The U.S. Double-Dare: Plus Up and Withdraw

12/07/2009
With the announcement of President Obama's Surge policy in Afghanistan and the addition of 30,000 extra-troops in a six-month framework, a key question was on the lips of many participants of Defense Logistics, the annual cross-service Logistics conference organized by Worldwide Business Research in Arlington, Virginia from November 30th to…

French Special Forces in Afghanistan: Lessons Learned

11/30/2009
[caption id="attachment_2566" align="alignleft" width="102" caption="Revue Marine November 2009"][/caption] In the current issue of Marine, a quarterly publication by the  French Navy’s Association of Reserve Officers (Association des officiers de réserve de la Marine nationale) a special series of articles on NATO’s involvement in Afghanistan called «Afghanistan: Which Path for the…

The Connectivity Opportunity and Multi-Mission Similitude: the TTNT Example

11/08/2009
With a significant shortfall in spending for new power projection platforms, the U.S. faces a core challenge of how to most effectively build forces for the years ahead. At the heart of this opportunity will be to shape joint con-ops for the US Air Force and Navy and to ensure…

NATO HIP Helicopter Task Force Gets Momentum

10/25/2009
On October 23rd, 2009 during the NATO Defense Ministers meeting in Bratislava,  nine NATO Allies signed a declaration of intent to contribute to the Czech-lead initiative to develop a multi-national transport helicopter programme for NATO (see: HIP helicopter initiative) and facilitate in-theater deployment of  these  much-needed air assets. The nine countries…

Rotorcraft and Military Operations

10/21/2009
Rotorcraft are significant contributors to military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.  They provide combat support, logistical lift, troop transport, medivac, and integrated C4ISR for the battlefield.  The Iraq conditions have provided significant stress on the fleet and the need to provide engineering and maintenance solutions for operating in sand, heat…

Crafting A NATO Helo Logistics Initiative for Afghanistan

08/12/2009
By Robbin Laird and Murielle Delaporte 08/12/2009 - NATO is developing a common logistics initiative to support helicopters in operation in Afghanistan. It is clear that more helos are need for Afghan operations; but rather than simply inserting new kit, it is realized by senior NATO officials that shaping a…