Thomas G. Mahnken from John Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies will be a panelist at the first Patuxent Summer Institute at St. Mary’s College of Maryland June 5-7. Mahnken is a military analyst and taught at the U.S. Naval War College.

The American response to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and the War in Iraq presented the U.S. Navy with new challenges in nation-building, strengthening democracy, and homeland security. As military experts begin to radically reshape the armed forces, what is the 21st century U.S. Navy going to look like?

The inaugural Patuxent Summer Institute spotlights cutting-edge ideas and analysis from leading academics, highly ranked military officers, key government employees, and important contractors. The Future Roles of the U.S. Navy is a three-day conference coordinated by the College’s Center for the Study of Democracy and the Center for Strategic Planning, a division of The Patuxent Partnership. It will be held from June 5-7, 2006 at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

“We are pleased that our collaboration with The Patuxent Partnership has produced the inaugural Patuxent Summer Institute,” said Maggie O’Brien, president of St. Mary’s College. “It is critical that liberal arts colleges create a dialogue to share ideas and opinions with the community. This is particularly true because of the importance of the Naval Air Station Patuxent River in St. Mary’s County, the Naval Academy in Annapolis, and the changing national security environment.

”St. Mary’s College is located less than five miles from the NASPR,  which is the Navy’s principal research, development, test, evaluation, engineering and fleet support activity for naval aircraft, engines, avionics, aircraft support systems and ship/shore/air operations. The facility has one of the largest airfields on the east coast and is home to Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). In addition, the nearby Webster Field Annex hosts unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations.

The Institute will host expert panelists from across the world who will speak on topics which include the role of the Navy in a post-Iraq/Global War on Terror world, the Navy’s changing  missions and capabilities, and the state of military procurement. Please see the end of this release for a full list of panelists.

“The Patuxent Summer Institute will provide participants an unprecedented opportunity to actively consider matters of national interest,” said Don McErlean, president and CEO of the Center for Strategic Analysis. “The Navy / Marine Corps team leads humanitarian responses, evacuates citizens from danger, enforces the “Freedom of the Seas”, protects our mercantile interests, hunts for pirates, and is a visible arm of the president’s foreign policy.  Do these roles continue into the 21st century and beyond?”

The Patuxent Summer Institute is open to the public with a registration fee of $150 for members of The Patuxent Partnership and $275 for non-members.  Registration fees cover all receptions and meals during the three days, accommodations if needed, and an evening cruise on the St. Mary’s River.  Registration, sponsorship opportunities, and the full schedule are available at www.paxriver.org. 
Panel 1: The U.S. Navy in a Post-Iraq, GWOT World

  • RADM Timothy Heely, Patuxe