2013-06-27 The Japanese are reworking their defense capabilities to deal with the dynamics of change in the Pacific. Better perimeter defense is crucial to deal with the various challenges in the Pacific. The new “dynamic defense” approach fits in very well with the USMC role in the Pivot to the…
[slidepress gallery='tomassetti'] 6/26/13 During a visit to the 33rd Fighter Wing, an exit interview with Col. “Turbo” Tomassetti provided a unique opportunity to look back on the career of “Turbo” and the way ahead for the F-35B within USMC aviation. A key part of the interview was provided by an…
06/26/2013: The bio of Col. Tomassetti follows but directly below are photos, which show moments in his career. [slidepress gallery='tomassetti'] Credit: The first photo is from 1986 at the time of his graduation from USMC Officers Basic School. The second and third photos are from 1987 and 1988 during flight…
[slidepress gallery='the-f-35c-arrives-at-eglin-afb'] 2013-06-22 Today, the USN received its first F-35c for its training squadron at Eglin AFB. According to a press release issued by the 33rd Fighter Wing: The U.S. Navy’s Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-101 is preparing to receive the Navy’s first F-35C Lightning II carrier variant aircraft from Lockheed…
2013-06-20 We wrote earlier about the apparent lack of U.S. urgency in re-norming airpower with regard to the introduction and con-ops innovations associated with fifth generation aircraft. Now, however. the USMC, the USAF and the USN have laid down IOCs for the aircraft, which clearly reflect a sense of urgency.…
2013-06-19 By Sgt. James Mecure AT SEA - The U.S. Marines made their first landing with an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor helicopter aboard a Japanese Ship, June 14, 2013. The landing is significant because it provides another avenue of approach during any future humanitarian and disaster relief operations in the region.…
2013-06-18 Colonel “Turbo” Tomassetti is retiring after a distinguished 30-year career as a USMC aviator. To both honor and to learn from “Turbo,” Second Line of Defense travelled to the 33rd Fighter Wing, where “Turbo” retired as Vice Commander. We are going to publish three articles based on the interview…
2013-06-17 By Robbin Laird At the recent Trade Media Briefing 2013, journalists who attended were given the opportunity to fly the aircraft for more than an hour. Francis Tusa, the well-known British journalist and hardly a Euro hugger, underscored what we all felt: The lack of noise within the aircraft was…
