Know the Past...Shape the Future--The Official Podcast of AFHF

Matt Jolley

Lessons from the lives and experiences of those that have shaped the history, and will shape the future, of the US Air and Space forces.

  1. The First Predator (Behind the Scenes) with Gen. John Jumper and the "Father of the Predator," Snake Clark. PART II

    May 12

    The First Predator (Behind the Scenes) with Gen. John Jumper and the "Father of the Predator," Snake Clark. PART II

    PART II Join our host Matt Jolley as he explores the creation and employment of the General Atomics MQ-1 Predator in combat. Gen John Jumper and James "Snake" Clark, discuss the events that took place across the country to arm the unmanned reconnaissance drone and transform it into a lethal, stealthy, precise combat asset. Episode Cover Image: Rick Herter’s, Taking the Shot, depicts an MQ–1 Predator as it fires a Hellfire missile at a distant nighttime target.

    22 min
  2. The First Predator (Behind the Scenes) with Gen. John Jumper and the "Father of the Predator," Snake Clark. PART I

    May 7

    The First Predator (Behind the Scenes) with Gen. John Jumper and the "Father of the Predator," Snake Clark. PART I

    Join our host Matt Jolley as he explores the creation and employment of the General Atomics MQ-1 Predator in combat. Gen John Jumper and James "Snake" Clark, discuss the events that took place across the country to arm the unmanned reconnaissance drone and transform it into a lethal, stealthy, precise combat asset. Episode Cover Image: Rick Herter’s, Taking the Shot, depicts an MQ–1 Predator as it fires a Hellfire missile at a distant nighttime target.

    29 min
  3. AFHF Holiday Podcast: THUNDERBIRDS and FAMILY

    11/26/2025

    AFHF Holiday Podcast: THUNDERBIRDS and FAMILY

    In our season finale, Matt Jolley goes behind the scenes of the new Netflix documentary Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds with director Matt Wilcox and former Thunderbird Commander Colonel Justin Elliott. The film reveals the human side of the Thunderbirds—the pursuit of excellence, the progression, and the very real hardships behind the precision you see in the sky. The team’s message is resonating everywhere, from two sisters in Colorado to professional sports organizations. The Thunderbirds’ story is making an impact far beyond the flight line. Listen now and hear how it all came together. Enjoy the podcast and then have a family night to watch the movie. IT IS TERRIFIC!

    39 min

  4. 07/15/2025

    Part III: The Birth of the Space Force with Stephen L. Kitay

    Mr. Stephen L. Kitay, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy. In this role he is responsible for establishing policy and guidance to assure U.S. and allied warfighters the benefits of space capabilities and to help guide the Department’s strategy for addressing space-related issues. He also leads Departmental activities in international space cooperation. Prior to his current position, Mr. Kitay most recently served as a Professional Staff Member on the Strategic Forces Subcommittee of the House Armed Service Committee. In this position, he was responsible for advising the Chairman and members of the committee regarding oversight of national security space programs, policy, and budget within the Department of Defense. Mr. Kitay previously supported the committee on oversight of intelligence policy, programs, and budgets within the Department of Defense. Before joining the House Armed Services Committee, Mr. Kitay served as a government civilian in the Intelligence Community working on a variety of national intelligence programs, to include space systems at the National Reconnaissance Office.

    34 min
  5. PART II: The Origins of the US Space Force with Col. Jack Fischer

    02/05/2025

    PART II: The Origins of the US Space Force with Col. Jack Fischer

    Join Matt Jolley and retired USAF Col. Jack David Fischer (born January 23, 1974) in their discussion of the birth of the Space Force. Jack is an American engineer, test pilot and a former NASA astronaut. Fischer was selected in June 2009 as a member of the NASA Astronaut Group 20 and qualified as an astronaut in 2011. He made his first spaceflight in April 2017, as a flight engineer for Expedition 51/52 on the International Space Station. Col. Fischer was an integral part of Taskforce "Tango" and the ground level creation of the Nation's youngest military service--the US Space Force.

    32 min
  6. PART I: The Origins of the US Space Force with Col. Stu Pettis

    12/20/2024

    PART I: The Origins of the US Space Force with Col. Stu Pettis

    Join Col Stu Pettis, USAF (ret), as he talks to our host, Matt Jolley about the birth of the Space Force. Col Pettis was the last USAF, Chief of Space Operations when it was still an O-6 position. A Space Force had been discussed for decades within the Air Force space structure but suddenly became a reality in 2019 with the scratch of a pen at Andrews AFB. This is the first of a multi-part series of programs that examines the birth of the Space Force recounted by those who made it happen behind the scenes.

    34 min
  7. Part III: New World Vistas, the 1995 Technology Forecast that looked forward thirty years to the future of the USAF and the Space Force.

    11/13/2024

    Part III: New World Vistas, the 1995 Technology Forecast that looked forward thirty years to the future of the USAF and the Space Force.

    On 10 November 1994, SECAF Dr. Sheila Widnall and CSAF Gen. Ronald Fogleman, challenged the USAF Scientific Advisory Board to look into the future of air, space and computational technology and create a broad, forward-looking study in one year’s time. Dr. Widnall’s challenge was powerful “…this is not another Air Force internal requirement scrub to justify the Air Force science budget. Rather, it should be a truly independent futuristic view of how the exponential rate of technology change will shape the 21st Century Air Force. My goal for you is that you should publish New World Vistas in December 1995, on the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of Toward New Horizons.” General Hap Arnold had challenged Dr. Theodore von Kármán to look far into the future and create a report that could guide the air forces into a technologically advanced world. On 15 December 1995, Toward New Horizons was delivered to the Chief and the Secretary during holiday celebrations near Dr. Widnall’s office in the Pentagon, fulfilling the challenge. Today, the contents of that S&T report are largely forgotten, but they should not be. Contained within the volumes are forecasts for the evolution of hypersonic technology, unmanned weaponry and refueling possibilities, command and control consolidation, 3D-command centers and much, much more. The Air Force Historical Foundation is proud to present Gen Fogleman and Mrs. Natalie Crawford, Chair of the Attack Panel, who recount the creation of NWV, its impact, and its failures.

    28 min
  8. Part II: New World Vistas, the 1995 Technology Forecast that looked forward thirty years to the future of the USAF and the Space Force.

    10/23/2024

    Part II: New World Vistas, the 1995 Technology Forecast that looked forward thirty years to the future of the USAF and the Space Force.

    On 10 November 1994, SECAF Dr. Sheila Widnall and CSAF Gen. Ronald Fogleman, challenged the USAF Scientific Advisory Board to look into the future of air, space and computational technology and create a broad, forward-looking study in one year’s time. Dr. Widnall’s challenge was powerful “…this is not another Air Force internal requirement scrub to justify the Air Force science budget. Rather, it should be a truly independent futuristic view of how the exponential rate of technology change will shape the 21st Century Air Force. My goal for you is that you should publish New World Vistas in December 1995, on the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of Toward New Horizons.” General Hap Arnold had challenged Dr. Theodore von Kármán to look far into the future and create a report that could guide the air forces into a technologically advanced world. On 15 December 1995, Toward New Horizons was delivered to the Chief and the Secretary during holiday celebrations near Dr. Widnall’s office in the Pentagon, fulfilling the challenge. Today, the contents of that S&T report are largely forgotten, but they should not be. Contained within the volumes are forecasts for the evolution of hypersonic technology, unmanned weaponry and refueling possibilities, command and control consolidation, 3D-command centers and much, much more. The Air Force Historical Foundation is proud to present Gen Fogleman and Mrs. Natalie Crawford, Chair of the Attack Panel, who recount the creation of NWV, its impact, and its failures.

    31 min
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Lessons from the lives and experiences of those that have shaped the history, and will shape the future, of the US Air and Space forces.

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