United States Transportation Command

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. - Air Force Gen. Duncan J. McNabb assumed command of U.S. Transportation Command here in a ceremony today.

Secretary of Defense Dr. Robert M. Gates presided at the ceremony in which McNabb became the ninth USTRANSCOM commander.

Adm. Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was the first to speak at the ceremony and lauded the efforts of U.S. Transportation Command. "Combat operations cannot succeed without secure, mature lines of logistics. And, if you ask any TRANSCOM professional, they'll tell you that they'll make it work, they get it, they live it every single day."

He continued to say that missions over the last six years were accomplished only "because of the incredible support of this command and so many tens of thousands of people that make these operations possible."

In his remarks, Secretary Gates pointed out McNabb's transportation and mobility background made him a natural choice to be the ninth commander of USTRANSCOM.

"With all these moving parts, and with the critical importance of every single (USTRANSCOM) mission, there is little doubt that this command requires a special kind of leader - one who can maintain a focus on details within the context of massive and myriad operations. General McNabb is the right person for this job."

Upon assuming command McNabb said he was pleased to be able to rekindle relationships with the many friends and community leaders he met during his previous tour here as the former commander of Air Mobility Command.

"You all know how happy Linda and I are to be back and again privileged to be a part of this great community," noted McNabb.

In his remarks, McNabb emphasized the important role USTRANSCOM continues to play around the world, from emerging requirements in the Republic of Georgia, ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and support to FEMA and U.S. Northern Command for Hurricane Gustav and preparations for Hurricanes Hanna and Ike.

"It is clear our nation depends on us," the general said. "Born in war, grown to maturity in times of peace, and again sustaining our warfighters in war, the men and women of TRANSCOM will ensure that the promises made to our men and women in uniform, to the people of America, will always be promises kept."

McNabb's last assignment was as Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Prior to becoming Air Force vice chief of staff, McNabb served as commander of Air Mobility Command, one of the three service commands comprising USTRANSCOM. The others are the Army's Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, also headquartered at Scott AFB, and the Navy's Military Sealift Command, with headquarters at the Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.

USTRANSCOM is one of the nine U.S. military combatant commands and has its headquarters here. USTRANSCOM provides air, land and sea transportation for the Department of Defense in peace and in war and is supported by Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, and Coast Guard personnel. As the new commander of USTRANSCOM, McNabb is now the Department of Defense Distribution Process Owner managing the development of efficient and effective distribution solutions to enhance global strategic support to customers.
_______________________

To receive USTRANSCOM News Service releases and articles by email, simply send an email to join-ustcns@mercury.afnews.af.mil. There is no need to fill in the subject or message block.

McNabb assumes command of U.S. Transportation Command

Follow Us On: