U.S. Army transportation planners from XVIII Airborne Corps Chief Transportation Office (CTO), FORSCOM Installation Deployment Support Team (iDST) met with leaders from North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) in Raleigh, N.C., March 28, 2025. The meeting was held to coordinate movement operations and address logistical points of friction across the state’s infrastructure.
The Corps’ ability to rapidly deploy during times of war or disaster relief is a logistical feat made possible by military logisticians, state traffic and operations engineers. From highways and bridges to railheads and seaports, this infrastructure can make or break movement of critical aide and equipment.
“Our ability to move forces quickly and effectively depends on the relationships we build with our transportation partners,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. David Hamilton, XVIII Airborne Corps CTO. “Meetings like this ensure we’re prepared to act decisively when it matters most.”
Participants discussed permitting processes for oversized/overweight vehicles and emergency response coordination—especially in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Hauling D9 bulldozers into western North Carolina for debris clearing was initially a challenge for logisticians on Fort Bragg because of the equipment’s weight and height.
“We can usually find common ground,” said Ben Hinnant, NCDOT’s lead for oversized/overweight permitting. “But we need specifics—axle weights, dimensions, and preferred routes—to keep operations both safe and legal.”
The biggest takeaway from the meeting was clear—the permitting process can be fast as long as the right information is provided to NCDOT. Army transportation leaders also discussed lessons learned from the activation of Title 10 Soldiers during hurricane disaster relief. Clear roles and responsibilities are essential to getting the resources to those in need.
“This meeting allows us to peel back the layers,” said Sgt. Maj. Eddie Taylor, senior enlisted advisor to the CTO. “Whether it’s convoy approvals, emergency waivers, or knowing who to call, building these relationships now keeps us moving when the pressure is on.”
As the Army’s contingency corps, XVIII Airborne must be ready to project its capabilities on short notice anywhere in the world. That starts at home—with movement across North Carolina’s roads, rails, and ports.
“Readiness doesn’t happen in a vacuum,” said Hamilton. “It takes daily coordination with our civilian partners to make sure we can execute—whether it’s warfighting, humanitarian assistance, or disaster relief.”
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