MTMC.

Sweeping, fast-paced change has been center stage at the Military Traffic Management Command as the organization reorganized and refocused to meet the demands of the Global War on Terror and Operations Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Iraqi Freedom.

As a result, the command will be officially renamed to the (Military) Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC).

The name change better reflects the command's critical role in deploying the force and its emphasis on end-to-end distribution operations in support of the warfighters, said MG Ann Dunwoody, Commanding General. The name change follows closely on the heels of the US Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) being designated as the Defense Department's Joint Distribution Process Owner. The Surface Deployment and Distribution Command will be a key enabler of a new and improved joint distribution system envisioned by USTRANSCOM.

"It's more than just a name change," said Dunwoody. "Over time, we have literally outgrown our name. Our new name change to the Surface Deployment and Distribution Command better represents our number one priority and renewed focus to support the warfighter through deployment, sustainment and redeployment."

"Traffic management will continue to be a key component of what we do, but it is only one of the tools in our arsenal," said Dunwoody. "Our value to the warfighter resides in our ability to deliver capability and sustainment on time and ensure that we can provide timely, accurate in-transit visibility and total asset visibility of all surface equipment and supplies at all times."

"Our mission has evolved from traffic management to the fusion of supply and transportation a logical extension from our Department of Defense shift from a supply-based logistics system to a distribution-based logistics process. We provide positive movement control from the source to the theater, coordinating all aspects of the distribution and we will incorporate best-practice supply chain management techniques."

"Rather than have customers send requirements to two USTRANSCOM Component Commands for surface lift, we worked hand-in-hand with our great partners at the Military Sealift Command to streamline the process and funnel all the requirements through SDDC," said Dunwoody.

In other MTMC news, a veteran Army transportation officer just back from duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom is MTMC's new Deputy Commanding General/Director of Operations.

BG Mark E. Scheid pinned on the star of a General Officer in a ceremony at the MTMC Operations Center at Fort Eustis.

Scheid will direct 24 MTMC terminal unit locations located around the world. Scheid has actually been on-the-job running the MTMC Operations Center since the Sept. 30 retirement of BG Barbara Doornink.

As one of the Army's newest General Officers, Scheid brings extensive contingency transportation experience to MTMC.

From late in 2002 until June 15, 2003, Scheid served as Chief, Joint Movement Control Center, in Kuwait City, Kuwait, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. The work in Iraqi transportation movements was a good introduction to the Military Traffic Management Command.

Also, in MTMC news a shipload of high-priority cargo in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom became the first major military movement on Oct. 17th from the Department of Defense's newest Strategic Port.

Military equipment from the f0th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY, was loaded aboard the Military Sealift Command's USNS 1st Lt. Harry L. Martin, a combination container and Roll-on/Roll-off vessel, at the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal.

Doug Anderson, MTMC's Deputy Director of Deployment Operations, stated, "Following the Port of Philadelphia's designation last year as the country's 14th commercial Strategic Seaport, the Port of Philadelphia personnel put in a lot of effort planning with the Maritime Administration and MTMC's 956th Transportation Company at Fort Monmouth, NJ, to ensure the port would be ready to support military requirements, if needed."

"Philadelphia has considerable attributes to offer to military shipping," said Susan Howland, a ports spokeswoman. "The port of Philadelphia is the only port in North America with direct high and wide rail service by three major railroads. The capability is important to move commercial and military goods from the marine terminal to inland locations efficiently and securely."