The Mitchell Institute’s Aerospace Nation Podcast

Aerospace Nation: Actualizing "Accelerate Change" with Lt Col Mike Benitez

The Mitchell Institute hosts a live virtual Aerospace Nation series event on Actualizing “Accelerate Change” with Lt Col Mike Benitez, Director of Staff for the Air Force’s 53rd Wing. As staff director for the Air Force’s primary Operational Test wing, Lt Col Benitez has an up-close view of the Air Force’s efforts to realize Chief Brown’s “accelerate change” directive. He shares his insights into the Air Force’s new Black Flag exercise, the F-35’s move to an Agile Software Development framework, and the Joint All Domain Operations concept’s unique attributes. Lt Gen (Ret) Dave Deptula, Dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, moderates the discussion and facilitates audience Q&A

Aerospace Nation: Airborne Augmented Reality

Listen to our live virtual Aerospace Nation panel discussion on Airborne Augmented Reality with long-time SASC staffer Robert “Otis” Winkler and Red 6’s Gen (Ret) Mike Holmes and Dan Robinson. The U.S. Air Force pilot readiness gap is only increasing. The pace of technological innovation and adoption must accelerate rapidly in order to fill the pilot shortage gap and secure U.S. and allied airspace. This discussion examines how augmented reality and artificial intelligence can help transform the way the Air Force prepares pilots for future conflicts and ultimately enhance our national security.

Nuclear Deterrence Forum: Dr. Mark Schneider

The Mitchell Institute hosted a live virtual Nuclear Deterrence and Missile Defense Forum event with Dr. Mark Schneider, Senior Analyst at the National Institute for Public Policy. Dr. Schneider joined us at a critical time in the relationship between Washington and Moscow. He shared his insights into Russia’s nuclear modernization programs and doctrine, the importance of the U.S. nuclear triad, and considerations for the Biden administration’s approach to nuclear deterrence strategy. Peter Huessy, Director of Strategic Deterrent Studies at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, moderated the discussion and facilitated audience Q&A.

Aerospace Nation: Aerospace Vectors for the Incoming Biden Administration

President Biden’s defense team faces a number of challenges around the globe, but they also have significant opportunities to bolster America’s national security for decades to come. The Mitchell Institute hosts a live virtual Aerospace Nation event on Thursday, March 4 with Lt Gen (Ret) Dave Deptula, Dean, and Mr. Doug Birkey, Executive Director, as they discuss their new policy paper, Aerospace Vectors for the Incoming Biden Defense Team. Maj Gen (Ret) Larry Stutzriem, Director of Research at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies moderates.

Aerospace Nation: Lt Gen James C. Slife, Commander of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)

Lt Gen James C. Slife, Commander of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), joins us on Aerospace Nation. In the face of threats from a broad range of competitors, the demand for AFSOC capabilities and capacity is pronounced. Gen Slife is responsible for developing those forces to have the skills, resiliency, and relevance they need to compete and win across the spectrum of modern global competitions. Join us as we discuss AFSOC's priorities for the year, the development of emerging technologies for special operations, and the implementation of AFSOC's Strategic Guidance.

Aerospace Nation: Brig Gen Heather Pringle, Commander of AFRL

Brig Gen Heather Pringle, Commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory, joins us on Aerospace Nation. The critical technologies under development at AFRL are increasingly important to national security as peer and near-peer competitors continue to chip away at America’s technological warfighting advantage. Brig Gen Pringle shares how AFRL is adapting to this rapidly evolving technology landscape and provides updates on some of the Lab’s most promising research programs.

Aerospace Nation: Gen James Dickinson, Commander of U.S. Space Command

January 26, 2021.

The Mitchell Institute hosts Gen James Dickinson, Commander of U.S. Space Command, on its Aerospace Nation Space Power Forum. Gen Dickinson’s leadership comes at a critical time as we look forward to the formation of a new U.S. defense strategy and as the importance of space capabilities intensifies as great power competition and warfighting evolves. He shares his insights into the establishment of a new SPACECOM headquarters, the U.S. response to the increasingly contested space domain, and the integration of SPACECOM into the operations of other combatant commands.

Aerospace Nation: Never Mind We'll Do It Ourselves - Book Launch

January 22, 2021

The Mitchell Institute hosts an Aerospace Nation event with the authors of the new book Never Mind, We'll Do It Ourselves: The Inside Story of How a Team of Renegades Broke Rules, Shattered Barriers, and Launched a Drone Warfare Revolution. Retired USAF Col Mark Cooter, former CIA case officer Alec Bierbauer, and co-author Michael Marks, give us an inside-look into the story behind the armed Predator program and the dawn of unmanned aerial warfare. Join our discussion as we look at how RPAs became a critical airpower asset. Never Mind, We'll Do It Ourselves: The Inside Story of How a Team of Renegades Broke Rules, Shattered Barriers, and Launched a Drone Warfare Revolution is available NOW on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Never-Mind-Well-Ourselves-Renegades/dp/151072091X 

Aerospace Nation: Lt Gen Clark, Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy

January 21, 2021

An experienced aviator and leader, Lt Gen Clark holds a key role in developing the next generation of Air Force officers. Lt Gen Clark shares his insights into how the Academy is preparing cadets to face today's global challenges, the implications of the creation of the Space Force for the Academy, what it means to accelerate change in an educational institution, and other Academy priorities.

Nuclear Deterrence Forum: VADM Johnny Wolfe, SSP

January 14, 2021

VADM Johnny Wolfe, Director of the U.S. Navy’s Strategic Systems Program (SSP), is a key leader in the management of the seaborne leg of the U.S. triad. Leveraging his extensive experience, VADM Wolfe shares his insights into the modernization of the Navy’s Fleet Ballistic Missile Weapons Systems, U.S.-UK nuclear deterrence cooperation, and the U.S. Navy-Army joint hypersonic missile development program, among other topics.