Jun 20, 2017   SOURCE: BusinessWire

DoD’s Acting Acquisition Chief Addresses Importance of US-Allied Cooperation at the Military’s Preeminent Corrosion Conference in Birmingham

To combat corrosion--the pervasive menace that affects U.S. military assets worldwide--the Department of Defense Corrosion Policy and Oversight Office will strengthen its international and domestic partnerships with the military departments, several allied defense ministries, industry, and academia at the DoD-Allied Nations Technical Corrosion Conference, August 7 - 10, 2017, at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, in Birmingham, Alabama.

During the Conference keynote address, James MacStravic, who is performing the duties of the DoD Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (the nation’s chief weapon systems buyer) will explore how the prospect of solving the military’s corrosion problems depends on strong international cooperation between the U.S. and its Allies.

During Tuesday’s keynote luncheon, Corrosion Office Chief Engineer Richard Kinzie will speak about the biases manifested by government and private-sector decision-makers, who manage corrosion control at every level, and how the DoD corrosion community has vastly improved the way in which it approaches these decision-makers.

“The DoD-Allied Nations Technical Corrosion Conference is a key enabler for the corrosion prevention and sustainment community, and more than ever, it advances our global embrace of innovation, education, and outreach,” said Daniel J. Dunmire, Director of the DoD Corrosion Policy and Oversight Office.

Thursday’s workshop will feature invited speakers from the U.S. Coast Guard and U.K., Chilean, German, and Australian navies. Each will explore what goes into preserving and operating the tall, steel-hulled, sailing ships that are vital to their nation’s defense and patrimony.

U.S. Army experts on the DoD Corrosion Prevention and Control Integrated Product Team have organized a technical program featuring approximately 150 presentations. SSPC: The Coatings Society serves as the conference organizer. For more information about the conference proceedings and free training courses offered on August 6, visit www.dodcorrcon.org to download the program.

Attendees may register at dodcorrcon.org; discounted registration is available through June 30.

The DoD Corrosion Policy and Oversight Office has signed international data exchange agreements with Australia, Canada, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The Corrosion Office also develops and recommends policy guidance on corrosion prevention and control for the DoD and coordinates CPC activities throughout the armed services, among a host of other programs. Visit www.CorrDefense.org.