European workshop puts focus on force readiness

Translog: Journal of Military Transportation Management, Jan-Feb, 2001 by Bram de Jong

Transporters should focus on readiness in the job of supporting the warfighter.

Readiness elements were the theme of a speech by Brig. Gen. Elizabeth Ann Harrell, Director, Logistics and Security Assistance, European Command.

Harrell spoke at the 598th Transportation Group's annual workshop Nov. 12-16 in Sonthofen, Germany. The workshop, in its 24th year, was cohosted by European Command.

"Readiness is the most important subject when I talk with my European Command boss" said Harrell.

Newly arrived in Stuttgart, Harrell oversees the direction and management of international agreements and the coordinated logistical support for all U.S. forces in the command.

People, materiel and information management are key components of readiness, said Harrell, a U.S. Air Force officer.

"People are our top priority" said Harrell. "Everyone knows how important the privately owned vehicle and household goods programs are for the soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines, and their families.

"I am very encouraged to hear MTMC is putting a full court press on transforming the household goods process to a commercial best practice and best value system."

A second major component is materiel readiness, said Harrell.

"We are now a continental United States-based force and must have adequate infrastructure overseas to ensure readiness" said Harrell. "Modernization of our airlift and sealift fleets is vital ... The results of the Mobility Requirements Study 2005 are due out very soon and will highlight the need for more lift."

Information management is essential as a readiness enabler and force multiplier to the warfighter, said Harrell.

"By the end of fiscal year 2002, we must be able to ensure time-definite delivery of cargo to the warfighter," said Harrell. "By the end of fiscal year 2006, we will implement a collaborative information network that will allow the warfighter to make rapid and accurate transportation decisions."

The more than 450 military and civilian attendees this year included representatives from Poland, Slovenia and Russia.

Participants were enthusiastic about this year's workshop.

"What a difference a year makes," said Terry Head, President, Household Goods Forwarders Association of America, Inc.

"Over the past twelve months, the industry decision makers at MTMC and DoD have finally broken through the barriers to communication and collaboration.

"Real progress has been achieved. Hopefully, we will proceed on a course that is considered a "win" for all--especially the American service member."

Ben Luijcks, of Emery Worldwide, was enthusiastic about the conference.

"For Emery Worldwide, these events are an opportunity to profile ourselves as one of the key players in the military and government logistics arena," said Luijcks, Global Account Manager, Government Sales Europe.

MTMC transporters have had concerns about timely information on ships and agents, said Timothy Pickering, Cargo Operations Manager, Military Sealift Command.

"I'm working to streamline this process," said Picketing.

"We also want to work with MTMC's Technical Engineering Agency to increase the size of the ICODES database.

"When we charter a ship, that contractor should be sending the data required to create ships in ICODES, which in turn will allow proper stow planning to occur."

This was the second year the 598th Transportation Group teamed up with the European Command to cohost the workshop.

"The hot-button issues were the major improvements in sustainment and distribution in the European Command area of operations, along with household goods and POV shipments" said Col. Mark Ramsay, workshop cohost.

"It was obvious that we've come a long way over the past year in all these areas, and the future is very exciting indeed" said Ramsay, Chief, Programs and Mobility Division, Logistics and Security Assistance Directorate.