This week we visit Kansas! Some of the biggest names in aviation have roots in the Sunflower State, including Clyde Cessna, Walter and Olive Ann Beech, Al Mooney, Clyde Stearman, and Bill Lear. During World War II, Wichita was a key site for Boeing’s production of the PT-17 Stearman and the famed B-29 and these plants still produce aircraft today. On the space side, 4 astronauts come from Kansas, and 15 Kansas suppliers support NASA’s Orion spacecraft.
In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney talks combat search and rescue (CSAR) with Col. Michael “Mongo” Kingry, Deputy Commander of the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano Air Base. Join us for a deep dive into how a rescue is executed and how the mission is evolving.
Air & Space Forces Magazine | August 19, 2026
Air & Space Forces Magazine | August 18, 2026
Empowering actors at all levels with a smart set of options at the right time and place demands procuring the most effective, efficient, and resilient set of tools.
Resource investment must prioritize investments that will yield best value for the Air Force, Space Force, and national security establishment as a whole.
Strategic deterrence is the bedrock of the national security enterprise thanks to the virtues and value of the triad.
National security space activities are essential facets of any military operation, while also creating conditions essential for the civilian economy.
Meeting national security requirements today and tomorrow requires insightful, creative approaches that prioritize America’s strengths, while not projecting undue vulnerability.
