2016-11-11 By Robbin Laird During a visit to RAF Lossiemouth in June 2016, I had to discuss with an experienced Typhoon pilot now in 1 (F) Squadron, the evolution of Typhoon and its performance in recent Middle Eastern operations. This pilot’s background was initially with the Army and then he became a…
2016-11-10 By Robbin Laird During my visit to RAF Lossiemouth in April 2016, I had the chance to talk with OC II(AC) Sqn, the commander of one of world’s oldest and most famous squadrons. He was the squadron commander who led the transition from RAF Marham to Lossie in 2014.…
2016-11-10 By Richard Weitz Pessimism about Europe’s global power potential was pervasive at the Valdai Conference. Many speakers, from Russia and elsewhere, saw the Continent in current crisis and generation-long decay. In particular, they cited deep dissatisfaction with the bureaucratic, technocratic, and formalistic nature of the institution and its disrespect…
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…
2016-11-09 With the election of President Trump, a key question is how he will pursue national security and how he will shape American defense capabilities in the period ahead. He has clearly indicated that he does not want to send the US military on ill defined operations with questionable strategic purpose; he…
2016-11-09 By Robbin Laird In an historic election, the American people of chosen Donald Trump as there President. To say that there is shock in the media and among the Inside the Beltway folks would be to put it mildly. I remember walking into the Pentagon after Reagan became President…
2016-11-08 By Robbin Laird In April and June 2016, I had a chance to visit RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland and to talk with the base commander, and several officers involved with the combat operations and logistical support for the aircraft operating from the base. As such, the interviews provide a slice…
2016-11-07 By Richard Weitz At this writing, a Russian naval battle group is assembling in the East Mediterranean off Syria’s coast. It includes Russia’s only aircraft carrier, the Admiral Kuznetsov, which is now making its first combat mission following years of repair and modernization. The small carrier carries four Su-33…
