Page 58 - Maritime Services and the Kill Web

The Maritime Services, the Allies and Shaping the Kill Web

The squadron has met the challenges with hard work, innovation and courage and that is how we are
preparing for our first overseas deployment, namely to Japan.”

We concluded by reflecting back over the history of the Green Knights who from the beginning brought
innovation to the fight in the Pacific.

Historically it is interesting to note that VMF-121 was activated in June 1941 and began flying air ground
combat missions in August 1942, with the “Cactus Air Force” on Guadalcanal.
The Green Knights made Marine aviation history with fourteen aces, including the legendary Joe Foss CMH so
the F-35 enabled squadron is making its own aviation history.

Recently, the Vietnam generation “Green Knights: visited Yuma. Together with the F-35 generation Green
Knights, the Vietnam generation Green Knights celebrated the USMC’s 241 st birthday on November 19, 2016

Lt. Col. Bardo commented:
“It was amazing for us to meet with and discuss with the Vietnam-era Green Knights.

Although much has changed; much has not.

What I told the squadron with our visitors present: look at our predecessors and that will be you in a few
years.

You want to be as proud as they are; to look back at your achievements as being the first F-35 squadron and
making aviation history.

You will not focus so much on the hard work we have done over the past two years, but will focus on the
achievements.

And learn from them about how to meet the challenges and serve the nation.”

BUILDING OUT THE KILL WEB: TRAINING, DEVELOPMENT AND THE

CHALLENGE OF INTEGRATION
Recently, Second Line of Defense visited the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center located at Fallon
Naval Air Station. The interviews conducted there provide an important perspective on the how US Navy is
approaching training for the carrier air wing side of the kill web.

What is clear is that with the looming possibilities of high intensity warfare, there is a clear sense of urgency
with regard to shaping an effective approach to training for the kill web. And in so doing, a key issue, which
needs to be addressed, is how to cross-fertilize the training with the development of the evolving aircraft,
which are now software upgradeable systems.

At the end of this section, we have included an interview with Air Vice-Marshal (Retired) RAAF John Blackburn
who addresses this critical issue and the importance of not letting it fall through the cracks.

NAWDC and Shaping a 21 Century Combat Force: The Perspective of
st
Admiral “HYFI” Harris
2017-08-09 By Robbin Laird and Ed Timperlake

Second Line of Defense

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