The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association
December 4, 2024
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…]
NDTA & Marine Toys for Tots Foundation Toy Drive & Event
NDTA and Toys for Tots are recruiting your support to help Santa’s Elves!
How does Santa get around to all the children in just one night?
He has LOTS of help: Elves, Marines, & YOU!
Join NDTA in our effort to support the Annual Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program. Please send or bring any new, unwrapped toys to our office between Friday, November 8 and Friday, December 6, 2024. […READ MORE…]
Your Source
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Today, the US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) awarded $4.85 million in grants to five marine highway projects across the nation via the United States Marine Highway Program (USMHP). The funding will enhance the movement of goods along our navigable waterways while expanding existing waterborne freight services in Louisiana, Puerto Rico, Washington, and West Virginia. […READ MORE…]
Monday, November 25, 2024
Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation released a playbook on research -based climate action strategies for State, Tribal, city, and local governments. The “Climate Strategies That Work” playbook includes 28 climate solutions that can help communities reduce carbon pollution and create a more resilient, sustainable, and accessible transportation system for all Americans.
The “Climate Strategies That Work” playbook emphasizes efficient, convenient, and clean transportation solutions that support safe and economically vibrant communities across the United States. Strategies span infrastructure investments, technology applications, and policy strategies. These include active transportation, electric vehicles, and freight operational efficiencies for use by rural and urban communities. The strategies are informed by the US National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization and include information on achieving greenhouse gas reduction, economic development, and safety benefits, along with implementation funding opportunities and case studies that illustrate the impacts of these strategies in action. […READ MORE…]
NDTA DC Chapter Hosted a Discussion with Arizona Senator Mark Kelly
The NDTA DC Chapter hosted a discussion with Arizona Senator Mark Kelly in the Hart Senate Office Building in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, November 20. The discussion focused on bipartisan initiative to revitalize US shipbuilding, rebuild the shipyard workforce, and strengthen the maritime fleet with American mariners.
VADM Andy Brown, NDTA President & CEO, attended the event, pictured with Senator Mark Kelly and Nina Roche, NDTA DC Chapter President.
VADM Brown said, “NDTA supports the strategic rebuilding of the U.S.-flagged fleet of ocean-going vessels to protect the economic security of our nation. The Ships for America Act is a significant step in the right direction. Everyone in America needs to get behind this bill. Rebuilding our fleet is a national imperative.”
Join the NDTA DC Chapter mailing list to learn about upcoming events: https://www.ndtadc.org/contact. Or find an NDTA Chapter near you: https://www.ndtahq.com/membership/chapters/
Editor’s Picks
EPA Clears Path for Texas Deepwater Port, Fueling Controversy Over US Oil Exports on Supertankers
(gCaptain.com) The Environmental Protection Agency has given its blessing for a proposed Texas oil port capable of exporting 1 million barrels of oil a day, even as the terminals face increasing scrutiny from environmental activists, progressive lawmakers and local officials.
The agency said it “does not object to the issuance of a license” for Sentinel Midstream LLC’s Texas Gulflink Deepwater Port. The company, which is backed by private equity firm Cresta Fund Management, still needs final approval via a record of decision from the Transportation Department’s Maritime Administration. The decision is expected by December 12.
Full Marine Helicopter Detachment Trains from Expeditionary Sea Base for First Time
(Stripes.com) The Marine Corps recently conducted its first live-fire training with a full detachment of helicopters operating from a sea-base ship near Okinawa, showcasing the flexibility of its expeditionary advanced base operations concept. About 100 members of Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 165 (Reinforced) — part of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit out of Camp Pendleton, Calif. — carried out the exercises on Sept. 25 and Oct. 13.
Coast Guard Heavy Icebreaker Departs Seattle for Months-long Deployment Bound for Antarctica
(USCG.mil) The US Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) and crew departed Seattle to begin their deployment to Antarctica in support of Operation Deep Freeze.
Operation Deep Freeze (ODF) is an annual joint military mission to resupply the United States Antarctic stations in support of the National Science Foundation (NSF), the lead agency for the United States Antarctic Program (USAP). This marks the 28th year that the Polar Star has supported ODF.
Army Gets Its First HADES Airborne Reconnaissance Jet
(The War Zone) The US Army has received the first of its new High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) aircraft, based on the Bombardier Global 6500 bizjet. Set to supersede a varied fleet of turboprop intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms, HADES will fly higher, faster, and farther, and for longer periods, while carrying a bigger sensor payload.
USAF’s KC-46 Tanker’s New Remote Start Ignites Aircraft Anywhere Via Mobile
(InterestingEngineering.com) Airmen from the US Air Force’s 22nd Air Refueling Wing Innovation Lab at McConnell Air Force Base have invented a new remote start device for the KC-46A Pegasus, called the Auxiliary Power Unit Start System. The APRUSS uses remote activation, cutting down on mission response times and enhancing mission efficiency by ensuring the aircraft is ready when crews arrive at the aircraft.
Dawn’s Historic Supersonic Jet Achieves 82,500 Feet and Record Speed
(InterestingEngineering.com) Dawn Aerospace has achieved a major milestone in the return of commercial supersonic flight. On November 12, 2024, the company’s 16-foot (4.8-meter) autonomous Mk-II Aurora rocket-powered aircraft broke the sound barrier, reaching a speed of Mach 1. Since the retirement of the Anglo-French Concorde in 2003, commercial supersonic flight has been largely absent from the skies.
Air Charter Service Helps in Largest Ever Rhino Relocation Conservation Project
Last month, in conjunction with a major South African conservation and relocation company, leading aircraft charter specialist, Air Charter Service, helped in the transportation of 39 white rhinoceroses from Namibia to Dallas, USA, for three specific breeding programs to aid the conservation of the unique genetics of the country’s species.
AAR Included Among Forbes’ America’s Dream Employers 2025
AAR CORP., a leading provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators, MROs, and OEMs, has been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Dream Employers 2025. This prestigious award is presented in collaboration with Statista, the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The award list was announced earlier today and can be viewed on Forbes’ website.
M/V ARC Endeavor Replaces M/V Endurance in Maritime Security Program
American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group Inc. (ARC) announced that M/V ARC Endeavor entered the Maritime Security Program (MSP) fleet on December 1, further strengthening ARC’s best-in-class position for U.S.-flag Roll-on Roll-off (Ro-Ro) shipping services.
M/V ARC Endeavor replaces ARC’s M/V Endurance in the MSP fleet. MSP is the bedrock Congressional maritime readiness program that since 1996 maintains a modern, active fleet of 60 U.S.-flag, privately-owned ships available to provide sealift capacity and support to the military in times of need, such as war or national emergencies.
The Source is a free educational publication for NDTA members, conference attendees, and associates.