Sen. Inhofe Looks Toward Oklahomans to Help Protect Servicemen Overseas

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) account for more than 60 percent of coalition casualties in Iraq and Iran. Senator James Inhofe is looking toward Oklahomans to help fight the loss of life IEDs are causing in the war effort. Sen. Inhofe and the Chamber are hosting the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) Technology Outreach Conference Tuesday, Aug. 30 at the Skirvin Hotel. Individual tickets are just $20 and include lunch.

“As Oklahomans, we have seen firsthand the devastation and tragedy IEDs cause for our soldiers and their families,” Sen. Inhofe said. “This has been an especially somber month for Oklahomans fighting overseas and it shows the impact of IEDs can be felt far away from the battlefield. Hopefully some ideas generated by Oklahoman ingenuity at this conference can help combat these devices.”

Members from JIEDDO will lead a discussion on the current counter-IED strategy and the need to develop future strategies and technologies to provide future counter-IED solutions. JIEDDO will also be available for one-on-one sessions starting at 3:30 p.m., for those who have an idea, technology or concept that might be of interest to the military.

Faced with the escalating use of IEDs in Iraq and Afghanistan, the office of the Army Chief of Staff established the Army IED Task Force in October 2003. In 2006, the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) was officially established with an established mission to attack and defeat the IED threat.

“This is a chance for Oklahoma entrepreneurs or anyone who might have some insight on this issue to get one-on-one face time with military officials to have their ideas heard,” Greater Oklahoma City Chamber President & CEO Roy Williams said. “They are prepared to hand out grants at this conference if they hear ideas they like.”

All local military personnel, scientists, engineers, technicians, companies and academia are invited to take part in this important conference.

For more information on the event call the Chamber at (405) 297-8900 or click on the JIEDDO Technology Conference link. For more information on JIEDDO click here.