Defense Leaders & Experts to Convene at 9th Military Aviation & Air Dominance Summit

Defense Strategies Institute is pleased to announce the upcoming Military Aviation & Air Dominance Summit, taking place January 20-21, 2027, at the Jackson Center in Huntsville, AL.

As the Department of War and U.S. Military Services continue to advance next-generation aviation capabilities to maintain air superiority and counter evolving threats, military aviation and air dominance remain critical components of future defense operations.

The Summit will convene senior leaders and decision-makers from across the Department of War, U.S. Military Services, acquisition authorities, international partners, industry, and academia to discuss the latest developments shaping the future of military aviation and air dominance. Discussions will focus on advancing next-generation aircraft and aviation systems, modernizing the aviation enterprise, strengthening air dominance capabilities, and addressing emerging operational requirements across the Joint Force.

This year’s event arrives at a pivotal time for the military aviation community, as the U.S. continues to prioritize modernization, technological innovation, and operational readiness in an increasingly contested battlespace. Attendees will gain valuable insights into evolving aviation requirements, emerging technologies, acquisition priorities, and the challenges associated with maintaining air superiority and delivering mission-ready capabilities to the warfighter.

2027 Confirmed Speakers Include:

Event Moderator: MG (Ret.) Jeffrey Schloesser, USA, Executive Vice President, Strategic Pursuits, BELL Advanced Vertical Lift Center

• Pat Mason, SES, PAE, Maneuver Air
• COL Jeffrey Poquette, USA, Project Manager, FLRAA, PAE Aviation
• COL Timothy Jaeger, USA, Director, Army Aviation, Army Headquarters (HQDA) G-3/5/7
• COL Mattew Gomlak, USA, Commander, U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command (USASOAC)
• Col Daniel Kaiser, USMC Commanding Officer, Marine Aircraft Group 26
• Col David Liu, USAF Senior Material Leader, AFLCMC
• CAPT Rob Smith, USN, Program Manager, PMA 209, PAE Aviation
• COL Kevin Consedine, USA (Confirmed) Commander, Corpus Christi Army Depot
• Colonel Barry Leonard, Air and Space Attaché, Canada
• COL (R) Donald Nitti, SES, Deputy to the Commanding General, U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command
• Dr. John Tomblin, Senior Vice President for Industry & Defense Programs, Wichita State University
• MG (R) Walter Rugen, USA, VP, Government Affairs, Textron; Former Director of U.S. Army Aviation
• MG (R) Bill Gayler, USA, Senior Strategic Advisor, PeopleTec; Former Commanding General, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence
• MG (R) Kenneth T. Royar, USA, VP & Program Integration Lead, Textron
• Dr. Olivia Pinon Fischer, Principal Research Engineer and Chief, Digital Engineering Division, Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory (ASDL), Georgia Tech
• CAPT (R) Jarrod Hair, USN, Former Program Manager, PMA 209, NAVAIR
• CAPT (R) Dennis Monagle, USN, Former Director, Unmanned & Robotic Systems, NAVAIR; CEO, Ash Bishop David Consultants

DSI is now welcoming Sponsors and Exhibitors for the Summit. To learn more, please contact Amanda Delgado at [email protected].

Active-duty U.S. military and government personnel attend complimentary. Those interested in participating in the Military Aviation & Air Dominance Summit can visit Defense Strategies Institute’s website at the Military Aviation & Air Dominance Summit. Anyone interested in learning more or submitting questions may contact Nikole Barto at [email protected].