USMC Deployment Onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth: The Partnership Which Almost Did Not Happen

10/18/2020
By Robbin Laird In this September 23, 2020 story published by 3rd Marie Aircraft Wing, the historic deployment of USMC F-35Bs onboard the UK’s largest warship ever built by the UK was highlighted. PORTSMOUTH, England --  Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 embarked 10 F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters onboard…

Japanese-EU Naval Security Cooperation, October 2020

10/18/2020
On October 7, 2020, the Japanese Ministry of Defence issued a joint press release which highlighted the EU-Japan joint naval exercise. According to that statement: On 5-6 October, the EU and Japan carried out a joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia. The exercise…

The Abraham Accords: The Art of the Deal and Middle East Dynamics

10/11/2020
By Kenneth Maxwell Calouste Gulbenkian set the rules for the division of the oil spoils in the Middle East in the aftermath of the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. He did so under the “red line” self-denying agreement of 1928 between the major oil companies (including the America companies of…

Regional Presence Deployment: An Australian Perspective

09/28/2020
By Lieutenant Commander Todd Fitzgerald HMA Ships Stuart and Arunta sailed in company with ships from Japan, South Korea and the United States in the Pacific Ocean this week. Commanding Officer Arunta Commander Troy Duggan said he welcomed this opportunity to continue close and effective cooperation with key partners in the region. “RAN remains committed to strengthening…

Greek Prime Minister Strengthens Defense Relationship with France: Announces French Weapons Deals

09/13/2020
By Pierre Tran Paris -The Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, said on Sept. 13, 2020 that a planned acquisition of 18 Rafale fighter jets from France would comprise six new and 12 second-hand units, with the first delivery due next year. “It consists of six new aircraft and 12 which…

The Tri-City Water Follies Air Show, 2020: The F-35 Demo Team Beats Down the COVID-19 Blues

09/13/2020
U.S. Air Force Capt. Kristin “Beo” Wolfe, F-35 Demonstration Team commander and pilot, performed at the 2020 Tri-City Water Follies air show Sept. 5, 2020, Kennewick, Wash. The F-35 Demo Team headlined the event alongside the F-16 Viper Demonstration Team and the A-10 Warthog Demonstration Team. (U.S. Air Force photo…

German Platform Decisions: Pegasus versus Global 6000 Special Mission Aircraft

08/20/2020
By Robbin Laird As I suggested in the lead article in this series on how to evaluate platform choices in the context of evolving needs and concepts of operations, too often, a simple platform versus platform presentation is made which confuses rather than clarifies what the tactical and strategic implications…

The RAAF Adapts to Covid-19: Exercise Virtual Pitch Black 2020

07/23/2020
By Flight Lieutenant Bel Scott. Generated from the Air Warfare Centre’s – Distributed Training Centre (AWC-DTC) at RAAF Base Williamtown, training audiences from Amberley and Williamtown were virtually connected in the Northern Territory airspace and ranges between Darwin and Tindal from June 29 to July 10. For the first time,…