Industry’s Role in Force Projection, Sustainment a Topic at NDTA-USTRANSCOM Command Fall Meeting

Assistant
Secretary of Defense for Sustainment Robert McMahon will discuss industry’s role
in projecting and sustaining U.S. forces during an emergency or a crisis at the
National Defense Transportation Association-U.S. Transportation Command fall meeting
Oct. 7-10 at Union Station in St. Louis.

As one of
five keynote speakers, McMahon will discuss the private sector’s role in providing
augmented transportation capacity to support Defense Department requirements.

“Clearly,
DoD cannot accomplish its mission without partnering with commercial partners
in the world of logistics and sustainment. They are absolutely essential to our
success by ground, sea and air,” said Michael P. Kleman, a spokesman for USTRANSCOM.
“Our success is reliant on that partnership.”

The
collaboration’s foundation rests on the Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement
and Civil Reserve Air Fleet programs, which provide commercial ships and
aircraft, respectively, to meet mission needs.

For
example, VISA involves the participation of all major U.S.-flag companies and
offers access to more than 90 vessels, contributing more than 3 million square
feet of force-projection capacity and 143,000 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of
sustainment capability. On the other hand, CRAF includes 25 safety-certified
U.S. air carriers, providing long-range international airlift for about 40% of
DoD air cargo and more than 90% of passenger transport.

In
addition, the Maritime Security Program, managed by the U.S. Maritime Administration,
consists of 60 military-useful, internationally-trading, U.S.-flags ships that
employ more than 2,500 U.S.-trained and credentialed mariners. MSP vessels are
required to be enrolled in the VISA program. 

After
completing a 34-year Air Force career, retiring as a major general in 2012,
McMahon was CEO of the 21st Century Partnership and then served as the director
of field operations and site lead for the Boeing C-17 Globemaster III Integrated
Sustainment Program. He later served as president of Fickling Management
Services of Macon, Georgia, from 2015 to 2017, leading a real estate company
that maintained properties in eight states.

“I have a
much greater appreciation of the private sector than I had when I wore the
uniform. They are great Americans, just as dedicated and patriotic as those in
uniform,” McMahon said.

In his
current position, McMahon works as the principal staff assistant and adviser to
the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, deputy secretary
of defense, and secretary of defense for sustainment in the DoD. As the
principal logistics official within DoD senior management, he also provides
oversight of logistics policies, practices and efficiencies to enable readiness
throughout the Pentagon as well as manages more than $170 billion in logistics
operations.

McMahon also oversees the DoD’s real property portfolio made up of 28 million acres, over 500 installations, and more than 500,000 buildings and structures valued at $1 trillion.  Those interested in attending Mr. McMahon’s keynote address and other fall Meeting activities can register here.