Conference focuses on military challenges FAIRFAX, Va., Jan. 6 (UPI) -- U.S. defense spending, cyberwarfare and China's military buildup take center stage this month when military and industry experts meet in California. The venue is West 2012, the largest defense and information technology conference and exhibition on the U.S. West Coast sponsored by the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association and the U.S. Naval Institute. The theme is "America's Military at the Crossroads: What's Out and What's In for 2012 and Beyond?" Among the scheduled speakers: U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. George J. Flynn, director for Joint Force Development, J-7, The Joint Staff; U.S. Navy Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, chief of Naval Operations; retired Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Navy Undersecretary Robert O. Work. AFCEA said in addition to panel discussions and exhibits of panel discussions, more than 400 exhibitors will display the latest products in the fields of communications, homeland security, biometrics and other defense technologies. In addition to the discussion panels, there will be technical sessions on specific technology programs being explored by the Navy and Marines, as well as seminars on veteran re-training and a career fair. The conference is Jan. 24-26 in San Diego.