The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association
February 4, 2026
Register Today
February 23 – 26, 2026
The National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA), in association with the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO), is hosting the 2026 GovTravels February 23-26, 2026, at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, Alexandria, VA.
GovTravels is a four-day event that brings together bringing together experts from across the federal government and the commercial travel industry to examine a wide range of issues that impact the government’s multi-billion dollar travel enterprise. During this event we educate and train DoD travel managers on best practices and strategies, allow government program administrators to learn more about emerging technologies, exchange ideas and collaborate on travel issues, identify and capture actions and build relationships among government and industry commercial travel experts. […READ MORE…]
Save the Date
May 18-21, 2026
NDTA-CAS
Surface Force Projection Meeting
Registration opens January 29, 2026. Check website for details.
Join the National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA) and Christopher Newport University’s Center for American Studies (CAS) Surface Force Projection Meeting (SFPM), May 18-21, 2026, at Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA. Connect with top U.S. government and industry experts to tackle deployment and sustainment challenges and address this year’s theme, “Projecting Power in a Globally Contested Environment — Ideas into Action!” Network with peers, attend insightful sessions, and hear from renowned speakers. NDTA, along with CAS, partners with the U.S. Army Transportation Command (ARTRANS), Military Sealift Command (MSC), U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD), the U.S. Coast Guard, logistics and transportation industry, and academia to provide the SFPM. Mark your calendar and don’t miss out! Details on agenda, lodging, and registration will be available on our website starting December 18, 2025. Registration opens on January 29, 2026. Become an NDTA member today for exclusive benefits!
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy alongside President Donald J. Trump in the Oval Office announced the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C. Thanks to President Trump, Washington, D.C. will host the first-ever IndyCar street race around the capital from August 21-23. The historic event will highlight American ingenuity in engineering, technology, and high-performance racing. […READ MORE…]
PERSPECTIVE
Greenland’s Worth a Fight and Russia’s Trying to Start One
By Emma Overell, Project coordinator at the Center on Cyber & Technology Innovation (CCTI) at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD)
By Rear Adm. (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, Senior Director at the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI) at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies
(thecipherbrief.com) The “quickest way for Russia to penetrate our naval defenses is steaming from the Arctic to the North Atlantic.” The Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom (GIUK) Gap is the last place allied forces “have any hope of detecting a Russian sub before it’s in the vast Atlantic barreling toward New York.”
These insightful comments were spoken not by President Donald Trump but by fictional President Grace Penn in Netflix’s The Diplomat. By contrast, Trump’s rhetoric and attempts to gain leverage on Denmark have been appalling and unhelpful. But Trump and “President Penn” are both right about one thing — although the Arctic island is remote, Greenland’s location makes it fundamental to U.S. and NATO naval intelligence and missile defense missions. […READ MORE…]
Apply for 2026 NDTA Foundation Scholarships,
now through Wednesday, April 15, 2026
As we recognize the New Year and wish you all the best in 2026, NDTA wants to remind you that we are accepting applications for the 2026-2027 academic year. Applications are being accepted 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!
SUPER BOWL LX FLYOVER
Air Force, Navy Aircraft to Fly Over Super Bowl LX
(war.gov) To commemorate America’s 250th birthday, the Air Force and the Navy are conducting a joint flyover during Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, Feb. 8, 2026.
The formation, featuring two Air Force B-1 Lancers, from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, and two F-15C Eagles, from Fresno Air National Guard Base, California, alongside a pair of Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets and two F-35C Lightning IIs, from Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, is a symbol of the nation’s journey and independence. […READ MORE…]
WELCOME CORPORATE MEMBERS
NDTA is proud to welcome the following members:
President’s Circle:
Sustaining:
Editor’s Picks
The US Coast Guard’s Newest Weapon in Border Security: Jet Skis
(marinecorpstimes.com) In its ever-evolving fight on the U.S.-Mexico border, the U.S. Coast Guard has unveiled its latest tool: the Jet Ski. First utilized in 2024 for Rescue Swimmer Stan Team members as well as the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Coasties have begun Jet Ski training off the shores of San Diego, Calif., as a component of a newly implemented effort to shore up America’s southwest border.
Next U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Sets Sail for Sea Trials
(theaviationist.com) The Gerald R. Ford–class supercarrier USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) departed Newport News under its own power Jan. 28, 2026, beginning manufacturer sea trials. Ahead of planned delivery to the U.S. Navy in March 2027, the trials will certify major systems and components of the 100,000-ton ship under close oversight by Huntington Ingalls Industries specialists.
Army Eyes More HADES Jets, but Program Isn’t ‘Full Steam Ahead’
(breakingdefense.com) A recent Army request for information for up to 11 business jets for the High Altitude Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) program is a “good signal,” a service spokesperson said, but not a guarantee the effort is moving full steam ahead. Issued Jan. 22, the RFI requires aircraft capable of operating at 41,000–51,000 feet, carrying 14,000 pounds, and flying at least 12 hours unrefueled, with a future objective of 14 aircraft total.
Legislation Provides Lifeline for Heavy-duty Truck Towing
(freightwaves.com) Legislation introduced Wednesday, Jan. 28, would allow tow truck operators to move large disabled trucks to nearby safe locations rather than disassembling them roadside. Rep. Dave Taylor, R-Ohio, sponsor of the Towing Safety Act, said roadside breakdowns create dangerous conditions for operators, first responders, and drivers. The bill aims to save lives by giving tow truck drivers greater flexibility during emergency recoveries.
U.S. Navy’s MQ-25A Stingray Unmanned Tanker Begins Taxi Trials
(theaviationist.com) Boeing and the U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) announced on Jan. 30, 2026, that the production representative prototype of the MQ-25 Stingray unmanned refueling tanker has started taxi trials at MidAmerica Airport near St. Louis, Mo., home of Boeing’s production facility.
Navy’s New Hedge Strategy Calls for ‘Tailored’ Unmanned Forces to Augment Carriers
(breakingdefense.com) While the carrier strike group will remain the backbone of naval power projection, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle says it’s time to look for alternative options, especially unmanned systems, for more specialized regional scenarios — part of a Tuesday preview of what he called his forthcoming “hedge strategy” for the Navy.
ICAT Launches New Brand Identity, Marking its Next Chapter of Growth
(icatlogistics.com) ICAT Logistics announced the launch of a new brand identity, marking the next phase of the company’s evolution. The rebrand unifies ICAT’s vertical divisions under a single platform supporting complex, high-stakes operations. ICAT has expanded its team, developed proprietary technology, and built strategic infrastructure to become a global leader in mission-critical logistics, operating through 60 strategically located offices serving specialized, expertise-driven industries.
Port Nears Completion of Dredging Project; Preps to Inaugurate New ULCV Berth at NIT
(portofvirginia.com) The Port of Virginia® is nearing the completion of its $1.4 billion Gateway Investment Program with a critical piece of the strategic capital investment program being delivered in early 2026.
In February, the port is scheduled to take delivery of the deepest shipping channels on the US East Coast, as the deepening and widening effort of Virginia’s channels comes to its close.
U.S. Bank: Tight Capacity Pushes Freight Rates Higher Despite Soft Volumes
(usbank.com) The U.S. truck freight market improved modestly in fourth-quarter 2025 as shipments increased and capacity tightened, pushing shipper spending to its highest level since early 2024. National shipments rose 1.5% quarter over quarter, while spending jumped 4.6%. Tightening capacity defined the quarter, as shippers paid more to move slightly more freight amid fleet exits and carriers reducing rosters, reflecting a prolonged industry contraction, according to Bobby Holland, director of U.S. Bank freight analytics.
The Source is a free educational publication for NDTA members, conference attendees, and associates.