Stretching Together:Exercise Talisman Sabre 2015 Tests ANZUS Alliance plus Japan

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2015 has concluded after two weeks of high-end warfighting training by the US,Australia,New Zealand and Japan.It was the first time in the history of the biennial event that had featured the participation of the New Zealand and Japanese forces.New Zealand contributed 500 troops,as well as aircraft and ships.The Kiwis were embedded with the Australian Defence Forces;while the 40 Japanese personnel were embedded with the American troops.*
Another innovative aspect of the exercise was the staging of drills in two separate locations within Australia:the Northern Territory and Central Queensland.This presented a test of the Australia-New Zealand-US alliance's command and control capability and,in general,the ability to carry out two significant military operations simultaneously in the Asia-Pacific theatre.*
The US was represented by the USS George Washington aircraft carrier strike group and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit,both out of their forward basing in Japan.As well,2 US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers flew a 44-hour round trip from Barksdale Air Force Base,Louisiana to target areas in the Northern Territory.This mission demonstrated the ability to project US Strategic Command's flexible,long-range global strike capability,and to synchronise strategic activities with a key ally in the US Pacific Command.
Massive amphibious operations were staged in Fog Bay,Northern Territory.These were the largest amphibious operations Australia has taken part in since World War II as the country endeavours to develop an independent amphibious warfare capacity.The operations included both seaborne landings and airborne assaults.Australia contributed 250 embarked troops from the 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment and the HMAS Choules amphibious ship.
Special Operations Forces from the US,Australia and New Zealand staged a night raid near Darwin,Northern Territory.
The total number of forces participating was more than 30,000 personnel;21 ships;3 submarines;and 200 aircraft.*
In the Fog Bay amphibious exercise on 11 July,the Battalion Landing Team,2nd Battalion,5th Marines,31st MEU took part.The landing was integrated down to the company level with the Royal Australian Regiment and saw the Marines and Aussies sharing the same vehicles,being supported by the same aircraft and working for the same objectives.
We must integrate down to the lowest tactical level,said 31st MEU commander Colonel Romin Dasmalchi.Planning together is not enough.If we are going to endure chaos together,we have to drill together and practice as often as we can.The only way to learn each other's tactics is to have the Marines and ADF personnel confront tactical tasks together.
The Fog Bay landing involved a three-pronged assault at Native Beach and Stingray Beach,plus an aerial insertion farther inland.For the Battalion Landing Team specifically,applying combat power across multiple frontages has a massive dislocating effect on the enemy.Not only does it isolate the enemy and reduce his ability to muntually support;it allows us to rapidly generate tempo and momentum,added Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Fiscus,commanding officer of BLT 2nd Bn,5th Marines.
Once the beachhead was secured,the forces pressed inland to secure secondary objectives.That done,they assumed defensive positions for the night.For the Marines,it was a dynamic,multifaceted amphibious assault and sustained, combined arms live fire exercise and maneuver ashore with their Australian partners.

New Amphibious Assault Ship Christened

The US Navy christened the new amphibious assault ship America(LHA 6),the first of its class,on Saturday at Ingalls Shipbuiding in Cascagoula,Mississippi.Ship's sponsor Mrs.Lynne Pace,wife of General Peter Pace,USMC retired,former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,described the America as being kind of like a mini-aircraft carrier.Mrs.Pace broke a bottle of champagne over the ship's bow,in accordance with naval tradition.
Admiral Mark E. Ferguson III,Vice Chief of Naval Operations,presided at the ceremony.
The America will serve as a platform for the US Marine Corps' MV-22 Osprey transport aircraft,as well as its AV-8B Harrier jump jets;the new F-35B Lightning II joint strike fighter;and helicopters.Homeported in San Diego,the ship will be a sea base for a Marine air-ground task force,or MAGTF.
Able to carry 1687 Marines and their equipment,plus 184 surge,its keel was laid in 2009.Following sea trials,the America is scheduled to be delivered and commissioned in 2013.
Huntington Ingalls Industries(HII)

Inside the Industrial Base:Navy Shipbuilder Has Successful Q4-and what they're doing now

Huntington Ingalls Industries,the former Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding,had outstanding earnings in Q4 2011.Alliance Bernstein gave the stock a price target of 51 dollars on margin expansion and transparency.It closed at 40.00 on Tuesday.The nation's sole builder of aircraft carriers,HII has built more ships in more classes than any other firm.
HII anticipates a new contract to build the John F. Kennedy carrier(CVN 79)in 2013.The JFK would be completed in the 2020-21 time frame.The company is already building five other ships to be delivered by 2015.The next 3-5 years are already under contract.By 2015,the firm will be back to normal business after the Hurricane Katrina disruption in 2005.
CEO Mike Petters said 2012 will be a lot like last year,with maybe a little better return because of retiring risk.Our attrition rates are historically low,Mr.Petters added.
HII is preparing to close its Avondale,Mississippi shipyard in 2013 unless it can find a joint venture partner,despite Mississippi's offer of an incentive package worth more than 200 million dollars to keep it open.Avondale's workforce has gone down from 5,000 to 3,300 workers so far.The yard is currently completing its final projects,which are two amphibious assault ships for transporting U.S. Marines and their equipment,the Anchorage(LPD 23) and the Somerset(LPD 25).
Once Avondale closes,the company will have two remaining shipyards at Newport News,Virginia and Pascagoula,Mississippi,respectively.The Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier(CVN 78)is currently under construction at Newport News.
Huntington Ingalls Industries(HII)