{"id":42486,"date":"2017-09-27T14:51:49","date_gmt":"2017-09-27T14:51:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2017\/09\/27\/mattis-call-for-closer-ties-welcomed-by-industry-commentary\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T23:28:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T23:28:51","slug":"mattis-call-for-closer-ties-welcomed-by-industry-commentary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/industry\/2017\/09\/27\/mattis-call-for-closer-ties-welcomed-by-industry-commentary\/","title":{"rendered":"Mattis’ call for closer ties welcomed by industry [Commentary]"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

America\u2019s aerospace and defense industry enthusiastically welcomes U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis\u2019 call for closer ties between the Department of Defense and industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI think that the most important thing is that we open the lines of communication in a way that consider industry, American industry and allied industry where it’s appropriate, as partners in this effort,\u201d Mattis told this year\u2019s Air Force Association Annual National Convention. \u201cI think the most important thing is to get the communication going again … in the areas where it’s languished.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We couldn\u2019t have said it any better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Aerospace Industries Association has held CEO-level gatherings with the secretary of defense dating back to Secretary Robert Gates in 2008. We also have regular meetings with the undersecretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics as well as senior service acquisition leaders. But those conversations only scratch the surface of what we can do with a deeper, more positive relationship with our prime customer at all levels of the acquisition system.<\/p>\n\n\n\t