LETTER FROM THE
PRESIDENT
The
8th International Symposium on Technology and the Mine Problem is 6-8
May 2008 and provides an outstanding opportunity to join with other
military and industry personnel who are concerned with the mine threat
and our ability to cope with it. The scope of this symposium has
grown over the years, so that it now includes threats to port and river
infrastructure. Additionally, we will offer a unique opportunity
for attendees to participate in workshops at the end of the symposium
plenary and parallel sessions. These three workshop opportunities
are expressly intended to provide expert attendee input to satisfy a
senior operational commander’s statement of need. More information
is available on page 3 of the
February 2008 Minelines newsletter and at the 8th Symposium website
www.8thsymposium.com.
The Congressional Naval Mine Warfare Caucus (CNMWC)
reception was held at the U. S. House of Representatives Office Building
on January 28, 2008. Along with a number of MINWARA corporate
members, Congressman Alan Boyd (D-FL) hosted the reception for
Congressional members of the CNMWC. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer
(D-CA) attended and offered a few minutes of comments in support of mine
warfare programs. Additionally, Congressman Boyd agreed to
re-institute the CNMWC Senior Advisory Group, which consists of a number
of mine warfare community leaders. This group would be used to
provide the CNMWC members with an annual agenda of mine warfare
objectives for the Congress.
I’m pleased to inform our membership that the National
Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) is sponsoring/conducting a study
on Methods and Techniques for the Defeat of Underwater Improvised
Explosive Devices (U-IED) in Port and Harbor Environments. The
study will be conducted in three phases: Assessment of Current
Capability, Exploration of Alternative Applications of Technology, and
Conclusions and Recommendations. The study is scheduled for
completion in mid- to late 2008. Many of the participants are from the
MINWARA membership.
MINWARA is still investigating the production of a mine
warfare documentary for presentation on the History Channel and similar
documentary media outlets. The intent, in pursuing this
enterprise, is to convince the Congress and the American public of the
critical need for effective mine warfare capability and the potential
impact of failing to do so.
Hope to see you in Monterey in May!
Paul Ryan
Rear Admiral, USN (Ret)
President
|
