2017-04-10 By Robbin Laird During my visit to Amberley Airbase on April 3, 2017, I had a chance to discuss the work of the Air Warfare Center and of new training programs in the Air Combat Group to shape a more effective fighting force. I have talked with Air Commodore…
2017-04-07 By Robbin Laird During my visit to Amberley Airbase in Australia, I had a chance to talk with the 82nd Wing Commander, Group Captain Braz on April 3, 2017. The Wing had been reorganized to include both Super Hornets and Growlers as the RAAF prepares for the fifth generation…
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…
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…
2017-03-29 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…
2017-03-19 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…
2017-03-22 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…
