EABO and Reworking Aviation Ground Support: The View from 2nd Marine Wing

08/02/2024
By Robbin Laird As the Marines rework how they approach distributed operations, a key focus is upon how to shape what they call Expeditionary Advanced Operations or EABO. This requires reworking how the air and ground elements operate together to shape a more effective distributed force with reduced force signature…

The New Revolution in Military Affairs and Force Structure Change: The Perspective of LtGen Heckl

08/01/2024
By Robbin Laird I had the chance recently to meet with LtGen Heckl, the Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command, and the Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration, at his office in Quantico. He is retiring from the USMC this month, so this is my exit interview with…

Dealing with a Multi-Polar Authoritarian World: The Case of the War on Ukraine

07/27/2024
By Robbin Laird This is our 15th year of publishing. Next year, we are publishing a book highlighting our analyses of that 15-year period. We have seen a dramatic change from the 1990s where the United States was in a pole position to re-shape the world and craft a way…

An Update on Dassault in the Context of French Political Uncertainty: July 2024

07/26/2024
By Pierre Tran Paris - The background to sales of the Rafale fighter and Falcon business jets was “uncertainty” due to general elections in Europe and France, and president Joe Biden standing down in the U.S. election campaign, Dassault Aviation executive chairman Eric Trappier said July 23. There was “concern”…

The Strategic Shift and the Role of the Heavy Lift Helicopter in the USMC

07/15/2024
By Robbin Laird My recent discussions with LtGen Heckl and visits to MAWTS-1 have both reinforced the nature of the USMC and its role within the overall strategic shift the U.S. military is undergoing. The U.S. military is being reshaped to enhance its survival and lethality through an enhanced ability…

Spain Defeated England by 2-1 in the Euro 2024 Final on Bastille Day in Berlin

07/14/2024
By Kenneth Maxwell They were the much better team. Nico Williams scored the first goal soon into the second half. England’s Cole Palmer scored England’s goal in the 73 minute. Then Mikel Oyarzabel secured the win for Spain in the 86 minute. King Filipe of Spain was in attendance. So…

The Marines and the ADF Work Interchangeability

07/11/2024
In an article by Cpl. Nicholas Johnson, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, published on July 6, 2024, interchangeability between the RAAF and the USMC was emphasized as follows: In a demonstration of the ever-increasing interchangeability between U.S. Marine Corps and Royal Australian Air Force aviation, two F-35B Lightning II pilots with…