Assured communications and connectivity are critical to Army readiness efforts. Commanders and Soldiers demand resilient, redundant, survival and interoperable expeditionary network capability. "Operationalizing C4ISR Materiel Readiness" will discuss how the Army material and acquisition community is enabling C4SIR readiness by leading efforts to ensure Army operational units have tools they need to become proficient at C4ISR capability use and maintenance. CECOM officials, the Army's Rapid Capability Office and Program Executive Officers will discuss efforts to include executing home station training at brigade and division levels; providing field service support when needed, ensuring supply/stock availability of necessary parts for system maintenance and the use of rapid prototyping in system development. The explosion in software throughout Army systems has also lead to innovative approaches in sustainment including over-air patching, depot level software sustainment support, ensuring agreements with industry are put in place early in programs and an overall Army effort to reduce the number of mission command network software baselines in the field. Panel members will highlight challenges the Army faces with C4ISR interoperability prior to and during initial fielding; ensuring that equipment sustainment planning is accounted for early in product design phases; and ensuring divestment of excess inventory and outdated and unsupported C4ISR equipment.