Podcasts about Mitchell Institute

Episode Summary: AI is one of the hottest topics in defense, especially when it ties to Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). While seeing these new aircraft fly is super impressive, it's crucial that we think about all phases of the mission, including how warfighters will interact with the CCA agents. To be clear, this goes beyond the tactical user interface during mission execution – we need to be thinking about how we continue to train the autonomy after landing. This means debriefing. How will we debrief CCA after the mission? How should we integrate debriefing CCA with human formations? We must understand how we operated as a team to learn the right lessons for both human pilots and the CCA agents. Joining our host Heather “Lucky” Penney to dig into this are two AI experts: Mike “Pako” Benitez of Shield AI and Ray “Krypto” O'Mara of the Mitchell Institute. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Ray “Krypto” O'Mara, Senior Fellow for Airpower Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Mike "Pako" Benitez, Senior Director of Strategic Product Development, Shield AI Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #CCA #AI

Episode Summary: In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney talks to Lt. Gen. David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Charles Galbreath, Todd “Sledge” Harmer, Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski, JV Venable, and Brig. Gen. Houston Cantwell, USAF (Ret.) about the top defense issues this month in Washington, D.C. and beyond. Our team digs into what a new Chief of Staff of the Air Force will mean for the service and the broader defense environment. They also discuss the CCA's first flight, plus Gen. Adrian Spain's call for an increased focus on readiness in his new capacity as commander of Air Combat Command. We look at a broad array of spacepower developments—everything from the most recent Starship launch to the X-37B mission and NTS-3.  Added to that, there are also a lot of issues going on with our partners and allies—quite a few are boosting their defense budgets, but some are calling into question buying U.S. systems. What does this mean for the defense ecosystem? We wrap looking at where the Sentinel Program is headed these days and consider the latest with B-21 and B-52 modernization efforts. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Brig. Gen. Houston "Slider" Cantwell, Senior Fellow for Airpower Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: John "JV" Venable, Senior Fellow for Airpower Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Charles Galbreath, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Guest: Todd “Sledge” Harmer, Senior Vice President, American Defense International Guest: Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski, Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #rendezvous

Episode Summary: America's ability to secure its interests, whether deterring conflict or fighting and wining, demands a robust Air Force. The current security environment will tolerate nothing less. The service has traditionally measured its prowess via capacity, capabilities, and readiness. The Air Force currently lags in each of these three areas. Want proof? The service's FY 2025 budget request sought to divest 250 aircraft, while only procuring 91. The FY 2026 request seeks to divest 340 aircraft, while only acquiring 76. It is essential that the Trump administration and Congress reverse the service's decline in capacity, capability, and readiness. In this episode, Lt. Gen. David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), JV Venable, and Robert “Otis” Winkler discuss these challenges and outline what needs to be done to reset the Air Force. JV just completed a major report on this topic, and the conversation centers around the top findings. The time for concerted action is now. Credits: Host: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Lt. Gen. David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: John "JV" Venable, Senior Fellow for Airpower Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Robert "Otis" Winkler, Vice President, Corporate Development and National Security Programs, Kratos Defense and Security Solutions Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #China #readiness

The Mitchell Institute is pleased to feature Lt. Gen. Andrew J. Gebara as its next Aerospace Nation guest. He is the Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration for the United States Air Force. While nuclear deterrence is always important, the current threat environment heightens the critical nature of this mission. Added to this is the reality that the U.S is in the midst of recapitalizing all three legs of its nuclear triad, plus NC3. In this position, Lt Gen Gebara is responsible for strategic deterrence policy, nuclear oversight, arms control and the Department of Defense foreign clearance program, as well as providing focus on the nuclear deterrence and countering weapons of mass destruction missions for the Air Force. Join us for what will be a most interesting conversation.

Episode Summary: This week we're talking about what it'll take to project airpower into the heart of the fight in a conflict with China. Most of the time we think about enemy fighter planes, surface-to-air missiles, and AAA, but the biggest challenge might come down to electromagnetic spectrum operations. China has long-studied US warfighting constructs and they know that our forces are highly reliant on networked operations. Whether thinking about command and control, teaming mission assets real-time, or taking advantage of connectivity to space… the American way of war, especially airpower, requires a lot of connectivity. They've focused a tremendous amount of energy to degrade and deny this communication. That has huge implications for our forces. It's exactly what Mike Dahm investigated in his latest report—Disconnected by Design—Fifth and Sixth Generation Aircraft in Disaggregated Collaborative Air Operations. The concept relies upon a force of fifth and sixth-generation aircraft, plus CCA, that can penetrate adversary air defenses, sensing, coordinating, and executing individual actions at the tactical edge of the battlespace. Credits: Host: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: J. Michael "JDAM" Dahm, Senior Fellow for Aerospace and China Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Col. Russell "Big" Badowski, Assistant Professor, Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, National Defense University Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #China #fifthgenerationaircraft

As the US Air Force gets ready for a new Chief of Staff, the Mitchell Institute is about to publish what they're calling the Mother of All Reports, laying out ways ahead for the service's readiness, operations, force mix, and more. It's author, retired colonel JV Venable, explains it all. And, yes, airpower headlines. All powered by GE!

Episode Summary: During the Cold War, all eyes faced north anticipating a Soviet attack across the North Pole. The U.S. Air Force was front and center operating air defense radars and sitting alert. Decades later, America finds itself coming full circle. Modern airborne threats like cruise and hypersonic missiles, plus long-range drones threaten the homeland. Maj. Gen. Pete Fesler, USAF (Ret.), Maj. Gen. Larry Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.), and Brig. Gen. Houston Cantwell, USAF (Ret.) discuss how to ensure we're prepared for these threats. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Maj. Gen. Larry Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.), Executive Vice President, Air & Space Forces Association Guest: Brig. Gen. Houston Cantwell, USAF (Ret.), Senior Resident Fellow for Airpower Studies at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Maj. Gen. Pete Fesler, Deputy Director of Operations, Headquarters North American Aerospace Defense Command Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ Image Credit: U.S. Department of Defense #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #ArcticDomain #ColdWar #AirDefense

The four-day India-Pakistan military crisis showcased a real-world glimpse of how near-peer militaries will face each other on the future battlefield. This high-tech military showdown was of immense significance for the People Liberation Army (PLA), which has been monitoring the global conflicts, Russia-Ukraine war, Nagorno-Karabakh and Syrian civil war, to draw operational lessons, adaptation tactics and a foresight gaze to prepare for the hypothetical conflicts in its backyard. Featured between the two nuclear-armed rivals, the conflict was the first of its kind where a military (Pakistan) possessed advanced Chinese weapons in its inventory, mainly the HQ-9 air defence system, PL-15 beyond-visual-range-air-to-air-missile (BVRAAM), J-10C Vigorous Dragon and JF-17 Thunder fighter planes. During the intense aerial exchange, Pakistan's downing of five Indian fighter jets, including top-of-the-line Rafales, provided a trial run of cutting-edge Chinese weaponry under fire. The crisis came as an optimal moment for China, which has not been in active combat since 1979. The successful demonstration of Chinese high-end weaponry against the relatively superior Western weaponry underscores China's preparation and anticipation of future conflict with strong adversaries like the US. In 2019, China's State Council published a white paper, China's National Defence in the New Era, which noted that the international military landscape is witnessing rapid transformation. The document emphasised multi-domain and trans-theatre operations to facilitate jointness among all service branches. To achieve synergy among its service branches, the Chinese military has integrated cyber, space and information domains under the multi-domain warfare (MDW) concept. It has also developed a robust data link architecture to enable the seamless integration between fighter jets, airborne early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft and other supporting units. These data links augment combat efficiency by supporting coordination among various assets, allowing rapid target data sharing and providing missile guidance. Theoretically, they also help the Chinese military to overcome the bottleneck of information processing during live combat. The more interoperable these data links are, the faster the execution of the OODA loop in real-time combat. In the 100-hour India-Pakistan live air combat, both sides were engaged in what the Chinese called 'system-to-system' confrontation. Pakistan's indigenously developed Link-17 enabled it to execute a sequenced kill chain in a multi-domain environment. During peacetime, Pakistan has enhanced its situational awareness by integrating its ground radars, fighter jets, and AWACS aircraft. Relatedly, it has been engaged in a series of joint exercises with China, such as Warrior, Shaheen and Sea Guardian, respectively. This peacetime readiness allowed Pakistan to simultaneously lock, target and destroy the enemy's airborne assets in a high-speed environment. According to the South China Morning Post, Pakistan Air Force deployed 'A' launched by 'B' and guided by 'C' method to stage an 'air ambush' for the Indian fighter jets. Visualising hypothetically, Michael Dahm, a prominent aerospace expert at the Mitchell Institute, stated that Pakistan's kill chain may have started with the locking of the Indian airborne targets by a ground-based radar. Then, a J-10C Vigorous Dragon launched its PL-15 BVRAAM from a standoff distance, and finally, an AWACS guided the missile to the target by using a midcourse data link. This kill chain is comparable to what the US is trying to create among its services through the Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) concept. On the contrary, India's Rafales and S-400s are indubitably superior, but fragmentation in India's network-centric system hinders the interoperability among these assets. Unlike Pakistan, India lacks a unified data link to facilitate integration between a hodgepodge of Rus...

Episode Summary: America is running short on munitions. With so many conflicts ongoing, our consumption is outpacing what we can build, and we are digging into their stockpiles to sustain current operations. And to be clear…if America is in a fight, we can't stop until we win. This episode explores this the munitions gap and what folks are doing to try and fix it. And we're doing this through a case study approach by speaking with Nick Bucci, vice president of defense systems and technologies at General Atomic EMS. They recently partnered with Rafael to build their Bullseye missile here in the United States. This is important because it's rapidly adding more domestic munitions production capacity, while also on-ramping in some new capabilities that are important for the modern combat environment. Credits: Host: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Nick Bucci, Vice President, Defense Systems & Technologies, General Atomic Electromagnetic Systems Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #EMS #AirForce #DefenseIndustry

Time to kick back and review where US airpower stands, especially the US Air Force. And it's air show season, so the perfect guest for both is Doug Birkey, Executive Director of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, also a Collings Foundation insider and just back from Oshkosh. Plus headlines in airpower. All powered by GE!

Episode Summary: In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney talks to Lt. Gen. David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Jen Reeves, and Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski about the top defense issues this month in Washington, D.C. and beyond. Our team digs into the status of the defense bills on Capitol Hill. This includes a discussion on spacepower policy and investment decisions, plus a focus on fighter recapitalization and E-7. We also explore President Trump's new approach when it comes to Ukraine. The team also discusses recent Air Force and Space Force leadership changes. We wrap by explaining the significance of the latest X-37B mission as well as the US Space Force practicing 'orbital warfare' in its largest-ever training event. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Jennifer Reeves, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Guest: Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski, Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #TheHill #Rendezvous #Budget

Episode Summary: Spacepower is fundamentally reliant on the cyber domain—it is the backbone of connectivity for constellations on orbit, their ground stations, and connectivity to warfighters. Point blank: every bit of data and every command sent to space systems transits the cyber domain. Tackling the challenges of leading cyber and data efforts of the Space Force falls on the small, but mighty team of the S6. From administrative to mission networks and data repositories, ensuring Guardians have reliable, capable, and secure cyber connectivity underpins our nation's ability to achieve space superiority. Join Heather Penney as she explores this fascinating topic with Col. Nathan “Crazy” Iven, the acting Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Cyber and Data; and Seth Whitworth, the Associate Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Cyber and Data. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Charles Galbreath, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Guest: Jennifer "Boots" Reeves, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Guest: Col. Nathan “Crazy” Iven, acting Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Cyber and Data, USSF Guest: Seth Whitworth, Acting Deputy S6 (DCSO for Cyber & Data), USSF Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #SpaceForce #Space

Integrating space capabilities across Europe and Africa present unique and growing challenges in two complex regions. As Commander of U.S. Space Forces Europe and Africa, Brig. Gen. Jacob Middleton has the lead role in supporting both U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command with space capabilities ranging from intelligence to navigation and communications to space electronic warfare. Join the Mitchell Institute for this important conversation with a Space Force warfighter on the leading edge.

Episode Summary: As America's interests in space grow and humanity ventures further from Earth, the need to have Guardians in space to secure and protect U.S. interests will likely stand as an emerging requirement. We've seen this with every form of exploration: human presence will be interlinked with national standing, economic expansion, setting norms, and guarding security interests. That said, there's a lot on the Space Force's plate and they don't have the resources to cover down on all their currently assigned missions. Balancing future investments against current demands is a perennial challenge. Partnerships with commercial organizations may help unravel this Gordian Knot. Join Heather Penney as she explores this fascinating topic with Max Haot, Chief Executive Officer for Vast, a private U.S. company building next-generation space stations, and John “Slick” Baum. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Max Haot, Chief Executive Officer, Vast Guest: John "Slick" Baum, Vice President of Business Development, Vast Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #IndoPacom #MiddleEast

Episode Summary: The Air Force increasingly needs a broader set of munitions to achieve mission effects in the modern age. Combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq required a specific range of capabilities. Tomorrow's fights will be different. We need to ensure that we evolve our munitions toolkit to cover these new mission demands. This is especially true when looking at missions in the Indo Pacific—where the threat environment, factors involving range, weather, and mission performance are going to demand a broader range of technical solutions. Join Heather Penney as she speaks with Raytheon's Maj. Gen. Jon Norman, USAF (Ret.) about how he and his team are responding to this new paradigm. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Maj. Gen. John Norman, USAF (Ret.), VP, USAF Air Power Requirements & Capability, Raytheon Missiles & Defense Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #IndoPacom #MiddleEast

The most important element of any military organization is its people. Within the Space Force, the responsible to train and prepare Guardians rests on Space Training and Readiness Command. To learn more about the STARCOM efforts to prepare Guardians for the warfighting domain of space, the Mitchell Institute is excited to host an in-depth discussion with the STARCOM leadership team, Maj Gen Tim Sejba and Chief Master Sergeant Karmann-Monique Pogue. Together, they are shaping the education, training, doctrine, and testing vital to ensuring Guardians have the skills and equipment to overcome any threat.

Episode Summary: In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney talks to Lt. Gen. David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Charles Galbreath, Todd “Sledge” Harmer, Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski, JV Venable, and Jeff Rowlison about the top defense issues this month in Washington, D.C. and beyond. Our team digs into newly released FY26 budget details. There are some key issues to track for both the Air Force and Space Force. Seeking to retire 340 aircraft, while only procuring 76 is a high-risk strategy. Will Congress buy into it? Putting so much of the Space Force's budget in reconciliation is proving contentious. They also explore comments by DARPA leadership regarding the future of stealth and discuss whether it's smart to kill the E-7. We wrap with an extensive conversation regarding readiness: the numbers are bleak. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Charles Galbreath, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Guest: Todd “Sledge” Harmer, Senior Vice President, American Defense International Guest: Guest: Jeff "Rowli" Rowlison, VP, Space & Intel Programs, American Defense International Guest: Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski, Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs Read: 1. A spectacular airstrike on Iran — and a sobering warning 2. Why Airpower Plays A Key Role In Israel's Military Campaign Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #TheHill #Rendezvous #Budget

Following President Trump's unexpected mediation of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran—after a targeted strike on Iran's nuclear facilities—the world is watching closely. But serious questions remain: Is this truly the end of the conflict, or just a temporary lull? Will Israel push for regime change in Tehran? What is the significance of Iran's reported relocation of highly enriched uranium to undisclosed sites? Can diplomacy prevail, or is the region headed for deeper confrontation? To unpack the implications and global ramifications, the program featured two distinguished experts: Professor Gregory Aftandilian Nonresident Fellow, Arab Center Washington DC Senior Lecturer in U.S. Foreign Policy, American University A seasoned former U.S. government official and Middle East policy expert, with over 20 years of experience in the State Department and U.S. Senate. Professor Brad R. Roth Professor of Political Science and Law, Wayne State University Visiting Scholar, Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice, Queen's University Belfast An internationally respected authority on sovereignty, political legitimacy, and the legal dimensions of armed conflict. His work spans key flashpoints such as Israel-Palestine, Ukraine, and the Balkans. The episode was broadcast on June 27, 2025 US Arab Radio can be heard on wnzk 690 AM, WDMV 700 AM, and WPAT 930 AM. Please visit: www.facebook.com/USArabRadio/ Web site : arabradio.us/ Online Radio: www.radio.net/s/usarabradio Twitter : twitter.com/USArabRadio Instagram : www.instagram.com/usarabradio/ Youtube : US Arab Radio

As the United States faces increasingly sophisticated threats, the importance of resilient, persistent space sensing has never been greater. Remote sensing, including detecting and tracking missile launches and monitoring weather and the EM spectrum comprises a $23 billion portfolio. Leading this critical mission is Brigadier General (S) Robert Davis, the Program Executive Officer of the Space Sensing Directorate at Space Systems Command. Join the Mitchell Institute for an important discussion on this critical portfolio.

Episode Summary: This week, we're shining a spotlight on the men and women of the 11th Space Warning Squadron (SWS). They provide theater missile warning to warfighters around the world. Given the nature and intensity of the threat environment, they have been incredibly busy. The 11 SWS is the inaugural recipient of the General Atomics United States Space Force Unit of the Year Award. Join Heather Penney, Charles Galbreath, and Jennifer "Boots" Reeves as they chat with 11 SWS commander Lt Col Amanda Manship; Capt Abigail “Fizzle” Flannery, the 11 SWS Weapons Officer; and Sgt Jonathan Stark, a Crew Chief in the 11 SWS. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Charles Galbreath, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Guest: Jennifer "Boots" Reeves, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Guest: Lt Col Amanda Manship, Commander, 11th Space Warning Squadron, United States Space Force Guest: Capt Abigail "Fizzle" Flannery, Weapons Officer, 11th Space Warning Squadron, United States Space Force Guest: Sgt Jonathan Stark, Crew Chief, 11th Space Warning Squadron, United States Space Force Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ X: https://x.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #AerospaceAdvantage #SpaceForce #Military #Leadership

Lt. General David Deptula joins Michael to unpack the jaw-dropping U.S. air mission that stunned Iran—and the world. From deception tactics to 37-hour bomber flights, Deptula reveals why this flawless operation is a “holy cow” moment for American military capability. Michael also gets audience reaction to the mission, and its implications for global adversaries and future force readiness. David A. Deptula is the Dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Power Studies, and a senior scholar at the U.S. Air Force Academy's Institute for Future Conflict. He transitioned from the U.S. Air Force in 2010 at the rank of Lieutenant General after more than 34 years of service. Original air date 23 June 2025

Episode Summary: We're bringing you a special edition of the Aerospace Advantage to discuss Saturday's strike on Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities. Everyone has read the news by now—the story of the 7 B-2s flying from Whiteman Air Force Base, numerous aerial refuelings along the way, air superiority aircraft joining the raid, tomahawk missiles fired from a submarine, and significant support from space assets. This episode brings key insights and observations from our team members—each of whom brings unique operational experience to the mix. We discuss strategic context, the operational aspects of the mission, and how this raid should inform policy and budget objectives. We've heard enough from the talking heads…it's time for airpower and spacepower practitioners to join the conversation. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Brig Gen Houston "Slider" Cantwell, USAF (Ret.), Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Mark "Gonzo" Gunzinger, Director of Future Concepts and Capability Assessments, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Charles Galbreath, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ X: https://x.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Iran #MiddleEast #Nuclear #Bomber

Episode Summary: This week we're taking a deep dive into deterrence, specifically deterring China from using force in space. Air University's China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI), in partnership with the Center for Naval Analysis (CNA), just released a new report exploring this topic. Results suggest that the U.S. security establishment has serious room for growth. Their experts analyzed ten different factors that assessed how the U.S. can deter China, but only two were rated in a favorable light. The rest need more development. While conflict in space is not inevitable, the folks at CNA and CASI found that we've got a long way to go when it comes to boosting our ability to deter conflict on orbit. To help us understand the report, its findings, and its recommendations, Charles Galbreath and Jennifer Reeves of the Mitchel Institute chat with Dr. Kevin Pollpeter of CASI, plus Dr. April Herlevi and Elizabeth Barrett of CNA. Credits: Host: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Charles Galbreath, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Guest: Jennifer "Boots" Reeves, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Guest: Dr. Kevin Pollpeter, Director of Research, China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI) Guest: Dr. April Herlevi, Senior Research Scientist, Center for Naval Analysis Guest: Elizabeth Barrett, Project Manager, China & Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, Center for Naval Analysis Read: Deterring China's Use of Force in the Space Domain Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ X: https://x.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #China #Space

Episode Summary: Combat operations in Ukraine and the Red Sea clearly demonstrate the impact of small lethal drones as portable precision-guided munitions. Some have suggested that their use has made such a change in the character of war that a new category of airspace must be introduced. Casting it as the “air littoral,” they claim the military should move beyond traditional notions of air superiority. Others recognize the significance of lethal drones have their greatest impact on traditional infantry and armor operations. Lt. Gen. Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Lt. Col. Grant Georgulis, and Heather "Lucky" Penney dive into an incredibly insightful discussion on these volatile topics. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Lt Col Grant "SWAT" Georgulis, Air Force Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #AirSuperiority #Airpower

Episode Summary: In this episode, Heather "Lucky" Penney talks to Lt. Gen. David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Charles Galbreath, and Anthony "Lazer" Lazarski about the top defense issues this month in Washington, D.C. and beyond. They unpack how the FY26 defense budget is unfolding—what is good and where is it falling short? The factors involving reconciliation versus the standard budget are throwing in some unpredictable factors to consider. They also discuss Golden Dome from a challenges and opportunities perspective. Past that, news coverage suggests that E-7 might be on the chopping block. Are we ready for a set of capabilities that are entirely space-based? Our experts also discuss a broad range of spacepower developments, plus they evaluate Ukraine's novel strike on Russian bombers. Join us to learn about the latest when it comes to air and space power! Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Charles Galbreath, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Guest: Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski, Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs Read: 1. Air Force and Space Force Vectors for the Incoming Trump Defense Team 2. Want Combat Airpower? Then Fix the Air Force Pilot Crisis 3. Air Force Reserve faces steep fighter cuts, uncertain future Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #TheHill #Rendezvous #Budget

On this special edition of the Air Power Podcast, sponsored by GE Aerospace, Heather Penney of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, Tim Walton of the Hudson Institute, Air Power Podcast co-host JJ Gertler and Cavas Ships podcast co-host Chris Servello join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss Ukraine's Operation Spiderweb attack on strategic bomber bases across Russia; the lessons from from the attack that are applicable to US forces; how to secure American bases at home and abroad; and learning from China's use of large unmanned aircraft to carry large numbers of smaller unmanned craft to swarm targets.

Episode Summary: With threats surging around the world, the Air Force must figure out how to reset and do it fast. They can't just buy more of what the service fielded in past decades. Fighting and winning tomorrow will require new operational concepts and technologies that'll give airmen an edge. That's where CCA come into the mix. They're designed to bring new capabilities, more capacity, and empower new ways of fighting. But just like the rest of the Air Force aircraft inventory, just buying CCA won't be enough. Credible, sustainable combat air forces require logistics—personnel, fuel, munitions, ground handling equipment, and other materiel—to generate sorties at scale. Mitchell Institute executed a major exercise in 2024 looking at logistical requirements for CCA—to assess challenges and opportunities. This involved operators, industry, planners, and logisticians. We recently released the report. Join us as we hear from report author Col Mark Gunzinger along with workshop participants Robert “Otis” Winkler of Kratos, Andrew “Scar” VanTimmeren of Anduril, and Scott “Fug” Gilloon of General Atomics. Credits: Host: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Mark Gunzinger, Director of Future Concepts and Capability Assessments, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Robert “Otis” Winkler, Vice President, Corporate Development and National Security Programs, Kratos Guest: Andrew “Scar” VanTimmeren, Director of Air Dominance Systems, Anduril Guest: Scott “Fug” Gilloon, Sector Vice President of Air Force Strategic Development and Capability Assessments, General Atomics Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #CollaborativeCombatAircraft #CCA #Leadership

Episode Summary: Fighting and winning in the twenty first century requires next gen electronic attack capabilities. Designing that technology and developing effective concepts of operation demands operational analysis. Heather Penney discusses this reality with Lt Gen David “Kooler” Krumm, USAF (Ret.) of BAE Systems. It comes down to empowering strategists, operational leaders, and technology experts to better understand how these functions can best empower overarching tactics, techniques, procedures, and investment decisions. Electronic attack is an incredibly complex, multi-dimensional capability. It's not binary—like a light switch that's on or off. Instead, there are incredibly nuanced effects in play, especially if various mission systems are brought together in a collaborative fashion. Major shortfalls exist in this area and it's time to lean into developing the operational analysis required to ensure the U.S. maintains its electronic attack advantage. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Lt Gen David "Kooler" Krumm, USAF (Ret.), Vice President, Mission Integration, BAE Systems Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #ElectronicAttack #EMSO #Leadership

Episode Summary: Join us to learn more about the latest developments in Chinese airpower and spacepower developments. Heather Penney and Mike "JDAM" Dahm discuss a wide range of topics, including an update on China's 6th generation fighters and recent PLA exercises in the Taiwan Strait. They discuss what is happening with more missing PLA generals and dynamics between Xi Jinping and Vladamir Putin. The INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Paparo just testified on the Hill about China's military and the PLA just released a new national security white paper. We also explore Chinese fighter performance in the recent conflict between Pakistan and India. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: J. Michael "JDAM" Dahm, Senior Resident Fellow for Aerospace and China Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #China #Russia

Episode Summary: Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) stand forth as one of the most important airpower developments of the twenty-first century. We learn more about CCA by talking to two of the people involved with developing and building them: Mike Atwood from General Atomics and Andrew “Scar” Van Timmeren of Anduril. CCA's ability to harness the traditional attributes of range, speed, survivability, and a broad range of mission effects with the power of autonomy, artificial intelligence, and manned-unmanned teaming will yield an incredibly powerful tool for airmen and the broader joint military enterprise. We explain this technological journey, explore where the program currently stands, and discuss the pathway for production, test, and initial operational fielding. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Michael Atwood, Vice President, Advanced Programs, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Guest: Andrew "Scar" Van Timmeren, Senior Director - Air Dominance Systems, Anduril Industries Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #CCA #Autonomy

United States Space Command stands on the front line of operations in, from, and to space. By providing joint and combined effects to deter, and if necessary, defeat aggression around the world and in space, USSPACECOM has rapidly grown to be one of the most critical organizations in our nation's defense. The Mitchell Institute is pleased to welcome to the Schriever Spacepower Series LTG Tom James, Deputy Commander for United States Space Command. His unique and distinguished background will offer valuable insights on space superiority, space fires, Golden Dome, and the continued delivery of unparalleled spacepower advantage.

Join us as we rollout our newest research study, authored by the Mitchell Institute's Col. Mark A. Gunzinger, USAF (Ret.), Director of Future Concepts and Capability Assessments. The event will feature guest speaker Maj. Gen. Joseph D. Kunkel, Director of Force Design, Integration, and Wargaming, Deputy Chief of Staff for Air Force Futures. The U.S. Air Force is fielding a future counterair force that is sized and shaped to achieve the degree of air superiority required to defeat China in a Pacific conflict. The Air Force is developing collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) as part of that force to achieve its counterair mission requirements. This will require the Air Force and its industry partners to continue to mature technologies that are key to developing CCA that can operate in a highly collaborative fashion with other aircraft. CCA will act as force multipliers that complement—but do not replace—the service's F-22s, F-35s, and future F-47s. This collaborative combination will pose a diverse threat that is more difficult for adversaries to accurately characterize and counter in highly dynamic, time-compressed operational environments. For these advantages to be realized, they'll require adequate personnel, fuel, theater airlift, etc. Logistics are a key requirement to inform key performance parameters, including the mix of CCA the Air Force acquires and how they are employed. This report summarizes insights from the third in a series of Mitchell Institute exercises that explored the potential for CCA with autonomous technologies to perform as counterair force multipliers. Its recommendations are derived from the assessments of teams of Air Force and industry planners, operational experts, and technologists on potential CCA use cases and logistics required to generate CCA sorties during a major Pacific conflict.

Episode Summary: In this Rendezvous episode, we discuss top Air Force and Space Force developments in Washington, D.C., and beyond. Topics include the latest defense budget plus-up via reconciliation and what this means for air and space power. We also discuss INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Paparo's testimony regarding airpower gaps in the Pacific and Lockheed's new vision for the F-35 in the wake of Boeing winning the F-47 competition. The team explores two of the Space Force's new foundational documents: Space Force Doctrine Document 1 and Space Warfighting, a Framework for Planners. The conversation also explains why it's so consequential that Michigan is going to see the F-15EX, the importance of a new electronic warfare squadron that opened at Eglin AFB, and why it's a big deal that a new weather capability is now operational in space. Join us to learn more about these topics and more. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Jennifer "Boots" Reeves, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Guest: Todd “Sledge” Harmer, Senior Vice President, American Defense International Guest: Guest: Jeff "Rowli" Rowlison, VP, Space & Intel Programs, American Defense International Guest: Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski, Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Rendezvous #Politics

The US Air Force is building an uninhabited future with its collaborative combat aircraft. There's been a lot of focus on their capabilities and procurement, but not so much on how to keep them effective in the fight. Mark Gunzinger, Director of Future Concepts and Capability Assessments at the Mitchell Institute, joins us to fill in that critical blank. Plus other headlines in airpower. All powered by GE!

If air superiority is crucial to modern warfare, then the U.S. Air Force is not up to the task. That's the gist of a detailed look by the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. Among the findings, the Air Force is short by, get this, two thousand pilots. The Air Force itself is what the report calls the oldest, smallest and least ready in history. More details now from Mitchell Senior Resident Fellow Heather Penney.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Central to the fight for space superiority is the need to preserve access to critical space services such as communications and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT). These foundational capabilities enable all military operations and are essential to our nation's nuclear deterrence. The Mitchell Institute is thrilled to welcome to the Schriever Spacepower Series Mr. Cordell DeLaPena, the Program Executive Officer responsible for military communications and PNT. Mr. DeLaPena has a long history of excellence in acquisition and the delivery of unmatched space systems. He will provide deep insight on status and plans of his $22 billion communication and PNT portfolio and provide perspectives on the evolving space acquisition landscape.

Episode Summary: France is America's oldest ally. We've been through a lot: the American Revolution over 250 years ago, two World Wars, and ongoing worldwide military operations. Our two nations have stood side by side when it mattered most. This connection endures. These days, it's more important than ever, considering China's rise, Russia's aggression in Europe, and other elements of instability we see around the globe. A key component of this security relationship depends on robust aerospace power. Modern military operations don't work without mastering these domains. Our adversaries know this, and that's why they're working hard to challenge us in these realms. Heather Penney discusses these variables with Brig Gen Nicolas Chambaz, the leader charged with overseeing international relations for the French Air and Space Force headquarters. He's a career pilot with over 4,000 flight hours under his belt, including 50 combat operations. In particular, we explore the French Air & Space Force's latest Strategic Vision, The Sky as a Battlefield. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Brig Gen Houston "Slider" Cantwell, USAF (Ret.), The Air & Space Forces Association Guest: Brig Gen Nicolas Chambaz, General Officer "International Relations" of the Air and Space Force Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Vietnam #POW #History

Episode Summary: This week, The Aerospace Advantage takes a break for Easter, but that doesn't mean our listeners need to take a pause. In this week's episode we reach back to a previously recorded conversation where the Mitchell team reflects on the air war over Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and speaks with combat pilot and POW Lt Col Gene Smith, USAF (Ret). Not only did Lt Col Smith fly and fight in some of the most heavily defended airspace in the history of aerial warfare, but he also spent over five years as a POW—facing conditions that pushed him to the brink. Despite these challenges, Lt Col Smith and his fellow POWs prevailed. The Air Force lost 1,737 aircraft over Vietnam. That's roughly 80% of the Air Force's current fighter inventory. Those losses are hard to imagine today given the relatively permissive conditions that our airmen have operated in since the end of the Cold War. Tomorrow's conflicts, however, promise to be far more costly, which is why it's important to reflect on our history and learn from the past in order to properly leverage the effects of American airpower. Credits: Host: John "Slick" Baum, Non-resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Maj Gen Larry "Stutz" Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.), Executive Vice President, The Air & Space Forces Association Guest: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Lt Col Richard “Gene” Smith, USAF (Ret.) Guest: Rob Collings, President & Financial Director, The American Heritage Museum Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Vietnam #POW #History

This week the U.S. Space Force let a linguistic genie out of the bottle. The newest service branch published a 22-page guide for planners called “Space Warfighting”, that ditches soft elocution and takes up words like “destroy”, “terrestrial strike”, and “counterattack”. What does this mean for culture; training and education; research, development, testing and evaluation (RDT&E); acquisition; and the Space Force's place in the Joint Force? In addition to a roundtable discussion with Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton, Deputy Chief of Space Operations, Strategy, Plans, Programs and Requirements, Laura Winter speaks with Charles Galbreath, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies at the Mitchell Institute's Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence.

Episode Summary: As the Air Force develops the operational construct for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, Doug Birkey and Brig Gen Houston "Slider" Cantwell, USAF (Ret.) urge the service to tap into two decades of lessons learned flying highly sophisticated uncrewed aircraft like the MQ-1 Predator, MQ-9 Reaper, RQ-4 Global Hawk, and RQ-170. Harnessing his experience as an uncrewed aircraft pilot and commander, Cantwell explores the tremendous insights gained through uncrewed operations and the fundamental differences from traditional crewed combat aircraft operations. While CCA will execute at an entirely new level of performance, thanks to technologies like artificial intelligence and advanced mission systems, there are also foundational realities tied to uncrewed aviation that will shape how these aircraft fly and fight. Join us to learn more about this aspect of tomorrow's airpower. Credits: Host: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Brig Gen Houston "Slider" Cantwell, USAF (Ret.), Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Uncrewed #Technology #Aircraft Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In this Rendezvous episode, we discuss top Air Force and Space Force developments in Washington, D.C., and beyond. We review key themes from Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman's visit with the Mitchell Institute last week, as well as a broad range of spacepower topics, from Chinese “dogfighting” in space to the new lunar landing to new launch contracts and the future of Space Development Agency contracts. On the Air Force side, we discuss how the recent F-47 NGAD announcement will shape the future of airpower and how that program could impact the service's Collaborative Combat Aircraft, F-35, and B-21 programs, and more. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Brig Gen Houston "Slider" Cantwell, USAF (Ret.), Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Charles Galbreath, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Guest: Todd “Sledge” Harmer, Senior Vice President, American Defense International Guest: Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski, Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Rendezvous #CapitolHill Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: Heather “Lucky” Penney and Col. Mark "Chili" Howard explore one of the Air Force's largest, most diverse units: the 55th Wing. Operating from multiple installations, members of the 55th Wing execute everything from the EC-130 and EA-37B Compass Call electronic attack mission to the RC/WC/TC-135 ISR mission and elements of the nuclear command, control, and communications enterprise. They've also got a maintenance group, operations group, and medical group. We explore what these Airmen do and how their contributions connect to the broader national security picture. Every wing in the Air Force is important, but the 55th is key. They're one of those linchpin units that provide foundational capabilities that empower so much of the broader force. Without them, nothing else works. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Col. Mark "Chili" Howard, Commander, 55th Wing Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #MilitaryLeadership Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: Heather “Lucky” Penney and Senior Fellow Brig Gen Houston "Slider" Cantwell, USAF (Ret.) chat with some of the nation's top remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) commanders about on-going combat contributions and the Air Force's future development path for this incredible mission. They are joined by Brig Gen Christopher "Reggie" Hammond, Director of RPA and Airborne ISR Capabilities at Headquarters Air Force; Col Timothy "Tilt" Monroe, Wing Commander of the 319th Reconnaissance Wing; and Col Nicholas "Fever" Pederson, Wing Commander of the 432nd Wing. Remotely Piloted Aircraft spent the past two decades affording incredible battlefield persistence and compressed the kill chains unlike any weapon system in history. Airmen are now working to develop new tactics, techniques, and procedures to address challenges of today and tomorrow—including the peer threat. We also explore how RPA operations will help inform emerging technologies like Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Brig Gen Houston "Slider" Cantwell, USAF (Ret.), Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Brig Gen Christopher "Reggie" Hammond, Director, RPA and Airborne ISR Capabilities Guest: Col Timothy "Tilt" Monroe, Commander, 319th Reconnaissance Wing Guest: Col Nicholas "Fever" Pederson, Commander, 432nd Wing Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #RPA #UAV #MilitaryLeadership Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: Heather “Lucky” Penney and Col Patrick Williams explores one of the most important make-or-break factors in warfare: weather. Environmental conditions control when and how we employ military power…and what enemies can do to us. People tend to take weather assessments for granted, but that's a mistake. Collecting environmental data, analyzing it, and transforming it into actionable knowledge for an advantage at the tactical, operational and strategic levels is incredibly complex. Conflicts erupt at random locations around the globe, including data starved regions, plus concepts like Joint All Domain Command and Control are demanding even more from the Air Force's weather experts. Join us for a fascinating conversation with the leader responsible for the development of weather and space environmental doctrine, policies, plans, programs and standards in support of the U.S. Army, Air Force, and Space Force operations. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Col Patrick Williams, Director of Weather, USAF Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Weather #MilitaryLeadership Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: The Mitchell Institute team shares insights from the AFA Warfare Symposium, in Aurora, CO—it was the spot for air and space power professionals this week. Hear from Gen Kevin Chilton, USAF (ret), Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (ret), Heather Penney, and Charles Galbreath as they discuss the crucial messages coming from Chief of Space Operations Gen Chance Saltzman and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen David Allvin. We also explore the Air Force's new force design, the challenges of operating in space as a contested domain, the imperative to enhance space domain awareness, updates on air and missile defense, the nuclear triad, and operational space testing and training, plus logistical challenges in the Pacific, the shortage of munitions, lessons from the front lines in Ukraine, and more. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Gen Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret.), Explorer Chair, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Guest: Charles Galbreath, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)   Air Force and Space Force Vectors for the Incoming Trump Defense Team AFA Colorado videos coming soon. Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #AFA #MilitaryLeadership Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney chats with members of the Mitchell Institute team about the latest air and space power developments in Washington DC. We explore President Trump's defense priorities, including recent top defense leadership changes. The team also provides a Ukraine update and assess where defense issues stand in Congress, especially the budget. Another major development includes Secretary of Defense Hegseth's defense budget guidance and what it means for the Air Force and Space Force. Part of this includes defense civilian workforce reductions. On the operational front, we discuss the latest Minuteman ICBM test launch and broader triad issues. We also provide a Spacepower update—a lot has been going on in that domain. Finally, we look at the next generation advanced propulsion (NGAP) contract awards and explain why these efforts are critical for tomorrow's combat airpower. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Jennifer "Boots" Reeves, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Guest: Todd “Sledge” Harmer, Senior Vice President, American Defense International Guest: Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski, Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs   Trump administration orders Pentagon to plan for sweeping budget cuts US Space Force reveals 1st look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit (photo) Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Politics #Hill #Trump Thank you for your continued support!

With the start of a new administration, airpower advocates are presenting their ideas for the future force. Retired Lieutenant General David Deptula, Dean of The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, joins us to detail that organization's recommendations. And John Tirpak of Air and Space Forces magazine helps preview next week's AFA Warfare Symposium. Plus, we have headlines in airpower. All powered by GE!

Episode Summary: In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney discusses why the Air Force has a chronic pilot shortfall and solutions to solve it with Lt Gen Joseph Guastella, USAF (Ret) and Lt Gen Marc Sasseville, USAF (Ret). Bottom line: the Air Force's pilot corps is now too small to sustain a healthy combat force that can prevail in a peer conflict and meet the nation's other national security requirements. Air Force leaders recognize the shortfall and have worked hard to address it, but underlying and external factors persist. Effective joint force operations demand robust combat airpower. Pilot experience is critical to this effort. Join us to understand what's driving these challenges and what defense leaders and Congress need to do to fix it. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Lt Gen Joseph Guastella, USAF (Ret) Guest: Lt Gen Marc Sasseville, USAF (Ret) Link to Related Reading Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #China #Update Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney discusses the latest Chinese security developments with Mitchell Institute Senior Fellow Mike Dahm. Whether discussing the creation of a new service branch focused on space—the PLA's Aerospace Force; continued development of their nuclear arsenal; or the “Christmas surprise” flight of multiple new combat aircraft—2024 was a busy and consequential one for the Chinese defense establishment. We explore these developments, take a look at what might transpire in 2025, and consider how this should factor into U.S. defense decision making. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: J. Michael "JDAM" Dahm, Senior Resident Fellow for Aerospace and China Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #China #Update Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney discusses the rising strategic importance of the Arctic with Maj. Gen. Mark Piper, USAF, NORAD Deputy Director of Operations; BGen James Hawthorne, RCAF, NORAD Deputy Director Strategy, Policy and Plans; and Brig. Gen. Houston Cantwell, USAF (Ret.) of our Mitchell Institute team. With Russia and China aggressively increasing their Arctic military and civilian activities, America must take notice. Although NORAD stands ready to deter and defend from attack, their mission is challenged by aging radar and command and control systems. This episode highlights challenges with domain awareness, air and missile defense, and maintaining relationships with fellow Arctic nations. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Brig Gen Houston "Slider" Cantwell, USAF (Ret.), Senior Resident Fellow for Airpower Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Maj Gen Mark "Pied" Piper, USAF, NORAD Deputy Director of Operations Guest: Brig Gen James Hawthorne, RCAF, NORAD Deputy Director of Strategy, Policy, and Plans Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Arctic #Air #Defense Thank you for your continued support!