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WEST 2014 Continues With Panel Discussions

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS140212-15
Release Date: 2/12/2014 9:40:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Derek Stroop, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Western Conference and Exposition continued Feb. 12 with panel discussions on the future of the U.S. Navy at the San Diego Convention Center.

The conference, co-sponsored by the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) and the U.S. Naval Institute, is themed, 'Shaping Maritime Strategy: How Do We Make It Work?'

Retired U.S. Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating served as moderator for the 'How Are the Senior Operators Going to Execute the Strategy?' panel discussion featuring Vice Adm. Thomas H. Copeman III, commander, Naval Surface Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Vice Adm. Kenneth E. Floyd, commander, U.S. Third Fleet; U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. John Toolan, commanding general, I Marine Expeditionary Force; and Vice Adm. David H. Buss, commander, Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

'This is an important event for all of us; active duty, industry partners and academia,' said Buss. 'We are entering new exciting times where we are sensing, understanding and countering threats in our battle spaces.'

Buss discussed the future of naval aviation and described it as 'multi-dimensional and multi-service component warfare.' He also mentioned new developments in the aviation community including new aircraft deployments featuring the E-18G Growler and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, christening of the newest class of nuclear aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford, and a re-focus on air-to-air and undersea warfare.

The panel also discussed future budget concerns.

'The surface fleet we have sitting out here in the harbor now, is the same surface fleet we will have 15 years from now,' said Copeman. 'We are currently addressing manning, experience and maintenance issues across the fleet and are prepared to do more with less. There is no other Navy in the world that can do what we do, from humanitarian aid to tactical strikes.'

Sailors visiting the conference from across the fleet showed enthusiasm in the future of their Navy.

'It's interesting to see the direction we are heading,' said Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Chelsea Wellstrom, a Chico, Calif. native. 'I went to several of the exhibits featured here and I'm amazed at the technology that's in the Navy's future.'

The conference will wrap up Feb. 13 with a town hall address from the sea service leaders on what they want to see in maritime strategy.