LandWarNet keynotes to highlight IT needs for joint operations

With a mission that includes Oconus contingency operations, maintaining NATO and other coalition partnerships, and conducting joint and combined operations, the United States Army Europe and Seventh Army (USAREUR) is strategically placed to take full advantage of next-generation communications and data-sharing capabilities being developed by the Army.

Employing those tools is expected to be the focus of the opening-day keynote address at the 2009 LandWarNet conference, which will be presented by Gen. Carter Ham, commanding general of USAREUR. The speech will take place at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 18.

Ham is one of three four-star generals scheduled to take part in LandWarNet. The others include: Gen. James Mattis, the Marine Corps officer who is NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Transformation Commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command; and Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli. Due to his position at Joint Forces Command, Mattis, in particular, is expected to build upon Ham’s remarks related to joint operations with NATO and coalition partners.

Mattis will speak at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 19; and Chiarelli will provide a conference-concluding speech at an 11:30 a.m. keynote awards luncheon Aug. 20.

Interspersed throughout the conference will be a number of other general officer presentations. Scheduled to speak are: Army CIO/G6 Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Sorenson; Major Gen. Susan Lawrence, commanding general, 9th Signal Command (Army); Major Gen. Randolph Strong, commanding general, U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Life Cycle Management Command; and Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Foley, commanding general, U.S. Army Signal Center and Fort Gordon.