Deputy Director Wolfowitz to Address 2003 Department of Defense Maintenance Symposium

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2003 -- The Honorable Paul D. Wolfowitz, Deputy Secretary of Defense, will deliver a keynote presentation on Tuesday, October 28th, as part of the 2003 Department of Defense Maintenance Symposium.

The symposium will be held October 27-30 at the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. The event is hosted by the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Logistics and Material Readiness in conjunction with the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE International).

The symposium's timely theme, "Maintenance - Keystone of Mission Readiness", will focus on maintenance strategies and practices with respect to recent military operations. Sessions will examine both military and commercial maintenance/logistics technologies and will share successful perspectives from field operations.

The exhibition will showcase over 130 military maintenance-related companies, Military Service Commands, and Department of Defense Depots. Overall, the program is expected to attract over 1200 participants from government, industry, academia, and Military Services.

Also participating in the program will be representatives of the six military equipment and weapon systems maintenance organizations selected as 2003 Defense Maintenance Award Winners. Of these units, one will receive the Department of Defense's prestigious Phoenix Trophy, recognizing the "best of the best". The announcement will be made at the program banquet on Wednesday, October 29th. Additional information regarding the awards is available on-line at www.defenselink.mil/releases/2003/nr20030910-0435.html .

"Our 700,000 maintainers are highly motivated and capable individuals who essentially turn logistics resources into readiness and combat power," stated Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Maintenance Policy, Programs and Resources, Robert T. Mason. "They've shown tremendous capability and flexibility during Operation Iraqi Freedom as well as the other operational theaters around the globe."

Information pertaining to the Symposium including program highlights, featured speakers, exhibition participants and event registration is available on-line at http://www.sae.org/dod , or by contacting the symposium coordinator, Chuck Field at (703) 697-9067.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Accredited journalists are welcome to attend the exhibition and symposium sessions, free of charge. This program offers information to both technical journalists as well as interesting perspectives for the public media, at large. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Media inquiries and requests may be referred to Mark Burd, SAE Public Relations, 1-800-441-2919 or mburd@sae.org .