The F-35 in the Way Ahead for USMC-US Navy Integration

09/29/2020
By Robbin Laird During my visit to MAWTS-1 and to NAWDC, one clear instrument of their enhanced integration in the contested battlespace was rather obvious: The F-35 and its evolution as a global enterprise. With the F-35 coming to the large deck carrier, the strike syllabus has changed. With the…

Shaping Combat Architecture for Blue Water Expeditionary Operations

09/27/2020
By Robbin Laird As the USMC focuses on how it can best help the US Navy in the maritime fight, two key questions can be posed: "How is the Marine Corps going to contribute most effectively to the Pacific mission in terms of Sea Control and Sea Denial? “And how…

Surface Warfare Officers and Training for the High-End Fight

09/26/2020
By Robbin Laird I have argued that the shift from the land wars to the new strategic environment is best described as the shift to full spectrum crisis management. The return to great power competition and to an ability to dominate the high-end fight is the usual description of the…

The Ground Combat Element in the Pacific Reset

09/24/2020
By Robbin Laird As the USMC works its relationship with the US Navy, a core focus is upon how the Marine Corps can provide for enhanced sea control and sea denial. A means to this end is an ability to move combat pieces on the chessboard of the extended battlespace.…

Visiting MAWTS-1, September 2020: A Discussion with Col. Gillette About Shaping a Way Ahead

09/22/2020
By Robbin Laird Prior to my visit in early September 2020, I conducted a series of teleconferences with MAWTS-1 officers in the late Spring and early Summer. The focus of those discussions was upon mobile and expeditionary basing and how the training for this key capability was being shaped going…

Northern Lighting Exercise, 2020

09/21/2020
According to an article by Captain Joe Travato published on August 9, 2020 in the Wisconsin Rapids City Times: Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center is hosting approximately 50 aircraft and nearly 1,000 personnel from the National Guard, Air Force, Army, and Navy as part of the annual Northern Lightning…

Working New Approaches to Support Naval Expeditionary Force Insertion

09/16/2020
In a September 4, 2020 USAF article by Lt. Michael Hardy, Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs, a recent combined exercise in the Indo-Pacific region was highlighted. It was an exercise which focused on a small naval expeditionary force’s ability to rapidly deploy, integrate with allies, coordinate airstrikes and call for close…

Valiant Shield 2020

09/15/2020
According to a story published by Anderson Air Force base, Guam on September 11, 2020, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command forces are participating in exercise Valiant Shield (VS), Sept. 14-25, on Guam and around the Mariana Islands Range Complex. Participants include USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), USS America (LHA 6), USS New…