2013-11-12 In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee on November 7, 2013, the Service Chiefs addressed the challenges the military is facing with sequestration. They addressed what the future might look like if sequestration was not jettisoned. Sydney Freedberg, Jr. in an overview piece on the hearings provided a…
2013-11-11 In recent testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, the Commandant of the USMC highlighted the importance of readiness to the Corps in performing its global missions. Our nation expects a force capable of responding to crisis anywhere around the globe at a moment’s notice. Readiness is the critical…
2013-10-30 By Robbin Laird, Ed Timperlake and Richard Weitz We have just published our new book on shaping a 21st century strategy for Pacific defense. The book examines the challenge of re-shaping U.S. forces to deal with 21st century strategic realities for Pacific defense. It is often stated that the 21st…
2013-11-10 by Robbin Laird Frequently peppering American presentations about the evolution of military strategies, approaches and capabilities are references to the central importance of coalitions and of partners. But what is not often realized is HOW fundamentally the situation has changed over the past thirty years. When coalitions and partners…
2013-11-08 By Robbin Laird Upon returning to the United States from Europe, I had a chance to reflect back on my visit to Italy and the discussions, which I had with senior officials about their approach to the F-35. I was able to do so with Rear Admiral Covella, the…
2013-11-04 By Robbin Laird The Italians were significant innovators at the beginning of the era of airpower. They continued throughout the history of airpower to innovate and with the launch of the F-35, they are proving to be innovators once again. Their facilities at Cameri provide support not only for…
2013-11-02 The Search and rescue exercise viewed in the video increases the collective interoperability between U.S. and Canada, ensuring better success in carrying out the challenging Arctic S and R mission. Units from Alaska Air National Guard, Alaska Army National Guard, U.S. Army Alaska to include multiple helicopters, multiple versions…
10/30/2013: The Zumwalt-class guided-missile destroyer DDG 1000 is floated out of dry dock at the General Dynamics Bath Iron Works shipyard. The ship, the first of three Zumwalt-class destroyers, will provide independent forward presence and deterrence, support special operations forces and operate as part of joint and combined expeditionary forces.…
