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Expeditionary Warfare Conference Highlights Operational Strategies

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS120913-18
9/13/2012

By Dan Broadstreet, Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division Public Affairs

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (NNS) -- Navy officials spoke at the 17th annual National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Expeditionary Warfare Conference at Panama City, Fla., Sept. 10-13.

The event provided a venue for the Department of Defense and industry representatives to address issues relative to this year's theme, "Expeditionary Operations - Closing the Gaps."

Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD), a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Naval Expeditionary Warfare Directorate (N95), and other Navy representatives highlighted the goals, objectives and requirements outlined by the Chief of Naval Operation's Sailing Directions throughout the conference.

Under Secretary of the Navy Robert O. Work, was optimistic the U.S. Navy and U. S. Marine Corps will continue to meet current requirements and capabilities.

"Our Navy-Marine Corps Team is transforming itself into what I see as a total-force battle network. This network links sensors, manned and unmanned platforms with modular payloads, combat systems, network-enabled weapons, and the best people on the planet into a cohesive fighting force. When coupled with our distinct operating style that emphasizes come-as-you are, flexible, and adaptable expeditionary operations, you get a world-class force that is hard to beat," said Work. "We must continue to preserve and hone to an even finer point our unique, two-century-old expeditionary culture, which offers the nation the most efficient and cost-effective way to provide a stabilizing presence around the globe."

Work emphasized the importance of initiatives to further improve the U.S. Expeditionary operational capability and added, "We will continue to be the most formidable expeditionary fighting force the world has ever seen. We will do so because of our people, and their mission focus, professionalism, technical and tactical expertise--and above all, their remarkable willingness and ability to innovate and adapt to any situation."

Rear Adm. Frank A. Morneau, Deputy Director for Expeditionary Warfare agreed adding, "The United States and its naval forces are a key guarantor of the flow of economic prosperity and stability around the world."
"We are a Maritime Nation and Naval Expeditionary Warfare will continue to integrate present and future capabilities, and in doing so will be able to respond to future challenges. Our naval capabilities are able to rapidly respond and concentrate the right forces at the right time for the right purpose, whether that is presence, building partners and maintaining access, or responding to crises and disasters," said Morneau.

Much of this year's conference topics dealt with challenges the nation is grappling with in the face of budget cuts, withdrawing from Afghanistan and tilting in a new strategic direction.

Many keynote speakers' presentations delivered a common message, which Morneau emphasized, "The Navy-Marine Corps team is faced with great challenges. Selecting the right platforms and systems to provide the capabilities and meet combatant commander requirements has never been more important."

This year's Expeditionary Warfare Conference provided a venue for the Navy-Marine Corps team to outline an overview of expeditionary warfare acquisition programs, plan for the years ahead and how expeditionary warfare platforms and systems will maintain relevancy.

NAVSEA supports the Maritime Strategy by helping provide the weapons systems and platforms to equip the naval warfighter. Expeditionary Warfare is the resource sponsor for various systems.