Episode 17 – The Merge: Bomber Task Force Missions, Jointness Under Attack, and Modernization Choices

Episode Summary

The Mitchell Institute is pleased to release episode 17 of its Aerospace Advantage podcast: The Merge: Bomber Taskforce Missions, Jointness Under Attack, and Modernization Choices. Join Mitchell Institute experts for a roundtable discussion to explore the impact of Global Strike’s bomber task force missions; a showdown that is emerging between the services regarding the principles underpinning jointness; and whether 2021 will see the Air Force seek to retire more aircraft in a quest to free up resources for modernization.  This a chance for you to hear about the key aerospace issues that are making headlines in Washington DC and beyond. Our goal here is to cut past the sound bites and provide you insight regarding the underlying issues at play.

Full Topic Guide

The Merge is back this week, featuring the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies team: Dean David Deptula, Executive Director Doug Birkey, Director of Future Concepts and Capabilities Assessments Mark “Gonzo” Gunzinger, Senior Fellow Heather Penney, and host John “Slick” Baum.

Three topics are on the menu: the impact of Global Strike’s bomber task force missions; a showdown that is emerging between the services regarding the principles underpinning jointness; and whether 2021 will see the Air Force seek to retire more aircraft in a quest to free up resources for modernization.

Join our team for the discussion, and hear from the leading aerospace power experts on these topics that are shaping the debate in Washington D.C.

Timestamps

1:08 – The team discusses the importance of bomber task force missions and their capabilities across multiple theatres.

9:21 – The roundtable defines what jointness means, how it applies to current operations, and where current interpretations are taking this notion sideways.

25:20 – Modernizing the Air Force: does trading older aircraft for hopes of newer types work?

Credits

Host:  Lt Col John “Slick” Baum, USAF, ret.

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Lt Gen (ret.) David Deptula, Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Doug Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Col (ret.) Mark “Gonzo” Gunzinger, Director of of Future Concepts and Capabilities Assessments, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Maj (ret.) Heather Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

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