Épisodes

  • National Security Strategy, CCA Developments, & Defense Predictions for ’26: The Rendezvous — Ep. 271
    Jan 3 2026

    Episode Summary:

    In this episode, members of the Mitchell team share some of their most memorable experiences from their 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. JV Venable almost ejects from an OV-10, Lt. Gen. David. A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.) juggles a serious inflight emergency over enemy territory, Lt. Gen. Burton Field, USAF (Ret.) recalls a lesson learned from his early flying days in the Viper, and Heather Penney talks about air racing. These are some incredible stories you won’t want to miss

    Credits:

    Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Producer: Shane Thin

    Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

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

    Guest: J. Michael Dahm, Senior Fellow for Aerospace and China Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Guest: Mark Funzinger, Director of Future Concepts and Capability Assessments, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Guest: Kyle Pumroy, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, MI-SPACE

    Guest: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Guest: Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski, Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs

    Links:

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of

    Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace

    LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/

    #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Rendezvous #Politics

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    1 h et 1 min
  • [Part 2] “There I was!”: Stories from Space and the Cockpit with the Mitchell Institute — Ep. 270
    Dec 27 2025

    Episode Summary:

    In this episode, members of the Mitchell Institute team chat about some of their most memorable experiences from their time in uniform. Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret.) talks about what it’s like to launch in the Space Shuttle, and Kyle Pumroy explains what it was like to pioneer the delivery of spacepower on the front lines of Afghanistan, and Brig. Gen. Houston Cantwell, USAF (Ret.) takes us into his F-16 cockpit while supporting combat operations in combination with an AC-130.

    Credits:

    Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Producer: Shane Thin

    Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

    Guest: Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret.), Explorer Chair, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)

    Guest: Brig. Gen. Houston Cantwell, USAF (Ret.), Senior Resident Fellow for Airpower Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Guest: Kyle Pumroy, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, MI-SPACE

    Links:

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of

    Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace

    LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/

    #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #AirForce #History #Stories

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    40 min
  • [Part 1] “There I was!”: Stories from the Cockpit and Space with the Mitchell Institute — Ep. 269
    Dec 23 2025

    Episode Summary:

    In this episode, members of the Mitchell team share some of their most memorable experiences from their 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. JV Venable almost ejects from an OV-10, Lt. Gen. David. A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.) juggles a serious inflight emergency over enemy territory, Lt. Gen. Burton Field, USAF (Ret.) recalls a lesson learned from his early flying days in the Viper, and Heather Penney talks about air racing. These are some incredible stories you won’t want to miss

    Credits:

    Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Producer: Shane Thin

    Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

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

    Guest: Lt. Gen. Burt Field, USAF (Ret.), President and CEO, Air & Space Forces Association

    Guest: John "JV" Venable, Senior Fellow for Airpower Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Links:

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of

    Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace

    LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/

    #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #history #stories #AirForce

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    55 min
  • Even Aces Have Heroes: Major Bob Lodge’s Ultimate Sacrifice — Ep. 268
    Dec 20 2025

    Episode Summary:

    The air war over Vietnam in 1972 was incredibly intense, with campaigns like Linebacker I and II defining the fight. Join us as we chat with Ace Colonel Chuck DeBellevue, USAF (Ret.) as he recounts the bravery and unique abilities of Major Bob Lodge, a fighter pilot from the famed 555th Fighter Squadron who made the ultimate sacrifice over North Vietnam. Lodge’s contributions were legendary—developing cutting edge tactics, harnessing new technologies, and personally taking the fight to the enemy in ways that were truly above and beyond. This conversation stands as a special tribute.

    Credits:

    Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Host: Tobias Naegele, Editor-in-Chief, Air & Space Forces Magazine

    Producer: Shane Thin

    Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

    Guest: Col. Charles DeBellevue, USAF (Ret.), Flying Ace

    Read:

    Bob Lodge and the Making of Air Force Vietnam Aces

    Links:

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of

    Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace

    LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/

    #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Vietnam #History

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    43 min
  • Investing in Airlift: The Price of Tomorrow’s Victory — Ep. 267
    Dec 13 2025

    Episode Summary:

    The U.S. Air Force doesn’t have enough airlift. Today’s inventory is half the size of what it was in the Cold War, but current demands are far higher and more complex. This isn’t just an Air Force problem; it impacts the entire Department of War. Join us as Heather “Lucky” Penney talks with former AMC commander Gen. Mike Minihan, USAF (Ret.) and Mitchell Institute Non-Resident Fellow Col. Rob Owen, PhD, USAF (Ret.) about this challenge and what we should do to fix it.

    Credits:

    Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Producer: Shane Thin

    Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

    Guest: Gen. Michael Minihan, USAF (Ret.), Former Commander, Air Mobility Command

    Guest: Col. Robert Owen, USAF (Ret.), Professor, Department of Aeronautical Science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

    Links:

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of

    Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace

    LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/

    #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #mobility #airforce

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    1 h et 5 min
  • Fighter Update, Vector 2025, and CSAF Priorities: The Rendezvous — Ep. 266
    Dec 6 2025

    Episode Summary:

    In this episode, our team explores the top defense issues in Washington, D.C. and beyond. Where do the defense bills stand? What’s up with the new Air Force fighter force structure report, plus Secretary of War Hegseth’s acquisition speech? We also explore Gen. Wilsbach’s new priorities, F-35s to Saudia Arabia, as well as Lt. Gen. White’s nomination for a new job as DRPM. The conversation also covers the Space Force, including Vector 2025, the creation of Combat Forces Command, and new developments regarding their test and validation requirements.

    Credits:

    Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Producer: Shane Thin

    Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

    Guest: Mark "Gonzo" Gunzinger, Director of Future Concepts and Capability Assessments, Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Guest: Jennifer "Boost" Reeves, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)

    Guest: Todd “Sledge” Harmer, Senior Vice President, American Defense International

    Guest: Jeff "Rowli" Rowlison, Vice President of Space & Intel Programs, American Defense International

    Guest: Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski, Principal, Cornerstone Government Affairs

    Post-Credits Discussion:

    Guest: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)

    Guest: Charles Galbreath, Director and Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)

    Guest: Kyle "Puma" Pumroy, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)

    Links:

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of

    Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace

    LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/

    #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #rendezvous #politics

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    1 h et 6 min
  • Dynamic Space Operations: A New Imperative — Ep. 265
    Nov 29 2025

    Episode Summary:

    Now that space is a warfighting domain, the Space Force and Space Command must pursue capabilities and operational concepts that increase resilience and effectiveness. That’s where dynamic space operations comes into play. By evolving on-orbit capabilities and activities, ground operations, the link segments, and even launch operations, the U.S. space enterprise can be more flexible and adaptable to impose costs on potential adversaries. Join us as Mitchell Institute space experts Charles Galbreath, Jen Reeves, and Kyle Pumroy discuss this important topic.

    Credits:

    Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Producer: Shane Thin

    Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

    Guest: Charles Galbreath, Director and Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)

    Guest: Jennifer "Boots" Reeves, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)

    Guest: Kyle Pumroy, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)

    Links:

    Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of

    Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace

    LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/

    #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #space #spaceforce

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    52 min
  • Jet Engines at the Merge: Industry Insights — Ep. 264
    Nov 22 2025

    Episode Summary:

    Today, the U.S. Air Force is at a key inflection point when it comes to jet propulsion. Most of the service’s aircraft are flying with engines designed during the Cold War. Newer types are now multiple decades old. This is why the Air Force has invested in multiple programs to pursue new engines. Heather Penney and Brig. Gen. Houston Cantwell, USAF (Ret.) talk with Lt. Gen. Steve Shepro, USAF (Ret.) of Pratt and Whitney to learn more about where military aircraft propulsion stands today and where it’s headed in the future.

    Credits:

    Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Producer: Shane Thin

    Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

    Guest: Brig. Gen. Houston "Slider" Cantwell, USAF (Ret.), Senior Resident Fellow for Airpower Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Guest: Lt. Gen. Steven Shepro, USAF (Ret.), Vice President of Integrated Customer Solutions (ICS), Pratt & Whitney

    Links:

    Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of

    Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace

    LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/

    #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #propulsion #defense #industry

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    53 min