The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association
July 2, 2025
NDTA-USTRANSCOM FALL MEETING
Register Today
October 6-9, 2025
The Fall Meeting will feature passionate and experienced keynote speakers including Ms. Lisa Dyer, Executive Director of the GPS Innovation Alliance (GPSIA). Ms. Dyer will share her knowledge and experience on the topic: “GPS and PNT: The Backbone of Modern Deployment and Distribution in a Contested Global Environment,” and share insights in an era where speed, precision, and resilience define mission success, the Global Positioning System (GPS) and broader Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) capabilities are more critical than ever. This keynote will explore how GPS and PNT technologies underpin the efficiency and effectiveness of deployment and distribution operations across joint, interagency, and multinational logistics networks. The session will also examine cyber vulnerabilities—and highlight emerging solutions and innovations that ensure assured access to these vital services in contested environments. Attendees will gain strategic insights into maintaining freedom of maneuver and sustaining operations globally, even under degraded GPS conditions. […READ MORE…]
WASHINGTON–US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy unveiled a package of new initiatives, pilot programs, and regulatory updates designed to improve the lives of America’s truck drivers. The Secretary’s actions deliver on President Donald Trump’s promise through his Executive Order on Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers.
The package includes millions to expand truck parking as well as initiatives to remove one-size-fits-all mandates, modernize driver resources, slash red tape, and crack down on bad actors. A detailed package breakdown can be found here. […READ MORE…]
DLA Hosts Workshop to Advance 4D Initiatives
By Sara Moore and Christina Panichelle, DLA Information Operations
ALEXANDRIA, Va.–Leaders from the Defense Department, industry and academia convened at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center June 17 to attend the first-ever 4D Workshop hosted by the Defense Logistics Agency. The event theme was “Unlocking the Power of Data to Improve Warfighter Readiness.” The workshop focused on the 4Ds of Digital Interoperability; Data, Analytics and Artificial Intelligence; Decision Advantage; Driving Transformation. […READ MORE…]
Recently, the National Defense Transportation Association became aware of the decision to close the US Army Transportation Corps Museum at Ft. Eustis, Va. Although the details and timing are yet to be shared, the Army Transportation Museum Foundation (ATMF) is requesting individuals who are interested in preserving the Army Transportation Corps Museum to write letters and send emails to leaders requesting reconsideration. If interested, please review the ATMF’s request here.
In June, the Army Transportation Corps Museum joined NDTA as one of our Surface Force Projection Conference exhibitors at Chistopher Newport University. NDTA and the ATMF share a common mission focusing on logistics, transportation, education, and professional development. With that in mind, please review the attachment and consider supporting. As they said in the Army Transportation Corps, “Nothing happens until something moves!” Time to send your letters!
Attachments (documents referenced above):
NDTA Europe & Africa to Host Networking Dinner – July 8, 2025
NDTA Europe & Africa is planning to host a networking dinner in the evening of Tuesday, July 8, before NATO Support & Procurement Agency’s (NSPA) Transportation Industry Day, in Luxembourg. The event is expected to attract 90 to 100 attendees from across the commercial transportation industry and NATO member governments and militaries.
Sponsorship packages are available!
Gold – $1,000: Large logo branding; two free dinner passes; brief speaking opportunity to introduce company and thank everyone for attending.
Silver – $750: Medium logo branding; one free dinner pass.
Bronze – $500: Small logo branding.
For more information or to sponsor the event, please contact Jason Trubenbach at jtrubenbach@trailerbridge.com.
Join NDTA JAX Chapter for Coffee & Connections
The NDTA Jacksonville (JAX) Chapter is proud to sponsor CSCMP’s “No Pressure Coffee Networking” at Bitty & Beau’s in San Marco, Fla, on Friday, July 25, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. It’s a casual coffee social for professionals across military, government, academia, and commercial logistics to connect, share insights, and build meaningful relationships in a relaxed setting. Learn more at https://www.ndtajax.com/upcoming-events
Editor’s Picks
Navy Budget Seeks to Boost Modernization of Fleet, Shipyards
(MilitaryTimes.com) The US Navy put forward a budget request of $292.2 billion, some of which it intends to use to increase its fleet of warships and modernize century-old shipyards.
As proposed, the fiscal 2026 defense budget would require two congressional bills to be passed — a base budget and an upcoming reconciliation bill. The Navy is seeking $248.9 billion in the base budget and $43.3 billion in reconciliation funds, according to budget materials released Thursday.
In Rare Jump, New York-New Jersey Leads US Port Volumes
(FreightWaves.com) The Port of New York and New Jersey, a perennial third place finisher among American container gateways, jumped to number one in May.
The East Coast port handled 774,698 twenty-foot equivalent units in May, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. That was off 2% from the same month a year ago, but 20% better than pre-pandemic May 2019.
The port cited difficult year-ago comparisons swollen by diverted traffic following the collapse of the Key Bridge that forced the closure of the Port of Baltimore.
Navy Accepts Delivery of USNS Point Loma
(msc.usff.navy.mil) The US Navy accepted delivery of USNS Point Loma (EPF 15), the second of the Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) Flight II configuration, from Austal USA, June 24.
The delivery of EPF 15 signifies the official transfer of the ship from the shipbuilder to the Navy. This delivery will enhance the Navy’s ability to transport troops, cargo, heavy equipment, and vehicles to shallow-draft ports. USNS Point Loma will be owned and operated by the US Navy’s Military Sealift Command.
Army Unveils Plans to Acquire Two Different Sizes of Autonomous Launchers
(BreakingDefense.com) The US Army is interested in acquiring two new autonomous platforms under a new initiative it’s calling the Common Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (CAML).
“CAML is an autonomous/optionally crewed, highly mobile, air transportable, cross domain fires launcher with the potential to augment or replace existing Army launchers,” the service said.
US Army Tailoring Pacific Commands for Multi-Domain Force
(DefenseNews.com) The US Army in the Pacific has begun working on how it will build two Multi-Domain Commands in the theater to oversee and direct the service’s Multi-Domain Task Force units as it continues to expand and refine its presence as part of an overall effort to deter China’s increasing aggression in the region, Gen. Ronald Clark, US Army Pacific commander, told Defense News.
Amazon Looks to Expand Rural Delivery Network
(SupplyChainBrain.com) Amazon plans to expand its same-day and next-day delivery services by the end of the year to customers in more than 4,000 small US cities, towns and rural communities. In a June 24 press release, Amazon detailed a goal to ensure that “speed-critical” essential items can reach customers in underserved regions, including rural parts of Texas, Iowa, Delaware and Ohio, among others.
ATA Applauds President Trump for Revoking California’s Destructive EV Mandate
(Trucking.org) American Trucking Associations today thanked President Trump for revoking California’s ruinous electric vehicle mandates and was honored to be part of the White House ceremony that marked a major step forward for setting realistic and achievable national emissions standards.
(PortofSanDiego.org) The Port of San Diego has been recertified by Green Marine, an international voluntary environmental certification program for the maritime industry. The Port first enrolled in Green Marine in 2018 and has achieved annual certification since. This recertification covers calendar year 2024.
Southwest Airlines Customers Avoid Bag Fees with Major Moves
(Men’sJournal.com) Last month, Southwest Airlines officially began charging for checked baggage, ending its long-time trademarked “bags fly free” policy. The big change has led some passengers to make some major moves to avoid having to pay those new bag fees.
The new Southwest Airlines bag fees will cost travelers $35 for their first checked bag and $45 for a second, which is in line with most other domestic airlines, but quite a significant change from the airline previously offering two free checked bags for each customer.
The Source is a free educational publication for NDTA members, conference attendees, and associates.