Alex Hollings

Alex Hollings

USMC
Alex Hollings writes on a breadth of subjects with an emphasis on defense technology, foreign policy, and information warfare. He holds a master's degree in communications from Southern New Hampshire University, as well as a bachelor's degree in Corporate and Organizational Communications from Framingham State University.

SOFREP Pic of the Day: Marines on the move

Marines sprint through smoke during Integrated Training Exercise 2-17 on Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif., Jan. 30, 2017. The Marines are assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. The combined-arms exercise gives all elements of the Marine Air Ground Task Force an opportunity to use capabilities during large-scale missions […]

UK unveils plans for their own next generation fighter, the Tempest

On Monday the U.K. revealed their concept for a next-generation fighter that seemed to borrow heavily from the U.S. led F-35 program with one notable difference: they claim this new jet will be functional both as a manned and unmanned aircraft. The new fighter, which U.K. Secretary of Defense Gavin Williamson called the Tempest, will be a […]

Pentagon wants to pull funds from ‘low priority’ projects for hypersonic missiles, long range artillery

The Pentagon has submitted a request to Congress to reallocate some $4.7 billion toward higher priority programs aimed at making the American defense apparatus more capable and lethal in the shortest timeline possible. The funds would be drawn from programs deemed “lower priority” by Defense Department officials, and redistributed into programs that could offset growing […]

SOFREP Pic of the Day: This isn’t photoshopped, they’re just that good

The U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, perform during the Vectren Dayton Air Show in Dayton, Ohio. The Blue Angels are scheduled to perform more than 60 demonstrations at more than 30 locations across the U.S. and Canada in 2018. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Timothy Schumaker Take a ride in […]

Opinion: We need to decide what constitutes an ‘act of war’ in the digital age

In recent years, it’s begun to seem like cyber attacks from national level opponents are just a way of life. Reports of Russian efforts to gain access to the U.S. electrical grid or Chinese operatives seeking technical data on the U.S. defense apparatus have become so familiar that the stories themselves no longer draw a […]

After China was disinvited from international Navy exercise they sent a spy ship instead

In May, it was announced that the United States was “disinviting” China from participating in the annual Rim of Pacific (RIMPAC) training exercise that aims to increase interoperability between allies national Navies in the Pacific. At the time, the U.S. cited China’s aggressive behavior in the South China Sea, rapidly expanding their military presence and […]

Watch: US and allies sink the USS Racine with missiles and torpedoes

This year’s Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises are currently underway, with more than two dozen nations participating and still more eavesdropping from nearby. The training cycle has included participation from 45 surface ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 members of some 26 national militaries — but the real spectacle of the […]

SOFREP Pic of the Day: Marines post security

Candidates with the U.S. Marine Corps Officer Candidates School (OCS) post security as they crawl through ‘The Quigley’ during the combat course at OCS, Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, June 18, 2018. Candidates must go through three months of intensive training to evaluate and screen individuals for the leadership, moral, mental, and physical qualities required […]

Lies and misdirection: A breakdown of Putin’s statements after the Trump summit

On Monday, U.S. president Donald Trump met with Russian president Vladimir Putin in a long-touted meeting that both leaders claimed was in the interest of de-escalating tensions between the two nations. After their scheduled 90-minute meeting ran long, the two moved to podiums where they delivered prepared addresses to the media regarding the subjects they […]

Russia announces new military aircraft they claim can ‘disable satellites’

Kremlin-owned media outlet Sputnik News recently released details of a new electronic warfare aircraft being developed for the Russian military that they claim will not only be able to jam communications but also “disable enemy satellites.” Of course, the unnamed source from “within the Russian defense ministry” opted not to divulge any details of just […]

Why don’t we see Mad Max style vehicles in actual warfare?

You see them pop up from time to time: images of civilian vehicles modified for use in combat, adorned in patinated metal armor with beefy tires crammed into stock wheel wells and soldiers, rebels, or some other kind of combatant standing proudly alongside the vehicle like a shot from behind the scenes in a new […]

SOFREP Pic of the Day: Carrier duty comes with a pretty good view

Aircraft, shooting stars and planets are visible from the flight deck of the Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan as it transits the Luzon Strait, July 1, 2016. The Reagan is supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan McFarlane Take a tour of the […]