The Mitchell Institute’s Aerospace Nation Podcast

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to listen to our Aerospace Nation event with Lt Gen Kevin B. Kennedy, Commander, Sixteenth Air Force; Commander, Air Forces Cyber, and Commander, Joint Force Headquarters-Cyber (Air Force). Lt Gen Kennedy discussed the priorities of the Sixteenth Air Force regarding cyber and electronic capabilities, along with their associated operational concepts and strategies.

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to Schriever Spacepower Series with Dr. Lisa Costa, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer (CTIO). Dr Costa discussed how the United States Space Force is leveraging digital technologies such as Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis (MS&A) and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) to increase the effects generated by a lean Guardian workforce. This event was moderated by Gen Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret.), Explorer Chair of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE).

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to Aerospace Nation with Gen Luca Goretti, Chief of Staff, Italian Air Force. Gen Goretti discussed Italian Air Force priorities regarding technologies, operational concepts, and associated strategies. Our two air forces operate common systems like the F-35 and MQ-9, plus the two air forces have shared security interests around the globe. This creates a key allied relationship rooted in the advocacy of using airpower to provide options for our nation’s leaders to address security challenges. The partnership of the U.S. and Italian Air Force is a model for building synergy in an allied relationship. Hear from one of the leading airpower voices in Europe.

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to listen to Schriever Spacepower Series with Maj Gen Christopher Povak, Deputy Director, National Reconnaissance Office. General Povak joined us to discuss the latest details regarding how the NRO develops, acquires, launches, and operates the latest space-based intelligence assets. This event was moderated by Gen Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret.), Explorer Chair of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE).

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to enjoy Aerospace Nation with Brig Gen Michael Zuhlsdorf, Deputy Director, Resource Integration - Engineering, Logistics, and Force Protection; Col James Hartle, Associate Director of Logistics, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection; Col Patrick Launey, Chief, Logistics Readiness Division and Logistics Readiness Officer Career Field Manager, Directorate of Logistics; and Mr. Todd Serres, Associate Chief, Command and Control and Integrated Air and Missile Defense Division within the Training and Readiness Directorate/DCS Operations. As the leads for Secretary Frank Kendall’s fifth operational imperative, “Defining optimized resilient basing, sustainment, and communications in a contested environment,” Brig Gen Zuhlsdorf, Col Hartle, Col Launey, and Mr. Serres joined us to share their perspectives on these key topics, with particular focus on the U.S. Air Force's approach to Agile Combat Employment (ACE).

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to listen to our Schriever Spacepower Series event with Lt Gen John E. Shaw, Deputy Commander, U.S. Space Command. Gen Shaw discussed the various challenges facing U.S. Space Command in its mission to protect and defend critical space systems from the growing threats posed by China and Russia, as well as provide insights into the Command’s plans for its continuing support to the joint fight around the world.

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to listen to the rollout of our newest policy paper: Accelerating 5th-Generation Airpower: Bringing Capability and Capacity to the Merge by Lt Gen Joseph Guastella, USAF (Ret.), former Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Mitchell Institute Senior Fellow; Douglas Birkey, Mitchell Institute Executive Director; and Eric Gunzinger, former F-35 Program Manager for Flight Simulation Test and Evaluation. They were joined by Gen Jeffrey Harrigian, USAF (Ret.), former Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe; Commander, U.S. Air Forces Africa; and Commander, Allied Air Command. The event was moderated by Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean of the Mitchell Institute.

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to listen to the rollout of our newest policy paper: Building U.S. Space Force Counterspace Capabilities: An Imperative for America’s Defense by Charles Galbreath. He was joined by Maj Gen David N. Miller Jr., Director of Operations, U.S. Space Force and Robert Atkin, Vice President, Special Space Systems, General Atomics. The event was moderated by Gen Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret.), Explorer Chair, (MI-SPACE).​​​​

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to listen the rollout of our newest policy paper: Bolstering Arctic Domain Awareness to Deter Air and Missile Threats to the Homeland by Dr. Caitlin Lee. Dr. Lee was joined by Gen Glen D. VanHerck, Commander, United States Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command. The event was moderated by Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF, (Ret.) Dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. The U.S. military’s ability to detect, track, and defeat a long-range aviation and cruise missile strikes emanating from the Arctic has degraded significantly since the height of the Cold War. This is particularly concerning given Chinese and Russian activities in the region. Improved U.S. and allied domain awareness can go a long way in bolstering deterrence against conventional air and cruise missile threats. Adversaries will be disinclined to launch strikes on the U.S. homeland if they know the United States is anticipating an attack and creating options to dissuade it. It comes down to empowering U.S. leaders with decision-quality information more quickly than adversaries to underwrite a comprehensive “missile defeat” strategy.

The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to listen to our Schriever Spacepower Series event with Gen David D. Thompson, Vice Chief of Space Operations. Gen Thompson discussed challenges and opportunities facing the Space Force in the broader context of the threat environment and America’s security requirements in space.