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Core Competencies

The Transportation Branch is responsible for the worldwide movement of units, personnel, equipment, and supplies in peace and war. The Transportation Branch provides the transportation capabilities that are essential for a CONUS-based power projection Army in support of the national military strategy and the physical capabilities necessary to affect agile maneuver and movement of forces and materiel at tactical, operational, and strategic levels. The Transportation Branch also provides functional area expertise to support combat developments, materiel systems development, force development, and training development.

U.S. Military vehicles wait to be loaded onto the United States Naval Ship Bob Hope in the Port of Tacoma, Wash. May 25, 2023, by the 833rd Transportation Battalion. The operation is part of the largest Army deployment in the Pacific since the Vietnam War. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Leif Jensen)

Strategic Deployment / Distribution

Provide and manage strategic common-user airlift, sealift, and terminal services worldwide. Integrate and synchronize strategic and theater deployment execution and inter-theater distribution operations

U.S. Army Sgt. Britney Lozano, movement specialist, 635th Transportation Detachment, 39th Transportation Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, directs Humvees into the staging area at the port of Vlissingen, Netherlands, Oct 17. Aircraft, vehicles, and equipment belonging to 1st Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade arrived in theater for a rotational deployment to build readiness, increase interoperability and enhance the bond between ally and partner militaries using multinational training events.

Movement Control Operations

The dual process of committing allocated transportation assets and regulating movements according to command priorities to synchronize the distribution flow over lines of communications to sustain land forces.

United States Army equipment successfully lands on the beach from a Floating Causeway in Bowen North Queensland during Exercise Talisman Sabre, marking the opening of Joint Logistics Over the Shore (JLOTS) activities which enables the movement of equipment, machinery and vehicles from vessel to shore. (Photo by Australian Defence Force Cpl. Jacob Joseph)

Air / Sea Port Terminal Operations

Receiving, processing, and staging of passengers; the receipt, transit, storage and marshalling of cargo; the loading and unloading of transport conveyances; and the manifesting and forwarding of cargo and passengers to a destination. These operations are essential in supporting deployment, redeployment, and sustainment operations.

United States Army equipment successfully lands on the beach from a Floating Causeway in Bowen North Queensland during Exercise Talisman Sabre, marking the opening of Joint Logistics Over the Shore (JLOTS) activities which enables the movement of equipment, machinery and vehicles from vessel to shore. (Photo by Australian Defence Force Cpl. Jacob Joseph)

Motor Transport Operations

Movement and transfer of units, personnel, equipment and supplies by vehicle to support operations. Provides essential distribution capabilities for organizations, to sustain forces, prolong endurance, and extend operational reach. Army transportation units are the single largest provider of land surface movement within joint forces and include organic and contracted resources

Soldiers from 18th Field Artillery Brigade work with Soldiers from 7th Transportation Brigade to conduct vessel load training Feb.8,2023 at Joint Base Langley-Eustis. The training allows Soldiers to work with other units to complete one shared mission.

Watercraft Transport Operations

Provide transportation support required in the maritime domain, including intra-theater ocean, coastal, littoral, and river transit. Provide lift and discharge for overweight and outsized equipment in waterborne operations.

Soldiers with the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team unchain vehicles from the train at Fort Johnson, Louisiana, July 10, 2023. These vehicles were transported via barge and train from Hawaii to Louisiana for use during training at Joint Readiness Training Center 23-08.5. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo Spc. Bethany J. Cravalho)

Rail Transport Operations

Integrate and synchronize deployment and distribution capabilities of rail networks to deliver and sustain the armed forces in support of the nation’s objectives.