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Tune in January 28 at 2 pm ET
The U.S. Air Force is grappling with unprecedented challenges in defending the homeland, deterring peer adversaries, and countering threats from rogue states and terrorist groups. Despite limited funding and decades of deferred modernization, the Air Force must overhaul its major weapon systems across critical mission areas, including long-range strike, battle management, and nuclear deterrence. Innovative technologies like M-series munitions and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs) are central to this modernization. These unmanned “robot wingmen” will fly alongside manned platforms, enhancing operational capacity while addressing fiscal and strategic challenges.
During this conversation, Defense One will be joined by a senior USAF leader to discuss the future of CCAs and their critical role in the Air Force's modernization strategy. They will delve into the technology behind CCAs, how they will be integrated, and how they will shape the future of air combat in an increasingly complex security landscape.
Speakers
Maj. Gen. Joseph D. Kunkel
Director of Force Design, Integration and Wargaming
Air Force Futures
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Maj. Gen. Joseph D. Kunkel
Director of Force Design, Integration and Wargaming
Air Force Futures
Maj. Gen. Joseph D. Kunkel is the Director of Force Design, Integration, and Wargaming, Deputy Chief of Staff for Air Force Futures (AF/A5/7I), Headquarters United States Air Force, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. In this position, he leads advanced efforts for future force design, data analysis, capability development integration, and disruptive technology. Air Force Futures focuses on developing Air Force strategy and concepts, conducting strategic assessments of the operating environment through wargames and workshops, manifesting an integrated future force design, and achieving timely and effective operational capabilities required for tomorrow’s Airmen to fight and win.
Maj. Gen. Kunkel commissioned at the United States Air Force Academy in June of 1994. Following Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, he was assigned to the F-15E Strike Eagle. He transitioned to the F- 22 Raptor as part of Pacific Air Forces’ F-22 initial cadre where he served as the Commander of the 90th Fighter Squadron. He has commanded at the wing level twice including the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, Red Tails. Maj. Gen. Kunkel is a command pilot with over 2,776 flying hours.
Joseph Wingo
Director of DOD Business Strategy
Armis
Prior to his current position at Armis, Joe Wingo was the Director of Operations for Sixteenth Air Force, Air Forces Cyber and Joint Force Headquarters-Cyber, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. In this role, he was responsible for the daily operations of more than 44,000 personnel conducting worldwide operations. Sixteenth Air Force Airmen deliver multisource intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance products, applications, capabilities and resources. In addition, they build, extend, operate, secure and defend the Air Force portion of the Department of Defense global network. Furthermore, Joe lead his Joint Forces Headquarters-Cyber personnel in performing operational planning as part of coordinated efforts to support Air Force component and combatant commanders and, upon approval of the President and/or Secretary of Defense, the execution of offensive cyberspace operations.
Audrey Decker
Air Warfare Reporter
Defense One
Audrey Decker is the air warfare reporter for Defense One. She previously reported for Inside Defense, where she reported on the Navy and emerging defense technology. She's a graduate of the University of Maryland.
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