Air, Space, and Cyberspace Power in the 21st-Century

6:30 - 7:45 AM Conference Registration and Informal Reception -
Amphitheater Foyer

7:45 - 8:00 AM Conference Welcome and Introduction - Amphitheater

Robert L. Pfaltzgraff, Jr., President, Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis, and Shelby Cullom Davis Professor of International Security Studies, The Fletcher School, Tufts University || Transcript

8:00 - 8:45 AM Opening Keynote Address - Amphitheater

The United States as an Aerospace Nation: Challenges and Opportunities
General Norton A. Schwartz, USAF, Chief of Staff || Transcript

8:45 - 10:15 AM - Amphitheater
Session 1

The 21st Century Security Setting and Its Implications for the United States as an Aerospace Nation

The new security setting presents numerous challenges for the United States as we develop future space, cyber, and aerospace strategies and systems. Such challenges include terrorism and violent Islamic radicalism, the potential rise of one or more confrontational states, and a world in which additional states, and perhaps non-state entities as well, will possess weapons of mass destruction, together with other capabilities that could threaten the United States, its allies, and coalition partners. Military technologies providing greater precision and the capacity for longer-range strikes also pose challenges. The emerging security landscape contains hybrid and asymmetrical threats as well as legacy or peer competitors, together with potential efforts to deny freedom of use of the global commons encompassing international air space, international waters, space, and cyberspace. We may also face growing obstacles as anti-access/area denial systems proliferate to other states and perhaps non-state actors in the years ahead. Those hostile to the United States may seek to exploit asymmetries to circumvent U.S. strengths.

Issue areas for presentations:

• Asymmetric threats, including electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and peer/near-peer challenges: striking a balance in U.S. capabilities
• Proliferation trends, WMD challenges, and illicit trafficking: implications for joint, interagency, and allied/combined planning
• Lessons learned from Iraq and Afghanistan
• Space and cyberspace in the new security setting
• New mission areas and their implications for a “whole of government” approach, including Arctic security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and energy security
• Global challenges and homeland security

Moderator

Dr. Robert L. Pfaltzgraff, Jr., President, Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis, and Shelby Cullom Davis Professor of International Security Studies, The Fletcher School, Tufts University

Panel Members

• General Robert "Bob" C. Kehler, USAF, Commander, Air Force Space Command || Transcript
• Dr. Robert G. Joseph, Senior Scholar, National Institute for Public Policy and former U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security
  || Transcript
• Dr. Robert J. Hermann, Member, Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attack, and Senior Partner, Global Technology Partners, LLC || Transcript || Adobe PDF 768KB
• Timothy L. Thomas, Senior Analyst, Foreign Military Studies Office (FMSO), Fort Leavenworth || Transcript || PowerPoint 992KB
• Dr. Richard H. Shultz, Jr., Director, International Security Studies Program, The Fletcher School, Tufts University || Transcript || PowerPoint 437KB

10:15 - 10:30 AM Break - Amphitheater Foyer

10:30 - 12:30 PM - Amphitheater
Session 2

Dissuasion and Deterrence in the New Security Landscape

Twenty-first-century dissuasion and deterrence requirements differ dramatically from the Cold War era. They include nuclear and conventional components and encompass state and non-state actors, as well as other entities, that may not be deterred by traditional means based exclusively on the threat of retaliation or punishment. In view of the threats and challenges set forth in the opening session, this panel addresses the role of dissuasion and deterrence in shaping the emerging security setting and countering such threats and challenges. Recommendations set forth in recent reports and studies, as well as issues being considered as part of the forthcoming Nuclear Posture Review, will be examined, both with respect to policy and capability requirements. This session will also address dissuasion/deterrence issues of direct importance to U.S. crisis management planning in the new era.

Issue areas for presentations:

• Dissuasion, deterrence, and crisis stability in the 21st century
• Global strike and missile defenses: implications for deterrence concepts and force postures
• Allied/coalition partner reassurance and non-proliferation planning
• Combating, countering, and diminishing the consequences of WMD
• Rebuilding and restoring confidence in the U.S. nuclear enterprise
• The Nuclear Posture Review and “Global Zero”: implications for force mix and deployment option

Moderator

Lt Gen Frank G. Klotz, USAF, Commander, Air Force Global Strike Command
|| Transcript

Panel Members

• General Kevin P. Chilton, USAF, Commander, U.S. Strategic Command || Transcript
• The Honorable Andrew C. Weber, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Chemical and Biological Defense Programs || Transcript
  || PowerPoint 644KB
• Dr. Paul Bracken, Professor of Management and Professor of Political Science, Yale University || Transcript
• Dr. Clark A. Murdock, Senior Adviser, International Security Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) || Transcript
• Dr. Camille Grand, Director, Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique
  || Transcript

12:45 - 2:15 PM Luncheon and Address - Atrium Ballroom

The Honorable Michael Nacht, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs || Transcript

2:30 - 4:00 PM - Amphitheater
Session 3

Finding the Appropriate Force Mix: Balancing Capabilities with Priorities

Building on previous discussions, this session will address issues related to achieving a balanced force across the contingency planning spectrum. What is the right mix of capabilities to meet non-state actor terrorist activities, asymmetric or irregular “warfare” challenges, and peer or near-peer competitor threats? Where can the United States afford to take risks, and where can it not afford to do so? What are the air, space, and cyber requirements for future forces planning, and how will access, forcible entry, and infrastructure protection considerations affect operational planning? In balancing low and high-end capacities, what equities need to be protected and how can efficiencies best be achieved?

Issue areas for presentations:

• The new Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) and future military requirements
• The likely impact of new technologies, such as unmanned platforms and precision technology proliferation on U.S. defense requirements
• Cost and budgetary considerations of alternative force mixes
• The role of the Services in “hybrid” warfare: issues, constraints, and opportunities for collaboration
• Facilitating “jointness” and enhancing allied/coalition partner interoperability through new ideas, including common logistics, common funding, and rationalization

Moderator

Dr. Thomas P. Ehrhard, Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force
|| Transcript

Panel Members

• Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula, USAF, Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance || Transcript || PowerPoint 6.7MB
• David A. Ochmanek, Deputy Assistant Secretary for of Defense for Force Development || Transcript
• Maj Gen Darren W. McDew, USAF, Vice Director, Strategic Plans and Policy, J-5, JCS || Transcript || PowerPoint 5.3MB
• Jim Thomas, Vice President for Studies, The Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment || Transcript
• David Neyland, Director, Tactical Technology Office, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency ||Transcript || PowerPoint 4.9MB

4:00 - 4:45 PM Afternoon Address - Amphitheater

Dr. Ashton B. Carter, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics || Transcript

4:45 - 5:00 PM Break - Amphitheater Foyer

5:00 - 6:30 PM - Amphitheater
Session 4

Devising an Acquisition Strategy to Develop, Build, and Maintain USAF Force Structure

Providing necessary force structure presents a growing challenge to a shrinking U.S. research and development (R&D) community and defense technology/industrial infrastructure. In addition to redressing budgetary shortfalls, the United States needs to explore new options to retain critical skill sets and to sustain, and in some instances re-invigorate, eroding industrial base capacities to meet emerging security requirements. Speakers from the government and private sector will address a range of U.S. R&D and industrial base issues, highlighting programs and initiatives that are needed to retain, enhance, and/or restore a capacity to design, produce, and field necessary military capabilities, with a focus on air, space, and cyberspace assets, for the emerging security setting.

Issue areas for panel discussion:

• Sustaining a robust U.S. R&D and defense industrial base and leveraging the private sector for future USAF planning
• Reconciling budget constraints with modernization needs
• Restoring and developing critical technical expertise and professional excellence lost after the Cold War to meet 21st-century challenges
• Implications of the changing defense-industrial base for acquisition strategy
• Technology transfer issues and opportunities

Moderator

Major General Randy E. Manner, USA, Deputy Director, Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) || Transcript

Panel Members

• Michael J. Bayer, Chairman, Defense Business Board, and President and CEO, Dumbarton Strategies || Transcript || PowerPoint 2.4MB
• Dr. Werner J. A. Dahm, Chief Scientist of the U.S. Air Force || Transcript
• Neil Sheehan, author of A Fiery Peace in a Cold War and A Bright Shining Lie, winner of the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize || Transcript
• Dr. Kamal T. Jabbour, Senior Scientist for Information Assurance, Information Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory || Transcript
• Jon C. Jones, President, Space and Airborne Systems (SAS), and Vice President, Raytheon Company || Transcript

6:30 - 7:15 PM Reception - Atrium Ballroom

7:15 - 9:00 PM
Dinner and Keynote Address - Atrium Ballroom
Aligning the Air Force Vision with the Future Security Setting

The Honorable Michael B. Donley, Secretary of the Air Force || Transcript

end of Day 1

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DAY TWO

8:00 - 9:00 AM Conference Registration and Informal Reception -
Amphitheater Foyer

9:00 - 10:00 AM Opening Keynote Address - Amphitheater

Aerospace and 21st-Century National Security

The Honorable William J. Lynn III, Deputy Secretary of Defense || Transcript

10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon - Amphitheater
Session 5

International Perspectives: Developing Global Partnerships

U.S., allied, and coalition partner representatives will share their perspectives on the prospects and priorities for enhancing security cooperation and military partnerships. Where and how can air forces and their component units work more closely with each other? Are there niche capabilities that the respective parties may bring to the table? Such collaboration may include not only leveraging allied/partner capabilities resulting in areas of specialization, but also intelligence sharing, achieving necessary interoperability, missile defense collaborative efforts, and international space and cyberspace cooperation. Lessons learned from recent operations, including Iraq and Afghanistan, and the role played by alliances, notably NATO, as well as by more informal frameworks for cooperation, will be addressed. This panel features a discussion among senior defense officials and ranking military commanders, including leaders from several air forces with which the USAF has developed or is building a close relationship.

Issue areas for presentations:

• Allied perspectives on air, space, and cyber security and cooperation
• Developing common or compatible operational concepts and greater interoperability with key U.S. partners, including lessons learned from Iraq and Afghanistan
• Constraints on, and opportunities with respect to, U.S.-allied/coalition partner planning and operations
• Information sharing and leveraging partner capacities: the NATO Special Operations Forces Coordination Centre (NSCC) as a case study
• Security cooperation, security assistance, and building partner capacities: priorities for the future

Moderator

Dr. Jacquelyn K. Davis, Executive Vice-President, Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis || Transcript

Panel Members

• General Stéphane Abrial, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SAC-T) and former Chief of Staff of the French Air Force || Transcript
• General Kenichiro Hokazono, Chief of Staff, Japan Air Self-Defense Force || Transcript || PowerPoint 2.2MB
• Air Vice-Marshal Stephen J. Hillier CBE DFC MA RAF, Air Officer Commanding No 2 Group Royal Air Force, United Kingdom || Transcript
• Brigadier Lance Mans, Deputy Director, NATO Special Operations Coordination Centre ||Transcript || PowerPoint 4.6MB
• Air Commodore David Steele, Air Attaché, Australian Embassy in the United States || Transcript || PowerPoint 582KB

12:15 - 1:45 PM
Luncheon and Address - Atrium Ballroom

Aerospace Power in the 21st Century: A Capitol Hill Perspective

The Honorable Mark Begich (D-AK), Member, U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee || Transcript

2:00 - 4:15 PM - Amphitheater
Session 6

Service and Combatant Command Perspectives

Air, space, and cyberspace power play a key role in regional security planning and with regard to hypothetical contingencies for which U.S. and/or allied-combined forces may be employed. From the perspectives of the Service leaderships and Combatant Commands (COCOMs) this session will examine planning priorities, challenges, and opportunities, with particular emphasis on maintaining “hybrid” warfare, countering WMD proliferation, maintaining extended deterrence, and enhancing homeland defense, as well as the broader requirements of theater security cooperation. Senior Service and COCOM commanders will discuss the development of integrated priority lists and capability packages, the global force management process, and the recruitment, training, and retention of critical skill-sets for mission essential tasks.

Issue areas for presentations:

• Air, space, and cyberspace power in theater and strategic planning
• Lessons learned from Afghanistan and Iraq for “hybrid” warfare
• “High-end” versus “low-end” contingency planning requirements for the right mix of capabilities
• Service and COCOM roles in combating WMD, including missile defense missions
• COCOM and Service Component priorities for theater security cooperation, security assistance, and building partner capacities
• The military’s role in civil support as part of a “whole of government” approach to new security challenges

Moderator

Dr. Charles M. Perry, Vice President and Director of Studies, Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis || Transcript

Panel Members

• General Victor E. "Gene" Renuart, Jr., USAF, Commander, NORAD and U.S Northern Command || Transcript PowerPoint 465KB
• General Duncan J. McNabb, USAF, Commander, U.S. Transportation Command
  || Transcript
• Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert, USN, Vice Chief of Naval Operations
  || Transcript
• LTG David P. Fridovich, USA, Director, Center for Special Operations. U.S. Special Operations Command || Transcript
• Lieutenant General George J. Trautman III, USMC, Deputy Commandant for Aviation, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps || Transcript
• Maj. Gen. David M. Edgington, USAF, Chief of Staff, U.S. Joint Forces Command || Transcript

4:15 - 4:30 PM - Amphitheater

Closing Remarks by Organizers and Co-sponsor - Amphitheater || Transcript

go to Day 1