Estonia and Defense: The Challenge of Dealing with the Russians

12/04/2017
2017-11-24 The Baltic republics are the flash point for European defense. If there is a wider war in Europe, it is very likely that the Baltic republics are the flash point. This perception has certainly driven changes in Nordic and North Atlantic defense. In a recent interview, Rear Admiral Nils…

An Update on C-130J

12/04/2017
2017-12-04 The C-130J is clearly a very flexible combat asset. The Marines have expanded the envelope of their KC-130J as they have added Harvest Hawk several years ago and are adding communication and ISR integration capabilities which allow the aircraft to be a key element in the evolving digital interoperability…

F-35B Lightning II Onboard the USS Essex

12/03/2017
12/03/2017: U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II pilots assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, participate in carrier qualifications aboard the USS Essex (LHD-2) during Exercise Dawn Blitz, Oct. 22, 2017. Dawn Blitz is a scenario-driven amphibious exercise conducted between Expeditionary Strike…

F-35B Lightning II Carrier Qualifications

12/01/2017
12/01/2017: U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II pilots assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, Marine Aircraft Group 13, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, participate in carrier qualifications aboard the USS Essex (LHD-2) during Exercise Dawn Blitz, Oct. 22, 2017. Dawn Blitz is a scenario-driven amphibious exercise conducted between Expeditionary Strike…

An Overview on WTI 1-18

11/28/2017
2017-11-28 An end of course video featuring the highlights of Weapons and Tactics Instructor course (WTI) 1-18 in Yuma, Ariz., Oct 23, 2017. WTI is a seven week training event, hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) cadre, which emphasizes operational integration of the six functions of Marine…

The Danes, The Russians and Shaping a Deterrent Strategy

11/28/2017
2017-11-17 By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake Denmark is a small country, but an important player in the NATO Alliance and part of the reworking of Nordic defense with Norway, Sweden and Finland to deal with resurgent Russia. Notably, in mid-October 2017, the Danish government released its proposed new six-year…