2017-04-26 By Robbin Laird Shifting from a primary focus on the counterinsurgency focused land wars of the last 15 years to shaping a high intensity combat force, which can prevail against peer competitors, is a significant challenge for the United States and its closest allies. A key dynamic within this…
2017-04-24 By Robbin Laird During my latest visit to Australia, I had a chance to visit South Australia and RAAF Edinburgh, which is near Adelaide. At Adelaide, the Australian Navy will be building its new submarines and at RAAF Edinburgh the Aussies are standing up the other key element of…
04/28/2017: This video contains footage of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 conducting ordnance reload training on the F-35B’s with the engine running for the first time ever on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. U.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 152 conducted aviation delivered ground refueling with Marine Fighter…
2017-04-25 By Robbin Laird The discussion of something like integrated force design can seem to be abstract and metaphysical and more of a seminar topic than an actual strategic effort by the ADF. But it is not. It is about ensuring that your warfighters are more lethal and survivable. One…
2017-04-21 By Robbin Laird During my recent visit to Australia, I had a chance to talk with Wing Commander Steven Bradley, Deputy Director Air Combat Transition Office, which is located in Canberra at Brindabella Park close to the airport. Last year, I visited Williamtown where the initial facilities for the…
2017-04-19 By Robbin Laird During my visit to Australia in April 2017, I had a chance to meet and talk again with Air Marshal Leo Davies, Chief of Staff of the Royal Australian Air Force. During the Avalon Air Show, the RAAF released its long-term strategy document, Air Force Strategy:…
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.…
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…
