Aussie Liaison Officer Assigned to Japanese HQ Component Command

04/23/2021
According to a story published by the Japanese Ministry of Defence: On January 13, 2021 Major Howlett of the Australian Army was appointed as liaison officer at the HQ Ground Component Command. It is the first time for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) to accept a liaison officer from…

Unmanned Integrated Battle Problem 21: Test and Verify

04/23/2021
The pathway for the U.S. Navy to integrate unmanned surface vessels into its fleet operations is for these vehicles to be able to effectively and efficiently support real-world tasks that fit into maritime concepts of operations, rather than being disruptive technology to mission operations and undercutting combat capability. in an…

757 Accelerate: Contributing to the Evolving Ecosystem for Innovation

04/23/2021
By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake During out visit to Norfolk in March 2021, we learned that Second Fleet was working a direct relationship with the Navy’s Mid-Atlantic Tech Bridge. The Mid-Atlantic Tech Bridge is described as follows: “The Mid-Atlantic Tech Bridge (MATB) is the first of what we believe…

USS Abraham Lincoln Operations in U.S. Third Fleet AOR

04/22/2021
The USS Carl Vinson will go to sea this year with the first operational F-35Cs and CMV-22Bs onboard. Next up will be the USS Abraham Lincoln. Currently, Abraham Lincoln is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations. These photos provide highlights of the flight operations…

Arctic Gold 21-2: Working Fifth Gen Agile Combat Operations

04/22/2021
The Arctic Gold 21-2 exercise is working the USAF's approach to what the Navy call distributed operations. During the exercise this month, airmen are practicing Agile Combat Employment capabilities. These capabilities allow them to work dislocated operations and to still generated integrated combat power. In other words, they are working…

Working Air-Sea Integration: The UK and Netherlands Shape a Way Ahead

04/21/2021
The Dutch and UK Marines operate as a fully integrated force. With the coming of the new UK Queen Elizabeth carriers, there are expanded opportunities for air-sea integration as well. According to a March 31, 2021 UK Ministry of Defence story, the UK Carrier strike group will integrate a Dutch…

Israel and the CH-53K Decision: Re-Baselining Heavy Lift Helicopters for Strategic Uncertainty

04/20/2021
By Robbin Laird Recently, the IDF selected the CH-53K to replace its legacy CH-53s. In my last article on this subject, I highlighted one key factor in the decision, namely, the importance of having a new aircraft which reduced pilot training and operational load for reserve pilots. As I concluded:…

HMAS Adelaide and the Sydney Harbour Bridge: A Tight Fit

04/20/2021
By Lieutenant Commander Christopher Thornton Families of the crew of HMAS Adelaide were treated to a day on board to thank them for their support during a busy year for the ship’s company. A highlight of the April 9 family day on Sydney Harbour was when the landing helicopter dock – one of…