The ties between the French Air Force and U.S. Air Force go back to the dawn of aviation. Brigadier General Pierre Gaudillière, Commander of the French Air Combat Command, joins us to explore how France views the current security environment through an airpower lens.
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Every week, Heather “Lucky” Penney will take listeners into the world of aerospace power and help the audience understand what it takes to fly and fight in the sky, while also protecting America’s interests in space. Whether talking to top generals, standing on a flight line full of combat aircraft, looking at a rocket being prepared for launch, or hearing from those who have laid it all on the line in defense of the nation—this podcast will afford unprecedented access and insight into where the combat aerospace community is going and why.
When the United States was drawn into WWII, it was wholly unprepared for conflict. By June 6, 1944, America was unleashing its burgeoning military might. This largely tied back to a miracle of production in nearly every facet of the wartime economy. Eight decades later, America once again faces severe security threats, and we're unprepared. We need a lot more war materiel. Join us as we explore lessons learned from WWII and apply them to today's challenges.
Ep. 292 - The Rendezvous
FY27 Budget, Space Force Launch, and the Future of Airpower
In this episode, our team assesses Congress' response to the FY27 defense budget request. We also discuss SDA's new leadership, as well as Space Force's requirement for a third heavy launch site. When it comes to airpower, we explain the importance of the MQ-9 in current ops, plus the significance of E-7, EA-37B, and B-21 program developments. Our team wraps up exploring the latest trends in the Ukraine conflict.
Operation Epic Fury has yielded important lessons learned, especially when it comes to the increasing importance of electronic warfare, the scale and scope of America’s munitions inventories, and the need for radically enhanced base protection measures. Heather "Lucky" Penney discusses these themes with Lt. Gen. David "Kooler" Krumm, USAF (Ret.) of BAE Systems. What are important operational considerations? How does the industrial base help deliver solutions to harness this recent combat experience?
With the Swedish Air Force celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, we are excited to chat with Major General Jonas Wikman, Commander of the Swedish Air Force.
President Trump's defense spending boost presents major opportunities for the Air Force. However, it's been nearly 4 decades since the service has seen this level of investment. We chat with Gen Ron Fogleman, USAF (Ret), the 15th Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and Gen Mike Loh, USAF (Ret), who served as the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force and later as the first commander of Air Combat Command to learn how they tackled this challenge during the Reagan-era build up.
Ep. 288 - The Rendezvous
FY27 Defense Budget, Fighter Support in Congress, Space Update
In this episode, our team assesses the FY 27 defense budget request from an air and space set of perspectives. We also explore fighter developments in Congress via legislation introduced by Senators Budd (R-NC) and Shaheen (D-NH), as well as a powerful letter submitted by the Adjutants General calling for more F-35s and F-15EXs. When it comes to space power, we explain the importance of the Future Operating Environment and Objective Force 2040, plus the significance of Space Force selecting Reservists to become part-time Guardians. Our team wraps up exploring the conflict with Iran and America's munitions deficit.
The air war over Vietnam represents one of the most dynamic, evolutionary periods of airpower innovation. This impacted tactics, operational...
The air war over Vietnam represents one of the most dynamic, evolutionary periods of airpower innovation. The U.S. entered the conflict optimized to face the Soviet Union, but few Vietnam combat missions matched that paradigm. Airmen had to rapidly adapt and innovate. This episode explores this era by speaking to two legendary Vietnam veteran airmen: Col Leonard “Lucky” Ekman, USAF (Ret) and ace Col Chuck DeBellevue, USAF (Ret).
2026 marks the 100th anniversary of liquid-fueled rockets. Mitchell Institute experts and John Reed, the Chief Rocket Scientist at United Launch Alliance, discuss this milestone event, launch advancements over the past 100 years, the future of this technology, and why it all matters.
Ep. 284 - The Rendezvous
Epic Fury Insights, FY27 Defense Budget, and Spacepower Update: The Rendezvous
Epic Fury Insights, FY27 Defense Budget, and Spacepower Update: The Rendezvous We discuss Operation Epic Fury, key items to track in the FY27 defense budget, and the latest in spacepower—everything from missile warning & tracking developments to the Geosynchronous Space Situational Awareness Program (GSSAP).
China is pressing hard to gain a spacepower capability advantage over the United States, including offensive and defensive capabilities on orbit. Our Mitchell Institute team explores these realities with Chief Master Sergeant Ron Lerch, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Deputy of Chief of Space Operations. This is a crucial conversation you won't want to miss.
The Air Force must ensure that its command-and-control air battle management (C2ABM) enterprise is postured for success. Current C2ABM capabilities are in major need of a reset. Heather “Lucky” Penney and Doug Birkey explore this topic with air battle managers Lt Col Alex “Big Bobby” Wallis and Lt Col Grant “SWAT” Georgulis.
We discuss the history, current operations, and future of U.S. Space Forces-Central (SPACECENT) with its first commander, Col Chris “Tool” Putman.” Learn about how spacepower provided key contributions to defending Israel from Iranian air and missile strikes, empowered Operation Midnight Hammer, and more.
Join Mitchell Institute fellows for a discussion on the strategic, operational, and tactical dynamics of Operation Epic Fury. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain deeper insight into the ongoing operations.