In May 2019, PAC personnel had the opportunity to meet in Washington, DC for the Sea, Air, & Space Exposition hosted by the Navy League. Sea-Air-Space is one of the largest maritime conferences in the US, bringing together high-level military decision makers and innovative defense companies, as well as the press and general public. Keynote speakers included subject matter experts from the United States Navy, US Marine Corps, and the US Coast Guard, speaking on topics such as space, the future of aviation, and cyber security.

Sea-Air-Space also featured an expansive exhibit floor, with companies such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, General Dynamics, and others displaying their latest systems and technological advancements. We were able to connect with organizations such as Team Defence Australia, an excellent value-add considering PAC’s presence in Australia.

The content of the meetings and symposiums was fairly broad and high-level, allowing us a greater appreciation of the larger picture in terms of the US Navy’s priorities and strategy. Of note was the International Naval Leadership panel, held on the first day of the expo. The panel was chaired by RDML Francis Morley and featured heads of Navies from Australia, Germany, and Romania. The Sea-Air-Space expo attracts a large cadre of press and media, and they came prepared with insightful questions regarding budgeting priorities, readiness, and training.

This was our first year attending the Sea-Air-Space expo, but it won’t be the last. We found the event to be highly engaging and insightful, and are already looking forward to attending next year.

Author: Amanda Wose