The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association
November 19, 2025
Registration Now Open
Travel Academy Overview
Register for GovTravels today! The National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA), in association with the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) and the General Services Administration (GSA), will host GovTravels 2026, February 23-26, at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center Hotel in Alexandria, VA. The 2026 GovTravels theme, “Navigating New Horizons: Empowering Government and Travel Industry through Education & Training,” highlights the importance of staying mission-ready through continuous learning. Don’t miss the Travel Academy’s unique and interactive breakout classes that offer an unparalleled educational experience. Be part of the future of government travel! […READ MORE…]
NDTA is proud to announce open season
to apply for 2026 NDTA Foundation Scholarships,
now through Wednesday, April 15, 2026
NDTA is announcing open season for NDTA Foundation Scholarship applications for the 2026-2027 academic year. Applications may be submitted now 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 https://www.ndtahq.com/
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Hegseth: DARPA at Heart of America’s Strategic Advantage
By C. Todd Lopez, Pentagon News
(War.gov) DARPA and industry experts put the secretary in front of two large television screens: one showing a live feed of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter sitting on a runway more than 250 miles away in Stratford, Conn., and the other, a touch screen, displaying a map and controls for the helicopter.
The Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS), developed by DARPA and a commercial partner, allowed the secretary to plot a flight path and parameters for the helicopter and fly it remotely. […READ MORE…]
The MSC Change of Command Ceremony
Norfolk, Va. (November 13, 2025) – Rear Adm. Kimberly A. Walz, acting Commander, Military Sealift Command (MSC), delivered remarks during MSC’s assumption of command ceremony held on board USNS Robert F. Kennedy (T-AO 208) Nov. 13, 2025. The ceremony is a time-honored tradition that marks the moment a new commander formally takes charge of a unit in the absence of an outgoing commander.
Rear Adm. Kimberly Walz turned over command of Military Sealift Command to Rear Adm. Benjamin Nicholson during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, Nov. 13. Walz will return to her position as Acting Deputy Commander of MSC after serving as Acting Commander since Oct. 8, 2025.
Nicholson becomes the 30th commander of MSC after serving as the assistant deputy of Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy. His previous Flag Officer assignments included Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group Two; Commander, Joint Region Marianas, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas, Task Force West; and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Senior Military Official for Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau. […READ MORE…]
DOT & FAA Announce Reduction of Required Flight Cuts to 3 Percent
(Transportation.gov) U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford announced that required flight reductions at 40 airports will drop from 6 percent to 3 percent effective November 15 at 6 a.m., following a recommendation from the FAA’s safety and operations team. The change reflects improved air traffic controller staffing and fewer staffing-trigger events across the National Airspace System. […READ MORE…]
NDTA and Toys for Tots are recruiting your support to help Santa’s Elves!
How does Santa get around to all the children in just one night?
He has LOTS of help: Elves, Marines, & YOU!
Join NDTA in our effort to support the annual
Marine Toys for Tots Program.
Please send or bring any new, unwrapped toys to our office
between Friday, November 7 and Monday, December 8, 2025.
Or, bring a toy AND celebrate with us and the Marines on
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Our doors will be open between 12 and 2pm.
At 1:15pm an official celebration of contributions will be held.
Enjoy refreshments and photographs with a pair of dedicated Marines!
If you are not able to drop off a toy in person, please send new, unwrapped toys to NDTA at the address below.
Financial donations are also welcome.
You may drop off or mail a check payable to Toys for Tots to:
NDTA
Attention: Jennifer Reed
50 S. Pickett Street, Suite #220
Alexandria, VA 22304
If you would like to make a donation via credit card, please call NDTA
703-751-5011
NDTA truly appreciates your support for this incredible Toys for Tots campaign!
Editor’s Picks
National Guard Rehearses Stopping Drone Attacks at the World Cup
(Military Times) The Washington National Guard simulated drone attacks on Seattle’s Lumen Field earlier this month in an exercise that put the 2026 FIFA World Cup center stage. The Nov. 5 rehearsals, part of the Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems Summit, were hosted by Maj. Gen. Gent Welsh, Washington’s adjutant general and homeland security adviser. The summit’s key event was a tabletop exercise that simulated an array of drone attacks.
U.S. Marines Deploy Drone Unit to Philippines to Patrol Over South China Sea
(USNI.org) The U.S. Marine Corps temporarily deployed a drone unit to support Philippine maritime security in the tense South China Sea, USNI News has learned. Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1, an Arizona-based unit equipped with MQ-9A Reapers, was sent to the Philippines to bolster regional maritime security, a Marine Corps Forces Pacific spokesperson confirmed. The deployment also strengthens U.S.-Philippine alliance efforts and enhances shared maritime domain awareness capabilities in the region as well.
New Army-led Task Force Plans to Stand up Digital Marketplace for Counter-drone Tech
(Breaking Defense) The Army-led Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF 401), which oversees technology to counter small drone threats, is creating an online marketplace where military and agency leaders can purchase counter-drone equipment. Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, the task force’s director, said numerous vendors offer c-UAS solutions for the military, DHS, the FBI, and local law enforcement. A centralized system, he noted, will simplify purchases.
Lessons from How China Played Its Rare Earth Card — and What It Means for Global Shipping
(BreakBulk News) The World Trade Organization’s Global Trade Outlook and Statistics (GTOS) October 2025 update captures a world economy reshaped by tariffs, technology, and geopolitics. Beneath the headline numbers — global merchandise trade growth revised upward to 2.4% for 2025, services trade at 4.6% — lies a deeper, structural story: the reordering of critical supply chains. And few sectors are as exposed to this transformation as the shipping industry.
Amtrak Reports Record Ridership, Revenue for FY25
(Progressive Railroading) Amtrak logged record ridership and revenue during fiscal-year 2025 ending Sept. 30, the railroad announced today in its year-end report.
The railroad provided 34.5 million rider trips, a 5.1% increase over FY24 and an all-time record, and collected adjusted ticket revenue of $2.7 billion, a first in Amtrak’s history and 10.4% higher year over year, Amtrak officials said in a press release.
15 Years Strong: Delta Tops Business Travel News Survey during historic centennial year
(Delta.com) Delta has been named the top airline for business travel in the Business Travel News Airline Survey, marking its15th consecutive year at No. 1. The honor highlights Delta’s consistent commitment to delivering a best-in-class experience for corporate customers. The milestone coincides with Delta’s 100th anniversary, a century shaped by innovation and service. In 2025, Delta Business introduced a suite of new enhancements tailored to the evolving needs of corporate travelers and the expectations of their travel managers.
New Service Brings Uber Brand to Unexpected Form of Transportation
Eurostar’s emerging competitor may soon make high-speed travel across major European cities faster and cleaner — and it’s partnering with Uber to do it, Railway Gazette International reported. London-based startup Gemini Trains plans to launch an Uber-branded service using Siemens Mobility’s Velaro Novo electric trainsets. The 200-meter (656-foot) trains are designed to reach 360 km/h (224 mph) while using 30% less energy and weighing 15% less than previous models, promising a more efficient rail option.
(TheTravel.com) Travelers are relieved as the FAA lifted nationwide flight restrictions just before Thanksgiving. Despite setbacks from the government shutdown, United Airlines rose above competitors by limiting disruptions during a challenging period. Now the carrier is looking ahead to the holiday season and has revived a once-retired perk, following a similar move by Southwest Airlines. Both airlines have brought back an old card system many thought was gone for good.
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