Marines with 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, arrive at one of their launch positions with the High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System at the Air Combat Element landing strip as a part of Integrated Training Exercise 3-18 aboard the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., May…
By Robbin Laird During my latest visit to MAWTS-1, I had a chance to focus upon recent developments generated by the latest WTI course. Last year, I had a chance to talk with Col Wellons and LtCol Ryan Schiller, the Aviation Development, Tactics and Evaluation Department Head, about work on…
By Robbin Laird During my visit to MCAS Yuma in early May 2018, I had a chance to talk with several components of MAWTS-1. We recently published the interview with the MAWTS-1 Commanding Officer prior for his departure to his next assignment. Colonel Wellons highlighted the importance of readiness for…
By Robbin Laird The strategic shift is a crucial one for the liberal democracies. That strategic shift is from a primary focus on counter insurgency and stability operations to operating in a contested environment with high tempo and high intensity combat systems as a primary tool set. It is about managing conflict…
In a story written by Lance Cpl. Ashley McLaughlin and published on March 28, 2018, the role of a new variant of a a precision weapon. U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One built 2.75-inch rockets configured with Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II during ordnance building training.…
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…
