In a recent story by Megan Eckstein published by USNI News on February 20, 2019, the author reports on a panel held at the recent Navy exposition in Washington DC. For the aviation community, the pace of inserting more lethality into the fighter force is already predetermined: the F/A-18 Hornets are…
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev After more than two weeks launching F-35A sorties at Red Flag 19-1 here, maintainers with the 388th Fighter Wing are impressed with the jet and the young airmen who help maintain it. The 4th Fighter Squadron and 4th Aircraft maintenance unit brought 12 jets and…
By Robbin Laird Recently, I visited New River to talk with the team doing the Log Demo in support of the CH-53K. A decade ago I visited the Osprey maintainers standing up the Osprey at New River as well. I have republished a number of those interviews from a decade…
By Lieutenant Lise Moricet (French Air Force) TUESDAY 8 JANUARY 2019- DJIBOUTI Three Rafale from the Saint-Dizier based fighter squadron 1/4 “Gascogne,” as well as one C-135 from Istres Air Base 125 participated in a long range projection exercise, called “Marathon-Monfreid.” Eight hours of in-flight time and four air-to-air refuelings were…
By Robbin Laird One can be forgiven if in looking at Macron’s France you focus on his emphasis on Europe and the prioritization of the next phase of European integration. Yet at the same time, one is witnessing within France the very forces, which are undermining the capability to do…
By Pierre Tran Paris French Armed Forces minister Florence Parly announced Jan. 14 the award of a €1.9 billion ($2.2 billion) development contract to upgrade the Rafale fighter jet to an F4 standard, while evoking national sovereignty, operational capability and exports as key factors. That budget was agreed after close…
Social media, tweeting, and various other coms tools are largely being used either to shape and reinforce self-defined communities or to provide the means to attack “them” while we define “us.” John Stuart Mill would not thrive in this environment. He who knows only his own side of the case,…
By Robbin Laird Having just returned from my latest trip to Germany to discuss the significant challenge facing Germany in shaping a credible force to provide for its direct defense and to contribute effectively to NATO’s overall collective defense, it is clear that for the near to mid term the…
