The Aerospace Advantage

Episode 232 — Air Combat Survivability Through a POWs Experience

Episode Summary:

This week, The Aerospace Advantage takes a break for Easter, but that doesn't mean our listeners need to take a pause. In this week's episode we reach back to a previously recorded conversation where the Mitchell team reflects on the air war over Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and speaks with combat pilot and POW Lt Col Gene Smith, USAF (Ret). Not only did Lt Col Smith fly and fight in some of the most heavily defended airspace in the history of aerial warfare, but he also spent over five years as a POW—facing conditions that pushed him to the brink. Despite these challenges, Lt Col Smith and his fellow POWs prevailed.

The Air Force lost 1,737 aircraft over Vietnam. That’s roughly 80% of the Air Force’s current fighter inventory. Those losses are hard to imagine today given the relatively permissive conditions that our airmen have operated in since the end of the Cold War. Tomorrow’s conflicts, however, promise to be far more costly, which is why it's important to reflect on our history and learn from the past in order to properly leverage the effects of American airpower.

Credits:

Host: John "Slick" Baum, Non-resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Shane Thin 

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Maj Gen Larry "Stutz" Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.), Executive Vice President, The Air & Space Forces Association

Guest: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Lt Col Richard “Gene” Smith, USAF (Ret.)

Guest: Rob Collings, President & Financial Director, The American Heritage Museum

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Vietnam #POW #History

Episode 231 — The Future of Uncrewed Airpower: Pilot Perspective

Episode Summary:

As the Air Force develops the operational construct for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, Doug Birkey and Brig Gen Houston "Slider" Cantwell, USAF (Ret.) urge the service to tap into two decades of lessons learned flying highly sophisticated uncrewed aircraft like the MQ-1 Predator, MQ-9 Reaper, RQ-4 Global Hawk, and RQ-170. Harnessing his experience as an uncrewed aircraft pilot and commander, Cantwell explores the tremendous insights gained through uncrewed operations and the fundamental differences from traditional crewed combat aircraft operations. While CCA will execute at an entirely new level of performance, thanks to technologies like artificial intelligence and advanced mission systems, there are also foundational realities tied to uncrewed aviation that will shape how these aircraft fly and fight. Join us to learn more about this aspect of tomorrow’s airpower.

Credits:

Host: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Shane Thin 

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Brig Gen Houston "Slider" Cantwell, USAF (Ret.), Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Uncrewed #Technology #Aircraft

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Episode 230 — F-47 Insights, Chinese “Dog Fighting in Space,” and DC Defense Developments: The Rendezvous

Episode Summary:

In this Rendezvous episode, we discuss top Air Force and Space Force developments in Washington, D.C., and beyond.

We review key themes from Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman's visit with the Mitchell Institute last week, as well as a broad range of spacepower topics, from Chinese “dogfighting” in space to the new lunar landing to new launch contracts and the future of Space Development Agency contracts. On the Air Force side, we discuss how the recent F-47 NGAD announcement will shape the future of airpower and how that program could impact the service's Collaborative Combat Aircraft, F-35, and B-21 programs, and more.

Credits:

Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Shane Thin 

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Brig Gen Houston "Slider" Cantwell, USAF (Ret.), Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Charles Galbreath, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)

Guest: Todd “Sledge” Harmer, Senior Vice President, American Defense International

Guest: Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski, Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Rendezvous #CapitolHill

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Episode 229 — From EW to ISR: the 55th Wing

Episode Summary:

Heather “Lucky” Penney and Col. Mark "Chili" Howard explore one of the Air Force’s largest, most diverse units: the 55th Wing.

Operating from multiple installations, members of the 55th Wing execute everything from the EC-130 and EA-37B Compass Call electronic attack mission to the RC/WC/TC-135 ISR mission and elements of the nuclear command, control, and communications enterprise. They’ve also got a maintenance group, operations group, and medical group. We explore what these Airmen do and how their contributions connect to the broader national security picture. Every wing in the Air Force is important, but the 55th is key. They’re one of those linchpin units that provide foundational capabilities that empower so much of the broader force. Without them, nothing else works.

Credits:

Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Shane Thin 

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Col. Mark "Chili" Howard, Commander, 55th Wing

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #MilitaryLeadership

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Episode 228 — Remotely Piloted Aircraft in Action: Insights from Air Force RPA Commanders

Episode Summary:

Heather “Lucky” Penney and Senior Fellow Brig Gen Houston "Slider" Cantwell, USAF (Ret.) chat with some of the nation’s top remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) commanders about on-going combat contributions and the Air Force’s future development path for this incredible mission. They are joined by Brig Gen Christopher "Reggie" Hammond, Director of RPA and Airborne ISR Capabilities at Headquarters Air Force; Col Timothy "Tilt" Monroe, Wing Commander of the 319th Reconnaissance Wing; and Col Nicholas "Fever" Pederson, Wing Commander of the 432nd Wing.

Remotely Piloted Aircraft spent the past two decades affording incredible battlefield persistence and compressed the kill chains unlike any weapon system in history. Airmen are now working to develop new tactics, techniques, and procedures to address challenges of today and tomorrow—including the peer threat. We also explore how RPA operations will help inform emerging technologies like Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).

Credits:

Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Shane Thin 

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Brig Gen Houston "Slider" Cantwell, USAF (Ret.), Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Brig Gen Christopher "Reggie" Hammond, Director, RPA and Airborne ISR Capabilities

Guest: Col Timothy "Tilt" Monroe, Commander, 319th Reconnaissance Wing

Guest: Col Nicholas "Fever" Pederson, Commander, 432nd Wing

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #RPA #UAV #MilitaryLeadership

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Episode 227 — Modern Combat Power: It Takes a Weather Advantage

Episode Summary:

Heather “Lucky” Penney and Col Patrick Williams explores one of the most important make-or-break factors in warfare: weather. Environmental conditions control when and how we employ military power…and what enemies can do to us.

People tend to take weather assessments for granted, but that’s a mistake. Collecting environmental data, analyzing it, and transforming it into actionable knowledge for an advantage at the tactical, operational and strategic levels is incredibly complex. Conflicts erupt at random locations around the globe, including data starved regions, plus concepts like Joint All Domain Command and Control are demanding even more from the Air Force’s weather experts. Join us for a fascinating conversation with the leader responsible for the development of weather and space environmental doctrine, policies, plans, programs and standards in support of the U.S. Army, Air Force, and Space Force operations.

Credits:

Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Shane Thin 

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Col Patrick Williams, Director of Weather, USAF

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Weather #MilitaryLeadership

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Episode 226 — AFA Colorado 2025 Recap: Key Takeaways for Air & Space Power

Episode Summary:

The Mitchell Institute team shares insights from the AFA Warfare Symposium, in Aurora, CO—it was the spot for air and space power professionals this week.

Hear from Gen Kevin Chilton, USAF (ret), Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (ret), Heather Penney, and Charles Galbreath as they discuss the crucial messages coming from Chief of Space Operations Gen Chance Saltzman and Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen David Allvin. We also explore the Air Force’s new force design, the challenges of operating in space as a contested domain, the imperative to enhance space domain awareness, updates on air and missile defense, the nuclear triad, and operational space testing and training, plus logistical challenges in the Pacific, the shortage of munitions, lessons from the front lines in Ukraine, and more.

Credits:

Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Resident 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: Gen Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret.), Explorer Chair, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)

Guest: Charles Galbreath, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)

 

Air Force and Space Force Vectors for the Incoming Trump Defense Team

AFA Colorado videos coming soon.

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #AFA #MilitaryLeadership

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Episode 225 — Trump Defense Priorities, Congressional Update, and Ukraine: The Rendezvous

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney chats with members of the Mitchell Institute team about the latest air and space power developments in Washington DC.

We explore President Trump’s defense priorities, including recent top defense leadership changes. The team also provides a Ukraine update and assess where defense issues stand in Congress, especially the budget. Another major development includes Secretary of Defense Hegseth’s defense budget guidance and what it means for the Air Force and Space Force. Part of this includes defense civilian workforce reductions. On the operational front, we discuss the latest Minuteman ICBM test launch and broader triad issues. We also provide a Spacepower update—a lot has been going on in that domain. Finally, we look at the next generation advanced propulsion (NGAP) contract awards and explain why these efforts are critical for tomorrow’s combat airpower.

Credits:

Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Resident 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: Jennifer "Boots" Reeves, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)

Guest: Todd “Sledge” Harmer, Senior Vice President, American Defense International

Guest: Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski, Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs

 

Trump administration orders Pentagon to plan for sweeping budget cuts

US Space Force reveals 1st look at secretive X-37B space plane in orbit (photo)

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Politics #Hill #Trump

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Episode 224 — Want Combat Airpower? Then Fix the Air Force Pilot Crisis

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney discusses why the Air Force has a chronic pilot shortfall and solutions to solve it with Lt Gen Joseph Guastella, USAF (Ret) and Lt Gen Marc Sasseville, USAF (Ret).

Bottom line: the Air Force’s pilot corps is now too small to sustain a healthy combat force that can prevail in a peer conflict and meet the nation’s other national security requirements. Air Force leaders recognize the shortfall and have worked hard to address it, but underlying and external factors persist. Effective joint force operations demand robust combat airpower. Pilot experience is critical to this effort. Join us to understand what’s driving these challenges and what defense leaders and Congress need to do to fix it.

Credits:

Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Shane Thin 

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Lt Gen Joseph Guastella, USAF (Ret)

Guest: Lt Gen Marc Sasseville, USAF (Ret)

Link to Related Reading

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #China #Update

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Episode 223 — Will the Chinese Defense Surge Continue? Insights for 2025

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney discusses the latest Chinese security developments with Mitchell Institute Senior Fellow Mike Dahm.

Whether discussing the creation of a new service branch focused on space—the PLA’s Aerospace Force; continued development of their nuclear arsenal; or the “Christmas surprise” flight of multiple new combat aircraft—2024 was a busy and consequential one for the Chinese defense establishment. We explore these developments, take a look at what might transpire in 2025, and consider how this should factor into U.S. defense decision making.

Credits:

Host: Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Resident Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Producer: Shane Thin 

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: J. Michael "JDAM" Dahm, Senior Resident Fellow for Aerospace and China Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

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