John “Slick” Baum chats with former U-2 pilot Maj Gen H.D. “Jake” Polumbo, USAF (Ret.), the highest-ranking officer to fly the Dragon Lady in combat, and long-time experienced MQ-9 pilot Lt Col Johnny Duray, who has risen through the ranks as a line pilot to a commander in the RPA world. This episode focuses on the ISR evolution by exploring the U-2, a Cold War icon manned ISR aircraft, and the uncrewed ISR mission through the lens of the MQ-9 Reaper, which can execute ISR, while also employing kinetic strike capabilities and a range of other functions.

John “Slick” Baum chats with Scott Forney, the President of Electromagnetic Systems at General Atomics, along with Col Charles Galbreath, USSF (Ret.), and Maj Gen Larry Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.), from our Mitchell Institute team. The Space Force is developing its satellite constellations to meet new mission demands, evolving their architecture to address a rapidly burgeoning threat environment. No longer does the Space Force want to be overly reliant on large “fat juicy target” satellites, which, if destroyed or incapacitated, would yield outsized impacts to broader mission functions.

Ep. 171 - The Rendezvous
Congressional Update, Department of the Air Force Reorg, and Effective Deterrence in the Middle East
In this Rendezvous episode, we discuss the Department of the Air Force’s newly-announced reorganization—all part of their effort to optimize the Air Force and Space Force for great power competition. The team then explores what it means to deter in the Middle East.
Mitchell Institute’s John “Slick” Baum interviews Dr. Jaime Stearns, AFRL’s cislunar lead; Bradley Cheetham, the President of Advanced Space; and Mitchell Institute’s Col Charles Galbreath, USSF (Ret.) about where the competition in space is headed next.
Mitchell Institute’s John “Slick” Baum interviews Mitchell Institute Spacepower Center of Excellence Senior Fellow Col Charles Galbreath, USSF (Ret) about a new spacepower development.
Mitchell Institute’s John “Slick” Baum hosts a special set of guests to mark the 50th anniversary of the F-16’s first flight.
Mitchell Institute’s John “Slick” Baum hosts a special set of guests to mark the 50th anniversary of the F-16’s first flight

Ep. 166 - The Rendezvous
Congressional Update, Sentinel & F-35 Developments, and Spacepower Considerations
In this Rendezvous episode, we discuss where Congress stands when it comes to passing an actual defense budget We also discuss how the 2024 election cycle will impact the national security debate throughout the course of the year, including support for Ukraine. We talk about the Sentinel program, Lockheed Martin’s latest projection for TR3/ Block 4, spacepower trends, Ukraine, instability in the Middle East, continued issues with Iran and North Korea, plus China’s aggression in the Pacific,
John “Slick” Baum chats with a top-tier slate of space professionals about one of the top issues impacting national security issues in orbit: having enough trained and qualified personnel.
John "Slick" Baum chats with Colonel Keith "Ghost" Butler, long-time B-2 pilot and commander of America’s sole stealth bomber wing
Mitchell Institute’s John “Slick” Baum chats with national security expert Maj Gen Cameron Holt, USAF (Ret.), founder of the Quantum Industrial Coalition Paul Stimers, and Mitchell Institute’s Heather Penney about one of the top topics in defense innovation.

Ep. 162 - The Rendezvous
Airpower and Spacepower Predictions for 2024
In this Rendezvous episode, we discuss what to expect from Congress, Ukraine, the Department of the Air Force’s proposed reorganization. We also identify technologies we should track in 2024, spacepower trends and China.
Continuing the series over the holiday season, we decided it was time to kick back and reflect upon the high adventures of past years and recount some of our most memorable experiences from our time in uniform.
You normally hear us talking about policy and budget issues, but over the holiday season, we decided it was time to kick back and reflect upon the high adventures of past years and recount some of our most memorable experiences from our time in uniform.
Mitchell Institute experts discuss the potential for collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) to increase the lethality, survivability, and capacity of the Air Force’s air superiority forces for operations in highly contested environments.