Top Navy Officials Speak at West Coast Defense Technology Expo
Since 03-04-05
Excerpted from NSL UPDATE 02-09-2005
Release Date:
2/4/2005 3:42:00 PM
By Journalist 3rd Class Cynthia R.
Smith, Fleet Public Affairs Center San Diego
http://www.navy.mil/management/videodb/player/video.aspx?id=4203
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Top Navy officials attended the Western Conference and Exposition in San Diego in February to speak with government, industry and military professionals about the future of the Navy.
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark delivered the keynote address Feb. 2, while Adm. Walter Doran, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Adm. Timothy Keating, commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, delivered speeches Feb. 3 and 4. Other Navy leaders, including Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (SS/AW) Terry Scott, also participated in various panel discussions.
The conference, sponsored by the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) and the U.S. Naval Institute, focused on its theme: “Beyond Iraq: How Do We Get Transformation Right?” During his address, Clark said it was important for military and industry leaders to be asking questions about getting transformation right and the next step for the military. “It’s important to talk about what we think the strategic environment will look like and how it will influence the kind of Navy we’ll need,” he said. Clark added that the United States will not be able to transform its military without partnerships between civilian organizations like AFCEA, industry and the military.
The Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy also said the event was important for the Navy. “This event is an opportunity to bring government and military officials together to not only take a look at all the new technology, but to allow government and military officials to interact with the industry officials,” he said. “It gave everyone a chance to see what the needs of the Navy are and what the possibilities are out there to take care of those needs.”
Doran addressed military and civilian engineers, managers, operators and system analysts during a breakfast address to start the second day of the conference and exposition. He said it is important to get the newest technology to military forces in the field. “Industry remains a pivotal player in the military transformation, and we continue to challenge you (representatives from attending venders) to transform new ideas into combat power,” Doran said. “As we transform our Navy, we need you to transform our technology.”
The conference also gave Sailors an opportunity to learn more about the future of the Navy and the new technologies that may soon be introduced to the fleet. “It is so fascinating to see all the new and innovative technology out there," said Electronics Technician 3rd Class Alexander Perrigo, who is stationed aboard USS McCampbell (DDG 85). "It is our future, and if I stay in the Navy, it will be my future, and I want to know what kind of technology to expect.”
The Pacific Southwest Chapter of the Naval Submarine League manned an exhibit booth and recruited new members for the League.