2026 Agenda

Guided by the theme, “Advancing Air & Space Dominance: An Urgent Call to Build and Sustain the Forces,” the 2026 Air, Space & Cyber Conference will dive deep into how the United States is building and sustaining the airpower and spacepower capabilities needed to meet today’s threats—and stay ahead of tomorrow’s.

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday

Monday, September 14, 2026

7:30 am – 4:00 pm
Maryland Ballroom
Technology Exhibition
7:30 am – 4:00 pm
Woodrow Wilson Exhibit Hall
Technology Exhibition
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Prince George's Exhibit Hall
Technology Exhibition
9:10 – 9:55 am
Potomac AB
Keynote Address—Secretary of the Air Force
  • Dr. Troy Meink
    Secretary of the Air Force
10:05 – 10:35 am
Potomac AB
Keynote Address—The State of the Air Force
  • Gen. Ken Wilsbach
    Chief of Staff of the Air Force
10:50 – 11:30 am
Potomac AB
Defending the Homeland: Making Golden Dome a Reality
  • Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.)
    Chair of the Senate Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee
  • Gen. Michael A. Guetlein, (Invited)
    Director of Golden Dome
  • Gen. Gregory M. Guillot
    Commander, U.S. Northern Command
  • Moderator:
    Gen. Kevin Chilton, USAF (Ret.)
    Explorer Chair, AFA's Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence
10:50 – 11:30 am
Potomac C
United Forces & Families: Unlocking Military Spouse Talent for a Ready Force
  • Stephen B. Simmons
    Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Military Community and Family Policy
  • Sue Luangkhot Hoppin
    President, National Military Spouse Network
  • Liz O’Brien
    Senior Vice President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
  • Moderator:
    Nicole Murray, (Invited)
    Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, American Corporate Partners
10:50 – 11:30 am
Potomac D
Rethinking the Stockpile: Building the Right Mix for Future Conflict
  • Col. Scott “Fug” Gilloon, USAF (Ret.)
    Sector Vice President, USAF Strategic Development, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
  • Ryan M. Hartman
    Chief Executive Officer, Ondas Sentinel
  • Bryon Kroger
    Founder & CEO, Rise8
  • Chris Spagnoletti
    Chief Executive Officer, Ursa Major
  • Moderator:
    Brig. Gen. Robert Lyons III
    Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Weapons, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center
1:00 – 1:40 pm
Potomac AB
America’s Air Superiority
  • Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.)
    Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Appropriations Committee
  • Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), (Invited)
    Senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and member of the Senate Appropriations Committee
  • Moderator:
    Lt. Gen. Burt Field, USAF (Ret.)
    President & CEO, Air & Space Forces Association
1:00 – 1:40 pm
Potomac C
Advancing the Space Force’s Combat Capability
  • Lt. Gen. Dennis O. Bythewood
    Commander, U.S. Space Forces–Space
  • Brig. Gen. Todd J. Benson
    Commander, U.S. Space Forces Central
  • Brig. Gen. Brian Denaro
    Commander, U.S. Space Forces– Indo-Pacific
  • Moderator:
    Col. Jennifer Reeves, USAF (Ret.)
    Senior Fellow, AFA's Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence
1:00 – 1:40 pm
Potomac D
Chinese and U.S. Airpower Metrics
  • Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.)
    Dean, AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
  • J. Michael Dahm
    Senior Fellow for Aerospace and China Studies, AFA's Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
1:50 – 2:30 pm
Potomac AB
Digital Dominance: Building the Future Force
  • Kirsten Davies, (Invited)
    Chief Information Officer, Department of War
  • Moderator:
    Maj. Gen. Larry Stutzriem
    Executive Vice President, Air & Space Forces Association
1:50 – 2:30 pm
Potomac C
Counter-Drone Defenses
  • Kimberly Chamblin
    Director of Government Sales, Boston Dynamics
  • Ben Van Roo
    Chief Executive Officer, Legion Intelligence
  • Colton Wood
    Chief Technology Officer, Digital Force Technologies
  • Senior Vice President of Growth, Epirus
1:50 – 2:30 pm
Potomac D
Building the Arsenal: Speed, Scale, and Affordability
  • Lukas Czinger
    CEO and Co-founder, Divergent
  • Paul Ferraro
    Vice President and General Manager, Defense Engines and Systems, GE Aerospace
  • Randy Fields
    Chief Technology Officer, Ultra Intelligence & Communications
  • Jon A. Hill
    Vice President & General Manager, Air Dominance & Strike Weapons, Missiles & Fire Control, Lockheed Martin
  • Moderator:
    Brig. Gen. Robert Lyons III
    Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Weapons, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center
3:30 – 4:10 pm
Potomac AB
The Future Air Force: How Do We Get There?
  • Gen. Kevin Schneider
    Commander, Pacific Air Forces
  • Gen. Adrian L. Spain
    Commander, Air Combat Command
  • Lt. Gen. Kenyon K. Bell
    Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Engineering, and Force Protection
  • Lt. Gen. Christopher Niemi
    Air Force Chief Modernization Officer
  • Moderator:
    Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.)
    Dean, AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
3:30 – 4:10 pm
Potomac C
F-35 in Combat: Penetrating Modern Defense Systems
  • Brig. Gen. David C. Epperson
    Commander, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center
  • Brig. Gen. Brian Laidlaw
    Director of Operations, Air Combat Command
  • Col. Charles A. Fallon
    Commander, 388th Fighter Wing
  • Moderator:
    Gen. Jeffrey L. Harrigian, USAF (Ret.)
    Vice President of Strategic Campaigns, Lockheed Martin
3:30 – 4:10 pm
Potomac D
Assuring Access to Space
  • Randy Lycans
    Senior Vice President and Program Director, Amentum
  • Gen. Mike Minihan, USAF (Ret.)
    Senior Advisor, Radia
  • David Simenc
    President of SciTec, A Firefly Aerospace Company
  • Moderator:
    Col. Eric Zarybnisky
    Acting Space Force Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Space Access
4:20 – 5:30 pm
Potomac AB
Keynote Address
  • Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David R. Wolfe
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Prince George’s Exhibit Hall
Outstanding Airmen of the Year Reception
Ticketed Event
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

7:00 am – 4:00 pm
Maryland Ballroom
Technology Exposition
7:00 am – 4:00 pm
Woodrow Wilson Exhibit Hall
Technology Exposition
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Prince George’s Exhibit Hall
Technology Exposition
8:15 – 8:45 am
Potomac AB
Keynote Address—The State of the Space Force
9:00 – 9:40 am
Potomac AB
Today’s Space Race: to the Moon
  • Jared Isaacman
    NASA Administrator
  • Moderator:
    Gen. Kevin Chilton, USAF (Ret.)
    Explorer Chair, AFA's Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence
9:00 – 9:40 am
Potomac C
Next-Generation Battle Management
  • Elaine Bitonti
    Vice President & General Manager, Connected Battlespace and Emerging Capabilities Mission Systems, Collins Aerospace an RTX Business
  • Scott ‘Frag’ Jobe
    Executive Director, Business Development & Strategy, Phantom Works, Boeing
  • Sean Lowe
    Director of Business Development, SAIC
  • Luke Savoie
    President and CEO, Elbit America
  • Moderator:
    Brig. Gen. Jason Voorheis
    Department of the Air Force Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Command, Control, Communications and Battle Management
9:00 – 9:40 am
Potomac D
Long-Range Airpower: Lessons from Midnight Hammer and Epic Fury
  • Lt. Gen. Jason Armagost
    Deputy Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command
  • Lt. Gen. Rebecca J. Sonkiss, (Invited)
    Deputy Commander, Air Mobility Command
  • Jamie Burgess
    Vice President & General Manager, Mobility, Surveillance & Bombers, Boeing
  • Tom Jones
    Corporate Vice President and President, Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems
  • Moderator:
    Mark Gunzinger
    Director, Future Concepts & Capability Assessments, AFA's Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
10:40 – 11:20 am
Potomac AB
Sustaining Forces Through Acquisition and Innovation
  • Gen. Dale White
    Director, Critical Major Weapon Systems for the Department of War
  • Thomas Ainsworth
    Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Space Acquisition and Integration
  • William D. Bailey
    Performing the Duties of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics
  • Moderator:
    Rob Wavra
    Partner at McKinsey & Company
10:40 – 11:20 am
Potomac C
Before the Window Closes: Automated Target Custody for Timely Effects
  • Lt. Gen. Max E. Pearson
    Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence
  • Lt. Gen. Christopher Niemi
    Air Force Chief Modernization Officer
  • Maj. Gen. Christopher S. Povak
    Deputy Director, National Reconnaissance Office
  • Brig. Gen Nick Hague
    Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations
  • Moderator:
    Eliahu H. Niewood, SC.D.
    Director, Department of the Air Force Integrated Capabilities Office
10:40 – 11:20 am
Potomac D
Nuclear Power for Space
  • Dr. Bob Behnken
    Vice President, Mission Strategy & Advanced Capabilities, Lockheed Martin
  • Scott Forney
    President, General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems
  • Dr. Russell E. Partch
    Acting Director, Space Warfighting Analysis Center
  • Moderator:
    Col. Charles Galbreath, USSF (Ret.)
    Director and Senior Resident Fellow of Space Studies, AFA's Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
1:00 – 1:40 pm
Potomac AB
Keynote Address
  • Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force John Bentivegna
1:50 – 2:30 pm
Potomac AB
Space Force and Intelligence Community Integration
  • Lt. Gen. Michael Downs
    Associate Director for Military Affairs, Central Intelligence Agency
  • Maj. Gen. Christopher S. Povak
    Deputy Director, National Reconnaissance Office
  • Maj. Gen. Brian D. Sidari
    Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Intelligence
  • Moderator:
    Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula, USAF (Ret.)
    Dean, AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
1:50 – 2:30 pm
Potomac C
Manned-Unmanned Teaming: Epic Fury Suggests a Clear Future Vector
  • Lt. Col. Lyndon “OTTO” Bartlett
    Commander, Experimental Operations Unit, Air Combat Command
  • David Alexander
    President, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
  • Mark Shushnar
    Vice President for Autonomous Airpower, Anduril Industries
  • Moderator:
    Heather Penney
    Director of Studies and Research, AFA's Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
1:50 – 2:30 pm
Potomac D
Promotions, Recruiting and Retention: The Keys for Guardian and Airmen Success
  • Hon. Richard Anderson
    Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs
  • Katharine Kelley
    Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Personnel
  • Lt. Gen. Jefferson J. O’Donnell
    Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel, and Services
  • Moderator:
    Greg Hadley
    News Editor, Air & Space Forces Magazine
3:30 – 4:10 pm
Potomac AB
Stress-Testing Assumptions: Building Resilience for the Future Fight
  • Susan Davenport
    Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer, Department of the Air Force
  • Gen. Steven S. Nordhaus
    Chief of the National Guard Bureau
  • Maj. Gen. Sean M. Choquette
    Vice Director for Operations, J-3, the Joint Staff
  • Mark Gunzinger
    Director, Future Concepts & Capability Assessments, AFA's Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
  • Moderator:
    Mike Stefanelli
    Partner at McKinsey & Company
3:30 – 4:10 pm
Potomac C
Air Battle Management: Why is this Crucial?
  • Dr. Bryan Tipton
    Chief of Architecture and Engineering at the Department of the Air Force Integrating Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications, and Battle Management
  • Col. Raj Agrawal
    Military Deputy for Space, Department of the Air Force, Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Command, Control, Communications and Battle Management
  • Moderator:
    Heather Penney
    Director of Studies and Research, AFA's Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
3:30 – 4:10 pm
Potomac D
Roles and Limits of Commercial Space in National Security
  • Dr. Gurpartap “GP” Sandhoo
    Director, Space Development Agency
  • Lt. Col. Timothy Trimailo, (Invited)
    Director, U.S. Space Force's Commercial Space Office
  • Greg Caicedo
    Senior Vice President, Kratos Space Federal
  • Kristi Farley
    Vice President and General Manager, National Security Space, Lockheed Martin Space
  • Moderator:
    Col. Charles Galbreath, USSF (Ret.)
    Director and Senior Resident Fellow of Space Studies, AFA's Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
4:20 – 5:00 pm
Potomac AB
Building Combat-Ready Pilots
  • Gen. Adrian L. Spain
    Commander, Air Combat Command
  • Lt. Gen. Case Cunningham
    Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force
  • Lt. Gen. Clark J. Quinn
    Commander, Air Education and Training Command
  • Moderator:
    John “JV” Venable
    Senior Fellow, AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
4:20 – 5:00 pm
Potomac C
Space-Based Sensing and Targeting
  • Jeff Hanke
    President, Space Systems, L3Harris Technologies
  • Brig. Gen. Jon Rice, USAF (Ret.)
    Chief Architect, Space and Integrated Air & Missile Defense, Leidos
  • Brandon White
    Vice President and General Manager, Multi-Domain Operations, Northrop Grumman Space System
  • Moderator:
    Col. Nathan Vosters, (Invited)
    Commander, System Delta 810, Space Based Sensing and Targeting
4:20 – 5:00 pm
Potomac D
Integrating AI for Combat Effects
  • Matt George
    CEO and Co-founder, Merlin Labs
  • Peter Guerra
    Global Vice President, Data & AI, Government, Defense & Intelligence, Oracle
  • Jon Piatt
    Executive Vice President, ISR, Aviation & Security, SNC
  • Ryan Tseng
    President, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer, ShieldAI
  • Moderator:
    Lt. Col. Toni Gray, (Invited)
    ACC/A3 Director of AI Strategy and Implementation
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday

Wednesday, September 16, 2026

7:00 am – 2:00 pm
Maryland Ballroom
Technology Exposition
7:00 – 11:00 am
Woodrow Wilson Exhibit Hall
Technology Exposition
9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Prince George’s Exhibit Hall
Technology Exposition
8:05 – 8:25 am
Potomac AB
Jimmy Stewart and the Importance of Airpower
9:10 – 9:50 am
Potomac AB
Bravery in the Skies: The Nation’s Response to 9/11 and Its Impact on National Defense 25 Years Later
  • Gen. Dan Caine
    Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
  • Marc H. Sasseville
    Executive, The Roosevelt Group
  • Heather Penney
    Director of Studies and Research, AFA's Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies
9:10 – 9:50 am
Potomac C
Building a Combat-Credible Force to Deliver Space Superiority
  • Maj. Gen. Anthony J. Mastalir
    Director of Global Space Operations (J3), Headquarters U.S. Space Command
  • Brig. Gen. (S) Mark Bigley
    Director, Plans & Programs
  • John M. Trumpfheller
    Director, Force Design & Analysis, USSF
  • Moderator:
    Col. Jennifer Reeves, USAF (Ret.)
    Senior Fellow, AFA's Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence
9:10 – 9:50 am
Potomac D
Cyber Resilience and Mission Assurance
  • Alice Fakir
    Vice President, Cybersecurity Services Federal Lead, US Consulting, IBM
  • Candice Frost
    Vice President, Mission Engagement, Parsons
  • Amy Johnson
    Vice President & General Manager, Space, Cyber & Intelligence Systems, General Dynamics Mission Systems
  • Lt. Gen. Chris Weggeman, USAF (Ret.)
    Managing Director, Deloitte Cyber Strategy and Transformation
  • Moderator:
    Dr. Wanda T. Jones-Heath
    Principal Cyber Advisor for the Department of the Air Force
10:50 – 11:30 am
Potomac AB
Ready for the Fight: Building the Air and Space Forces America Needs
10:50 – 11:30 am
Potomac C
Carnivore Leadership
  • Ramon “CZ”Colon-Lopez, USAF (Ret.)
    Former Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
  • Chef Robert Irvine
    Founder & Chairman, Robert Irvine Foundation
  • Moderator:
    Dr. Patrick Donley, USAF (Ret.)
    Director of AFA's Doolittle Leadership Center
10:50 – 11:30 am
Potomac D
Cyber Strategy
  • Katherine “Katie” E. Sutton
    Assistant Secretary of War for Cyber Policy and Principal Cyber Advisor to the Secretary of War
  • Dr. Wanda T. Jones-Heath, (Invited)
    Principal Cyber Advisor for the Department of the Air Force
  • Moderator:
    Brig. Gen. Greg Touhill
    Director, SEI CERT Division and AFA National Director
1:00 – 1:40 pm
Potomac AB
Flying and Fixing to Fight and Win
  • Gen. Stephen L. Davis
    Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command
  • Lt. Gen. Linda Hurry
    Commander, Air Force Materiel Command
  • Lt. Gen. Rebecca J. Sonkiss, (Invited)
    Deputy Commander, Air Mobility Command
  • Brig. Gen. Jon A. Eberlan
    Director of Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection, Headquarters Air Combat Command
  • Moderator:
    Maj. Gen. Larry Stutzriem
    Executive Vice President, Air & Space Forces Association
1:00 – 1:40 pm
Potomac C
Electronic Warfare as America’s Strategic Advantage
  • Lauren Barnes
    President, Spectrum Superiority, L3Harris Technologies
  • Shalini Gupta
    Vice President, Electronic Warfare & Targeting, Northrop Grumman Mission System
  • Dave Harrold
    Vice President & General Manager, Countermeasure & Electromagnetic Attack Solutions, BAE Systems
  • Jordan Riedel
    Director, Electromagnetic Mission Systems, Systems Planning & Analysis
  • Moderator:
    Col. Aaron T. Gray
    Commander, 55th Wing
1:00 – 1:40 pm
Potomac D
Leveraging Modeling and Simulation for Combat Effectiveness
  • Doug Gill
    Senior Staff Scientist, FlightSafety International
  • Jonathan Hudgins
    Strategy and Growth Manager, Google Public Sector
  • Dr. Dan “Animal” Javorsek
    Chief Strategy Officer, Scientific Systems
  • Mike Pedaci
    President, Ansys Government Initiatives LLC
  • Moderator:
    Brig. Gen. Douglas Wickert
    Commander, Air Force Research Laboratory
1:50 – 2:30 pm
Potomac AB
Nuclear Command and Control in the 21st Century
  • Gen. Dale White
    Director, Critical Major Weapon Systems for the Department of War
  • Vice Adm. Richard Correll, (Invited)
    Commander, U.S. Strategic Command
  • Lt. Gen. Jason Armagost
    Deputy Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command
  • Moderator:
    Col. Jennifer Reeves, USAF (Ret.)
    Senior Fellow, AFA's Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence
1:50 – 2:30 pm
Potomac C
Battle Hardening Commercial Space
  • Kimberly Chamblin
    Director of Government Sales, Boston Dynamics
  • Ryan Roberts
    Principal, Deloitte Space
  • Travis Steele
    Chief Architect, Air Force and Space Force, Global Office of the CTO, Red Hat, Inc.
  • Dr. Jonathan Welch
    Vice President, Missile Warning, Tracking & Defense & Ranges, SAIC
  • Moderator:
    Lt. Col. Brandon ‘Cherry’ Galindo, (Invited)
    Division Chief, Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve
1:50 – 2:30 pm
Potomac D
Fixing the Force: Spare Parts and Readiness
  • Liam Campbell
    Vice President, Federal Solutions, Virtualitics
  • Kinda Eastwood
    Vice President, F135 Sustainment Program, Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business
  • Melissa Sutherland
    Executive Vice President, Air Power Market, Booz Allen Hamilton
  • Adam Wells
    Director, Warfighter Support Solutions, Marvin Test Solutions
  • Moderator:
    Lt. Gen. Jennifer Hammerstedt
    Commander, Air Force Sustainment Center, Air Force Materiel Command
3:30 – 4:30 pm
Potomac AB
United Forces & Families: Senior Leaders Perspectives
  • Gen. Ken Wilsbach
    Chief of Staff of the Air Force
  • Cindy Wilsbach
    Wife of Chief of Staff of the Air Force
  • Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, (Invited)
    Chief of Space Operations
  • Jennifer Saltzman, (Invited)
    Wife of Chief of Space Operations
  • Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David R. Wolfe
  • Doniel Wolfe
    Wife of Chief Master Sargeant of the Air Force
  • Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force John Bentivegna
  • Cathy Bentivegna
    Wife of Chief Master Sargeant of the Space Force
  • Moderator:
    Lt. Gen. Burt Field, USAF (Ret.)
    President & CEO, Air & Space Forces Association
6:30 – 8:00 pm
Potomac AB
USAF Birthday Celebration
Ticketed Event