The RAAF recently announced their continuation of the cross-servicing agreement between USAF C-17s and Aussies C-17s. According to a recent article published by the RAAF: The United States and Australia have agreed to a cross-servicing arrangement for the repair and maintenance of C-17A Globemasters. The establishment of an Aircraft Repair…

By Robbin Laird Recently, the Williams Foundation held a seminar, which addressed the core question: how sustainable was the Australian Defence Force if it faced a major regional crisis? The challenge is rooted in part that the forces of the liberal democracies, which have participated in the Middle Eastern land…

Although the Osprey has become a globally deployed aircraft, the supply chain has not. This is crucial as we move forward into an era of regionally specific crises involving peer competitors. It will not just a race to get that Fed Ex delivery from the US through foreign customs, it…

By Robbin Laird I have had the opportunity to follow the standup of the Osprey from the outset of its first deployments. Clearly, one highlight of shaping that narrative was the first time it was used in combat in Afghanistan. That interview was done by phone with Lt Col. Bianca,…

During my recent visit to Australia, a major focus of attention was upon the challenge facing the Australian Defence Force to sustain that force through a crisis period if a peer competitor was involved. And one of the speakers highlighted the significant challenge of moving beyond the Middle Eastern mindset…

By Robbin Laird During a recent visit to New River Marine Corps Air Station, I had a chance to meet with the CO of MAG-26, Colonel Boniface and members of his team. I first met him at the standup of the Osprey and viewed its first impacts on Marine Corps…