The Challenge of Preparing for Future Operations for 2nd MEF

05/22/2021
By Robbin Laird II Marine Expeditionary Force supports service and Combatant Commander’s initiative as required. At the same time, II MEF is in transition and must focus on preparing for future operations, and shape new ways to do so while being able to operate now. This is hardly an easy…

CH-53Ks at VMX-1: Update May 2021

05/16/2021
VMX-1 at New River is preparing the CH-53K for its entry into service. The CH-53K will replace the CH-53E “Super Stallion,” which has served the Marine Corps for 40 years, and will transport Marines, heavy equipment and supplies during ship-to-shore movement in support of amphibious assault and subsequent operations ashore.…

A Logistics Perspective on II MEF Transformation

05/14/2021
By Robbin Laird As the Marines work with the U.S. Navy to reshape capabilities for the maritime fight, two key elements for successfully doing so are the right kind of C2 for distributed integrated operations and logistical capabilities to support such a force. The logistics piece is not an afterthought,…

Naval Group in Australia and the Future Submarine Program: A May 2021 Update

05/13/2021
By Pierre Tran Paris - Naval Group has appointed Lilian Braylé as executive vice-president to run the Australian program to build 12 ocean-going Attack class submarines, the French shipbuilder said May 11. “Lilian Brayle will join Naval Group on 31 May as executive vice-president for the Australian Future Submarine Program,”…

Rethinking Expeditionary Operations in the North Atlantic

05/12/2021
By Robbin Laird As the U.S. Navy reworks how to do blue water expeditionary operations into and through the North Atlantic with integrated capabilities with our Nordic and Baltic allies, how best to shape an expeditionary approach for an offensive-defensive enterprise?  What building blocks are essential to work more effective…

The Marines and Naval Integration: The F-35 and the New UK Carrier Force

05/11/2021
We have heard a good deal about the desire to work Navy and USMC integration. What can be forgotten in this discussion is how important USMC air is in such an effort., It is not surprising for as the U.S. Navy refocuses on the high-end fight, at the heart of…