John Baum and Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret.), chat with one of the leading national authorities on defense, Representative Rob Wittman from the 1st District of Virginia.
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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 Baum discusses what happens when an F-35 rolls off the production line and executes its first flights with Lockheed Martin F-35 test pilot Tony “Brick” Wilson and J.R. McDonald, Vice President for F-35 Business Development.
Doug Birkey discusses a looming capacity cliff with Maj Gen Paul Rogers, the Adjutant General of the Michigan National Guard; Brig Gen Tim Donnellan, Commander of the Idaho Air National Guard; along with Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret.) and Heather Penney of the Mitchell Institute.
The MISPACE Team chat about the 2nd Annual Spacepower Security Forum. From the Chief of Space Operations, Gen B. Chance Saltzman, talking about “Competitive Endurance” and Lt Gen Burt on the critical missile warning and tracking missions, to Maj Gen Miller discussing how to protect and defend space capabilities and more!
The war in Ukraine has turned the world’s attention to the game-changing potential of networked, autonomous drone technologies. But to what extent are the lessons learned from Ukraine relevant to the Indo-Pacific theater? John Baum chats with drone experts Sam Bendett of the Center for Naval Analysis and Mitchell Institute’s own Dr. Caitlin Lee.
Ep. 122 - The Rendezvous
Air and Space in the FY24 Defense Budget, China and Russia Update, and Fighters on the Brink: The Rendezvous
In this Rendezvous episode, we discuss Congress’ reaction to the FY24 defense budget submission, with a special focus on air and space power. We explore China and Russia’s increasing alignment, plus the latest developments in Ukraine. We round out the conversation discussing key trends with the Air Force’s fighter inventories, along with hot button topics that will garner significant attention on Capitol Hill this year, like engine options for the F-35 and future tanker plans.
John “Slick” Baum talks with China expert Daniel Rice about how the Asian superpower is gaining increased influence around the globe.
There’s a lot to track: adversary threats in orbit, spacepower lessons learned from the conflict in Ukraine, the potential for a Space National Guard, commercial industry’s role in spacepower, and General Saltzman’s lines of effort for the Space Force.
John “Slick” Baum, Maj Gen Larry “Stutz” Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.), and Heather “Lucky” Penney interview Lt Col Gene Smith, USAF (Ret.) about what it was like to get shot down in his F-105 over downtown Hanoi on October 25, 1967. This was just one of the 1,737 USAF aircraft lost to hostile action over Vietnam.
Ep. 118 - The Rendezvous
China Update, FY24 Defense Budget, and Russia’s Intentions: The Rendezvous
In this Rendezvous episode, we discuss the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We then explore China and Russia’s increasing alignment, plus Russia’s decision to suspend its participation in New START. We round out the conversation discussing FY24 defense budget expectations and consider the long-term implications for homeland defense given the Chinese surveillance balloon.
John “Slick” Baum talks to Col Mathew Berry, commandant of the Air Force’s Air Command and Staff College (ACSC), and Col Sarah Bakhtiari, Dean of Education at ACSC about how they are working to train the next generation of airmen.
John "Slick" Baum talks to Col Russ "Bones" Cook, 23rd Wing Commander of Air Force Rescue at Moody AFB; Lt Col Patrick "TISL" Parrish, National Defense Fellow at the Congressional Research Service and long-time A-10 pilot; and Michael “Mongo” Kingry, Air Force Fellow at the Mitchell Institute, about the challenges facing the USAF’s Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) mission as it looks to adapt to changing global threats.
John “Slick” Baum and Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret.) chat with the Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
Ep. 114 - The Rendezvous
Debt Ceiling Debate, Airpower for Ukraine, and DOD’s new AI Policy: The Rendezvous
In this Rendezvous episode, we discuss the Congressional debt ceiling debate, Turkey’s desire to secure F-16s, if and how airpower assistance can be provided to Ukraine, and DOD’s new policy on AI. We wrap with a look at lower-profile, but consequential, security challenges around the globe.
John “Slick” Baum chats with Robert “Otis” Winkler from KRATOS Defense about what it’s like to design, develop, and field a next generation UAV, what the Air Force now calls Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).