The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association
February 6, 2025
Register Today! The National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA) and the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO), in association with the General Services Administration (GSA), will host the 2025 GovTravels Symposium, February 24-27, 2025. Get ready for an enhanced selection of Travel Academy classes complementing the 2025 theme, “Change Management: Challenges & Solutions in Government Travel.” Travel Academy sessions are a series of interactive, one-hour educational classes led by government and industry passenger travel leaders offering attendees the chance to explore the theme in greater depth. As a GovTravels full event participant you will earn 3.2 CEUs. Register today and purchase CEU credits at checkout. […READ MORE…]
2025 NDTA Foundation Scholarships
NDTA is excited about the education and professional development of our nation’s future logistics and transportation leaders and is offering four scholarship opportunities 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
All scholarship winners will receive a unique opportunity to join our Industry Connect Program (ICP), which links interested students with an industry mentor to help them bridge to the future. More information can be found here.
To learn about the scholarship qualification details and how to apply, go to https://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. […READ MORE…]
Your Source
US Transportation Secretary Announces New FAA Action to Ensure Safety in Airspace
With the support of President Trump and in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will restrict helicopter traffic in the area over the Potomac River around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and stretching to Wilson Bridge. These areas include:
- Memorial Bridge to South Capitol Street Bridge, excluding the Tidal Basin
- Haines Point to Wilson Bridge
- Over the top of DCA
The restriction exempts helicopters entering this airspace for lifesaving medical support, active law enforcement, active air defense, or presidential transport helicopter missions that must operate in this restricted area. Any helicopter operations outside these exemptions will be prohibited. These restrictions will remain in place until the NTSB completes its preliminary investigation of the air carrier incident at which point it will be reviewed based on NTSB’s report. […READ MORE…]
Your Source
The Army Black Hawk helicopter that collided with an American Airlines passenger plane was flying too high, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The flight traffic data that NTSB has obtained confirms that the helicopter was flying at 300 feet according to the air traffic control display, which is 100 feet more than it should be flying the nation’s capital. […READ MORE…]
Panama Offers Concessions to US After Rubio Meets President
(Bloomberg) — Panama promised free passage for US warships through the Panama Canal and said it will withdraw from China’s signature lending program after Secretary of State Marco Rubio blasted the government during his visit Feb. 2.
Echoing President Donald Trump’s complaints about Chinese influence over the waterway, Rubio warned that the US would “take measures necessary to protect its rights” unless Panama makes immediate changes, the State Department said after Rubio met President Jose Raul Mulino. […READ MORE…]
Opinion
Seapower Is More than Just the Navy
By James Holmes
The White House should appoint some senior overseer, probably housed within the National Security Council, with the authority to manage all U.S. government endeavors relating to maritime strategy.
“I am not my predecessor” is not a policy. Not a terribly good one, anyway. And yet newcomers to office in Washington, DC, tend to frame themselves that way. It’s how officeholders differentiate themselves from their vile, buffoonish, incompetent forbears—especially if power changes hands between political parties as it did on January 20.
Carlos Del Toro, formerly President Joe Biden’s secretary of the navy, is one of those political appointees whose legacy must not be swept into history’s dustbin, even as Republicans take over from rival Democrats and try to distinguish themselves from Biden administration policies. A Naval War College graduate and a U.S. Navy destroyer captain by trade, Secretary Del Toro was largely responsible for some noteworthy developments on the technical side of naval affairs. Among his signature accomplishments was “TRAM,” a system whereby logistics vessels can reload destroyers’ missile launch siloes at sea. […READ MORE…]
Editor’s Picks
Air Traffic Controller’s Union Says Staffing Levels Are Critically Low
(Wtop.com) The actions of air traffic controllers are being looked at in the aftermath of the deadly midair crash near Reagan National Airport and the head of their union is warning the entire air traffic control (ATC) system is significantly understaffed. National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) President Nick Daniels said the nation’s air traffic control system is still woefully understaffed.
US Navy Submarines to Be Manufactured in Mobile, Creating Over 1,000 Jobs
(1819 News) Austal USA will invest more than $400 million for a 369,600-sq.ft. expansion of a new submarine module manufacturing facility in Mobile, which will create 1,162 jobs.
“Austal’s ongoing expansion in Mobile is a testament to the skill and dedication of our local workforce,” said Mayor Sandy Stimpson. “This Module Manufacturing Facility will bring additional jobs to Mobile, boost the local economy, and enhance U.S. Naval defense capabilities.”
MQ-25A Stingray 2026 Debut Will Unlock Unmanned Aviation for Carrier Strike Group, Say Officials
(USNI) SAN DIEGO — The Navy’s first unmanned tanker is set to come to an aircraft carrier in 2026, according to the commander of Naval Air Forces. The first low-rate production version of Boeing’s MQ-25A Stingray will do its first flight tests aboard a carrier in 2026, Vice Adm. Daniel Cheever, the commander of Naval Air Forces, said this week at the WEST 2025 conference co-hosted by the U.S. Naval Institute and AFCEA.
Coast Guard Conducts Alien Expulsion Flight Operations Between California and Texas
(USCG) The Coast Guard conducted alien expulsion flights Feb. 2 between California and Texas to enforce US immigration laws, in accordance with the president’s executive orders. Led by the Eleventh Coast Guard District in California, the Coast Guard is coordinating multiple units in support of this Department of Homeland Security-led operation to detect, deter and interdict aliens, drug smugglers and individuals intent on terrorism or other hostile activity before they reach our border.
Destroyer Has Become First US Navy Ship to Deploy Artificial Intelligence System
(The War Zone) The Navy destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) became the first warship to deploy with a program-of-record artificial intelligence (AI) platform. Its creators say the system will help the fleet predict and tackle maintenance needs in a far less disruptive fashion. The system aims to reduce surprise equipment casualties while ensuring that more of the fleet is available should an all-out war break out, requiring a surge of forces.
First of 3 New Coast Guard Cutters Arrives to Homeport in Kodiak, Alaska
(USCG) The crew of Coast Guard Cutter John Witherspoon (WPC 1158) arrived at the cutter’s new homeport in Kodiak. The cutter is scheduled to be commissioned during a ceremony in April. The Witherspoon is the first of three Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) scheduled to be homeported at Coast Guard Base Kodiak and is now the fourth FRC currently based in Alaska.
Pennsylvania National Guard Soldiers Depart for Yearlong Deployment to the Middle East
(Stripes) More than 140 soldiers with the Pennsylvania National Guard left for a yearlong deployment to Kuwait as part of Task Force Spartan to support the U.S. Central Command’s mission of increasing regional security and stability. Families and loved ones said farewell to the guardsmen from 728th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 213th Regional Support Group, 3622nd Sustainment Maintenance Company during a deployment ceremony Feb.2 in Harrisburg, Pa.
Please join NDTA in welcoming two new members with a big shout out and round of applause.
President’s CIrcle: Geodis Transportation Solutions
Sustaining Member: Hylant
ARA Highlights Innovations in Infrastructure at TRB
Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) highlighted its expertise in transportation and infrastructure at the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. ARA showcased its experience in the transportation and infrastructure industry to policymakers, administrators, practitioners, researchers, and representatives from government, industry, and academia, while highlighting some of its innovative approaches to pavement testing and evaluation.
BRW Recognizes Top Contract Carriers for 2024
BRW, an industry leader in trucking, warehousing, logistics and fulfillment, announced its Top Contract Carriers for 2024. The 15 esteemed companies demonstrated exceptional performance, dedication, and commitment throughout 2024, embodying the core values of Innovation, Integrity and Excellence. Each carrier exemplifies a steadfast commitment to excellence, consistently meeting and surpassing BRW’s rigorous standards.
Delta Adds Extra Flights to New Orleans for the Big Game
Delta is adding additional flights and over 1,300 seats for fans heading to New Orleans from Philadelphia and Kansas City. SkyMiles Members can also catch the Super B Bowl game on Live TV on their seatback screens. For Philly fans, Delta is adding two new nonstop flights from Philadelphia (PHL) directly to New Orleans (MSY) on Feb. 7 and Feb. 8. Two nonstop flights will be offered back to Philadelphia after the game on Feb. 10.
The Source is a free educational publication for NDTA members, conference attendees, and associates.