China and Conflict in the Pacific

09/25/2012
2012-09-25 Richard Weitz has brought the following interview to the attention of the Second Line of Defense team. In this interview, a Chinese expert underscores the potential impact of the first Chinese aircraft carrier on PRC operations in the Pacific. Naval expert Li Jie said that China's first aircraft carrier,…

Airpower as a Lynchpin for a 21st Century Pacific Strategy

09/23/2012
2012-09-23 by Lt. General (Retired) Deptula Change is constant in the Air Force, and that change needs to be embraced, because out of change comes adaptability to meet the challenges of the times.  A strategic reality that affects the US military in the Pacific, is something that you all have…

An Update on the F-35 Integrated Training Center At Eglin AFB

09/16/2012
2012-09-16 By Robbin Laird During my visit to Eglin AFB on August 24, 2012, I had a chance to continue my ongoing conversation with Deputy Commander of the 33rd Fighter Wing, Col. Tomassetti. In previous visits, Tomassetti showed me the plan, then the buildings being constructed, the classrooms being formed,…

Shaping the Wolfpack: Leveraging the 5th Generation Revolution

09/14/2012
2012-09-14 by Secretary Wynne, 21st Secretary of the USAF It is great to hear the excitement in the voices of the testers and the latest operators of the fifth generation fighters.   They reflect the hope for the future of air dominance that the requirements community and the design engineers intended…

The Evolution of the Osprey: “We are No Longer a Bar Act”

09/09/2012
2012-09-08 The Osprey has been deployed for five years in combat.  Starting in September 2007, the Osprey was deployed to Iraq and then later to Afghanistan.  It has several years of at sea experience as well. The operators – pilots and maintainers – have been part of the “testing” of the…