Photo By Christopher Parr | Army Secretary Dan Driscoll officially redesignated the Military Surface Deployment...... read more read more
The Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) redesignated as the U.S. Army Transportation Command (ARTRANS), marking a historic shift in the command’s 60-plus-year legacy of global deployment and distribution operations.
The name change, approved September 24, 2025 by Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll, better reflects the command’s responsibilities and authorities while aligning the organization’s title with the Army’s broader naming conventions.
The renaming to ARTRANS provides greater clarity and consistency with other Army service component commands within other functional combatant commands. U.S. Cyber Command (U.S. Army Cyber Command - ARCYBER), U.S. Strategic Command (SMDC/ARSTRAT), and U.S. Special Operations Command (U.S. Army Special Operations Command - USASOC) all follow similar naming structures. Adopting the name ARTRANS maintains consistency with these established conventions and reinforces the command’s critical role within the Army’s operational framework.
ARTRANS remains the Army service component command to the U.S. Transportation Command and a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. With a worldwide workforce of approximately 5,200 active-duty, Reserve and civilian personnel, the command provides global transportation solutions that deliver Joint combat power and sustainment globally as part of the USTRANSCOM Team in support of U.S. national interests.
“The redesignation from SDDC to U.S. Army Transportation Command is a necessary step in aligning the command with the Army’s current transformation initiatives,” said Col. Paul Licata, ARTRANS director of strategy and plans.
The redesignation continues a long history of organizational name changes that have reflected the command’s evolving mission.
Originally activated in 1965 as the Military Traffic Management and Terminal Service (MTMTS), the command was renamed the Military Traffic Management Command (MTMC) in 1974 to emphasize its traffic management role. In 2004, it became SDDC to better reflect its global deployment and distribution responsibilities.
The change to SDDC highlighted the command’s increasing focus on deploying forces and managing end-to-end distribution operations, particularly in support of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Then commanding general Maj. Gen. Ann Dunwoody noted at the time that “over time, we have literally outgrown our name,” emphasizing that SDDC’s priority had shifted toward warfighter support through deployment, sustainment, and redeployment.
The renaming to ARTRANS continues this legacy while aligning with the evolving operational landscape. The transition was executed seamlessly to enhance operational efficiency, align with Army campaign plan objectives, and preserve the legacy and capabilities of SDDC. The newly designated ARTRANS is now better positioned to serve the Department of War and its global transportation requirements.
The newly named command retains its core competencies while adopting enhanced capabilities and a renewed focus on global transportation excellence in support of the DOW and Joint Deployment and Distribution Enterprise.
As the Army moves forward, ARTRANS will continue to play a key role in modernizing logistics and transportation capabilities, ensuring that U.S. military forces remain agile, ready, and responsive in an era of strategic competition. The transition marks a new chapter in the command’s history, building upon its storied past while preparing for future challenges.
“By adopting a clear and straightforward name,” explained ARTRANS commanding general Maj. Gen. Lance Curtis, “ARTRANS accurately reflects the organization's role as the Army's premier transportation organization.”
| Date Taken: | 09.29.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.29.2025 12:58 |
| Story ID: | 549566 |
| Location: | SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 221 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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