The Department of Defense 2004 Maintenance Symposium and Exhibition is scheduled for Oct. 25-28, in Houston, Texas.  The event is hosted by David V. Pauling, assistant deputy under secretary for defense for maintenance policy, programs and resources in conjunction with the Society of Automotive Engineers International.

           This year’s theme is “High-Performance Maintenance:  Lean, Agile, Focused, Responsive” and will focus on maintenance processes that produce the type of maintenance needed to meet today’s global military challenges.  Senior officials from government and industry will speak and a slate of maintenance experts will lead a wide range of panels and technical sessions.

          The symposium will also feature more than 160 exhibitors and a wide range of unique military and industry displays. 

         A highlight of the symposium is the Secretary of Defense Maintenance Awards Banquet, when the “best of the best” maintenance unit is announced and presented the Phoenix Trophy. 

        “Our global military challenges demand a leaner, more agile type of maintenance than we’ve practiced in the past,” said Pauling.  “We are constantly exploring ways to be more responsive to the warfighter.  This symposium is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to bring together people from across the defense community to share ideas, knowledge, and strategies to transform maintenance into exactly the focused and responsive organization the warfighter of today and tomorrow needs.”

          Information about the symposium, including registration procedures, is available online at www.sae.org/dod .  For further information, contact the symposium coordinator, Chuck Field, at (703) 697-9067 or chuck.field@osd.mil .