Finnish President’s First Visit to NATO

11/14/2016
11/14/2016: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Finnish President Sauli Niinistö to NATO Headquarters for the first time on Wednesday (9 November 2016). The two leaders discussed the security situation in the Baltic region and how to deepen NATO’s close partnership with Finland. Credit Video: NATO Channel

An Update on the A400M: Refueling of One A400M by Another

11/14/2016
2016-11-14 According to a press release published on November 14, 2016, Airbus Defence and Space highlighted an important step forward for the program. The Airbus A400M new generation airlifter has further expanded its capabilities as a tanker by successfully demonstrating air-to-air refueling contacts with another A400M. In two flights conducted from…

Visiting Quick Reaction Alert North

11/13/2016
2016-11-13 By Robbin Laird When I was a kid, I remember the images of deterrence which were provided by strip alert bombers against the Soviet threat. Now we have images in the press of the strip alert Typhoons dealing with the air defence of the United Kingdom against a wider…

Operation SHADER as a Driver for Change in the RAF Typhoon Fleet: The Perspective of Wing Commander Peters, OC Engineering and Logistics Wing

11/12/2016
2016-11-12 By Robbin Laird During my visit to RAF Lossiemouth in April 2016, there was a chance to talk with the Officer Commanding Engineering and Logistics Wing at RAF Lossiemouth. Obviously, the operation of the Typhoon fleet is dependent upon the engineers and logisticians to forge an effective hub for…

The Evolution of a 21st Century Airbase in the United Kingdom: The Perspective of Group Captain Paul Godfrey, RAF Lossiemouth

11/10/2016
2016-11-10 By Robbin Laird RAF Lossiemouth currently is a Typhoon and Tornado base, but with the Tornados to be phased out within the next few years, the Typhoons will be joined by the P-8, which will probably operate as well from Lossie. This provides the opportunity to integrate the Typhoons with…