2024 Air, Space & Cyber Conference | Videos, Transcripts

Monday, September 16

Keynote Address:
Implementing Change to Prevail in Great Power Competition

— Frank Kendall, Secretary of the Air Force

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Keynote Address:
One Air Force

— Gen. David W. Allvin, Chief of Staff of the Air Force

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Failure is Not an Option: Confronting the Modernization Challenge

— Andrew Hunter, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics 
— Frank Calvelli, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration
— Gen. Michael Guetlein, Vice Chief of Space Operations
— Gen. Jim Slife, Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force

Moderator: Kirk Rieckhoff, Leader of McKinsey & Company’s Public Sector Aerospace and Defense Practice

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The Digital Enterprise

— Peter Kunz, Vice President and Chief Engineer for Boeing Defense, Space & Security’s Air Dominance Division
— Mark Andress, Global Vice President, Defense and Intelligence, Oracle
— Sean Moriarty, CEO, Primer AI

Moderator: Maj. Gen. Kim Crider, USAF (Ret.), Founding Partner, Elara Nova

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United Forces and Families: Shaping the Guardian Experience

— Cathy Bentivegna, Spouse of the Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force
— Aimee Selix, Co-Founder, Guardian Spouse Candid Conversations
— Jessica Norsky, Key Support Liaison Mentor for Delta 1

Moderator: Debbie Schiess, AFA’s United Forces & Families (F2) Member

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The China Problem

— Dr. Brendan Mulvaney, Director, China Aerospace Studies Institute, Air University
— Dr. Kevin Pollpeter, Director of Research, China Aerospace Studies Institute, Air University

Moderator: J. Michael Dahm, Senior Resident Fellow for Aerospace and China Studies at AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

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Space Domain Awareness

— Murali Krishnan, Vice President and General Manager for the Payload and Ground Systems Division at Northrop Grumman Space Systems
— Christopher Long, Deputy General Manager & Vice President of Space Systems for the Space, Cyber and Intelligence Systems Line at General Dynamics Mission Systems
— Kay Sears, Vice President and General Manager of Space, Intelligence & Weapon Systems at Boeing Defense, Space & Security

Moderator: Maj. Gen. Gregory Gagnon, Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Intelligence, U.S. Space Force

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Cyber Dominance

— Chris Cleary, Vice President of ManTech’s Global Cyber Practice
— Stephanie Domas, Chief Information Security Officer, Canonical
— Jen Sovada, President of Global Public Sector, SandboxAQ

Moderator: Venice M. Goodwine, Chief Information Officer for the Department of the Air Force

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The Wars We’re Fighting

— Lt. Gen. Michael Conley, Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command
— Lt. Gen. Adrian Spain, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations
— Lt Gen Douglas A. Schiess, Commander, U.S. Space Forces – Space and Combined Joint Force Space Component Commander, U.S. Space Command 

Moderator: Tobias Naegele, Editor in Chief at AFA’s Air & Space Forces Magazine

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Live, Virtual, and Constructive: Preparing for the High-End Fight

— Matt George, Founder and CEO, Merlin Labs
— Cathy Johnston, VP, Mission Integration, Peraton
— Mike Benitez, Director of Product for Hivemind, Shield AI

Moderator: Maj. Gen. Clark Quinn, Deputy Commander for Air Education and Training Command

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Hacking the Acquisition Bureaucracy

— Rupak Doshi, CEO, Co-Founder, OmniSync
— Robert Fehlen, Chief Strategy Officer, Mobilize VISION
— Bryon Kroger, Founder and CEO, Rise8

Moderator: Alexis Bonnell, CIO and Director, Digital Capabilities Directorate, AFRL

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Space as the Supported Command

Air Marshal Paul Godfrey, Assistant Chief of Space Operations for Future Concepts and Partnerships, USSF
Rear Adm. Heidi Berg, Deputy Commander, Fleet Cyber Command and Deputy Commander, Navy Space Command
Rob Atkin, Vice President, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems Group
— Robert Lightfoot, President, Lockheed Martin Space

Moderator: Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, USAF (Ret.), Explorer Chair, AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Spacepower Advantage Research Center

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Air Dominance

— Jenna Paukstis, Vice President General Manager, Networked Information Solutions Division, Northrop Grumman
— Renee Pasman, Vice President, Integrated Systems for Advanced Development Programs, Lockheed Martin
— Elaine Bitonti, Vice President & General Manager, Connected Battlespace & Emerging Capabilities, RTX

Moderator: Maj. Gen. David Shoemaker, Director of Operations, Air Combat Command

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The AI Passport

— Alexis Bonnell, CIO and Director, Digital Capabilities Directorate, AFRL
— Lt. Gen. Franco Vestito, Director of the Italian Air Force Personnel Department
— Air Cdre Nikki Thomas (UK), UK Air & Space Attaché to the United States

Moderator: Gen. David Goldfein, USAF (Ret.), 21st Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force

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Keynote Address:
Understanding the Threat in an Infinite Game

— Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David A. Flosi

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Tuesday, September 17

Keynote Address:
State of the Space Force

— Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations

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Keynote Address:
Enlisted Space Force

— Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force John F. Bentivegna

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The Dangers We Face

— Gen. Gregory M. Guillot, Commander, U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command
— Gen. Timothy D. Haugh, Commander, U.S. Cyber Command
— Gen. Stephen N. Whiting, Commander, U.S. Space Command
— Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, Commander of U.S. Transportation Command

Moderator: Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean of AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

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United Forces and Families: Creative Childcare Solutions

— Lt. Col. Maria Quinn, Military Child Care Advocate
— Leslie Janaros, Co-Founder, Five & Thrive
— Lesley Smith, Air Force Services Center Chief of Air Force Child and Youth Programs
— Chief Master Sgt. Israel Nuñez, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of Air Force Reserve

Moderator: Melissa Shaw, Vice Chair, AFA’s United Forces & Families (F2) and Civilian Guardian working for USSF HQSF SF/S1C

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Pilot Shortage: A Chronic Problem

— Lt. Gen. Adrian Spain, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations
— Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, Commander, Air Education and Training Command
— Maj Gen Randal Efferson, Acting Commander, Air National Guard Readiness Center
— Gen. Jeffrey L. Harrigian, USAF (Ret.), Vice President of Strategic Campaigns for Aeronautics Strategy & Business Development, Lockheed Martin

Moderator: Heather Penney, Senior Resident Fellow, AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

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Keynote Address:
Preparing & Prevailing in the Indo-Pacific

— Gen. Kevin B. Schneider, Commander, Pacific Air Forces

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Standing Up the New Commands

— Air Marshal Paul Godfrey, Assistant Chief of Space Operations for Future Concepts and Partnerships, USSF
— Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, Commander, Air Education and Training Command
— Lt. Gen. David Harris, Deputy Chief of Staff, Air Force Futures
— Lt. Gen. Dale White, Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics

Moderator: Lt. Gen. Burt Field, USAF (Ret.), President & CEO, AFA

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Transitioning to the F-35: Lessons and Approaches

— Lt. Gen. Michael Schmidt, PEO and Director, F-35 Lightning II Program
— Maj. Gen. Regina Sabric, Commander, 10th Air Force
— Maj. Gen. David G. Shoemaker, Director of Operations, Air Combat Command

Moderator: John Tirpak, Editorial Director at AFA’s Air & Space Forces Magazine

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Igniting Our Story: The People Behind the Platform

— Sam Eckholm, Aerospace & Defense Content Creator
— 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh, Miss America 2024
— SMSgt. Julia Valenzuela, Congressional Liaison, Space Force ISR Programs Manager

Moderator: Alex Wagner, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs

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Next-Gen Air Combat

— Gen. Duke Richardson, Commander, Air Force Materiel Command
— Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach, Commander, Air Combat Command
— Lt. Gen. David Harris, Deputy Chief of Staff, Air Force Futures

Moderator: Lt. Gen. David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean of AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

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United Forces and Families: Family Readiness for Great Power Competition

— Col. Charlie Norsky, Commander, Delta 1
— Lt. Col. Sharon Arana, Sword Athena Lead at Air Combat Command
— K.C. Erredge, Air Reserve Personnel Center Lead Key Spouse

Moderator: Heba Abdelaal, AFA’s United Forces & Families (F2) Member

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Space Dominance

— Joe Rickers, Vice President of the Connectivity, Transport, and Access Mission Area, Lockheed Martin
— Dan Ourada, Vice President, Captures & Business Development, Amentum
— Matt Brown, Executive Technical Director for ASDS, RTX

Moderator: Air Marshal Paul Godfrey, Assistant Chief of Space Operations for Future Concepts and Partnerships

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Deterring Russia in the Arctic

— Gen. James B. Hecker, Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe
— Lt. Gen. Case Cunningham, Commander, Alaskan Command, U.S. Northern Command
— Maj. Gen. Jonas Wikman, Air Chief of the Swedish Air Force
— Major General Øivind Gunnerud, Chief of the Royal Norwegian Air Force

Moderator: Maj. Gen. Larry Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.), Director of Research at AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

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The Future of Weapons Development

— Scott Alexander, President, Missile Solutions, Aerojet Rocketdyne, L3Harris
— Randy Fields, Chief Technology Officer for Ultra Intelligence & Communications
— Maj. Gen. Stephen T. “Steve” Sargeant, USAF (Ret.), CEO, Marvin Test Solutions
— Michael D. Rothstein, Vice President of Strategy and Requirements, Air Weapons and Sensors for Lockheed Martin Corporation’s Missile and Fire Control business area

Moderator: Col. Ronald Dunlap III, head of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Air Dominance Division

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50 Years of the F-16

— Brig. Gen. Tad Clark, Commander, 31st Fighter Wing
— Gen. Gary North, USAF (Ret.), Vice President for Customer Requirements, Lockheed Martin
— Col. Dean Stickell, USAF (Ret.), Former Commander, 16th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron and 432nd Tactical Fighter Wing

Moderator: Maj. Gen. Charles Lyon, USAF (Ret.), former Director of Operations, Headquarters Air Combat Command

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Wednesday, September 18

Manning the Space Force: A New Model

— Katharine Kelley, Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Human Capital, U.S. Space Force
— Brig. Gen. Nathan D. Yates, Mobilization Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, Cyber, and Nuclear, the Pentagon
— CMSgt Todd Scott, Senior Advisor to the Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force

Moderator: Jennifer Reeves, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

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AI-Informed Logistics and Supply Chains
— Matt George, Founder and CEO, Merlin Labs
— Col. Louis Ruscetta, USAF (ret), Director of USAF Mission Success, Virtualitics
— Justin Woulfe, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Systecon

Moderator: CMSgt. Robert Berrier, Senior Enlisted Leader HAF AF/A4

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21st Century Jet Propulsion Imperative

— Dr. Michael R. Gregg, Director, Aerospace Systems Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory
— Chris Flynn, Vice President of Military Development Programs, Pratt & Whitney
— David Tweedie, GE Edison Works Vice President and General Manager for Advanced Products

Moderator: Maj. Gen. Larry Stutzriem, USAF (Ret.), Director of Research at AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

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Ukraine, Russia War: A Prelude to Future Conflict

— Air Marshal Allan Marshall, Air & Space Commander (ASC), Royal Air Force
— Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian, USAF (Ret.), Former commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa
— Lt. Gen. Dave A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean of AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
— Maj. Gen. Charles Corcoran, USAF (Ret.), Former Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations

Moderator: David A. Ochmanek, Senior International/Defense Researcher, RAND

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Live, Virtual, and Constructive: Preparing for the High-End Fight

— Mike Manazir, Vice President, Business Development & Strategy for Mobility, Surveillance & Bombers, Boeing
— Dan Ourada, Vice President, Captures & Business Development, Amentum
— Doug Gill, Senior Staff Scientist, FSI Defense

Moderator: Maj. Gen. Gregory Kreuder, Commander, 19th Air Force

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Electronic Warfare Dominance

— Maj. Gen. David M. Gaedecke, USAF (Ret.), Senior Executive Advisor, Booz Allen Hamilton
— Richard “Moose” Haas, Director, USAF Business Development, Epirus
— Joshua Niedzwiecki, Vice President and General Manager of Electronic Combat Solutions, BAE Systems

Moderator: Brig. Gen. Leslie “Toro” Hauck, DAF’s Director, EMS Superiority Directorate (A2/6L)

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The Nuclear Imperative

— Melissa Dalton, Under Secretary of the Air Force
— Gen. Anthony J. Cotton, Commander, U.S. Strategic Command
— Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command
— Lt. Gen. Andrew J. Gebara, Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Integration

Moderator: Maj. Gen. Doug Raaberg, USAF (Ret.), AFA’s Executive Vice President

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Collaborative Combat Aircraft

— Maj. Gen. Joseph Kunkel, Director, Force Design, Integration and Wargaming
— Dave Alexander, President, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
— Robert Winkler, Vice President of Corporate Development & National Security Programs, Kratos Defense and Security Solutions
— Jason Levin, PhD, Senior Vice President for Air Dominance and Strike, Anduril Industries

Moderator: Mark Gunzinger, Director, Future Concepts & Capability Assessments at AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

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Cyber and Communications: Gaining the Edge in Great Power Competition

— Dr. Wanda T. Jones-Heath, Principal Cyber Advisor for the Department of the Air Force
— Lt. Gen. Leah Lauderback, Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Cyber Effects Operations
— Air Commodore David Clyde, Commander, Cyber Forces Group, Australian Defence Force
— Brig. Gen. Zachary Shay Warakomski, Senior Cyber Officer of the U.S. Space Force

Moderator: Maj. Gen. Kim Crider, USAF (Ret.), Founding Partner, Elara Nova

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Exercising for Great Power Competition

— Gen. Kevin B. Schneider, Commander, Pacific Air Forces
— Gen. John D. Lamontagne, confirmed to be Commander, Air Mobility Command
— Lt. Gen. David N. Miller, Commander, Space Operations Command
— Lt. Gen. John P. Healy, Chief of Air Force Reserve, and Commander, Air Force Reserve Command

Moderator: Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.), Dean of AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

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Securing the Industrial Base

— Scott Sendmeyer, Acting Director, Office of Policy, Analysis and Transition, OASD(IBP)
,— Liz McNally, Deputy Director of Commercial Operation, Defense Innovation Unit
— Col. Michelle K. Idle, Deputy Commander, Space Systems Command
— Richard Aboulafia, Managing Director, AeroDynamic Advisory

Moderator: Doug Birkey, Executive Director at AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

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Missile Warning

— Jeff Schrader, Vice President, Strategy & Business Development of Lockheed Martin Space
— Rob Mitrevski, Vice President and General Manager, Spectral Solutions division, L3Harris Technologies
— P. Len Orlando III, Sr. Business Development Executive, Ansys

Moderator: Jennifer Reeves, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies, AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies

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B-21 Update

— Gen. Thomas Bussiere, Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command
— Maj. Gen. Jason Armagost, Commander, Eighth Air Force; Commander, Joint-Global Strike Operations Center
— William “Elvis” Bailey, Director, Department of the Air Force, Rapid Capabilities Office
— Thomas Jones, President, Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems

Moderator: Maj. Gen. Doug Raaberg, USAF (Ret.), Executive Vice President, AFA

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Guardian Development: Officer, Enlisted, and Civilians

— Brig. Gen. Matthew Cantore, Deputy Commander, Space Training and Readiness Command
— CMSgt. Karmann-Monique Pogue, Senior Enlisted Leader, Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM)
— Christina Parrett, Director of Civilian Policy and Programs for the U.S. Space Force
— Brett Funck, Director of Force Development for the U.S. Space Force (S1D)

Moderator: Charles Galbreath, Senior Resident Fellow for Space Studies at the Mitchell Institute’s Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE)

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Battle Management

— Patrick “Mike” Shortsleeve, Vice President, DOD Strategic Development, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
— Joshua Conine, Director, Space C2 Growth, SAIC
— Akash Jain, CTO and President, Palantir USG

Moderator: Shannon Pallone, Program Executive Officer for Battle Management
Command, Control & Communications

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United Forces and Families: Senior Leadership Perspective

— Gen. David W. Allvin, Chief of Staff of the Air Force
— Gina Allvin, Spouse of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force
— Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations
— Jennifer Saltzman, Spouse of the Chief of Space Operations
— CMSAF David Flosi
— Katy Flosi, Spouse of CMSAF
— CMSSF John Bentivegna
— Cathy Bentivegna, Spouse of CMSSF

Moderator: Lt. Gen. Burt Field, USAF (Ret.), President & CEO, AFA

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