OUTLOOK

February 22, 2012

In a recent visit to ESG-2, the leadership provided their perspective on the way ahead for sea-basing and maneuver warfare from the sea in light of the Bold Alligator 2012 experience.  Notably, Admiral Scott underscored that the core effort was to bring the USN-USMC and the coalition team together into an enhanced capability to operate from the sea. Re-crafting maneuver warfare from the sea is not just about technology and new capabilities; it is based on a con-ops where collaborative team efforts become seamless.

February 20, 2012

Re-shaping maneuver warfare from the sea by encompassing allied and US land-based air and other support and strike capabilities is a crucial element of the way ahead. In the Bold Alligator 2012 exercise, Harriers based on the USS Kersarge worked closely with land-based air to provide for a significant air combat capability to shape the battlespace.  The organizer of the spear is on the sea-base, and this capability can be conjoined with the various air combat centers extant or being developed in regional operations.

Secretary Wynne looks at how to recover the F-22 culture as a tip of the spear innovation force. “It is time to think forward; and take each in its turn before the forcing function of further budget reductions; or worse, the incursion of a capable enemy hurries our Air Force into the era of next fight making us all wish we had done things differently….  Our Air Force needs now to think forward and plan for a different style of fight.

February 19, 2012

In recent testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Directors of National Intelligence and the Defense Intelligence agency laid out their review of global threats and then answered questions from the Committee. If one wanted proof of the mental leaps the U.S. will need to make to get in front of developments, the testimony and exchanges were clear highlights.  The focus on 9/11 continues and Afghanistan and Iraq predominate.  Which makes sense in terms of the history of the past decade; it makes no sense for the decade ahead