Deployment and Distribution conference a success in Europe.

The Joint European Command (EUCOM) Deployment and Distribution Conference (JEDDC) 2006, a joint venture between U.S. European Command and the Surface Deployment and Distribution Command's 598th Transportation Terminal Group, was held in Sonthofen, the southernmost city in the German Alps.

More than three hundred transportation professionals from both Government and Industry gathered to discuss transportation. Expeditionary Logistics--New Roles, New Challenges for a New Theater was this year's theme and the goal was to come together for a dedicated effort in addressing a variety of issues affecting cargo movement in theater.

The JEDDC, is intended to be the one annual forum for the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) Area of Responsibility (AOR) where Government and Industry could come together to exchange knowledge on transportation issues and to highlight specific transportation subjects that need more attention.

According to Colonel Douglas Sevier, Chief of the EUCOM Deployment and Distribution Operations Center (EDDOC), "The conference was essential as it allowed key theater players to meet without distraction, and develop real solutions for the EUCOM AOR. Issues we've been working telephonically and via email for months were resolved in a matter of days."

The event was jointly hosted by the USEUCOM J4 (Logistics and Security Assistance) and the Surface Deployment and Distribution Command's 598th Transportation Terminal Group (TTG), with each command providing support for the event and leading discussions on topics specific to EUCOM J4/EDDOC and the 598th TTG respectively.

Guest speaker at the opening ceremony was Earl Boyanton, Assistant Deputy Undersecretary of Defense, Transportation Policy. Together with Rear Adm. Michael Lyden, Director of Logistics and Security Assistance, Headquarters, United States European Command, and Maj. Gen. Kathleen Gainey, SDDC Commander, he addressed the audience with a presentation in which he emphasized the need to be adaptive and inventive where transportation is concerned. Boyanton focused on the ever-existing need to improve matters of transportation within the Defense System.

According to Col. Mark Westbrook, Commander of the 598th Transportation Group, the value of the event can't be measured solely on those objectives achieved at the event.

"We as transportation professionals need to continue to work the ongoing issues we face, and continue to engage successfully with each other in the future. This can only be accomplished by developing mutual understanding and improving relationships between commands, and especially between the people, who impact transportation in the EUCOM AOR."

"By all accounts, the 2006 conference was a success overall, with a number of problems being resolved, plans of action developed, and an enhanced spirit of cooperation among the diverse attendees", said Mark LaRue, co-organizer of the JEDDC conference. "The overwhelming majority of the attendees are looking forward to the next JEDDC."--598th Transportation Group PAO