The Ground Combat Element in the Pacific Reset

09/24/2020
By Robbin Laird As the USMC works its relationship with the US Navy, a core focus is upon how the Marine Corps can provide for enhanced sea control and sea denial. A means to this end is an ability to move combat pieces on the chessboard of the extended battlespace.…

UAE-Based Al Tariq Enhancing PGM Range

09/23/2020
By Guy Martin AL TARIQ (formerly Barij Dynamics) continues to enhance its ‘Al Tariq’ range of precision-guided munitions (PGMs) and is about to start production on the improved Block II version. Theunis Botha, Chief Executive Officer of AL TARIQ, told defenceWeb that the upgraded Block II version includes a variety…

Visiting MAWTS-1, September 2020: A Discussion with Col. Gillette About Shaping a Way Ahead

09/22/2020
By Robbin Laird Prior to my visit in early September 2020, I conducted a series of teleconferences with MAWTS-1 officers in the late Spring and early Summer. The focus of those discussions was upon mobile and expeditionary basing and how the training for this key capability was being shaped going…

The Role of Heavy Lift in USMC Support for the Maritime Fight

09/21/2020
By Robbin Laird During my discussions earlier this year with a number of MAWTS-1 officers, we focused on the thinking and training of the USMC to further enhance their capabilities for mobile and expeditionary basing. Obviously, the insertion of force into a flexible basing environment requires lift capabilities, and with…

Northern Lighting Exercise, 2020

09/21/2020
According to an article by Captain Joe Travato published on August 9, 2020 in the Wisconsin Rapids City Times: Volk Field Combat Readiness Training Center is hosting approximately 50 aircraft and nearly 1,000 personnel from the National Guard, Air Force, Army, and Navy as part of the annual Northern Lightning…

Shaping a Way Ahead for ASW: Key Questions and Dynamics

09/20/2020
Last week, 2nd Fleet held a couple of media events revolving around the Black Widow exercise which highlighted the evolving approach to anti-submarine warfare. And those two media events and comments made associated with regard to the Black Widow exercise highlight a number of key questions and dynamics associated with…

RIMPAC 2020 Concludes: Allied Perspectives

09/18/2020
Recently, this year’s RIMPAC exercise concluded. According to a press release from the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, public affairs, published on August 31, 2020: PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii - The international maritime exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2020 concluded Aug. 31 following two weeks of at-sea-only training events conducted around the…

The Peer Fight is Coming. How do we Prepare?

09/18/2020
By Major James Everett, Head of the Assault Support Department at MAWTS-1 The world has never been more connected. Or more volatile. Conflict and unrest are a pandemic, rising amid a wave of nationalism, autocratic rulers, religious fanaticism, and dwindling economic opportunity. The vast majority of us grew up in…