599th workshop stresses efficiency of operation.

Cost saving was a major theme of the 599th Transportation Group's sixth annual multi-modal workshop.

Over 400 transporters attended the Honolulu, Hawaii, workshop from Oct. 23-27.

The workshop provided hands-on training to military and commercial transporters in such subjects as personal property, passenger traffic and cargo operations, said, Patricia Bushong, workshop coordinator.

"This is a great opportunity to learn about the latest developments in the transportation field," said Master Sgt. Kevin Nash, of the Air Force's 106th Rescue Wing, West Hampton, N.Y.

"This will make my job easier when I go back to my unit."

Nash was especially impressed with the latest information on the Automated Air Load Planning System.

A cost cutting theme was evident in many portions of the workshop.

The Defense Table of Official Distances Web site will save thousands of dollars said Craig Yamada, of the Defense Logistics Agency Pacific.

"We're all concerned with saving money these days," said Yamada.

Workshop participants received the latest on Department of Defense policies and updates on methods used in the field.

Another workshop benefit was networking and face-to-face problem solving, said Yamada.

Transporters must embrace change in the near future, said Maj. Gen. Kenneth L. Privratsky, MTMC's Commanding General, in the workshop's keynote address.

In the future, Privratsky said the Army transportation command will be smaller and more efficient. He said Web-based technology is pushing more changes and a higher operations tempo.

The organization's biggest challenge will be to improve MTMC's processes and still take care of its people, said Privratsky. Budgets will go down, he said, and customers will expect transporters to do more with less, and do it better and cheaper.

The heart of the workshop was hands-on demonstrations and training.

Systems training included such systems as: Integrated Computerized Deployment System, Worldwide Port System, Defense Table of Official Distances, Personal Property Rates On-Line, Transportation Operational Personal Property System, Global Transportation Network, Automated Air Load Planning System, Integrated Booking System; One Time Only and Boat One-Time-Only.

"It was especially good to see the next generation of transportation technology today," said Nash. "This workshop was well worth attending."

Workshop briefings and highlights are on the MTMC Homepage under the 599th Transportation Group/USPACOM Workshop. Click on "MTMC Conferences" at the MTMC Web site at www.mtmc.army.mil.