2013-09-26 By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake During the visit of Secretary Wynne to the 33rd Fighter Wing, we accompanied him on the visit and added some meetings of our own. Among the most notable of those additional meetings was an opportunity to sit down with two USMC leaders in the…
2013-09-26 Although the F-35B is a new aircraft, and new skills are being learned, the USMC is clearly harvesting experience where relevant to shaping the combat approach of the new aircraft. In a discussion with a combat-hardened Marine who is a weapons loader for the Harrier, the shaping of the approach…
2013-09-21 In our discussion in the ready room of VMFAT501with Lt. Col. Steve Gillette and Major Michael Rountree, Major Rountree discussed how the Harrier has been used the flexibility which the jet brings to MAGTF operations. SLD: The V of STOVL is really the important point. The flexibility of the…
2013-09-21 With the changing strategic situation in Asia, the government of the Philippines is reworking its relationship with the U.S. military. According to sources in Manila, a key consideration is the mobility, which the evolving USMC brings to the stage. As this source noted: “The Marines can move rapidly with the…
2013-09-18 By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake The current Chief of Staff of the USAF has prioritized an IOC for the F-35 and the acquisition of the F-35. In Japan, he noted that: “The F-35 is flying, it is a real thing, and progress is real,” he said. Several countries, including…
2013-09-18 by Lt Gen David A. Deptula USAF (Ret) and Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Airpower Studies We face a number of significant challenges in shaping our future. Among those challengers are: The growing complexity of our security environment; The declining share of resources available for defense; And our changing strategy to…
09/17/2013: During COUGAR 13, a MV-22 had landed on a British Warship and operated by a British pilot. September 16, 2013, UK exchange pilot LT “Odd Job” Wotten operating with VMX-22 “bounced off” of HMS Illustrious. [slidepress gallery='uk-pilot-operating-mv-22-lands-on-british-warship-during-exercise'] Credit Photos: 26th MEU:9/16/13 According to the Royal Navy: Cougar is the…
2013-09-14 by Robbin Laird This video from Airbus Military provides a good overview on the A330 aircraft. It is a tanker which can do other things, including lift, aeromedical evacuations, transport and with a large deck available for future technology expansions can be available to play a role which currently…