Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff and Commander International Security Assistance Force Afghanistan Keynote Joint Warfighting Conference

Virginia Beach, VA Conference Focuses on Future of U.S. Military

FAIRFAX, Va., May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The largest defense conference and exposition in the Hampton Roads region returns to the Virginia Beach Convention Center, May 15-17, 2012. The Joint Warfighting Conference is co-sponsored by AFCEA International and the U.S. Naval Institute, with support from the NDIA Greater Hampton Roads Chapter and the AFCEA Hampton Roads and Tidewater Chapters. The event is open to the public and admission is free. Tickets are required for luncheons.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120514/DC06528)

The conference, which is expected to draw over 5000 attendees, will cover important issues facing the military. Senior military and government leaders and defense industry experts will address the theme "Joint Forces' Inflection Point: What to Hold and What to Fold?" Featured speakers include:

• GEN Martin E. Dempsey, USA, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
• Gen John R. Allen, USMC, Commander, International Security Assistance Force – Afghanistan and Commander, U.S. Forces Afghanistan
• Gen James Cartwright, USMC (Ret.), former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and The Inaugural Harold Brown Chair in Defense Policy Studies, Center for Strategic and International Studies
• Mr. Michael Jones, Chief Technology Advocate, Google Ventures

Keynote Discussion: "Joint & Coalition Operations: What's the Way Ahead?"

• Moderator: LTG John R. Wood, USA (Ret.) former Deputy Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command
• RADM Philip S. Davidson, USN, Director, Operations and Intelligence (N3/N2) & Deputy Commander, Task Force TWO ZERO
• Lt Gen George J. Flynn, USMC, Director, J-7, The Joint Staff
• VAdm C.A. Johnstone-Burt, OBE MA, RN, Chief of Staff, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Allied Command Transformation
• LTG Keith C. Walker, USA, Deputy Commanding General, Futures, Army Capabilities Integration Center, TRADOC

Luncheon Keynote Discussion: "Air-Sea Battle: What Should It Be?"

• Moderator: Lt Col Frank Hoffman (Ret.), former Senior Director, Naval Capabilities and Readiness, Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy and Director, NDU Press, National Defense University
• Lt Gen David Deptula, USAF (Ret.), former Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, U.S. Air Force
• ADM Mark P. Fitzgerald, USN (Ret.), former Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, U.S. Naval Forces Africa and Allied Joint Force Command Naples

The conference theme and panel session topics are based on input from operating forces. Five panel sessions will provide attendees with opportunities to question experts about the latest policy and technology issues:

• Profession of Arms: How Do the Services Meet Tomorrow's Expectations & New Challenges?
• Young Warfighters: What Lessons Are Worth Keeping & How Do We Keep Our Fighting Edge?
• Manned and Unmanned Systems: What Is the Right Mix?
• Cyber Warfare: Are We Really Taking a Joint Approach?
• Equipping the Force for the New Strategy: Reconstitution vs. New Acquisition

In addition, Engagement Theater presentations on the exhibit floor will give local Commands the opportunity to brief attendees on the topics of their choice. 

Complementing the conference is an exhibition floor with 150 information technology and defense exhibitors showcasing hundreds of technologies and solutions including: Communication Systems, Electronic Warfare Equipment, Information Systems Security, Intelligence Gathering Systems, Satellite Communications, Weapons Systems and much more.

The Joint Warfighting Conference will also host the Department of the Navy IT East Coast Conference, May 15-17; and the NetWars Computer and Network Security Challenge, May 16-17; and the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Financial Seminars, May 16.

The Joint Warfighting Conference is open to the public and admission is free. Tickets are required for meals and separate registration is required for NetWars. On-site registration is available beginning Monday, May 14. For details and a complete schedule of events please visit www.jointwarfighting.org.

AFCEA International, established in 1946, is a non-profit membership association serving the military, government, industry, and academia as an ethical forum for advancing professional knowledge and relationships in the fields of communications, IT, intelligence, and global security. For more information, please visit www.afcea.org.

Founded in 1873, the U.S. Naval Institute is the independent forum for those who dare to read, think, speak, and write in order to advance the professional, literary, and scientific understanding of sea power and other issues critical to national defense. Your membership ensures that the Naval Institute carries on its vital mission as The Independent Forum of the Sea Services – a place where free and independent debate may flourish.  

SOURCE AFCEA International