The Department of Defense 2003 Maintenance Symposium and Exhibition is scheduled for Oct. 27 - 30 at the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, Pa.  The event is hosted by the deputy under secretary of defense for logistics and materiel readiness in conjunction with the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International.

 

     With the theme “Maintenance - Keystone of Mission Readiness,” the symposium will focus on the maintenance implications of the department’s recent military operations.  Attendees will also discuss emerging maintenance strategies, discover new maintenance techniques and tools, observe the latest in maintenance technology developments and share ideas with maintainers and managers representing the full range of maintenance operations within the military, government and industry.  The symposium will showcase an outstanding slate of senior level speakers from government and industry, a wide range of panels and breakout sessions, more than 160 exhibits and the annual Secretary of Defense Maintenance Award ceremony honoring the best field-level maintenance units in the world.

 

     “We’re keeping weapon systems going well beyond their predicted lives and with performance and mission success that many view as impossible to achieve but most have come to expect,” said Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Maintenance Policy, Programs and Resources Robert T. Mason.  “Our 700,000 maintainers are highly motivated and capable individuals who essentially turn logistics resources into readiness and combat power.  They’ve shown tremendous capability and flexibility during Operation Iraqi Freedom as well as the other operational theaters around the globe.  The challenges they face will continue as long as they remain deployed in support of our national interests.”

 

     Information about the DoD Maintenance Symposium and Exhibition, including registration procedures, is available online at http://www.sae.org/dod.  For further assistance, you may contact the symposium coordinator Chuck Field at (703)697‑9067 or chuck.field@osd.mil.