AirWaves #108: Skyhook-Thinking and partnering differently

In this episode of the AIRWaves podcast, we're talking about big changes to the Navy's Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs, SBIR and STTR. As part of the Department of the Navy's Acquisition Transformation, these programs are shifting from being run separately by multiple SYSCOMS to a unified enterprise model aligned to the new Portfolio Acquisition Executives.

In a complex and critical world of naval aviation, acquisition, speed, accuracy and transparency are not just buzzwords; they're essential for delivering warfighting capability to the fleet. But what if we could dramatically reduce the time it takes to find critical contract information, improve pricing accuracy, and gain unprecedented insight into vendor performance, all through one intuitive tool? This isn't just another dashboard; it's an SI-powered tool designed to transform how we do business.

On this episode of the AIRWaves podcast, we’re diving into a topic of paramount importance: fire safety. Whether it's in our workplace or in our homes, understanding how to prevent fires and react effectively in an emergency can literally save lives. Naval Air Station Patuxent River Fire Inspector Robin Jones shares practical tips for how to stay safe, and explains why making and practicing a fire escape plan is so important.

We’re tackling the topic of burnout: what it really is, why it happens, and most importantly, what we can do about it. Joining us today is an amazing group of individuals who bring lots of insight and advice for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed and stressed.

Today, we’re diving into a generational change for Naval Aviation: the rollout of the Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Aviation, or PAE(A). This new structure is designed to drive speed, accountability, and better outcomes for our warfighters.

The NAVAIR Prometheus Group is leading the charge in teaching military and government civilians how to harness the power of AI to improve workflows, solve tactical problems, and close warfighter gaps.

This exercise wasn't just about testing our readiness. It was about learning, adapting, and preparing for the challenges of tomorrow. Joining me today are some of the key leaders who helped to shape and execute this effort. Please welcome Rear Admiral Shawn Denihan, NAVAIR Reserve Deputy Commander; Sue DeGuzman, Director of the NAVAIR Airworthiness and Cyber-Safe Office; Tara Jones, NAVAIR Headquarters Command Data, Analytics, and AI Officer; and Richie Grau, NAVAIR Security Department Head. Together, we'll explore what made LSE 2025 so impactful, the lessons learned, and how it ties into NAVAIR's mission and Navy priorities.

AirWaves #108: Skyhook-Thinking and partnering differently by NAVAIR

May is OPSEC Awareness Month, and it's a critical time for each of us to sharpen our focus on operations security. Because whether you're on the flight line, in the lab, behind a desk, OPSEC is about protecting our mission, our people, and ultimately, the warfighters. Joining today is Richie Grau, NAVAIR Security Department Head, and Matt Crombie, NAWCAD Security Operations Division Head, and they are here to help us identify potential vulnerabilities, highlight OPSEC best practices, and explain why strong OPSEC is essential to NAVAIR's ability to deliver readiness and lethality across the fleet.

On Today's Airwaves podcast, we're uncovering simple, energy free strategies to help you reduce stress, stay sharp and avoid burnout. Welcome to Airwaves. I'm Mikel Lauren Proulx. And joining us today is Lieutenant Commander Kyle Shepard, Command Audiologist, a military occupational stress control instructor and author of Energy Free Stress Management Strategies.