Aussie C-130s Support Force Insertion

09/23/2015
09/23/2015: A Company of Army Commandos have parachuted out of three Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and dropped into the waters of Exmouth, Western Australia to fight and defeat a simulated enemy during the inaugural Australian Defence Force Exercise Northern Shield. The Special Forces contingent descended into Exmouth against the setting…

Aviation Support to Ready Combat Team in Exercise Northern Shield

09/23/2015
09/23/2015: Brisbane based soldiers from the Ready Combat Team have been bolstered by significant aviation support during Exercise Northern Shield. Hawk 127 jets and Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters (ARH) have been providing notional combat and close air support against a simulated enemy threat in Exmouth, Western Australia. During one exercise…

F-22s Come to Middle East Operations: The ACC Commander Looks at the Way Ahead

09/22/2015
2015/09/15 By Robbin Laird During my recent visit to Australia, where the Royal Australian Air Force is shaping its path ahead with regard to transformation via what it calls Plan Jericho, its combat experience in the Middle East is providing an important input to the way ahead. As the new Chief…

Exercise Joint Strike for Australian Defence Forces

09/21/2015
09/21/2015: From 31 August – 4 September, 2015, Exercise Joint Strike, the inaugural Amphibious Task Group (ATG) joint fires exercise, was conducted at the Beecroft Weapons Range, in the Jervis Bay area, New South Wales. Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force personnel from within the ATG conducted…

Osprey as Combat Connector: Landing on JMSFD Hyuga during Dawn Blitz 2015

09/21/2015
09/21/2015: The Osprey operates as a combat connector among ships in an operation and links with land forces as well. In this video, an MV-22 lands on the Japanese JMSFT ship Hyuga during Dawn Blitz 2015. Credit: Defense Media Activity - Navy:9/4/15 Marines and sailors with 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade…

KC-10 Refuels Danish F-16s

09/21/2015
09/21/2015: A U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender refuels Danish F-16s over Southwest Asia in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, August 30, 2015. Credit:U.S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs:8/30/15 According to Gary Schaub, Jr.: Denmark has been a stalwart ally of the United States since 1999, participating in operations in…

New British Carriers: Working with the USN-USMC Team to Redefine the Air-Enabled Insertion Force

09/19/2015
2015-09-19 By Robbin Laird © 2015 FrontLine Defence (Vol 12, No 4) The British invented carrier warfare – and now, with their new Queen Elizabeth Class of carriers, they are working their own version of the 21st century strike carrier. Using global lessons learned, they are reinventing the large deck…