CALIFORNIA, Md. (January 18, 2012)—Congressman Steny Hoyer (Democrat) and Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta will visit Naval Air Station Patuxent River on Friday, January 20. According to Hoyer's office, Hoyer extended the invitation to Panetta. As part of the visit, the entourage will tour the facilities and explore the capabilities of Pax River and its role in supporting future weapons systems and providing direct support to troops engaged in war today.
This will be Secretary Panetta's first visit to Pax River since taking office on July 1, 2011, and the first ever visit to Pax River by a Secretary of Defense.
Joining Secretary Panetta will be Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, the Honorable Frank Kendall, and other Defense officials who will learn more about the capabilities at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, the Headquarters for the Naval Air Systems Command.