2013-05-22 By Robbin Laird The USN-USMC team learns in the context of a joint and combined exercise Bold Alligator – the largest annual, amphibious exercise conducted. It is also a great opportunity for an outsider to learn many things, and probably none more interesting than to learn from the young warfighters…
2013-05-22 A key element of shaping a 21st century approach to military operations is the reconfiguration of the force to incorporate expeditionary logistics. Rather than putting a WALMART in place, designing a Kracken defense force for the WALMART, and then moving against the objective area, there is a key trend afoot…
In an April 30, 2013 interview with Rear Admiral Bill Moran, Director of Air Warfare (OPNAV N98), the approach of the US Navy in combining several naval air transitions with the introduction of the USS Ford was the focus of conversation. In a recent co-authored article, the Admiral had looked…
2013-05-15 By Brett Davis The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator (UCAS-D) made its debut aircraft carrier launch from USS George H.W. Bush on 14 May, bringing unmanned carrier aviation a big step closer to reality. The carrier, CVN 77, was off the coast of Virginia for the long-awaited launch. “Today…
2013-05-14 By Robbin Laird When I last visited the USS Arlington it was for its christening. I visited the ship with my colleague Ed Timperlake and we were able to participate in the ceremony honoring those who died on 9/11 at the Pentagon. I was at the Pentagon on that…
First demonstrated in Bold Alligator 2012, the Osprey can land and operate off of a T-AKE supply ship. Now this capability has been demonstrated in the Pacific. U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey pilots conducted the first external lift of a Humvee from the USNS Sacagawea April 11 during exercise Freedom…
2013-05-10 In an important policy statement, which seems to have moved rapidly off of the screen, Secretary of Defense Hagel re-enforced, in very specific ways, the U.S. support of Japan in the confrontation with China over disputed islands and in regard to the defense of Japan against North Korea. There…
2013-05-10 The 31st MEU has been preparing for a regular Osprey deployment in the Pacific to operate with them. They are following a proven route which the East Coast Ospreys and MEU rolls outs followed in the past few years. During the past few months, 1st Marine Air Wing has provided…