The Aerospace Advantage

What Lessons is China Taking from Epic Fury? Key Considerations — Ep. 295

Episode Summary:

Whether discussing Operation Epic Fury from a strategic, operational, or tactical vantage, there's no doubt that China watched the conflict with extreme attention. There are significant lessons that range from gaining air superiority through a system of systems approach, the value of artificial intelligence, to the importance of ensuring multi-faceted resilience--whether that be diversified command and control structures, magazine depth, air and missile defense, or factors tied to sustaining the broader economy during a conflict. Heather "Lucky" Penney sits down with Mitchell Institute's China expert Mike "JDAM" Dahm to discuss these crucial issues. They also explore broader Chinese security developments--from Taiwan defense considerations to President Trump's most recent trip to Beijing.

Credits:

Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, 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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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #China #AirForce

Allied Airpower Perspectives: Brig Gen Pierre Gaudillière, Commander of the French Air Combat Command — Ep. 294

Episode Summary:

The ties between the French Air Force and U.S. Air Force go back to the dawn of aviation and have been intertwined ever since: from early Wright Brothers flights, the Lafayette Escadrille, World War II, operations in Afghanistan, and so much more. Today, this relationship is more important than ever given the challenges facing our respective nations. Brigadier General Pierre Gaudillière, Commander of the French Air Combat Command, joins us to explore how France views the current security environment through an airpower lens.

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 for Airpower Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Brig. Gen. Pierre Gaudillière, Commander, French Air Combat Command

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Allies #France #AirForce

Victory Through Production: Lessons from D-Day — Ep. 293

Episode Summary:

When the United States was drawn into WWII, it was wholly unprepared for conflict. By June 6, 1944, America was unleashing its burgeoning military might. This largely tied back to a miracle of production in nearly every facet of the wartime economy. Many often think of this industrial boom as an inevitable wartime response. However, the reality was far more complex and precarious. It took tremendous effort.

Eight decades later, America once again faces severe security threats. Wartime demand in places like Ukraine and the Middle East are confirming what most security experts have long known: America is unprepared to confront current security challenges. We need a lot more war materiel. Turning this corner will demand an encompassing approach from both the government and industry. Join Doug Birkey and Heather Penney of the Mitchell Institute team as we chat with aerospace industrial base expert Richard Aboulafia to explore lessons learned from WWII and apply them to today's challenges.

Credits:

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

Producer: Shane Thin

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Lt. Gen. David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Doug Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Richard Aboulafia, Aerodynamic Advisory

Related Reading:

Dynamic Space Operations Paper

Military Human Spaceflight

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #history #WWII #Dday

FY27 Budget, Space Force Launch, and the Future of Airpower — Ep. 292

Episode Summary:

In this episode, our team assesses Congress' response to the FY27 defense budget request. We also discuss SDA's new leadership, as well as Space Force's requirement for a third heavy launch site. When it comes to airpower, we explain the importance of the MQ-9 in current ops, plus the significance of E-7, EA-37B, and B-21 program developments. Our team wraps up exploring the latest trends in the Ukraine conflict.

Credits:

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

Producer: Shane Thin

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Lt. Gen. David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

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

Guest: Doug Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

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

Guest: Anthony "Lazer" Lazarski, Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs

Related Reading:

Dynamic Space Operations Paper

Military Human Spaceflight

Links:

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #rendezvous #budget #capitolhill

Epic Fury Lessons Learned: Lt. Gen. “Kooler” Krumm, USAF (Ret.) — Ep. 291

Episode Summary:

Operation Epic Fury has yielded important lessons learned, especially when it comes to the increasing importance of electronic warfare, the scale and scope of America’s munitions inventories, and the need for radically enhanced base protection measures. Heather "Lucky" Penney discusses these themes with Lt. Gen. David "Kooler" Krumm, USAF (Ret.) of BAE Systems. What are important operational considerations? How does the industrial base help deliver solutions to harness this recent combat experience?

Credits:

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

Producer: Shane Thin

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Lt. Gen. David "Kooler" Krumm, USAF (Ret.), VP, Mission Integration, BAE Systems

Links:

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #electronicwarfare #industry #epicfury

Allied Leadership Conversation: Maj Gen Wickman, Commander of the Swedish AF — Ep. 290

Episode Summary:

As the newest member of NATO, Sweden plays in instrumental role in securing the alliance’s northern flank. With the Swedish Air Force celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, we are excited to chat with Major General Jonas Wikman, Commander of the Swedish Air Force. We discuss the current security environment and how that is shaping decision-making both in Sweden and throughout NATO. This touches upon strategy, operational concepts, and modernization equities. Our conversation also covers lessons learned from ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. 

Credits:

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

Producer: Shane Thin

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Lt. Gen. David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Maj. Gen. Jonas Wikman, Commander, Swedish Air Force

Links:

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #allies #europe #airpower

Want to Reset the Air Force? Lessons from the Reagan Build-Up — Ep. 289

Episode Summary:

President Trump's defense spending boost presents major opportunities for the Air Force. However, many officials have spent their entire careers living through extended periods of austerity—with budget toplines driving decisions, not what they really need to meet requirements. Switching gears to grow the force involves a different mindset to address different challenges and maximize opportunities. That’s what we discuss today: how do we grow the Air Force?

We are joined by two legends of airpower for this conversation: Gen. Ron Fogleman, USAF (Ret.), the 15th Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and Gen. Mike Loh, USAF (Ret.), who served as the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force and later as the first commander of Air Combat Command. They both spent time in key plans and program assignments during the Reagan-era build up, the last time the Air Force saw a surge of investment.

Credits:

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

Producer: Shane Thin

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Gen. John Michael Loh, USAF (Ret.), Former Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force & Commander, Air Combat Command

Guest: Gen. Ron Fogleman, USAF (Ret.), Former Chief of Staff of the Air Force, #15

Guest: John "JV" Venable, Senior Fellow for Airpower Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Links:

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #history #airpower #veterans

FY27 Defense Budget, Fighter Support in Congress, Space Update: The Rendezvous — Ep. 288

Episode Summary:

In this episode, our team assesses the FY 27 defense budget request from an air and space set of perspectives. We also explore fighter developments in Congress via legislation introduced by Senators Budd (R-NC) and Shaheen (D-NH), as well as a powerful letter submitted by the Adjutants General calling for more F-35s and F-15EXs. When it comes to space power, we explain the importance of the Future Operating Environment and Objective Force 2040, plus the significance of Space Force selecting Reservists to become part-time Guardians. Our team wraps up exploring the conflict with Iran and America's munitions deficit.

Links:

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #thehill #government #rendezvous

Innovate to Survive: Vietnam Air Combat Perspectives Part 2 — Ep. 287

Episode Summary:

The air war over Vietnam represents one of the most dynamic, evolutionary periods of airpower innovation. This impacted tactics, operational concepts, training, and technological developments. In part two of this conversation, we continue our interview with two legendary Vietnam veteran airmen: Col. Leonard “Lucky” Ekman, USAF (Ret.) and ace Col. Chuck DeBellevue, USAF (Ret.). We focus on how the air-to-air tactics and technology evolved as well as key details behind the Wild Weasel mission.

Credits:

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

Producer: Shane Thin

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Col. Leonard “Lucky” Ekman, USAF (Ret.)

Guest: Col. Charles DeBellevue, USAF (Ret.)

Guest: John "JV" Venable, Senior Fellow for Airpower Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Links:

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #vietnam #veteran #military #history

Innovate to Survive: Vietnam Air Combat Perspectives Part 1 — Ep. 286

Episode Summary:

The air war over Vietnam represents one of the most dynamic, evolutionary periods of airpower innovation. The U.S. entered the conflict optimized to execute strikes against the Soviet Union, defend the homeland as part of Air Defense Command, and a host of other roles. Few of these missions matched the operational demands of what unfolded over Vietnam. Airmen had to rapidly adapt and innovate. This impacted tactics, operational concepts, training, and technological developments. Some of the most important lessons from Vietnam didn’t take hold in the Air Force until the conflict’s conclusion, when a generation of combat-proven airmen pushed for enhanced training via concepts like an enhanced Fighter Weapons School, Red Flag, and the Adversary prorgam. They also pushed for an entirely new generation of aircraft that took form in types like the F-15, F-16, A-10, E-3, KC-10, B-1, F-117, and more.  This episode seeks to learn more about this era by speaking to two legendary Vietnam veteran airmen: Col. Leonard “Lucky” Ekman, USAF (Ret.) and ace Col. Chuck DeBellevue, USAF (Ret.).

Credits:

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

Producer: Shane Thin

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Col. Leonard “Lucky” Ekman, USAF (Ret.)

Guest: Col. Charles DeBellevue, USAF (Ret.)

Guest: John "JV" Venable, Senior Fellow for Airpower Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Links:

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #space #launch #ula