ARTRANS DA civilians and Soldiers oversee and assist with cargo loading operations onboard a vessel at the Port of Charleston, S.C., September 2025, as part of a strategic Joint Force readiness operation intended to enhance the capabilities of military and civilian teams in logistics and distribution (the Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise). (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Manuel Cardona, 841st Transportation Bn.)

Capt. Reed Koepp, Joint Base Andrews deputy commander and Naval Support Activity Charleston commander, welcomes Rear Adm. Kristin Acquavella, U.S. Transportation Command chief of staff, to Joint Base Charleston, S.C., for a mission briefing and tour. During the visit, Acquavella toured the Cape Starr, a roll-on/roll-off ship being loaded with military vehicles. (Photo by Brien Vorhees)

U.S. Military equipment and vehicles rest online at the Port of Charleston, S.C., September 2025, as part of a strategic upload of more than 5,000 pieces of cargo being shipped worldwide as part of a Joint Force operation to support Large Scale Combat operations. (U.S. Army photo by Spec. Alex Alejandro, 841st Transportation Bn.)

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C.— U.S. Army Soldiers and civilians from the 841st Transportation Battalion, 597th Transportation Brigade, Army Transportation Command (ARTRANS) participated in a strategic U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) operation at the Port of Charleston, S.C., this fall, where they planned and oversaw a strategic upload of more than 5,000 pieces of staged military equipment located at Joint Base Charleston. This movement was part of ongoing TRANSCOM ‘Turbo’ exercises– joint training exercises intended to enhance the capabilities of military and civilian teams in logistics and distribution (the Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise) and are crucial for improving interoperability and operational readiness in response to real-world contingencies.

U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Kristin Acquavella, TRANSCOM Chief of Staff, was on hand to oversee operations at the port; she explained that Turbo exercises are just one of the ways the Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise demonstrates its ability to operate at large scale across multiple areas of responsibility and modes of transportation– daily.

“The Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise is a resilient and adaptive organization that we operate daily amid friction and uncertainty,” Acquavella said. “It was humbling watching our total Force members work hand-in-hand with our commercial partners to get the job done at Joint Base Charleston, knowing this is just another day for them.”

According to Lt. Colonel Christopher Fields, 841st Transportation Battalion, 597th Transportation Brigade, ARTRANs, commander, this movement, which simulated operations during contested logistics scenarios, was designed to test port capacity, integrate civilian and military command and control systems and operations and strengthen partnerships with industry stakeholders such as the port authority and civilian industry partners – all of which ensure the force structure and infrastructure are ready to support U.S. warfighters as they deploy to engage and compete in large scale combat operations (LSCO) across the globe.

“These operations demonstrate the power of the transportation enterprise in projecting combat capability worldwide,” said Fields. “Every operation only strengthens our relationship across our joint and commercial partners.”

The ability to quickly deliver materiel and equipment to Soldiers on the battlefield is crucial to the success of combatant commanders during the initial phases of an operation.

And that’s what the 841st does best, move cargo to the point of need– with speed, as they routinely carry out their mission to deliver logistics support through our strategic seaports in Charleston and Jacksonville, Fla.

Fields added he felt his team’s resolve to accomplish the mission in contested scenarios is unmatched.

“Time and time again, they rise to meet our nation’s requirements, proving we are always ready to win,” said Fields.