09/23/2015: Brisbane based soldiers from the Ready Combat Team have been bolstered by significant aviation support during Exercise Northern Shield. Hawk 127 jets and Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters (ARH) have been providing notional combat and close air support against a simulated enemy threat in Exmouth, Western Australia. During one exercise…
2015-09-22 By Robbin Laird During my visit to Australia in August 2015, I had a chance to talk with an experienced fighter pilot and squadron commander, and now commander of Air Combat Group about his time in Operation Okra and the way ahead for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).…
09/23/2015: The inaugural bilateral maritime exercise between India and Australia, AUSINDEX15, was held in Visakhapatnam, India between 12 - 20 Sep 2015. Three Royal Australian Navy platforms and a Royal Australian Air Force AP-3C made the passage to India for the exercise. HMA Ships Sirius and Arunta and submarine Sheean…
2015/09/15 By Robbin Laird During my recent visit to Australia, where the Royal Australian Air Force is shaping its path ahead with regard to transformation via what it calls Plan Jericho, its combat experience in the Middle East is providing an important input to the way ahead. As the new Chief…
2015-09-19 By Ed Timperlake and Robbin Laird Close air support in the context of the fight against ISIS is about providing support for those forces on the ground engaged in the fight against ISIS. A key force in the fight is the Peshmerga who clearly need supplies and air support…
09/21/2015: A U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender refuels Danish F-16s over Southwest Asia in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, August 30, 2015. Credit:U.S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs:8/30/15 According to Gary Schaub, Jr.: Denmark has been a stalwart ally of the United States since 1999, participating in operations in…
09/21/2015: From 31 August – 4 September, 2015, Exercise Joint Strike, the inaugural Amphibious Task Group (ATG) joint fires exercise, was conducted at the Beecroft Weapons Range, in the Jervis Bay area, New South Wales. Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force personnel from within the ATG conducted…
09/21/2015: An F-16C from the 419th Fighter Wing, Hill Air Force Base, UT, escorts two F-35A Lightning II aircraft from Fort Worth, TX, to Hill AFB on September 2, 2015. The two Lightning II aircraft are the Air Force’s first two combat-coded F-35As to be permanently assigned to the 34th…
