John “Slick” Baum, Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret.), and Gen Kevin Chilton, USAF (Ret.) chat with Air Marshal Harvey Smyth, the Royal Air Force’s Air and Space Commander. During this episode, the Mitchell team explores with Air Marshal Smyth how he sees the global security environment and where the RAF stands from a capabilities perspective. They also discuss future operating concepts and RAF spacepower objectives.
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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.
John “Slick” Baum chats with Col Eric Felt, USSF Director of Architecture; Matt Fetrow of the Space Rapid Capabilities Office; Arnie Streland of Northrop Grumman; and Charles Galbreath, Mitchell Institute Senior Fellow for Space Studies, about how the Space Force and industry are responding to the growing threat environment on orbit.
Ep. 140 - The Rendezvous
Congressional Defense Priorities, Allies Boost Modernization, China Realities, and Spacepower Perspectives: The Rendezvous
In this Rendezvous episode, we discuss the looming potential for a government shutdown in the coming months. We also discuss the generational wave of modernization with our allies and partners, what it means for the U.S. from an operational and industrial base set of perspectives, recent threat developments as Russia continues its war in Ukraine, and as China maintains its assertive stance in the Pacific. On top of all that, we review the latest developments in spacepower—including the Space Command headquarters announcement and how the Space Force continues to evolve meet the threat.
John “Slick” Baum chats with Col Robert Graham, USAF (Ret.) about the 500+ combat sorties he flew across four combat tours during the Vietnam War.
Doug Birkey chats with Mitchell Institute’s Maj Gen Larry Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.) and David Tweedie, GE Edison Works vice president and general manager for advanced products, about a key element of America’s crucial combat aircraft advantage in the sky: engines.
John “Slick Baum” explores the status of the Air Force’s fighter inventory and a path for reset with Maj Gen Charles “Corky” Corcoran, USAF (Ret.); Lt Col Eric Gunzinger, USAF (Ret.); and Douglas Birkey.
Ep. 136
It’s Time to Reset the Force: Leadership Conversation with Lt Gen Mike Loh, Director of the ANG
Doug Birkey explores the modernization challenges facing the Air National Guard and the Air Force as a whole with Lt Gen Mike Loh, along with Mitchell Institute’s Lt Gen David Deptula, USAF (Ret.) and Heather Penney.
Ep. 135 - The Rendezvous
Hill Update, Budget Caps, Space Trends, and Ukraine Perspectives: The Rendezvous
In this Rendezvous episode, we explore recent news from Ukraine, especially the Wagner Group’s rebellion in Russia. We also discuss how the defense bills are progressing through both the Senate and House—evaluating how priorities are faring as they work through the markup process in the various committees. We also discuss the Hill’s take on “divest to invest.”
Douglas Birkey explores the future of uncrewed combat aviation with Mike Atwood, Senior Director of Advanced Programs at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.
In this episode we discuss the ascent of commercial capabilities to secure national security effects in, through, and by space. Douglas Birkey chats with Even Rogers, CEO of True Anomaly, a former Air Force weapons officer and a contributing author of the inaugural Space Force doctrine; Steve Kitay, Senior Director of Azure Space at Microsoft and a former Deputy Assist Secretary of Defense for Space Policy at DoD; and Mitchell Institute’s Tim Ryan.
John “Slick” Baum chats with longtime AFSOC pilot Col Sarah Brehm, veteran defense leader Mr. Jim “Hondo” Geurts, and AFSOC Special Tactics Officer Lt Col Steve Cooper about the United States Special Operations Command’s core values, what they call SOF Truths.
Ep. 131 - The Rendezvous
Defense and the Budget Deal, Hill Update, ANG Fighters, and Space Trends: The Rendezvous
In this Rendezvous episode, we explore the new budget deal and its implications for defense. We also talk about how Air Force and Space Force requests are faring on The Hill as the defense committees advance their annual authorization and appropriations bills. Our panelists also assess the legislation that was introduced by Rep Bacon (R-NE) regarding ANG fighter capacity and provide an update about the latest developments in Ukraine. We wrap with an update regarding national security space issues.
John Baum chats with Mitchell Institute’s Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Maj Gen Larry Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.), and Doug Birkey about building out Ukrainian airpower.
John Baum chats with Mitchell Institute’s Heather “Lucky” Penney about what it means to secure battlespace effects in the 21st century.
John Baum chats with Maj Gen Larry Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.) and Col Mark Gunzinger, USAF (Ret.) about the USAF’s newest combat aircraft, the B-21.