The latest episode of the Talk4 Podcast takes us into the heart of one of the most influential posts in U.S. military aviation. Brigadier General Douglas “Beaker” Wickert, Commander of the legendary 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, joins host Louis Skupien to unpack the secrets, stories, and cutting-edge innovation shaping the future of air combat.
From his days flying the F-16 and attending the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School to overseeing the flight testing of the B-21 Raider and future-forward projects like the F-47 NGAD, Gen. Wickert has seen it all. In this expansive interview, he offers a rare behind-the-scenes look into what it’s like to command nearly 10,000 personnel responsible for bringing next-gen aircraft and autonomous warfighters into reality.
🚀 Key Topics in the Episode Include:
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The evolving role of stealth, AI, and autonomy in 6th-gen air warfare
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How Edwards AFB is the epicenter of aerospace testing
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Exclusive insights on the B-21 Raider, the F-47, and Combat Collaborative Aircraft
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Leadership lessons from decades in test flight and military command
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Why mission command and trust are the future of high-performance military leadership
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Gen. Wickert’s advice to the next generation of pilots and aerospace leaders
🎧 Why You Should Listen:
This episode isn’t just a military aviation deep-dive—it’s a leadership masterclass, a glimpse into the bleeding edge of defense technology, and an inspiring story of mentorship and innovation. Whether you’re an aviation geek, aspiring pilot, defense tech enthusiast, or simply love powerful conversations—this is unmissable.
📍 Catch Episode 147 of the Talk4 Podcast Now:
Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and all major platforms.
🛫 “We live for firsts in flight test.” – Brig. Gen. Douglas Wickert
Follow Louis Skupien and the Talk4 Podcast for more elite conversations with world-class military leaders, astronauts, fighter pilots, and innovators shaping the future.
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