REDSTONE ARSENAL, Alabama -- The Rocket City, once again, became a center of strategic defense for leaders in the air, space, cyberspace and missile defense community.
With the theme of "Integrated Air, Space and Missile Defense in 2025 and Beyond," the 18th annual Space and Missile Defense Symposium was hosted at the Von Braun Center, Aug. 11-13. The symposium was presented by the Air, Space and Missile Defense Association, the National Defense Industrial Association's Tennessee Valley Chapter and the Air Defense Artillery Association.
The symposium brought together experts and leaders to share their thoughts on the role space and missile defense plays in national and international defensive strategies. The symposium is designed to encourage information exchange between government, military and industrial leaders in providing future capabilities.
One of the leaders present was U.S. Navy Adm. Cecil D. Haney, commander, U.S. Strategic Command, who came from Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, to speak on "Preparing Space, Cyberspace and Missile Defense in an Uncertain World."
In his remarks, Haney thanked those in attendance for their support of the Soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines that comprise the nation's strategic forces. He also highlighted the need for relief from sequestration and addressed multiple topics within USSTRATCOM's mission areas.
"Space and cyberspace are increasingly vital to an effective, layered missile defense," Haney said. "Assured access to space is essential, yet no longer guaranteed. Critical command and control, as well as intelligence gathering, can be threatened by adversary deployments and development in electronic warfare and cyber capabilities."
Haney also addressed the range of challenges across the spectrum of conflict.
"Around the globe, nation states continuously develop and modernize their nuclear weapon capabilities," Haney said. "Nuclear and non-nuclear nations aspire to or have demonstrated their ability to employ, not just a variety of missile capabilities, but also cyber, counterspace and other asymmetric capabilities."
Based on his personal discussions with some of "the world's best strategic thinkers," Haney laid out his recommendation for conflict de-escalation.
"We must take a whole-of-government approach using all of our instruments of power such that the adversary understands they cannot escalate their way out of a failed conflict," he said. "It will be costly to them, they will not get the benefits they seek and restraint is a better option. If deterrence fails, we must be able to provide relevant options to de-escalate the conflict in our favor."
Haney said the SMD Symposium is a great way for industry leaders to come together and plan for the future of cyber, air, space and missile defense. He encouraged those in attendance to challenge tradition by thinking outside the box and considering the full spectrum of conflict to develop innovative tactics, techniques and procedures to secure global interests and deter attacks against the U.S. and its allies. Haney also charged industry leaders to work on cybersecurity, to help develop ways to reduce production and sustainment costs and to innovate and drive our technological superiority.
He concluded his remarks by acknowledging the Warfighters, civilian employees and international partners who defend the nation and its allies against threats from across the globe.
"There is no stronger deterrent message than partnerships and international cooperation," he said.
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