The Portuguese 502 Squadron “Elefantes”: Leveraging the C-295M

06/14/2011
06/14/2011: During the Airbus Trade Media event, the 502 Squadron Commander, Major Dina Azevedo, discussed the mission sets, which the Command performed, and how they used the C-295M in meeting mission needs. She has been based at Seville, Spain as part of the initial acceptance team and then became the…

Afghan Air Force Arms Helicopters

06/12/2011
06/12/2011 - Prior to a mission, Afghan and U.S. Airmen equip an AAF MI-17 helicopter with 57mm rockets for the first time, allowing the Afghans to provide for their own mission security without reliance on ISAF aircraft for assistance in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan   Credit: 16th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment…

22nd MEU Marines Participate in Non-lethal Training

06/10/2011
06/10/2011 Marines with Lima Battery, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit conduct riot control training for the final exercise in the non-lethal weapons course at Stone Bay aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. The 22nd MEU is a multi-mission capable force comprised of…

Osprey as VIP Platform of Choice in Afghanistan

06/09/2011
06/09/2011: The core advantages of the Osprey – speed and range – are highlighted every time VIPs show up in Afghanistan and want to cover as much ground in as short a time.  In these two photos, Secretary of Defense Gates used the Osprey in such a manner.  Here the…

Finding the Exit Door in Afghanistan

06/09/2011
06/09/2011 Earlier this year we published a key interview with a French officer with extensive Afghan experience. His discussion and formulas remain compelling. https://www.sldinfo.com/?p=16559 An excerpt from the interview underscores what recent reports about the Afghan situation issued by the U.S .government simply highlight; investing in a country without a…

USS Carl Vinson Operations

06/09/2011
06/09/2011 - USS Carl Vinson Operations [slidepress gallery='uss-carl-vinson-operations'] Credit: USN Visual News Service: 4/4/11 In the first photo, an E-2C Hawkeye assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 125 approaches the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing 17 are conducting…

An Update from the SLD Forum

06/07/2011
The current Sound Off Column looks at Why Gates II Would Fire Gates I. http://www.sldforum.com/2011/06/why-gates-ii-would-fire-gates-i/ A recent Sound Off Column looks at an historic PR fumble in the Super Tucano versus AT-6 public fight. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2725392/posts The new terms of reference for the next forum which will address “What does the…

C-17 Maintainers

06/07/2011
06/07/2011 - Aircraft breakdowns can interrupt operations. Staff Sgt. Charles McNamara tells us about a stand by team downrange who helps keep aircraft moving.The C-17 has an excellent maintainence record, in large part due to the acquisition of modern aircraft.  The fleet is newer than any other core fleet in…