The Mitchell Institute’s Aerospace Nation Podcast

Gen. John D. Lamontagne | Aerospace Nation

Join us to learn more about current Air Force priorities with Vice Chief of Staff Gen. John Lamontagne. As one of the service’s top leaders, Gen. Lamontagne plays an instrumental role in organizing, training, and equipping Airmen across the force. His insights will be incredibly valuable give this year’s historic defense investments and pressing global security requirements. This is a conversation you won’t want to miss!

Congressman August Pfluger | Aerospace Nation

With the Trump Administration requesting a major defense budget boost, it’s now up to Congress to turn this proposal into reality. To discuss this and a wide variety of national security topics, we are pleased to welcome Congressman August Pfluger (R-TX). Before his time in Congress, Congressman Pfluger graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and served for over two decades as a fighter pilot–including time as a squadron commander. After 26 years in uniform, August retired as a Colonel from the U.S. Air Force on February 1, 2026. Representing the 11th District of Texas, which includes Goodfellow Air Force Base, Congressman Pfluger is Chairman of the Republican Study Committee, and also serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee plus is the Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence. Additionally, Congressman Pfluger serves as Chairman of the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors. Join us as we explore national security perspectives as seen from Capitol Hill through the lens of a combat veteran fighter pilot.

Military Human Spaceflight: A Key Component to American Space Superiority

As the modern space race heats up and more humans venture into orbit and to the Moon, the Space Force will likely need to place Guardians in space to defend American interests. In the latest paper from the Mitchell Institute’s Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence, Col (ret) Kyle “Puma” Pumroy outlines the conditions requiring future human military spaceflight and the steps the Space Force can take to make it a reality. With increasing competition for positional advantage in space exploration and the burgeoning commercial human spaceflight market, the United States is at a pivotal moment to initiate a program that will provide a crucial element for enduring space superiority. Join us for an in-depth discussion on this thought-provoking paper.

Brig. Gen. Christopher Fernengel | Schriever Spacepower Series

The Space Force is on the verge of one of the largest percentage budget increases of any military service in history. Brig. Gen. Christopher “Trigger” Fernengel will have a significant role in shaping what the service will prioritize and how it will manage this growth. As Resourcing Lead, he is responsible for executing U.S. Space Force programs across the Future Years Defense Plan and the Program Objective Memorandum. Join us for an in-depth discussion on how the Space Force is seizing this historic opportunity.

Gen. Stephen N. Whiting | Schriever Spacepower Series

Gen. Stephen N. Whiting, Commander of U.S. Space Command, is responsible for defending U.S. and allied interests in the space domain, while also providing space-enabled combat effects to joint warfighters around the globe. He exercises combatant command authority over Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen and Guardians operating ground and space-based systems around the world. From growing Multinational Force Operation Olympic Defender, to ongoing combat operations in Iran, and supporting NASA’s return to the Moon, the space domain has never been busier or more critical. Hear first-hand from the leader at the center of it all to learn about progress achieved, challenges remaining, and objectives on the horizon.

Col. Corey J. Klopstein & Col. Craig J. Hackbarth | Schriever Spacepower Series

Ensuring Guardians and their weapon systems are combat credible demands an innovative, realistic test and training approach. The Operational Test and Training Infrastructure (OTTI) is that approach—combining live and virtual elements to represent the range of threats and operating conditions the Space Force might face.

Join us for an in-depth discussion with Colonel Corey Klopstein, the Program Executive Officer for OTTI, and the Commander of System Delta 81, and Colonel Craig Hackbarth, Director of Capability, OTTI, to hear about their progress and the priorities of Space System Delta 81.

Lt. Gen. Rebecca J. Sonkiss | Aerospace Nation

Mobility is the backbone behind any successful military operation, both in peacetime and war. Whether talking about cargo aircraft, aerial refueling tankers,  or the airmen who empower the logistics enterprise, the Air Force provides fundamental elements of this capability to the nation.  Lt. Gen. Rebecca Sonkiss, Deputy Commander of Air Mobility Command, joins us for a conversation to learn more about current operations and future plans for this critical mission.

Rebuilding America’s Air Force: Balancing the Air Force’s Combat Forces for Peer Conflict

Whether the U.S. Air Force can succeed in future combat operations will depend on key force design decisions and corresponding modernization choices. The Mitchell Institute assessed these courses of action in its most recent wargame. Join us for the release of our newest report, Rebuilding America’s Air Force: Balancing the Air Force’s Combat Forces for Peer Conflict, to gain insights into what operational concepts and corresponding investment decisions delivered the best mission effects. Mark A. Gunzinger, the Director of Future Concepts and Capability Assessments, will be joined by Lt. Gen. Jason Armagost, Deputy Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command, and Deputy Commander, Air Forces Strategic-Air, U.S. Strategic Command, for this discussion.

Maj. Gen. Samuel Keener | Schriever Spacepower Series

As the newest combatant command, U.S. Space Command must rapidly advance and integrate spacepower into real world operations, and Maj. Gen. Samuel “Bull” Keener is leading the charge to do just that.

He leads efforts with allies and partners to plan, execute, and integrate military spacepower into multi-domain global operations to deter aggression, defend national interests, and when necessary, defeat threats. Join us for this can’t-miss Schriever Spacepower Series to hear first-hand how spacepower is evolving to meet emerging challenges.

Lt. Gen. Dennis O. Bythewood | Schriever Spacepower Series

Lt. Gen. Dennis Bythewood sits at the nexus between the Space Force and U.S. Space Command. He leads thousands of joint and combined personnel across 50 tactical units with the purpose of protecting and defending our interests in space. Join this upcoming Schriever Spacepower Series to hear about the accomplishments and ongoing efforts of this key component command.