The Aerospace Advantage

Latest Episodes:

Charting a Path to Space Superiority: The Cross-Domain Imperative — Ep. 272 Jan 10, 2026

Show notes

Episode Summary:

Space superiority is essential to U.S. national security. Achieving that requires the Department of War to conduct a review of space roles and missions to clarify institutional responsibilities and prioritize cross-domain capability investments. Jennifer Reeves discusses her recommendations from her new policy paper, Charting a Path to Space Superiority: The Cross-Domain Imperative, with Director of Global Space Operations, Maj. Gen. Anthony J. Mastalir.

Bottom line: for decades, space has predominantly focused on terrestrial activities…now, it’s time to see how capabilities on earth can support warfighting demands on orbit.

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 Spacepower Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence

Guest: Jennifer "Boots" Reeves, Senior Resident Fellow for Spacepower Studies, The Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence

Guest: Maj. Gen. Anthony J. Mastalir, Director of Global Space Operations, Headquarters, U.S. Space Command

Links:

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Space #MilitaryStrategy

National Security Strategy, CCA Developments, & Defense Predictions for ’26: The Rendezvous — Ep. 271 Jan 03, 2026

Show notes

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/

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Rendezvous #Politics

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

Show notes

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:

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Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #AirForce #History #Stories

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

Show notes

Episode Summary:

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:

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Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #history #stories #AirForce

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

Show notes

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:

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #Vietnam #History

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

Show notes

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

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#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #mobility #airforce

Fighter Update, Vector 2025, and CSAF Priorities: The Rendezvous — Ep. 266 Dec 06, 2025

Show notes

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

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

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

#MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #rendezvous #politics

Dynamic Space Operations: A New Imperative — Ep. 265 Nov 29, 2025

Show notes

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

Jet Engines at the Merge: Industry Insights — Ep. 264 Nov 22, 2025

Show notes

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

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

Show notes

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