By Robbin Laird During my visit to MAWTS-1 in 2018, the shift from operating in the land wars to dealing with challenges which could be posed by peer competitors was clearly underway. At the center of the shift was clear recognition of the need to deal with the ongoing challenge…
By Robbin Laird I have attended the International Fighter Conference in the past but missed this year’s offering. This year’s conference was held in Madrid, and I was interested in what was discussed at the conference as I am focused on the way ahead for Western air combat forces in…
One of the training missions being worked at MAWTS-1 with the increased focus on maritime operations has been upon the TRAP mission. Already in the Libyan operations, the Osprey demonstrated its unique qualities in performing this mission. Now MAWTS-1 is working to standardize the training for this important mission set.…
By Robbin Laird During my visit to MAWTS-1 during the first week of November 2023, I had a chance to talk with Colonel Eric Purcell, the CO of MAWTS-1 about the coming of the CH-53K to the USMC. This is the third new air system I have seen come to…
By Robbin Laird I wrote a chapter in the 2018 book entitled, One Nation Under Drones, which focused on the experience of the USMC with UAVs to date. I wrote this piece as the Marines were shifting from the primary focus on the land wars and to an enhanced focus…
As we prepare our interviews from the MAWTS-1 visit in November 2023, which includes one with a Marine Corps officer that deployed on the new British carrier, we looked back at her deployment. MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. – (December 8, 2021) With the arrival of aircraft from Marine…
By Robbin Laird From my first visit to MAWTS-1 with Ed Timperlake to MAWTS-1 to my most recent visit in November 2023, I have been impressed with how focused the team is upon force integration which can be created with real forces, not power points or by wargames or what…
These photos highlight both the legacy heavy life helicopter -- the CH-53E -- and the new King Stallion, the CH-53K -- supporting training during WTI-1-24. WTI is an advanced, graduate-level course for selected pilots and enlisted aircrew providing standardized advanced tactical training and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons…
