Dealing with Russian Challenges in Northern Europe and the North Atlantic: A New Special Report

11/01/2017
2017-10-20 By Robbin Laird The Nordics are responding to what they see as a new situation in their region. The Arctic opening expands the range significantly of the challenge in what might be called the Nordic Security Zone (NSZNS) and the use of military power in Europe and beyond by…

ATK and Building Composite Parts for the F-35

10/28/2017
2017-10-28 Earlier this Fall, it was announced by Northrop Grumman that they intended to acquire Orbital ATK. It was noted at the time by Doug Cameron writing in the Wall Street Journal that: Northrop’s proposed $7.8 billion acquisition of Orbital, announced Monday, would help Northrop to produce and launch large and…

VMFA 211 Distributed STOVL Ops with F-35Bs

10/26/2017
10/26/2017: U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 conduct a hot load exercise in support of Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (WTI) 2-17 at Yuma Proving Grounds, Ariz., April 13, 2017. [maxgallery id="101800"] Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) conducted the first independent Distributed STOVL Operation (DSO)…

F-35B Hot Loading

10/26/2017
10/26/2017: In a story published by the USMC on September 21, 2017, a recent F-35B hot loading exercise during the WTI course was discussed and highlighted. By Pfc. Ethan Pumphret MARINE CORPS AIR STATION YUMA, Ariz. – Hot-loading is when an aircraft lands and has ordnance loaded while the engine is still…

F-35B Operating from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni (2)

10/24/2017
10/24/2017: F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 depart Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 20, 2017. MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JAPAN 10.20.2017 Video by Staff Sgt. William Faffler Marine Corps Air Station Iwakun  

F-35B Operating from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni

10/23/2017
10/23/2017: F-35B Lightning II aircraft with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121 depart Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 20, 2017. MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, JAPAN 10.20.2017 Video by Staff Sgt. William Faffler Marine Corps Air Station Iwakun

F-35 Eielson Debut

10/22/2017
10/22/2017: The first F-35 has arrived at Eielson Air Force Base. A test team from Edwards Air Force Base has brought their "Work Horse" to the arctic to perform cold weather testing and showcase the aircraft to the local community. EIELSON AFB, AK, UNITED STATES 10.17.2017 Video by Senior Airman Joshua Weaver…

Cleared for Take-off from the Queen Elizabeth: F-35s Preparing to Join the RAF in Britain

10/21/2017
2017-10-21  According to a story published October 17, 2017 on the UK Ministry of Defence website, after completing ski-jump exercises at Pax River, the F-35B has been cleared for takeoff from the new HMS Queen Elizabeth. The UK’s cutting-edge F-35 fighter jet is now cleared for take-off from HMS Queen…