The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association
August 7, 2024
Fall Meeting Early Bird Rates are available until August 22, 2024
NDTA and USTRANSCOM are gearing up for the 2024 Fall Meeting to be held October 7-10, 2024, at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel in St. Louis, MO. Transportation Academy will be a star attraction with classes to engage and educate government and industry leaders, including young professionals seeking career growth and networking opportunities. Hear from government, military, allies and industry partners as they share their professional experiences, ideas, and solutions related to “Accelerating Decision Advantage Across Defense Transportation & Logistics.” […READ MORE…]
Your Source
URGENT UPDATE
Biden-Harris Administration Responds to Tropical Storm Debby, Urges Vigilance to Continuing Hazards
In response to Hurricane Debby, President Biden approved emergency declarations for Georgia and South Carolina yesterday, in addition to an emergency declaration for the state of Florida on Sunday. These declarations authorize FEMA to provide federal assistance to save lives, protect property and public health and safety. Although Hurricane Debby weakened to a tropical storm, it is still bringing life-threatening hazards to areas along northern Florida and portions of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. The Biden-Harris Administration urges visitors and residents of these areas to prepare for a long duration severe weather event. […READ MORE…]
Your Source
U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index: Less Contraction, Regional Bright Spots in Second Quarter
Truck freight volumes and spending continued to drop in the second quarter, but at a slower pace than recent quarters, according to the latest U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index. Shipments increased in West, Northeast, and Southeast regions on a quarterly basis, the first time that multiple regions have experienced increased volume in more than a year.
“Our data is showing some signs that the very challenging freight market could be nearing a bottom,” said Bobby Holland, director of freight business analytics, U.S. Bank. “There are still headwinds for carriers, but at least in terms of volume, there are some bright spots across the country.” […READ MORE…]
Your Source – Opinion
Outsourcing the US Shipyard Industrial Base Will Outsource American Sovereignty
In this op-ed, Matthew Paxton of the Shipbuilders Council of America explains why the U.S. needs to build up its Navy by increasing domestic shipbuilding.
By Matthew Paxton
We live in an increasingly connected world. More goods and services move beyond borders and around the world with every passing year. Today more than 90 percent of the world’s goods move by sea. You can thank the United States Navy for that. Since World War II, our sailors have kept the world’s shipping lanes open and commercial travel safe around the world. But today we face the real possibility of losing our dominance, making the world less safe. […READ MORE…]
Secretary Buttigieg was in three different Midwest states last week, highlighting the Biden-Harris Administration’s Investing in America agenda. He saw projects receiving funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, met with agriculture producers, port leaders, and workers at small and mid-sized ports in Michigan and Wisconsin, as well as in facilities in Kokomo, Indiana, including a new EV battery manufacturing facility that is fueling a construction boom and adding thousands of jobs to the region. […READ MORE…]
Discover the NEW DTMO Rental Car Agreement with the NDTA Virtual Chapter
You’re invited! The NDTA Virtual Chapter will host an exclusive webinar on the new DTMO Rental Car Agreement using the Microsoft Teams Webinar platform on Tuesday, August 20 from 12 PM to 1:30 PM EST.
Speakers Rob Johnson and Kim Shine from the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) will delve into the creation and implementation of the new DTMO Rental Car Agreement #5. This session will provide valuable insights for both public and private sector employees involved in travel and transportation.
Register now to secure your spot and gain invaluable knowledge that will enhance your travel management strategies. […READ MORE…]
Editor’s Picks
U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Squad Competition 2024 Vies to Find Army’s Best
(Army.mil) U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF) is set to put its finest to the test as squads from across Europe and Africa converge in Grafenwöhr, Germany, Aug. 1-9, to compete in the 2024 U.S. Army Europe and Africa Best Squad Competition.
Canadian Shipbuilder Davie Wants to Invest in the U.S.
(USNI.org) Canada’s largest shipbuilder, Davie, is inspecting sites and seeking a U.S. partner “to make a long-term commitment to American shipbuilding” and expand its capacity, the White House announced Aug. 2. This was one of the announcements made by the Biden-Harris Administration on expanding domestic shipments.
Navy Is on Track to Rearm Warships at Sea in 2-3 Years
(Stripes.com) The Navy is one step closer to rearming ships at sea, a capability that would keep warships in the fight rather than forcing them to return to port during combat. Last week, the first successful land-based demonstration of the Transferrable Rearming Mechanism, or TRAM, was announced by the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Port Hueneme, CA. The system will enable Navy destroyers and cruisers to reload missiles into vertical launching systems while at sea — a task that now must be done pier side.
Marines Hit Operational Status with Second Carrier-Capable F35-C Unit
(Marine Corps Times) A West Coast Marine F-35C Lightning II squadron has achieved initial operational capability. The Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 311, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, hit that key milestone July 31. The status means a unit can employ, maintain, and train on the jet.
Air Mobility Command Tries AI to Speed to Speed Up Airlift Planning
(Defense News) Complex logistical calculations can take hours or days. With Air Mobility Command’s new ARTIV software, it takes between five and 10 minutes, according to retired Air Force General Paul Selva, whose company uses AI technology to improve defense planning logistics.
It’s hard enough to figure out logistics when planners have plenty of time. When imminent war or humanitarian disaster requires airlift ASAP, they must wing it.
“That process is typically short-circuited, because whatever the crisis is, it’s in motion before the operational planners are able to complete their work,” said Gen. Selva.
Air Force, Space Force Unveil Tool for AI Experimentation
(Air Force Times) The Air Force and Space Force launched a generative AI tool, encouraging airmen and guardians to experiment with using the technology for tasks like summarizing dense reports, IT assistance and coding. The tool, called the Non-classified Internet Protocol Generative Pre-training Transformer, or NIPRGPT, could help the services better understand how AI can improve access to information.
Air Force Launches New ‘Foundations’ Courses for Enlisted Airmen
(Air and Space Forces) The Air Force launched the enlisted Foundations courses in July. The program is meant to fill the years-long gap in enlisted professional military education (PME) between established schools such as the Airman Leadership School and the Noncommissioned Officer Academy.
‘Not Prepared’: Congressional Panel Calls for Huge Defense Buildup
(Army Times) America’s odds of fighting a major war are the highest in 80 years, and its military isn’t prepared for one. This was the finding of a bipartisan panel tasked by Congress to review U.S. defense strategy. The nearly 100-page report reveals a crisis of confidence in American national security.
AAR and Ontic Expand Relationship with Multiple Long-term Distribution Agreements
AAR, a leading provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators, MROs, and OEMs, has signed multiple long-term distribution agreements with Ontic that expand the companies’ existing defense and commercial partnerships and enhance service offerings for the U.S. government and worldwide commercial customers.
ATSG Delivers Two Boeing 767s to Georgian Airways
Air Transport Services Group, Inc. (ATSG) announced that its leasing subsidiary Cargo Aircraft Management (CAM) recently delivered two Boeing 767-300 aircraft to Georgian Airways LLC of Tbilisi, Georgia under multi-year leases. One of the two Boeing 767-300s is a passenger aircraft, while the other is a newly converted freighter.
In a continuing strategic transformation, Southwest Airlines is announcing several new initiatives designed to elevate the customer experience, improve financial performance, and drive shareholder value. The airline is moving forward with plans to assign seats, offer premium seating options, redesign the boarding model, and introduce redeye flying.
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