PULLMAN, Wash. – A panel of prominent colonels from the U.S. Air Force Air War College (AWC), the preeminent Air Force professional military school for senior level officers, will present the inaugural General Henry H. “Hap” Arnold Lecture at Washington State University 3-5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, in Smith CUE 203. The event is free to the public.
Titled “Debating the Future of American Foreign Policy: Competing Visions, Differing Directions,” the panel will provide varying perspectives on the future direction of U.S. foreign policy, according to Thomas Preston, professor of international relations at WSU. Audience participation will be sought in a question and answer session following panel presentations.
Preston first learned about the lecture series when he delivered AWC’s keynote address at the National Security Forum held at Maxwell Air Force Base in May. Billed as a “Dialogue with America,” the series will travel to academic, professional, public and government organizations during the next five months. It was established by the AWC to foster candid and constructive discussion with the public on issues of national security and public policy.
“The panel consists of some of the leading thinkers in the U.S. Air Force, a very high-powered group with lots of experience,” Preston said. “I decided to jump at the chance for WSU to be involved.”
The panel will include three or four senior officer students who are all colonels with doctorates from AWC. They are selected for their military experience, academic accomplishments and deep interest in national security issues.
This year’s presenters are Lt. Col. Brian Anderson, Air Force Reserve; Col. Christopher M. Bado, Army; and Col. J. Jay Updegraff, Air Force. Each will present perspectives on future U.S. foreign policy ranging from internationalist to neo-conservative views.
“It’s a real honor to have them here. It should be a really interesting session for students, staff and faculty,” Preston said.
The discussion will be moderated by WSU alumnus Col. Jeffrey J. Smith, chair of the international security studies department at AWC. Smith joined the AWC faculty in August 2010 after completing his doctorate in international relations at WSU. Prior to this, he worked at the Pentagon as deputy director of the Concepts, Strategy, and Wargaming Division (Skunk Works).
The 2012 lecture schedule will include February visits to Rutgers Business College, Westminster College and George Washington University, with more sites to be announced.
The lecture series honors Henry H. “Hap” Arnold, the general who commanded the Army Air Forces to victory over Germany and Japan in World War II. A pioneer airman who learned to fly from the Wright brothers, Arnold retired in 1946. Three years later Arnold was appointed the first general of the Air Force, five-star rank, by the U.S. Congress.