2017-04-06 By Robbin Laird During my visit to the United Kingdom in March 2017, I had a chance to visit RAF Lossiemouth, RAF Marham and RAF Lakenheath. Here the UK is leading the way in shaping a new infrastructure for a 21st century air combat force and with its operational footprint…
2017-04-04 The RAAF participated in Red Flag 17-1 with the USAF and the RAF. During that exercise, the critical change element was the introduction of the F-35 and its impact on reshaping the air combat space. As one RAF participant put it: “The impact of the F-35 is so immediate that…
2017-03-19 By Todd Miller Todd Miller of the Second Line of Defense joined the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) for live fire Realistic Urban Training (RUT). The RUT is one mission set of thirteen that must be mastered prior to deployment. The 15th MEUs workups require about 6 months of…
2017-03-29 By Robbin Laird President Trump has come to office at a strategic turning point for US forces. The forces face significant readiness shortfalls which will take time and money to repair but the key question will be readiness to do what? The President can shape a flexible 21st century…
2017-03-22 By Flight Lt. Nathan Shawyer The tranquil Saturday afternoon of 17th September 2005 was transformed in seconds. Aged 14 at my local airshow, Yeovilton, I was introduced to the Tornado GR4 up close for the first time. Stood alongside my Dad, I watched in awe as the two RB199s…
2017-03-28 Typhoons from RAF Coningsby will deploy in the defense of Romania and to operate in NATO’s Southern Policing Mission in May. According to an article published on the UK Ministry of Defence website on March 27, 2016: RAF Typhoon fast jets will deploy to Romania from May for the UK's…
2017-03-17 By Robbin Laird When I interviewed then PACAF Commander, General "Hawk" Carlisle during a visit to Hawaii on my way to Australia, we discussed how the coming of the F-35 would affect US and allied capabilities and approaches. He hammered home the point that it would open a new phase…
2017-03-18 By Lt. General (Retired) David Deptula Our military situation today is stark. The United States faces a burgeoning number, and a greater spectrum of threats around the globe. At the same time we have declining resources allocated to meeting these threats. To successfully confront this dynamic array of dangers,…
