By Robbin Laird During my visit to MCAS Yuma in early May 2018, I had a chance to talk with several components of MAWTS-1. We recently published the interview with the MAWTS-1 Commanding Officer prior for his departure to his next assignment. Colonel Wellons highlighted the importance of readiness for…
Marines from the ordnance section of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, load inert explosives into an F-35B Lightning II as part of a regularly scheduled aircraft training relocation at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 15, 2018. ATR’s are designed to increase operational…
RAAF personnel at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, reach a flying milestone as the Australian F-35As complete their first 1000 sorties. The RAAF F-35A team are working together with the 56th Fighter Wing USAF and Lockheed Martin to develop Australia’s initial F-35A capability. Royal Australian Air Force pilots and maintenance…
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…
The arrival of the first F-35s from the United States to Britain on June 6, 2018 to their operating base at RAF Marham required a change in the sign entering RAF Marham as can be seen in the featured photo. The entire effort to rebuild Marham to support the UK…
Defense Secretary James N. Mattis met with several Indo-Pacific leaders on the sidelines of the 2018 International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore June 1. According to a June 2, 2018 article published on the Department of Defense website: During Mattis’ meeting with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien…
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…
In a story written by Lance Cpl. Ashley McLaughlin and published on March 28, 2018, the role of a new variant of a a precision weapon. U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One built 2.75-inch rockets configured with Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II during ordnance…
