The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association
April 14, 2026
May 18-21, 2026
NDTA-CAS
Surface Force Projection Meeting
Register Today!
Education, Deployment, and Sustainment Readiness are the key reasons for our meeting at the SFPM! Don’t miss this great opportunity to join the Surface Force Projection Meeting (SFPM), May 18-21, 2026!
The National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA) and Christopher Newport University’s Center for American Studies (CAS), will host and provide an unparalleled educational and networking experience. The 2026 SFPM theme, “Projecting Power in a Globally Contested Environment—Ideas into Action,“ will deliver a plethora of information and interactive discussion about current and future solutions for surface force projection to support a strong national defense. Engage with experienced government and industry attendees at insightful panel sessions and interact with exhibitors. Check out the agenda and register today!
CHAPTER EVENT
Answer the Call to Be Part of Our Nation’s Maritime Industrial Base Strategy!
Join us for NDTA JAX Chapter’s Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) Symposium — an exclusive gathering of Jacksonville’s and Florida’s most influential leaders in maritime logistics, economic development, and national security.
Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 8 AM to 5 PM
University of North Florida
Adam W. Herbert Center
Jacksonville, Florida
Hear from industry innovators shaping the future of America’s sea power and connect with the voices driving regional growth. If you want to be in the room where the future of the MIB is being forged, reserve your seat now before space runs out.
To register: https://www.ndtajax.com/mibsymposium
Epic Fury Bombers Made 18 Round-trip Flights from the U.S. to Strike Iran
By
(msn.com) Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters on Wednesday that the U.S. staged 62 bomber missions during Operation Epic Fury before the Trump administration said it reached a ceasefire with Iran Tuesday evening.
Eighteen of those bomber missions involved round-trip flights from the U.S. “to deliver bombs on military targets” in Iran, and each one lasted more than 30 hours in duration, Caine said in a debrief of the five-week war.
“No other military in the world can do that,” Gen. Caine said, “and it’s a testament to the logistical force that quietly serves behind them.” […READ MORE…]
(transportation.gov) U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced the FAA will open its annual air traffic control (ATCS) hiring window at 12 a.m. midnight on April 17. Candidates have the opportunity to step into one of the most dynamic jobs in the world.
“To reach the next generation of air traffic controllers, we need to adapt. This campaign’s innovative communication style and focus on gaming taps into a growing demographic of young adults who have many of the hard skills it takes to be a successful controller,” said Secretary Duffy. […READ MORE…]
(transportation.gov) U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will invest $657 million into America’s ferry services and infrastructure.
“Under President Trump, America is building again and that includes our nation’s ferry fleet responsible for moving American families. This investment will expand routes and fund new ferries to give American workers and families more transportation options in both rural and urban cities,” said Secretary Duffy. […READ MORE…]
Pentagon, FAA Sign Agreement on Deploying Anti-drone Laser System Near Mexico
(militarytimes.com) The Federal Aviation Administration and Pentagon signed an agreement allowing the government’s use of a high-energy laser counter-drone system along the southern U.S. border with Mexico.
The agreement came after the FAA conducted testing in New Mexico on the laser system used by the Pentagon and Homeland Security Department and validated that proper safety controls are in place and do not pose undue risks to passenger aircraft. […READ MORE…]
DLA Director Announces Transformation Updates
(dla.mil) The Defense Logistics Agency is focused on enhancing operational effectiveness by improving how the agency aligns with customers, streamlining processes and presenting a unified face to industry partners, DLA Director Army Lt. Gen. Mark Simerly said in a recent leadership message.
“Our transformation is designed for a single purpose: to strengthen our core mission — support to the warfighter,” he said. This transformation includes the agency’s renewed focus on data and using artificial intelligence. […READ MORE…]
Apply for 2026 NDTA Foundation Scholarships,
now through Wednesday, April 15, 2026
NDTA wants to remind you that we are accepting applications for the 2026-2027 academic year. Applications are being accepted now through April 15 via e-mail at ndtahq@ndtahq.com for our four academic scholarship programs for members and their children:
- Program A – for currently enrolled college students
- Program B – for soon-to-be high school graduates accepted at an accredited institution
- Program C – for currently enrolled, distance learning college students
- Program D, The Denny Edwards Graduate Scholarship – for graduate (master’s degree) students
NDTA offers all scholarship winners a unique opportunity to join our Industry Connect Program (ICP). The ICP links interested students with an industry mentor to help them bridge to the future. More information can be found here.
NDTA is excited about the education and development of our Nation’s future logistics and transportation leaders! Providing scholarships and the ICP helps us promote learning and professional development. To learn about scholarship qualification details and how to apply, go to www.ndtahq.com/foundation/, call us at 703-751-5011 or send us an email at ndtahq@ndtahq.com. Read student testimonials from previous scholarship recipients to learn about the impact it has had on their studies and their career paths.
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Editor’s Picks
U.S. Blockade Draws New Red Lines in Strait of Hormuz Crisis
(gCaptain.com) The United States is moving to blockade maritime traffic tied to Iran, marking a sharp escalation in the Strait of Hormuz crisis and introducing a new layer of risk for global shipping. Following the collapse of weekend negotiations in Islamabad, President Trump announced that U.S. forces would begin blockading maritime traffic tied to Iran, including vessels entering or exiting Iranian ports, while warning that ships paying “tolls” to Iran could face interdiction on the high seas.
Hormuz Crisis Pushes Struggling Trucking Sector to the Brink
(supplychainbrain.com) The conflict in Iran has sent average diesel prices skyrocketing and now threatens the U.S. trucking industry already grappling with new language requirements for drivers, a years-long freight recession, and razor-thin margins.
Over the last month, California, Arizona, Maryland, Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, Hawaii, and Nevada all reported all-time records for average diesel prices.
Army Launches Data Operations Center, Giving Warfighters Decisive Edge
(war.gov) The Army launched the Army Data Operations Center April 3 — a key initiative designed to transform how it manages and uses its vast data resources to ensure decision dominance on the modern battlefield. The data center will serve as the operational engine for the Army’s transformation into a data-centric force. It will connect commanders at all echelons to the full power of the Army’s enterprise data, ensuring warfighters have access to the right information at the right time.
Navy Selects Leidos, Defense Unicorns to Test Software Prototypes for Ships
(breakingdefense.com) The Navy has selected Leidos and software company Defense Unicorns to test software-only container prototypes under another transaction agreement to provide updates to ships. This is the first agreement under a new commercial solutions opening published earlier this year with the Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic’s Rapid Capabilities Cell, established in October.
Coast Guard to Enforce Security Zone on Waters Around NFL Draft Campus
(msn.com) The Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit will enforce a security zone on waterways around the 2026 NFL Draft Campus activity areas in Pittsburgh “to ensure public safety, safeguard event participants and protect the maritime transportation system.” The zone will be in effect from midnight on Thursday, April 23, until just before midnight Saturday, April 25.
Please join NDTA in a hearty welcome for its newest Sustaining Member.
Amazon to Scale up Drone Delivery in 2026, CEO Says
(freightwaves.com) Amazon will ramp up Prime Air drone capacity this year as part of a multi-pronged initiative to move beyond same-day delivery and deliver e-commerce orders within hours, or even minutes, according to CEO Andy Jassy.
Speed is the driving force for Amazon’s logistics operation because customers are more likely to complete online orders when promised faster delivery.
(investor.caci.com) CACI International Inc. announced it has successfully enabled advanced optical communications and sensing technologies for NASA’s Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft.
“Artemis II represents the strength of American innovation and the power of partnership across government, industry, and academia,” said John Mengucci, CACI President and Chief Executive Officer.
(Fluor.com) Fluor Corporation announced it has been selected by America First Refining (AFR) to execute the front-end engineering and design (FEED) for their large-scale refining facility in Brownsville, Texas. The AFR facility is the first new refinery to be constructed in the United States in more than 50 years.
GEODIS in Switzerland Strengthens its Healthcare Capabilities and Expands its National Footprint
(geodis.com) GEODIS in Switzerland has achieved a milestone in solidifying its healthcare logistics capabilities, obtaining three key certifications in less than six months: ISO, CEIV Pharma, and GDP. These certifications demonstrate GEODIS’ commitment to the highest standards of quality, safety, and regulatory compliance in pharmaceutical and healthcare logistics, where Switzerland represents a key European hub.
SeaCube CEO Says Cold Chain Resilient and Still Growing
(seacubecontainers.com) SeaCube Container Leasing says the company was the world’s largest investor in refrigerated equipment in 2025. Uncertainty grips the dry container market, however, SeaCube insists that reefer demand remains robust, buoyed by an expanding list of pharmaceutical, food, and perishable demand across the globe from shipping customers, including trucking companies, manufacturers and 3PLs.
The Source is a free educational publication for NDTA members, conference attendees, and associates.