Formed on 15 July 1943, at RAAF Base Laverton, Victoria, No. 37 Squadron has provided medium tactical airlift for the Australian Defence Force across the globe. Since 1966, the Squadron has operated from RAAF Base Richmond, New South Wales, predominantly flying different models of the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. No.…
By Robbin Laird Maintainability is a key aspect to ensure aircraft availability to support combat operations. The readiness crisis of the past few years has also included the challenge of upgrading maintenance support efforts as well. The strategic shift from counter-insurgency to preparing for force-on-force conflict and a more rapid…
By Robbin Laird The UK MoD, the RAF and its industrial partners have been at the cutting edge in finding a path to enhanced combat aircraft availability through the evolution of its approach to performance based logistics. It has been and is a journey, one which started with parts support,…
By Robbin Laird The strategic shift is a crucial one for the liberal democracies. That strategic shift is from a primary focus on counter insurgency and stability operations to operating in a contested environment with high tempo and high intensity combat systems as a primary tool set. It is about…
By Robbin Laird In past visits to the UK and to Spain, I have spent time with Eurofighter squadrons and have focused on the upgrade path for the aircraft. I have talked with various fighting forces about Typhoon operating in various allied operations as well to get a sense of…
A key element of building 21st century air systems is building in sustainability as part of the design. 21st century air systems are digital systems, built around software upgradeability. The digital capabilities of the aircraft are a key part of building out a more sustainable combat system. The CH-53K was…
By Robbin Laird During my visit with Murielle Delaporte to RAAF Base Richmond we had a chance to discuss with the new Air Mobility Group (AMG) Commander his perspectives on the way ahead. We focused primarily upon the KC-30A as well as the introduction of the new C-27J into the…
By Robbin Laird During our latest visit to Australia, we had a chance to talk with the Commander of the RAAF’s Combat Support Group, Air Commodore Ken Robinson at his office at RAAF Amberley. With a country of the size of the United States but only about 25 million people…
