Defense One Radio

Meghann Myers, Defense One's land warfare reporter, provides insights from the recent Sea Air Space Conference, focusing on the Navy's readiness initiatives and the Marine Corps' strategies against drone threats. Lauren C. Williams discusses Secretary Phelan's remarks on shipbuilding and the integration of uncrewed vehicles into naval operations. They explore challenges in Navy leadership, the rise of advanced technologies like the Corsair vehicle, and the ongoing debates about automation versus human labor in shipbuilding.

Guest: U.S. Army chief of staff Gen. Randy George, interviewed by Defense One’s Patrick Tucker. Catch our full State of Defense agenda and future events, here.

Guest: U.S. Space Force commander Gen. Chance Saltzman, interviewed by Defense One’s Audrey Decker. Catch our full State of Defense agenda and future events, running through the end of March, here.

Guest: U.S. Air Force commander Gen. David Allvin, interviewed by Defense One’s Audrey Decker. Catch our full State of Defense agenda and future events, running through the end of March, here.

Marine Corps Gen. Eric Smith shares insights on balancing crisis response with modernization as the Commandant of the United States Marine Corps. He discusses the advancements in the Marine Corps Force Design 2030 initiatives and the critical need for reliable military funding. Smith emphasizes the importance of rigorous adherence to financial standards and the collaborative efforts with the Navy to ensure amphibious readiness. With a focus on continuous learning and innovation, he outlines strategies for maintaining a competitive edge in modern warfare.

Guest: U.S. Army Col. Joshua Glonek, commander 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. Related reading: "How two units are learning from each other as the Army moves to modernize," from Sam Skove reporting in October; "Army embraces Ukraine-style warfare with new all-drone unit," also via Skove, reporting from Louisiana's Fort Johnson in September; And in reruns there is "Defense One Radio, Ep. 161: A trip to Louisiana with the Army’s new recon unit," featuring Skove speaking about his trip to Louisiana.

Maj. Gen. Joseph Kunkel discusses his how his service's modernization strategy will shape the future of air combat in an increasingly complex security landscape. Guest: Air Force Maj. Gen. Joseph Kunkel, director of Force Design, Integration and Wargaming at Air Force Futures; he's interviewed by Defense One air warfare reporter Audrey Decker. Related viewing: "AI in the Skies," January 28, 2025.

Patrick Tucker describes a Defense Department in transition as Russia's Ukraine invasion approaches the four-year mark. Related reading: "Ukraine military-aid donors aim to set Kyiv up through 2027, Pentagon says," Tucker reported on January 7; And "Kyiv’s donors set production goals to regularize arms donations to Ukraine," he reported two days later.

Reflecting on pivotal geopolitical dynamics, the discussion highlights the intricate ties between Iran and the Houthis, shaping military strategies. The rise of far-right terrorism in the U.S. is explored, revealing its evolution and the influence of social media. Taiwan's military landscape is dissected amidst escalating tensions with China, stressing the importance of indigenous capabilities. Lessons from the Ukraine conflict provide insights into modern military operations, while the decline of the U.S. Navy raises urgent calls for investment in readiness.

Guests: Audrey Decker, aerospace reporter for Defense One; Patrick Tucker, science and technology editor at Defense One. Related reading: Some Republicans remain unsold on Hegseth Russia in talks to send fighter jets to North Korea, INDOPACOM says ‘Multi-headed monster’: Biden, Trump officials address China-Russia-Iran coordination ‘Shock the system’: Startups and DOGE take over Reagan forum Defense officials hopeful incoming administration keeps funding cutting-edge tech