Shaping a Way Ahead for 2nd Fleet (C2F): The Perspective of Its Vice Commander

03/19/2021
During our visit to C2F in March 2021, we had an opportunity to discuss the standup of the command in 2018 and its evolution since then. One clearly important fact cannot be missed when visiting VADM Lewis, the CO of C2F. In his frugal office space, one finds his office…

BABELFISH 7: The RAF Rapid Capabilities Office in Action

03/19/2021
In a Royal Air Force article focused on the RAF Rapid Capabilities office, the way ahead for the office and the RAF was highlighted. Under the banner of BABELFISH 7, the RAF’s Rapid Capabilities Office has demonstrated new technologies which offer a step-change in near real time, secure, information distribution.…

C2 for a Distributed Maritime Force: A Key Building Block for 21st Century Defense

03/17/2021
By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake It is clear that C2 is a key element for shaping the way ahead for maritime operations. The U.S. Navy highlights the importance of distributed maritime operations as it reworks its way ahead with regard to 21st century deterrence and warfighting. As Navy Vice…

Re-Crafting North Atlantic Defense: The Impact of the 2nd Fleet and Joint Force Command Norfolk

03/15/2021
By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake A recent article in the London Times highlighted the new role of the Royal Navy in the Arctic. “The Royal Navy will have a regular presence in the Arctic Circle to counter the Russian strategic advantage over trade routes that will open as the…

USAF Combines Orange Flag With Black Flag: Working Kill Web Integration

03/13/2021
According to a recent USAF article, the USAF has recently combined two exercises -- Orange Flag and Black Flag in order to accelerate change in operating in contested airspace. EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) By 2nd Lt. Christine Saunders, Air Force Test Center Public Affairs and 1st Lt. Savanah…

C2, the Kill Web and Concepts of Operations

03/10/2021
By Robbin Laird In my recent book, Training for the High-End Fight: The Strategic Shift of the 2020s, a major element of the shift focused upon was how command changes with the crafting of a distributed but integrated force. The book started by quoting Rear Admiral Manazir, then head of…

Evolving Maritime Unmanned Surface Vehicle Capabilities: The Importance of Exercises and Real-World Tasking

03/08/2021
By Robbin Laird The pathway for the U.S. Navy to integrate unmanned surface vessels into its fleet operations is for these vehicles to be able to effectively and efficiently support real-world tasks that fit into maritime concepts of operations, rather than being disruptive technology to mission operations and undercutting combat…