La. denies TigerSwan application

TigerSwan, a private security firm known for military-style tactics against protesters of the Dakota Access pipeline, is appealing the decision of the Louisiana State Board of Private Security Examiners’ March 30 denial for application to work in the Pelican State, where Energy Transfer Partners is building the Bayou Bridge pipeline. In November, several environmental groups opposed to the Bayou Bridge pipeline attempted to intervene in the application process stating that some of its members would be vulnerable to TigerSwan’s security and surveillance practices. But the state board denied the firm’s request for application. During the process, the board had denied another security license application from a TigerSwan employee, who failed to disclose her employment with the firm after TigerSwan’s application was rejected. The board's deposition of the employee, obtained via a public records request, was included in the request to interview in TigerSwan’s case by 350 New Orleans, Atchafalaya Basinkeeper, Gulf Restoration Network, L’eau Est la Vie (“Water Is Life”) Camp, Louisiana Bucket Brigade, and Louisiana Crawfish Producers Association-West. (Source: DESMOG blog 03/30/18)

OIG inspects GC VA health system

The VA Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducted a rapid response inspection to evaluate allegations of inadequate intensivist coverage in the intensive care unit (ICU) and other Surgery Service concerns at the VA Gulf Coast Healthcare System (System) in Biloxi, Miss. The alleged conditions potentially placed patients at ongoing risk included not having full-time intensivist coverage in the ICU; and patients in the ICU dying from complications as the result of inadequate intensivist staffing. The Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 16 in Jackson, Miss., inspection of intensivist staffing and other surgery-related issues had not remedied the situation, according to a report from the OIG. An allegation of poor quality of care by a thoracic surgeon was to be addressed in a separate report. (Source: VA Inspector General report 03/29/18) The System, part of VISN 16, is a tertiary care hospital complex in Biloxi, Miss., and community based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) in Mobile, Ala.; Pensacola, Eglin Air Force Base and Panama City, Fla. The System and associated CBOCs served more than 68,340 veterans in FY 2016. The System operated 256 beds, including 83 inpatient beds, 72 domiciliary beds, and 101 community living center beds in FY 2016. The System is affiliated with Keesler AFB in Mississippi, Louisiana State and Tulane University in Louisiana, and University of South Alabama.

Hyperbaric chamber goes to sea

ABOARD USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT – Nearly one year after naval flight student training ground to a halt due to soaring physiological episodes (PEs) among jet aircrew, deployed aviators with the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (CSG), are vigilant in self-monitoring for PE symptoms and are armed with a hyperbaric oxygen chamber to treat any potential cases while at sea. PEs fall into two main categories: hypoxia or decompression sickness. PE has been reported in all types of jets. Last spring, the Navy ceased all T-45C Goshawk trainer operations – primarily at Naval Air Stations Meridian, Miss.; Pensacola, Fla.; and Kingsville, Texas – until leadership could take a serious look at the causes. The Navy has “never found a smoking gun” in its search for a root cause, but has taken multiple steps - replacing parts on the aircraft and implementing new maintenance procedures. PEs are down overall, but the CSG’s aircrew and medical staff have a “super sensitive” awareness of the dangers, according to senior medical officer, Cmdr. (Dr.) George Newton. As of March 23, the air wing had 11 potential PEs with both potential categories. All were placed on oxygen during medical evaluations and fully recovered without using the hyperbaric oxygen chamber or other significant medical intervention, Newton told USNI News. Navy Diver 1st Class Wayne Shearer, the chamber supervisor and head of the three-man team with the CSG said the team is “a tool that’s in the back pocket of every aviator onboard …” Shearer assumes every reported symptom will require hyperbaric chamber treatment and is ready to act at each potential episode until it is medically ruled out. The hyperbaric chamber on the TR was only used twice for hyperbaric pressure tolerance tests for special operations candidates, though one of the other carriers actually used the chamber to treat a case of carbon monoxide poisoning for a sailor. (USNI News 03/28/18)

AF glimpse into 6th-Gen fighters

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has unveiled a new five-minute video via You Tube that gives a future glimpse into proposed ideas for sixth-generation fighters, missiles, drone-swarming concepts and unmanned aircraft. AFRL touts programs such as Loyal Wingman, Gremlins and the Counter-electronics High-powered Microwave Advanced Missile Project in the March 22-released video, called "Air Force 2030 - Call to Action." The video hinges on the idea that these developments are direct descendants of earlier programs, such as X-planes, and data collected from the it that led to the development of the fifth-generation F-22 Raptor’s flight capabilities. (Source: Military.com 03/26/18) Gulf Coast Note: Tyndall AFB, Fla., is home to the largest contingent of F-22 Raptors of any base in the AF.

IG audit of L-3/DEA contract

The U.S. Justice Department’s Inspector General completed an audit of a contract awarded by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace (L3) to provide for total aviation support to sustain DEA’s aircraft fleet. The objectives of the audit were to determine whether DEA adhered to federal contract regulations, and to determine whether L3 properly invoiced the government and complied with the terms and conditions of the contract award. The IG determined that DEA generally complied with applicable regulations during the contract award, but identified potential areas for improvement related to DEA’s contract oversight procedures, particularly in relation to L3’s reporting of monthly operational readiness rates and communications between the contractor, DEA oversight personnel, and DEA pilots. The IG found that improvements could be made in the areas of contract type selection and delegations of duties reserved for the contracting officer’s representative. The review of L3’s compliance with the Service Contract Labor Standards statute and invoices to DEA did not identify any significant deficiencies. The audit contains seven recommendations to assist the DEA in improving the Aviation Division’s operations and enhancing the DEA’s monitoring and oversight under the L3 contract. (Source: DOJ IG 03/2018) Gulf Coast Note: L-3 is headquartered in Madison, Miss., and has multiple work-site locations across the Gulf Coast.

Eaton: Army contract $37.9M

Eaton Aerospace of Jackson, Miss., has been awarded a maximum $37,933,586 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for axial piston pumps. This was a sole-source acquisition in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1), implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, which states that only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. This is a five-year contract with no option periods. Location of performance is Mississippi with a Sept. 30, 2024, performance completion date. Using military service is Army. Type of appropriation is FY 2018-23 Army working capital funds. Contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime of Warren, Mich. (Source: DoD 03/28/18)

AFS-Columbus ‘elite’ supplier

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Lockheed Martin's Sikorsky line of business honored its top suppliers here at a March 15 ceremony. Twenty-six suppliers were recognized, including 19 that received honors as Sikorsky Elite Suppliers for best-in-class performance. Aurora Flight Science’s Aerostructures business unit in Columbus, Miss., was among the elites. AFS Aerostructures has been a Sikorsky supplier for more than 10 years. It specializes in complex design, build-to-print, and rapid prototyping of airframe structures and assemblies. (Source: PR Newswire 03/27/18) AFS Aerostructures produces the Orion UAS vehicle for the Air Force; plus airframe, propulsion, avionics and control systems. Orion is a bonded composite assembly with integral fuel tanks, retractable nose gear, and interchangeable engine nacelles. Orion is fabricated at AFS' Mississippi production facility.

GA-Miss. to earn 55% of pact

General Atomics OF San Diego is being awarded a $12,400,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification (P00007) to a previously issued order (DO 0001) placed against basic ordering agreement N00019-16-G-0006 for repair of repairables (ROR) and technical assistance in support of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) systems. ROR includes efforts and materials required to inspect and repair or remanufacture unserviceable repairable components which are provided as government furnished property and return the EMALS and AAG repairable items to a fully operational status. Technical assistance includes the necessary services to provide on-call/on-site emergency repairs. Repair services and technical assistance shall also be provided for EMALS and AAG shipboard systems. Work will be performed in Tupelo, Miss. (55%), and is expected to be completed in August 2019. FY 2018 Navy shipbuilding and conversion funds in the amount of $5,851,000 are being obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Air Systems Command of Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: 03/23/18)

GTRA deputy to attend AF forum

Matt Dowell, deputy director of the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Miss., has been selected by the Air Force to attend the 65th annual National Security Forum at Maxwell Air Force Base’s Air War College in Montgomery, Ala. The AWC annually hosts some 150 civilians to the form, which is designed to share perspectives between civic leaders, senior military officers, and highly experienced government civilians on topics pertaining to strategic leadership, strategy, and national security. Dowell was nominated by the leadership at the Columbus AFB, Miss., and selected based on his background and role he plays in the community. (Source: Mississippi Business Journal 03/23/18)

AHI to build 16 more Lakota helos

Airbus Helicopters Inc. of Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded an $116,903,994 modification (P00001) to contract W58RGZ-18-C-0007 for the procurement of 16 UH-72A “Lakota” helicopters for the Army. Work will be performed in Columbus, Miss., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 20, 2023. FY 2016 Army aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $58,451,967 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command of Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 03/22/18)

Meteorolgy contract for GC bases

Atmospheric Science Technology LLC of Norman, Okla., is being awarded a $7,096,760 firm-fixed-price contract, resulting from solicitation N00189-18-R-0004 that will provide weather observing and forecasting services as required by the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command headquarters at Stennis Space Center, Miss. The contract will include a 12-month base period, which includes a contingency option valued at $17,838, four one-year options, and an option for an additional six-month period should it be deemed necessary pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 52.217-8 with a total value, inclusive of all options, of $39,256.700. Work will be performed at 20 locations, including New Orleans (4.30%); Pensacola, Fla. (4.24%); both North (3.60%) and South fields (3.62%) of Whiting Field, Fla. and Meridian, Miss. (3.02%). The contract period of performance will begin September 2018. Work is expected to be completed by September 2019; if all options are exercised, work will continue through February 2024. FY 2018 Navy operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $3,859,673 will be obligated at time of award and funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via a solicitation posted to the Federal Business Opportunities website as an 8(a) small business set-aside requirement, with three offers received. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 03/22/18)

AF revising decades-old UPT syllabi

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas - It started with a homework assignment from 19th Air Force commander Maj. Gen. Patrick Doherty in June 2017. He asked his team to deliver redesigned Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) syllabi that embraces “common sense” to produce more and higher quality pilots. Col. Lee Gentile, 71st Flying Training Wing vice commander and the flight lead for the 19th AF’s UPT syllabi redesign project, gathered a group of 80 instructor pilots from across the Air Education and Training Command’s UPT bases – including Columbus AFB, Miss. - for a two-day event here March 7-8 to finalize nine months of work. The team revised and trouble-shot the three-phases of undergraduate flight training syllabi. There hadn’t been any change for more than two decades. They brainstormed ways to combat the AF’s shortage of pilots, with efforts focused on raising the number of pilot accessions into the community. Squadron commanders will soon have an average track for most students, but will not be constrained by the syllabi. Matching weapons systems to pilots earlier will also eliminate redundant generalized training, and get pilots to their first formal training unit faster and increase readiness. Gentil’s team expects the revised syllabi to be in place in April. (Source: Air Education Training Command 03/20/18)

Hyde-Smith may get Senate nod

JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant is expected to appoint the state’s first female member of Congress to fill the U.S. Senate vacancy created when Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) retires April 1, three state Republicans – speaking on condition of anonymity - told The Associated Press on March 20. Cindy Hyde-Smith, a 58-year-old Republican from Brookhaven, has served as the state's agriculture commissioner since 2011. Hyde-Smith will immediately be running for re-election for the nearly three remaining years of Cochran's six-year term. A special election will be Nov. 6. Two GOP sources said the governor is expected to announce his selection as early as March 21. Hyde-Smith is expected to get the backing of the national and state GOP establishment against Republican state Sen. Chris McDaniel. The Tea Party backed McDaniel, who almost defeated Cochran in 2014. Democrat Mike Espy, former Clinton secretary of agriculture, claimed to have a “strong intention” of running for Cochran’s seat. If there is not a clear winner in the early November special election, a runoff will be Nov. 27. Cochran announced March 5 that he would retire April 1, citing health issues. Hyde-Smith is Mississippi's first female agriculture commissioner and one of only four women ever elected statewide. Mississippi and Vermont are the only two states never to have elected a woman to Congress. (Source: The AP 03/20/18)

FY-19 DoD markup expected in May

The U.S. House Armed Services Committee is expecting to mark up its FY 2019 Defense Authorization bill around May 9, which may set up a floor vote later that month, according to congressional sources. With the two-year budget deal reached in February, the defense spending cap will rise to $647B. Total discretionary spending, after overseas operations account is included, will likely rise to $716B. A spokesman for the HASC declined to confirm, to the Congressional Quarterly, its schedule for considering the bill. (Source: Defense Communities 03/19/18)

Navy developing Game of Drones

ARLINGTON, Va. – Can a video game help the Navy find future operators for its remotely operated, unmanned drones? Pensacola, Fla.-based Naval Aerospace Medical Institute, and a commercial software company, Adaptive Immersion Technologies, are in the process of developing a computer game – called StealthAdapt - to identify potential operators for their remotely operated, unmanned vehicles (UxV). "This fast-paced, realistic computer simulation of UxV missions could be an effective recruitment tool," said Lt. Cmdr. Peter Walker, program officer at the Office of Naval Research. Since the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, UxVs have played major roles in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The Air Force and Marines have established their own screening processes, but the Navy doesn't have an official training pipeline for UxV operators. In 2017, more than 400 civilian and military volunteers participated as StealthAdapt research subjects at Navy and AF training centers. The Adaptive research team currently is reviewing results and designing an updated system for validation by prospective Navy and AF unmanned operators. It will be ready for fleet implementation later this year. (Source: Office of Naval Research 03/19/18)

T-45 engine work for NASM

Rolls-Royce Corp. of Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded $69,433,967 for modification P00010 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery, requirements contract (N00019-14-D-0016) to exercise an option to provide intermediate, depot level maintenance and related logistics support for approximately 209 in-service T-45 F405-RR-401 Adour engines. Work will be performed at Naval Air Stations Kingsville, Texas (46%); Meridian, Miss. (44%); Pensacola, Fla. (10%); and Patuxent River, Md. (< 1%). It is expected to be completed in September 2018. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division of Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity. (DoD 03/19/18)

EPA extends comment on MS site

ATLANTA - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced March 19 it was extending the public comment period on the proposed listing of the former Rockwell International Wheel & Trim site in Grenada, Miss., to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL is a list of sites that require further action to protect human health and the environment. The original 60-day public comment has been extended one week to March 26, 2018. The Rockwell Grenada site, a 40-acre facility commonly referred to as “Grenada Stamping” – in north-central Mississippi - and now operated by Ice Industries, as well as additional areas where site-related contaminants may have migrated or were disposed. Rockwell International, followed by Textron Automotive and later by Grenada Manufacturing, operated a wheel cover manufacturing and chrome plating facility on the property from 1966 to the early 2000s. In 2005, portions of the plant were leased to Ice Industries. EPA has been overseeing the cleanup of the site under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act program. Adding the site to the NPL will allow EPA to conduct a comprehensive assessment of potential risks and take necessary cleanup actions. Only sites added to the NPL are eligible for receive federal funding for long-term cleanup. Public comments on the proposed docket number (EPA-HQ-OLEM-2017-0608) may be submitted online at www.regulations.gov or mailed to: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; EPA Superfund Docket Center; Mail Code 28221T; 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW; Washington, D.C. 20460. (Source: EPA 03/19/18)

TWs getting expertise on T-6 issues

Sustaining a 9 G-Force break turn in an F-16 is no small feat, but let go of your breath the wrong way, and the world will fade from gray to black in an instant. Major Justin Elliott, an Air Force Strategic Policy fellow, experienced those events for two weeks in 2015 trying to identify an array of physiological episodes (PEs) problems affecting Defense Department fighter pilots. Elliott is now studying the complexity of PEs affecting DoD’s fighter and training fleet. He’s had more than 255 combat hours in 30 aircraft, and spans the early F-22 Raptors’ breathing tests to the development and testing of the AF’s first “smart” cockpit pressure gauge that’s scheduled to come on line later this year. Air Education and Training Command officials decided to capitalized Elliott’s following recent series unexplained physiological events (UPEs) with AETC’s T-6 instructors and student-pilots within the AF’s training wings (TWs), including at Columbus AFB, Miss. The “priority is making sure our aircrew are safe and smart in the aircraft, confident in themselves and their equipment,” he said. Three years after the F-22 investigations in 2012, today’s research has grown to include collaborative anecdotes from F-35, T-45C Goshawk, international fighter community and even the AF’s pararescuemen. Elliott has recorded briefs that are being integrated into student undergraduate pilot training across AETC bases. The T-6A II is used to train JPPT students in one of the four AF/Navy training tracks. (Source: Air Education and Training Command 03/16/18) Instructor pilot training in the T-6A is currently at the 14th Student Squadron at Columbus AFB; Vance AFB, Okla.; and Laughlin and Sheppard AFBs in Texas.

Former POW wows CAFB grads

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. – Former Prisoner of War, retired Air Force Col. Carlyle “Smitty” Harris, congratulated the newly graduated Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 18-06 at Columbus AFB. He then spoke to the graduates about their accomplishment, and how it will change their lives, like it had his. “The things that have led you to this point are significant; intelligence, education, positive attitudes, perseverance, sacrifice and God given abilities,” Harris said. “The most important attributes however concern character. You have values you learned your entire lives … All of the attributes have been honed through your pilot training.” He went on to explain a story from his life, to show the power of the attributes all pilots develop through their training and through their lives. The keys to the AF and Navy POWs’ success in North Vietnamese captivity are “all those same attributes you have now,” Harris said. “(O)ur training and values, when needed, gave us the opportunity to step up to significant challenges,” he continued. “You are now a part of a brotherhood of air force pilots. (Source: Columbus AFB 03/16/18)

GA to expand Miss. facility

General Atomics' Electromagnetic Systems will invest $20M to expand for the 10th time in 13 years at its Shannon, Miss., facility. The project is expected to create 48 jobs over the next three years. The project includes a 128,000-square-foot addition to an existing facility, which will house manufacturing operations for complex, lightweight, compact and powerful laser systems and expanded fabrication facilities. The expansion supports increased demands for airborne, maritime, and land military lasers. The Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance to help with equipment costs. Lee County will provide property tax exemptions. (Source: Area Development 03/15/18)

AF stepping up more flight-hours

The Air Force is stepping up efforts to have its pilots fly about 20 hours per month, which is on average with the other military services, according to Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein. AF pilots currently average 17.8 hours a month, he said. The big push is to get more flight-hours while producing, and retaining, additional pilots. In recent week, lawmakers have questioned the AF's numbers after Marine officials testified they’ve been averaging 14-to-16 hours a month, with the AF only flying nine or 10 hours by comparison. "We've dug into” the details and it “really comes down to two areas," Goldfein told the House Appropriations Defense subcommittee: (1) how many pilots produced; and (2) how many pilots retained. The AF is on track to reach its 1,400 pilot-a-year goal, but not until around 2020, he testified. One setback to that goal was the groundings of T-6 Texan II trainers, used for pilot orientation and training flights, over unidentified physiological episodes. The AF ordered an indefinite operational pause for all T-6s at Columbus AFB, Miss.; Vance AFB, Okla.; and Sheppard AFB, Texas. The groundings have since been lifted, but forced the AF to cancel at least one class of pilots training backlogging 82 student-aviators. The AF is on track to get 275 of 444 T-6s back flying, according to Goldfein, and have the remaining aircraft flying by summer. (Source: (Source: Military.com 03/14/18)

MS international security summit

BILOXI, Miss. – The State of Mississippi hosted an International Homeland Defense and Security Summit March 13 in this Gulf Coast city with an Air Force base and a shipyard. Among attendees was the U.S. Coast Guard’s commandant; a general from India; and representatives from Taiwan and South Korea, but it appears Israel was a major player. Sixteen Israeli companies attended the summit, along with a delegation from Israel’s Defense Ministry and arms industry. Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant couldn’t stop talking about Israel, crediting a 2016 national security conference he spoke at in Israel as the inspiration for this summit. Bryant noted that Israel knows about homeland security. They live in a “tough neighborhood,” the governor said. The Israeli delegation featured companies specializing in security technology. They were there to expand into the U.S. market with multiple tools, including a border security sensor system, and a surveillance system that is already being used in Baltimore and Houston police departments. Summit discussions focused on the Gulf Coast’s maritime economy, including boats ferrying drugs, migrants, and weapons across the waters; natural disasters like hurricanes; area military presence; and how manufacturing equipment like drones can boost Mississippi. (Source: Times of Israel 03/15/18) Israel Aerospace Industries has two facilities in Mississippi, including Stark Aerospace in Columbus.

Smith named MSU’s ACI director

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Professor (Dr.) Dennis Smith Jr. has been named director of Mississippi State University’s Marvin B. Dow Advanced Composites Institute (ACI), which is located at the Raspet Flight Research Laboratory. After a competitive selection process by Boeing, the ACI was created at MSU with the donation of a revolutionary stitched composite process and equipment developed at NASA. Smith will continue to serve as head of the chemistry department. (Source: Mississippi State University 03/14/18) Smith received a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Florida in 1992. Among his broad interests are science and technology leadership, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and chemistry/materials research.

Military toxicologists meet in MS

DAYTON, Ohio – Navy medical researchers participated in a bi-annual Tri-Service Toxicology Consortium (TSTC) meeting at the Army’s Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg, Miss., on Jan. 30 to coordinate research efforts and offer recommendations to improve each other's studies. Naval Medical Research Unit-Dayton (NAMRU-D) participated in the meeting. The TSTC connects scientists from Air Force, Army and Navy research facilities, and works to coordinate and optimize recent toxicology knowledge, approaches, and data toward the common goal of protecting human health and the environment for the Defense Department. Dr. Frank Golich, principle investigator for a research team joining expertise from NAMRU-D’s two science directorates, EHEL and Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, is testing whether low level exposure to nitrous oxide may influence, even subtly, pilot cognition or performance. The AF and Navy both have had aircraft stand-downs related to psychological episodes (PEs) related to pilot oxygen-deprivation. (Source: NAMRL-Dayton 03/12/18) T-45C student pilots from NAS Meridian, Miss., and NAS Pensacola, Fla. were among the squadrons experiencing unexplained PEs. NAMRL-Dayton originally was a stand-up research lab based at NAS Pensacola, but was moved to Ohio under a Base Realignment and Closure Commission decision.

HSM for hurricane support

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas - The Joint Staff recently approved the Humanitarian Service Medal for all service members, Coast Guard, Reserve components that include the National Guard, who were physically present during recent hurricane disaster relief. Any qualified personnel who directly participated with Hurricanes Harvey, Irma or Maria relief efforts, and provided disaster support to impacted areas would merit receipt of the award. (Source: AF Personnel System 03/09/18)

NAS Meridian’s Dr. Seuss

MERIDIAN, Miss. - Naval Air Station Meridian’s Public Works Department Contracting Officer Jason Clayton brightened the faces of school children during a week-long celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday March 2. "I've been doing it for about four years now," said Clayton. "It started with my daughter and son's daycare." Dr. Seuss' birthday is typically set aside by schools to celebrate reading. "I've worked with the four- and five-year-old kids at my church for several years, and I've learned that children get distracted easily," he continued. "So, I figured instead of just going up there and reading, I would paint my face to get into the spirit of the thing, maybe hold their attention a little better. The teachers and kids have loved it. The daycare is an extension of Clayton's church and word of his extracurricular activity has gotten around. Lamar Elementary asked Clayton to visit two years ago. "I decided this was getting to be a bigger deal than t-shirt and jeans, so I ordered a 'Cat in the Hat' costume and wore it," said Clayton. Last year, they invited him back, and put him at the front door of the school. I read to anyone that came in the door, kindergarten through 5th grade." "(I)t just gives everyone something special to see; a change from their typical day," he said. "The smaller kids come up and hug me … As for me, I love the look in the children's faces.” (Source: NAS Meridian 03/09/18)

Hypoxia episodes still a mystery

The U.S. military still can’t figure out the root cause of mysterious hypoxia-like psychological episodes (PEs) that have led to the grounding of multiple aircraft at bases in Florida, Mississippi, Texas, and around the globe. The Navy grounded its fleet of T-45 Goshawk training aircraft in April 2017 when flight instructors at Naval Air Stations Pensacola, Fla., and Meridian, Miss., refused to fly after experiencing PE symptoms related to a loss of oxygen in flight. It’s had a big impact on naval aviation training, delaying student-pilots in the T-45C pipeline training, and keeping them from earning their “Wings of Gold”. The Navy has also grounded some of its F-18 Hornets because of similar issues. The Air Force recently grounded its T-6A II trainers after pilots reported a series of unexplained PEs. The AF also briefly grounded its F-35A fifth-generation Joint Strike Fighters last June after pilots reported PEs. In serious hypoxia cases, pilots could lose control of the aircraft and crash. Despite investigations by the military and private industry, experts still don't know the root causes, or have solid solutions, to these episodes. One of the causes appears to involve the aircrafts’ onboard oxygen generating system (OBOGS), which takes bleed air from the engine and filters it to provide breathable oxygen. Congress is pushing for solutions. U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) inserted an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act to provide $10M for industry solutions to the problem. Wicker's district includes NAS Meridian, a key T-45 training base. U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) partially blames Pentagon bureaucracy. On the front line of the effort is Navy Capt. (Dr.) Merrill Rice, who heads an NAS Pensacola-based study of pilots' responses to oxygen deprivation at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute. Dallas Snider of the University of West Florida is working with Rice to analyze data collected in the lab and creating an algorithm for helmet sensors. (Source: Pensacola News Journal 03/10/18)

Harris to be new CNATRA

Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson announced March 9 that Rear Adm. (lower half) Gregory N. Harris will be assigned as the new Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) at Corpus Christi, Texas. Harris is currently serving as commander, Carrier Strike Group 11, Everett, Washington. (Source: DOD 03/09/18) Gulf Coast Note: CNATRA oversees naval aviation training at bases such as NAS Meridian, Miss.; NAS Pensacola, NAS Whiting Field, and Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 in Pensacola, Fla.; and several Navy bases in Texas. Rear Adm. James Bynum is currently serving as CNATRA.

AHI awarded $273M helo pact

Airbus Helicopters Inc. of Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded a $273,289,949 firm-fixed-price contract for procurement of 35 UH-72A "Lakota" helicopters. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Columbus, Miss., with an estimated completion date of March 8, 2021. FY 2017 and FY-18 Army aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $136,644,970 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command of Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-18-C-0007). (Source: DOD 03/08/18)

TIGER grant for MSU

WASHINGTON, DC - Mississippi State University will receive $7M Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for development of a nearly two-mile multi-modal corridor along Hightower Road to “help alleviate gridlock and improve safety for students … and Starkville residents,” said U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.). The grant will allow MSU to develop the corridor project, a north-south passage, which will incorporate sidewalks, bike lanes, transit shelters, traffic signal improvements, and street lighting on the eastern perimeter of the MSU campus. Congress annually appropriates funding for TIGER grants, which are awarded on a competitive and matching fund basis, and directed toward projects expected to have an economic impact. Since 2009, Mississippi has received nearly $100M in TIGER funds. (Source: WJTV 03/06/18)

USM VP selected for AF program

Dr. Casey Maugh Funderburk, vice provost for the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Park campus, has been selected to the 81st Training Wing Honorary Commander Program at Keesler Air Force Base. The program offers opportunities for community leaders to gain insight about the Air Force and Keesler AFB programs. In addition, AF commanders and personnel have the opportunity to connect to the local community and its leadership. “(S)erving as a bridge between the 81st Training Wing and (USM) will most certainly lead to brilliant partnership opportunities in the years to come that will benefit our students, our military partners, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” said Funderburk. Honorary commanders are nominated by local chambers of commerce and AF commanders. (Source: Southern Miss Now 03/07/18)

Sen. Cochran to resign April 1

U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) announced March 5 that he intended to resign from the Senate on April 1. Cochran, the senior senator from the Magnolia State, is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. The senator commented that “health has become an ongoing challenge” in a media release. “I intend to fulfill my responsibilities and commitments to the people of Mississippi and the Senate through the completion of the 2018 appropriations cycle, after which I will formally retire from the U.S. Senate.” Gov. Phil Bryant will likely appoint a replacement and call for a special election Nov. 6, the day of the general election, to allow pick someone to serve out the remainder of his term. Cochran’s decision may draw candidates from the race against Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) whose 6-year term expired. He plans to run for re-election. In March 2017, Cochran was recognized as the 10th longest-serving U.S. senator in American history. (Source: Sun Herald 03/05/18) As a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Cochran has worked to ensure that the U.S. Armed Forces remain the best trained and equipped, including support for the Navy’s shipbuilding programs and military installations across Mississippi. In 2010, he was presented the Herbert H. Bateman Award from the American Shipbuilding Association, as well as the Sea Service Award from the Navy League of the United States.

AHI announces 2 aeromed sales

PARIS - Airbus Helicopters announced Feb. 27 that the Shreveport, La.-based air medical transport provider Metro Aviation had placed an order for 25 EC145e helicopters. Airbus Helicopters Inc. (AHI) will produce the EC145e at its assembly plant in Columbus, Miss., where it also produces UH-72A Lakota for the U.S. Army, and the H125 commercial helicopter for the U.S. market. Metro will customize the helicopters for individual customers at its completion center in Louisiana. No financial details were disclosed. The deal was announced during the Heli-Expo 2018 expo in Las Vegas. (Source: Reuters 02/27/18) The EC145e is essentially a commercial version of the UH-72 built in Columbus. UPDATE: A second deal was also announced at the Las Vegas expo involving Boston MedFlight, a non-profit providing critical care air medical transport for Boston regional hospitals. Boston MedFlight ordered three Airbus H145 helicopters as part of a planned upgrade to its fleet of helos. The first two helicopters will be placed into service this spring with the third arriving in the fall.