The Essex Amphibious Ready Group and the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group are conducting integrated operations in the Arabian Sea to ensure stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. [maxgallery id="122190"] 12.13.2018 Photo…
Personnel from the Australian Embassy in Washington, joined Royal Australian Air Force personnel at Luke Air Force Base to host a ‘Mateship’ event recognising contributions to Australia’s F-35 capability. Royal Australian Air Force pilots and maintenance personnel have partnered with United States Air Force units and Lockheed Martin to prepare…
From October 25 through November 7, 2018, four Mirage 2000s and 70 airmen participated in Trident Juncture 2018. “ This major exercise of NATO has allowed the French pilots to develop their expertise in a context of multilateral cooperation and in extreme climatic conditions.” [maxgallery id="122206"] “Located beyond the Arctic Circle,…
U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Robert F. Hedelund, the commanding general of II Marine Expeditionary Force speaks with Marines during Exercise Trident Juncture 18 at Vaernes Air Station, Norway, Nov. 7, 2018. [maxgallery id="122118"] Trident Juncture 18 enhances the U.S. and NATO Allies’ and partners’ abilities to work together collectively…
From 05-18 December 2018, the Royal Australian Air Force joined the United States Pacific Air Forces and Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self-Defense Force) for Operation Christmas Drop, the Department of Defense’s longest-running humanitarian airlift operation. [maxgallery id="122143"] Launching from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, C-130J Hercules aircraft delivered donated…
The first two RAAF Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II fighters to be based in Australia have been formally welcomed to their home base of RAAF Williamtown December 10, 2018. [maxgallery id="122262"] The two jets, A35-009 and -010 arrived at Williamtown at 10:20am on December 10 from RAAF Amberley Williamtown. The aircraft…
The ADF’s newly-created role of the Chief of Joint Capabilities has been upgraded to a three-star officer position to align it with the chiefs of the ADF’s three services and Joint Operations Command. The position, held by the newly-promoted AIRMSHL Warren McDonald since it was formed in July 2017, is…
On 28 November 2018, after more than 400 days out of the water, Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Arunta undocked to finalise her midlife capability assurance program upgrade at BAE Henderson Dockyard, Western Australia. [maxgallery id="121586"] The upgrade included significant improvements to major platform systems such as the communications centre,…