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.
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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.
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.
Join Mitchell Institute’s Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence team to for their key takeaways from the Warfare Symposium. This is one of the top “must attend” defense events of the year, with nearly every senior leader from the Department of the Air Force in attendance.
Autonomy and artificial intelligence are going to have a massive impact on warfighting. Success will demand effectively coordinate with human teammates, rapidly adjusting to a dynamic threat environment, adhering to commander’s intent, and affording sufficient insight for legal and reliability analysis. Heather Penney chats with a team of AI experts and former warfighters about these factors, including Robert “Bobaloo” Rickard and Mark “Drifter” Valentine.
Since the end of the Cold War, Air Force resource shortfalls have hit the fighter inventory hard. Fewer tails carry more sortie demand, which is a recipe for burnout. It’s time for a course correction. We explore this crucial topic with Brig. Gen. Shannon “Sinjin” Smith, Commander of the Idaho Air National Guard.
Ep. 276 - The Rendezvous
National Defense Strategy, Budget News, and Spacepower Update: The Rendezvous
In this episode, our team explores the top defense issues in Washington, D.C. and beyond. Topics include a defense budget update, the new National Defense Strategy, Department of the Air Force acquisition reforms, plus the latest in spacepower—everything from the SDA tracking layer to congestion with launch.
Global Reach, Global Power—you can’t exercise that without Air Force bombers. We explore the long-range strike mission with longtime B-1 pilot and recent 9th BS commander Lt Col Ryan “Duke” Stillwell.