Whether or not you can attend this year’s WEST conference in San Diego—and we very much hope that you can—the conference lineup demonstrates in spades the value of the Naval Institute for the Sea Services and for all those who care about the Nation’s defense. A look at the agenda supplies a primer on all the important questions facing our warfighters. The conference, cosponsored with AFCEA, will run 11-13 February 2014 at the San Diego Convention Center. The theme is “Shaping the Maritime Strategy: How Do We Make It Work?” You still have time to register at www.usni.org/events.
The timing of WEST 2014 is a perfect trifecta of strategy, resources, and policy. After months of hearing about “uncertainty” in the defense budgets, WEST promises to provide the insights and answers that many have been waiting for. A revised maritime strategy is in the late stages of development. After years without approved budgets, defense policy, and appropriations bills, Congress is acting. The administration’s budget release for 2015 is due the first week of February, and so is the Quadrennial Defense Review. Even if these slip a bit, you’ll want to know firsthand what’s happening and why.
This is a rare chance to hear Sea Service leaders together and the only opportunity on the West Coast. General Jim Amos, Admiral Bob Papp, and Admiral Mark Ferguson will appear in a “town hall” discussion. Attendees will get these insights ahead of the official rollout of the strategy and hear directly from the Sea Service leaders about what keeps them up at night.
• How have the threats and global trends changed since the last maritime strategy in 2007?
• What are the key strategic choices as they see them?
• What do they need from the strategy as we move ahead?
The situation in the Middle East still has a significant impact. Attendees will hear from Admiral Jim Stavridis, USN (Ret.) and General John Allen, USMC (Ret.) on the war in Afghanistan. How does that experience and its lessons inform our future?
Defense leaders have told us they need to know “the number.” For the first time in years, Congress will provide a Defense Appropriations Bill and Authorization (Policy) direction. We also have the Ryan-Murray budget plan that provides some relief from the sequester cuts no one ever wanted to see enacted. Deputy Secretary of Defense (Acting) Christine Fox has insights on all of this.
• How will that “relief” pan out?
• Will Defense be able to protect near-term readiness?
• Can Defense provide long-term, stable procurement targets?
Industry leaders have told us they need those targets to support their important defense customers effectively and affordably. We will hear from Mike Petters (CEO, Huntington Ingalls) Ellen Lord (CEO, Textron), and Joe Napoliello (VP Strategy and Business Development, Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training).
• How is industry faring in this environment?
• What do they need from a strategy?
• What does it take to ensure the defense industrial base not only survives, but also thrives?
WEST presentations and exhibits reflect the shift in strategic emphasis, featuring more of the operational pieces of the puzzle, more of the bigger platforms, and how the network knits them together.
Acknowledging the renewed emphasis on “high end” warfare, we will also hear from the operators who have to make it happen: the “Magicians” of HSM-35—the Navy’s first operational squadron with both manned and unmanned aircraft assigned, the Sailors who man both classes of the Littoral Combat Ship, and the operators—officers and enlisted—from the guided-missile destroyer Benfold on what they are doing to get more out of their ship and crew. The Missile Defense Agency will exhibit on their vital contributions to ballistic-missile defense. You’ll be able to talk to the test pilots who put the Joint Strike Fighter through its paces, the Marines flying it in the first operational Marine squadron, and the first Navy Fleet Replacement Squadron equipped with it.
You’ll hear from each of the key Navy warfare communities about how they are regaining their edge in the “high end” war fight. How is all this working at the operational level? WEST will feature both the Pacific Fleet Commander and the U.S. Fleet Forces Commander and all lead Type Commanders. They are joined by General John Toolan, USMC (I MEF) and Vice Admiral Kenny Floyd who commands 3rd Fleet. They are the ones who have to provide ready forces day after day to support all the missions contained in the strategy.
• Can they keep meeting the commitments?
• How are longer deployments affecting our people?
• Can we keep the forces of today ready?
When you consider whether you can afford to attend and participate in WEST, the real question is whether you can afford to miss it!
The Institute will host an evening Members’ Event at the Ultimate Skybox in downtown San Diego on 12 February. You may register at www.usni.org/memberevent. We look forward to seeing you, hearing what’s on your mind, and enjoying a good conversation in a wonderful setting. We want to see you there!