The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association
December 19, 2024
Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the New Year!
The Source will be on hiatus for the next two weeks. We wish each of you a happy holiday season and a prosperous new year.
GovTravels 2025 -Panel #1 with Dale Buckner
The National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA) and the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO), in association with the General Services Administration (GSA), invite you to register for the GovTravels Symposium, February 24 – 27, 2025, at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center Hotel, Alexandria, VA. This year’s theme, “Change Management: Challenges & Solutions in Government Travel,”focuses on the need for government and industry leaders to effectively manage change, employing creative and innovative solutions to provide government passengers with world-class travel.
The symposium welcomes Mr. Dale Buckner, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President of Global Guardian, LLC. […READ MORE…]
Sharon Lo, Former DTJ Managing Editor, Recognized for Outstanding Service to NDTA
Ms. Sharon Lo received the NDTA President’s Award on Wednesday, December 11, in recognition of her dedicated service as the Defense Transportation Journal (DTJ) Managing Editor. From 2012 to 2024, she produced and edited 71 DTJ editions, in addition to weekly NDTA newsletters, providing relevant articles, reports, news and updates to NDTA members. Her diligent work significantly contributed to the education and information of the transportation and logistics community on matters of national importance. Her efforts have been instrumental in upholding NDTA’s mission to educate and support a strong national defense, making her a deserving recipient of recognition from all NDTA members. […READ MORE…]
NDTA’s 2025 Europe & Africa Regional Committee Meeting
The NDTA Europe & Africa Regional Committee will hold its next meeting at Sembach Kaserne, Germany, Jan. 14-15, 2025. The gathering will bring together members and stakeholders to collaborate on critical transportation and logistics initiatives for the region.
The meeting agenda includes the introduction of our regional subcommittees and highlights the launch of our newest subcommittee focused on travel. Subcommittees will break out into dedicated sessions to discuss their objectives and strategies before reconvening to present their findings and plans. Additionally, we are tentatively planning a presentation by USTRANSCOM on the Joint Transportation Management System (JTMS), along with a discussion on regional engagement, providing an excellent platform for theaters to share insights and contribute ideas. […READ MORE…]
Your Source
The bipartisan, bicameral bill will fuel U.S. economy, strengthen national security by responding to China’s threat over the oceans
Currently, the number of U.S.-flagged vessels in international commerce is 80; China has 5,500
Today, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Senator Todd Young (R-IN), Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-8), and Representative Trent Kelly (R-MS-1) introduced the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act, comprehensive legislation to revitalize the United States shipbuilding and commercial maritime industries. After decades of neglect, the United States has a weakened shipbuilding capacity, a declining commercial shipping fleet that is dwarfed by China, and a diminished ability to supply the U.S. military during wartime. […READ MORE…]
Your Source
GAO: DOE, Navy Project for Upgrading Nuclear Spent Fuel Facility Is $2 Billion Over Budget
By Justin Katz
WASHINGTON — A project to upgrade government facilities designed to manage the spent fuel from nuclear-powered US Navy warships is more than $2 billion over budget and three years behind schedule, according to a new report from independent government auditors.
The project, known as the Spent Fuel Handling Recapitalization Project (SFHP), will upgrade facilities at the Idaho National Laboratory. Naval Reactors, a joint Navy and Department of Energy office led by a four-star Navy admiral who oversees and advances the fleet’s nuclear propulsion technologies, has long used the site to prepare for the disposal of spent fuel — hazardous leftover materials generated by nuclear-power warships. […READ MORE…]
WASHINGTON – The US Department of Transportation announced over $130 million in grant awards for 42 technology demonstration projects through the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program. The competitive grant program, established by President Biden’s historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, provides $500 million over five years for State, local, and Tribal governments to leverage technology to create safer, more efficient, and more innovative transportation systems. […READ MORE…]
Editor’s Picks
Photo by Airman 1st Class Asha Wiltshire,325th Fighter Wing
Tyndall AFB F-35 Pilots Train with New CBRN Gear
(The Aviationist) Tyndall AFB implemented newly developed CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) gear to increase combat readiness of aircrew by providing proper protection in the event of an attack. The base “is taking a proactive step in increasing its combat readiness by implementing the use of aircrew chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear equipment” according to a press release.
Air Force Eyes Merlin Autonomy System for Entire Tanker Fleet
(Flyingmag.com) The US Air Force is exploring the use of self-flying tankers for aerial refueling and other missions under a new contract. Boston-based Merlin Labs is the beneficiary of the 19-month, undisclosed value contract that aims to give current and future American tankers the ability to adapt missions on the fly without human intervention.
Marines Reactivate East Coast Squadron with Corps’ Newest Fighter Jet
(Marine Corps Times) The Marines have reactivated a fighter squadron with a lineage that traces back to Guadalcanal as the first East Coast squadron to fly the Corps’ newest fighter jet. Marine Attack Fighter Squadron 251, or VMFA-251, received its first F-35C Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter in mid-September before the unit officially reactivated in a ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, on Dec. 5, according to the service.
The US Air Force’s B-52 Stratofortress Bomber Just Got an ‘Upgrade’
(19forty-five.com) The B-52 Stratofortress fleet is undergoing critical upgrades to extend its service life through 2050. This includes replacing its 1960s-era engines with Rolls-Royce F-130 powerplants as part of a $2.6 billion program, earning the designation B-52J. A new engine cover solution was also tested to prevent ice damage, a recurring issue that has caused $17 million in damages.
Littoral Combat Ships to Sail with Mk70 Vertical Launchers Strapped to Their Decks
(The War Zone) In a significant step toward finally giving the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) fleet greater offensive capabilities, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro announced that “many” LCS ships will receive the modular Mk 70 Payload Delivery System, allowing the beleaguered LCS to field the type of substantial firepower that has long eluded them.
The Mk 70 is a containerized launch system based on the Mk 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) in use on many American and foreign warships.
Two Kennedy Warships: US Navy Honors a Legacy of Service
(19forty-five.com) The US Navy is set to field two warships named after the Kennedy brothers. The USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79), the second Gerald R. Ford-class supercarrier, faces delivery delays but continues to progress under new leadership. Meanwhile, the USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO-208), a John Lewis-class replenishment oiler, has been delivered, enhancing the Navy’s logistics capabilities.
US Coast Guard Icebreaker Returns Home to Seattle Following Arctic Deployment
(USCG.mil) The crew aboard the US Coast Guard Cutter Healy (WAGB 20) returned to Seattle, following a 73-day Arctic deployment supporting scientific research missions, search and rescue operations, and training exercises in the region. The crew aboard Healy, a 420-foot polar icebreaker, conducted three distinct phases throughout the cutter’s 2024 Arctic Fall deployment.
Please join NDTA in welcoming our newest members!
Chairman’s Circle:
SEKO Government, Space and Defense (upgrade)
UPS (upgrade)
Sustaining:
Aimbridge Hospitality
Applied Research Associates – ARA
VisionSafe Corporation
Universities:
McKendree University
BNSF, J.B. Hunt Assist in Wreaths Across America, Remembering Fallen Veterans
(Freightwaves.com) BNSF Railway and J.B. Hunt Transport Services are among the companies that regularly partner with Wreaths Across America to deliver holidays wreaths for placement on headstones across the nation. Since 2007, the organization has coordinated annual holiday wreath-laying ceremonies at national cemeteries and other locations throughout the 50 states, at sea and abroad to commemorate Wreaths Across America Day, Dec. 13, to ensure no fallen veteran is forgotten during the holidays.
PODS® Celebrates 15 Years Working with the Times Square Alliance and the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop
PODS® Enterprises, LLC, will support the Times Square Alliance and the 2025 Times (Pods.com) Square New Year’s Eve Ball Drop celebration for the 15th consecutive year. With PODS® containers, event staff benefit from the flexibility and simplicity of on-site storage, including transportation to and from PODS’ secure Storage Center for staged operations around Times Square. The collaboration has revolutionized the logistics of one of the biggest and most celebrated New Year’s Eve parties in one of the world’s most highly trafficked locations.
Radiant Logistics Acquires TCB Transportation
Radiant Logistics, Inc. announced it has acquired the assets and operations of TCB Transportation Associates, LLC, a St Louis, Missouri-based, privately held intermodal marketing company specializing in the movement of 40- and 53-foot containers across North America. Founded in 1999, TCB operates as a “one-stop shop”, offering true door-to-door service for its shipper customers by leveraging its relationships with steamship lines, Class I railroads and its extensive drayage network.
The Source is a free educational publication for NDTA members, conference attendees, and associates.