Expanding the Toolset: Looking Forward From Bold Alligator 2012

03/26/2012
Second Line of Defense had a chance to discuss with Lt. Col. “Uber” Williams who served as Col. Shorter’s deputy from MAG-14 headquarters during Bold Alligator 2012. According to Williams, “While he’s back in Cherry Point running the rest of his MAG, I will be out aboard the Kearsarge basically…

Changing the Mindset: “The ESG-MEB is Not an ARG-MEU on Steroids!”

03/21/2012
Second Line of Defense had a chance to sit down with one of the two Harrier squadron commanders aboard the USS Kearsarge during the Bold Alligator 2012 exercise. Earlier, we discussed with Lt. Col. Hermley, Commanding Officer, Marine Attack Squadron 231, MCAS, Cherry Point, and the approach to be followed…

The UK, Allies and Re-thinking the F-35C

03/19/2012
3/19/12 by Robbin Laird As Ed Timperlake has argued in a companion piece, the UK shifting from the F-35C to an F-35B/A mix would make inherently good sense. https://sldinfo.com/the-uk-rethinks-the-f-35c-decision-shaping-a-british-led-expeditionary-strike-group/ At the heart of the shift is the ability to gain significant flexibility with the use of the new UK carriers…

“A Most Ubiquitous Threat”

03/19/2012
Mine Warfare In Bold Alligator-12 and Expeditionary Warrior-12 Scott C. Truver, PhD In a SLD interview (http://www.sldforum.com/2012/03/the-way-ahead-after-bold-alligator-2012/), COL Bradley Weisz, Deputy Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group TWO, highlighted the importance of mine warfare (MIW), particularly mine countermeasures (MCM), in the joint/combined-forces Bold Alligator 2012 exercise conducted in February. “Both ESG-2 and…

The UK Rethinks the F-35C Decision: Shaping a British led Expeditionary Strike Group

03/16/2012
3/16/12 by Ed Timperlake The UK is rethinking its carrier aircraft decision.  In large part this is because of the cost necessary to build traps and cats on the Queen Elizabeth class carrier.  In part it is because of the impact of Libya and Bold Alligator in reminding strategists and…

Brigadier General Owens on Bold Alligator 2012: “We’ve got to hit them where they’re not!”

03/15/2012
Prior to the Bold Alligator 2012 exercise, we had a chance to talk with Brigadier General Owens, 2nd MEF, about the goals, purpose and orientation of the exercise. https://sldinfo.com/bold-alligator-2012-charting-the-future/ Later, we were able to sit down with the General in his office at Camp Lejeune to get his perspective on…