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AI, Drones, and the Future of Air Combat — A General’s Warning
In this episode of Micro Journeys, host Daniel Marrujo sits down with retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Carl “Schaef” Schaefer to reflect on a remarkable career that spans combat missions, Pentagon leadership, and shaping the future of U.S. airpower. From the shock of having a missile locked on his aircraft, to the grind of 3 a.m. wake-ups and 13-hour days, Schaefer shares both the adrenaline and the sacrifices of a life in service. His stories carry lessons on resilience, responsibility, and the unrelenting pace of military operations.
The conversation dives deeper into the transformation of the Air Force — from Cold War tensions to the rise of autonomous systems and artificial intelligence. Lt. Gen. Schaefer opens up about balancing personal struggles, such as nearly failing out of the Academy and leaving a newborn child for a year-long deployment, with professional triumphs, like commanding multinational missions with dozens of aircraft. At its core, this episode asks how America can maintain military dominance in a rapidly shifting technological landscape.
The solution, Schaefer emphasizes, lies in adaptability: learning fast, leading with humility, and embracing innovation — whether in personal growth or national defense.
What You’ll Discover in This Episode:
- (2:15) How Lt. Gen. Schaefer nearly failed out of the Air Force Academy — and the study habits that turned everything around.
- (9:50) The personal cost of military service: leaving a 4-month-old baby behind for a year-long deployment to Korea.
- (25:04) Leading 30+ aircraft and 19 nations in complex missions over Yugoslavia.
- (24:10) What it feels like to have a missile locked on your jet — and the maneuvers that saved his life.
- (38:40) The Air Force’s modernization challenge: keeping deterrence while upgrading an aging fleet.
- (44:25) Why the future of airpower is a blend of autonomy, AI, and manned aircraft.
- Daniel Marrujo
- Lt. Gen. Carl Schaefer
- TSS Website
Learn more about TSS: https://tss.llc/micro-journeys-podcast/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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By Trusted Strategic SolutionsIn this episode of Micro Journeys, host Daniel Marrujo sits down with retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Carl “Schaef” Schaefer to reflect on a remarkable career that spans combat missions, Pentagon leadership, and shaping the future of U.S. airpower. From the shock of having a missile locked on his aircraft, to the grind of 3 a.m. wake-ups and 13-hour days, Schaefer shares both the adrenaline and the sacrifices of a life in service. His stories carry lessons on resilience, responsibility, and the unrelenting pace of military operations.
The conversation dives deeper into the transformation of the Air Force — from Cold War tensions to the rise of autonomous systems and artificial intelligence. Lt. Gen. Schaefer opens up about balancing personal struggles, such as nearly failing out of the Academy and leaving a newborn child for a year-long deployment, with professional triumphs, like commanding multinational missions with dozens of aircraft. At its core, this episode asks how America can maintain military dominance in a rapidly shifting technological landscape.
The solution, Schaefer emphasizes, lies in adaptability: learning fast, leading with humility, and embracing innovation — whether in personal growth or national defense.
What You’ll Discover in This Episode:
- (2:15) How Lt. Gen. Schaefer nearly failed out of the Air Force Academy — and the study habits that turned everything around.
- (9:50) The personal cost of military service: leaving a 4-month-old baby behind for a year-long deployment to Korea.
- (25:04) Leading 30+ aircraft and 19 nations in complex missions over Yugoslavia.
- (24:10) What it feels like to have a missile locked on your jet — and the maneuvers that saved his life.
- (38:40) The Air Force’s modernization challenge: keeping deterrence while upgrading an aging fleet.
- (44:25) Why the future of airpower is a blend of autonomy, AI, and manned aircraft.
- Daniel Marrujo
- Lt. Gen. Carl Schaefer
- TSS Website
Learn more about TSS: https://tss.llc/micro-journeys-podcast/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.