USTRANSCOM partnerships on-track, trucking along
(DOD graphic by Xavier Razo)
U.S. Transportation Command hosted government and commercial trucking, rail and seaport leaders July 25, 2024, at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, to discuss strategic surface transport readiness and reinforce partnerships. (DOD photo by Nate Allen)
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. — U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) hosted government and commercial trucking, rail and seaport leaders July 25, 2024, to discuss strategic surface transport readiness and reinforce partnerships.
USTRANSCOM Deputy Commander Army Lt. Gen. Jered Helwig co-chaired the Surface Executive Working Group (EWG) with Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command Deputy to the Commanding General Kristina O’Brien.
The working group facilitated a continued, shared understanding between USTRANSCOM and its industry and government partners operating in the Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise.
This was Helwig’s first Surface EWG since assuming responsibilities as USTRANSCOM deputy commander July 10.
“What I really took out of today is that we are not alone,” Helwig said. “There are a lot of resources out there.”
O’Brien stressed the importance of maintaining these conversations as open dialog is “powerful in building and maintaining our relationships.”
During the event, government and industry leaders discussed current operations, regulations, challenges, and cyber threats that affect seaport, rail and trucking companies. Attendees also shared how industry supports defense logistics, highlighting that flexibility and capacity help mitigate threats.
“Most break bulk ports can pivot in the event of cyber-attacks,” said Ernest Bezdek, director of Trade Development at Port Beaumont.
Industry leaders drew attention to the robust resources of their transportation networks.
— The U.S. has 360 seaports with over 1 million port workers.
— There are 140,000 route-miles of rail, over which 1.6 billion tons of goods and services travel annually.
— The trucking industry has 3.5 million drivers working for 1.8 million carriers, a million of which are for-hire companies.
That flexibility enhances the Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise and USTRANSCOM’s ability to deploy, sustain, maneuver and redeploy material and the joint force globally.
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