Although Russia's defense program marketing efforts may be among the most robust in the world, China is no slouch when it comes to making lofty claims about military capabilities through state-owned media outlets with global reach. China's latest claim pertains to a new radar system that, according to reports, might render stealth technology obsolete. In February, Chinese … [Read more…]
The Maltz Challenge: How special operators honor a fallen brother
Military bonds forged in the adversity of training and the rigors of combat are hard to break. When a warrior falls, his memory lives forever with his brothers in arms. Since 9/11, a popular way to commemorate fallen warriors has been to organize physically and mentally demanding events that resonate with the fallen warrior’s background. Meet the Maltz Challenge. Named … [Read more…]
Watch: The first flight of what could be the US military’s future long-range assault aircraft
The Sikorsky-Boeing joint helicopter initiative known as the SB-1 Defiant made its first flight last week, gingerly leaving the ground and hovering around the airfield at a Sikorsky facility in West Palm Beach, Florida. This test comes more than 15 months after the helicopter's competition for the Army's Future Long Range Assault Aircraft contract, the Bell V-280 Valor, first … [Read more…]
Russia’s nuclear-powered cruise missile has the same crucial weakness as its stealth fighter
For a time, it seemed Russia was steaming toward fielding real fifth-generation stealth fighters, a development with serious security implications, based on the nation's aggressive posture toward NATO and America's reliance on air power in its style of warfare. As time wore on, however, cracks in Russia's advanced fighter program began to show, culminating in India backing out … [Read more…]
Marine Raiders going away? Former Marine strategist and defense expert calls for disbanding Marine Special Operations units
Dakota Wood spent 20 years in uniform as a U.S. Marine. He retired as a lieutenant colonel in 2005 and entered the world of academic defense analysis. Now a senior fellow at the Center for National Defense at the Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy, Wood used his experience in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and as a researcher to field a … [Read more…]
Breaking down the British elite forces: 148 (Meiktila) Battery Royal Artillery
Note: This is part two of a multi-part series exploring elite components within the conventional British forces. 148 Battery (Meiktila) is a unit comprised of specifically qualified men from the British Army and Royal Navy. Tasked with calling in artillery and airstrikes to support United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) and 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines. The men of … [Read more…]
Civilian passenger injured after ejecting from French fighter jet during takeoff
A 64-year-old man unexpectedly ejected from the rear seat of a Rafale B fighter during takeoff at Saint Dizier-Robinson air base in France. The unnamed man was reportedly a civilian who was invited to fly aboard the fighter during a routine training flight on March 20th. While details remain sparse, the man suffered back injuries some local media outlets have characterized … [Read more…]
Things are getting real: How the 75th Ranger Regiment prepares to fight in the Arctic
As the unconventional conflicts in Syria and Afghanistan draw to a close and the U.S. military again turns its gaze toward nation-level threats, the 75th Ranger Regiment prepares for a conflict in the Arctic. The Regiment sent almost 30 Rangers from across its three line battalions to attend the Cold Weather Operations Course (CWOC), at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, between … [Read more…]
Acting defense secretary under investigation for alleged Boeing bias
Patrick Shanahan, a former Boeing executive with no other government experience, is now the nation's longest-serving acting secretary of defense in history, having taken on the role after James Mattis resigned in December. Some believed that Shanahan's "acting" prefix would soon give way to a formal appointment to the job, but that effort has been delayed by an investigation … [Read more…]
What happens if a special operations team needs help in Africa? Meet their Quick Reaction Force
Air Commandos from the 67th Special Operations Squadron (SOS) trained alongside their brethren from the 56th and 57th Air Rescue Squadrons (RQS) in Croatia, honing their personnel recovery skills. The 67th SOS flies the MC-130J Commando II, which offers special operations infiltration, exfiltration and resupply capabilities. “Personnel recovery is not one of our core … [Read more…]
Breaking down the British elite forces: The Royal Marine Commandos (RM)
In a recent series we examined the United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) spectrum. In this series we'll review the elite components within the conventional British forces. We will start with one of the U.K.'s most renowned units: the Royal Marines, an elite amphibious commando force of the Royal Navy. The Royal Marines (RMs), or Bootnecks as they call themselves, are a … [Read more…]
Island hopping is back on the menu: Marine Corps and special operations units seize Pacific island
In an operation reminiscent of the Second World War’s island hopping, the U.S. Marine Corps conducted an amphibious and air assault against Iejima Island, a small Pacific island off the coast of Japan, seizing its airfield and strategic points in a rapid and aggressive operation. More specifically, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Air Commandos from the 353rd … [Read more…]