JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — U.S. Congressman (FL-05) John Rutherford visited the 489th Transportation Company on Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
Rutherford, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, met with unit members and command teams from the 641st Regional Support Group.
During the visit, personnel highlighted the unique hurdles of operating at a standalone reserve center. For example, unlike major military installations staffed with organic civil engineering teams, standalone reserve centers rely on regional commercial contracts for maintenance and emergency repairs.
Command leaders provided Rutherford with a capabilities briefing and also shared some of the logistical friction of maintaining aging infrastructure for a Reserve center built in 1957.
Lt. Col. Aniello Sita, commander of the 1186th Deployment and Distribution Support Command, emphasized the significance of the congressional visit on a solemn anniversary.
“The Soldiers are very thankful to the congressman for coming to visit us today. Especially, on the 25th anniversary of 9/11”. Aniello stated that Congressman Rutherford’s willingness to ask what resources are needed to better reserve facilities and operations mean a lot to the Soldiers and their morale.
While transportation and cargo tracking have become increasingly digital and automated, Soldiers still shoulder the physical demands of deployment readiness. America’s decisive strategic edge has always been the dedication and resilience of our Soldiers. Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, the resilience of Soldiers remains essential to sustaining readiness and ensuring the Army Reserve can meet the nation’s operational requirements.
The 489th TC is a unit within the United States Army Reserve, specializing in seaport operations, cargo transportation, and logistical support. The unit is responsible for the movement of supplies, equipment, and personnel, playing a critical role in sustaining combat and humanitarian operations.