2014-07-12 While the press focuses on the F-35B landing vertically (amazing press out there!), Lt. Col. "OD" Bachman and the squadron is moving from Eglin to MCAS Beaufort where the F-35B partners will train as well in the future. Italians, British and other nations who acquire the B will come…
2014/7/03 The F-35 is both cause and consequence of change in US and allied air power. The first Second Line of Defense publication, which addressed this, was called The Renorming of Air Power and the title was crafted to capture the interactivity between the new aircraft and new concepts of…
2014-06-29 By Robbin Laird Recently, I have had the chance to visit the USS America, interview with Ed Timperlake the head of the Military Sealift Command and to spend several days with Second Marine Air Wing, including watching the change of command for VMX-22. We will have several pieces coming…
2014-07-02 Two F-35B aircraft flew in close formation for the first time in short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) mode, also known as Mode 4, on Feb. 11, 2014, at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station. Recently, we talked to instructors at MAWTS about their work with the F-35 at Yuma Air…
2014-07-01 Two F-35B aircraft flew in close formation for the first time in short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) mode, also known as Mode 4, on Feb. 11, 2014, at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station. Recently, we talked to instructors at MAWTS about their work with the F-35 at Yuma Air…
2014-06-20 On June 12, 2014, Second Line of Defense visited the USS America at the Ingalls Huntington shipyard in Pascagoula Mississippi. The ship is to leave mid July for its initial homeport of San Diego and will travel around South America and visit along the way. In addition to VIP…
2014-06-2 In a recent interview with the well-known China expert and Forbes columnist, Gordon Chang, Rear Admiral Manazir, the head of naval warfare, highlighted the importance of global partnerships to meet the challenges the military and security challenges facing the US in the 21st century. As Chang put the basic…
06/23/2014 by Robbin Laird When the F-35B goes to England this summer and makes appearances at two air shows, the focus will be upon the plane and its first appearance at a major air show. But in reality, the focus needs to be on the arrival of the first operational…