Ways Ahead for C-2 Enabled Marines in Distributed Operations for the Peer Fight

08/02/2021
By Robbin Laird During my July 2021 visit to 2nd Marine Air Wing (2d MAW), I had a chance to visit again with Marine Air Control Group 28, the Marines who provide command and control (C2) and air defense for the distributed force.  I met with the Commanding Officer Col.…

Re-Shaping the USMC as a Crisis Management Force: Working Naval Integration

07/30/2021
By Robbin Laird The Marines are re-focusing their efforts from the Middle East land wars to shaping their way ahead to build a purpose-built force to facilitate sea denial and assured access in support of fleet and joint operations against potential adversaries. One way they are doing this is working…

An Update on 2nd Marine Air Wing: July 2021

07/29/2021
By Robbin Laird The Marines are undergoing a change with a sense of urgency associated with the strategic shift from the Middle East land wars to being effective in strategic competition. The Marine Corps exists to provide a globally deployable Naval Expeditionary Force in readiness, this means preparing for initial…

The Coming of the CH-53K to the USMC: Shaping a Way Ahead

07/25/2021
By Robbin Laird In recent visits to both II MEF and 2nd Marine Air Wing (2nd MAW), it is clear that the coming of the CH-53K to the North Carolina-based Marines is crucial. As the Marines work enhanced naval integration and expanded force mobility in dealing with the evolving strategic…

VADM Lewis: Shaping a Way Ahead for C2F and Allied Joint Forces Command, Norfolk

07/23/2021
By Robbin Laird Recently, I had a chance to talk with VADM Lewis, Commander of Second Fleet and of Allied Joint Force Command Norfolk. We spoke one day after the full operational capability ceremony held on the USS Kearsarge for Allied Joint Force Command Norfolk. Together, the two commands represent…

Summer Fury 21: 3rd Marine Air Wing Works Maritime Strikes

07/21/2021
by 1st Lt. Charles Allen MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. – (July 7, 2021) Marines with 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing begin Exercise Summer Fury 21 with a long-range maritime strike off the coast of Washington. Summer Fury is the largest Marine aviation exercise on the West Coast, and provides 3rd …