The Bedrock Podcast: Recent Episodes
Bedrock Innovation Lab
The unofficial podcast for Dover Air Force Base. Join the Bedrock Innovation Lab as we interview senior leaders, Airmen, and guest speakers about innovation and Air Force life.
On this episode of The Bedrock Podcast, Maj Nik Martini and MSgt Brandon Vazquez recap 3 days of playing the Kingfish ACE scenario board game. They talk with game facilitator, Lt Col Fappiano and Team Dover's A1C Hoyt, who was a team leader during the game.
If you would like for info about the game, please email francis.fappiano.1@us.af.mil
On this episode of the Bedrock Podcast, we travel down memory lane to learn what it takes to build a successful Spark Lab from the ground up. Packy Hill, Ryan Nichol, and Dave Jackson join our host, Nik Martini to discuss what it took to Build Bedrock. Enjoy.
In this episode of the Bedrock podcast, we hear from the latest cohort of the Bedrock Internship Program. Listen to their stories of what it is like to work in the Innovation Ecosystem and the benefits of having the opportunity to step outside of their career field.
On this episode of the Bedrock Podcast, we have Mr. Ralph Galati in studio with us. He was an F-4 Weapons Officer who was shot down over North Vietnam in February of 1972. He spent the next 14 months as a Prisoner of War. He talks on his experiences during captivity and his return home. We hope you enjoy and don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss any future episodes. Thanks for listening.
As promised, here is part 2 of our conversation with Forrest Underwood, Director of Strategy at Shield AI. Today we talk about robot pilots and the future of combat aviation.
In this episode of the Bedrock Podcast, we talk to Forrest Underwood, Director of Strategy at Shield AI. We talk about his transition from a Spec Ops Pilot to an Innovation Pioneer. Stay Tuned for Part 2 talking about the future of combat aviation and commercial flight.
On this episode of the Bedrock Podcast, we sit down with Captain Tory Robinson. He is the Chief of Launch Electrical Systems for Falcon Flight at the 5th Space Launch Squadron at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. We talk about innovation in the Space Force, what it takes to launch a rocket, and the future of the space domain.
Air Force Innovator, SrA Noah Morales, joins the Bedrock Podcast to detail his Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Innovation Rodeo win. Follow his project on Vision at https://vision.apps.dso.mil/innovations/967
Breaking down barriers and bridging the gap between the DoD and industry. Maj Ryan Nichol and Lt Andrew Cuccia, both DVP Cohort 11 alumni, discuss their Silicon Valley experience and what they learned during their fellowship.
Reach 797 was in Germany when their mission unexpectedly changed--a high priority medical evacuation. The aircrew and 18 medical personnel flew 8,000 miles, over 19 hours, nonstop from Bagram to San Antonio, Texas to deliver Ryan, an injured Army ranger, into the care of Brooks Army Medical Center. Ryan, his wife Asia, and the crewmembers reconvened on Zoom to recap the harrowing journey.
Want to know what it's like to work at Bedrock? Maj Ryan Nichol sits down with Bedrock's most recent interns, discussing the opportunities, the venue, how to apply, and the skills you'd learn by working at Dover AFB's spark lab!
In August 2021, C-17's conducted the largest aerial evacuation of civilians in American history from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan. Dover AFB's 3d Airlift Squadron played a vital role in this historic operation. 1st Lt Steve Miller sits down with pilots and loadmasters from the Third to discuss their harrowing flights and the C-17's unique capabilities.
Cameron Kinley, USNA '21, joins The Bedrock Podcast to talk about his experience as class president and football team captain on his journey to the NFL.
What is the Area Defense Counsel? Area Defense Counsel Capt Eshawn Rawlley sits down with MSgt Jason Smith, 436 MXG First Sergeant, to discuss the role of the ADC for all Airmen. The conversation touches on the role of the ADC, responsibilities of Airmen, and creativity in defense arguments.
Two Air Force reserve pilots talk service, side hustles and success. Major Packy Hill, former Chief Innovation Officer and Jason Depew, an Air Force reserve officer, major airline pilot, and serial entrepreneur discuss various topics from flying to innovation.
Col. Matthew Jones (436 AW/CC) and Col. Corey Simmons (60 AMW/CC), lifelong friends and colleagues, give their thoughts on leadership during times of crisis and how they have successfully led airmen through difficult times. They also discuss the profound impact personal and professional relationships have had on their Air Force careers.
Charlie Walker, owner and project manager of the Night Fright C-47 restoration project, discusses the history and restoration of one of the most successful planes ever built with 1st Lt Steven Miller, 3d Airlift Squadron pilot. The C-47 Night Fright was stationed at RAF Membury and assigned to the 436th Troup Carrier Group, the ancestor of Dover’s 436th Operations Group.
SrA Essence Madison from the Diversity and Inclusivity Working Group join the Bedrock Podcast to have an open discussion with SMSgt Daniel Hall III, 436th OSS SQ Superintendent, about unconscious bias.
SSgt Deandra Edwards, member of Diversity and Inclusion Working Group, joins the Bedrock Podcast and sits down with MSgt Williamson, Section Chief of Fuels Section 436 Maintenance Squadron at Dover Air Force Base, to discuss the importance of embracing our differences, reassessing how we react and how critical and important resiliency has been to them in 2020.
Chief Master Sgt. Brian Kruzelnick, the Air Mobility Command command chief, joins the BEDROCK podcast to discuss what it means to be a multi-capable, digitally adept Airman and how Team Dover and the local community are supporting these AMC priorities.
This podcast centers on leadership and how we must adapt ourselves and our Airmen to the challenges of today.
Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Pennington and Chief Master Sgt. Cynthia Villa, 4th Air Force Commander and Command Chief, discuss Air Force Reserve-specific topics during their visit to Bedrock.
AI in the AF... Bedrock's CTO and CIO take a stroll down AI & Machine Learning lane with special guest Michael Kanaan, author and Air Force Operations Officer for Artificial Intelligence at MIT.
Lt. Gen. Dorothy A. Hogg, Surgeon General, U.S. Air Force and Chief Master Sergeant Dawn M. Kolczynski sit down to discuss how our Medical Airmen are innovating and adapting during this global pandemic.
Simon Oliver Sinek, British-born American author and motivational speaker joins the podcast to discuss leadership and innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing social unrest with host Lt. Jeremy Jacobellis.
Jason Payne, George S. Welch Elementary School principal, Nicole Jones, Air Base Middle School principal and Colonel Tyler Schaff, 436th Mission Support Group commander, talk leadership and education in the time of Covid-19. Both schools are part of the local Caesar Rodney School District, but call Dover Air Force Base home. Senior Master Sgt. Alex Griffin hosts this Bedrock Podcast.
DevSecOps...have you heard of it? Mr. Nicolas Chaillan, the AF Chief Software Officer, joins BEDROCK's Chief Tech Officer to discuss the future of Air Force software development. Topics include cloud computing, AI, Data Analytics, Open Source Software, and IoT.
Colonel Angie Robertson, the AMC director of manpower, personnel and services, joins BEDROCK to share some of the challenges she's overcome as a black woman serving in an ever-changing Air Force. To follow up with comments or questions, visit doverspark.org.
Major General Craig Wills, the 19th Air Force Commander, joins BEDROCK and and the Vance AFB Phoenix Spark office to discuss innovation in pilot training, pilot retention, virtual reality and leadership. If you'd like to submit any feedback or questions for a follow-up, go to doverspark.org/podcast. Fast forward to 18:45 for the interview.
Colonel Jones, Colonel Schaff (MSG/CC) and Command Chief Gee host a Facebook Live Town Hall. After passing along a Dover AFB COVID-19 update, the trio takes questions from military members, dependents and retirees on the new base access policy, face masks, and other topics. If you have any follow up questions or comments, please submit them at www.doverspark.org
Watch the original video on the Dover Air Force Base Facebook, where you can find the latest news and policy updates.
Colonel Matthew Jones, 436th Airlift Wing Commander, and CMSgt Shae Gee, 436th Airlift Wing Command Chief, host a teleconference with members of the Dover Air Force Base community on April 10, 2020, to discuss COVID-19 policy changes. Participants include Airmen, retirees, DoD civilians, and a key spouse. If you have any follow up questions or comments, please submit them at www.doverspark.org
Watch the original video on the Dover Air Force Base Facebook, where you can find the latest news and policy updates.
Chief Master Sgt. Terrence Greene, Command Chief for Air Mobility Command, discusses knowing your Airmen with Senior Airman Yasmeen Joachim, 436th Operations Support Squadron air traffic controller, and Capt. Michael McFadden, 436th Aerial Port Squadron operations officer.
Chaplain Major General Steven Schaick and CMSgt Robert Jackson sit down at Dover Air Force Base to discuss leadership and creating an environment of trust.
What is resiliency? Three NCOs share stories of overcoming trials, personal loss and trauma. Learn how they sought support and bounced back.
The BEDROCK Podcast welcomes two CMSgt selects to discuss the road to Chief, overcoming adversity and bouncing back.
Want to become an "O"? Two prior-Es join the BEDROCK Podcast to discuss their paths to a commission.
MSgt Pedro Estrada Carreras, Air Force Wounded Warrior Ambassador, gives his personal testimony of traumatic experience and resiliency. The ambassadors visited Dover AFB as part of the Invisible Wounds Initiative, which is aimed at engaging unit leadership, creating supportive environment and providing care to Airmen and their families, For more information about the Invisible Wounds Initiative, visit www.woundedwarrior.af.mil
Colonel Safranek, Dover's Wing Commander, is back to debrief his trip to the Chief of Staff's All Call - a meeting for all wing commanders with CSAF and CMSAF. Topics include where China fits within the National Defense Strategy, readiness, WAPS testing/enlisted promotions and...wait for it...Space Force!
Chris and Aiden Locke from SL24: Unlocke the Light join the Bedrock Podcast. The foundation was started in memory of Sean Locke, who passed away in July 2018. Its mission is to educate students about the signs of depression and end the stigma surrounding it, help athletes with the hard transition between high school athletics to college athletics, and help students seek out resources if they need help. To find out more, follow @unlockethelight.
Airman come out of Basic Training and commissioning programs motivated and excited, but sometimes those feelings fade upon arrival to their duty station. Col Safranek and Command CMSgt Gee traveled to Lackland and Maxwell AFBs to see these accession programs firsthand in an attempt to better understand the experiences of our newest Airmen. They discuss their experiences at Basic Training and Air University, covering the future of CCAF, instructor duty, PME, and more.
Dover Wing Commander Col Safranek offers insights on various topics regarding officer promotions and assignments to include 365 deployments, developmental education, 2-line PRFs, officer developmental categories, civilian hiring processes, and instructor and recruiter duty. Not only does he present his perspective as a senior rater, but also brings feedback from the MAF DT and direct conversations with the AFPC Commander.
You may have heard of officer career field Developmental Teams, or DTs, but what is a DT? Who comprises a DT? What function does it serve? Dover Wing Commander Col Safranek was a member of a recent Mobility Air Forces (MAF) DT and, in this episode, he provides a peek behind the curtain. He explains what the DT does, how they evaluate officers’ records, what the DT provides, and even debunks some DT myths.