2024 Air, Space & Cyber Conference | Agenda
All times are in EDT.
Monday, September 16
| Exhibit Hall Hours | Maryland Ballroom 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Prince George’s Exhibit Hall 11:15 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| 9:15 – 9:45 a.m. Potomac AB | Keynote Address: Implementing Change to Prevail in Great Power Competition — Frank Kendall, Secretary of the Air Force |
| 9:50 – 10:20 a.m. Potomac AB | Keynote Address: One Air Force — Gen. David W. Allvin, Chief of Staff of the Air Force |
| 10:35 – 11:15 a.m. Potomac AB | 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, Co-Leader, Aerospace & Defense Practice in the Americas at McKinsey & Company |
| Potomac C | 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 |
| Potomac D | 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 |
| 12:45 – 1:25 p.m. Potomac AB | 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 |
| Potomac C | 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 |
| Potomac D | 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 |
| 1:40 – 2:20 p.m. Potomac AB | 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 |
| Potomac C | 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 |
| Potomac D | 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 |
| 3:20 – 4:00 p.m. Potomac AB | 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 |
| Potomac C | 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 |
| Potomac D | 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 |
| 4:15 – 4:45 p.m. Potomac AB | Keynote Address: Understanding the Threat in an Infinite Game — Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David A. Flosi |
| 4:45 – 5:15 p.m. Potomac AB | Outstanding Airmen of the Year Recognition Ceremony |
| 5:15 – 7:00 p.m. Exhibit Hall | Outstanding Airmen of the Year Reception** |
** Ticketed event. Tickets are available online during the registration process.
Tuesday, September 17
| Exhibit Hall Hours | Maryland Ballroom 7:15 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Prince George’s Exhibit Hall 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| 8:25 – 8:55 a.m. Potomac AB | Keynote Address: State of the Space Force — Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations |
| 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Potomac AB | Keynote Address: Enlisted Space Force — Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force John F. Bentivegna |
| 10:30 – 11:10 a.m. Potomac AB | 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 |
| Potomac C | 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 |
| Potomac D | 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 |
| 12:40 – 1:10 p.m. Potomac AB | Keynote Address: Preparing & Prevailing in the Indo-Pacific — Gen. Kevin B. Schneider, Commander, Pacific Air Forces |
| 1:25 – 2:05 p.m. Potomac AB | Standing Up the New Commands — Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton, Deputy Chief of Space Operations, Strategy, Plans, Programs and Requirements — 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 |
| Potomac C | 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 |
| Potomac D | 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 |
| 3:05 – 3:45 p.m. Potomac AB | 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 |
| Potomac C | 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 |
| Potomac D | 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 |
| 4:00 – 4:40 p.m. Potomac AB | 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 |
| Potomac C | 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 |
| Potomac D | 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 |
Wednesday, September 18
| Exhibit Hall Hours | Maryland Ballroom 7:15 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Prince George’s Exhibit Hall 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
| 8:00 a.m.- 8:40 a.m. Potomac AB | 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 |
| Potomac C | 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 |
Potomac D | 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 |
| 8:55 – 9:35 a.m. Potomac AB | 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 |
| Potomac C | 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 |
| Potomac D | 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) |
| 10:35 – 11:15 a.m. Potomac AB | 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 |
| Potomac C | 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 |
| Potomac D | 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 |
| 12:45 – 1:25 p.m. Potomac AB | Exercising for Great Power Competition — Gen. Kevin B. Schneider, Commander, Pacific Air Forces —Lt. 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 |
| Potomac C | Securing the Industrial Base — Dr. Laura D. Taylor-Kale, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy — 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 |
| Potomac D | Missile Warning — Jeff Schrader, Vice President, Strategy & Business Development of Lockheed Martin Space — Kelle Wendling, President, Space Systems, L3Harris — 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 |
| 1:40 – 2:20 p.m. Potomac AB | 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 |
| Potomac C | 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) |
| Potomac D | 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 |
| 3:20 – 4:20 p.m. Potomac AB | 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 |
| 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Potomac AB | AFA’s USAF Birthday Celebration** |
** Separately ticketed event. Tickets are available online during the registration process.