2016-11-16 By Robbin Laird When one looks at the end of an era, in this case the sun setting on the Tornado in the RAF, one can look backwards or forwards. Looking backwards, there is the legacy and history of the squadrons and of a core-fighting platform in the history…
2016-11-16 By Richard Weitz Although the Valdai Conference’s major panels focused on globalization and its discontents, in the closed sessions the Russian officials mainly addressed Russia’s political and economic situation. They were generally optimistic about the country’s political stability, but were divided over its whether Russia could overcome its major…
2016-11-16 According to a story published October 26, 2016 by the UK Ministry of Defence, the UK is stepping up its support for allies in Europe in the face of a more assertive Russia. The Defence Secretary said that the UK will commit RAF Typhoon aircraft to the NATO Southern Air…
2016-11-15 By Robbin Laird During my visit to RAF Lossiemouth in late April 2016, I had a chance to meet with the Officer Commanding and members of the Tornado Operational Conversion Unit, XV(R) Squadron. When one looks at the end of an era, in this case the sun setting on…
2016-11-12 By Kenneth Maxwell One thing is certain: none of the pundits predicted the victory of Donald Trump. As one stunned commentator said when Trump passed the 270 barrier of electoral college votes, guaranteeing his victory during the early morning of November 9th: They were all "spectacularly wrong." So was Hilary Clinton and her supporters. They thought, even as…
2016-11-14 By Robbin Laird During a June 2016 visit to RAF Lossiemouth, I had a chance to discuss the GSS or Ground Support System approach for the Typhoon with an RAF officer involved with GSS. This digital system is a key part of both maintaining the Typhoon and enhancing its…
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…
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