First Australian Aegis Destroyer Integrates with US Navy’s Cooperative Engagement Capability

01/08/2019
By Robbin Laird I visited the HMAS Hobart at Fleet Base East prior to its time conducting weapons and systems evaluations with the US Navy off of the West Coast of the United States. According to Andrew McLaughlin in an article published on January 7, 2019: The tests were conducted…

24th MEU completes Exercise Trident Juncture 2018

12/21/2018
During the exercise, the 24thMEU exercised its amphibious capabilities. In a story by Lance Cpl. Margaret Gale, 24thMEU, published on November 13, 2018, the mission was highlighted. Marines and Sailors from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit participated in exercise Trident Juncture 18 in Iceland and Norway during October and November,…

24th MEU and Trident Juncture 2018

12/16/2018
Marines and Sailors from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit participated in exercise Trident Juncture 18 in Iceland and Norway during October and November, 2018. Trident Juncture 18 was the largest NATO exercise held since 2002 and allowed for military forces to operate in a collective defense scenario. [maxgallery id="122054"]

NATO’s Tactical Leadership Programme 18-4: Amendola Air Base, Italy and Italian F-35s Shape a Way Ahead

12/09/2018
By Robbin Laird Normally, the TLP is held in Spain at Albacete Airbase. We visited Albacete Airbase in 2016 and talked with Spanish Air Force pilots concerning their Eurofighter operations at the base. As we noted at the time: “Albacete flies a regular Quick Reaction Alert force to provide for…

Exercise Point Blank 2018-3: Working 21st Century Air Combat Teaming

12/05/2018
Recently, the RAF hosted the latest iteration of the Point Blank exercises. The French joined the exercise held in the UK for the first time this year. 26 fighter juets plus combat support units participated in the exercise held November 26, 2018 over the North Sea. Two UK F-35Bs, four…

The RAAF P-3s: Adelaide Says Farewell After 50 Years

11/29/2018
After 50 years of military service for Australia, the Orion P-3 is being retired, leaving behind a legacy that includes rescuing sailors, searching for MH370, and Middle East missions. On Tuesday the media was given a final flight on an AP-3C Orion, the third variant of the plane since Orions…

Extending Combat Air Capabilities With Unmanned Systems: An Airbus Defence and Space Perspective from the International Fighter Conference 2018

11/27/2018
By Robbin Laird At the 2018 International Fighter Conference held in Berlin from November 13-15 2018, one of the topics for presentation and discussion is the European concept and approach to what is being called the Future Combat Air System. Here the target is to shape a new combat system…