Over the Horizon

OTH recently held a panel with two Air Force Space Officers; Maj Mathew “Broker” Beck, also a Space Weapons Officer, and Maj Adam “Howler” Howland. Maj Paige Young, an Air Force Intelligence officer guided the panel discussion. The panel discussed a variety of topics to include their thoughts on the future role of the Department of Defense in the space domain, the debate on a need for a separate US Space Force, space as a warfighting domain and how conflict or brinkmanship could unfold in a future space domain. The panel also touched on US considerations in light of China’s rapid investment in the space domain culminating in their recent landing on the far side of the moon. Links to the referenced documents can be found here: https://www.csis.org/analysis/space-threat-assessment-2019 https://swfound.org/counterspace/

OTH recently had the opportunity to interview Col Doug DeMaio, Vice Commander of the Curtis E. Lemay Center for Doctrine Development. Col DeMaio discussed a variety of topics to include the origins of the Air Force of Multi-Domain Command Control (MDC2) initiative and current efforts to integrate MDC2 in the joint community. We also discussed the 2018 "Doolittle" Wargame which was organized to address MDC2 in a future contested conflict. Lastly, we discussed the 130 Career Field who will serve as MDC2 specialists within the Air Force. Col DeMaio explained what the CSAF expectations for these Airmen will be and how this expertise will translate in the joint community.

Welcome to OTH's next podcast! In this podcast the OTH team was honored to interview General (retired) David Petraeus. Matt Lyles and Steven Bressett discussed a variety of topics with Gen Petraeus to include; operations in a degraded communication environment, the use of technology in decision making, and counter insurgency operations. We also had the opportunity to discuss implications of the recent US negotiations with the Taliban in Afghanistan. We welcome your thoughts or feedback on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin). https://othjournal.com/

Welcome to OTH’s seventh Podcast! In this podcast we had a discussion with officers from Brazil and Colombia to discuss future national security threats concerning their countries. Our conversation covered South American contributions during World War II, emerging national security concerns such as Violent Extremist Organizations, and approaches to growing Russian influence across the continent. Participants: Michael Scott (Moderator) German Almonacid (Colombia) Leandro Laudelino (Brazil)

Brian Fredrickson sits down with OTH to discuss how lessons learned from the study of David Packard, Deputy Secretary of Defense from 1969 to 1971, may significantly influence present day acquisition policy and help to shape acquisition reform for the 21st century. Brian Fredrickson, author of the research study, The Laird-Packard Way: Unpacking Defense Acquisition Policy. Brian takes an in depth look into David Packard’s legacy as the Deputy Secretary of Defense in the late 60s and early 70s and uncovers valuable lessons learned that may be applied to much needed defense acquisition reform today. Our conversation starts with how David Packard has influenced defense acquisitions and the implications for applying key principles from decades past to current and on-going acquisition reform. Brian breaks down some of his most significant findings to include how Packard’s love for gardening influenced his success in the acquisition arena.