The Danes Take the Threats Seriously: Investing in More Effective Defense Forces

10/15/2017
2017-10-13  In October 2017, the Danish government released its proposed new five-year defense guidance and defense spending guidelines. The government was very clear about what the threats facing Denmark are, the importance of allies modernizing and working effective interdependence in the defense of the North Atlantic and beyond, and need…

South Africa Builds a New Missile

10/15/2017
2017-10-15 By Guy Martin The Denel Dynamics Marlin missile is at an advanced stage of development, with test flights of the 100 km range radar-guided weapon having already been carried out. Marlin is a radar-guided beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile technology demonstrator and the intention is to also use…

Changing the Business Rules: Enhancing the Capabilities for Airpower IB 21

10/15/2017
2017-10-09 By Robbin Laird With the cross learning among the combat forces as they shape more effective integrated combat forces to prevail in a contested environment, the business rules need to change to adapt platforms more rapidly to evolving combat requirements. The force will be built around core multi-mission platforms,…

Hill Air Force Base Stands Up New F-35 Squadron

10/14/2017
2017-10-14 The 4th Fighter Squadron (FS) ‘Fighting Fuujins’ and 4th Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU) received a first F-35A at Hill Air Force Base, Utah at the end of September. According to an article published in Air Forces Monthly: The latest Lightning II to arrive at Hill was tail number 5133. [caption…

500 and Counting: The 500 F-35 Pilot Takes to the Skies

10/14/2017
2017-10-14 Many years ago, Second Line of Defense visited Eglin AFB prior to standing up of the F-35 training facility. Now that training facility has not only matured but is part of a global training network. Recently, Eglin saw a milestone achieved with the 500th F-35 pilot taking to the…

The UK Readies for the Coming of the Queen Elizabeth Carriers: Ski Jump Testing

10/14/2017
2017-10-14 As the first Queen Elizabeth class carrier has begun its two year period of sea trials earlier this year. Part of the preparation for operations is ski jump training for F-35B pilots. This training is being initially at Pax River where a ski jump test and training facility has…

RAF Valley Air Station, Wales, Receives Upgrades: Supporting the F-35s and Typhoons

10/14/2017
2017-10-14 According to a UK MoD article published on September 26, 2017, the Welsh based RAF Valley Air Station has been modernized to play its role in the introduction of the F-35 and the evolution of the Typhoon-F-35 core to the RAF strike force. The station is primarily used for…

Offensive Air Support Exercise at MAWTS-1

10/14/2017
10/14/2017: U.S. Soldiers attending Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) conduct an Offensive Air Support (OAS) exercise during Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) at Yodaville, Ariz., Oct. 3, 2017. The OAS exercise is designed to focus on the integration of air combat element aviation assets with a developed ground scheme…