“Sharpening The Sword” characterizes the United States Air Force’s third annual Air Armament Summit to shape the future of armament development for our fighting air forces.

Senior military and civilian leadership met for three days at the beautiful Sandestin Hilton hotel in Destin Florida to develop the long-range roadmap for armament development.  Approximately 450 attendees representing the military, industry, and academia participated in panels focusing on planning, acquisition strategy, science and technology, infrastructure, funding resources, innovative industry practices and the global environment.

The summit’s was hosted by the Air Armament Center of Eglin Air Force Base Florida commanded by Major General Michael Kostelnik, whose organizational mantra is “Delivering The Sword”.  

The summit was honored by several distinguished leaders including Florida Governor Jeb Bush who highlighted the importance of the military presence to the state during a black-tie dinner.  “There are 21 active bases in the state, 80,000 active-duty personnel, and 35,000 civil service.  Add that with defense contractors, who add $7 billion into our economy.”    Incidentally, SSgt selectees Marcie Lambert and Jaime Rouse sang a spine-tingling and heart-pumping rendition of the Star Spangled Banner whose soft passion put a lump in the throat of most of us.  They could have sold war bonds in the lobby afterwards.

The Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Richard B. Meyers, provided the joint perspective and the Commander of Air Combat Command, General John P. Jumper shared his strategy of “Kicking The Door Down” at an earlier luncheon presentation. 

One of the summit’s key objectives was to support efficiency by dovetailing aircraft development with munitions and sub-systems development. The sharing of the vision and the collaboration ensured that a common vision continues to sharpen the sword.

One notable observation - the Summit shared the Hilton with a large group of young Spring break revelers.  It was a study of contrasts to see youths attired in sandals and swimming attire moving through the lobbies and hallways on their way to the beach and past the congregations of senior officers.  I saw expressions of awe and wonderment while some of them paused to study a display or ask an officer what it was all about.  Many of these officers and enlisted people took time to explain what was going on and what they were doing.  It occurred to me that part of the roadmap for our future was in fact being honed ever so carefully, the smartest instruments of national policy of all, the minds of our nation’s future.

 Ó 2001 Scott Jackson