By Robbin Laird MAWTS-1 plays a unique role within the USMC and in the joint force. In our book on the reshaping of Pacific strategy and the role of new technologies and concepts of operations, we highlighted the role of the warfighting centers in the development and evolution of US…
The Norwegians are hosting Trident Juncture 2018 which is a major NATO exercise and at the same time training for the Norwegians to support the total defense concept which they are reinvigorating in the “new normal” European security situation. A recent article on the Norwegian Ministry of Defence website highlighted…
By Robbin Laird During my May 2018 visit to MCAS Yuma, I had a chance to sit down with the Commanding Officer of the Air Station who has significant electronic warfare experience and was part of the standup of the SPMAGTF-CR-AF. The naming convention was changed multiple times. The original…
By Robbin Laird During visits to the United Kingdom, I have had a chance to see and visit with RAF the operators of the quick reaction air capability in the United Kingdom. A key point is that to have two aircraft ready to fly on a moment’s notice, or within…
The Arrow Exercises are led by the Finnish Army and are part of training of Finnish forces based in large part on their mobilization capabilities. For example, the Finnish Army provided this comment with regard to Arrow 17: Arrow 17 is the final manoeuvre for many conscripts. There are also…
By Robbin Laird Trident Juncture 2018 will be a major NATO exercise. As the head of the Transformation Command in NATO, General Mercier, put it last year: “NATO needs to hold exercises on a large scale. “Only this way are we able to test all the levels in the alliance:…
The Marines are regular visitors to Norway and have prepositioned equipment in country. As the Marines fly F-35Bs in the region and as the Norwegians continue to stand up their F-35 force, collaboration in this area will be accelerated as well. Working a diversity of basing options within a crisis…
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson and Chief of the French navy Adm. Christophe Prazuck use the ship’s loudspeaker system (1MC) to address U.S. and French sailors embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77). The ship is seen in the Atlantic Ocean conducting carrier…
