The Indian Air Force Tests Rapid Airlift Capability

12/28/2018
By India Strategic New Delhi. In an effort to evaluate its own ‘Rapid Airlift Capability’ and to enhance crew currency in the role, Western Air Command (WAC) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on December 18 airlifted a record 463 tonnes of load from its airbase at Chandigarh to airfields…

The UK’s Minister of Defence and a Look Ahead with Regard to UK Defense

12/28/2018
Recently UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson provided a final update on the Modernising Defence Program to the House of Commons on December 18, 2018. What follows is his oral statement made to Commons: In July, I made a statement setting out headline conclusions from six months of work on the…

President Trump and the Middle East: What Next?

12/28/2018
By Richard Weitz Turkish President Erdoğan’s warning that he would soon send his military forces into the region of Syria where U.S. forces are operating was apparently the immediate factor prompting President Donald Trump’s decision to announce the withdrawal of U.S. soldiers from Syria. These Special Forces have been in…

The Indian Navy and the Geopolitics of the Indian Ocean

12/28/2018
By Vice Adm S Sinha (Retd) Thus far the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) has been law abiding and stable maritime region permitting smooth flow of world trade. Sea Lanes of communication criss-cross the Indian Ocean after negotiating restricted passages, i.e., Straits of Hormuz, Gulf of Aden and Straits of Malacca.…

Russia’s New Venezuelan Base: The Evolving Strategic Context

12/26/2018
By Stephen Blank There was a time when the mere mention of a projected Russian (or Soviet) air or naval base in Latin America would have immediately generated a firestorm in Washington. Those times are now long gone. The announcement that Russia is obtaining a long-term base on the island…

A Look Back on French Air Force Participation in Trident Juncture 2018

12/23/2018
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,…

An Update on the Sally B: Flying in Formation with a Chinook

12/22/2018
By B-17 Operator Elly Sallingboe Sally B’s last air display of the 2018 display season was at the Battle of Britain air show at Duxford on the 29/30 September, this was a hugely delightful show, where else would you see 18 Spitfires in formation – what a sight! Thus, our…

24th MEU completes Exercise Trident Juncture 2018

12/21/2018
During the exercise, the 24thMEU exercised its amphibious capabilities. In a story by Lance Cpl. Margaret Gale, 24thMEU, published on November 13, 2018, the mission was highlighted. Marines and Sailors from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit participated in exercise Trident Juncture 18 in Iceland and Norway during October and November,…