According to the Australian Department of Defence: "RAAF’s six E-7A Wedgetails are best described as a command centre in the sky. Each is equipped with multiple radars and tech that allows it to scan and communicate with up to 80 aircraft and ground and sea units over an eye-popping distance…
By Robbin Laird I first visited Marine Aircraft Group 26 (MAG-26) in 2007 when they were beginning the MV-22B Osprey transition. Now, the Osprey is the backbone of the Marine Corps combat assault support community. And with both heavy-lift and light-attack helicopter squadrons, the Second Marine Aircraft Wing (2D MAW)…
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.…
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…
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…
By Pierre Tran Paris - Industry and government are still in contract talks for studies on a technology demonstrator for a European fighter jet, Dassault Aviation said in a July 22 statement on first-half financial results. “The contract for phase 1B (under negotiation) is still to be signed,” the company…
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…
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…
