2016-12-29 By Ed Timperlake and Robbin Laird The phone call between President-elect Trump and the President of Taiwan has sent shock waves to many in the diplomatic community. But it is about time to turn the page and include Taiwan in the shaping of a 21st century deterrent strategy for…
2017-01-05 By Richard Weitz Until recently, except in the case of Iran, the Obama administration did not address Russia as a major factor in its Middle East strategy. The administration withdrew the U.S. military from Iraq and promoted Israel-Palestinian reconciliation without thinking of Moscow’s potential contribution or opposition. Then external…
2016-12-17 By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake During our most recent visit to USMC Air Station Yuma, we had a chance to meet with the head of MAWTS-1 and discuss the way ahead for USMC concepts of operations as seen from this key tactical innovation center. [caption id="attachment_92535" align="alignnone" width="273"] The…
2016-12-30 By Ed Timperlake and Robbin Laird In addition to the interview which we had with the CO of MAWTS-1, Col. Rowell, we had a chance to talk with Lt. Col. Nelson, the XO of MAWTS-1 and Major Duke. Lt. Col. “Cowboy” Nelson was on the deployment under the command…
2016-12-29 By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake Col. Rowell is the first Commanding Officer of VMX-1: Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1. VMX-1 includes the operational test & evaluation (OT&E) and science & technology (S&T) activities that have supported Marine Aviation from HMX-1, VX-9, MACCS-X and MAWTS-1. One…
2016-12-07 By Ed Timperlake Second Line of Defense has tried to make a direct difference to improve the lives of those in need. Some of those cases are as follows: Writing about The Vietnam Children’s Fund (http://www.vietnamchildren.org); Sponsoring combat disabled Marines ability to ride the rapids through the Grand Canyon (…
2016-12-29 By Robbin Laird As we end 2016 and look forward to 2017, it is difficult not to believe that we face a year of upheaval. Several dynamics in play at the same time and these dynamics will interact with one another to generate profound change in the world as…
2016-12-22 By Robert Newton The election has delivered an accomplished businessman, untainted by the favors and funding of classic politics, who is soon to enter office with a mandate for change. His declared commitment is to make “America Great Again” and, while our country has many dimensions, the US military…
