The Royal Australian Air Force has deployed a contingent of approximately 370 personnel to Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada for Exercise Red Flag 19-1, which took place from 22 January to 15 February 2019. Up to 6 F/A-18A Hornet aircraft from Number 77 Squadron, an E-7A Wedgetail from Number…
A range of upgrades and modifications have been fitted under Plan Jericho to Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-130J Hercules A97-448, providing the RAAF’s Air Mobility Group with a ‘Jericho Demonstrator’ to explore how it will provide air mobility as part of a Fifth-Generation Air Force. Upgrades include the installation…
By Robbin Laird I first had the opportunity to meet Lt. General (Retired) Klaus-Peter Stieglitz, a former German Air Chief, last Fall in Berlin at the International Fighter Conference. During my visit to Germany in February 2019, where I was continuing my look at the challenge of building a 21st…
By Karl Müllner and Klaus-Peter Stieglitz The successor to the Tornado fighter jets is about Germany's NATO contribution to credible deterrence. The government has ruled out the most advanced weapons system F-35 - for political reasons. Two ex-generals warn of the consequences With the decision to take the fighter aircraft F-35…
F-35A aircraft commenced scheduled flying operations at RAAF Base Williamtown during the last week of January 2019. [maxgallery id="123444"] The two aircraft from No 3 Squadron began a phase of operations designed to verify and validate the jet’s capabilities. These operations will continue for the next two years, in the…
Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, AO, RAN hosted Chief of Staff for the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force, Admiral Yutaka Murakawa in Sydney for a Counterpart Visit on the 29th January 2019. [maxgallery id="123430"] This is Admiral Murakawa’s first visit to Sydney, Australia which included wreath laying at…
On February 11, 2019 the Government announced the formal signing of the Strategic Partnering Agreement for the Future Submarine Program between Defence and Naval Group. The signing, held at Russell Offices, Canberra, was attended by Australian Prime Minister the Hon Scott Morrison, MP, Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne…
By Robbin Laird During my visit to 2ndMAW in January 2019, I had a chance to talk with the Commanding Officer of MAG-26, Colonel Boniface. I have had the opportunity to talk with Chris Boniface several times since we first met at the Bold Alligator exercises almost a decade ago.…
