The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association
July 15, 2026
Register Today
October 26 – 29, 2026
Early Bird rates available until August 27, 2026
Get ready for the NDTA-USTRANSCOM Fall Meeting, October 26-29, 2026 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center and register today! The Fall Meeting is where transportation, logistics, and supply chain professionals come together to learn, connect, and lead. Attendees will experience engaging general sessions, executive meetings, a vibrant exhibit hall, and more than 60 Transportation Academy courses covering today’s most critical logistics and transportation challenges. Earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs), expand your expertise, and build valuable relationships with senior government, military, and industry leaders who can help propel your career forward.
This year’s inspiring theme, “Delivering Hope, Projecting Lethality – Theater to Globe,” sets the stage for thought-provoking discussions led by distinguished government and military leaders. Highlights include the roundtable discussion, “Fueling the Fight,” moderated by Mr. Guy Beougher, Vice President of DoD/Federal Logistics and Supply Chain Energy at Cypress International. […READ MORE…]
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Forging the Arsenal of Freedom: Department of War Suspends CMMC Phase II Requirements
(www.war.gov) The Department of War today announces the immediate suspension of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Phase II requirements, which were originally scheduled to come into effect on November 10, 2026. All Phase I self-assessment requirements remain firmly in place.
Additionally, the Department will begin a comprehensive review of CMMC aimed at aligning with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s Acquisition Transformation System (ATS) directives prioritizing speed to capability, lowering barriers for small, medium, and non-traditional businesses, and replacing bureaucratic compliance with scalable, resilient cybersecurity measures. […READ MORE…]
Your Source
(www.transportation.gov) U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced multiple Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants totaling $1.776 billion to upgrade American airports with runway rehabilitations, family-friendly enhancements, and safety upgrades. These investments address infrastructure needs, family-friendly improvements, and more.
Forty-six states received investments, including:
- $88.8 million to Denver International Airport for pavement projects
- $74 million to Boise Air Terminal/Gowen Field for runway rehabilitation, apron expansion, and upgrading visual guidance lights
- $62.4 million to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport for runway and runway lighting rehabilitation
- $62.2 million to Houston Hobby Airport for runway construction
- $47.6 to John F. Kennedy International Airport for taxiway construction and reconstruct an aircraft rescue and firefighting building.
- $36 million to Orlando International Airport for terminal, taxiway, and lighting rehabilitation
- $28.1 million to Oakland International Airport for taxiway rehabilitation […READ MORE…]
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Trump Pushes to Charge Tolls for Strait of Hormuz
(www.supplychainbrain.com) With attacks between the United States and Iran having resumed, President Donald Trump is proposing that the U.S. charge 20% tolls for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
In a July 13 post to his Truth Social platform, Trump said that the U.S. would be reinstating its blockade of the strait and declared that the U.S. should be reimbursed for “providing safety and security” to the waterway. Without providing specifics as to how the proposed 20% tolls would be enacted, Trump added that the process would begin immediately. […READ MORE…]
Defense Department Memo Establishing the Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager for Unmanned Systems
(usni.org) The Department of War announced the comprehensive consolidation of all Unmanned and Autonomous Systems (UxS) under a newly established, direct-report position to the Deputy Secretary of War. This strategic priority aims to rapidly accelerate the development, procurement, and fielding at scale of autonomous capabilities, which are essential to maintaining the United States’ decisive military advantage. […READ MORE…]
POWERING THE FUTURE OF MILITARY MOBILITY
August 26-27, 2026
Mission Training Complex (MTC)
Fort Hood, Texas
Military Community Engagement Event
Wednesday, August 26
Join us for a complimentary military networking event at the MTC before the NDTA Texas Regional Meeting starts on August 27. Here, you can connect with service members and military families with industry partners, educational institutions, veteran-focused organizations, and career transition services.
Registration is not required to participate.
2026 NDTA Texas Regional Meeting
Thursday, August 27
The 2026 NDTA Texas Regional Meeting, hosted collaboratively at the MTC by the NDTA Texas Chapters, will bring together military leaders, government agencies, transportation professionals, and industry partners to discuss military mobility, logistics, infrastructure, and innovation. The event will highlight modernization efforts, emerging technologies, transportation operations, and public-private partnerships that support mission readiness across Texas and beyond.
Registration is required to attend this meeting. For information regarding registration, speakers, sponsorship opportunities, and agenda topics, click here.
USTRANSCOM Cybersecurity Pulse Newsletter
In this issue of the USTRANSCOM Cybersecurity Pulse Newsletter:
- U.S. in ‘Indefinite’ AI Race with China, Congressmen Say
- Department of War Launches New Website to Help Industry Partners Navigate Section 805 Supply Chain Requirements
- The Hidden Market Turning Home Internet Connections into Cover for Hackers
- Canada Launches Its Own Version of CMMC
- USTRANSCOM DIB TSPs Community of Interest: Join Today for Access to Non-Publicly Available Threat and Cybersecurity Reports
- S. Needs More Sensors, Icebreakers to Secure Arctic, Experts Say
- Trade Uncertainty Leads South Carolina Ports to Temporarily Shut Down Container Terminal
- What the Numbers Say About FIFA 2026 Cyber Risk
- CISA: Windows BlueHammer Flaw Now Exploited by Ransomware Gangs
- S. Officials see Iran Cyber Threat Persisting Despite Preliminary Deal
- Four years into Ukraine Invasion, Russia turns Influence-ops Back to US and Europe
- Consultants Warn of Overconfidence as CMMC Phase 2 Deadline Looms
- India’s Central Bank Mandated Use of. bank Domains to Enhance Trust – but its Registry Leaked Sensitive Info
- Insurance Giant Aflac Discloses Data Breach after Subsidiary Hack
Sinews of War at Sea: The Armed Services Need a Common Watercraft Family
By Peter Mitchell and John Curl
(warontherock.com) Future maritime operations will span vast oceans, contested straits, and chokepoints where adversaries are prepared to target U.S. logistics. Rather than fielding many unique vessels, the military needs a common family of intra-theater watercraft designed for scale, interoperability, and rapid wartime replacement. The Army’s current Pacific and Atlantic vessel programs remain fragmented and lack a coherent sustainment doctrine. […READ MORE…]
Editor’s Picks
MSC Ships Earn First-Ever Presidential Unit Citation in Military Sealift Command History
Two Military Sealift Command ships have earned the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) for the first time in the command’s 77-year history, recognizing the civilian-crewed vessels for their role supporting the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group during Operation Epic Fury.
Military Sealift Command announced that fleet replenishment oiler USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196) and dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS William McLean (T-AKE 12) received the prestigious unit award for providing critical logistics support to U.S. Navy and allied forces during the deployment.
Sea Drones Strike Iranian Port in Combat First for U.S.
(www.militarytimes.com) U.S. Central Command utilized three Corsair unmanned surface vessels to strike a submarine and ship maintenance facility at the Bandar Abbas naval base in Iran, marking the “first time American forces have employed sea drones in combat operations,” CENTCOM confirmed on X.
The latest round of strikes by the U.S. comes after it revoked a license on July 7 that allowed Iran to sell oil.
U.S. Marines Use Commercial Ferries to Haul Anti-ship Missiles Across the Philippines
(usni.org) Marine anti-ship missile launchers and air defense rolled off contracted Philippine commercial transport vessels onto an island in the middle of the Luzon Strait near Taiwan during drills earlier this month.
The 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR) worked with their Philippine counterparts to transport the unit’s maritime strike and air defense systems to Calayan Island during the 10th iteration of the Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigma ng Dagat drills.
U.S. Marines Successfully Test-fire New Medium-range Air Defense System
(www.marinecorpstimes.com) U.S. Marines on Guam recently fired the service’s new Medium-Range Intercept Capability system, representing the validation of the Corps’ first medium-range air defense system since the divestment of the service’s legacy HAWK platform in the 1990s.
The ongoing Exercise Valiant Shield became the proving ground for III Marine Expeditionary Force personnel, as Marines at Camp Blaz successfully used the MRIC to intercept an aerial target on June 30, 2026.
DIU, Navy Launch Containerized Payload Competition
(breakingdefense.com) The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and the Navy are launching a competition to expedite the development of containerized payloads on manned and unmanned surface vessels — for missions as varied as surveillance to electronic attack.
For the competition, dubbed the Spectacular MIST Challenge, DIU is teaming up with the Navy’s Rapid Capabilities Office and Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific to accelerate the prototyping and fielding of “transformative technologies.”
TOTE Services Awarded VCM Contract to Oversee Medium Landing Ship Construction Program
(www.toteservices.com) TOTE Services, LLC, has been awarded a contract by the Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Maritime (PAE Maritime) to serve as Vessel Construction Manager (VCM) for the Medium Landing Ship (LSM) program.
The LSM program is a complex, multi-ship effort requiring coordination across U.S. shipyards, suppliers, designers, manufacturers, and government stakeholders. The program will require standardizing configuration across the fleet, using multi-ship procurement to support favorable pricing, and delivering mission-ready vessels with lifecycle logistics in place.
BNSF to Build $4B Rail Facility in California
(www.supplychaindive.com) BNSF Railway will move ahead with its plans to build a $4 billion Barstow International Gateway project in California’s Inland Empire after receiving approval from the Barstow City Council. The project, dubbed BIG, will be a 4,500-acre rail facility that includes a rail yard, intermodal facility, and transload warehouses. The warehouses are designed to move eastbound freight from international containers to domestic containers. Construction will begin later this year with a target of late 2028 for the facility to open.
GEODIS Tests Sustainable Paper Thermal Covers for Pharmaceutical Airfreight
(geodis.com) GEODIS, a world leader in transport and logistics, has successfully completed a series of international trials using sustainable paper-based thermal covers for pharmaceutical airfreight shipments. Developed in collaboration with a global pharmaceutical customer, the initiative supports the growing need for temperature-controlled logistics solutions that also contribute to sustainability objectives.
Green Motion Expands into Japan with New Master Country Franchise
(greenmotion.com) Green Motion International announced its official launch in Japan. The launch is a major step in Green Motion’s international growth strategy, strengthening the brand’s presence across the Asia-Pacific region. Japan’s thriving tourism sector, strong business economy, and increasing demand for high-quality car rental services make it an important market for Green Motion’s car rental franchise network.
(rockitcompany.com) The Rock-It Company (Rock-It) has expanded its footprint in the UAE to Abu Dhabi, in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO). The expansion in the region brings Rock-It’s portfolio of renowned brands to the UAE capital to support Abu Dhabi’s vision of becoming a world-leading destination for luxury experiences, cultural attractions, and global events, while reinforcing the emirate’s position as a regional re-export hub and advanced logistics base.
U.S. Bank/DAT Data: Truck Freight Rates Accelerate
(www.businesswire.com) The latest quarterly U.S. Bank Freight Payment Index – Rates Edition showed truck freight rates rising considerably in April and May.
Produced in collaboration with DAT Freight & Analytics, the data revealed that spot rates were up 31.29% in May compared with a year earlier, reflecting a significant acceleration over the past several months. Contract rates increased 9% year over year.
The Source is a free educational publication for NDTA members, conference attendees, and associates.