Royal Australian Air Force Base Williamtown welcomed the arrival of seven new F-35A Lightning II aircraft to Australia’s fleet on 11 December 2019. The seven new F-35A Lightning II aircraft have brought the Australian fleet numbers to 13 aircraft. The aircraft travelled from Luke AFB via Hickham/Anderson Air Force Bases…
It’s clear that combat capabilities and operations are being recrafted across the globe and, as operational contexts change, the evolution of the role of fighters is at the center of that shift. The 2018 International Fighter Conference held in Berlin provided a chance to focus on the role of fighters…
In an article published by the Finnish Ministry of Defence on December 5, 2019, the engagement of Finland in the NATO Cyber Coalition 2019 Exercise was highlighted. Finland participated as a partner country in NATO’s Cyber Coalition 2019 exercise. Held in Tartu on 2 to 6 December, the exercise is…
By Robbin Laird One way to remember December 7, 1941 is to go back to the actual day and recall the events. December 7, 1941 dawned an ordinary Sunday for now-retired Lt. James “Jim” Downing and hearing his recount of the day is a very important way to remember the…
By Robbin Laird The F-35 is termed a fifth-generation platform, but is better understood as a first generation flying combat system. Or a next generation capability or foundation for building a C2/ISR infrastructure for the integrated distributed force. Because the F-35 is being stood up worldwide with both the U.S.…
Given that the USAF is having to relearn mobile basing and are flying the same aircraft as the USMC (although the the USAF for now is not following the recommendation of an earlier COS of the USAF that they acquire F-35Bs), it is not surprising to find USAF pilots onboard…
By Robbin Laird The Italians have had a number of firsts with regard to the F-35 global enterprise. As I wrote in 2015: At the beginning of the 20th Century, Italy was a pioneer in combat aviation. Although different at the beginning of the 21st century, Italy has again emerged…
Blue Flag Exercise 2019 was conducted in Israel and the Israeli F-35s were involved for the first time in a Blue Flag exercise. ISRAEL 11.13.2019 Video by Airman 1st Class Alex Miller 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
