Major Marine Military Equipment Expo Set for February 1 - 2 at Camp Pendleton, CA

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 11, 2012 -- The 2012 edition of Marine West, one of the nation's most comprehensive military equipment expositions of the year, will be held at Camp Pendleton, CA, during February 1 - 2.

Companies from around the world will showcase weapons, equipment and systems designed to enhance the amphibious and expeditionary warfighting capabilities of America's Marines in carrying out their "First to Fight" role. Marine West provides Marines and other U.S. and allied military personnel with opportunities to interface with leading U.S. and international defense industry professionals. The event will include displays and videos of the best military hardware produced anywhere in the world, with opportunities for "hands-on" examination of many of the items being presented.

This year's edition of Marine West comes at a time when the U.S. Armed Forces are in the midst of reviewing their equipment needs after years of sustained combat operations in Southwest Asia and exceptionally high training and operational tempos around the world. The event allows end-users of combat equipment to look to the future and incorporate what they see and hear into their considerations in the critical equipment reset strategy now underway.
Attendees will be able to discuss with company representatives what their specific requirements are, offer suggestions for future generations of weapons and equipment, and explore the most cost-effective avenues toward modernization. Marine West has added a new dimension to the relationship between the defense industry and thousands of warfighters just back from combat as well as those training for combat and those responsible for re-equipping of the 21st Century Corps.

In addition to equipment and weapons, logistics support systems, and communications systems, other displays will highlight items used in special operations and a growing number of other diverse military roles, including chemical and biological agent detection, facility and perimeter surveillance, and reconnaissance, among others.

Co-sponsors of Marine West 2012 are Camp Pendleton, the Marine Corps League and Marine Corps Systems Command. Camp Pendleton is one of the Marine Corps' largest and most important training bases. The Marine Corps League is a Congressionally chartered Marine veterans' organization long noted for its support of the Corps. The Marine Corps Systems Command has overall responsibility for assuring that Marines have cutting-edge equipment and technology specifically designed for, or adapted to, the Corps' wide spectrum of intense performance demands for combat operations. The event is endorsed by the Marine Corps Aviation Association and Marine Corps Association.

All attendees will be required to present photo identification. Vehicles entering Camp Pendleton may be subjected to inspection. Registration will be on-site; however, Marines in uniform will not be required to register. There is no fee to attend the event.

The exhibit area for Marine West 2012 will be adjacent to Camp Pendleton's South Mesa Club. On Wednesday, February 1st, the first day of the expo, a Commanders' Preview will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. All other attendees are invited to attend the opening ceremony from 9:45 a.m. until
10:00 a.m. and visit the equipment displays from 10:00 a.m.
until 3:00 p.m.

On Thursday, February 2nd, the exposition will be open from
9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
   
The Marine West 2012 Schedule:
       
Tuesday, January 31 - Marine West 2012 Golf Tournament

Wednesday, February 1 (registration open 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)
8:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. Commander's Preview
9:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Opening Ceremony
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Exhibit Area Open
6:00 p.m. Marine West Dinner
   
Thursday, February 2 (registration open 8:30 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.)
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Exhibit Area Open
    
Further information on Marine West 2012 is available from Mr. Charlie Baisley at (703) 812-2741 or charles.baisley@nielsen.com and online at http://www.marinemilitaryexpos.com

Information on the golf tournament being held in conjunction with Marine West is also available on the Marine Military Expos website. The tournament supports The Young Marines of the Marine Corps League and the U.S. Marines' Youth Foundation. It will be co-hosted by retired Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps H. G. Overstreet and actor R. Lee Ermey, who is well known for his role as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Stanley Kubrick's film, Full Metal Jacket, and as host of the History Channel's hit show, Mail Call.

To cover the expo, media should contact Carl White:
carlwhite@expomediaservices.com