John “Slick” Baum, Maj Gen Larry “Stutz” Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.), and Heather “Lucky” Penney interview Lt Col Gene Smith, USAF (Ret.) about what it was like to get shot down in his F-105 over downtown Hanoi on October 25, 1967. This was just one of the 1,737 USAF aircraft lost to hostile action over Vietnam.
Sponsored by
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. 118 - The Rendezvous
China Update, FY24 Defense Budget, and Russia’s Intentions: The Rendezvous
In this Rendezvous episode, we discuss the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We then explore China and Russia’s increasing alignment, plus Russia’s decision to suspend its participation in New START. We round out the conversation discussing FY24 defense budget expectations and consider the long-term implications for homeland defense given the Chinese surveillance balloon.
John “Slick” Baum talks to Col Mathew Berry, commandant of the Air Force’s Air Command and Staff College (ACSC), and Col Sarah Bakhtiari, Dean of Education at ACSC about how they are working to train the next generation of airmen.
John "Slick" Baum talks to Col Russ "Bones" Cook, 23rd Wing Commander of Air Force Rescue at Moody AFB; Lt Col Patrick "TISL" Parrish, National Defense Fellow at the Congressional Research Service and long-time A-10 pilot; and Michael “Mongo” Kingry, Air Force Fellow at the Mitchell Institute, about the challenges facing the USAF’s Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) mission as it looks to adapt to changing global threats.
John “Slick” Baum and Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret.) chat with the Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
Ep. 114 - The Rendezvous
Debt Ceiling Debate, Airpower for Ukraine, and DOD’s new AI Policy: The Rendezvous
In this Rendezvous episode, we discuss the Congressional debt ceiling debate, Turkey’s desire to secure F-16s, if and how airpower assistance can be provided to Ukraine, and DOD’s new policy on AI. We wrap with a look at lower-profile, but consequential, security challenges around the globe.
John “Slick” Baum chats with Robert “Otis” Winkler from KRATOS Defense about what it’s like to design, develop, and field a next generation UAV, what the Air Force now calls Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).
John Baum chats about the challenges of operating drone swarms during a great power conflict with Dr. Doug Meador, the Autonomous Collaborative Vehicles Portfolio manager within AFRL's Aerospace Systems Directorate; Lt Colonel Ryan “SCUDS” Slaughter, the lead for Autonomous Collaborative Platforms in the Headquarters AF Strategy, Integration and Requirements directorate; plus Caitlin Lee and Mark Gunzinger from the Mitchell Institute team.
Ep. 111 - The Rendezvous
Congressional Drama and Defense, New F-35 Contract, Space Update, and Ukraine: The Rendezvous
In this Rendezvous episode, we discuss how the struggle to elect a Speaker of the House has implications for defense. We also discuss the latest F-35 contract and how new pricing will impact the future of the program. Plus we assess the challenges and opportunities for the Space Force as we look to 2023.
John “Slick” Baum chats with Dr. Justin Bronk of the Royal United Services Institute for Defense and Security Studies along with Heather “Lucky” Penney and Lt Col Michael “Mongo” Kingry of our Mitchell Institute team about key takeaways from the Ukraine-Russia war. This episode explores the strategies and tactics the combatants are employing, the hardware they are bringing to the fight, and what it means for the wider war. We’ll also look at what lessons can be learned by NATO and the United States as war rages in Eastern Europe and adversaries around the globe evaluate the Western response.
In Part 2 of this series, we decided it was time to kick back and reflect upon the high adventures of past years. This week, we hear stories from Gen Kevin Chilton, USAF (Ret.), Maj Gen Larry "Stutz" Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.), Chris "Jekyll" Brunner, Heather Penney, and Slick.
In Part 1 of this series, we decided it was time to kick back and reflect upon the high adventures of past years. This week, we hear stories from Lt Gen Joseph Guastella Jr., USAF (Ret.), Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Mark Gunzinger, plus Air Force Fellows Lt Col Michael Kingry and Lt Col Sarah Brehm.
John “Slick” Baum visits Lockheed Martin’s F-35 production line in Fort Worth, TX, where he chats with Steve Howes, vice president for F-35 production operations, and J.R. McDonald, vice president for F-35 business development.
John “Slick” Baum chats with Lt Gen Dave Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Mark Gunzinger, and Doug Birkey of the Mitchell Institute team about their experiences at the B-21 rollout and what the future will hold for America’s newest bomber.
Ep. 105 - The Rendezvous
Congressional Update, B-21 Rollout, & CCA Vectors: The Rendezvous
In this Rendezvous episode, we consider how the Congressional election results will impact defense priorities on The Hill, thoughts regarding the FY24 defense budget submission, latest developments for collaborative combat aircraft (CCA), the latest news regarding Ukraine, our thoughts on long range strike, and what it will take for the defense bills to cross the finish line this year.