Russian Resurgence and the Arctic

04/16/2014
2014-04-16 Clearly, the Arctic is a major area of interest for the major Arctic powers as well as global economic powers like Japan and China, who are not one of the five powers with direct claims. The gradual melting of Arctic ice is creating the beginnings of a very different strategic…

The F-35 Arrives at Luke AFB: Preparing for the Next Generation of Warfare

04/15/2014
2014-04-15 In a story published yesterday in the Arizona Republic, staff writer Paulin Giblin looked at the coming of the F-35 to Luke AFB. The title of his piece is appropriately: "Luke's New F-35 Redefines Warfare." Some excerpts follow: The new F-35 pilot-training program at Luke Air Force Base in…

Quickstep Australia Signs Long-Term Agreement on F-35

04/15/2014
2014-04-15 During the visit to Australia, Second Line of Defense had a chance to interview the CEO of Quickstep. In that interview, Philippe Odouard, the CEO of Quickstep, underscored how he saw the program and the participation of his company in the program. We see the program as the military…

Departing Forward Operating Base Delaram II, Nimroz province, Afghanistan

04/15/2014
04/15/2014: The Marines and sailors of CLB-7 were instrumental in retrograding more than 302,000 pounds of equipment and supplies and the last of the Marines and sailors of SFAAT 4-215 back to Camp Leatherneck from FOB Delaram II. Delaram II has been a major USMC base on the border of…

Army Helos Jumping on and Off of Amphibious Ships

04/15/2014
04/15/2014: These images show various US Army helos deployed to South Korea using amphibious ships as lily pads for going from shore to ship and back again.  They are not designed for ship operations; they are not “marinized” in any way.  And they are not compatible with shipboard systems of…

Osprey Aerial Refueling Training

04/15/2014
04/15/2014:A KC-130J Hercules property of Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252, refuels an MV-22 Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 264 and 266 off the coast of N.C., April 14, 2014. VMGR-252 conducted aerial refueling training with VMM-264 and 266.  Credit:2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Combat Camera :4/14/14…