One Step Closer to Yuma: The F-35B Progresses on Weapons Certification

08/09/2012
2012-08-09 This Fall, the first F-35B squadron will be set up and getting ready for operations in 2013. This squadron will be stood up at the Yuma Air Station in Arizona. According to a Lockheed press release: The F-35 Lightning II accomplished a significant test milestone Aug. 8 when the…

Iran: Ankara’s Partner or Rival?

08/07/2012
2012-08-07  by Richard Weitz Turkish analysts are well aware of Iran’s considerable influence in Iraq. Tehran disposes of several important assets in the country, including (like Turkey) geographic proximity, a newly self-conscious and empowered Shiite majority that appreciates Iran’s centrality to the Shiite faith, and influential pro-Iranian factions embedded within…

Syria, Chemical Weapons and the Russian Engagement

08/06/2012
2012-08-06 by Ed Timperlake And so it begins, yet again: “President Barack Obama has signed a secret order authorizing U.S. support for rebels seeking to depose Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his government, U.S. sources familiar with the matter said. Obama's order, approved earlier this year and known as an…

Turkey’s Goals in Iraq

08/05/2012
2012-08-05 By Richard Weitz Turkey views Iraq as a key area of interest and influence. Turkey has several core interests in Iraq: Cultivating ties with the various Iraqi factions, Preventing terrorists from using northern Iraq as a base of operations; Balancing the influence of Iran; Securing access to Iraqi oil…

Survitec is key British supplier to the first F-35 delivery to the UK Ministry of Defence

08/04/2012
The United Kingdom recently accepted the first international Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II in a ceremony with senior representatives of the U.K. Ministry of Defence and the U.S. Department of Defense. Survitec Group is one of a number of select British suppliers and partners and was chosen to provide the…

Arizona leaders react to F-35 coming to Luke AFB

08/04/2012
August 1, 2012 From Az.Com Arizona leaders hailed the Department of Defense's decision selecting Luke Air Force Base to train pilots on the F-35. Numerous local leaders took part in the Luke Forward campaign to advocate for the mission. Governor Jan Brewer: "Today's announcement not only ensures Arizona will continue…

F-35 Training Center Announced for Luke AFB

08/04/2012
Aug. 3, 2012 by Sonu Munshi http://www.azcentral.com/community/glendale/articles/2012/08/02/20120802glendale-luke-air-force-base-f-35-jets-fall-2013.html (Excerpts) U.S. Air Force announced this week that Luke Air Force Base has landed the F-35 pilot-training mission, with jets likely arriving sometime next year….. Luke has long trained pilots and remains the world's largest F-16 training base. The jets are a common sight…