27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron to return to Japan after visiting Australia, Brunei, and the Philippines

A contingent of U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors and C-130 transport aircraft departed Brunei’s Rimba Air Force Base on August 8, marking the latest phase in an ongoing series of deployments across the Indo-Pacific region.

U.S. Air Force F-22A Raptors assigned to the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron taxi onto a runway during Exercise Pitch Black at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, July 17, 2024. This year’s iteration of Pitch Black is the largest in the exercise’s history, and the scale of cooperation will help maintain a region that is secure, open, prosperous, and resilient. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Spencer Tobler)

Continue reading “27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron to return to Japan after visiting Australia, Brunei, and the Philippines”

AUSMIN 2024: U.S.-Australia alliance bolsters regional defense capabilities

The 2024 Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) have yielded significant outcomes across multiple domains, reinforcing the allies’ commitment to Indo-Pacific security and global stability. Key points from the ministerial statement include enhanced force posture cooperation, advanced defense capabilities development, strengthened regional security integration, and joint efforts on climate action and economic resilience.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles participate in the 34th Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., Aug. 6, 2024. (DoD photo by Chad J. McNeeley)

Continue reading “AUSMIN 2024: U.S.-Australia alliance bolsters regional defense capabilities”

U.S. and European NATO Allies revive Long-Range Missile Capabilities

Timothy Wright and Douglas Barrie from the Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) analyze the recent agreement between the United States and Germany to deploy American long-range conventional missiles to Europe. This decision, announced in July 2024, marks a significant shift in NATO’s approach to long-range strike capabilities.

Mid-Range Capability (MRC) Launcher from Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, Long Range Fires Battalion, 1st Multi-Domain Task Force arrives as part of the capability’s first deployment into theater on Northern Luzon, Philippines, April 8, 2024.
Photo By: Capt. Ryan DeBooy

Continue reading “U.S. and European NATO Allies revive Long-Range Missile Capabilities”

South Korean Navy to receive first MH-60R Seahawks in December

South Korea is set to receive its first batch of MH-60R Seahawk helicopters from Lockheed Martin Corp. by the end of this year, significantly bolstering its anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The South Korean Navy revealed this on Aug. 7.

211217-N-HH215-1323 INDIAN OCEAN (Dec. 17, 2021) An MH-60R Sea Hawk, assigned to the “Blue Hawks” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 78 flies over the Indian Ocean during a bilateral training exercise with the Royal Australian Air Force, Dec. 17, 2021. Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group and elements of the Royal Australian Navy and Air Force are conducting a bilateral training exercise to test and refine warfighting capabilities in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tyler R. Fraser)

Continue reading “South Korean Navy to receive first MH-60R Seahawks in December”

U.S. and Australian Air Forces conduct successful B-52H aerial refueling operation

The United States and Australia have underscored their deepening military alliance with a joint training exercise focused on enhancing long-range precision strike capabilities. The drill involved the aerial refueling of a U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress by a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.

An Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport arrives at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, June 21, 2024. The jet arrived after refueling a B-52 Stratofortress as part of a training mission to get U.S. Airmen certified on the tanker. The effort highlighted interoperability between the two services and helped solidify the B-52’s role in assuring allies in the Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force by Senior Master Sgt. Ted Daigle)

Continue reading “U.S. and Australian Air Forces conduct successful B-52H aerial refueling operation”