09/13/2011: During the Second Line of Defense visit to USCG Island in Alameda, California, Captain John Prince and the Executive Officer of the Bertholf David Ramassini discussed their recent tour aboard the Bertholf. The conversation occurred in late July 2011 shortly after Captain Prince had relinquished command of the Bertholf…
09/12/2011 In this picture, one sees the Sec Def getting off of the Osprey from a flight last week. He obviously is a happy commuter. [caption id="attachment_23901" align="alignleft" width="640" caption="Credit: USN Visual Service"][/caption]
09/06/2011 By Maj. General Tim Hanifen, Rear Adm. Sinclair Harris and Robert Holzer Global demand for amphibious forces outstrips resources. When a crisis erupts the first question U.S. leaders often ask is, “Where are the aircraft carriers?” This historical axiom, however, has expanded over time and now regional commanders also…
09/05/2011 A recent French Navy video highlights the USMC landing on a French BPC. The French and the USN-USMC team demonstrated in the Libyan operations the value of flexible basing, using land and sea to project power. This is a core lesson learned going forward. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xgbspu_us-marines-onboard-fns-tonnerre_news [caption id="attachment_23675" align="aligncenter" width="300"…
09/05/2011 by Robbin Laird In a Defense News op ed which I wrote several years ago, I introduced the concept of the F-35 as a flying combat system, not a fifth generation aircraft. What I was highlighting was a shift from a generational understanding of the evolution of the aircraft which…
09/04/2011 During the recent exercises in North Carolina which occurred as Hurricane Irene was unfolding, Captain Wittel of the Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, SC discussed those exercises and the transition to the F-35. We have posted a series of videos,…
08/31/2011 by Ed Timperlake Just as Washington begins its political dive into 2012 and the budget drill, Northern Edge 2011 provides a focal point for the restructuring of U.S. power projection forces. In a robust jamming operating environment, the F-35 radar and distributed aperture system (DAS) separated themselves from the…
[caption id="attachment_23125" align="alignleft" width="300"] The Italian Carrier Guiseppe Garibaldi Credit: Italian Navy[/caption] 08/27/2011 The Libyan operation has highlighted the use of maritime bases for conducting air operations. In a recent interview with Col. Mark Desens, the Commanding officer of 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit involved in the initial Libyan operations, the…