Tom Raquer’s Post

America's NCOs. This is a great piece that explains in lay terms why we have the superb fighting forces we do. There is too much focus on technology and the number of ships, airplanes, and armor when assessing threats. Our main "peer" threat nations cannot develop individual leadership skills found in our NCOs. https://lnkd.in/dGzAa5im

"The greatest and most valuable competitive advantage the Joint Force maintains in a high-end fight is the individual service member that has dedicated their purpose and industry to the Profession of Arms." #PurpleBook #Foundations. #JointForce Collectively these key themes underscore the necessity of a cohesive, well-integrated Joint Force capable of addressing contemporary and future security challenges. 1. Strategic Competition and Readiness 2. Jointness and Integration: 3. Joint Mission and Functions: 4. Service Missions and Identities: 5. Joint Organizations and Command Structure: 6. Principles of Joint Operations: 7. Joint Functions: 8. Role of the Air Force in Joint Operations: 9. Professionalism and Values: Were do you fit in the Joint Fight? https://lnkd.in/gFptnbii Air Education and Training Command United States Air Force The Joint Staff

Singapore is one of the United States’ strongest bilateral partners in Southeast Asia and plays an indispensable role in supporting the region’s security and economic framework.  The access, basing, and overflight privileges granted by Singapore advance U.S. government and partner efforts to bolster a free and open Indo-Pacific.  More than 1,000 Singaporean military personnel participate in training, exercises, and Professional Military Education in the United States in places like Luke Air Force Base (AFB), Arizona, Arizona National Guard Silverbell Heliport, and Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, where Singaporean F-16, AH64-D, and F-15SG pilots train alongside their U.S. counterparts. Singapore has operated advanced fighter jet detachments in the continental United States for the past 27 years. Singapore reinforced and deepened its defense ties with the United States, signing two substantial agreements – the 2019 renewal of the 1990 Memorandum of Understanding Regarding United States Use of Facilities in Singapore (1990 MOU) and the Memorandum of Understanding Concerning the Republic of Singapore Air Force Training Detachment at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam (Guam MOU). U.S. Security Cooperation With Singapore. https://lnkd.in/gFtwwSqj

INTEGRATED BY DESIGN | Royal Australian Air Force Air Vice-Marshal Carl Newman, U.S. Pacific Air Forces Deputy Commander, met with Royal Canadian Air Force Brig. Gen. Kyle Paul, U.S. Space Operations Command Deputy Commander for Operations, Plans, Training and Force Development, and other members of the SpOC Headquarters staff at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, on Sept. 19, 2024. Newman and Paul discussed their experiences with multinational security classification policy and processes, opportunities to learn from each other’s successes as Allied nation service members in U.S. military senior leadership positions, and the growing opportunities for U.S. and Allied servicemembers to embed in missions where multinational integration and collaboration are essential. The U.S. and its Allies are dedicated to increasing resiliency, redundancy, and interoperability with each other to enhance collective global security. Incorporating international leaders into senior positions fosters strength, unity, and enables a holistic perspective in pursuing multinational interests. #USSpaceForce #SemperSupra #BuildOnAndBuildOut #ViaVincimus #USSF5 #PartnersAndAllies

🌐 Collaboration Across Borders: Foreign Military Detachments at U.S. Bases Did you know that several U.S. military bases host detachments from foreign nations? These collaborative efforts strengthen international partnerships and enhance military capabilities. Let’s explore a few examples: 🇩🇪 Germany: The German Armed Forces Command, headquartered in Reston, Virginia, serves as the administrative and logistical hub for all German military activities in the U.S. and Canada. It’s where coordination, pilot training, and defense material management occur. 🇮🇹 Italy: Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas hosts the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program (ENJJPT). This program trains pilots from 14 NATO member nations. Upon graduation, these aviators continue country-specific training. 🇳🇱 The Netherlands: Dutch pilots, once trained specifically on the F-16 fighter aircraft at Morris Air National Guard Base in Arizona, now utilize Luke Air Force Base for training on the newer F-35 aircraft. 🇸🇬 Singapore: The 428th Fighter Squadron at Idaho’s Mountain Home Air Force Base includes Singaporean airmen. Under the Peace Carvin V program, they train and qualify on the F-15 alongside their American counterparts. 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: Edwards Air Force Base in California hosts the British Royal Air Force’s XVII Test and Evaluation Squadron. Their expertise contributes to bringing F-35 aircraft into service. These are not independent foreign bases but rather collaborative initiatives within U.S. military installations. 🤝 Feel free to share your thoughts or ask questions in the comments! 👇

Today, we commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest continuous military campaign of the Second World War, from 1939 through to the defeat of Germany in 1945. The Battle was crucial to an Allied victory as supply routes in the Atlantic Ocean were vital in allowing the Allies to accelerate the build-up of air forces, the transport of troops, food, medicine and equipment for the invasion of continental Europe in 1944. By early 1943, the Battle had reached its peak with the Allies successfully destroying almost 100 German U-boats in the first five months of the year. This had a significant impact on Germany's capacity to threaten Allied shipping. Despite German U-boats resurfacing in the Atlantic, they never regained the same level of threat, and the Allies were able to secure the supply routes across the Atlantic. Over 5,000 Australians were involved in the campaign, serving in the Royal Australian Navy, the Merchant Marine, the Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force. Lest we forget. #LestWeForget #MilitaryHistory #Veterans 📷: Group portrait of aircrew of 461 Squadron RAAF, with a Sunderland aircraft outside the slipway hangar. AWM P01520.004

🌟 Exciting and Stressful: Life as a Protocol Officer 🌟 As a protocol officer, I’ve found immense fulfillment in steering high-stakes projects from inception to the highly anticipated finale. The journey, though , isn’t without its share of nail-biting moments. Despite meticulous planning, the unpredictability can turn even the most simple event into a “disaster”. Yesterday, I found myself likening my role to that of a tightrope walker. Yet, amidst the chaos, there’s a profound sense of purpose and satisfaction in orchestrating events that leave lasting impressions. My mantra in the face of uncertainty? A deep breath, a reassuring smile, and the unwavering resolve to tackle any challenge head-on. Because when you’re armed with confidence and a can-do attitude, every hurdle becomes an opportunity for growth. #ProtocolOfficer #EventPlanning #StayingCalm #EmbracingChallenges

The Tuskegee Airmen were an historic, all-Black combat aviation unit that flew more than 15,000 sorties over North Africa and Europe during World War II. The legendary fighter pilots — known as the “Red Tails” — earned the respect and trust of the bomber crews they routinely escorted across enemy skies. Before the Tuskegee Airmen, no African American had ever been a United States military pilot. African Americans served bravely and with distinction in every theater of World War II, while simultaneously struggling for their own civil rights. Although the United States Armed Forces were officially segregated until 1948, WWII laid the foundation for post-war integration of the military. In 1941 fewer than 4,000 African Americans were serving in the military and only twelve African Americans had become officers. By 1945, more than 1.2 million African Americans would be serving in uniform on the Home Front, in Europe, and the Pacific. The Tuskegee Airmen achieved a number of successes during World War II. In all, the Tuskegee Airmen earned eight Purple Hearts, fourteen Bronze Stars, three Distinguished Unit Citations, and 96 Distinguished Flying Crosses!

Pacific Partners: F-35s are in Australia helping allies keep the Indo-Pacific region free and open. American, Australian, and Italian F-35s deployed Down Under this summer to train with multinational military partners. The growing number of F-35s in the region is “peace through strength” in action. ⚡⚡ #F35 #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific

My book review of Cuban Migs: The Defenders of Castro's Air Force, just appeared in three languages (English, Portugueses, and Spanish), as published in the USAF Journal of the Americas, March 1, 2024 edition. Cuban Migs provides a history of the Fuerza Aérea Revolucionaria (FAR), one of the most powerful and little-publicized air forces in the Americas, had Mikoyan-Gurevich (MiG) fighters as its main fighter aircraft, both in the defense of Cuban territory against the threat of US invasion and in support of Cuban leader’s efforts to export their revolutionary ideals - https://lnkd.in/evfqENwi #HarpiaPublishing