Mark R. Kennedy
Strategic Competition: Military
Preserving Air, Space and Digital Supremacy
Research Focus
Retain supremacy in air, space and digital capabilities, enhance interoperability with allies and collective resilient.
Featured Media
CULTIVATING RESILIENT LEADERS OF CHARACTER FOR A WORLD DISRUPTED BY TECHNOLOGY
INTRO TO AIR FORCE FELLOW COL. MICHELLE STERLING'S INSIGHTS - JULY 10, 2024
PIONEERING SPACE FORCE: A FIRESIDE CHAT WITH GENERAL JOHN W. "JAY" RAYMOND
WILSON CENTER - AUGUST 31, 2022
Events and Publications
Air & Space Forces Association's Air, Space and Cyber Conference
Three days of highly informative briefings, presentations and exhibits - September 16-18
Photo with one the United States Air Force's new Collaborative Combat Aircraft, Anduril Industries new uncrewed Fury.
EGLIN AFB BRIEFING - CHANGE OF COMMAND
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE - FLORIDA - JULY 18, 2024
JULY 18, 2024
Briefing by 96th Test Wing and joining recent Wilson Center United States Air Force Fellow Colonel Michelle Sterling as she assumed command of the 96th Civil Engineering Group.
BRIEFING ON BASE RESILIENCE - TYNDALL AFB
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE - FLORIDA - JULY 17, 2024
Following the devastation of Hurricane Michael, it is rebuilding as the "installation of the future." #AimHigh
CULTIVATING RESILIENT LEADERS OF CHARACTER FOR A WORLD DISRUPTED BY TECHNOLOGY
INTRO TO AIR FORCE FELLOW COL. MICHELLE STERLING'S INSIGHTS - JULY 10, 2024
A DANGEROUS WORLD NEEDS A STRONGER US-LED NATO
WILSON CENTER POLICY BRIEF - JULY 9, 2024
Incorporates input from Airmen received while visiting European US Air Force Bases/.
LASK AIR BASE - POLAND
VISIT WITH US AIR AND SPACE FORCES CIVIC LEADERS - JUNE 27-29, 2024
At LASK Airbase where Poland will station F-35’s it purchased for itself, I witnessed part of the significant investments on behalf of the US military underway throughout the nation funded by Poland.
PAPA, HUNGARY AIR BASE
VISIT WITH US AIR AND SPACE FORCES CIVIC LEADERS - JUNE 27, 2024
A collaboration among 11 European countries and the US operating in Papa, Hungary provide airlift capacity to nations not large enough to afford an independent capability. This collaboration among Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden and the US funds base facilities and three C-17 airlift planes in proportion to each country’s usage. The staffing is also shared proportionately.
AVIANO AIR FORCE BASE - ITALY
VISIT WITH US AIR AND SPACE FORCES CIVIC LEADERS - JUNE 26-27, 2024
Impressive base with many capabilities including the only fighter wing south of the Alps.
RAMSTEIN AIR FORCE BASE - GERMANY
VISIT WITH US AIR AND SPACE FORCES CIVIC LEADERS - JUNE 23-26, 2024
Having just hitched a ride over the Atlantic on a United States Air Force C-17 (behind me), two days of briefings convinced me that the US Air Force's Ramstein Air Base in Germany is indeed America's "Global Gateway." #AimHigh
AL UDEID AIR FORCE BASE - DOHA, QATAR
VISIT WITH BASE LEADERSHIP - MAY 19, 2024
BRIEFING BY US AIR FORCE AIR EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMAND
LACKLAND AIR BASE - SAN ANTONIO, TX - FEBRUARY 26-29, 2024
In addition to learning more about how the Air Force recruits and trains, got to attend a Basic Military Training Graduation Ceremony - her with a Space Force Squadron.
WELCOMING NEW U.S. CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE AIR FORCE
ATTENDED CEREMONY AS CIVIC LEADER - NOVEMBER 17,2023
CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION & PATRICK SPACE FORCE BASE
TOUR WITH AIR AND SPACE FORCES CIVIC LEADERS - JULY 19-21, 2023
Proud of the work of our United States Space Force guardians and Air Force airmen keeping us safe.
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER'S HISTORIC LAUNCH COMPLEX 39A
VISIT WITH AIR AND SPACE FORCES CIVIC LEADERS - JULY 21, 2023
Complex now operated by SpaceX. Pad on right of photo launched Apollo 11 that resulted in Neil Armstrong being the 1st to walk on moon exactly 54 years prior to day of visit. Pad on left of photo being built for Starship to return to moon
OBSERVING NASA'S SUCCESSFUL DART MISSION
WATCH PARTY OF NASA PLANETARY DEFENSE MISSION AT JOHNS HOPKINS APPLIED PHYSICS LAB - SEPTEMBER 25, 2022
Tour of Kadena Air Force Base
Kadena, Okinawa, Japam - September 9, 2022
Photo with Akiko Kawai, a former student from George Washington University.
PIONEERING SPACE FORCE: A FIRESIDE CHAT WITH GENERAL JOHN W. "JAY" RAYMOND
WILSON CENTER - AUGUST 31, 2022
NORTHROP GRUMMAN SPACE BRIEFING
WILSON CENTER - NORTHROP GRUMMAN DIALOGUE - JULY 11, 2022
ALASKA’S GEOPOLITICAL IMPORTANCE IN THE AGE OF GREAT POWER COMPETITION
OPED IN THE HILL - JULY 5, 2022
Note Denali or Mount McKinley in background from window of a C-130.
LOOK NORTH, NORTH DAKOTA, AND BE UND PROUD
OPED IN GRAND FORKS HERALD - JULY 2, 2022
Profile of Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska, named after University of North Dakota alum.
AIR WAR COLLEGE NATIONAL SECURITY FORUM
ATTENDED COURSE AT MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE - MAY 10-12, 2022
Learned a lot at the United States Air Force Air University Air War College National Security Forum at Maxwell Air Force Base, including seeing the F-22 Raptor Demo Team.
LOS ANGELES GARRISON AND SPACE SYSTEMS COMMAND
BRIEFING - MAY 5, 2022
Thanks to Colonel Becky Beers and the team at Los Angeles Garrison and Space Systems Command - SSC for an excellent briefing. The US Space Force Guardians there are doing great work keeping our nation safe.
VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE
BRIEFING AND TOUR - MARY 4, 2022
Thanks to Col. Robert Long, US Space Force Space Launch Delta 30 commander, for briefing me in my role as a civilian advisor to the Secretary of the Air Force. Col Long also gave Debbie Kennedy and I a tour of Space Launch Complex-6 to brief me on on Vandenberg Space Force Base’s commercial launch capabilities. (U.S. Space Force photo by Airman 1st Class Rocio Romo)
NASA JET PROPULSION LABORATORY AT CAL TECH - CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
TOUR OF JPL - MAY 3, 2022
Thanks to Richard Cook, Mars Sample Return Program Manager at NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration's NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory at Cal Tech - California Institute of Technology Here with replicas of JPL's NASA's Perseverance Mars Rover and Ingenuity Mars helicopter.
YASUYUKI KASAI, DIRECTOR GENERAL OF NATIONAL SPACE POLICY SECRETARIAT IN JAPAN'S CABINET OFFICE
MEETING IN TOKYO - APRIL 27, 2022
Very informative meeting with Yasuyuki Kasai, Director General of National Space Policy Secretariat in Japan's Cabinet Office discussing U.S. - Japan collaboration in Space.
JAXA TSUKUBA SPACE CENTER
TOUR IN JAPAN - APRIL 26, 2022
Learned a lot from my visit to Japan's JAXA Tsukuba Space Center. They are a great NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration -partner. Here inside model of Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo” of the International Space Station.
SPACE EXPERTS SHOULD OPPOSE DISRUPTION OF SPACE COMMAND
QUOTE IN DENVER GAZETTE EDITORIAL - APRIL 7, 2022
"China sending a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile circling the globe in near earth orbit and then maneuvering toward its target should make it clear that the imperative to preserve leadership in space is nothing to joke about.” “Russia’s recent satellite destruction affirms, the new high ground is space, and it is contested."
U.S. SPACE FORCE RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
MEETING WITH BRIG. GEN. OLSON, CHAMPION FOR CU RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP - APRIL 4, 2022
Meeting with fellow U.S. Air and Space Force Civic Leader Christian Anschutz and Brig. Gen. John Olson, Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Officer for the Department of the Air Force and Col. Marc Brock, Commander of Space Delta
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE - GUAM
VISIT WITH BASE COMMANDER BRIG GEN SLOANE - MARCH 25, 2022
It was great to visit Guam, a territory of the United States, where America's morning begins.
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, TEXAS
ENLISTED GRADUATION CEREMONY - NOVEMBER 24, 2021
Learned a lot from a roundtable conversation with base education leaders.
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UTAH
US AIR AND SPACE FORCE CIVIC LEADERS VISIT - NOVEMBER 4-5, 2021
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, CALIFORNIA
US AIR AND SPACE FORCE CIVIC LEADERS VISIT - NOVEMBER 3-4, 2021
PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, COLORADO
BASE BRIEFING - OCTOBER 27, 2021
SPACE FORCE ADDS UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO TO UPCOMING PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
AIR FORCE MAGAZINE - JUNE 25, 2021
Kennedy said he’s “thrilled” that the University Partnership Program will involve both workforce development and research development...
CU TO JOIN SPACE FORCE PARTNERSHIP
BOULDER DAILY CAMERA - JUNE 25, 2021
The partnership program will also serve the Colorado Springs campus, said system President Mark Kennedy, with potential to expand to the Denver and Anschutz campuses.
BRIEFING WITH NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY CENTER
EVENT: UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO COLORADO SPRINGS - JUNE 21, 2021
POWERFUL PARTNERSHIPS AND LEADERSHIP IN EMERGING AREAS CONTINUE TO GROW CU'S IMPACT ON AEROSPACE
COLORADO BUSINESS REVIEW - APRIL 2021
FUTURE OF U.S. SPACE COMMAND
EVENT: WINTER NIGHT CLUB - MARCH 31, 2021
Attended General “Jay” Raymond, U.S. Space Command and Commander, discuss the development and expansion of the U.S. Space Command.
EXPANDING THE SPRINGS' AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE IMPACT
COLOARDO SPRINGS GAZETTE OPED - MARCH 23,2021
Op Ed with Frank Backes, Kevin O’Neil and Venkat Reddy
VISIT TO THE CATALYST CAMPUS FOR TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
EVENT: COLORADO SPRINGS - JANUARY 22, 2021
Great collaboration by Kevin O'Neill and team that is fueling Colorado's Aerospace industry.
UCCS' ASTRONAUTICAL ENGINEERING PROGRAM EXPANDING WITH ANSCHUTZ FOUNDATION DONATION
ARTICLE: COLORADO SPRINGS GAZETTE - DECEMBER 16, 2020
“This gift will help grow our leadership in these areas for the benefit of the state and the nation,” he said in a statement.
COLORADO UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO SERVE SPACE COMMAND'S MISSION
OPED: DENVER GAZETTE - DECEMBER 18, 2020
"Colorado’s powerful convergence of academic, industry, government and philanthropic assets set us apart from the pack. We are uniquely positioned to meet Space Command’s needs and help advance its mission and strategic priorities."
SPACE COMMAND BELONGS HERE IN COLORADO SPRINGS: STATE LEADERS MAKE CLOSING ARGUMENT
COLORADO SPRINGS GAZETTE - DECEMBER 16, 2020
"With the support and encouragement of The Anschutz Foundation, we plan to expand UCCS’ engineering building, allowing us to educate more engineers."
UCCS TO EDUCATE MORE CYBERSECURITY PROFESSIONALS
EVENT: TOUR UCCS CYBERSECURITY - OCTOBER 28, 2020
CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH AIMS TO STRENGTHEN ONLINE SAFETY
CU CONNECTIONS - OCTOBER 1, 2020
OUR DESTINY IN SPACE WILL DECIDE OUR DESTINY AS A NATION
WASHINGTON EXAMINER - JUNE 10, 2020
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS: PRESIDENT KENNEDY ESTABLISHES NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISORY GROUP
CU CONNECTIONS - MAY 7, 2020
TOUR LOCKHEED MARTIN SPACE
LITTLETON, CO - NOVEMBER 12, 2019
SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE HEATHER WILSON
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER - UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA - MAY 11, 2019
COLLEGIATE DRONE RACING CHAMPIONSHIP
COMPETITION HELD AT UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA - APRIL 14, 2019
Pleased to make UND the host university for teh Collegiate Drone Racing Championship Competition.
COLLABORATION DISCUSSIONS WITH AIR FORCE
GRAND FORK, ND - APRIL 27, 2017
Hosted conversations between Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Reserve Affairs and Airman Readiness John Fedrigo and University of North Dakota Aerospace on collaboration in training Air Force pilots.
LAKENHEATH AIR BASE, UK
LAKENHEATH, UK - JULY 28, 2010
YOKOTA ẢIR BASE - JAPAN
CELEBRATED HOLIDAY MEAL WITH FAMILY - DECEMBER 28, 2004
AIR NATIONAL GUARD C-130 RIDES TO / FROM IRAQ
2003, 2004, 2005
MINNESOTA AIR NATIONAL GUARD
VISITED DECEMBER 1, 2001