ashley McLaughlin  and published on March 28, 2018, the role of a new variant of a a precision weapon. U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One built 2.75-inch rockets configured with Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II during ordnance building training.…

Norwegian Updates on The Standup of Their F-35s

06/05/2018
On May 22, 2018, three additional F-35s arrived at Ørland Air Base in Norway. According to a Norwegian Ministry of Defence press release dated May 23, 2018: Six aircraft are now on Norwegian soil. – Our new F-35s are a major investment and the most important acquisition to strengthen the…