By NAVAIR Reserve Program Public Affairs

Rear Admiral Richard J. Wallace, who recently assumed command of the Naval Air Systems Command Reserve Program (NRP), is scheduled to deliver a keynote address on Wednesday, April 20, 2005 at the military segment of Aviation Week's Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) 2005 Conference and Exhibition in Dallas, TX. As director of the Reserve Component of the Naval Air Systems Command, Wallace also serves as the deputy assistant commander, NAVAIR.

The two-day conference is also highlighted by keynote addresses by Admiral Vern Clark, Chief of Naval Operations and Lt. General Walter E. Buchanan III, Commander, 9th Air Force and U.S. Central Command Air Forces.

The conference addresses the issues of successfully and economically maintaining a diverse array of military aircraft in often hostile environments -- issues that affect military and policy planners, OEMs, suppliers and service providers in the $53 billion military MRO industry.
Specific topics addressed at this year’s event include a Military MRO industry overview and forecast, streamlining MRO with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), virtual reality MRO task validation, Air Force Combat MRO, managing aging aircraft, building maintainability into the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, helicopter maintenance, on-site laparoscopic engine maintenance, and, merging military and commercial MRO Systems and best practices.

"The demands of war has put enormous stress on military aviation, and the people who keep aircraft flying safely must be able to manage a tremendously diverse fleet mix and effectively organize the supply chain so our military efforts go forward without interruption," said Kenneth E. Gazzola, Aviation Week Executive Vice President/Publisher. "MRO Military will give both military maintenance officials and industry suppliers the insight needed to do their jobs in the most effective manner."

Produced jointly by Aviation Week and the Air Transport Association, MRO 2005 is designed to help maintenance executives in civil and military sectors identify and implement strategies to improve turn times, cut costs and increase profitability of their hangars and facilities.

The NAVAIR Reserve Program (NRP) provides qualified and diverse civilian and military experience in operational support of NAVAIR research and development, engineering, program management, logistics, and industrial capability activities. The 650 Navy Reserve officer and enlisted men and women of the NRP train constantly to respond to evolving NAVAIR missions enabling the organization to harvest tangible cost reductions for fleet recapitalization. The NRP is comprised of 32 units that operate in 14 states.

For more information on the military segment of the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) 2005 Conference and Exhibition visit: http://www.aviationnow.com/conferences/mromain_mil.htm