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The Aerospace Advantage

Latest episodes

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May 22, 2024 • 34min

Episode 184 – New NATO Voices: Conversation with Maj Gen Jonas Wikman, Chief of the Swedish Air Force

Episode Summary: In episode 184 of the Aerospace Advantage, New NATO Voices: Conversation with Maj Gen Jonas Wikman, Chief of the Swedish Air Force, host Heather “Lucky” Penney and Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret) chat with NATO’s newest airpower leader. Given recent events, the time for this conversation couldn’t be better. Our Air Forces have been strong partners for years, but Sweden’s membership in NATO will tighten the relationship even further. When you look at a map and think about current security challenges—Sweden holds a key position. Closely situated to Russia and vital sea lanes, Sweden not only serves as a key player in NATO, but their arctic position ties directly to our own homeland defense given northern tier approaches. Past that, Sweden has served shoulder-to-shoulder in recent years in numerous operations with our own airmen including Afghanistan. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: MajGen Olof Jonas Wikman, Chief of Air Force, Swedish Air Force 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.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Allies #Sweden #Europe Thank you for your continued support!
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May 18, 2024 • 36min

Episode 183 – 89th Airlift Wing: Understanding the Mission of SAMFOX and Beyond

Episode Summary: In episode 183 of the Aerospace Advantage, 89th Airlift Wing: Understanding the Mission of SAMFOX and Beyond, host Heather “Lucky” Penney chats with Col Angela Ochoa, commander of the 89th Airlift Wing. They call themselves “SAMFOX” – which stands for Special Air Missions Foreign. These are the Airmen who are best known for flying our nation’s most senior and elected leaders, like the President of the United States on Air Force One. Sometimes this is for a major diplomatic function that’s been months in the making; other times it’s an unexpected trip where it’s crucial to get the right leader on the ground ASAP for diplomatic purposes or to respond to a crisis. This episode takes a special look at the 89th to learn more about their mission, the aircraft, and the people who all make it possible—flight crews, maintenance personnel, aerial port personnel, communication and cyber professionals, security forces, and all the other support individuals. Any unit in the Air Force holds high standards, but the expectations for folks serving in the 89th are in a league of their own. Join us for this fascinating conversation. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Col Angela Ochoa, Commander, 89th Airlift Wing, Andrews Air Force Base, USAF 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.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #AirMobilityCommand #USAF Thank you for your continued support!
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May 11, 2024 • 1h 3min

Episode 182 – Tomorrow’s Air National Guard: Lt Gen Loh Conversation

Episode Summary: In episode 182 of the Aerospace Advantage, Tomorrow’s Air National Guard: Lt Gen Loh Conversation, Heather “Lucky” Penney and Lt Gen Joseph "Gus" Guastella, USAF (Ret.) chat with the Director of the Air National Guard. Whether discussing air superiority, aerial mobility, aeromedical evacuation, or cyber—Guardsmen are deployed around the globe every single day helping meet combatant command demand. But the Air Guard is also facing challenges. Along with the rest of the Air Force, equipment is aging, and the Air Force is not sufficiently funded to procure replacements fast enough. This is especially pronounced in the fighter mission area. Jets procured in the 70s and 80s are hitting the end of their service lives, but we’re not buying enough aircraft fast enough to replace them. Demand isn’t going down, which drives the remaining force even harder. Join us for this incredibly insightful leadership conversation to learn where the ANG is headed and why. Credits: Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Lt Gen Joseph T. Guastella, USAF (Ret.), Former Deputy Chief of Staff, USAF Guest: Lt Gen Michael A. Loh, Director, Air National Guard 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.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #ANG #Guard #Leader Thank you for your continued support!
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May 4, 2024 • 1h 1min

Episode 181 – Defense Budget, Space Update, CCA Decision, and PLA Reorg: The Rendezvous

Heather Penney and John Baum discuss the Defense Budget, Space Update, CCA Decision, and PLA Reorg. Topics include legislation aiding Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, Congressional hearings featuring Air Force and Space Force leaders, CCA award to General Atomics and Anduril, US Government regulation changes for space technologies, new commercial space strategy, reforms in the Chinese military, and more.
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6 snips
Apr 27, 2024 • 48min

Episode 180 – Royal Air Force Insights: Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton

Air Chief Marshall Sir Richard Knighton, Head of the Royal Air Force, discusses lessons learned from Ukraine, projecting power into the Pacific, deterrence in the modern era, space as a contested domain, and the impact of technologies like AI. Program updates regarding types like the F-35, E-7, MQ-9B, and Tempest are also covered. Gain unique insights on the Royal Air Force's plans and priorities, a close ally to the U.S.
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Apr 20, 2024 • 39min

Episode 179 — Space Electronic Warfare: Key to Modern Combat Operations

Episode Summary: In episode 179 of the Aerospace Advantage, Space Electronic Warfare: Key to Modern Combat Operations, John “Slick” Baum and Charles Galbreath chat with Col Chris “Trigger” Fernengel and Lt Col Chris “Shocker” Adams of the Space Force. It’s no secret that space is an increasingly contested domain. The U.S. didn’t want it to be this way, but our adversaries chose that vector and now we must respond. Electronic warfare stands as the Space Force’s leading offensive counterspace capability at the moment. It’s also a means our adversaries possess and have used against us. This is a big deal given that space operations depend on cyber and the electromagnetic spectrum to connect the enterprise both within space and to downlink stations on earth. We explore these realities with two of the Space Force’s top experts on the topic. Understanding the risks, capabilities, and limitations of space electronic warfare is crucial to inform the ongoing discussion regarding counterspace capabilities and the need to improve the U.S. space architecture’s resilience. There are huge implications for cross-domain operations as well. Credits: Host: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Charles Galbreath, Senior Fellow for Spacepower Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) Guest: Col Christopher "Trigger" Fernengel, Director, Commander's Action Group, Space Operations Command Guest: Lt Col C. Gene "Shocker" Adams, Commander, 527th Space Aggressor Squadron, Space Training and Readiness Command 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.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #space #electronic #warfare #training Thank you for your continued support!
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Apr 17, 2024 • 46min

Episode 178 — Airpower in Central Command: Leadership Update

Episode Summary: In episode 178 of the Aerospace Advantage, Airpower in Central Command: Leadership Update, Lt Gen David Deptula, USAF (Ret.) and Doug Birkey chat with 9th AF/ US Air Forces Central Command Commander Lt Gen Alexus “Grynch” Grynkewich. When the U.S. sunset large-scale military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, many assumed military forces in the region would largely be tasked elsewhere—especially the Indo-Pacific. However, adversaries like Iran and numerous proxy groups have continued to pursue acts of aggression that demand a response. As these threats continue to persist and morph in new, challenging ways, it’s important to recognize a degree of coordination with nations like Russia, China. Air Force airmen have answered the call to engage, but this is placing a tremendous strain on the force given concurrent demands elsewhere around the globe. This episode seeks to understand what is driving this mission demand, the scale and scope of current operations, and desired objectives through a leadership lens. Credits: Host: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Lt Gen Alexus "Grinch" Grynkewich, Commander, 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central), Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, and Combined Forces Air Component Commander, U.S. Central Command, Southwest Asia 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.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #CENTAF #MiddleEast #Iran Thank you for your continued support!
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Apr 13, 2024 • 50min

Episode 177 — Hypersonic Ascendancy: Regaining America's Edge

Dr. Michael Brown and Mark Rettig discuss regaining America's hypersonic edge, highlighting the X-15 program's legacy, collaborative advancements in hypersonic technology, strategic considerations, funding, and GE Aerospace's progress in dual mode ramjet technology. They emphasize the importance of staying ahead in aerospace technology to address evolving threats and geopolitical challenges.
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Apr 6, 2024 • 47min

Episode 176 — Assessing the FY25 Defense Budget and Spacepower Deep-Dive: The Rendezvous

Episode Summary: In episode 176 of the Aerospace Advantage, Assessing the FY25 Defense Budget and Spacepower Deep-Dive: The Rendezvous, John "Slick" Baum chats with the Rendezvous team about topics you've seen in the national security headlines. We explore key takeaways from the FY2025 Air Force and Space Force budget requests—why it’s important to boost investment in key mission areas like space control and domain awareness, to the importance of growing aircraft acquisition numbers—especially for types like B-21 and F-35—while also boosting readiness investments. Congress also needs to ensure Airmen and Guardian end strength is aligned with demand. The reality is that the defense budget caps drove hard choices for this cycle and it’s crucial that Congress reconsider the levels of risk in play and align funding accordingly. We also outline top take aways Space Force, Space Command, and industry leaders shared at last week’s Mitchell Institute Spacepower Security Forum. We wrap with a discussion of the global threat picture. Credits: Host: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Jennifer "Boots" Reeves, Senior Fellow for Spacepower Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence Guest: Todd “Sledge” Harmer, Senior Vice President, American Defense International Guest: Jeff Rowlison, VP, Space & Intel Programs, American Defense International Guest: Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski, Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs 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.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #rendezvous Thank you for your continued support!
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Mar 30, 2024 • 1h 16min

Episode 175 — Air Mobility Imperative: Conversation with Gen Minihan

Episode Summary: In episode 175 of the Aerospace Advantage, Air Mobility Imperative: Conversation with Gen Minihan, John “Slick” Baum and Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.) speak with AMC Commander Gen Mike Minihan. Air mobility is a lynchpin for any modern military operation. Combat aircraft in the sky, ships at sea, forces on land, and forward-deployed space and cyber units are of little use unless they are resourced in alignment with operational demands. That demands delivering everything from fuel and personnel to vital supplies like munitions and spare parts both into and within a theater. The means of this are well known: airlifters and tankers. Even more vital are the personnel. How this enterprise is employed will evolve markedly given future threats and growing multi-theater demand. This will demand enhanced capacity, revised capabilities, new operational concepts, considerations tied to survivability both in the air and on the ground, plus fresh thinking regarding command and control. Given what’s at stake, this is a “failure isn’t an option” moment. Credits: Host: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: Lt Gen David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Guest: Gen Michael A. Minihan, Commander, Air Mobility Command 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.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #budget #air #space Thank you for your continued support!

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