2011 Sea-Air-Space Exposition
Draws More Than 11,500 Attendees
With the threatened federal government shutdown having been averted at the 11th hour, the Navy
League’s 2011 Sea-Air-Space Exposition went on as
scheduled and largely to plan, drawing more than
11,500 attendees April 11-13 at the Gaylord National
Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor, Md.
Navy League and sea service officials cut the ribbon
on the 46th annual event April 11, officially opening
the world’s largest maritime exhibition. Navy League
National President Daniel B. Branch Jr. and Sea-Air-Space Chairman Lee Gurke welcomed attendees to the
three-day exposition, which was hosted by the Navy
League’s National Capital Council.
“I think we have a phenomenal show,” Branch said.
They were joined for the opening ceremony by
Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, vice chief of naval operations; Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., assistant commandant of the Marine Corps; Coast Guard Vice Adm.
Robert C. Parker, commander, Atlantic Area, and commander, Defense Force East; and Maritime Administrator David T. Matsuda; along with a multiservice
color guard and the U.S. Marine Corps Band.
One scheduling conflict did impact the Sea Service
Chiefs’ Panel that traditionally leads off the exposition,
but it was unrelated to the fiscal 2011 budget haggling.
Chief of Naval Operations Gary Roughead, Marine
Corps Commandant Gen. James F. Amos and Coast
Guard Commandant Robert J. Papp Jr. were unable to
attend because they were taking part in the retirement
ceremony for Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W.
Casey Jr. Their spots on the panel were taken by
Greenert, Dunford and Parker, who joined Matsuda
and retired Navy Vice Adm. Phillip M. Balisle, who
served as moderator.
With its theme, “Internationally Engaged —
Ensuring Freedom of the Seas,” Sea-Air-Space featured
five professional development seminars and a number
of briefings and special presentations focusing on such
topics as international security, foreign military sales,
the future of ship construction, energy opportunities,
the naval aviation centennial and the ongoing uncertainty over future military budgets.
More than 150 exhibitors showcased the latest military hardware and technologies at the expo and a
Maritime Energy Pavilion featured energy and environmental advancements.
JONATHAN ERNST
From the left, Sea-Air-Space Chairman Lee Gurke, Navy
Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, Maritime Administrator David T.
Matsuda, Coast Guard Vice Adm. Robert C. Parker, Marine
Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. and Navy League
National President Daniel B. Branch Jr. cut the ribbon at the
2011 Sea-Air-Space Exposition April 11 at Gaylord National
Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor, Md.
LISA NIPP
From the left, Sgt. Johnny Jones, a member of the Marine
Corps Wounded Warrior Regiment, and Sgt. Maj. John
Ploskonka Jr. talk with former Navy Secretary Gordon
England and Navy League Executive Director Dale A.
Lumme during the first Sea-Air-Space Salute to wounded
warriors at Gaylord’s Potomac River dock April 10.
Also participating in other Sea-Air-Space events
were Dunford, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and Sean J.
Stackley, assistant secretary of the Navy for Research,
Development and Acquisition, who addressed capacity
luncheon audiences over the three days.
For the first time at Sea-Air-Space, the Navy League’s
Legislative Affairs office held a Congressional Breakfast
April 13 with Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., as the guest of
