USTRANSCOM opens new global transportation command-and-control facility

The commander of U.S. Transportation Command, Air Force Gen. Duncan J. McNabb, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony here today and officially opened a new, updated transportation command-and-control facility, and recognized key support from the Department of Defense, Joint Service counterparts and civic leaders. Joining McNabb in the ceremony were James R. Clapper, Jr., Director of National Intelligence, Reps. Jerry Costello and John Shimkus, Army Maj. Gen. James Hodge, commanding general, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command. In opening comments, McNabb noted that construction began April 3, 2008, and never slowed down. "The facility--ahead of schedule and on cost - [is] a true contracting and construction success story," he said. In addition to a new building, USTRANSCOM's existing structure received updates, including a new Heritage Hall and lobbies. "We wanted to tell the USTRANSCOM story... to capture one of the true asymmetric advantages our country has, its ability to move," said McNabb. Hodge recounted the ribbon-cutting history marking each stage of SDDC's move to Scott AFB. "Three years and 11 months ago, we cut a ribbon for the SDDC advance party here, now we are able to complete what we started," he said. In talking about his command's consolidation from three separate locations in Virginia, Hodge said, "For SDDC, this is a homecoming, we've never had a common home." Part of the construction project added the Joint Intelligence Operations Center for Transportation, with funding provided by the Defense Intelligence Agency. Director Clapper represented the intelligence community at the ceremony and said, "Intelligence must be fully integrated and partnered with operations. This new facility will serve as a venue...for professionals to come together and create a common operating picture." He also praised the command in its global transportation mission. "You make the impossible look routine," he said. Congressman Costello pledged his continued support to improve the quality of life at the base and noted the contributions of the men and women of Scott AFB, not only in national defense, but also in the community. In addressing USTRANSCOM's mission, Congressman Shimkus said, "As an Army guy, I know we can't win our nation's wars unless we get there...unless we continue to be sustained. He said, "The story on what USTRANSCOM has done will be unrivaled in modern warfare." The $130 million, 210,000 sq. ft. facility streamlines several operations and business functions, as mandated and funded by the 2005 Base Closure and Realignment Commission. Streamlined operations will transform the global Defense Transportation System and realize $1.2 billion in savings. USTRANSCOM was the only combatant command involved in that BRAC process. River City Construction of East Peoria, Ill., served as the primary contractor on the $130 project, which included construction of the new facility and upgrades to the original building. USTRANSCOM, one of 10 combatant commands, provides air, land, and sea transportation, terminal management and aerial refueling to support the global deployment, sustainment and redeployment of U.S. forces. _________________________ To receive USTRANSCOM News Service releases and articles by email, simply send an email to join-ustcns@lyris.dmasa.dma.mil . There is no need to fill in the subject or message block. To unsubscribe, please send a blank e-mail to the following address from your subscriber e-mail account: leave-ustcns@lyris.dmasa.dma.mil. Follow USTRANSCOM: www.facebook.com/USTRANSCOM and www.twitter.com/US_TRANSCOM