01/15/2016: An AV-8B II Harrier, assigned to Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron (VMM) 166 (Reinforced), lands on and takes off from the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4). The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is seen underway off the coast of Southern California completing a certification exercise…
2016-01-14 The Second Line of Defense team visited Pax River's F-35 Integrated Test Force in early January 2016. We are preparing a set of interviews which highlight not only progress towards the introduction of the F-35C into the carrier air wing but the way ahead for the air wing under…
01/13/2016: SOUDA BAY, Greece (Jan. 10, 2016) USS Ross (DDG 71) prepares to pull out of Souda Bay, Greece Jan. 10, 2016. Ross, an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, forward deployed to Rota, Spain, is conducting a routine patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national…
2016-01-12 The Russians are building an Arctic capable rotorcraft fleet for commercial and military purposes. Late last year, the Russian Defense Ministry took delivery of its first Mi-8 ANTSh-V for Arctic missions. This version of the Mi-8 was developed for operations below -40C. “The wealth of expertise we built up…
2016-01-02 By Robbin Laird, Ed Timperlake and Murielle Delaporte As former Chief of Staff of the USAF “Buzz” Mosley once stated about the USAF: “There is not a place on the face of the earth that the USAF will not fight their way into.” This core objective has been challenged…
01/11/2016: ARABIAN GULF (Dec. 29, 2015) Aircraft launch from the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) during its first mission in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The Harry S. Truman carrier strike group is deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, maritime security operations and…
2016-01-12 By Kenneth Maxwell It is summer time in Brazil and until "Carnival" is over in early February the on-going political crisis, at last in Brasilia, is temporarily on hold. Although the New Year rises in transportation fees in the big cities is already causing opposition on the streets. But what is…
2016-01-09 By David Scott In recent years three processes have caught the attention of the world. Firstly, climate change has brought the Arctic Ocean into prominence, as melting unlocks its previously frozen waters. Secondly, China’s economic rise presents a power-shift challenge for the international system. Thirdly, the combination of these two…
