General Cartwright joins growing list of Symposium speakers

  • Published
  • By Chuck Paone
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  The vice chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has now joined a growing list of high-level speakers scheduled to address the Air Force Cyberspace Symposium II set for June 17 to 19 at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center in Marlborough, Mass.

U.S. Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright will address the symposium over lunch on June 19, where he is expected to bring a top-level Defense Department perspective to the proceedings.

As the then newly appointed commander of U.S. Strategic Command, the general addressed the C4ISR Summit hosted by Electronic Systems Center in October 2004. There he discussed the need for network-centric information systems that would enable more rapid decision making.

During his tenure as STRATCOM commander, General Cartwright became quite familiar with ESC, said Bruce Hevey, director of the 653rd Electronic Systems Wing and lead government coordinator for the symposium. Mr. Hevey noted that the center worked to provide the general with streamlined acquisition solutions to many of his top challenges. 

"General Cartwright brings his own unique experience as the former commander of the U.S. combatant command primarily responsible for global vigilance and response," Mr. Hevey said. "Beyond that, he can offer us a great DoD leadership perspective with a truly joint flavor."

This year, the general will be joining Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne and a number of other key Air Force leaders in addressing the emerging cyber challenges facing the nation. The theme for the symposium, co-sponsored by Electronic Systems Center, Air Force Cyberspace Command (Provisional) and the Air Force Association's Paul Revere Chapter, is "Equipping the Cyber Warrior to Fight in Cyberspace."

In addition to General Cartwright and Secretary Wynne, the symposium will feature ESC Commander Lt. Gen. Ted F. Bowlds, Defense Information Systems Agency Director Lt. Gen. Charles E. Croom Jr., 8th Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Robert J. Elder, Air Force Cyberspace Command (Provisional) Commander Maj. Gen. William T. Lord and Air Force Research Laboratory Commander Maj. Gen. Curtis M. Bedke.

This is the second cooperative symposium to focus on the Air Force's efforts to develop offensive and defensive cyberspace capabilities. The first, hosted by the provisional Cyberspace Command, headquartered at Eighth Air Force, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., was held in November.

To register for the symposium, visit the AFA chapter's Web site: www.paulrevereafa.org. Cost for the symposium is $330 for both government and industry. Booth space registration for the symposium's technology exposition is also available on-line at the chapter's Web site, as well as sponsorship opportunities and registration for a June 17 golf tournament held in conjunction with the event.

The entire Royal Plaza facility, including its 430 guest rooms, has been reserved for the symposium. Rooms are available for $104 plus taxes per night, which falls within the government per diem rate. Reservations can be made by calling the Royal Plaza at (508) 460-0700, and referencing "AFA Paul Revere." Information on a number of other hotels located nearby is also available on the AFA Web site.