The Aerospace Advantage

Episode Summary: In episode 189 of the Aerospace Advantage, Fighting the Air Base: Decisive Combat Sortie Generation Under Fire, Heather “Lucky” Penney chats with Mitchell Institute experts Mike Dahm and Mark Gunzinger about a key aspect of modern operations in an era of peer competition. U.S. Air Force commanders must be prepared to fight their frontline air bases like any other weapon system to generate the combat airpower critical to the success of future joint force operations. Air Force air bases must have the capabilities and capacity to counter complex integrated air and missile attacks, rapidly reconstitute their operational capabilities when damaged by strikes, and continue to generate combat effects while under fire. This is a tough challenge given too many years of underinvestment in this area.  However, failure is not an option. Mission demands require that the Air Force continue to project power as an “inside” force capable of fighting alongside America’s allies and partners to defeat adversaries when the chips are down. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: J. Michael Dahm, Senior Resident Fellow for Aerospace and China Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Mark "Gonzo" Gunzinger, Director of Future Concepts and Capability Assessments, 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 #BaseDefense Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In episode 188 of the Aerospace Advantage, Front Line Air Mobility Revolution: 317th Airlift Wing Conversation, Heather “Lucky” Penney chats with 317th Airlift Wing Commander Col Thomas Lankford. Based at Dyess AFB and equipped with C-130Js, the men and women of the 317th are executing their missions in one of the most transformational eras regarding air mobility. After three decades of operating in relatively permissive environments, much of it in regionally focused theaters, new mission demands in the Pacific and beyond require airmen to develop new tactics, techniques, and procedures to ensure necessary personnel, equipment, and supplies get to the point of need. Lethal threats, directed both at aircraft in the sky and forward operating bases, are radically reshaping mobility requirements. So too are the vast distances of the Pacific. New operating concepts like agile combat employment and the need to flow vast quantities of materials necessary to sustain a full-fledged major theater conflict are also posing distinct challenges. This episode will explore these variables from a cutting edge flightline perspective. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Col Thomas Lankford, Commander, 317th Airlift Wing, Dyess Air Force Base, Texas 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 #EMSO #Leader Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In episode 187 of the Aerospace Advantage, Spectrum Warfare: Freedom to Attack, Maneuver, and Defend, Heather “Lucky” Penney chats with 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing commander Col Joshua Koslov. Electromagnetic spectrum operations are critical to the success of any modern combat mission. With the growth of sensors, processing power, and connectivity—a tremendous range of effects can be netted through this realm. This includes attack, protection, and support functions. At its core, electromagnetic spectrum operations come down to securing an information advantage, which facilitates more effective decision making at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels. Electromagnetic spectrum warfare lies at the heart of concepts like JADC2 and ABMS—empowering data gathering, exchange, processing, and collaboration between various team members in the battlespace. It’s also a competitive realm, with our adversaries seeking to deny us this capability and our forces seeking to do the same to our opponents. This episode explores how this mission area has evolved and where it is headed in the future. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Col Joshua Koslov, Wing Commander, 350th Spectrum Warfare 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 #EMSO #Leader Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In episode 186 of the Aerospace Advantage, Congressional Update, Triad Questioned, Space Guard Debate: The Rendezvous, Heather “Lucky” Penney chats with members of the Mitchell Institute team about the latest defense news from the beltway and the broader national security community. The conversation begins with a review of where defense issues stand on The Hill. There have been a lot of hearings related to the FY25 Defense Budget request and the House Armed Services Committee just marked up their version of the National Defense Authorization Act—with major potential implications for the F-35 and other elements of the Air Force’s aircraft inventory. We also discuss how the space equities in the Guard are being handled—will these responsibilities or absorbed into the Space Force or a new Space National Guard? Team members also discuss Space Force organizational changes. Lt Gen Deptula, USAF (Ret.) wraps with a discussion regarding his recent visit to Ukraine. This is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior 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 Fellow for Spacepower Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence Guest: Todd “Sledge” Harmer, Senior Vice President, American Defense International Guest: Jeff Rowlison, VP, Space & Intel Programs, American Defense International Guest: Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski, Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs Guest: James Schenck, CEO & President, Pentagon Federal Credit Union Related Reading: Lift The Constraints On Ukraine And Reverse The Deterrence Calculus 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 #Hill Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In episode 185 of the Aerospace Advantage, Tomorrow’s F-35: Cooling is Key, host Heather “Lucky” Penney and Doug Birkey chat with Matt Pess, Chief Engineer on the Enhanced Power and Cooling System (EPACS) program at Collins Aerospace, about a key technology to sustain the F-35's future capability growth. The fighter’s powerful sensor suite, computing power, and avionics set it apart as a hugely capable twenty-first century combat aircraft. Operating these technologies demands robust cooling via a key aircraft subsystem known as power thermal management system (PTMS), especially as new systems are fielded on subsequent versions of the aircraft. The Joint Program Office (JPO) recently launched an effort to explore a new generation of PTMS systems. EPACS is one of the options. Big picture, this is a good news story because it means the F-35 is radically expanding what it can deliver in the battlespace. Realizing these gains will demand innovation. We discuss these factors with a key expert. This episode will explore this evolution and how the Collins team is focused on a potential solution.  Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, 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: Matt Pess, Chief Engineer, Enhanced Power and Cooling System (EPACS) Program, Collins Aerospace Related Reading: Accelerating 5th Generation Airpower: Bringing Capability and Capacity to the Merge 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 #Allies #Sweden #Europe Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In episode 184 of the Aerospace Advantage, New NATO Voices: Conversation with Maj Gen Jonas Wikman, Chief of the Swedish Air Force, host Heather “Lucky” Penney and Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret) chat with NATO’s newest airpower leader. Given recent events, the time for this conversation couldn’t be better. Our Air Forces have been strong partners for years, but Sweden’s membership in NATO will tighten the relationship even further. When you look at a map and think about current security challenges—Sweden holds a key position. Closely situated to Russia and vital sea lanes, Sweden not only serves as a key player in NATO, but their arctic position ties directly to our own homeland defense given northern tier approaches. Past that, Sweden has served shoulder-to-shoulder in recent years in numerous operations with our own airmen including Afghanistan. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior 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: MajGen Olof Jonas Wikman, Chief of Air Force, Swedish Air 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 #Allies #Sweden #Europe Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In episode 183 of the Aerospace Advantage, 89th Airlift Wing: Understanding the Mission of SAMFOX and Beyond, host Heather “Lucky” Penney chats with Col Angela Ochoa, commander of the 89th Airlift Wing. They call themselves “SAMFOX” – which stands for Special Air Missions Foreign. These are the Airmen who are best known for flying our nation’s most senior and elected leaders, like the President of the United States on Air Force One. Sometimes this is for a major diplomatic function that’s been months in the making; other times it’s an unexpected trip where it’s crucial to get the right leader on the ground ASAP for diplomatic purposes or to respond to a crisis. This episode takes a special look at the 89th to learn more about their mission, the aircraft, and the people who all make it possible—flight crews, maintenance personnel, aerial port personnel, communication and cyber professionals, security forces, and all the other support individuals. Any unit in the Air Force holds high standards, but the expectations for folks serving in the 89th are in a league of their own. Join us for this fascinating conversation. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Col Angela Ochoa, Commander, 89th Airlift Wing, Andrews Air Force Base, 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 #AirMobilityCommand #USAF Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In episode 182 of the Aerospace Advantage, Tomorrow’s Air National Guard: Lt Gen Loh Conversation, Heather “Lucky” Penney and Lt Gen Joseph "Gus" Guastella, USAF (Ret.) chat with the Director of the Air National Guard. Whether discussing air superiority, aerial mobility, aeromedical evacuation, or cyber—Guardsmen are deployed around the globe every single day helping meet combatant command demand. But the Air Guard is also facing challenges. Along with the rest of the Air Force, equipment is aging, and the Air Force is not sufficiently funded to procure replacements fast enough. This is especially pronounced in the fighter mission area. Jets procured in the 70s and 80s are hitting the end of their service lives, but we’re not buying enough aircraft fast enough to replace them. Demand isn’t going down, which drives the remaining force even harder. Join us for this incredibly insightful leadership conversation to learn where the ANG is headed and why. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Lt Gen Joseph T. Guastella, USAF (Ret.), Former Deputy Chief of Staff, USAF Guest: Lt Gen Michael A. Loh, Director, Air National Guard 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 #ANG #Guard #Leader Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In episode 181 of the Aerospace Advantage, Defense Budget, Space Update, CCA Decision, and PLA Reorg: The Rendezvous, Heather “Lucky” Penney and John “Slick” Baum chat with members of the Mitchell Institute team about topics you’ve seen in the national security headlines. We begin the conversation exploring how and why the legislation aiding Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan finally advanced. We share perspectives regarding Congressional hearings featuring Air Force and Space Force leaders.  The team also provides perspectives regarding the CCA award to General Atomics and Anduril. Our spacepower experts dig into a number of topics: everything from changes to U.S. Government regulations that control the import and export of space technologies, to the new commercial space strategy and considerations regarding how members of the Air Guard move forward with their space missions. We wrap discussing new reforms to the Chinese military, which mark their biggest reorganization in almost a decade. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Host: John "Slick" Baum, Senior 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: Charles Galbreath, Senior Fellow for Spacepower Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence Guest: J. Michael Dahm, Senior Fellow for Aerospace and China Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Todd “Sledge” Harmer, Senior Vice President, American Defense International Guest: Jeff 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 Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In episode 180 of the Aerospace Advantage, Royal Air Force Insights: Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, Heather “Lucky” Penney and Lt Gen David Deptula, USAF (Ret.) chat with the head of the Royal Air Force. The U.S. is fortunate to have many allies are partners, but few are as close and aligned as the United Kingdom. The plans and priorities for Royal Air Force airpower and spacepower are incredibly impactful for the U.S. Air Force and Space Force. Topics discussed include lessons learned from Ukraine, projecting power into the Pacific, deterrence in the modern era, space as a contested domain, plus the impact of technologies like AI and CCAs. We also discuss program updates regarding types like the F-35, E-7, MQ-9B, and Tempest. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain unique insights and perspectives on one of America’s most important partners. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior 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: ACM Sir Richard Knighton, Chief of the Air Staff, Royal Air 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 #RAF #NATO Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In episode 179 of the Aerospace Advantage, Space Electronic Warfare: Key to Modern Combat Operations, John “Slick” Baum and Charles Galbreath chat with Col Chris “Trigger” Fernengel and Lt Col Chris “Shocker” Adams of the Space Force. It’s no secret that space is an increasingly contested domain. The U.S. didn’t want it to be this way, but our adversaries chose that vector and now we must respond. Electronic warfare stands as the Space Force’s leading offensive counterspace capability at the moment. It’s also a means our adversaries possess and have used against us. This is a big deal given that space operations depend on cyber and the electromagnetic spectrum to connect the enterprise both within space and to downlink stations on earth. We explore these realities with two of the Space Force’s top experts on the topic. Understanding the risks, capabilities, and limitations of space electronic warfare is crucial to inform the ongoing discussion regarding counterspace capabilities and the need to improve the U.S. space architecture’s resilience. There are huge implications for cross-domain operations as well. Credits: Host: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Charles Galbreath, Senior Fellow for Spacepower Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Guest: Col Christopher "Trigger" Fernengel, Director, Commander's Action Group, Space Operations Command Guest: Lt Col C. Gene "Shocker" Adams, Commander, 527th Space Aggressor Squadron, Space Training and Readiness 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/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #space #electronic #warfare #training Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In episode 178 of the Aerospace Advantage, Airpower in Central Command: Leadership Update, Lt Gen David Deptula, USAF (Ret.) and Doug Birkey chat with 9th AF/ US Air Forces Central Command Commander Lt Gen Alexus “Grynch” Grynkewich. When the U.S. sunset large-scale military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, many assumed military forces in the region would largely be tasked elsewhere—especially the Indo-Pacific. However, adversaries like Iran and numerous proxy groups have continued to pursue acts of aggression that demand a response. As these threats continue to persist and morph in new, challenging ways, it’s important to recognize a degree of coordination with nations like Russia, China. Air Force airmen have answered the call to engage, but this is placing a tremendous strain on the force given concurrent demands elsewhere around the globe. This episode seeks to understand what is driving this mission demand, the scale and scope of current operations, and desired objectives through a leadership lens. Credits: Host: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, 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 Gen Alexus "Grinch" Grynkewich, Commander, 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central), Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, and Combined Forces Air Component Commander, U.S. Central Command, Southwest Asia 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 #CENTAF #MiddleEast #Iran Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In episode 177 of the Aerospace Advantage, Hypersonic Ascendancy: Regaining America's Edge, John "Slick" Baum chats with Dr. Michael Brown, the Principal Scientist of the High-Speed Systems Division at Air Force Research Laboratory, and Mark Rettig, Vice President and General Manager for Business and Technology Development at GE Aerospace’s Edison Works about what the Air Force and industry are doing to help realize this crucial capability at an operational level. The U.S. spent the 1960s as the undisputed hypersonic leader, with the famed X-15 executing 199 successful flights, many over five times the speed of sound at the edge of space. This conversation begins with members of the Mitchell Institute team visiting the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s legendary X-15 up close, discussing the program’s significance, and then exploring how this competitive advantage faded over subsequent decades. Now, America faces fierce adversary competition in the hypersonic realm, and our defense community must respond. We turn to AFRL’s Dr. Michael Brown and GE’s Mark Rettig to better understand how the government and industry are striving to realize the necessary innovations to field this capability at an operational level. We also discuss how and why hypersonic technology will impact tomorrow’s battlespace.  This is an incredible conversation with key leaders who are pioneering the future. Credits: Host: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Doug Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Heather Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Dr. Michael Brown, Principal Scientist, High-Speed Systems Division, Air Force Research Laboratory Guest: Mark Rettig, Vice President and General Manager for Business and Technology Development, Edison Works Division, GE Aerospace 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 #hypersonic #technology Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In episode 176 of the Aerospace Advantage, Assessing the FY25 Defense Budget and Spacepower Deep-Dive: The Rendezvous, John "Slick" Baum chats with the Rendezvous team about topics you've seen in the national security headlines. We explore key takeaways from the FY2025 Air Force and Space Force budget requests—why it’s important to boost investment in key mission areas like space control and domain awareness, to the importance of growing aircraft acquisition numbers—especially for types like B-21 and F-35—while also boosting readiness investments. Congress also needs to ensure Airmen and Guardian end strength is aligned with demand. The reality is that the defense budget caps drove hard choices for this cycle and it’s crucial that Congress reconsider the levels of risk in play and align funding accordingly. We also outline top take aways Space Force, Space Command, and industry leaders shared at last week’s Mitchell Institute Spacepower Security Forum. We wrap with a discussion of the global threat picture. Credits: Host: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, 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 Fellow for Spacepower Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence Guest: Todd “Sledge” Harmer, Senior Vice President, American Defense International Guest: Jeff 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 Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In episode 175 of the Aerospace Advantage, Air Mobility Imperative: Conversation with Gen Minihan, John “Slick” Baum and Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.) speak with AMC Commander Gen Mike Minihan. Air mobility is a lynchpin for any modern military operation. Combat aircraft in the sky, ships at sea, forces on land, and forward-deployed space and cyber units are of little use unless they are resourced in alignment with operational demands. That demands delivering everything from fuel and personnel to vital supplies like munitions and spare parts both into and within a theater. The means of this are well known: airlifters and tankers. Even more vital are the personnel. How this enterprise is employed will evolve markedly given future threats and growing multi-theater demand. This will demand enhanced capacity, revised capabilities, new operational concepts, considerations tied to survivability both in the air and on the ground, plus fresh thinking regarding command and control. Given what’s at stake, this is a “failure isn’t an option” moment. Credits: Host: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, 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 Michael A. Minihan, Commander, Air Mobility 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/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #budget #air #space Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In episode 174 of the Aerospace Advantage, Understanding the Air Force and Space Force Budget: Leadership Perspective, Doug Birkey Baum and members of the Mitchell team speak to Lt Gen Rick Moore, Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, Headquarters, USAF, and Lt Gen Shawn Bratton, Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Strategy, Plans, Programs, and Requirements, Headquarters, USSF. It’s no secret that the Air Force and Space Force are in the middle of a massively transformative era. With threats on the rise and critical modernization dominating both services, resources really matter. It doesn’t matter how effective a strategy or operational concept might be in theory if it isn’t underwritten with sufficient capacity and capabilities. That takes funding. The spending caps passed by Congress make this year’s budget request picture exceedingly challenging. In this episode,  Lt Gen Moore and Lt Gen Bratton, the leaders charged with building their respective service budget requests, shed light on how specific programs were resourced, while also discussing how they balanced factors like readiness and modernization. This is a critical conversation that cuts to the core of building tomorrow’s airpower and spacepower. Credits: Host: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, 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 Space Power Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Guest: Lt Gen Richard G. Moore, Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, Headquarters, USAF Guest: Lt Gen Shawn N. Bratton, Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Strategy, Plans, Programs, and Requirements, Headquarters, 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 #budget #air #space Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In Episode 173 of the Aerospace Advantage, Eyes in the Sky: From U-2 to Reaper and Beyond, John “Slick” Baum chats with former U-2 pilot Maj Gen “Jake” Polumbo, USAF (Ret.), the highest-ranking officer to fly the Dragon Lady in combat, and long-time experienced MQ-9 pilot Lt Col Johnny Duray, who has risen through the ranks as a line pilot to a commander in the RPA world.  ISR is one of the most crucial capabilities military actors require at the strategic, operational and tactical levels. It all comes down to gaining a decision advantage over an adversary by knowing when and where to position forces to net desired effects, while minimizing points of vulnerability. While this macro goal may be timeless, the means of securing ISR data has evolved markedly. This episode will focus on this evolution by exploring the U-2, a Cold War icon manned ISR aircraft, and then discuss the uncrewed ISR mission through the lens of the MQ-9 Reaper, which can execute ISR, while also employ kinetic strike capabilities and a range of other functions. Both aircraft are tremendously capable, yet they speak to requirements from different eras. This is an incredible set of perspectives from some of the top experts who have “been there and done that”—you’ll definitely want to listen. Credits: Host: John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Maj Gen H.D. "Jake" Polumbo, Jr., USAF (Ret.), Founding Partner and Senior Consultant, Two Blue Aces Guest: Lt Col John Duray, Commander, 9th Attack Squadron, Holloman AFB, 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 #space #system #GeneralAtomics Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In Episode 172 of the Aerospace Advantage, Building Tomorrow’s Space Force Architecture: Industry Insights, John “Slick” Baum chats with Scott Forney, the President of Electromagnetic Systems at General Atomics, along with Col Charles Galbreath, USSF (Ret.), and Maj Gen Larry Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.), from our Mitchell Institute team. The Space Force is developing its satellite constellations to meet new mission demands, evolving their architecture to address a rapidly burgeoning threat environment. No longer does the Space Force want to be overly reliant on large “fat juicy target” satellites, which, if destroyed or incapacitated, would yield outsized impacts to broader mission functions. This episode will explore the construction of this enterprise through an industrial base vantage. GA-EMS is a lead actor helping build out this new space architecture alongside the Space Force. They’re involved on the Tranche 2 effort with the Space Development Agency and building part of the replacement for the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, while also pioneering domain awareness technology in the cislunar region. Experts on their team also excel in fields like laser communications, and they’re even looking at things like nuclear thermal propulsion—a key for maneuvering on orbit. Join us for an inside perspective at this seminal moment in spacepower history. Credits: Host: John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Maj Gen Larry Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.), Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Charles Galbreath, Senior Fellow for Spacepower Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence Guest: Scott Forney, President, Electromagnetic Systems Group, 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 #space #system #GeneralAtomics Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In Episode 171 of the Aerospace Advantage, Congressional Update, Department of the Air Force Reorg, and Effective Deterrence in the Middle East: The Rendezvous, John “Slick” Baum chats with members of the Mitchell Institute team about the latest defense news from the beltway and the broader national security community. The conversation begins by assessing where Congress stands when it comes to passing an actual defense budget and moving past the crippling parade of continuing resolutions. We also discuss the Department of the Air Force’s newly-announced reorganization—all part of their effort to optimize the Air Force and Space Force for great power competition. The team then explores what it means to deter in the Middle East. Given instability driven by Iran and others, this remains a major challenge, and we need smart options to drive down the violence.  Finally, we examine recent spacepower developments. Credits: Host: John “Slick” Baum, Senior 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: Maj Gen Larry Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.), Director of Research, 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 Fellow for Spacepower Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence Guest: Todd “Sledge” Harmer, Senior Vice President, American Defense International 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 Thank you for your continued support!

Episode Summary: In Episode 170 of the Aerospace Advantage: Cislunar Space: The Latest Zone of Competition in the Space Race, Mitchell Institute’s John “Slick” Baum interviews Dr. Jaime Stearns, AFRL’s cislunar lead; Bradley Cheetham, the President of Advanced Space; and Mitchell Institute’s Col Charles Galbreath, USSF (Ret.) about where the competition in space is headed next. Reaching the Moon was once a powerful statement of America’s prowess and global leadership, with huge strategic implications that played out during the Cold War. Today, there is a new race to the Moon and the surrounding region. Who wins that contest and the resulting precedents they set will translate to very real consequences from security, economic, scientific, and diplomatic perspectives. That’s why the U.S. Space Force and U.S. Space Command must take steps today in the cislunar regime to establish the same freedom of operations it realizes in Earth orbit. These steps will include new capabilities such as space domain awareness, high bandwidth communications, and cislunar navigation technologies. This week we’re hearing first-hand from those operating and building spacecraft in the cislunar regime to better understand the challenges they face, the criticality of their mission, and the skillsets and resources they need to succeed. Credits: Host: John “Slick” Baum, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Charles Galbreath, Senior Fellow for Spacepower Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence Guest: Dr. Jaime Stearns, AFRL Cislunar Lead Guest: Bradley Cheetham, CEO & President, Advanced Space 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 #space #cislunar Thank you for your continued support!