
The Mitchell Institute’s Aerospace Nation Podcast
The Mitchell Institute hosts some of the most senior leaders and thought influencers of the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, and Department of Defense for an intimate hour-long discussion on the pressing issues of the hour as well as long-term strategic visions. The live sessions are attended by a broad swath of individuals from the Department of Defense, Capitol Hill, defense industry, and academia who influence defense policy and budget, and they receive wide press coverage.
Latest episodes

Dec 14, 2022 • 1h 6min
Research Paper Release: The Next Frontier: UAVs for Great Power Conflict | Part I: Penetrating Strike
The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies invites you to listen to the rollout for our newest research paper: The Next Frontier: UAVs for Great Power Conflict – Part I: Penetrating Strike by Caitlin Lee, Senior Fellow for UAV and Autonomy Studies and Mark Gunzinger, Director of Future Concepts and Capability Assessments and a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense. Maj Gen Scott Jobe, Director of Plans, Programs, and Requirements, Headquarters Air Combat Command; Brig Gen Dale R. White, Program Executive Officer for Fighters and Advanced Aircraft, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Air Force Materiel Command; David R. Alexander, President, Aircraft Systems Group General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.; along with Steve Fendley, President, Unmanned Systems Division at Kratos Defense and Security Solutions join the discussion moderated by Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.) Dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.

Nov 30, 2022 • 1h 1min
Aerospace Nation: Lauren Knausenberger
The Mitchell Institute invites you to listen to our virtual Aerospace Nation event with Lauren Knausenberger, Chief Information Officer for the Department of the Air Force, which includes both the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.
Ms. Knausenberger leads two directorates and supports 20,000 cyber operations and support personnel around the globe. She provides oversight of the Air Force’s Information Technology portfolio including the Information Technology investment strategy from networks to cloud computing, Enterprise policies, information resources management, IT innovation initiatives, information assurance, and related matters for the Department of the Air Force. As Chief Information Officer (CIO), Ms. Knausenberger delivers cyber security, and enforces Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act laws. She integrates Air Force warfighting and mission support capabilities by networking and securing air, space, and terrestrial assets. Ms. Knausenberger also leads career management initiatives for 10,000 IT/Cyber civilian personnel across all human resources facets from recruiting to professional development.

Nov 30, 2022 • 57min
Schriever Spacepower Forum: Gen James H. Dickinson
Watch the Mitchell Institute’s virtual Schriever Spacepower Forum event with Gen James H. Dickinson, Commander, U.S. Space Command for an update on the wide variety of challenges and opportunities facing U.S. Space Command in its mission of protecting and defending vital space systems against the growing threat from Russia and China 100km and up, as well as insight into the Command’s way ahead for its continuing warfighting support mission on Earth.

Nov 30, 2022 • 1h 1min
Policy Paper Release: The Indispensable Domain: The Critical Role of Space in JADC2

Sep 22, 2022 • 1h 1min
Schriever Spacepower Forum: Maj Gen Shawn N. Bratton
The Mitchell Institute invites you to listen to our virtual Schriever Spacepower Forum event with Maj Gen Shawn N. Bratton, Commander, Space Training and Readiness Command. Maj Gen Bratton joined us to discuss Space Force Training, Education and Doctrine and STARCOM’s contributions to space warfighting.

Sep 13, 2022 • 56min
Policy Paper Release: Decades of Air Force Underfunding Threaten America’s Ability to Win
Listen to the Mitchell Institute’s rollout for our newest policy paper: Decades of Air Force Underfunding Threaten America’s Ability to Win by Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, and Mark A. Gunzinger, Director of Future Concepts and Capability Assessments at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. Joining the discussion is former Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Lt Gen Joseph T. Guastella Jr, USAF (Ret.).
Due to technical difficulties during recording, some audio from the event was lost.
Links:
Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of
Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Ins...
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/?hl=en
#mitchellstudies #AerospaceNation #airpower #airforce #usaf #budgeting #defense
Thank you for your continued support!

Aug 25, 2022 • 48min
Nuclear Deterrence and Missile Defense Forum: RADM Scott W. Pappano
The Mitchell Institute invites you to listen to our virtual Nuclear Deterrence Forum with RADM Scott W. Pappano, Program Executive Officer, Strategic Submarines, USN. The admiral joins us to discuss the Columbia Class ballistic missile submarine and D-5/2 ballistic missile modernization programs.
Links:
Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of
Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Ins...
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/?hl=en
#mitchellstudies #AerospaceNation #nuclear #navy #usn
Thank you for your continued support!

Aug 5, 2022 • 59min
Schriever Spacepower Forum: Dr. Christopher Scolese
The Mitchell Institute invites you to listen to our virtual Schriever Spacepower Forum event with Dr. Christopher Scolese, 19th Director, National Reconnaissance Office. Dr. Scolese joins us to discuss NRO, United States Space Force and U.S. Space Command collaboration, current threats, and space acquisitions.
Links:
Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of
Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Ins...
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/?hl=en
#mitchellstudies #AerospaceNation #space #nro
Thank you for your continued support!

Jul 12, 2022 • 1h 2min
Ukraine: Success Demands A New Approach
The Mitchell Institute invites you to listen to our virtual Aerospace Nation on with Evelyn N. Farkas, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, and Eurasia; Bryan Clark, Senior Fellow and Director of Center for Defense Concepts and Technology, Hudson Institute; Seth Jones, Senior Vice President, Harold Brown Chair, and Director of International Security Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS); and Heather Penney, Senior Fellow for Airpower Studies, Mitchell Institute.
The early success Ukrainian forces enjoyed over invading Russian units in the Kyiv region is now giving way to brutal, incremental territorial losses elsewhere in the country. Putin may be paying a steep price for these advances, but he’s ultimately locking in desired conquests. It’s time for the US and the coalition partners to change their approach when it comes to the scale and scope of military capabilities they are providing Ukraine—especially when it comes to airpower. Failing to pursue this course risks allowing Russia to cement its gains. This portends a dangerous precedent in Europe and around the globe writ large—including lessons China may garner from the conflict. The risk calculus must change from “What happens if we provide certain types of support?” to “What happens if we don’t?” Moderated by Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, Mitchell Institute.
Links:
Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of
Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Ins...
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themitchellinstituteforaero/?hl=en
#mitchellstudies #AerospaceNation #ukraine
Thank you for your continued support!

Jun 24, 2022 • 58min
Schriever Spacepower Forum: Frank Calvelli
The Mitchell Institute hosts our virtual Schriever Spacepower Forum with Frank Calvelli, in his debut public speaking event as the new Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration. Mr. Calvelli discusses topics such as his five themes to ensure space acquisitions are achieved on cost and on schedule and synergy with the NRO and SDA. He also shares his thoughts on how the Space Force links to Secretary Kendall’s operational imperatives.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.