03/18/2017: In this Pacific Update, leaders gathered at Joint Base Pearl harbor-Hickam for the F-35B Lightning II Symposium with an interview of Brig. Gen. Craig Wills, Director of Strategic Plans, Requirements and Programs, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Video by Staff Sgt. Mariko Frazee: 3/17/2017 American Forces Network…
2017-03-18 The Australian KC-30A was joined with the RAF's A400M during its global reach into the Pacific during the Avalon Air Show in Australia. The Aussie tanker represents the most mature advanced tanker in the world, while the A400M flown by the RAF has become a solid member of the…
2017-03-18 By David Jimenez When I was working in the semiconductor industry in 1984, the U.S. labor force was approximately 250,000 direct employees. In 2017, the labor force is roughly the same size. Yet, we know that the volume of silicon wafers consumed, the base material used in almost all computer…
2017-03-15 The US Navy leadership has articulated what they see as a key way ahead to build a 21st century integrated force and have introduced the concepts of kill web and distributed lethality to get at the concept. The key is to buy the right platforms, and to build an…
2017-03-17 By Todd Miller Recently Todd Miller of the Second Line of Defense joined the 15th MEU for one of their mission work-ups, specifically “Realistic Urban Training” (RUT). Part II of this series will focus entirely on the RUT. Covert missions by U.S. Navy SEALs or U.S. Army Delta Force…
2017-03-15 According to an MBDA press release dated March 15, 2017, the F-35 successfully conducted its first firings of MBDA’s ASRAAM. The F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet has successfully conducted its first firing trials of the MBDA Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM). The trials are the first time a…
03/15/2017: Exercise OCEAN EXPLORER 17 (OE17) is a major Fleet training activity led by the Royal Australian Navy, Exercise Ocean Explorer and jointly-enabled by the Royal Australian Air Force and other nations’ forces. The maritime exercise is one of the largest iterations of the exercise held in the West Australian Exercise…
03/15/2017: Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit Maritime Raid Force conduct an air insertion reconnaissance during Realistic Urban Terrain training at Twentynine Palms, March 6, 2017. RUT is a land-based exercise that provides an opportunity to integrate unique skills and develop the MEU’s collective proficiency in challenging and unfamiliar environments.…