The Airpower Symposium (APS) has been an integral part of the Order of Daedalians annual conventions as a means of promoting airpower and the extensions of airpower as a viable force in the United States total military arsenal. The APS provides an excellent avenue for professional education and development of active duty personnel. The APS for 2009 will differ slightly from past Symposiums in that it will take place over a three day span and have as its theme, Joint Airpower Today and Tomorrow. Using the assets in the greater Seattle-Tacoma area, the APS would start with on-site orientation briefings highlighting current joint operations in the Puget Sound area, then move to a seminar setting where various views on joint operations will be examined. The theme of jointness will be carried throughout the APS with speakers at various command levels providing perspectives on joint operations, today and tomorrow.
Thursday, May 7 - Joint Operations Orientations
McChord AFB - The orientation at McChord AFB will start with an on-site briefing of the Western Air Defense Sector. WADS was an instrumental element in operations following 9-11. Due to the events of that fateful day, however, WADS went through an extensive transformation. Attendees will visit the WADS facility and be provided an opportunity to witness joint operations. In addition, tours of McChord AFB will be conducted to include aircraft static displays, base facilities, and command and control centers. Lunch included.
USCG Integrated Support Center Conduct of joint homeland security operations will be discussed. Attendees will visit one or more USCG vessels and witness a rotary wing/rescue swimmer demonstration and receive a briefing on Northwest homeland security missions and alliances (all operations permitting). Attendees will also visit an extensive Northwest Coast Guard museum and be provided lunch.
Friday, May 8 APS Seminars
Opening Seminar 1000 1045: Joint Operations, A Soldiers View A member of the Ft Lewis Air Cavalry Brigade will provide a 30 minute presentation on joint operations in Iraq/Afghanistan. The presenter will give his/her perspectives on the current status of joint operations. 15 minute Q&A.
Seminar Two 1100 1145: Joint Operations, The Naval Perspective - A member of the USN task force will provide a perspective on joint operations in the SWA area of operations. The presentation will focus on those issues concerning integration of naval assets into the ground war. 15 minute Q&A
Seminar Three 1345 1430: Joint Operations; UAV Operations Command and Control, integration with manned assets, and conduct of joint operations will be discussed. Presentation will be followed by 15 minute Q&A. (O-5/O-6 level presenter)
Dinner Presentation, Museum of Flight 1930 2000: View from Space Dr Bonnie Dunbar, five-time shuttle astronaut and CEO of the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field will do a presentation on joint operations from the NASA/civilian perspective. Future technologies and integration of space-based assets will be discussed.
Saturday, May 9 View from the Top Seminars
Saturdays seminars will be presentations from senior members of the United States military services. The order of the presentations is yet to be determined but currently these are the seminars being planned.
Seminar Four 0830 -0915: A View From the Top, the US Coast Guard This will be the first of three Saturday seminars by senior members of their respective services. This seminar, for example, will feature the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard, VADM Vivien Crea (aviator) or the local Coast Guard operational commander RADM John Currier (aviator), if available, or their senior representatives to provide a look at the challenges and future of joint operations as affecting the USCG."
Seminar Five 0930- 1015: A View from the Top, the US Army The commanding general of the Air Cavalry unit at Ft Lewis, for example, would provide an Army perspective on the future of joint operations.
Seminar Six 1030 1130: A View from the Top, the US Navy And, if possible, the Commander of a USN air wing/aircraft carrier from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station will provide the navy perspective on joint operations in the future.
APS Luncheon 1200 1330: A View from the Top, the USAF Senior member of the USAF chain of command would provide the US Air Force perspective at the closing luncheon.