This Week’s SFPC Explores Supporting Large Scale Operations
This week NDTA and Christopher Newport University’s Center for American Studies (CAS) jointly presented the Surface Force Projection Conference (SFPC) at the CNU campus in Newport News, VA. This year’s theme was Achieving Surface Deployment at the Speed of War: Supporting Large Scale Operations.
The event focused on the challenges associated with deploying large military organizations such as Army Corps and Divisions through the US strategic seaports, via surface transportation while integrating and adapting to contend with the contested environment of today and tomorrow. The agenda included keynote speeches, panel presentations, meetings and breakout sessions, covering a wide variety of topics.
Keynotes included GEN Gary M. Brito, USA, Commanding General, US Army Training and Doctrine Command; RDML Shannon N. Gilreath, USCG, Commander Fifth Coast Guard District, US Coast Guard; MG Gavin Lawrence, USA, Commanding General, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command; GEN Stephen R. Lyons, USA (Ret.), Port and Supply Chain Envoy, Biden-Harris Administration Supply Chain Disruptions Task Force; and The Honorable Ann C. Phillips, RDML USN (Ret.), Administrator, US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration.
Three panels provided a chance to discuss Corps and Division deployments, data sharing for better decision-making, and managing strategic port readiness during recapitalization, respectively. Panel moderators were Mr. Bruce Busler, SES, Director, Joint Distribution, Process Analysis Center (JDPAC), US Transportation Command; CAPT Jeff C. Flumignan, USN (Ret.), Director, Office of Maritime and Intermodal Outreach, US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration; and Ms. Kristina M. O’Brien, SES, Deputy to the Commanding General, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command.
The week was full of truly important and insightful presentations and discussions. More coverage of the event—including videos—will be available soon.