Tanker Flight
01/30/2018
1/30/2018: This video from Holloman Air Force base provides a nice look at F-16s operating with tanker support. HOLLOMAN, NM, UNITED STATES 12.08.2017 Video by Senior Airman Jason Allred
President Macron Visit and UK and French Defense
01/30/2018
2018-01-21 The new President of France visited the UK on January 18, 2018 to discuss a range of issues with the Prime Minister of Britain. One of these issues was defense cooperation. According to an article published on the UK Ministry of Defence website, the two leaders agreed to a range…
QRA Squadron Intercepts Russian Bombers Approaching UK Airspace
01/30/2018
2018-01-21 RAF Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) Typhoon aircraft scrambled from RAF Lossiemouth to monitor two Russian planes approaching UK airspace on January 15, 2018. According to an article on the Ministry of Defence website: The Russian Blackjack Tupolev Tu-160 long-range bombers were not talking to air traffic control, making them a…
The Combat Effect of the Super Tucano: A Tortured Acquisition Saga Gone Good
01/26/2018
2018-01-19 By Robbin Laird When have you read a positive review of our combat experience in Afghanistan from the Pentagon’s Inspector General? Not a common experience for sure, but very recently, the IG underscored a significant advance in how the battle in Afghanistan is going forward. “Less than two years…
A Photo Update on the KC-30A: Preparing for Tanker 2.0
01/25/2018
2018-01-20 by Robbin Laird In March, I will be back in Australia and will be writing the latest report for The Williams Foundation, with this year's seminar year starting with a look at the key challenge of shifting from the land wars to higher tempo and higher intensity operations. I…
Inside the New Trump Administration National Defense Strategy
01/23/2018
2018-01-19 The Trump Administration released today the new national defense strategy and as our colleague Colin Clark, Editor of Breaking Defense, noted, it is a significant change from that of the Obama Administration. “The Trump Administration’s first National Defense Strategy is a vigorously and well written document that marks a major…
Australian Hawkei Vehicles to Iraq for Test and Evaluation
01/23/2018
1/23/18:Two PMV-L Hawkei vehicles have arrived in the Middle East Region to conduct operational test and evaluation trials in Iraq. Soldiers from Task Group Taji 6 will utilise these vehicles throughout the trial period which will assess the sustainability of the vehicles. The vehicles were transported from Australia’s main operating…
HMAS Warramunga Continues Counter-Drug Mission
01/22/2018
1/22/2018 HMAS Warramunga intercepted and boarded a suspect vessel in international waters in the Arabian Sea on 07 January, seizing more than 100 kilograms of heroin, valued at approximately AUD$33 million. The operation was planned by the Combined Maritime Forces’ Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150) which is commanded by Australia…