Dr. Brent M. Eastwood

A team of pararescuemen assigned to the 38th Rescue Squadron board an HC-130J Combat King II during Exercise Ready Tiger 24-1 at Savannah Air National Guard Base, Georgia, April 11, 2024. The exercise simulated a downed pilot scenario which tested the team’s ability to respond at a moment's notice. During Ready Tiger 24-1, exercise inspectors will assess the 23rd Wing's proficiency in employing decentralized command and control to fulfill air tasking orders across geographically dispersed areas amid communication challenges, integrating Agile Combat Employment principles such as integrated combat turns, forward aerial refueling points, multi-capable Airmen, and combat search and rescue capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Courtney Sebastianelli)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The White House Thought It Was a Trap. The Pilot’s Message Said ‘God Is Good.’ They Sent the Rescue Team Anyway

Why Saving Wounded American Military Personnel Is In Everyone’s DNA: This was a race against time that set the whole country on edge. An...

Brent M. EastwoodApril 9, 2026

A U.S. Army AH-6 Little Bird in support of Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) fires rockets at designated targets during an offensive air support exercise at Mt. Barrow, Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range, Calif., April 5, 2016. The exercise is part of Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) 2-16, a seven-week training event hosted by Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron One (MAWTS-1) cadre. MAWTS-1 provides standardized tactical training and certification of unit instructor qualifications to support Marine Aviation Training and Readiness and assists in developing and employing aviation weapons and tactics. (U.S. Marine Corps photograph by SSgt. Artur Shvartsberg, MAWTS-1 COMCAM/Released)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

They Call It the ‘Killer Egg.’ It Folds Up Inside a Cargo Plane. It Just Rescued an American Pilot From Behind Enemy Lines in Iran

AH-6 Little Bird: The U.S. Special Operations Little Bird Helicopters Can Do It All – The helicopter that rescued a downed American pilot from...

Brent M. EastwoodApril 9, 2026

The Embassy

Leaving the NATO Military Alliance ‘Would Be a Tragedy America May Never Recover From’

Will Donald Trump Pull the United States Out of NATO? As the world focused on a tenuous ceasefire in the Middle East between the...

Brent M. EastwoodApril 9, 2026

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

China’s Military Watched the U.S. Destroy 11,000 Targets in Iran — The Lesson Beijing Took Away Isn’t What Washington Wants to Hear

China has remained relatively quiet during Operation Epic Fury. Beijing hasn’t issued any loud threats, limiting itself to calling for a ceasefire and peace...

Brent M. EastwoodApril 8, 2026

F-35I Adir. Image Credit: Creative Commons.

The Embassy

The Ceasefire Might Not Hold: Israel Could Still Strike Iran Again

Israel Is the Wild Card in U.S.-Iran Ceasefire – We assume Israel will coordinate closely with the United States during the upcoming two-week ceasefire....

Brent M. EastwoodApril 8, 2026

ATLANTIC OCEAN (Oct. 5, 2025) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) transits the Atlantic Ocean while an F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the “Pukin Dogs” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143 fire rounds into ocean in support of the Titans of the Sea Presidential Review. The Titans of the Sea Presidential Review is one of many events taking place throughout the country to showcase maritime capabilities as part of the U.S Navy’s 250th birthday. America is a maritime nation. For 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mitchell Mason)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

2 Ships Through. 426 Tankers Waiting. The Strait of Hormuz Ceasefire Isn’t Working

The Strait of Hormuz Crisis Might Not Be Over: One important aspect of the two-week ceasefire negotiated by the United States and Iran is...

Brent M. EastwoodApril 8, 2026

Image Credit: Lockheed Martin of NGAD fighter.

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

$300 Million Per Fighter: The F-47 NGAD Price Tag Could Kill It Before It Flies

Can the U.S. Air Force Afford Sixth-Generation F-47 NGAD? The F-47 NGAD will eventually be produced, and it will be an impressive aircraft. Featuring...

Brent M. EastwoodApril 7, 2026

NAVAL STATION NORFOLK (March 31, 2026) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), the flagship of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group, departs Naval Station Norfolk to begin operations in support of its scheduled deployment, March 31, 2026. More than 5,000 personnel are assigned to the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group. The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group provides combatant commanders and America’s civilian leaders increased capacity to underpin American security and economic prosperity, deter adversaries, and project power on a global scale through sustained operations at sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Derek Cole)

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Saudi Arabia Might Already Have a Strait of Hormuz Fix Up and Working

Closure of Strait of Hormuz? Solve the Problem with New Pipelines: Saudi Arabia Is Already Doing It The ease with which Iran has closed...

Brent M. EastwoodApril 7, 2026

Image of SR-71 Spy Plane. Image Credit - Creative Commons.

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Before the SR-71 Blackbird There Was the YF-12 — It Flew Mach 3, Carried Radar-Guided Missiles, and Its Pilots Feuded With XB-70 Valkyrie Crews at the Bar

‘We Lose Pieces Bigger Than What You Fly’: A Valkyrie Pilot’s Response to a YF-12 Pilot Bragging About Mach 3 Hours Is the Best...

Brent M. EastwoodApril 6, 2026

The Embassy

The U.S. Military Can’t Reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Force, Can’t Afford a Ground War, and Can’t Wait Iran Out — Diplomacy Is the Only Path Left

Iran Doesn’t Need to Win the War — It Just Needs to Keep the Strait of Hormuz Closed Long Enough for Americans to Turn...

Brent M. EastwoodApril 6, 2026

19FortyFive

Brent M. Eastwood

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

The White House Thought It Was a Trap. The Pilot’s Message Said ‘God Is Good.’ They Sent the Rescue Team Anyway

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

They Call It the ‘Killer Egg.’ It Folds Up Inside a Cargo Plane. It Just Rescued an American Pilot From Behind Enemy Lines in Iran

The Embassy

Leaving the NATO Military Alliance ‘Would Be a Tragedy America May Never Recover From’

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

China’s Military Watched the U.S. Destroy 11,000 Targets in Iran — The Lesson Beijing Took Away Isn’t What Washington Wants to Hear

The Embassy

The Ceasefire Might Not Hold: Israel Could Still Strike Iran Again

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

2 Ships Through. 426 Tankers Waiting. The Strait of Hormuz Ceasefire Isn’t Working

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

$300 Million Per Fighter: The F-47 NGAD Price Tag Could Kill It Before It Flies

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Saudi Arabia Might Already Have a Strait of Hormuz Fix Up and Working

Smart Bombs: Military, Defense and National Security

Before the SR-71 Blackbird There Was the YF-12 — It Flew Mach 3, Carried Radar-Guided Missiles, and Its Pilots Feuded With XB-70 Valkyrie Crews at the Bar

The Embassy

The U.S. Military Can’t Reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Force, Can’t Afford a Ground War, and Can’t Wait Iran Out — Diplomacy Is the Only Path Left

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