In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney talks to Lt. Gen. David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Charles Galbreath, Kyle “Puma” Pumroy, Todd “Sledge” Harmer, and Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski about the top defense issues this month in Washington, D.C. and beyond.
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Our team digs into where the defense bills stand in Congress as well as the national security impact of the government shutdown. We also discuss the latest Ukraine news, plus several spacepower developments—everything from Chinese gains on orbit to the role orbital aggressors play in modern spacepower. Plus, we explore organizational happenings, like the decision to role the ICC function into A5/7, not pursue Space Force Futures, and downgrading USAFE to a 3-star billet. We wrap up by highlighting the new small UAS test efforts at Grand Forks AFB and jump into the renewed debate on whether too much is being spent on Air Force R&D vs procurement and readiness.

Guests

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

Charles GalbreathSenior Resident Fellow for Spacepower Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence

Kyle PumroySenior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, MI-SPACE

Todd “Sledge” HarmerSenior Vice President, American Defense International

Anthony “Lazer” LazarskiPrincipal, Cornerstone Government Affairs

Host

Heather PenneyDirector of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

Credits