Readiness, Resources and Timing for Project Logistics

Logistics and air charter specialist Fayçal Boumerkhoufa sits down with Pat Roche, CEO and founder of KB John, to discuss how military and civil logistics intersect and what the future holds for both sectors.

From Issue 5, 2025 of Breakbulk Magazine

(6-minute read)

Fayçal: Can you share how logistics and transportation help shape defense and government-related structures and objectives? Perhaps a brief history will help our readers understand the essence and importance.

Pat: Logistics and transportation have always been a backbone of defense and government operations. If you look back in history, logistics were key even in ancient times — armies needed to move troops and supplies to win battles. Fast forward to World War II, logistics played a huge role in turning the tide of war. It was about getting the right supplies to the right places at the right time. That’s when logistics really became a game-changer.

During the Cold War, the U.S. military expanded its logistics networks across the globe to ensure rapid deployment and resupply whenever needed. And as technology evolved, so did the way logistics worked, with better tracking, more efficient movement and predictive tools to avoid delays.

In the last few decades, defense logistics has had to keep up with much more complex missions. Now it’s not just about getting stuff from A to B, but about doing it quickly, precisely and flexibly to support a wide range of missions, from rapid combat deployments to humanitarian aid in disaster zones.

For government operations, logistics is key for moving personnel, supplies and military assets to meet strategic objectives, whether that’s in conflict zones or providing support in times of peace. It’s all about ensuring the right resources are in the right place at the right time, with maximum efficiency and coordination. That’s why logistics is considered such a critical part of national security and defense today.

Fayçal: The U.S. government and Department of Defense have huge logistics resources. Why do they still need private-sector partners, and what value do companies like freight forwarders and carriers provide?

Pat: The U.S. government and the Department of Defense have a huge infrastructure and a lot of resources, but when it comes to the scale of their operations, they still need outside help to make everything work smoothly. That’s where civil specialists, including freight forwarders, carriers and other logistics professionals come in.

One of the main reasons for this partnership is flexibility. While the government has its own logistics capabilities, they can’t always handle everything on their own, especially when there’s a sudden increase in demand. Civil specialists step in when there’s a need to scale quickly, whether that’s for a major deployment, disaster response or large-scale exercises.

These logistics experts also bring a lot of specialized knowledge. Freight forwarders are skilled experts at navigating international regulations and customs, which can be a headache when moving goods across borders. Carriers handle the transport networks that the government doesn’t always have access to, making it possible to reach more places without adding extra constraints.

Another big benefit is efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Civil specialists have well-established networks and commercial capabilities, so they’re often nimbler in dealing with unexpected changes like fuel price fluctuations or supply chain disruptions. Plus, their ability to leverage cutting-edge technology like advanced tracking systems and real-time data analytics makes operations faster and more accurate.

In the not too recent past, we’ve had the opportunity to develop major logistical solutions in areas under martial law. While I can’t get into specifics, we’ve worked in regions with complex geopolitical challenges, where building transportation and supply chains required innovative, flexible approaches. Getting the right resources where they’re needed, even in tough environments, is why strong civil partners matter.

In the end, these partnerships allow the government to tap into the flexibility, innovation and efficiency needed to ensure their operations are successful, no matter the challenge.

Fayçal: When it comes to military and government freight forwarding, what does the sector look like today, and how should it develop in the future?

Pat: Military and government freight forwarding is the specialized movement of goods, personnel and equipment, often requiring strict regulations, security and the ability to operate in complex environments. This logistics supports defense readiness, humanitarian efforts and government operations, while balancing speed, efficiency and compliance.

When I look into the crystal ball, I see the following points as critical, at least from the conceptual and consideration standpoint:

1. Automation & AI AI will optimize routes, predict delays and automate documentation. Autonomous vehicles, drones and ships will enhance logistics, reducing human intervention, especially in remote or dangerous areas.

2. Flexibility & Scalability Future logistics should be able to quickly scale up or down in response to emergencies. Civil logistics companies will remain vital for providing these flexible, scalable solutions.

3. Cybersecurity & Resilience As logistics digitalizes, cybersecurity will be a focus to protect sensitive data and ensure the integrity of the supply chain, which is critical to national security.

4. Logistics in Conflict Zones In areas with geopolitical tensions, logistics systems will need to adapt to move supplies safely through complex, unstable regions.

5. Public-Private Partnerships Greater collaboration with private-sector logistics companies will ensure faster, more efficient responses to crises, leveraging their expertise and infrastructure.

6. Global Reach With Local Knowledge Understanding local regulations and infrastructure will be crucial for operating in emerging markets and politically unstable regions.

The future of military and government logistics should be marked by greater agility, enhanced technological integration and smarter, data-driven decision making. The reliance on civil specialists will continue to grow, ensuring faster, more flexible, secure and sustainable logistics.

One critical aspect of future freight forwarding will be the need for security clearances. Many defense and government-related shipments are classified or require handling sensitive materials, meaning freight forwarders and shipping professionals with the necessary security clearances will become essential.

Working with cleared experts will ensure that classified shipments are handled in compliance with security protocols and that sensitive operations remain protected, adding an additional layer of security and trust to the logistics process.

Fayçal: Considering the change in administration and current trade alliance challenges (tariffs), what is the impact on military logistics?

Pat: For the U.S. government, the evolving trade landscape can create both challenges and opportunities. Tariffs and trade disruptions may affect government procurement, supply chains for military equipment and the movement of goods required for defense and public service. Any increase in logistics costs due to tariffs could impact defense budgets, while new trade policies might require realignment of existing international partnerships, particularly for defense contracting and material procurement.

Furthermore, supply chain delays and shifts in international relations could complicate efforts to ensure rapid deployment and readiness of military and government operations in critical areas around the world.

By understanding the broader economic landscape, the U.S. government and its logistics partners can adapt to changes and maintain efficient operations despite external trade pressures.

Fayçal: How does the rapid and uneven pace of technology development affect freight forwarders and logistics providers, both the pros and cons?

Pat: I do think the fast-paced and uneven development of technology presents both opportunities and challenges for freight forwarders and logistics providers. While technology promises significant improvements in efficiency and service delivery, the rapid pace of change also creates certain risks and operational hurdles.

Pros: Advancements in automation, artificial intelligence and robotics hold immense potential to transform government and defense logistics by streamlining operations, minimizing manual errors and accelerating the movement of critical supplies. Technologies such as automated warehouses, autonomous vehicles and drones can significantly enhance delivery speed, ensuring that time-sensitive and high-priority shipments, such as military equipment or humanitarian aid, reach their destination with greater urgency and precision. These innovations also reduce dependency on human labor, which is particularly crucial for managing large-scale, complex operations that require rapid deployment and efficiency under pressure.

The integration of advanced technology in government and defense logistics enables faster, more precise responses to operational demands, ensuring critical missions are supported without delay. By leveraging technology, logistics providers can offer tailored solutions that meet the specific needs of military operations, disaster relief and national security efforts. These innovations improve the accuracy of delivery schedules, enhance coordination across multiple stakeholders and ultimately support the seamless execution of time-sensitive operations, strengthening mission success and trust in logistics providers.

Cons: As logistics operations become increasingly digital, cyberattack risks rise. With all the sensitive data we’re tracking like classified shipments or mission-critical details, these systems become prime targets for hackers. A breach could seriously disrupt our supply chains, expose national security info or even halt military operations. So, it’s critical that we have strong cybersecurity in place to protect everything. A small slip-up could put a lot of operations at risk, and we can’t afford that when it comes to national security.

Another challenge revolves around labor force issues. The U.S. Merchant Marine faces skill gaps among both licensed and unlicensed crew due to rapid technological advancements, especially in defense and government logistics. New technology requires effective user training. There are often not enough skilled workers to manage new systems immediately. This can slow development and large-scale missions down and create multi-layered bottlenecks in operations, while companies work to get their teams up to speed. In critical missions where timing is everything, this can cause some serious delays.

Fayçal: Finally, in today’s unpredictable political climate, what aspect of logistics is most critical to ensuring mission success?

Pat: The world’s political climate is constantly changing, and that can create unpredictability for logistics. Whether it’s responding to conflicts, natural disasters or humanitarian crises, being able to quickly adapt and move assets is crucial. Governments and logistics providers need flexible plans to handle these disruptions efficiently and keep operations running smoothly.

Logistics is the backbone of military operations. Delays in supply chains can impact readiness and mission success. It’s not just about moving goods, it’s about ensuring the right resources are in place, at the right time, to support the mission. You can have the best gear and the best people, but if it doesn’t get there on time, it won’t matter.

Want to know where the project cargo market is heading? At Breakbulk Americas 2025, shippers will share their insight at the Inside the Project Pipeline: Shipper Market Outlook main stage session on Wednesday, Oct. 1 from 1:45pm-2:30pm.

TOP PHOTO: Bennett transports a MQ-25 drone

SECOND: Fayçal Boumerkhoufa

THIRD: Pat Roche

FOURTH: JAXPORT handles military equipment for U.S. government