Defence of Japan 2021: A Focus On Proactive Defense Efforts With Allies

08/15/2021
By Thomas Wilkins and Daisuke Akimoto Japan’s new defence white paper, Defense of Japan 2021, affirms Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga’s continuation of his predecessor Shinzo Abe’s proactive contribution to regional peace and security. Stemming from a desire to counter any trend towards a norm of ‘might is right’ in the region, the white…

An Update on the Australian KC-30 Tanker: June 2021

08/12/2021
In a June 29, 2021 article by Flight Lieutenant Robert Cochran, provided an update of the KC-30A operating in Exercise Arnheim Thunder. Providing air-to-air refuelling services to some of the world’s most advanced combat fighter jets is just another day in the office for Air Force pilots Flight Lieutenant Kristen…

Shaping a Way Ahead for the TACAIR Community: Visiting MAG-14

08/11/2021
By Robbin Laird During my July 2021 visit to 2nd Marine Air Wing, I had a chance to meet with the leadership of MAG-14. I met with Col. Williams, the MAG-14 Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Harrell, the MAG-14 Executive Officer and Maj. Cunningham, the MAG-14 Operations Officer. Based at Cherry…

Shaping a Way Ahead for the Assault Support Community: Visiting the “War Eagles” of MAG-29

08/10/2021
By Robbin Laird During my visit to 2nd Marine Air Wing in July 2021, I had a chance to discuss the way ahead for the assault support community with the Commanding Officer of MAG-29, Col. Joyce, and with Maj. Bowing, the Operations Officer for MAG-29. In terms of aircraft, MAG-29…

Triton Begins Multi-Intelligence Capability Phase

08/10/2021
According to a press release published on July 29, 2021 from NAVAIR, the U.S. Navy has conducted first MQ-4C Triton test flight with multi-intelligence upgrade. The Navy conducted its first test flight of the MQ-4C Triton in its upgraded hardware and software configuration July 29 at NAS Patuxent River, beginning the…

July 2021 Japan-UK Defence Ministerial Meeting

08/09/2021
According to a press release from the Japanese Ministry of Defence, the Japanese and UK defence ministers met on July 20, 2021 in Japan. On July 20, 2021, commencing at 13:00 for approximately 60 minutes Minister KISHI held a Defense Ministerial Meeting with Secretary of State for Defence of the…

Airbus KC-30A Works Singapore DSTA on Automated Air Refueling

08/08/2021
By the Australian Defence Business Review Airbus has announced it has completed the development phase of its A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT)-based automated refuelling system during trials with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA). Completed in early 2021, the trials involved…

The US and the UK Extend Their Carrier Cooperation Agreement

08/06/2021
In a July 13, 2021 article on the UK Ministry of Defence website, the extension of the carrier cooperation agreement was highlighted. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and his US counterpart Lloyd Austin have extended an agreement to enhance cooperation on aircraft carrier operations as they met in Washington. The two…