Visiting Fallon Naval Air Station

10/28/2014
10/24/2014: Part of the Second Line of Defense team visited Fallon Naval Air Station in Nevada in October 2014. We had a chance to talk with the commanding Admiral and several of his key staff to gain an understanding of what this important training facility provides for the fleet and…

The USN Combat Learning Cycle: Prepare An Air Wing For Deployment While Supporting One Deployed

10/28/2014
2014-10-28 By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake Training is crucial to combat success. As Admiral Nimitz confronted the last century’s challenges he concluded a core lesson for this century’s Pacific warriors: “Having confronted the Imperial Japanese Navy’s skill, energy, persistence, and courage, Nimitz identified the key to victory: ‘training, TRAINING…

USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Relieves USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in the Arabian Gulf

10/24/2014
10/24/2014: ARABIAN GULF (Oct. 18, 2014) The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) relieves USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in the Arabian Gulf. George H.W. Bush will soon depart the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility for its homeport at Norfolk, Va., and Carl Vinson will take over…

Looking Back and Looking Forward for the Future of Airpower: A Discussion with Chuck DeBellevue About the Air War in Vietnam

10/23/2014
2014-10-18 By Ed Timperlake and Robbin Laird In considering the future of airpower, the inevitable return of air to air combat faces US and allied pilots. The uncontested skies of Afghanistan are not the definer of the future, but dealing with the dangers and threats from enemy defenses whether launched…

The US, Taiwan and Its Defense: The Missing Arms Exports

10/23/2014
2014-10-23 By Julien Canin With the protests in Hong Kong reminding the world how democracy challenges the leadership of the PRC, Taiwan remains a clear reminder that it is possible to be both Chinese and democratic. But for it to remain democratic, it needs to remain free.And that requires the successful…

Meeting the Pacific Threats: Japan and the US Rework Their Defense Relationship

10/23/2014
2014-10-15 By Richard Weitz Last week, the Japanese and U.S. governments released an interim report on their progress in revising the guidelines for their militaries’ roles and missions in the joint defense of Japan. 20141003_INTERIM_REPORT The interim report does not identify specific threats or discuss detailed scenarios for joint military…