The F-35 Global Enterprise: Viewed from Down Under

03/11/2014
2014-03-09 By Robbin Laird It is clear that the F-35 global enterprise is a unique enabler of the entire re-set of US and allied airpower. Yet this crucial and even central reality is hardly recognized in the mounds or should one say piles of commentary on the F-35 program. And indeed,…

The Coming of the F-35 to Australia: Shaping a 21st Century Approach to Airpower

03/11/2014
2014-03-12 by Robbin Laird I attended a seminar held by The Williams Foundation yesterday in Canberra, Australia. The focus of the seminar was on Air Combat Operations: 2025 and Beyond. The core emphasis was on the impact of the F-35 on reshaping the Australian combat approach appropriate to the challenges,…

Visiting the 33rd Squadron, RAAF, Amberly Air Base, Australia

03/08/2014
03/04/2014: Second Line of Defense is visiting Australia and discussing with the Australian Air Force some of their modernizations in shaping new capabilities for Australian and Pacific defense. Clearly, one such new capability is the 5-ship squadron of A330MRTT tankers, or the KC-30A. The host for the visit to Amberly…

Visiting the Wedgetail Squadron at Williamtown RAAF Base, Australia

03/06/2014
03/06/2014: Second Line of Defense visited the Wedgetail squadron on March 6, 2014 and discussed the standup of the Wedgetail squadron and its initial roll out and path towards changes in the RAAF capabilities over time. A report on the discussion along with the key themes generated from that discussion…

SACT Commander General Paloméros : “Strategic Awareness is the Key to the Future of NATO”

03/05/2014
2014-02-20 by Murielle Delaporte As the preparation of the next NATO Summit in Wales early September heats up, French Air Force General Paloméros was in Washington during the last week of January for a Transatlantic Forum organized by Allied Command Transformation (ACT) with CSIS, which focus was on "Rebalancing and Reinforcing…

The Italian Navy Looks Ahead: An Interview with Admiral Giuseppe De Giorgi

03/05/2014
2014-03-06 by Richard Bray Excerpts Reprinted with Permission from our Partner Front Line Defence: http://www.frontline-defence.com/Defence/index_archives.php?page=2147 At first glance, the Canadian and Italian navies may not appear to have a great deal in common, typically operating in vastly different areas of the world’s oceans. In recent years, however, operations in the…