The Biden Administration’s first-ever budget request to Congress, for FY 2022, released last Friday. includes a 2.7 percent pay raise for both military service members and civilian federal government employees. The administration is request $715B in funding for the Defense Department, a 1.6 percent increase over FY-21. The proposed budget would also include an average a 3.1 percent increase in servicemembers’ Basic Housing Allowance (BAH), and an average 2.3 percent increase in basic allowance for subsistence payments. The proposed raises would be lower than the 3 percent pay raise enacted for FY-21. If approved, the 2.7 percent raise would mean $183 a month for a major with more than six years of service, and about $105 a month for an E-6 with more than eight years. The Pentagon is budgeting $42.1B as part of the regular budget for "Direct War and Enduring Operations" costs. The request includes more than $500M for COVID-fighting; and $617M in new investments for bases to prepare for climate change. The Navy's budget would grow by 2.2 percent (to $211.7B). The Air Force's would get almost double that, growing 4.3 percent (to $212.7B). Army’s budget is reduced by 1 percent (to $172.7B); and other DoD organizations would also lose $597M in funding. (Source: Military.com 05/31/21) ADDIONALLY: Biden budget request outlined (Source: Reuters 05/31/21) Money is cheap, let's spend it - White House $6 trillion budget message | Reuters
Monday, May 31, 2021
Sunday, May 30, 2021
MNG unit training for deployment
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - About 3,500 Mississippi National Guard soldiers from the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team will be training for several weeks in California in preparation for a possible overseas deployment. The 155th ABCT, which has its HQ in Tupelo, will be undergoing intense training at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin. The training, which generally is every 4-to-5 years is a final step to being certified for deployment. Maj. Gen. Janson D. Boyles, Mississippi’s adjutant general, says “once they finish this training, they’ll take a knee for a few months, and then, they’ll be ready to go overseas, if their number is called.” An additional 800 NG personnel will be helping transport the unit’s equipment to California. The training should conclude about July 1. (Source: WDAM 05/29/21)
Avondale site's revitalization
T. Parker Host CEO Adam Anderson was overlooking a 3,000-foot strip of concrete dock jutting out into the Mississippi River, from the west bank of Jefferson Parish, La., at the former Avondale Shipyard site. For the Virginia-based company, the new dock is part of a multi-pronged strategy for an ambitious plan to revitalize and grow the firm’s logistics business in Louisiana. Getting it operationally ready has become more complex than he had imagined after the company’s $60M purchase of the 254-acre site in October 2018. The company’s plan is to create a vibrant cargo hub, and restore the luster and regional economic impact. But the site has fallen on hard times since its closure and the loss of as many as 26,000 jobs. “We had to reverse engineer” hundreds of pilings and supports for the new dock, he told NOLA.com. “It's been a really super complex project." The project has been littered with distractions - derelict buildings, rusting equipment and infrastructure - and months of high water from the Mississippi River stalling work; and then there was the coronavirus pandemic put an anchor on the cargo business. But, now, the CEO says the site is within months of making a major leap with a potential first on-site tenant, and even possibly a second on deck. "It's taken us three years, but we've finally unlocked the door." Jefferson Parish leadership is also hoping for that economic impact through this project. (Source: NOLA.com 05/30/21) Is the old Avondale Shipyard site poised to be a major industrial player? Check out the plan | Business News | nola.com
Saturday, May 29, 2021
Oysters: Surviving diversion dump
More rain, flooding - and plans to divert freshwater from the Mississippi River to the Barataria Basin - may mean bad news for oysters, seafood communities, and diners of the delectable bivalve mollusks. But an LSU study indicates some oysters may do better than others in lower salinity. Productive oyster grounds will be exposed to a lot of fresh water when the river’s Barataria diversion is released, according to study lead Joanna Griffiths, an LSU marine biologist. The study is designed to find out if oysters can tolerate the amount of freshwater input and how to increase their tolerance. The study's findings suggest oyster hatcheries could breed bivalves with a greater chance of surviving those conditions. (Source: NOLA.com 05/27/21) More freshwater bad for Barataria oysters, but LSU study identifies a workaround | Environment | nola.com
186th ARW airmen of year awards
Major pacts for HII, Long Beach
Huntington Ingalls Inc. (HII), Ingalls Shipbuilding Division, Pascagoula, Mississippi, is awarded a $302,642,828 hybrid cost-plus-award-fee, cost-plus-fixed-fee with a special performance incentive, and cost-only-type contract for planning yard support for LPD 17 amphibious transport dock ships, LHD 1/LHA 6 amphibious assault ships, LSD 41/49 dock landing ships and LCC 19 amphibious command ship. This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $724,273,053. Work will be performedn Pascagoula, Mississippi, with as needed on-site technical support for Chief of Naval Operat iions availabilities at Mayport, Florida; Norfolk, Virginia; San Diego, California; and Sasebo, Japan. Work is expected to be completed by May 2028. Fiscal 2021 operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $4,156,961 (85%); and fiscal 2021 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $733,581 (15%) will be obligated at time of award, of which funds in the amount of $4,156,961 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with two offers received via the Federal Business Opportunities website. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 05/28/21)
* Leidos Inc., Reston, Virginia, is awarded a $38,047,689 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract action for engineering support services for planning, design, specification, development, fabrication, installation, integration and support of the British Undersea Test and Evaluation Center High Gain Measurement System. This contract includes purchases to the government of the United Kingdom under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. Work will be performed in Long Beach, Mississippi (53%); Poulsbo, Washington (43%); Lynnwood, Washington (1%); Bayview, Idaho (1%); Vandalia, Ohio (1%); and Kyle of Lochaslh, Scotland, United Kingdom (1%), and is expected to be completed in May 2026. FMS United Kingdom funding in the amount of $3,159,887 will be obligated at time of award and not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(4) - written directions of a foreign government reimbursing the agency for the cost of the procurement of the property or services for such government, have the effect of requiring the use of procedures other than competitive procedures. Naval Surface Warfare Center Cardecok Division, West Bethesda, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (DoD 05/28/21)
Friday, May 28, 2021
Bacteria warning @17 MS beaches
Seventeen Mississippi beaches are under a bacteria warning ahead of Memorial Day weekend. The beaches are not closed, but the state’s Department of Environmental Quality says there may be an increased chance of becoming ill after swimming. (Source: NOLA.com 05/27/21) These 17 Mississippi beaches remain under a bacteria warning ahead of Memorial Day weekend | News | nola.com
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Vertex among firms in $950M pact
Ace Aero, Guntersville, Alabama (FA8691-21-D-1001); Airtec, Lexington Park, Maryland (FA8691-21-D-1002); Alion Science and Technology Corp., McLean, Virginia (FA8691-21-D-1003); Arctos Mission Systems LLC, Tampa, Florida (FA8691-21-D-1004); ATI Engineering Services, Johnstown, Pennsylvania (FA8691-21-D-1005);Axxeum, Huntsville, Alabama (FA8691-21-D-1006); BlackHawk Aerospace, Huntsville, Alabama (FA8691-21-D-1007); ISD, Wilsonville, Oregon (FA8691-21-D-1008); KIHOMAC, Reston, Virginia (FA8691-21-D-1009); L3 Harris Communications Integrated Systems, Greenville, Texas (FA8691-21-D-1010); L3 Harris Communications Systems West, Salt Lake City, Utah (FA8691-21-D-1011); Leidos, Reston, Virginia (FA8691-21-D-1012); MAG Aero, Fairfax, Virginia (FA8691-21-D-1013); Meta Special Aerospace, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (FA8691-21-D-1014); Naval Systems Inc., Lexington Park, Maryland (FA8691-21-D-1015); Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Fort Worth, Texas (FA8691-21-D-1016); PAE, Arlington, Virginia (FA8691-21-D-1017); Pinnacle Solutions, Huntsville, Alabama (FA8691-21-D-1018); SES-i, Huntsville, Alabama (FA8691-21-D-1019); Sierra Nevada Corp., Centennial, Colorado (FA8691-21-D-1020); Textron Corp., Hunt Valley, Maryland (FA8691-21-D-1021); and Vertex, Madison, Mississippi (FA8691-21-D-1022), have been awarded a combined $950,000,000 multiple award, fair opportunity, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts with a firm-fixed-price task order. Contractors will provide various Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers engineering assessments, procurement of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) sensors and related equipment, integration of ISR sensors into non-standard aircraft, and contractor logistics support for non-standard aircraft with ISR sensors. Work will be performed at the locations of the contractors and various FMS customer locations and is expected to be completed May 31, 2031. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and 22 offers were received. Fiscal 2021 Foreign Military Sales administrative funds in the amount of $22,000 are being obligated to each company at the time of the award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 05/27/21)
*Stephenson Stellar Corp., Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has been awarded a $22,738,300 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for a Stellar Space Cyber Range Software/Hardware prototype. This contract provides the Air Force with tools and techniques to facilitate defensive cyber operations for space through the research and development of a land and space-based cyber experimentation platform entitled the “Stellar Space Cyber Range.” Work will be performed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is expected to be completed May 28, 2024. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and two offers were received. Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, New York, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 05/27/21)
Coastal MS turning page to summer
Coastal Mississippi is turning the page to summer beginning this weekend with traditional activities after the 2020 pandemic begins to subside. Fireworks Friday night at Harrah’s Gulf Coast will be like a cannon start summer festivals, such as Saturday’s Sci-fi reopening of Infinity Science Center and Sunday’s Blessing of the Fleet in Biloxi. A solemn Memorial Day Ceremony Monday morning in Gulfport will salute the veterans who have died. There will be no public memorial service at Biloxi National Cemetery, but a small flag can be placed at graves. (Source: Sun Herald 05/27/21) How can I celebrate Memorial Day weekend on MS Gulf Coast? | Biloxi Sun Herald
Blanchette new quality VP at HII
PASCAGOULA, Miss. - Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding divisionhere announced May 27 that Brian Blanchette has been promoted to VP of quality and engineering. He will be responsible for the management/oversight of the division’s quality program, and ship design, engineering, integrated logistics support and planning yard engineering efforts. He will relieve Dave Belanger upon his retirement in July. Blanchette served most recently as Ingalls’ director of technical and design engineering, where he led the execution of design efforts for Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) Flight III destroyers, amphibious assault ship Bougainville (LHA 8), as well as San Antonio-class amphibious transport docks Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28), Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29) and Harrisburg (LPD 30). Blanchette earned a Bachelor of Science in naval architecture and marine engineering from the University of Michigan. (Source: HII 05/27/21)
10 cases of new virus in Miss. LTCs
The Mississippi Health Department has reported 10 new cases of a pair of different strains of the COVID virus. One of the cases affected two nursing homes that led to a death and two hospitalizations in fully vaccinated senior-residents. The largest number of those cases were the South African origin B.1.351 variant strain identified in two long-term care (LTC) in Forrest and Covington counties. There are now 12 cases of the South African strain across Mississippi. The LTC specifif cases, for the majority, were mild-to-no symptoms, acccording to a media release quoiting State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers. (Source: Sun Herald 05/27/21) South African, Indian COVID variants now in MS: Health dept | Biloxi Sun Herald
MSU research pact: $7.7M
Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi, was awarded a $7,787,143 firm-fixed-price contract for research focusing on sensor analytics and remote sensing, geo-materials, steel and future technologies for force protection. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Mississippi State, Mississippi, with an estimated completion date of May 26, 2023. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation, Army funds in the amount of $5,007,896 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, Mississippi, is the contracting activity, (Source: DoD 05/26/21)
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
LCS 28 completes acceptance trials
MOBILE, Ala. - The future USS Savannah (LCS 28) successfully concluded acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico on May 14 after a series of in-port and underway demonstrations. The Independence Class Littoral Combat Ship was built here at the Austal USA shipyard. (Source: Nzavy 05/26/21) Future USS Savannah (LCS 28) Completes Successful Acceptance Trials > United States Navy > News-Stories
AF recruiting broadening its reach
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas – The Air Force Recruiting Service (AFRS) is casting a wider net seeking the best and brightest to join the service. The goal is to reach out to under-represented groups that will help diversify the AF and its manning goals while helping inspire young people from all across the country. “(R)ecruiting must be about getting the ‘best athletes’ on the (AF) team,” said Maj. Gen. Ed Thomas, AFRS commander. AFRS has traditionally been strong in the South, but there are untapped areas of talent, he said. Thomas believes if the AF isn’t tapping those areas, then AFRS isn’t getting all of the best that America has to offer, but Thomas is also committed to maintaining high standards and combat readiness. In a move to improve AF’s rated diversity, leaders officially released the service’s Rated Diversity Improvement (RDI) Strategy March 17 to attract, recruit, develop and retain a diverse-rated corps. (Source: Air Force: 05/25/21) Air Force recruiting seeks to broaden applicant pool to find best, brightest > U.S. Air Force > Article Display (af.mil)
2x MSU grad: MS teacher of year
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Leslie Tally, a two-time graduate of Mississippi State University’s College of Education, has been named Mississippi Teacher of the Year. The Corinth, Miss., native is a second-grade English Language Arts teacher at Lawhon Elementary School in Tupelo. She holds MSU bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education. (Source: MSU 05/25/21) MSU College of Education alumna ‘overjoyed’ to be named Mississippi Teacher of the Year | Mississippi State University (msstate.edu)
124 MSU inductees to PKP
STARKVILLE, Miss. - A total of 124 Mississippi State University students and a faculty member are new inductees of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. New members for the spring were inducted as part of a virtual ceremony. The honor society accepts members from all academic disciplines within colleges and universities. Membership is by invitation only and is offered to the top 10 percent of seniors/grad students and the top 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify.Mississippi State’s chapter was recently named a Circle of Excellence Platinum Chapter. The list of inductees at MSU’s Phi Kappa Phi chapter inducts 124 new members | Mississippi State University (msstate.edu)
Navy overhauling primary flight trng
The Navy is in the midst of overhauling its primary flight training curriculum for the first time in a half century, and has a goal to produce more capable newbie-aviators and get them to the fleet faster. The Naval Aviation Training Next–Project Avenger, the new training program, aims to reduce the length of time it takes to train students by combining classroom and flight time in the T-6B Texan II – mixing virtual and real trainers, AI, tablets and aviation apps. The program was kicked off last September. That first class of 19 student-aviators completed training April 1 at Training Air Wing 4 at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. TAW-5 at NAS Whiting Field, Fla., will begin its new training this summer. The Navy anticipates the new program will reduce the time it takes to produce a naval aviator in order to cut into the shortage of 100 fighter pilots in the fleet. The traditional syllabus takes students about 29 weeks to complete. Project Avenger students didn’t dramatically change that in the first iteration, although it was noted that was a small reduction in time. The Navy also intends a new approach to the secondary phase of flight training, which is being called Project Hellcat, a T-6B strike intermediate syllabus, and Project Corsair, an advanced T-45C Goshawk strike syllabus. Shortened training will become more evident in those later phases, said Lt. Cmdr. Josh Calhoun, Project Avenger officer in charge. Ultimately, Project Avenger will become the standard training for student-aviators in primary flight training. A few more iterations of the program will be needed before the Navy gives its final approval on the best method(s) for future aviators. (Source: Navy Times 05/25/21) Mississippi Note: NAS Columbus, Miss., is one of three bases where secondary flight training in the T-45C strike syllabus occurs. Navy’s new ‘Project Avenger’ flight training program aims to produce stronger aviators (navytimes.com)
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
'Hurricane Hunters' upgrading
SecAF nom goes before SASC
WASHINGTON, DC - Frank Kendall was before the Senate Armed Services Committee on May 25 as part of his confirmation hearing to be considered as the 26th Secretary of the Air Force. He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy. Kendall served 10 years on active duty in the Army, a tenure that also included a stint teaching engineering at West Point. Kendall spent time in the Pentagon as director of the tactical warfare program before moving to become assistant deputy undersecretary for Strategic Defense Systems. Kendall also worked in the private sector in defense-related jobs, most notably as Raytheon’s vice president of engineering during the mid-1990s. Source: Air Force 05/24/21) Senate committee considers Frank Kendall’s nomination to be the 26th Air Force secretary (af.mil)
C&C delivers 4th of 15 towboats
Belle Chasse, La.-based C&C Marine and Repair delivered the 2,600-hp Ned Brooks, the fourth in a 15-boat series, it is building for Metairie, La.-based Maritime Partners. The towboat was designed by Entech Design of Kenner, La., with 3-D modeling and production drawings done by C&C Marine and Repair’s in-house engineering department. The next boat in the series is scheduled for delivery in mid-June, with subsequent towboats scheduled for delivery every two months. (Source: Work Boat 05/25/21) C&C Marine delivers another towboat to Maritime Partners | WorkBoat
$22M La. stormwater contract
B&K Construction, Mandeville, Louisiana, was awarded a $22,097,614 modification (P00003) to contract (W912P8-19-C-0071) for clearing and grubbing, construction of temporary retaining structures, maintenance and diversion of storm water, construction concrete flumes, demolition, installation of geotechnical instrumentation, structural excavation and backfill in southeast Louisiana. Work will be performed in New Orleans with an estimated completion date of Feb. 26, 2024. Fiscal 2021 civil operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $22,097,614 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, Louisiana, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 05/25/21)
MSU: A-A history fair; Vet parking
STARKVILLE, Miss.-Mississippi State University Libraries is hosting a virtual event June 5 featuring guest speakers specializing in African-American genealogy and Southern photography. The event will be from 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The E.O. and Betty Templeton Genealogy and History Fair will include sessions led by professional certified genealogist Elyse Hill and historian Frances O. Robb. MSU Libraries faculty will conduct workshops on a variety of genealogy topics. Though the virtual event is free to the public, those interested must register for each session they wish to attend at https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/genfair.
STARKVILLE, Miss.—In memory of those lost in battle and in honor of those wounded in battle, Mississippi State Parking and Transit Services is now offering university enrolled or employed Gold Star family members and Purple Heart recipients complimentary annual parking permits. (MSU 05/24/21) MSU adds complimentary parking permits for Gold Star family members, Purple Heart recipients | Mississippi State University (msstate.edu)
VT-4 alum new XO of Blue Angels
PENSACOLA, Fla. - Chief of Naval Air Training Rear Adm. Robert Westindorft named Cmdr. Jonathan Fay as the incoming executive officer of the 2022 Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels. A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Fay attended the U.S. Naval Academy, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in economics and received his commission in May 2000. (Source: Blue Angels 05/21/21) Gulf Coast Note: In September 2005, Fay reported to the “Warbucks” of Training Squadron (VT) 4 as an instructor. VT-4 is an Advanced Flight School onboard NAS Pensacola that prepares Student Naval Flight Officers (SNFO) for follow-on qualification in the E-2, E-6, EP-3, and P-8 communities. During this tour, he was selected for transition to the P-3C Orion due to the retirement of the S-3B Viking. (Source: Blue Angels 05/21/21)
MARFORSOUTH's new 3-star boss
Leadership of the U.S. Marine Corps Forces South command was upgraded to a 3-star general assignment on May 21 when Marine Lt. Gen. David Bellon assumed command. The command had been a 1-star billet. Bellon will be dual-hatted while commanding MARFORSOUTH and as commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve, with HQ's in New Orleans. MARFORSOUTH is the Marines' component command for SOUTHCOM, and Bellon will command all Marine forces assigned there. The elevation of MARFORSOUTH's command stature demonstrates a commitment to the region against adversaries. It also means additional personnel and capacity, with more skill-sets, to the headquarters. (Source: Military.com 05/24/21) Gulf Coast Note: Lt. Gen. Bellon is a native of Fort Polk, La., and grew up in St. Louis. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/05/24/marine-forces-south-gets-3-star-commander-leaders-stress-regions-global-importance.html
Monday, May 24, 2021
$33M in BR contracting pacts
Stephenson Stellar Corp., Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has been awarded a $19,700,950 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide tools and techniques to enhance 5th generation wireless testing and design. This contract provides for the design, creation and operation of a fully functional 5G Independent Testing Laboratory while providing the 5G, cyber, and space expertise required to establish efficacious evaluation techniques, commensurate with the technology’s evolving complexity. Work will be performed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and is expected to be completed May 23, 2024. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and two offers were received. Fiscal 2021 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $4,001,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome New York, is the contracting activity.
Lakey Inc., Lufkin, Texas, was awarded a $13,317,591 firm-fixed-price contract for excavation of a segment of the Comite River Diversion earthen channel. Bids were solicited via the internet with 16 received. Work will be performed in East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 1, 2022. Fiscal 2018 civil construction funds in the amount of $13,317,591 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, Louisiana, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 05/24/21)
Adranos to expand MS fuel facility
Adranos Inc., an Indiana company that produces clean, solid rocket fuel for space travel, announced recently it was going expand its investment at its 640-acre McHenry, Miss., for a second time since 2020. In September 2020, Adranos opened the former General Dynamics facility. With proximity to the Stennis Space Center and its previous build-out for compliance with Pentagon specs, the facility is well-suited for testing next-generation rocket fuel This month, Adranos is further expanding by investing $1.35M [and created 25 new jobs in Stone County]. The Adranos mission is to improve the solid rocket fuel used for space exploration, saying that the technology hasn’t changed much since the 1960s. ALITEC is their proprietary solid rocket fuel designed to boost rocket performance while eliminating harmful hydrochloric acid emissions. (Source: Innovative Mississippi 05/2021) https://www.innovate.ms/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Adranos-Website.jpg
Miss. US Presidential Scholars
Oxford High School is home to one of two Mississippi seniors named as 2021 U.S .Presidential Scholars. OHS's Emma Teng was among the list of 161 students across the nation recognized by U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona as part of the the 57th Class of U.S. Presidential Scholars. Matthew Landon Yin from Madison Central High School is the other Mississippi student. The distinction honors seniors for their accomplishments in academics, the arts and career and technical education fields. The White House Commission on Presidential Scholars selects scholars annually based on their academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals. (Source: Oxford Eagle 05/22/21) Oxford High School's Teng named 2021 US Presidential Scholar - The Oxford Eagle | The Oxford Eagle
Sunday, May 23, 2021
DoD Naming Commission update
The Commission on the Naming of Items of the Department of Defense that commemorate the Confederate States of America or any person who served voluntarily with the CSA, is more often referred to as the Naming Commission. Retired Navy Adm. Michelle Howard, the chair of the Naming Commission, told media about its mandate and the work they have been doing and what they will be doing. The work so far, according to Howard, has been the development of a charter, and the renaming criteria, which include a meeting with local stakeholders. Some installation leadership "have already taken some level of planning” … to develop and refine the inventory of what meets that criteria” for name changes to installations, ships, streets and buildings, she said. The commission will visit nine Army installations named, mostly, for those who voluntarily served in the CSA: Fort A.P. Hill, Fort Bragg, Fort Lee, Fort Rucker (Ala.), Fort Benning, Fort Gordon, Fort Hood, Fort Polk (La.), Fort Belvoir and Fort Pickett. The commission's mandate does not include items outside the Confederacy naming period. For example, Camp Beauregard is an Army National Guard installation named for a Confederate general, but outside the commission’s scope because it belongs to the state of Louisiana. The commission will also brief the House and Senate Armed Services Committees by Oct. 1. Then on Oct. 1, 2022, the commission will present a final briefing and written report. (Source: DoD 05/21/21) Gulf Coast Note: In her early Navy career, Retired Adm. Howard, served as a junior officer in USS Lexington (AVT-16) in the 1990s, which was operated out of the homeport at NAS Pensacola, Fla., as well as Corpus Christi and New Orleans, qualifying student aviators.
MARAD grants for Marine highways
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has announced the availability of $10,819,000 in grant funding for the America’s Marine Highway Program (AMHP). AMHP is to encourage the use of America’s 25,000 miles of navigable waterways. AMHP "increases the use of environmentally sustainable practices to move freight across our transportation system.” said Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. “These investments help local communities reduce congestion and create more economic opportunities.” AMHP supports the increased use of inland waterways to relieve landside congestion, provide new and efficient transportation options and increase the productivity of the surface transportation system. Marine highways are all-water routes, often running alongside or near major highways, and helps integrate coastal and inland waterways, providing alternate options to traditional shipping methods. AMHP provides funding to support the expanded movement of freight by water, while supporting port communities on the nation's coasts and inland waterways, said Acting Maritime Administrator Lucinda Lessley. Applications for the grants are due by 4 p.m. CDT on June 4. Additional information is available in the Federal Register here or by contacting Fred Jones, Office of Ports and Waterways Planning, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590, 202-366-1123 or Fred.Jones@dot.gov.
Saturday, May 22, 2021
AF, MSU, MGCCC cyber partners
KEESLER AFB, Miss. - Educational partnerships between Keesler AFB, Mississippi State University and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College new cyber capabilities have been initiated through ta Governor’s Emergency Education Relief grant of $13.5M. The initiative is striving to enhance cyber applications and technology assistance for all levels of education. The collaborative effort has begun to create a new cyber range network designed for computer programming. The cyber range and other network projects are a seed for a future cyber technology center, which can be used as a virtual student playground to test concepts and skill-sets. For KAFB, it’ll serve as another hands-on asset to its cyber training of Airmen. “We needed a virtual environment for our Airmen to figure out how to maintain and protect a network, said Maj. Marc Icban, 336th Training Squadron director of operations. “They will be The first steps of an evolving partnership > Air Education and Training Command > Article Display (af.mil)innovation of cyber education and set course for future collaborations. (Source: 81st Training Wing 05/20/21) The first steps of an evolving partnership > Air Education and Training Command > Article Display (af.mil)