2025 Doolittle Award Recipient: Dr. John Plumb, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy 

The MIT Security Studies Program was honored to present former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy Dr. John Plumb with the General James Doolittle Award. The award recognizes a person who has made significant contributions to the advancement of US Air Power. 

SSP Director and Arthur and Ruth Sloan Professor of Political Science, Taylor Fravel, opened the event with a review of General Doolittle's life and accomplishments, recounting the events of the famed 1942 raid on Tokyo that he led along with contributions to the development of high octane aviation fuel and space-based reconnaissance. Director Fravel then introduced Dr. Plumb and Dr. Vipin Narang, the Frank Stanton Professor of Nuclear Security and Political Science at MIT, for a fireside-style conversation. 

Dr. Plumb and Dr. Narang discussed a host of issues related to space and national security, overviewing the importance of space for military operations, the opportunities and risks of miliary competition in space, and how the Defense Department has sought to work with the private sector and allied countries to enhance US space capabilities. Dr. Plumb then answered questions from MIT faculty and students, giving thoughtful remarks on possible escalation dynamics in space during modern conflict, what the war in Ukraine has taught the US and adversaries about the importance of space, and the challenges of deterring a determined adversary in the space domain. 

In 2017, Pierre (MIT SB 1988) and Amy Chao made a generous pledge to SSP in support of the Doolittle Award. Mr. Chao, who has had an active career in the aerospace and defense industry, earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Political Science and Management Science from MIT. The endowment allows SSP to sustain the Doolittle award event, ensuring that future MIT graduate students and fellows are acquainted with the contribution that science and engineering can make to national security.