The Challenge of Shaping Future Capabilities Informing the Evolving Force: The Perspective of Air Commodore Chipman

04/24/2017
2017-04-20 By Robbin Laird I first met Air Commodore Chipman when he was leading the initial Plan Jericho movement. He now has become Director General of Capability Planning in the RAAF and is now faced with the challenge of infusing the forward thinking represented by Plan Jericho into actual capabilities.…

The 15th MEU & America ARG Take Next Steps in Deployment Preparation

04/22/2017
2017-04-17 By Todd Miller On board the U.S.S. San Diego all briefings are complete and mission execution is all that remains. Marines of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) gather their steroid induced rucks and pack into the tight confines of the Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV). 3 crew, weapons, support…

The Challenge of Designing an Integrated 21st Century Combat Force: Air Vice-Marshal John Blackburn (Retired) Looks at the Way Ahead

04/21/2017
2017-04-19 By Robbin Laird On April 11, 2017, the Williams Foundation held its latest seminar examining the emergence of a fifth generation force in Australia. This seminar was different in that the impact of the new platforms on air, sea and land transformation was already discussed in detail in earlier…

Preparing for the Operation of the Lightning Force: Infrastructure, Operations and the Way Ahead at RAF Marham

04/20/2017
2017-04-13 By Robbin Laird During my visit to the United Kingdom in March 2017, I had a chance to visit RAF Marham. My host for the visit was Captain Nick Walker of the Royal Navy and we had the opportunity to view the various buildings in progress on the base…

An Update on the Australian Wedgetail and Its Evolution: A Discussion with Group Captain Stuart Bellingham

04/07/2017
2017-04-07 By Robbin Laird During my visit to Australia in April 2017, I had a chance to continue my discussions with Group Captain Stuart Bellingham, Officer Commanding Number 42 Wing, about the Wedgetail and its continuing evolution. The Wedgetail has demonstrated in the Middle East and in high end warfare…