March 2022 Meeting

March 19, 2022  2:00 p.m.
Brick Store Museum Program Center
4 Dane Street, Kennebunk, ME 04043

Strengths and Vulnerabilities of Islands off China’s Eastern Coast” with a focus on Taiwan, is the topic of the March 19, 2022 meeting of the Maine Chapter of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO).

The speaker will be active duty Vice Admiral William Merz. VADM Merz is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, a Masters Degree from Catholic University and has completed the MIT Seminar XXI program. He is currently assigned to the Pentagon as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy which followed ten overseas deployments most in command positions. These commands include nuclear deep-sea vessel (DSV) ”NR-1”, command of the attack submarine USS Memphis, major command of Submarine development Squadron 12 and was Commander of U.S. 7^th Fleet. The 7^th Fleet is based out of Japan and his command was until last summer.  Most of these command’s area of operations focused on Western Pacific from Japan southward to and including the Philippines.

VADM Merz understands that the Maine Chapter’s forum is an unclassified environment and is part of continuing discussions relating to the importance of having an effective Intelligence Community as USA’s first line of defense; therefore, his presentation will be based upon statements that have been, or about to be released to the general public. In addition to his far Pacific experiences, his command tours included Bahrain. We anticipate VADM Merz’s observations, analysis and opinions will also include China’s intent to its off shore islands and, time allowing, Russia’s impact on Ukraine and NATO.

The AFIO meeting is open to the public and will begin at 2 PM at the Program Center of the Brick Store Museum, 4 Dane Street, Kennebunk, Maine 04043. A Question and Answer period will follow the presentation.