The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association
March 18, 2026
May 18-21, 2026
NDTA-CAS
Surface Force Projection Meeting
Check out the daily agenda
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 today announced that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is launching a Safety Management Inspection (SMI) and a Special Directive for the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) — the state agency responsible for safety oversight of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) rail transit system. FTA determined that under Governor J.B. Pritzker’s failed leadership, IDOT has not properly leveraged its oversight authority and resources to protect Chicago passengers and transit workers. FTA’s actions build on Secretary Duffy’s nationwide campaign to make transit systems safer for American families. […READ MORE…]
CHAPTER EVENT
Answer the Call to Be Part of Our Nation’s Maritime Industrial Base Strategy!
Join us for NDTA JAX Chapter’s Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) Symposium — an exclusive gathering of Jacksonville’s and Florida’s most influential leaders in maritime logistics, economic development, and national security.
Wednesday, April 22, 2026, 8 AM to 5 PM
University of North Florida
Adam W. Herbert Center
Jacksonville, Florida
Hear from industry innovators shaping the future of America’s sea power and connect with the voices driving regional growth. If you want to be in the room where the future of the MIB is being forged, reserve your seat now before space runs out.
To register: https://www.ndtajax.com/mibsymposium
Apply for 2026 NDTA Foundation Scholarships,
now through Wednesday, April 15, 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!
Why TSA Waits Are Wildly Different Depending on Your Airport
By Zach Wichter
(www.usatoday.com) For travelers hoping to board a plane this week, inclement weather and long security lines are likely to cause headaches at the airport.
As a partial government shutdown affecting Transportation Security Administration funding drags on, TSA officers have been calling out of work at high rates after missing their first full paycheck.
“It’s devastating to their finances,” Johnny Jones, Secretary-Treasurer of AFGE TSA Council 100 and a Dallas-based TSA worker, told USA TODAY. […READ MORE…]
USTRANSCOM CYBERSECURITY PULSE NEWSLETTER
This issue of USTRANSCOM Cybersecurity Pulse highlights:
- Trump Administration Unveils New Cyber Strategy for America
- Threat Actor Exploits Flaws and Uses Elastic Cloud SIEM to Manage Stolen Data
- FBI is Probing ‘Suspicious’ Breach into Bureau Networks
- Global Takedown Neutralizes Tycoon2FA Phishing Service
- USTRANSCOM DIB TSPs Community of Interest: Join Today for Access to Non-Publicly Available Threat and Cybersecurity Reports
- Iran’s MuddyWater Hackers Hit US Firms with New ‘Dindoor’ Backdoor
- Israel: RedAlert Spyware Campaign Exploits Wartime Panic with Trojanized App
- AI and Deepfakes Supercharge Sophisticated Cyber-Attacks, Says Cloudflare
- Hackers Steal Medical Details of 15 million in France
- Surge in Attacks on Surveillance Cameras Linked to Iranian Hackers
- No One, Not Even Beijing, Is Getting Through the Strait of Hormuz
- FBI and Europol Seize LeakBase Forum Used to Trade Stolen Credentials
- LastPass Warns of New Phishing Campaign
- Fake DOD Memo about ‘Compromised’ Apps Shows Swift Spread of Deceptive Messaging
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Please join NDTA in extending a warm welcome to our newest Sustaining Member:
Editor’s Picks
Explosive Sea Drones Emerge as New Threat to Tankers in Gulf Attacks
(https://gcaptain.com) Naval drones have been used in at least two attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf region since war erupted between the U.S., Israel and Iran, according to maritime authorities and analysts, demonstrating a dangerous new threat in the key shipping lane.
The emergence of the use of explosive-laden unmanned surface vessels, which Ukraine has used with great effect in its war with Russia, comes as Iran threatens to block oil shipments from transiting the key Strait of Hormuz.
Why Strait of Hormuz Maritime Access Is Also Its Biggest Weakness
(www.freightwaves.com) The narrow, winding Strait of Hormuz has been a longtime source of concern regarding its potential closure. Connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean, it is a chokepoint for as much as 30% of global crude oil shipments moving by tanker, as well as critical shipments of liquefied natural and propane gas, petrochemicals, and crop fertilizer.
USS Nimitz Will Delay Retirement, Serve into 2027
(www.stripes.com) The scheduled retirement of the USS Nimitz will be delayed, and the Navy’s oldest aircraft carrier will serve about 10 months longer than planned. The Nimitz will remain active through March 2027. It was scheduled to begin the decommissioning process this year. The extension will allow the Navy to maintain a minimum of 11 active aircraft carriers.
U.S. Marines Airlifted into Finland During Arctic Exercise in First for NATO Franco-German Squadron
(www.stripes.com) U.S. Marines were airlifted into Finland’s Arctic by NATO allies during a military exercise that highlighted the ongoing cooperation of U.S. and European forces in the High North. The airlift last Wednesday carried a rifle company belonging to the 6th Marine Regiment from Bardufoss, Norway, to Rovaniemi, Finland, as part of exercise Cold Response.
U.S. May Not Have Capacity to Take Down Full Barrage of Iranian Drones, Officials Warn
(https://peopledaily.digital) Top military officials told lawmakers in a closed-door briefing on that they may not be able to shoot down every Iranian drone being launched against U.S. military installations and assets in retaliatory attacks, according to two people familiar with the matter.
Amazon Overtakes U.S. Postal Service as Largest Parcel Carrier
(www.freightwaves.com) Amazon passed the U.S. Postal Service as the largest domestic parcel carrier in 2025, anchoring a broader market shift away from traditional couriers, as it in-sourced a large amount of last-mile delivery work previously handled by UPS, according to data from ShipMatrix Inc.
Amazon handled 6.7 billion parcels last year, up 9.8% year over year, compared to an 8.3% decline for the U.S. Postal Service to 6.6 billion pieces.
(https://geodis.com) GEODIS business was recognized as a Leader in the first-ever 2025 edition of the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Fourth-Party Logistics (4PL). It underscores the strength of its supply chain orchestration capabilities and its ability to support companies in transforming their end-to-end logistics operations.
Landstar Recognized as TCA’s 2026 Best Place to Drive
(www.landstar.com) For the second consecutive year, Landstar has been recognized by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) as an Elite Fleet certified carrier. Landstar joins North America’s distinguished 2026 class of truckload carriers honored as TCA’s “Best Places to Drive.” The Elite Fleet initiative highlights for-hire truckload carriers that excel in fostering supportive, rewarding, and driver-centric work environments.
The Source is a free educational publication for NDTA members, conference attendees, and associates.