USTRANSCOM International Logistics Symposium brings 30 countries together

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (September 23, 2022) – One hundred twenty attendees representing 30 countries, including representation from every U.S. combatant command attended the United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) International Logistics Symposium at Scott Air Force Base, held September 20-22, 2022. 

“It’s a great opportunity to really celebrate the global nature of what we do as a core business. The ability to strengthen partners and allies at the grassroots level is absolutely critical for our number one priority, and that’s ready today as well as for the future,” said Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck, USTRANSCOM Strategic Plans, Policy and Logistics Director. “Also, it emboldens our ability to strengthen our partnerships, the teamwork that’s required to do global logistics.”

The symposium focused on the dynamic global logistics environment and included senior leader perspectives, breakout groups, presentations, and discussions on the complex nature of global logistics, mutually beneficial alliances and partnerships, and the strength that comes from working together.

“I’m here to make sure everyone understands the Tunisian point of view when it comes to logistics,” said Capt. Fares Bedoui of the Tunisian Air Force. “What happened in the past few years, like COVID-19, showed us that the challenges that Tunisia is facing, everyone else is facing, so we are all in the same boat.”

Attendees were able to collaborate with each other throughout the symposium in both structured sessions and during breaks and informal conversations. A variety of views, perspectives and cultures were shared by attendees as they discussed both recent events and potential future missions. 

“The main benefits I’ve taken away from this is the ability to discuss issues or standard logistical problems that we’ve had with all the different nations here, because everyone has the same basic problems,” said Squadron Leader Andy Wood of the United Kingdom Royal Air Force. “It’s all about communications and working through the problems that we all have operating on global operations.”

USTRANSCOM commander Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost spoke to the symposium and took questions from attendees on the last day. 

“When we gather together like this, not only do we learn from one another, we really reinforce the values we bring and the commitment to each other in times of need,” she said. “The more we understand each other’s requirements, and what expertise, capabilities and gaps we have, the stronger our trust and interoperability.”  

USTRANSCOM exists as a warfighting combatant command to project and sustain military power at a time and place of the nation’s choosing. Powered by dedicated men and women, we underwrite the lethality of the Joint Force, we advance American interests around the globe, and we provide our nation's leaders with strategic flexibility to select from multiple options, while creating multiple dilemmas for our adversaries.

Learn more about the symposium in this video.