Japan and Deterrence in Depth: E-2D Hawkeyes Arrive at Iwakuni

02/03/2017
2017-02-03 With all the global discussion about Trump and allies, a key development seems to have been missed -- the reinforcement of the US-Japanese relationship and the arrival of new capabilities for the extended defense of Japan and of U.S. Pacific allies. First, the F-35Bs arrived at Iwakuni earlier this…

USS America Prepares for Deployment

01/30/2017
2017-01-30 The USMC is the only tiltrotar-enabled assault force in the world. The USS America has been built to facilitate this capability and will be augmented as the F-35B is added to the Ospreys, and helicopters already operating from the ship and as unmanned vehicles become a regular operational element…

The Chairman of the Jt Chiefs Welcomes the New Sec Def to the Pentagon: The Beginning of a New Approach

01/27/2017
2017-01-22 In an unprecedented situation, three senior positions are held by senior Marine Corps officers, one current and two former. President Donald J. Trump and newly appointed Secretary of Defense James Mattis watch as parade participants march past the White House reviewing stand during the 58th Presidential Inauguration Parade in…

RAF Lossiemouth and the P-8: Center of Coalition Maritime Domain Awareness Strike Capability

01/27/2017
2017-01-27 Last year, in a visit to Norway, the UK Minister of Defence signed an agreement with Norway in the wake of Norway’s decision to procure the P-8. As we have written elsewhere about the P-8, it is a 21st century maritime domain awareness strike capability. https://sldinfo.com/the-arrival-of-a-maritime-domain-awareness-strike-capability-the-impact-of-the-p-8triton-dyad/ According to a story…

USS H.W. Bush CVN 77 Prepares for Deployment

01/23/2017
2017-01-23  NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Nearly 6,000 Sailors attached to the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG) will depart Norfolk and Mayport, Florida, Jan. 21, for a regularly-scheduled deployment. Led by Commander, Carrier Strike Group 2, Rear Adm. Kenneth R. Whitesell, the GHWBCSG is comprised of the staff of…

The Crowsnest for the New UK Carriers

01/22/2017
2017-01-22 According to a Ministry of Defence story published on January 16, 2017, the UK is building a new helo based Crowsnest as part of the operational capability onboard their new class of carriers. The deal with Lockheed Martin will see the start of manufacturing on the new Crowsnest system.…

RAF Air Commodore Duguid Looks at the Future of the RAF: Shaping a Key Role for Typhoon

01/21/2017
2017-01-18 In the December 2016 issue of Eurofighter World, an interview with Air Commodore Ian Duguid at RAF Coningsby focused on the evolving role of the RAF's Typhoons within the evolving capability mix going forward. The RAF is evolving, changing to meet new demands. Tornado — for decades a lynchpin of…