Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced) and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), performs flight operations while the Wasp (WSP) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) conducts a simulated strait transit during Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) in the Atlantic Ocean, April 26, 2024. The WSP ARG-24th MEU is conducting COMPTUEX, their final…
The first of two seminars of the Sir Richard Williams Foundation in 2024 was held on 11 April 2024 at the National Gallery of Australia. The seminar was entitled, The Multi-Domain Requirements of an Australian Maritime Strategy and the aim of the seminar was identified as follows: “To examine the…
By Gregor Ferguson The Australian Department of Defence’s response to the Royal Australian Navy surface fleet review, Enhanced Lethality Surface Combatant Fleet, published in February, announced the RAN would field six Large Optionally Manned Surface Vessels (LOSVs) from the 2030s to carry missile launch systems. Interestingly, the RAN program closely…
Robert Czulda NATO member states must step up their defense efforts, as Russia continues to pose a threat that persists. The time gained through Ukraine's resistance is being squandered – this was the prevailing view during Defence24Days in Warsaw, one of Europe's largest defense-related conferences. Throughout the event, held between…
The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarks aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group for routine operations and the completion of integrated at-sea training exercises in the Pacific Ocean in January 2024. The Boxer ARG comprises the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), amphibious transport dock USS Somerset (LPD 25), and…
By Robbin Laird The Australian government has laid out its strategy of change for the ADF in last year’s Defence Strategic Review (DSR) and in this year’s defence investment plan and national defence strategy. But frankly, deep cuts in current capability to play for the future force leaves many of…
U.S. East-Coast based Naval Special Warfare Operators (SEALs), 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Green Berets, Alaskan Coast Guardsmen and Norwegian Special Operations Commandos conduct joint operations to strengthen interoperability and refine skills in the Arctic region near Kodiak, Alaska Feb. 23, 2024, during Arctic Edge 2024. AE24 is an annual…
By Robbin Laird I had a chance to talk with LtCol Howard DeCastro, the first CO of MAWTS-1 and LtGen Barry Knutson, the eighth commander of MAWTS-1, the day before the change of command ceremony at MAWTS-1. We talked about the approach of MAWTS-1 from the beginning and the importance…
