Osprey Lands on HNLMS JOHAN DE WITT in Trident Juncture 2015

10/26/2015
10/26/2015: An Osprey lands on HNLMS JOHAN DE WITT during exercise Trident Juncture 2015. Credit: Natochannel.:10/22/13 This was prepared for during training earlier this year. The speed and range of the Osprey is a key combat enabler. It also provides significant reach and range to connect US and allied warships into…

The Logistical Impact of Seabasing

05/16/2012
In our series on Bold Alligator 2012, we examined various aspects of littoral operations highlighted in the exercise. And we did so with the future evolution of such capabilities in mind.  We will soon publish our analytical take on how to think differently with regard to littoral engagement  in light…

Special Report on Bold Alligator 2012 and the Evolution of the Expeditionary Strike Group

04/04/2012
Bold Alligator 2012 was the largest Amphibious exercise in more than a decade. After a decade of land wars, the “return” of the USN-USMC team to littoral engagement operations is a core skillset, which needs to be highlighted and further, enhanced and developed. Because it is called an amphibious exercise,…

The Impact of the Osprey on the Expeditionary Strike Group: “There is a Tsunami of Change Coming”

04/02/2012
Shortly after the Bold Alligator 2012 exercise, Second Line of Defense sat down with Lt. Col. Boniface to discuss his experiences during Bold Alligator 2012.  As the Osprey squadron commander involved in the exercise, he was in charge of the key toolset, the Osprey, which re-defined the ESG-MEB operationally. Two images…

The Right Force in the Right Place at the Right Time: Getting C2 Right

03/31/2012
Shaping Expeditionary Command and Control: From Javelin Thrust to Bold Alligator 2012 In an interview with Col. Kevin Iiams, currently the standardization officer for 2nd MAW, the Colonel discussed the evolving approach of the USMC to shaping expeditionary command and control capability.  He discussed his previous experience in Javelin Thrust-11…

Expanding the Toolset: Looking Forward From Bold Alligator 2012

03/26/2012
Second Line of Defense had a chance to discuss with Lt. Col. “Uber” Williams who served as Col. Shorter’s deputy from MAG-14 headquarters during Bold Alligator 2012. According to Williams, “While he’s back in Cherry Point running the rest of his MAG, I will be out aboard the Kearsarge basically…

Changing the Mindset: “The ESG-MEB is Not an ARG-MEU on Steroids!”

03/21/2012
Second Line of Defense had a chance to sit down with one of the two Harrier squadron commanders aboard the USS Kearsarge during the Bold Alligator 2012 exercise. Earlier, we discussed with Lt. Col. Hermley, Commanding Officer, Marine Attack Squadron 231, MCAS, Cherry Point, and the approach to be followed…