The Mitchell Institute’s Aerospace Nation Podcast

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.

Strategic Attack: Maintaining the Air Force’s Capacity to Deny Enemy Sanctuaries

Allowing adversaries to operate from operational sanctuaries is a losing proposition. A war-winning strategy for the U.S. military must involve applying long-range penetrating airpower to hold targets at risk – anytime, anywhere. This includes an adversary’s ability to launch air and missile salvos that could cripple U.S. operations.

However, decades of force cuts and deferred modernization have reduced the Air Force’s combat capacity to the point where it cannot simultaneously deter nuclear attacks, defend the U.S. homeland, and defeat adversary aggression at acceptable levels of risk.

New, long-range stealthy bombers and fighters that can deny sanctuaries to adversary forces wherever they are located are required at scale. A less-capable force cannot achieve peace through strength or win should deterrence fail. This is a strategic choice for the nation, not just the Air Force.

The authors examine this topic and solutions with guest, Gen. Tim Ray, USAF (Ret.), former Commander of Air Force Global Strike Command.

Charting a Path to Space Superiority: The Cross-Domain Imperative

Join the Mitchell Institute as Col. Jen “Boots” Reeves, USAF (Ret.) releases her latest policy paper outlining why space superiority is foundational to America’s ability to fight and win. Achieving this will demand that the other services support the Space Force and Space Command, which is a departure from the traditional notion of spacepower acting to empower terrestrial actions. This necessary evolution has major implications when it comes to strategy, operational concepts, command relations, technology investments, and basic warfighting attitudes.

Joining the discussion is Maj. Gen. Brook “Tank” Leonard, USAF (Ret.), the inaugural Chief of Staff of U.S. Space Command. This is a must see deep-dive on the institutional reforms, operational changes, cultural shifts, and new technologies required to achieve space superiority through cross-domain operations.

Maj. Gen. Chris Povak | Schriever Spacepower Series

The National Reconnaissance Office is leading one of the most ambitious architectural transformations in intelligence history. In the last two years, the NRO has deployed more than 200 satellites. This increases both mission performance and architectural resilience in the face of growing threats around the world. As the Deputy Director of the NRO and Commander of the Space Force Element to the NRO, Maj. Gen. Christopher Povak serves two vital roles in securing access to vital space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance data. Join the Mitchell Institute’s discussion with Gen Povak for an informative look at dramatic transformation occurring within the NRO.