MSU’s Rendon to war college

STARKVILLE, Miss. - A Mississippi State University student affairs administrator and Mississippi Army National Guard (MANG) lieutenant colonel has received a10-month appointment to study at the United States Army War College. Andrew Rendon, director of MSU’s Office of Planning and Assessment, will spend the time at the war college, in Carlisle, Pa., to pursue a master’s in strategic studies. The education and training received at the 117-year-old institution is to prepare Rendon for strategic command in the MANG. Rendon, a two-time graduate of Mississippi State University and product of the MSU’s Army ROTC, was serving on a deployment in Kosovo when he received word that he was accepted into the War College. (Source: MSU 06/28/18)

Matias named Air Force OAY

COLUMBUS AFB, - More than 250,000 active-duty Airmen make up the Air Force’s enlisted force. Every year, 12 are selected as the best of the best. Master Sgt. Joshua Matias, 14th Operations Support Squadron air traffic control tower chief controller at Columbus Air Force Base, was one among those chosen 2018 Outstanding Airmen of the Year (OAY). (Source: CAFB 06/27/18)

NHP’s summer med prep program

Thirteen students from four Pensacola, Fla., high schools participated in Naval Hospital Pensacola’s inaugural Summer Medical Preparatory Program (SMP2). The new program was created to provide students interested in a career in medicine, and with the opportunity to gain experience in various areas of health care. “(T)his was our opportunity to provide these teenagers with an example of how rewarding it is to take care of patients who put their trust in us to care for them and hopefully inspire them to continue to pursue their dream of a career in medicine," said NHP Executive Officer Capt. Elizabeth Adriano. All of the students had previously participated in Escambia County school system’s Health Academy. From making dental impressions to forming casts on each other to listening to the heartbeat of a newborn, students had a variety of hands-on experience. They also observed OR surgeries; and practiced medical care on NHP’s realistic simulators that can actually talk and moan with pain. It allowed students to learn and practice spine stabilization, controlled bleeding, placing IVs, and breathing restoration. They put their skills to a test at the end of the week by participating in a realistic training exercise where they had to save the life of a simulated patient injured from a motorcycle accident. (Source: Naval Hospital Pensacola 06/25/18) NH Pensacola is the lead command for Navy branch health clinics in four states, including ones at NAS Meridian and Naval Construction Battalion Center, Miss.; and NAS/JRB New Orleans. The other states are Florida and Tennessee.

Monreal becomes new NAVFAC SE

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Capt. Mike Monreal, a qualified Seabee Combat Warfare Officer, has relieved Capt. Pat Garin as Commanding Officer of Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast in a June 21 change of command ceremony in Jacksonville. During the ceremony, Rear Adm. Darius Banaji, Commander of Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic presented the Legion of Merit to Garin for extraordinary leadership and technical expertise while managing $30B in facilities across the Southeast region - that includes bases at NAS Meridian and NCBC Gulfport in Mississippi – and performing $1.7B of construction and executing $1.9B in contracts and services at 19 geographically dispersed public works department locations across 12 states and the Caribbean over the past two years. Monreal comes to NAVFAC Southeast from duty as deputy commander for operations at NAVFAC Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. Monreal was commissioned in the Marine Corps in 1992 after graduation from Texas A&M University. He transitioned to the Navy Civil Engineer Corps (CEC) in 1996. He received his Master's in Civil Engineering degree from his alma mater in 2001. (Source: NAVFAC Southeast 06/25/18)

Hiring aviation techs from EMCC

MAYHEW, Miss - Columbus resident Teresa Brooks recently completed the Composite Manufacturing course at East Mississippi Community College (EMCC) and is enrolled in its Avionics and Cabling program. Both courses are 10-to-12 weeks and teach skills needed by regional aircraft manufacturers, such as Airbus Helicopters Inc., Stark Aerospace and Aurora Flight Sciences. Brooks already works as a wiring technician at Stark. “Some of the stuff we learned in the Avionics and Cabling class are things that have been integrated at Stark Aerospace," said Brooks. Some of those classes are taught by Stark Aerospace employees, using, when possible, materials and equipment of their unmanned aerial systems and sensors. EMCC students learn avionics wiring, which includes reading schematics, determining what size wires to use in different applications, soldering, and wiring terminals and plugs, among other things. Students in Composite Manufacturing learn techniques for building aircraft parts. On local manufacturer is expected to ramp up hiring for those who complete the Avionics and Cabling course. But the courses aren’t for everyone. Before students can enroll in either of the programs, they must first score a silver or better on the ‘WorkKeys’ assessment, which is available at EMCC and measures students' proficiency in Workplace Documents, Applied Mathematics and Graphic Information. They must also complete an eight-week Manufacturing Skills-Basic course at EMCC that is required by local manufacturers. (Source: Columbus Dispatch 06/23/18)

AFA cadets get bird’s-eye at CAFB

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. – The U.S. Air Force Academy’s Operation Air Force program sent six summer-term cadets to Columbus Air Force Base from June 2-20 to get a better understanding of the operational force they will be joining after graduation. The ‘Ops Air Force’ program is to immerse AF cadets in the service’s culture and active-duty environment, according to Capt. Daniel Hill, director of training with CAFB’s 37th Flying Training Squadron. This program helps cadets see what type of work their preferred AF specialty code does operationally versus academically. The cadets flew on familiarization flights in all three of the 14th Flying Training Wing aircraft: T-6A Texan II, T-1A Jayhawk and T-38C Talon; and visited multiple shops across CAFB. Cadet Tech. Sgt. Bridger Barker said he never imagined being a pilot until he experienced some G-force, and now, that’s what he wants to pursue. Capt. Hill says the cadets’ confidence was boosted by this trip and program. (Source: CAFB 06/22/18)

Oxford firm earns partial pact

Orocon-Carothers JV2of Oxford, Miss., Southeast Cherokee Construction of Montgomery, Ala., and Whitesell-Green of Pensacola, Fla., were among three Gulf states' companies to be awarded a $75,000,000 firm-fixed-price modification to increase the maximum dollar value of an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award construction contract for design-build construction projects at various locations within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast area of responsibility. Seven total companies were selected. The work to be performed provides for, but not limited to, new construction, repair, alteration, and related demolition work. After award of this modification, the maximum dollar value for all seven contracts combined will be $174,000,000. Work will be performed in, but not limited to, Florida (70%); Georgia (25); and the remainder within the NAVFAC Southeast area (5). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of July 2021. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued. Future task orders will be primarily funded by Navy operation and maintenance and military construction funds. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast of Jacksonville, Fla. is the contracting activity. (Source: DOD 06/22/18)

MCPON steps down

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Steven S. Giordano is stepping down from his post after reports surfaced he was being investigated by the Navy Inspector General over allegations he bullied subordinates and created a hostile work environment. MCPON Giordano published a message on Navy's Facebook page June 21 announcing he was leaving the post and planning to submit a request for retirement. Giordano's message to sailors on Facebook cited that his action to step down was to "avoid any distraction from the success of our sailors and our mission." Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson accepted Giordano's offer to step aside immediately. There has been no information from the Navy about who will replace Giordano; whether investigations will continue or what the timeline is for his retirement. (Source: Military.com 06/21/18) Gulf Coast Note: Giordano’s first duty station after recruit training was at Pensacola, Fla., where he completed Cryptologic Technician technical training at Corry Station.

MS earns 8th straight ‘Shovel’

JACKSON, Miss. - The State of Mississippi has been recognized by Area Development magazine with a 2018 Silver Shovel Award. The award signifies the state’s 2017 economic development successes. It’s the eighth consecutive year that the publication has awarded the Magnolia State with a Shovel Award. (Source: Mississippi.org 06/14/18)

Schomer returns to Blue Angels

The Navy’s Blue Angels flight demonstration team announced June 13 via Twitter that Cmdr. William Schomer had been selected as the team’s 2019 executive officer. The Blue Angels are comprised of aviators from the Navy and the Marine Corps. Schomer was an enlisted member of the Blues from 1994-97 while working in the airframes and paint shops, and will be returning after 21 years. Schomer, who hails from Lorain, Ohio, currently serves as the air operations officer at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. He’ll be taking over XO duties for the 2019 season from Cmdr. Matt Kaslik. Officers generally serve two-year tours with the team. (Source: Navy Times 06/14/18) The Blue Angels are headquartered out of NAS Pensacola during air show season.

VA nursing home gets low rating

The Biloxi (Miss.) Veterans Affairs Medical Center's nursing home is one of 11 VA facilities in the country to receive the lowest level on its annual performance rating. Although receiving 1-of-5 stars, the report said Biloxi had made improvement since the last report. The facility's staffing scored 5-of-5 stars, but scored 1s in all other categories: overall stars, survey stars, and quality stars. This year 34 of 133 facilities listed scored the highest 5-of-5 star ratings. It’s the first time the VA has made public these annual ratings for its 130 nursing homes across the U.S. (Source: Sun Herald 06/14/18)

Protecting military bases

Escambia County, Fla., is buying land near the entrance and back gate of Naval Air Station Pensacola as part of an effort to buffer and protect the base from encroachment upon its training missions. Commissioners OK’d the spending of about $220,000 this month to buy about one-fourth of an acre of undeveloped land off south Navy Boulevard and 45 acres of undeveloped land near the intersection of Blue Angels Parkway and Gulf Beach Highway. By purchasing the land, the county is sending a message to the federal government that it is serious about supporting and protecting NASP, according to Commissioner Doug Underhill. The purchases are funded in large part by Florida’s Defense Infrastructure Grant Program. Steve Opalenik, community planning and liaison officer at NASP, says the purchase of the back gate parcel is important to ensure property under flight paths, frequently used by the base, will not be developed. Santa Rosa County, Fla., has made multiple land purchases over the years to protect NAS Whiting Field’s training missions; and earning accolades from the Defense Department for those efforts. (Source: Pensacola News Journal 06/11/18) Golden Triangle Note: Easements on rural lands along NAS Meridian, Miss.’s boundary and in high noise areas will permanently protect the bases capabilities to provide jet aviation training. NASM has been working with Lauderdale and Kemper counties to develop airport zoning ordinances and on a Joint Land Use Study to further protect the military mission.

Instructor back from Warrior Games

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Air Force Captain Hunter Barnhill returned from the 2018 Department of Defense Warrior Games with three medals. As he entered the Golden Triangle Regional Airport on June 10, he was met with applause and signs welcoming him back to Mississippi. Barnhill was among the 300 wounded, ill, and injured service members and veterans who participated in the games. “I came away with a little hardware … I can say I had a little success,” Barnhill laughed, showing off his three medals – two bronze and a silver for indoor rowing events and shooting. Barnhill works as a 37th Flying Training Squadron instructor at Columbus AFB, Miss. The squadron conducts primary flight training in the T-6 Texan II. Barnhill’s three medals helped Air Force come out on top in the overall medal count with 166, Navy was second with 101, and Army third with 99. The airman had suffered a seizure as the result of a brain tumor in 2017, and shortly after surgery at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Ala., began to suffer from post-operative Supplementary Motor Area Syndrome (SMA). The condition rendered Barnhill paralyzed on his right side and unable to speak. It would then take three months of physical and speech therapy to regain his abilities to walk, run and speak. Col. Doug Gosney, commander of the 14th Flying Training Wing at CAFB, was among those welcoming Barnhill home. He told the Starkville Daily News that he hopes Barnhill’s success will serve as an inspiration to other personnel in similar situations. The 37th FTS is part of the 14th Flying Training Squadron. (Source: Starkville Daily News 06/11/18)

PrEP: Stakes high for AF

If the policy were different, Lt. Jones – who asked a first name not be used for this story for privacy reasons - might be transferring to the Air Force knowing it is short of pilots. But Jones, who has served in the Navy as an E-2 Hawkeye pilot since 2010, will extend his naval career instead of joining the AF Reserve. The reason is that the AF does not allow its pilots to take human immunodeficiency virus medication (Truvada) to prevent HIV infection. The Navy does. Jones doesn't have HIV. AF policy takes the conservative approach, since the medication is commonly used by gay, sexually active individuals. Meanwhile, AF leaders say they need time to rewrite older policies. Pilots see the denial of the prescription as a move that indicts them under an assumption they live promiscuous lifestyles. AF officials say the policy is based on safety concerns. The stakes are high. One pilot said his career was brought to an end over his use of the pre-exposure prophylaxis treatment (PrEP). Others say they were subjected to intrusive questions by health care providers over their pursuit of the drug. However, the AF may be considering a decision on allowing the use of the PrEP this fall, officials told Military.com. (Source: Military.com 06/10/18)

MS unit’s humanitarian airlift

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala - A Mississippi-based Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft transported six Guatemalan children to the U.S. after they were injured by an eruption of the Fuego Volcano. U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) ordered the aircraft and team from the 172nd Airlift Wing in Jackson, Miss., as well as a team of aeromedical evacuation, pediatric intensive care, and burn victim treatment specialists to fly the children and guardians to Galveston, Texas, to receive burn and injuries’ treatment at Shriners Hospital for Children. The 172nd AW also donated equipment to assist Guatemalan emergency personnel working at the disaster site, consisting of hazardous gas detectors, tools, and personal protective equipment. The Guatemalan government requested the assistance through the U.S. Embassy for the humanitarian airlift. In foreign disasters, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is the lead American government agency. SOUTHCOM has been in close contact with both USAID and the State Department while monitoring updates about the eruption. The U.S. military has a history of supporting USAID-led relief missions and host countries to aid people impacted by disasters. Most recently it was in the Caribbean, where hurricanes Matthew (2016), Irma (2017), and Maria (2017) caused widespread devastation in Haiti, St. Martin, and Guadalupe. (Source: SOUTHCOM 06/06/18)

Commands commemorate Midway

Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) staff and students at the Keesler AFB, Miss., hosted a Battle of Midway commemoration ceremony June 5. The WWII battle was fought June 3-7, 1942, between U.S. and Japanese Imperial navies, and became the at-sea turning point of the war. Master of ceremonies, Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Miguel Decena, a CNATTU instructor, said he felt it important to recognize the anniversary and the “lessons we learn from war-fighters of the past (that) are certainly applicable in today's Navy,” he continued. “I felt that leading today's remembrance carried a special significance, given the joint-service environment we have here." In Pensacola, Fla., commands gathered to hear Kevin Miller, retired Navy captain and noted Midway scholar. His focused remarks detailed how America's young men and their machines were able to triumph over a seemly insurmountable force and invincible foe. Commands participating in the ceremony included Naval Aviation Schools Command, Corry Station Performing Arts Company, and Naval Operational Support Center Pensacola at Saufley Field. (Sources: Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center; and CNATTU Keesler)

NCTC Gulfport has new boss

GULFPORT, Miss. - Cmdr. Russell Bates relieved Cmdr. Ana Franco as commanding officer of Naval Construction Training Center (NCTC) Gulfport during a May 23 change of command ceremony. Bates is a graduate of Excelsior College in New York with a Bachelor of Science in administration management studies with a focus in biology. He previously served as chief staff officer at the 22nd Naval Construction Regiment in Gulfport. Franco received the Meritorious Service Medal for service at NCTC. During her tenure, the command graduated more than 16,000 students from all seven Seabee ratings, along with Air Force and Army students attending Builder "A" school, as part of an Inter-service Training Review Organization agreement. Franco’s next assignment will be as operations officer for Naval Facilities Engineering Command in Washington, D.C. (Source: Center for Seabees and Engineering 06/05/18)

Iyer to head IAI North America

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has appointed Swami Iyer as CEO of its North America division. In his new role, Iyer will be in charge of all of the company’s activities in North America, including its subsidiaries Elta North America and Stark Aerospace of Columbus, Miss. Iyer had previously held roles at Ultra Electronics’ 3eTI division, where he served as president, and Honeywell Aerospace, where he was VP of the defense and space division. (Source: Jane’s 06/04/18)

Hurlburt Osprey sits down in Ala.

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. - A Hurlburt Field-based CV-22 Osprey, assigned to the Air Force’s 1st Special Operations Wing, made a precautionary landing about 11 p.m. on June 4 in a field near Ashland, Ala. The aircraft was on a routine training mission. None of the five crew was reportedly injured. "We appreciate all the help and support we are receiving from the community and emergency services here in Ashland," said Lt. Col. David Lucas, 1st Special Operations Group deputy commander. Ashland, Ala., is about 25 miles southeast of Talladega (Ala.) Speedway. (Source: Hurlburt Field 06/05/18)

GAO: Choice may be better deal

The Veterans Choice Program for private health care is in poor shape. But, even a bill backed by the President to fix it will be very hard to implement, even if done with great accuracy, according to the Government Accountability Office. Choice was aimed at reducing wait times through increased access to private health care. GAO’s April 2016-May 2018 performance audit found in many cases that veterans would have been better off making appointments at VA facilities. (Source: Military.com 06/05/18) Gulf Coast Note: VA Biloxi, Miss., has multiple clinics across the Gulf Coast from Mobile, Ala., to Panama City, Fla. The VA's VISN regional offices are in Jackson, Miss.

Fastenal’s new MS distro center

JACKSON, Miss. – The industrial supply company Fastenal is locating a distribution center in Madison County, Miss. The project is an $11.5M investment that will create 60 jobs over the next three years, according to the Mississippi Development Authority. Fastenal provides companies with fasteners, tools and supplies needed to manufacture products, build structures and maintain facilities and equipment, including for the oil and gas industry. The new 129,000-square-foot distribution center will be the firm’s 15th in North America. MDA is providing assistance for site preparation and infrastructure improvements. Madison County is also providing some assistance for infrastructure improvements. Construction is scheduled to begin in the fall and is expected to be completed by fall 2019. (Source: MDA 06/04/18)

Standardization & Eval Admin job

Amyx Inc. is seeking to hire Squadron Standardization and Evaluation Administrators to provide flight training operations support (FTOS) functions to Air Force’s Air Education and Training Command training squadrons at Randolph AFB and Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas; Columbus AFB in Mississippi; Laughlin AFB, in Del Rio, Texas; Vance AFB in Enid, Okla.; Little Rock AFB in Arkansas; Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, Ariz.; and NAS Pensacola in Florida. (Source: Amyx Inc. 06/18)

New commander for 81st LRS

KEESLER AFB, Miss. - Maj. Matthew Roberts took command of the 81st Logistics Readiness Squadron during a May 23 change of command. He relieves out-going commander Lt. Col. Melissa Rativa. Roberts comes to Keesler AFBase from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, where he served as the Air Force Institute of Technology professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management. (Source: Keesler AFB 05/30/18)

Raytheon expanding in Miss.

Raytheon is expanding its radar manufacturing capabilities at its Forest, Miss., facility. The project is a $100M corporate investment that will create dozens of jobs over the next five years. Raytheon will construct the new facility to serve as a hub for test, integration and production of s-band radars, which includes the Navy’s next-generation SPY-6, and Air and Missile Defense Radar program. The new 50,000-square-foot facility will allow for future growth and will create dozens of indirect jobs within the community, according to the company. The facility will become the newest addition to Raytheon’s existing Consolidated Manufacturing Center, which will continue delivery of critical commitments across the airborne radar and electronic warfare markets. Construction of the new facility will begin in August. It is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2020. (Source: Y’all Politics 06/01/18)

NASWF has new XO

NAS WHITING FIELD, Fla. - Cmdr. Jim Brownlee became the new Executive Officer of Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field on May 15 following a distinguished career in naval aviation. In January, he reported back to NASWF as the prospective executive officer, and began training for the command position, and re-qualifying in the TH-57. Brownlee has two goals for himself as the XO - to lead and support sailors and civilians, and find a way to leave the base even better than the Commander Installations Command award-winning facility it is today. The new XO joined the Navy after college, reporting to NAS Pensacola for Aviation Officer Candidate School in 1995. After commissioning, he flew T-34Cs at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, and followed that tour up at NASWF flying TH-57 Sea Ranger with Helicopter Training Squadron Eight (HT-8). He earned his Wings of Gold as an Unrestricted Naval Aviator from NASWF in 1998. (Source: NASWF 06/01/18) NASWF provides primary flight training for naval aviators in both fixed-wing and helicopters. NAS Meridian, Miss., is among two Gulf Coast bases that provide the next step for fixed-wing aviation training.

NAVAIR has new boss

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. - Improving readiness and increasing speed to the fleet will remain priorities at Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) under Vice Adm. G. Dean Peters, who relieved Vice Adm. Paul Grosklags here at a May 31 ceremony. Peters received his third star minutes before the ceremony. Peters comes to NAVAIR from duty as program executive officer for Air Anti-Submarine Warfare, Assault and Special Mission Programs (PEO(A)). A 1985 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Peters earned his wings in 1986 and flew SH-2F helicopters on deployments to the North Atlantic, Arabian Gulf, and the Gulf of Mexico in support of anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare and counter-narcotics operations. For Grosklags, the ceremony marked retirement after a 36-year naval career. Previously in his career, he served as commander of Helicopter Training Squadron (HT) 18 and earlier as a T-34C flight instructor both at NAS Whiting Field, Fla. (Source: Naval Aviation News 05/31/18)

DOD LGBT Pride Month

WASHINGTON - Throughout the month of June, the Department of Defense joins the nation in observing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month. DOD is committed to fostering an actively inclusive environment that values the diversity of its force, and recognizes service members and civilians who achieve optimal performance when each and every member is treated with dignity and respect. LGBT Pride Month recognizes the accomplishments of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, and acknowledges their continued struggle to achieve equality. DOD has demonstrated its commitment to gender equality and inclusion by repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in 2011, and instituting a 2016 policy change to enable transgender personnel to serve as their preferred gender. (Source: DOD 06/01/18)

La.-based Army contracts

Tiya Services of Baton Rouge, La., was awarded a $30,366,620 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for base operations support services at Fort Benning, Ga. The estimated completion date is May 31, 2023. FY 2018 Army operations and maintenance (O&M) funds in the amount of $19,517,809 were obligated at time of award. U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command of Fort Benning, Ga., is the contracting activity. Pride Industries of Roseville, Calif., was awarded a $19,947,204 firm-fixed-price contract for repair and maintenance support to the real property assets of the Joint Training Readiness Center and Fort Polk, La. Work will be performed at Fort Polk with an estimated completion date of May 31, 2022. FY-18 Army O&M funds in the amount of $4,986,801 were obligated at time of award. U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command of Fort Bragg, N.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DOD 05/31/18)