2012-09-23 We have written about the challenges facing the nation's 911 force. We have argued that the USCG is facing a downslope in its capabilities due to the inability of the procurement system, the Congress and the Administration to buy replacement assets. As an AOL Defense piece put it: "Shaping…
2012-09-20 By Richard Weitz Japan’s defense procurement policy maintains a desire for autonomy, corporate nurturing, and technology diffusion. Although it is somewhat more open to arms exports and collaborating with foreign companies than in the past, defense procurement still suffers from two grave defects. First, the high degree of protectionism…
09/20/2012: U.S. and Chinese forces carry out their first bilateral anti-piracy exercise in the Gulf of Aden. Credit:Pentagon Channel 9/20/12
2012-09-19 by Robbin Laird Instead of flying into buildings, Muslim extremists are killing American representatives abroad. In a vote of thanks for ending the Gaddafi repression, the American ambassador to Libya has been humiliated and killed. In an act reminiscent of the Nazis burning down the Reichstag and blaming various…
09/19/2012: The Taliban killed the CO of VMA-211 in Afghanistan as well as having destroyed 6 Harriers. The Lt. Col. Was a former MAWTS instructor as well. As Ed Timperlake underscored: The Afghan Attack was the worst day for VMA-211 since Wake Island-- From VMA-211 Squadron History: "In November 1941,…
2012-09-18 by George Talbot For Mobile, Ala., the announcement on July 2, 2012 that the city would be the site of a $600 million, 1,000-worker assembly plant for Airbus aircraft seemed to prove the point that persistence pays off. The city in 2011 lost its bid to become the assembly…
2012-09-17 By Richard Weitz The Japanese government continues to allocate approximately one percent of the country’s GDP to the military, a fairly low level compared to most countries. But the enormous size of Japan’s economy means that even this formula generates one of the largest defense budgets in the world.…
2012-09-17 In a wide ranging discussion with Lt. Col. Christian Harshberger, Commanding Officer of VMM 365, the Blue Knights, shortly after his return from Afghanistan. He was a CH-46 operator prior to entering the V-22 world a couple of years ago. In January of 2009, Lieutenant Colonel Harshberger reported to…
