The Air Force lost 1,737 aircraft over Vietnam. That’s roughly 80% of the Air Force’s current fighter inventory. We discuss these realities with Lt Col Gene Smith, USAF (Ret.), a seasoned Vietnam combat pilot who went “downtown” and also spent over five years as a POW. Effective airpower demands that aircrew fly into harm’s way, execute their missions, and return to base—and then do it all over again. 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.
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Every week, Heather “Lucky” Penney will take listeners into the world of aerospace power and help the audience understand what it takes to fly and fight in the sky, while also protecting America’s interests in space. Whether talking to top generals, standing on a flight line full of combat aircraft, looking at a rocket being prepared for launch, or hearing from those who have laid it all on the line in defense of the nation—this podcast will afford unprecedented access and insight into where the combat aerospace community is going and why.
As the Air Force develops the operational construct for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, it is important for 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. While CCA will execute at an entirely new level of performance, there are also foundational realities tied to uncrewed aviation that will shape how these aircraft fly and fight.
Ep. 230 - The Rendezvous
F-47 Insights, Chinese “Dog Fighting in Space,” and DC Defense Developments: The Rendezvous
In this Rendezvous episode, we discuss top Air Force and Space Force developments in Washington, D.C., and beyond. Topics include Chief of Space Operations General Saltzman at Mitchell Institute, the impact a year-long continuing resolution, the FY26 defense budget, the F-47 NGAD announcement,, SECAF nominee testimony, and Chinese “dogfighting” in space.
Heather “Lucky” Penney and Col. Mark “Chili” Howard explore one of the Air Force’s largest, most diverse units: the 55th...
This week, we are joined by Brig Gen Christopher "Reggie" Hammond, Col Timothy "Tilt" Monroe, and Col Nicholas "Fever" Pederson to chat about on-going combat contributions and the Air Force’s future development path for this incredible mission.
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.
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.
Ep. 225 - The Rendezvous
Trump Defense Priorities, Congressional Update, and Ukraine
In this Rendezvous episode, we discuss recent top defense leadership changes, Ukraine, Secretary of Defense Hegseth’s defense budget guidance, the latest Minuteman ICBM test launch, next generation advanced propulsion, and we provide a spacepower update.
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. Heather “Lucky” Penney discusses her new paper, "Want Combat Airpower? Then Fix the Air Force Pilot Crisis" with Lt Gen Gus Guastella, USAF (Ret) and Lt Gen Marc Sasseville, USAF (Ret).
Mitchell Institute Senior Fellow Mike Dahm discusses the creation of a new service branch focused on space—the PLA’s Aerospace Force, the continued development of China's nuclear arsenal and the “Christmas surprise” flight of multiple new combat aircraft.
The Mitchell team discuss the rising strategic importance of the Arctic with Maj Gen Mark Piper, USAF, NORAD Deputy Director of Operations and Brig Gen James Hawthorne, RCAF, NORAD Deputy Director Strategy, Policy and Plans.
Ep. 221 - The Rendezvous
Will Congress Boost Air and Space Power in 2025? The Rendezvous
In this Rendezvous episode, we discuss air and space power issues through the congressional lens, and how that may affect individual programs, broader strategy, and budget considerations. We also explore recent, increasingly direct remarks about resource needs by former Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen David Allvin.
The Mitchell team discuss key considerations that President Trump’s defense team, especially the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Air Force, should be thinking about when it comes to airpower.
The MISPACE team discuss key considerations that President Trump’s defense team, especially the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Air Force, should be thinking about when it comes to spacepower.
Without effective and reliable airpower, no modern combat operation can succeed. Our guests define the scale and scope of the challenge, leading to a robust discussion of solutions.