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The increase of information sharing between agencies is by far the greatest tool the U.S. has to support homeland security and aid in homeland defense.

Adm. John Harvey, USN, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, opened Tuesday's Joint Warfighting Conference lunch presentation by proposing that while fear is new, the public's view of reality can change in an instant. He made this point to emphasize that talking about what warfighters will need in five years is impossible to predict. What is possible, however, remains the work to ensure that the military, government and industry does not create tools and processes that are fundamentally wrong.

A multinational panel comprising warfighters who have served at least one term in the Middle East spoke about challenges with a candidness not often heard in discussions about today's conflicts. While the topics of the Joint Warfighting Conference generally focus on technology and intelligence, these troops spoke about culture, language, information sharing and the training of local troops.

Security is the lifeblood of Defense Department operations, and the department is making strides to improve connectivity and to keep pace with technology. But can such a far-reaching organization relax its protocol even slightly and still trust that rules will be followed? Will the people involved buy in to the new culture and make it work? Tell us your thoughts, give us your suggestions.

Ernest Reith, deputy director of the InnoVision department, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, has been named to joint duty status as associate executive assistant director o

Rear Adm. Charles W. Martoglio, USN, has been nominated for assignment as chief of staff, U.S. European Command, Germany.

Thales Communications Incorporated, Clarksburg, Maryland, has appointed Michael Sheehan as chief executive officer and president.

Thomas L. Allen has been assigned as deputy director for force management, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.