The Aerospace Advantage

Episode 35 - Logistics Under Attack: A Conversation with AMC Commander Gen Van Ovost

Episode 35 – Logistics Under Attack: A Conversation with AMC Commander Gen Van Ovost

Episode Summary:

In episode 35 of the Aerospace Advantage, Logistics Under Attack: A Conversation with AMC Commander Gen Van Ovost, John Baum and Mitchell Institute dean Lt Gen (ret) Dave Deptula discuss what it will take to sustain tomorrow’s military with Air Force Air Mobility Command Commander General Jackie Van Ovost. No military force can operate for any period of time without a robust flow of supplies. Whether discussing munitions, spare parts, food, fuel, or medical items—the reality is that the scale, scope, and pace of combat operations fundamentally relies on logistics. With the return of great power competition, all elements of our military enterprise are at extreme risk of attack and the results could prove disastrous if we don't address adequate capability, capacity and operating concepts for the new threat environment. Logistics is at the top of this list and air mobility is a key part of the solution. 

Related:

Gen Van Ovost Forum Paper

Lt Gen Berry Forum Paper

Credits:

Host:  Lt Col John “Slick” Baum, USAF, ret.

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Gen Jackie Van Ovost, Commander of Air Mobility Command, USAF

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

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Episode 34 - The Future of Air Force Pilot Training: A Crisis that Demands a Solution

Episode 34 – The Future of Air Force Pilot Training: A Crisis That Demands a Solution

 

Episode Summary:

In episode 34 of the Aerospace Advantage, The Future of Air Force Pilot Training: A Crisis That Demands a Solution, host John Baum delves into a key challenge facing the Air Force: the service has too few pilots and needs to produce a new generation of talent fast. In discussions with 19th Air Force commander Maj Gen Craig Wills, the leader who oversees the majority of Air Force pilot training, and members of the Mitchell team, we discuss what it takes to produce an Air Force pilot—what elements are timeless and areas where new approaches and technology are offering areas for progress. The imperative for this is simple: the demand for airpower is on the rise, but without enough trained pilots, airplanes sitting on the ramp are bricks. It takes highly trained airmen to strap in and fly the missions. The Air Force has been stuck with too few pilots for too many years now and it’s really causing problems. It’s time to change the equation, but we need to do so prudently.

Credits:

Host:  Lt Col John “Slick” Baum, USAF, ret.

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Maj Gen Craig D. Wills, Commander of the 19^th Air Force, USAF

Guest: Maj Gen (ret.) Larry Stutzriem, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Maj (ret.) Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

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Episode 33 – A-10s, F-35s, and C-130s from the Congressional Vantage: The Rendezvous

Episode 33 – A-10s, F-35s, and C-130s from the Congressional Vantage: The Rendezvous

Episode Summary:

In episode 33 of the Aerospace Advantage, A-10s, F-35s, and C-130s from the Congressional Vantage: The Rendezvous, the Mitchell Institute team discusses the latest developments from Capitol Hill. Given the compressed schedule of this year’s budget process, the debates are intense and the decisions are executing rapidly. There is a lot in play this year as Congress seeks to help the Air Force and Space Force modernize, deal with ongoing operations, and manage challenging fiscal realities. Join us for our inside take on the latest developments.

Credits:

Host:  Lt Col John “Slick” Baum, USAF, ret.

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: The Honorable Matt Donovan, Director, The Mitchell Institute Space Power Advantage Research Center

Guest: Maj Gen (ret.) Larry "Stutz" Stutzriem, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Col (ret.) Mark “Gonzo” Gunzinger, Director of Future Concepts and Capabilities Assessments, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Links:

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Episode 32 - From the Ostfriesland to the B-21: Billy Mitchell and Modern Aerospace Power

Episode 32 – From the Ostfriesland to the B-21: Billy Mitchell and Modern Aerospace Power

Episode Summary:

In episode 32 of the Aerospace Advantage, From the Ostfriesland to the B-21: Billy Mitchell and Modern Aerospace Power, we mark the 100^th anniversary of Brigadier General Billy Mitchell and the Air Service’s First Provisional Air Brigade sinking the captured German battleship Ostfriesland. While that accomplishment is incredibly significant unto itself, this anniversary also gives us an opportunity to consider Mitchell’s accomplishments with a broader lens and think about what it all means today. Mitchell’s vision fundamentally changed what it means to project effective military power. The results we achieved in World War II, the Cold War, Desert Storm, and beyond are inextricably tied to this pioneering leader. We consider this impact and what Mitchell would think about today’s Air Force and Space Force.

Credits:

Host:  Lt Col John “Slick” Baum, USAF, ret.

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

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

Guest: Maj Gen (ret.) Larry Stutzriem, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Maj (ret.) Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

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

Links:

Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/

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Episode 31 - F-35 Lightning II with Allies and Partners: Pilots‘ Perspective

Episode 31 – F-35 Lightning II with Allies and Partners: Pilots' Perspective

Episode Summary:

In episode 31 of the Aerospace Advantage, F-35 Lightning II with Allies and Partners: Pilots’ Perspective, join host John “Slick” Baum as he speaks to a selection of international pilots who are taking to the sky in the F-35 Lightning II.  A core facet of the F-35’s design from day one involved seamless integration with allies and partners. It was always about bringing the advantages of 5th gen combat airpower to a broad team. Today, we are realizing that vision. History demonstrates that nations don’t engage in large scale warfare in a vacuum. So, the way we build and employ airpower capabilities needs to reflect that. Hear from Squadron Leader Stewart Campbell of the Royal Air Force, Lt Col Maurizio “Driver” De Guida of the Italian Air Force, and Lt Col Gert Barend “Razor” Van Woerden of the Royal Netherlands Air Force about what it’s like to bring 5^th generation combat aviation to their respective air forces.

Credits:

Host:  Lt Col John “Slick” Baum, USAF, ret.

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Lt Col Maurizio “Driver” De Guida, Italian Air Force

Guest: Sqn Ldr Stewart “Stew” Campbell, Royal Air Force

Guest: Lt Col Gert Barend “Razor” Van Woerden, Royal Netherlands Air Force

Links:

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Episode 30 - Space Force Innovation? The Threat of Over-Classification

Episode 30 – Space Force Innovation? The Threat of Over-Classification

Episode Summary:

In episode 30 of the Aerospace Advantage, Space Force Innovation? The Threat of Over-Classification, join host John Baum as he takes you into the land of secrets involving space strategy, operations, and industrial innovation. And guess what, our thesis is point blank direct: things are simply too classified. How we protect highly classified information for the sake of national security limits Space Force's access to a vast global market of talent and technology, impedes effective communications with Congress and the public, and ultimately constrains the growth of the nation's spacepower. The challenge is how to protect information whose release could damage the nation's security, while also building a spacepower advantage needed to deter war, or if necessary, win in conflict.

Credits:

Host:  Lt Col John “Slick” Baum, USAF, ret.

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: The Honorable Matt Donovan, Director, The Mitchell Institute Space Power Advantage Research Center

Guest: Maj Gen (ret.) Lawrence “Stutz” Stutzriem, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Chris Stone, Senior Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Space Power Advantage Research Center

Links:

Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/

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Episode 29 - The Rendezvous

Episode 29 – The Rendezvous

Episode Summary:

In episode 29 of the Aerospace Advantage, The Rendezvous, join host John Baum as he speaks to members of the Mitchell Institute team about how Congress is responding to the Air Force and Space Force budget submissions. As you know, the Administration submits a budget request, but the actual dollars that the services will see are determined by Congress. And that is largely driven by the defense committees in the House and Senate. So whether talking about specific programs like the F-35 and GBSD, Space Force priorities, readiness issues, or individual Member perspectives, this episode covers a broad range of important air and space topics that have been dominating recent Congressional defense hearings.

Credits:

Host:  Lt Col John “Slick” Baum, USAF, ret.

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

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

Guest: The Honorable Matt Donovan, Director, Mitchell Institute Space Power Advantage Research Center

Guest: Col (ret.) Mark “Gonzo” Gunzinger, Mitchell Institute Director of Future Concepts and Capabilities Assessments

Guest: Maj (ret.) Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Links:

Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/

Subscribe to our Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/3HIZWyD

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheMitchellInstituteforAerospaceStudies

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Episode 28 - Next Generation Air-to-Air Targeting

Episode 28 – Next Generation Air-to-Air Targeting

Episode Summary:

In episode 28 of the Aerospace Advantage, Next Generation Air-to-Air Targeting, join host John Baum as he speaks to combat aviators and technical experts about how the game of finding and striking air-to-air targets is rapidly evolving. Modern air combat is increasingly complex, demanding tremendous situational awareness to make split second decisions that will make the difference between life and death. It takes sensors to harvest data and processing power to turn it into actionable information. Adversaries understand the value of information, so they do everything in their power to blind us. That’s what electronic jamming is all about, and it’s why they are pursuing stealth. So, for us to maintain an edge, we need to pursue numerous concurrent pathways of sourcing data to the adversary can’t block us in one move. This episode explores one of those key technologies: infrared search and track, or IRST for short.

Credits:

Host:  Lt Col John “Slick” Baum, USAF, ret.

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Maj (ret.) Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Guest: Jim Ni, IRST Product Development Manager, Lockheed Martin

Guest: Commander Eric McQueen, US Navy, Navy Federal Executive Fellow, Center for Strategic and International Studies

Guest: Col (ret.) Patrick “Smack” McKenzie, Advanced Targeting Systems, Lockheed Martin

Links:

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Episode 27 - Guiding the Fight: Airborne Command and Control

Episode 27 – Guiding the Fight: Airborne Command and Control

Episode Summary:

In episode 27 of the Aerospace Advantage, Guiding the Fight: Airborne Command and Control, join battle manager Major Alex Wallis to explore why the information advantage is crucial at the tactical edge of the battle space. For decades, the E-3 AWACS and E-8 JSTARS have defined the command and control mission, their 707 airframes and huge radars are unmistakable icons. However, given the rapid evolution of technology in the information age, the way in which these missions are executed is going to change—whether talking about the power of space-based assets, artificial intelligence, or increased connectivity. What won’t change is the continued importance of command and control. It’s all about understanding how to maximize a relative position to best achieve the mission, while avoiding or minimizing threats. It doesn’t matter whether you’re on the ground or in the air—information is life.

 

Maj Alex Wallis is a U.S. Air Force military fellow at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. The views expressed in this interview are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the U.S. Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

Credits:

Host:  Lt Col John “Slick” Baum, USAF, ret.

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

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

Guest: Maj Alex “Big Bobby” Wallis, USAF

Links:

Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/

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Episode 26 - Producing an Agile Air Force: The Case for Change

Episode 26 – Producing an Agile Air Force: The Case for Change

Episode Summary:

In episode 26 of the Aerospace Advantage: Producing an Agile Air Force: The Case for Change, Heather Penney explains why the Air Force is the oldest and smallest that it has ever been. For decades, the service has been unable to effectively transform and scale its force design into one that is positioned to meet the nation’s future security needs. The problem isn’t simply budget. Decades of acquisition behavior have decreased competition, forcing the defense industry to consolidate, focus on system integration, and shift profit centers away from innovation and production and towards sustainment. This episode explores how the Air Force can rejuvenate the aerospace industrial base to achieve a force that can innovatively outpace peer adversaries.

Credits:

Host:  Lt Col John “Slick” Baum, USAF, ret.

Producer: Daniel C. Rice

Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

Guest: Maj (ret.) Heather “Lucky” Penney, Senior Fellow, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Links:

Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/

Subscribe to our Youtube channel: https://bit.ly/3HIZWyD

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheMitchellInstituteforAerospaceStudies

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Thank you for your continued support!