SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii (USTCNS) --- Over 415 transporters from around the Pacific and beyond gathered in Hawaii this fall to learn the latest about the Defense Transportation System as it continues to step into the new millennium.

They met in Honolulu at the 599th Transportation Group's sixth annual Pacific Command Multi-Modal Traffic Management Workshop.

The theme was Multi-Modalism into the 21st Century - New Roads to New Destinations!

The workshop provided hands-on training to military and commercial transporters in personal property, passenger traffic and cargo operations, according to Patricia Bushong, Traffic Management Specialist for the 599th and organizer of this year's workshop.

"This is a great opportunity to learn about the latest developments in the transportation field. This will make my job easier when I go back to my unit," said Air Force Staff Master Sgt. Kevin Nash, of the 106th Rescue Wing, West Hampton, N.Y.

Nash was especially impressed with the latest information on the Automated Air Load Planning System or AALPS.

One of the key themes at the workshop was cost savings.

"Learning about the newest web sites associated with the Defense Table of Official Distances will help me to save taxpayers dollars," according to Craig Yamada, of the Defense Logistics Agency Pacific. "We're all concerned with saving money these days."

Workshop participants received the latest on Department of Defense policies and updates on methods used in the field.
Another benefit of the workshop was the opportunity to build working relationships, and solve problems face to face, according to Yamada.

Maj. Gen. Kenneth L. Privratsky, Military Traffic Management Command commanding general, gave the keynote address.

In his speech, he emphasized that MTMC must continue to embrace change in the years to come.

Privratsky told the workshop that the MTMC of the future will be smaller and more efficient. He exhorted participants to change with the times and especially to embrace Web-based technology.

Privratsky said that his biggest challenge is how to improve MTMC's processes and still take care of its people. He added that budgets will go down and people are going to expect the Transportation Community to do more with less, and do it better and cheaper.

Other distinguished speakers included Army Col. John H. Bordwell, Jr., 599th Commander; Col. Brian Geehan, US Pacific Command; Mr. Bal Dreyfus, Vice President, Area Manager of Matson Navigation for Hawaii and Guam Dreyfus told workshop attendees about the partnership between MTMC and Matson and he echoed Privratsky's call to embrace change.

The heart of the Workshop was the hands-on demonstrations and training.

The Workshop provided training in: the Integrated Computerized Deployment System (ICODES), the Worldwide Port System (WPS), the Defense Table of Official Distances (DTOD), Personal Property Rates On-Line (PROL), the Transportation Operational Personal Property System (TOPS), the Global Transportation Network (GTN), the Automated Air Load Planning System (AALPS), the Integrated Booking System (IBS), the Transportation Engineering Agency (TEA), One Time Only (OTO) and Boat OTO (BOTO).

"It was especially good to see the next generation of transportation technology today," said Nash. "This Workshop was well worth attending."

Workshop briefings and highlights are on the MTMC Homepage under the 599th Transportation Group/USPACOM Workshop at http://www.MTMC.army.mil. Click on MTMC Conferences. (FROM 599TH TRANSPORTATION GROUP PUBLIC AFFAIRS).