LONDON - A member of U.S. Army RDECOM's Forward Element Command, Atlantic, International Technology Center, was honored by the U.S. ambassador to France May 6

Ambassador Charles H. Rivkin presented Vijay Acharya a meritorious honor award for his performance in providing critical coordination in support of the 2010 EUROSATORY International Land, Air-land, and Homeland Defense Exhibition in Paris.

EUROSATORY is a premier international venue showcasing new defense- and security-related technologies. It brings together key international military decision makers, acquisition professionals and industry representatives. More than 50,000 professionals, including 126 official delegations and more than 7,000 representatives of armed forces and security forces of 108 countries, visited international exhibitors at Paris-Nord Villepinte during the four-day EUROSATORY expo.

Acharya assisted the embassy's Office of Defense Cooperation by coordinating extensive agendas for the U.S. Army delegation that included Brig. Gen. Harold Greene, deputy commanding general, RDECOM, and Lt. Gen. Michael Vane, director, Army Capabilities Integration Center. Acharya organized several meetings with officers from the Direction GAfAnAfArale de l'Armement, the French military acquisition agency, French Ministry of Defence leaders and countless industry representatives who showcased technologies, including combat vehicles, armor, unmanned vehicles, and munitions.

In addition to the expo, the U.S. delegation participated in a series of meetings with the French Ministry of Defense to discuss technology, acquisition and cooperative topics, and attended meetings with French companies specifically focused on technologies of interest to the U.S. Army.

"Mr. Acharya's involvement highlights an often unsung, but important role of RDECOM International Technology Centers on the world stage -- establishing critical relationships that foster the direct exchange of dialogue between U.S. Army representatives and foreign military and industrial experts," said Lt. Col. Robert Willis, commander of the International Technology Center - France.

"This enhances our overall Theater Security Cooperation and ultimately provides more options for consideration in the efficient acquisition of the right material and equipment for our Soldiers," he added.