USTRANSCOM Commander Visits INDOPACOM with Focus on Critical Logistics Support

The commander of U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM), U.S. Air Force Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, traveled to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Jan. 23-27, for a firsthand look at the critical logistics support TRANSCOM provides to the Indo-Pacific region.  

In her first overseas theater visit since taking command, Van Ovost focused on INDOPACOM to ensure TRANSCOM is fully integrated with their logistics and transportation requirements.  

“U.S. Transportation Command provides our nation with one of its most important strategic and asymmetric advantages – the ability to rapidly project and sustain joint combat power at strategically relevant speeds, distances, and scales at the time and place of our nation’s choosing,” said Van Ovost. 

INDOPACOM’s area of responsibility encompasses nearly half the earth’s surface. 

“It is important for USTRANSCOM leaders to understand how best we can support the warfighters operating in this complex and vast theater,” said Van Ovost. 

The Indo-Pacific is home to the four most populous nations and four of the five largest economies in the world. Every day, half of the world’s container cargo and 70 percent of ship-borne energy supplies flow through this area. It is also home to seven of the world’s 10 largest armies and some of the world’s most sophisticated navies. 

Van Ovost is working to synchronize the elements of military logistics and transportation within the larger, whole-of-government effort of integrated deterrence in this consequential part of the world.

“Long, contested lines of communications and the tyranny of distance in the Indo-Pacific region create dilemmas which will require integration of logistics planning across all warfighting functions,” said Van Ovost.

U.S. Navy Adm. John Aquilino, INDOPACOM’s commander, welcomed Van Ovost and provided access to INDOPACOM’s experts with focused discussions on logistics challenges and opportunities.

While in Hawaii, Van Ovost had the opportunity to engage with INDOPACOM’s components: U.S. Army Pacific, U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. Marine Forces Pacific, and U.S. Pacific Air Forces.

In addition to immersion into the missions and unique logistics challenges of each component, Van Ovost received a briefing from the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, Hawaii. The center addresses regional and global security issues.  

During her visit, Van Ovost met with the Theater Patient Movement Requirements Center-West (TPMRC-W) at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam. Van Ovost is responsible for the Global Patient Movement enterprise for the Department of Defense (DOD).   

One of only three DOD patient movement centers in the world, TPMRC-W is responsible for moving medical patients to and from the INDOPACOM theater. TPMRC-W coordinates with en-route aeromedical teams and air operations centers to move patients to the next level of care. 

Van Ovost also met with the 599th Transportation Brigade headquartered at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. The 599th is responsible for equipment and personnel surface movements across 16 different time zones. This critical mission is executed through a network of transportation battalions disbursed throughout INDOPACOM.  

The brigade and battalions are part of U.S. Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, TRANSCOM’s land component. 

Additionally, Van Ovost met with commercial airline and maritime industry leaders in the region.  

“We will continue to strengthen relationships with our industry partners as we address the future of defense logistics and transportation. Together with our commercial teammates, we project military power trans-oceanic distances to meet our national security objectives,” Van Ovost said. 

“We continue to work with Geographical Combatant Commands to develop our global posture and operations to maintain strategic deterrence and prevail in conflict, if necessary,” said Van Ovost. “The complex and dynamic nature of tomorrow’s challenges to U.S. national security requires an agile U.S. Transportation Command, flexible, fully integrated, and responsive enough to meet the volume and tempo of warfighters’ demands.”

 

By Mike Walton, U.S. Transportation Command Public Affairs