Épisodes

  • Fixing the Readiness Crisis: Better Training — Ep. 263
    Nov 15 2025

    Episode Summary:

    The Air Force is facing a readiness crisis, one that threatens our airmen’s ability to prevail in a peer conflict. A key constraint is the inability to accurately replicate advanced adversary capabilities on open air, live fly ranges. Between constrained physical range space, electromagnetic spectrum challenges, and operational security, it’s tough. However, we must do better. As the saying goes, we must train like we fight, or we may lose in the next war. That’s why live, virtual, constructive (LVC) training paired with advanced simulation is key to warfighter readiness and lethality. Heather “Lucky” Penney digs into this topic with CAE’s Nick “Master” Yates and Matt Martin.

    Credits:

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

    Producer: Shane Thin

    Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

    Guest: Nicholas "Master" Yates, Senior Business Development Manager, CAE USA

    Guest: Matt Martin, Director, C2ISR and RPA Strategy, CAE USA

    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 #Readiness

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    1 h et 10 min
  • Ukraine's Frontline: Inside Perspective — Ep. 262
    Nov 8 2025

    Episode Summary:

    Marine veteran Andrew Bain spent the past 20 years living and working in Ukraine. He and Adm. Ihor Voronchenko (Ret), former commander of the Ukrainian Navy, join hosts Heather "Lucky" Penney and Lt. Gen. David Deptula, USAF (Ret.) for an inside look at technical and tactical innovation in the fight for survival against Russian aggression.

    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: Adm. Ihor Voronchenko, Ukrainian Navy (Ret.)

    Guest: Andrew K. Bain, Executive Director and Member, Board of Directors, Ukrainian Freedom Fund

    Language Interpreter: Olha Paniuk

    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 #Ukraine #Europe #Russia

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    54 min
  • R&D vs Procurement Dollars, Chinese Gains in Space, and Small UAS Defense: The Rendezvous — Ep. 261
    Nov 1 2025

    Episode Summary:

    In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney talks to Lt. Gen. David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Charles Galbreath, Kyle “Puma” Pumroy, Todd “Sledge” Harmer, and Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski about the top defense issues this month in Washington, D.C. and beyond. ​​​​​​ Our team digs into where the defense bills stand in Congress as well as the national security impact of the government shutdown. We also discuss the latest Ukraine news, plus several spacepower developments—everything from Chinese gains on orbit to the role orbital aggressors play in modern spacepower. Plus, we explore organizational happenings, like the decision to role the ICC function into A5/7, not pursue Space Force Futures, and downgrading USAFE to a 3-star billet. We wrap up by highlighting the new small UAS test efforts at Grand Forks AFB and jump into the renewed debate on whether too much is being spent on Air Force R&D vs procurement and readiness.

    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: Charles Galbreath, 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)

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

    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

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    55 min
  • Solution Vector: What Comprises a Smart Air and Missile Defense? — Ep. 260
    Oct 25 2025

    Episode Summary:

    China, Russia, and other adversaries can strike the U.S. through a range of air and missile technologies. In this episode, we discuss solutions with former NORTHCOM-NORAD commander Gen. Glen VanHerck, USAF (Ret.) and former USAFE commander Gen. Jeff “Cobra” Harrigian, USAF (Ret.); along with Mitchell Institute senior fellows Brig. Gen. Houston Cantwell, USAF (Ret.); Charles Galbreath; and host Heather Penney.

    This is especially important as the nation considers programs like Golden Dome. Air and missile defense is a deadly serious business. Competent defenses are not something that can be assembled on the fly as part of a “pick-up game.” It takes a smart strategy, thoughtful concept of operations, command and control, plus the right technologies to mount an effective defense. Above all, the real goal should be peace through strength—deterring hostile actions by our adversaries against our homeland.

    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 Cantwell, USAF (Ret.), Senior Resident Fellow for Airpower Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

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

    Guest: Gen. Glen VanHerck, USAF (Ret.), Former Commander, United States Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command

    Guest: Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, USAF (Ret.), Former Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. Air Forces Africa

    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 #missiledefense

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    1 h et 11 min
  • Back to the Future: The Origins of Homeland Air and Missile Defense — Ep. 259
    Oct 18 2025

    Episode Summary:

    When the Soviet Union gained atomic weapons technology in the early days of the Cold War, U.S. homeland defense catapulted to the top of America’s security priorities. The idea that Soviet bombers, and later ICBMs, could strike American targets demanded a response. Two primary pathways took shape: 1) strategic deterrence via the nuclear triad, and 2) an incredibly robust set of homeland air defense investments to defeat a hostile Soviet strike. With air and missile defense once returning as a major point of focus given mounting threats, it is important to explore America’s homeland air defense systems from the early Cold War. The paradigms they harnessed are still quite relevant to architecting a modern set of air and missile defense capabilities taking shape via the Golden Dome program.

    Join us as we explore this critical issue with Mitchell Institute experts Brig. Gen. Houston “Slider” Cantwell, USAF (Ret.), Heather “Lucky” Penney, and Doug Birkey, along with Air Force air battle manager Lt. Col. Alex “Big Bobby” Wallis.

    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 Cantwell, USAF (Ret.), Senior Resident Fellow for Airpower Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Guest: Lt. Col. Alex Wallis, Air Force Strategic Policy Fellow Alumni

    Guest: Douglas Birkey, Executive Director, 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 #missiledefense

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    1 h et 1 min
  • Air and Missile Defense: The Imperative for Golden Dome — Ep. 258
    Oct 11 2025

    Episode Summary:

    Adversaries, including China and Russia, possess the means to strike the U.S. through a range of air and missile technologies. While some of these threats, like ICBMs, have existed for decades, a new range of cruise missiles, drones, fractional orbital bombardment technologies, etc. can strike deep within our nation. Given their increasingly aggressive behavior challenging established norms and territorial boundaries, these circumstances demand a serious assessment of the threat and a corresponding look at defensive means to protect America. Join us as we explore this critical issue with former NORTHCOM-NORAD commander Gen. Glen VanHerck, USAF (Ret.) and former STRATCOM commander Gen. Kevin Chilton, USAF (Ret.).

    Credits:

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

    Producer: Shane Thin

    Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

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

    Guest: Gen. Glen VanHerck, USAF (Ret.), Former Commander, United States Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command

    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 #missiledefense

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    54 min
  • Government Shutdown and Defense, USSF Force Design, and a new CSAF: The Rendezvous — Ep. 257
    Oct 4 2025

    Episode Summary:

    In this episode, Heather “Lucky” Penney talks to Lt. Gen. David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Jennifer "Boots" Reeves, Todd “Sledge” Harmer, Anthony “Lazer” Lazarski, Jeff Rowlison, and Brig. Gen. Houston "Slider" Cantwell, USAF (Ret.) about the top defense issues this month in Washington, D.C. and beyond.

    Our team digs into what a government closure means for national security and where the defense bills stand in Congress. We also discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Gen. Wilsbach as the Chief of Staff of the Air Force nominee. On the spacepower side of the equation, we explore the USSF’s new Force Design, what it will take to better track threats in space, Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 satellites on orbit, and recent space-based laser communication advancements. We wrap by looking at the Department of War’s increased focus on homeland defense.

    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: Brig. Gen. Houston "Slider" Cantwell, Senior Fellow for Airpower Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

    Guest: Jennifer "Boots" 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 Rowlison, VP, Space & Intel Programs, American Defense International

    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 #government #defense

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    54 min
  • Space Warfighting: Key Insights — Ep. 256
    Sep 27 2025

    Episode Summary:

    Major Kyle “Ghengis” Rimando, Chief of the Space Strategy Branch at SF S5/8, and Dr. John J. “Patsy” Klein, Senior Fellow and Strategist at Falcon Research Inc., join host Heather “Lucky” Penney—along with Mitchell Institute Senior Fellows Charles Galbreath and Jen “Boots” Reeves—to discuss key concepts regarding space domain awareness, offensive and defensive counterspace operations, and what it will take to secure space superiority. They explore lessons learned from recent operations; plus, important considerations tied to joint and cyber integration. This is fundamentally tied to the Space Force’s latest document: Space Warfighting: A Framework for Planners.

    Credits:

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

    Producer: Shane Thin

    Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey

    Guest: Charles Galbreath, 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: Major Kyle “Ghengis” Rimando, Chief, Space Strategy Branch, SF S5/8

    Guest: Dr. John J. “Patsy” Klein, Senior Fellow and Strategist at Falcon Research Inc.

    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

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    51 min