As the strategic shift from the Middle Eastern land wars to engagement where flexibile, expeditionary basing is envisaged, the attack utility helicopter team of Vipers and Venoms is adapting. In a visit to 2nd Marine Air Wing in December 2020, the adaptation process was described in discussions with Marine Light…
By Robbin Laird During my visit to 2nd Marine Air Wing during the first week of December 2020, I had a chance to visit New River Marine Corps Air Station and meet with Lt. Col. Frank, VMX-1, to get an update on the coming of the CH-53K. Lt. Col. Frank…
B-52H Stratofortresses land at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Oct. 20, 2020, as part of Global Thunder 21. Exercises like GLOBAL THUNDER involve extensive planning and coordination to provide unique training opportunities for assigned units and forces. BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, LA, UNITED STATES 10.20.2020 Video by Senior Airman Christina…
By Robbin Laird During my visit to 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, and to New River Marine Corps Air Station, I had a chance to visit Marine Aircraft Group 26. Over the years, I have had a chance to come often to MAG-26 and to discuss the MV-22B Osprey, its introduction,…
An MH-60R Sea Hawk, attached to the "Easy Riders" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 37, delivers a payload to the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Henry M. Jackson (SSBN 730) in the vicinity of the Hawaiian Islands. Underway replenishment sustains the fleet anywhere/anytime. This event was designed to test and…
By Robbin Laird Last July, North Carolina-based Marines organized an exercise in which they called Deep Water. In a press release from November 5, 2020, this is how II Marine Expeditionary Force described the exercise: “Marines with 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, and 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing are…
By Robbin Laird With the European Commission spearheaded a closer relationship with China, the gap -- not just geographical -- between Australia and Europe is clearly growing. My own recently published book on the evolution of Australian defence strategy highlights the shift from the away game to the home game…
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 (HMLA-269) is currently commanded by Lt. Col. Short and is a squadron consisting of the AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter and the UH-1Y Venom utility helicopter. They are known as the Gunrunners, and next door within the same hangar are the Warriors of Marine Light…
