05/06/2016: The highest priority skillset for the Afghan Air Force A-29 Super Tucano pilots is the effective execution of close air support (CAS). Pilots are trained to employ rockets, precision-guided bombs, general purpose bombs, and strafe. The A-29 can employ a variety of weapons to do this mission: .50 cal…
05/03/2016: An F-35 Lightning II from the 61st Fighter Squadron lines up into an attack route in preparation to drop a GBU-12 500-pound laser-guided bomb, April 25, 2016, at the Barry M. Goldwater Range in Gila Bend, Ariz. Three F-35s successfully delivered six inert GBU-12s during the practice bombing, making the 61st FS the…
2016-04-19 On March 17, 2016, the Williams Foundation held its latest seminar on fifth generation enabled combat operations, this one focused on new approaches to air-land integration. The terms of reference for the seminar highlighted the way ahead. “Air forces need to be capable of delivering air and space power…
2016-05-02 We earlier posted some photos of Australians working in Australia to support its mission in Anarctica. Now according to a report from the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the Japanese have come to help the Aussies when their own icebreaker well "broke down." Since the Australian icebreaker Aurora Australis grounded…
2016-05-02 Recently, Australia announced a decision to acquire a new submarine to replace the Collins class. The submarine is to be based on a French design and involve the stand up of production from the outset in Australia. The French naval shipbuilder DCNS will be a key player in the…
05/02/2016: It is not difficult to see how air intercepts in the Northern European region could escalate. Nato is working hard to shape an effective air intercept template. A number of fighter jets from NATO and NATO partner nations have been training together at an airbase in Estonia. Among the…
2016-05-01 The last of the Tornado squadrons is found at RAF Lossiemouth. During a visit to Lossie in April 2016, the Squadron Commander of XV(R) Squadron as well as members of the squadron were interviewed about the transition role and the legacy of Tornado. The operational experience of Tornado as…
2016-04-30 Army units operate periodically at RAF Lossiemouth to provide for their specialized capabilities to the joint force. In the slideshow below, the first few photos show an Army assault unit taking an airfield as part of the Joint Warrior 2016 exercise. The British Army’s rapid reaction force has demonstrated…
