Home Podcasts The Mitchell Institute’s Aerospace Nation Podcast
The Mitchell Institute’s Aerospace Nation Podcast

The Mitchell Institute’s Aerospace Nation Podcast

aerospacenation 100 Episodes Oct 7, 2026

The Mitchell Institute's Aerospace Nation Podcast features in-depth, hour-long conversations with senior leaders and thought influencers from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, and the Department of Defense. Discussions cover both immediate issues and long-term strategic visions. The live sessions draw attendees from the Department of Defense, Capitol Hill, defense industry, and academia, and have received wide press coverage.

Episodes

Brig. Gen. Mark Massaro
Brig. Gen. Mark Massaro Oct 7, 2026 3660 The Air Force is modernizing just about all of its major mission areas: next-generation aircraft, two legs of the triad and NC3, weapons, command and control, and more. This means the folks at Edwards Air Force Base and the rest of the test enterprise are charging hard. Join us for a conversation with Brig Gen Massaro that you won’t want to miss.
War at the Speed of Information: Data Transport, Decision Advantage, & the Future of Military Space Communications
War at the Speed of Information: Data Transport, Decision Advantage, & the Future of Military Space Communications Oct 1, 2026 3627 The nation that can move information faster, more securely, and more reliably will hold a critical advantage in future conflict. Join the Mitchell Institute's Explorer Chair Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret.), General Atomics’ Brent Marquand, and Mitchell Institute's Senior Resident Fellow Jennifer Reeves for a discussion on the technologies, architectures, and decisions shaping the future of mili
Brig. Gen. Timothy M. Helfrich | Aerospace Nation
Brig. Gen. Timothy M. Helfrich | Aerospace Nation Sep 28, 2026 3530 Join the Mitchell Institute as we host Brig. Gen. Timothy Helfrich, Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Fighters and Advanced Aircraft at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Air Force Materiel Command. We will be discussing service plans for the development, production, fielding, sustainment, and modernization of the Air Force fighter portfolio, which includes the A-10, F-15, F-16, F-22, F-4
Defeating the Drones: The Airman’s Imperative to Defend Against Small UAV
Defeating the Drones: The Airman’s Imperative to Defend Against Small UAV Jul 30, 2026 3577 United States Air Force forward operating installations face a grave threat given air and missile threats, especially when it comes to small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (sUAV). Recent combat events in places like Ukraine and the Middle East highlight the significance of this threat. It's time to pursue new operational concepts, tactics, and procure necessary technologies to mitigate this threat. Join
Gen. Kevin B. Schneider | Aerospace Nation
Gen. Kevin B. Schneider | Aerospace Nation Jul 27, 2026 3289 Few regions are as strategically significant as the Pacific. The persistent challenges posed by adversaries like China and North Korea, the critical importance of alliances and partnerships, and the sheer scale of projecting airpower across this expansive theater make it one of the most complex and consequential areas of responsibility in the world today. Gen. Schneider is responsible for Air Forc
Lt. Gen. Gregory J. Gagnon | Schriever Spacepower Series
Lt. Gen. Gregory J. Gagnon | Schriever Spacepower Series Jul 17, 2026 3640 Combat Forces Command is responsible for generating, presenting, and sustaining combat-ready space control, global operations, and combat service support forces capable of defending the nation’s interests in, from, and to space. Lt. Gen. Gagnon’s insights and deep connections with the intelligence community will paint a clear picture of the evolving threat environment and the Space Force’s ability
Autonomy and AI Assessment with Honorable Frank Kendall
Autonomy and AI Assessment with Honorable Frank Kendall Jul 16, 2026 3521 Autonomy and AI dominate the defense debate. Whether talking about next generation collaborative combat aircraft, command and control decision making aids, or cyberspace tools–there’s no question that these technologies are reshaping national security. Frank Kendall will join us to discuss this topic, which he explored in his recently released book “Lethal Autonomy: The Future of Warfare Whether W
Lt. Gen. Steven Whitney | Aerospace Nation
Lt. Gen. Steven Whitney | Aerospace Nation Jul 15, 2026 3374 Lt. Gen. Steve Whitney serves as the Director, Force Structure, Resources and Assessment, J-8. In this position, he oversees the development of capabilities, conducts studies and assessments, and evaluates plans and programs for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He also serves as Secretary of the Joint Requirements Oversight Council and Chairman of the Joint Capabilities Board. Lt. Gen. W
Brig. Gen. Nikki R. Frankino & Ms. Melissa D. Blakesly | Schriever Spacepower Series
Brig. Gen. Nikki R. Frankino & Ms. Melissa D. Blakesly | Schriever Spacepower Series Jul 1, 2026 3576 Through authorization and appropriation, Congress holds the definitive power to shape military growth and readiness. As the nation’s youngest and smallest service, it is vital for the Space Force to have effective advocacy on the Hill. Leading this effort are Brigadier General Nikki Frankino, Legislative Liaison for the U.S. Space Force and Ms. Melissa Blakesly, the Associate Deputy Assistant Secr
Space Superiority Through the Spectrum of Conflict: Findings and Recommendations from the Conflict in Space Workshop
Space Superiority Through the Spectrum of Conflict: Findings and Recommendations from the Conflict in Space Workshop Jun 23, 2026 3703 Space has become an indispensable element of modern military, economic, and societal functions, yet the character of conflict in the space domain is only just emerging and is not well understood. The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE) held a two-day unclassified workshop that sought to clarify how hostile acts in space might be identified,
Gen. John D. Lamontagne | Aerospace Nation
Gen. John D. Lamontagne | Aerospace Nation Jun 4, 2026 3343 Join us to learn more about current Air Force priorities with Vice Chief of Staff Gen. John Lamontagne. As one of the service’s top leaders, Gen. Lamontagne plays an instrumental role in organizing, training, and equipping Airmen across the force. His insights will be incredibly valuable give this year’s historic defense investments and pressing global security requirements. This is a conversation
Congressman August Pfluger | Aerospace Nation
Congressman August Pfluger | Aerospace Nation Jun 2, 2026 3422 With the Trump Administration requesting a major defense budget boost, it’s now up to Congress to turn this proposal into reality. To discuss this and a wide variety of national security topics, we are pleased to welcome Congressman August Pfluger (R-TX). Before his time in Congress, Congressman Pfluger graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and served for over two decades as a fighter pilot–in

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