Robbin Laird

Task Force demonstration executing aerial refueling, close air support, ground support, and landing drills during Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni’s 45th Friendship Day at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, May 5, 2024. Since 1973, MCAS Iwakuni has held a Friendship Day open house to foster positive relationships between the air station and its Japanese hosts, offering a […]

The Second Line of Defense team provides high quality publications with regard to key global strategic developments. You can purchase these on a number of booksellers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Kobo.

In this op-ed from Robbin Laird, he takes a look at the importance of the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One in training and readiness.

In 1978, the U.S. Marine Corps stood up MAWTS-1, the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One, at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. The goal: to train the trainers to go to USMC squadrons to enhance the ability of Marines to fight as an integrated Marine Corps.

U.S. Marines with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) participated in Exercise Nordic Response 24 across Norway, Sweden, and Finland from January to March 2024. Exercise Nordic Response 24 is designed to enhance military capabilities and allied cooperation in high-intensity warfighting scenarios under challenging arctic conditions while providing U.S. Marines unique opportunities to train alongside NATO […]

According to 2nd Marine Wing, the attack helo squadron HMLA-269 after being sunsetted two years ago has now returned. That is why we might call them the “Phoenix Squadron.” In this story by 2nd MAW published on July 1, 2024 we learn about its rebirth: Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 269, 2nd Marine Aircraft […]

U.S. Marines with 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) conduct distributed aviation operations (DAO) during Exercise Nordic Response 24 at Oulu, Finland, March 10, 2024. Exercise Nordic Response 24 is an opportunity for the 2nd MAW to refine the DAO warfighting concept, which focuses on generating aviation combat power through the coordinated employment of aviation squadrons, […]

The Second Line of Defense team provides high quality publications with regard to key global strategic developments. You can purchase these on a number of booksellers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Kobo.

Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center-Exportable (JPMRC-X) exercise on Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, June 6, 2024. This iteration of JPMRC-X marks the first deployment to the Philippines, which will enable and assist the Philippine Army and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in building combat training center locations within the Philippines. The JPMRC-X is a Department of […]

By Pierre Tran Paris – The background to sales of the Rafale fighter and Falcon business jets was “uncertainty” due to general elections in Europe and France, and president Joe Biden standing down in the U.S. election campaign, Dassault Aviation executive chairman Eric Trappier said July 23. There was “concern” on this uncertainty in France, […]