The CH-53K and USMC Transformation: Preparing for Entry into Service

04/05/2023
By Robbin Laird Recently I visited NAVAIR at Pax River Naval Air Station and met with the H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters Program Manager (PMA-261), Colonel Kate Fleeger, U.S. Marine Corps. This officer has a very distinguished and interesting background, which intersects well with the coming of the CH-53K to the…

Distributed Operations and Logistics in the Pacific: How to Shape a Way Ahead for the Fleet

02/23/2023
Recently, the PACFLEET Commander, Admiral Paparo, provided the keynote address at the WEST 2023 conference held in San Diego from February 14 through 16 2023. That presentation provides his perspective on joint and partner operations in the Pacific and how they are working together to address deterrence in defense. The…

Fleet Readiness Center East Prepares to Maintain the Powerful Engine of the Marine’s CH-53K

12/10/2022
In an article published by NAVAIR on December 6, 2022, the arrival of the powerful engine for the CH-53K and its first disassembly at Cherry Point, North Carolina was highlighted. Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) recently opened a new chapter in the depot’s engine program with its first disassembly of…

Enhancing Capability for Fleet Logistical Support for Contested Operations

11/18/2022
By Robbin Laird In a period of global competition and conflict, the liberal democracies need to accelerate their capabilities to defend themselves and to find ways to enhance their deterrent capabilities not just for the long haul but in the short to mid-term. My recent visit to Australia, where I met…

Building an Arsenal of Democracy in the 21st Century: The Perspective Penten’s CEO Matthew Wilson

11/15/2022
By Robbin Laird During my September trip to Australia, I had a chance to sit down with the CEO of Penten, Matthew Wilson, along with my colleague John Blackburn, to discuss the role of Australia defence industry in direct defence of Australia. According to their website: “Penten is an Australian…

Australia and South Korean on Air Refueling

11/06/2022
In a November 2, 2022 articled by the Australian Department of Defence, the cooperation between the A330MRTT air forces was highlighted. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) have signed an arrangement formalising their cooperation in air-to-air refuelling. Air Vice-Marshal Darren Goldie, AM,…

Ramping Up U.S. Navy Combat Capabilities: The Case of the CMV-22B

10/11/2022
With a war raging in Ukraine and the threat of conflict over Taiwan, a shift from a peacetime mindset for the U.S. military and the defense ecosystem of the United States is crucial. I have just returned from Australia, where the government has launched a strategic review built around the…

Shaping a Way Ahead for the ADF’s Logistics Enterprise with the Return on the Priority for the Direct Defense of Australia.

09/27/2022
By Robbin Laird The ADF faces a double challenge. First, there is the transition from the away game land wars to preparing forces for higher intensity operations against global authoritarian powers. I have written several books which address how challenging this shift is for a whole generation of warriors and…