2013-05-22 Australia is re-shaping its forces as it deals with the dynamics of change in the Pacific and its roles and tasks post-Afghanistan. Part of the future approach will be provided by the delivery of a new capability in the Aussie force structure, namely a large LHD or Amphibious Assault…
2013-05-22 A key element of shaping a 21st century approach to military operations is the reconfiguration of the force to incorporate expeditionary logistics. Rather than putting a WALMART in place, designing a Kracken defense force for the WALMART, and then moving against the objective area, there is a key trend afoot…
2013-05-22 By Robbin Laird The USN-USMC team learns in the context of a joint and combined exercise Bold Alligator – the largest annual, amphibious exercise conducted. It is also a great opportunity for an outsider to learn many things, and probably none more interesting than to learn from the young warfighters…
In an April 30, 2013 interview with Rear Admiral Bill Moran, Director of Air Warfare (OPNAV N98), the approach of the US Navy in combining several naval air transitions with the introduction of the USS Ford was the focus of conversation. In a recent co-authored article, the Admiral had looked…
2013-05-15 By Robbin Laird A French White paper is a combination campaign document, Presidential statement, prologue to shaping budgets, and a stab at a tour de horizon view of the strategic environment a la française. It is decidedly not a detailed look at the future and the way ahead. It…
2013-05-14 By Robbin Laird When I last visited the USS Arlington it was for its christening. I visited the ship with my colleague Ed Timperlake and we were able to participate in the ceremony honoring those who died on 9/11 at the Pentagon. I was at the Pentagon on that…
2013-05-10 In an important policy statement, which seems to have moved rapidly off of the screen, Secretary of Defense Hagel re-enforced, in very specific ways, the U.S. support of Japan in the confrontation with China over disputed islands and in regard to the defense of Japan against North Korea. There…
2013-05-10 At the heart of the Australian strategic future is how to deal with China as an economic and military power? Clearly, the relationship with the United States is a key part of shaping a set of answers. But much will depend as well upon how the Chinese play out the…
