Ops Center commander coordinates mission

Translog: Journal of Military Transportation Management, May-June, 2002

The creation of MTMC's first worldwide, global headquarters is the most singular organizational event in the command's history.

It represents an epic change for a continental United States Army headquarters. Beginning Nov. 7, the new MTMC Operations Center, at Fort Eustis, Va., was suddenly responsible for the operation of a Major Army Command with global responsibilities. This added responsibility came at the same time as challenges brought on by the War on Terrorism.

While the transitioning of MTMC's Operations Center will continue through June 30, 2003, the headquarters is fully functional today.

The Operations Center is the vision and creation of Brig. Gen. Barbara Doornink, Deputy Commanding General/Director of Operations.

"The Operations Center provides the global look for MTMC," said Doornink. "This is reflected in the way we are combatant-command focused in our work and thinking. It's a great challenge."

The new Operations Center is a logical development of MTMC re-engineering, said Doornink.

"We've streamlined," said Doornink. "We understand the core process. The culmination of all this is the creation of the Operations Center."

All three of MTMC's geographic transportation groups report to the Operations Center. They include the 597th Transportation Group, Southport, N.C.; the 598th Transportation Group, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; and the 599th Transportation Group, Wheeler Army Air Field, Hawaii.

"We focus on providing support for Department of Defense core responsibilities," said Doornink.

"A big challenge is aligning our work with commercial transportation practices," she added.

"The commercial industry we work with, and its processes, have a great cultural history--rail, sea, road," said Doornink. "Today commercial industry is achieving intermodal, door-to-door, end-to-end business development.

"Our commercial partners are breaking down barriers. It's certainly time for us to do it."

The Department of Defense needs better business practices, said Doornink.

"We own some very excellent processes developed over the years from commercial business models."

For the near future, Doornink sees heavy emphasis on developing the permanent structure and training of the new Operations Center. The future will include continued emphasis on the use of Army Reserve troops in support of MTMC missions, said Doornink.

"They're a great value," said Doornink. "They are first class--we use them every day--and they're a huge part of our success in providing quality transportation support to the Department of Defense."