Readout of USTRANSCOM leadership’s visit with 597th Trans. Bde. Soldiers and TACAD Sailors

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (May 15, 2023) -- Air Force Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, commander of U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), and Navy Fleet Master Chief Donald Myrick, USTRANSCOM senior enlisted leader, traveled to Fort Eustis, Virginia, to meet with Surface Warriors from the 597th Transportation Brigade. 

During their visit on May 11, Van Ovost and Myrick were briefed on how the 597th Transportation Brigade supports USTRANSCOM’s global requirements, as well as the missions of the following battalions which make up the brigade: 832nd Transportation Battalion, ​841st Transportation Battalion, and 842nd Transportation Battalion. 

As part of U.S. Army Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC), the 597th Transportation Brigade is responsible for integrating and synchronizing surface deployment and distribution capabilities in the U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) area of responsibility, as well as deploying and sustaining the joint force off the East and Gulf coasts in support of global operations. 

This brigade also provides the Joint Force a unique expeditionary port opening capability known as Rapid Port Opening Elements (RPOEs). 832nd Transportation Battalion RPOE soldiers can rapidly deploy anywhere in the world to establish a port of debarkation and forward distribution node in support of USTRANSCOM’s Joint Task Force-Port Opening (JTF-PO) missions.  
Van Ovost and Myrick expressed their appreciation to the military and civilian professionals throughout the visit to the headquarters and recognized several key performers for their dedication and expert execution of the mission.  

The command team continued their visit to Naval Station Norfolk, where Van Ovost addressed students who had recently completed Military Sealift Command’s Tactical Advisor (TACAD) program.  

During this, she discussed the importance of recapitalizing the ready sealift fleet, highlighting that sealift will move 90 percent of military cargo in wartime. 

She also stressed the importance of strategic sealift and the critical role of tactical advisors.   

MSC initiated the TACAD program for its U.S. Navy Reserve Strategic Sealift Officers (SSOs) in 2017 with the objective of training personnel that would supplement sealift crews to help better operate in a contested environment.  

TACADs play a critical role in the command and control chain, synchronizing situational awareness between military networks and commercial partners. 

Van Ovost rounded out the visit by recognizing personnel for their work in running the program and thanking the students for their role in projecting and sustaining the Joint Force.