Second Line of Defense

For almost ten years, Second Line of Defense has been delivering insightful interviews with military personnel and their support teams. Our discussions have taken place globally and have centered around the advancements and changes in the defense capabilities of democratic nations. Our reporting stands out and has been extensively shared both online and in print. We concentrate on the progress of U.S. and allied military forces, engaging with key leaders and influencers in the field to explore these developments.

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The Osprey Evolution: From Assault Aircraft to Multi-Mission Platform

1 day ago | sldinfo.com | Robbin Laird

An interview with Major Sean Timothy Penczak, Operations Officer with VMM-162By Robbin LairdThe MV-22 Osprey has come a long way since its early days as a novel tiltrotor aircraft. What began as a specialized assault platform has evolved into an incredibly versatile multi-mission aircraft capable of transforming Marine Corps operations.
A Paradigm Shift in Maritime Operations: Autonomous Systems and Their Impact

2 days ago | sldinfo.com | Robbin Laird

The paradigm shift in maritime operations involves moving away from concentrating power in capital ships to distributing capabilities across a network of assets. Distributed Maritime Effects (DME) are the effects created by this distributed force, often independent of or supplemental to traditional capital ship operations which are increasingly focused on distributed maritime operations.
U.S. Marines with VMGR-252 Cold Weather Training

2 days ago | sldinfo.com | Robbin Laird

U.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron (VMGR) 252 participate in a cold-weather training exercise alongside the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 436 Transport Squadron at 8 Wing/Canadian Forces Base Trenton, Jan. 16-18, 2025. VMGR-252 and the 436 Transport Squadron participated in this exercise to improve interoperability and increase proficiency and experience maintaining and operating KC-30J aircraft in cold and extreme cold weather conditions.
Keeping USMC H-1s Ready and Relevant for Today’s Crisis Management Response

3 days ago | sldinfo.com | Robbin Laird

The Marine Corps Aviation Association (MCAA) 2025 Symposium is going on this week from May 12 through the 15h in Dallas Texas. We are publishing a piece highlighting the role of one of the somewhat undervalued aviation capabilities which the Marine Corps operates today, namely the H-1 helicopters. By Allen GrinaldsIn the opening hours of Operation Iraqi Freedom, one of the first enemy targets was an Iraqi command and control site at Safwan Hill, near the Line of Departure.
Lula in Moscow and Beijing: Coming to Terms with the Multi-Polar Authoritarian World?

3 days ago | sldinfo.com | Robbin Laird

By Kenneth MaxwellThe three major Brazilian newspapers in their editorials had nothing good to say about Lula’s presence in Moscow for the 80th anniversary parade on Red Square celebrating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in WW2.
Middle Powers in a Changing World: How Australia and Brazil Navigate the China Dynamic

4 days ago | sldinfo.com | Robbin Laird

By Robbin Laird and Kenneth MaxwellIn today’s rapidly evolving global order, middle powers find themselves in an increasingly complex position as they balance economic opportunity against strategic independence. Two nations, Australia and Brazil, offer a fascinating case study in how different countries are responding to China’s rise while pursuing their own national interests. Despite being on opposite sides of the Southern Hemisphere, Australia and Brazil share remarkable similarities.
Sea Strike: Exploring Future Naval Operations

4 days ago | sldinfo.com | Robbin Laird

A collaborative effort between Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific and Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, Sea Strike is a future-oriented film designed to showcase the U.S. Navy’s ability to conduct distributed maritime operations in a high-end, contested environment.
An Update on French Defense: May 2025

1 week ago | sldinfo.com | Robbin Laird

By Pierre TranParis – There have been few national orders for French military aircraft and space systems since the start of the year, following a drop of a third in domestic defense aerospace orders last year from 2023, Guillaume Faury, chair of Groupement des Industries Françaises Aéronautiques et Spatiales (GIFAS), a trade association, said May 6.
US and Japanese joint Training

1 week ago | sldinfo.com | Robbin Laird

Skip to content Service members assigned to U.S. Forces Japan work together with Japan Self-Defense Forces to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
Modernization and Innovation at the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing: A Conversation with Major General Swan

1 week ago | sldinfo.com | Robbin Laird

By Robbin LairdDuring my latest visit to 2nd Marine Wing, I had a chance to talk with Major General Swan, Commanding General of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW), on 29 April 2025. He offered insights into how the wing is navigating modernization while maintaining readiness for global operations.