NAS PATUXENT RIVER, MD -- More than 200 warfighters, Pentagon officials, NAVAIR leaders, and industry representatives recently convened at the J.T. Daugherty Center. Their purpose was to specifically focus on discussing how to better support the warfighter.

“One of my key goals at this conference is to have an open exchange between NAWCAD and its warfighting customers,” said Rear Adm. Donald Gaddis, NAWCAD commander.

During the two-day conference, various NAWCAD leaders presented information on the NAWCAD capabilities, current initiatives and specific projects.

As Vice Adm. David Architzel, NAVAIR commander opened the conference, he established two key points. First, NAWCAD is superior in its mission of aircraft Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, and acquisition support. Second, the NAWCAD resources of people, facilities, ranges and processes offer solutions to the warfighter.

During his remarks, Gaddis said that while most of the Aircraft Division’s workload supports Naval Aviation Programs, there is a very important part of the work that directly supports the warfighter in the field. He urged the NAWCAD workforce to focus on accelerating solutions to the battlefield, in support of the joint warfighter.

Both Architzel and Gaddis encouraged networking during the conference as a means to facilitate solutions to current challenges facing our joint warfighters.

John Chilton, senior director for the Operations Integration Group in the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy, addressed Irregular Warfare. He discussed the historical outcomes of Irregular Warfare within the Navy and Marine Corps which has made the importance of its effectiveness a clear priority.

“The professional team under Rear Adm. Gaddis at the NAWCAD understands rapid response and is making a difference for the warfighter on the ground,” said Chilton.

James O’Connell, director of the Joint Irregular Warfare Center, recognized irregular warfare as being a persistent form of conflict in the future and summarized fourteen specific focus areas to address this challenge.

A panel discussion on current in-theater requirements and possible approaches to satisfying those followed the presentations.

The panel consisted of Cmdr. Alex MacKenzie, commanding officer, Naval Special Warfare Support Activity TWO; Cmdr. David Harris, Innovation Branch chief, National Maritime Intelligence Center; Lt. Col Charles VadenBossche, from the Air Force’s Irregular Warfare Operations Support Division; Rear Adm. Michael Manazir, head of Naval Aviation Programs on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations and acting OPNAV N88; and Col. John Torres, commanding officer, Marine Aviation Detachment. Dave Parsons, managing director of NAVAIR’s Warfighter Innovation Cell, moderated the panel discussion.

- 30 -

Cutline:
Dave Parsons (center), managing director of NAVAIR’s Warfighter Innovation Cell, moderates a discussion on current in-theater requirements and possible approaches to satisfying those requirements.