Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., emphasized the crucial role that logistics plays in maintaining the U.S. military’s superiority as he welcomed Air Force Gen. Randall Reed as the new commander of the U.S. Transportation Command. Reed took over the leadership of the command from Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost during a change of command ceremony at Transcom headquarters at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. Brown quoted Army Gen. John J. Pershing, who famously said, “Infantry wins battles. Logistics wins wars,” highlighting the importance of Transcom in enabling the projection of power globally.
With more than 120,000 service members, civilians, and contractors, Transcom is the Department of Defense’s premier logistics provider, offering continuous global support to U.S. combatant commands, military services, and interagency partners. The command’s mission is essential in today’s complex national security landscape. Transcom has been actively involved in delivering military assistance, including ammunition and air defense systems, to Ukraine since January 2022. Additionally, the command has played a key role in supporting Israel’s defense following an attack by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023.
During the change of command ceremony, Gen. Brown expressed gratitude to the members of Transcom for their dedication and selfless service in providing logistics support to the joint force. He also thanked their families for the support they provide to ensure the security of the nation. Brown commended Gen. Van Ovost for her leadership and impact on the Joint Force throughout her career, highlighting her roles as a test pilot, acquisitions officer, and commander during various operations. He praised her leadership of Transcom and the contributions she made to the nation.
Gen. Brown also lauded Gen. Reed for his exceptional career, which includes commanding airlift and refueling squadrons, serving in strategic roles in the Pentagon, and fostering international partnerships as a defense attache in Turkey. Brown expressed confidence in Reed’s ability to lead Transcom to continued success. He noted Reed’s track record of excellence in every position he has held and his ability to elevate those roles to new heights. Overall, Gen. Brown expressed his confidence that Transcom would continue to excel under Reed’s leadership.
