By Robbin Laird Nuclear deterrence is back on the agenda for NATO and the United States. The buildup of the Russian missile arsenal, short, medium and long range, with clear violations of INF limitations are designed less to create a so-called anti-access and area denial capability than an arsenal designed…
The Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750) participates in a Western Pacific deployment under the tactical control of the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet, March - July 2019. Bertholf's crew engaged in joint exercises with partner coast guard and navies while patrolling the region. Bertholf made international port calls to Yokosuka,…
By Robbin Laird In my last article focused on CH-53K sustainment, I highlighted how the next generation digital aircraft reshape how sustainment is managed and executed. I concluded that “the CH-53K is a smart aircraft birthed in a digital age that is doing support and manufacturing differently. In other words,…
By Robbin Laird The Germans had a clear opportunity to acquire F-35s as their Tornado replacement aircraft and chose not to do so. Unlike other Tornado users, namely, Britain and Italy, the F-35 was put aside in favor of a new Eurofighter replacement option known as the Future Combat Air…
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), and USS Nimitz (CVN 68) continue dual carrier operations. Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the United States, as well as the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.…
The video shows the arrival of the first CMV-22B at Naval Station North Island. The first CMV-22B Osprey assigned to Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30 prepares to land at Naval Air Station North Island. VRM 30 was established in late 2018 to begin the Navy’s transition from the C-2A…
By Australian Defence Business Review Following the cancellation of its largest biennial air defence exercise – Exercise Pitch Black 2020 – because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the RAAF recently conducted a Virtual Pitch Black 2020 (VPB20) in order to at least partly meet its training objectives for the year. The…
The Japanese are reworking their defense capabilities to provide for enhanced perimeter defense. We projected this trajectory for Japanese defense policy in our book on Pacific defense published in 2013. According to the preface to the Japanese Ministry of Defence's overview of the way ahead for its defense programs: Japan…
