Beckman takes helm of ERDC HQ

VICKSBURG, Miss. - Army Colonel Ivan P. Beckman has taken command of the U.S. Army’s Engineer Research and Development Center from Col. Bryan Green during a change of command ceremony July 27 at ERDC headquarters in Vicksburg. Green, who retires Dec. 31, had served as ERDC commander since September 2015. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, Beckman was the state inspector general for the Mississippi National Guard. Beckman has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the U.S. Military Academy, a master’s in engineering from University of Missouri Rolla, and a master’s of strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. He has been a licensed professional engineer in Missouri since 1995, and is presently pursuing a doctorate in engineering from Mississippi State University. As ERDC commander, he will be responsible for site management and planning of ERDC installations, and the overseeing of installation operations command of ERDC support elements. (Source: Vicksburg Post 07/30/18

Ex-Lott advisor takes reins at VA

WASHINGTON - Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie was sworn in July 30. He takes the reins of a department undergoing extensive changes and with key positions unfilled. A longtime Washington insider, Wilkie has worked for decades at the Pentagon and in the defense contracting industry. He brings to the VA an expectation of being able to manage the second-largest department in the federal government. While awaiting confirmation, the VA was led by Peter O'Rourke, whose new role at the VA has not yet been defined. The Senate confirmed Wiklie on an 86-9 vote (Source: Wall Street Journal 07/30/18) Gulf Coast Note: Wilkie is the son of an Army artillery commander; and an officer in the Air Force Reserve assigned to the Office of the Chief of Staff. Before the AF, he served in the Naval Reserve with the Joint Forces Intelligence Command, Naval Special Warfare Group Two, and the Office of Naval Intelligence. He has more than 20 years of federal service, including as Counsel and Advisor on International Security Affairs to former Majority Leader of the United States Senate, Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.)

Twins winged at NAS Meridian

NAS MERIDIAN, Miss. - Identical twin brothers completed almost two years of training July 27 in the T-45C "Goshawk" with Training Squadron Seven (VT-7) at Naval Air Station Meridian. Marine aviators 1st Lt. Andrea "Andy" Occhipinti and brother Capt. Matteo Occhipinti were joined by four others for the “Wings of Gold” pinning ceremony. Born in Italy, the Occhipintis moved to America at age six. At 16, the brothers visited a recruiting center to start thinking of military careers. Though both were commissioned at different times, both earned their wings together. The time has come for them to separate again. “Andy” will go to Miramar, Calif., to fly F-18 Hornets; and Matteo goes to Beaufort, S.C. F-35Bs. "We've completed a milestone and now it's time to see the world," Matteo said. NASM is home to Training Air Wing One which has two squadron's VT-7 and VT-9 that train on average 80 aviators annually.(Source: NAS Meridian 07/30/18)

Med health management for CAFB

Titan Facility Services of Gilbert, Ariz., has been awarded a $9,394,235 firm-fixed price contract for Healthcare Aseptic Management Services. The contract provides for medical aseptic housekeeping, waste management, and linen management. These services constitute the enterprise-level Healthcare Aseptic Management Services requirement of the Air Force Medical Service as directed by the Healthcare Aseptic Management Services Requirement Approval Document. Work will be performed at Columbus and Keesler AFBs, Miss.; Eglin and Tyndall AFBs and Hurlburt Field in Florida; and other bases in Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Georgia, and South Carolina. The awards include a transition period from Aug. 16, 2018 to Sept. 30, 2018, funded with FY 2018 operations and maintenance (O&M) funds. A base-year period plus four one-year-option periods will follow the transition period from Oct. 1, 2018 to Sept. 30, 2023. The base period will be funded incrementally using FY 2019 O&M funds. This award is the result of a competitive, small business set-aside acquisition. Air Force Installation Contracting Agency of Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 07/30/18)

Carothers awarded $11.3M pact

Carothers Construction Inc. of Oxford, Miss., is awarded $11,355,975 for firm-fixed-price task order N6945018F0878 under a previously awarded multiple award construction contract (N69450-14-D-1266) to restore airfield lighting system and electrical infrastructure at Naval Air Station/Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas. The work includes replacing all airfield lighting and cabling, upgrading the existing precision approach lighting system on the south end of runway and some electrical infrastructure upgrades within the airfield electrical vault. Also included in this project are some airfield signage and some runway overrun reconstruction. The contractor shall provide the labor, supervision, engineering materials, equipment, tools, parts, supplies and transportation to perform all work described in the request for proposal. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, and is expected to be completed by July 2019. FY 2018 Navy operations and maintenance contract funds in the amount of $11,355,975 are obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast of Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 07/30/18)

Raytheon-Forest gets 35% of pact

Raytheon Co. of Goleta, Calif., is awarded a not-to-exceed $34,603,209 undefinitized contract action to provide for non-recurring production start-up and non-recurring engineering for the F/A-18 CD-108B/ALE-50(V) Control, Dispenser, Decoy, Countermeasures Integrated Multi-Platform Launch Controller (IMPLC) Lot 13 full-rate production for the government of Kuwait, including the procurement of 38 IMPLCs. In addition, this contract provides for the induction and repair of IMPLC assets, in support of the Navy. Work will be performed in Goleta (50%); Forest, Miss. (35%); and Andover, Mass. (15%), and is expected to be completed in March 2021. FY 2018 Navy aircraft procurement; and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) funds in the amount of $12,558,940 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). This contract combines purchase for the Navy ($2,567,000; 7.5%); and the government of Kuwait ($32,036,209; 92.5%) under the FMS program. Naval Air Systems Command of Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 07/30/18)

Machine shop super job with Eaton

Eaton’s Systems Division of its Aerospace Group has an opening for a Manufacturing Supervisor in the Machine Shop. This position is based in Jackson, Miss. This is a third shift position (11:30 p.m. to 7 a.m.). The facility has about 500 employees and is a leader in the design, development, manufacture and delivery of aerospace hydraulic components, systems and services to the global aftermarket and Original Equipment Manufacturer markets. The Manufacturing Supervisor of the Machine Shop manages and leads a team of hourly employees responsible for machining complex components for hydraulic pumps, motors, and motor pumps. (Source: LinkedIn 07/26/18)

Meridian, GTRA: Top 4 airports

MERIDIAN, Miss. - Meridian Regional Airport is having its best ridership year in nearly 10 years. With two flights a day to two hubs, MRA has the fourth highest number of passengers among the seven commercial airports across Mississippi. Over the first six months of 2018, MRA’s passenger numbers were “up a little better than 1 percent over the first six months of last year," says Tom Williams, president of Meridian Regional Airport, or about 120 passengers. “I think that's a tribute to the customer service that our great employees give in the terminal building, and to SkyWest's good relationship with American Airlines." During January through June, more than 19,000 passengers used MRA. The top three airports were Jackson, Gulfport, and the Golden Triangle Regional (GTRA) in Columbus. (Source: WTOK 07/27/18)

Ammo work for Oxford, Miss.

Olin Corp.’s Winchester Division of East Alton, Ill., was awarded a $7,027,819 modification (P00031) to contract W52P1J-16-C-0003 for .50 caliber ammunition. Work will be performed in Oxford, Miss., with an estimated completion date of Jan. 31, 2020. FY 2018 Army funds in the amount of $7,027,819 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command of Rock Island Arsenal, Ill., is the contracting activity. (DoD 07/27/18)

AF tests flight respiratory monitoring

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Air Force researchers rely on innovative technology to deliver advanced respiratory monitoring to lower risks of in-flight breathing issues, and to protect the health and performance of the aircrew. Those researchers, with the 711th Human Performance Wing at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, are working with the UK-based private company Cobham to develop VigilOX, an advanced sensor system designed for continuous in-flight measurement of aircrew breathing. Having the sensor system integrated into the Advanced Flow Engineering (AFE) system allows us to really understand the pilot’s breathing patterns, energy demands, pulmonary function, and if the pilot is potentially exposed to anything that could degrade performance during combat,” said Dr. David Burch, research biomedical engineer and the medical technology solutions team leader with the 711th HPW. The measures gives the AF a better insight on a pilot’s respiratory patterns and how well life support systems are functioning. Having been tested on the T-6A, T-45C, F-18, and F-15 aircrafts, the VigilOX sensor system shows potential promise in improving monitoring capabilities and keeping aircrew safe. The device is currently undergoing tests at Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas. (Source: AF Surgeon General 07/26/18 ) Gulf Coast Note: The AF and Navy have had issues with psychological episodes related to oxygen in several different aircraft, including the T-45C that is flown out of NAS Meridian, Miss.

Vertex seeks CAFB scheduler

Vertex Aerospace LLC has been providing International Aircraft Maintenance and Logistics Solutions since moving its headquarters to Madison, Miss., in 1989. Currently, the company is seeking a scheduler to plan and schedule the use and maintenance of aircraft, engines, AGE, and associated equipment. The scheduler establishes maintenance and operations flying schedules adequate to support operational requirements and maintenance needs. The position is at Columbus, AFB, Miss. (Source: Mississippi Job Network 07/2018)

QA Inspector at CAFB Miss.

JPATS Logistics Services (JLS) provides Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) under the Contractor Operated and Maintained Base Supply (COMBS) services for the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS) T-6A/B/D program ("T-6 Program"). The firm is seeking a Quality Assurance Inspector at Columbus AFB, Miss. JLS’ capabilities combine relevant experience in scope, magnitude, and complexity to accomplish superior CLS services to the customer. JLS offers proven industry best practices to provide the government the most efficient and cost-effective solution to the JPATS COMBS requirements. The main function of the QA Inspector is to perform inspections on all types of parts to ensure conformity FAA and customer approved drawings and specifications. This is a non-exempt, full time, hourly position. (Source: Disabled Person 07/26/18)

AHI seeks senior project manager

Airbus Helicopters Inc.'s Commercial Programs Department is responsible for acquisition, completion, maintenance, repair and delivery of aircraft to its North American and global customers. AHI’s goal is to create and sustain a reliable customer buying experience in order to drive customer loyalty. AHI is seeking a Senior Project Manager for its Columbus, Miss., operation to make best-in-class efforts to establish, implement and monitor activities associated with aircraft completion, maintenance and repair in accordance with AHI’s commercial management procedure. The manager will coordinate all involved departments; establish, monitor and revise schedules and budgets; track and manage changes; support the writing of contracts and manage their execution; and to assess and manage risks. (Source: Indeed 07/2018)

Charges dismissed vs ICDC exec

A former executive of the Itawamba County Development Council, and his wife, no longer face criminal charges after a May agreement to pay their former employer more than $30,000. The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported July 20 that embezzlement charges against Harvey and Sandy Clements, currently of Saltillo, Miss., had been dismissed in May. The couple agreed to pay the ICDC some $29,948, plus $1,400 in legal fees. Harvey Clements had been the ICDC’s acting executive director, while Sandy Clements was an administrative assistant. Both were indicted in 2015 on felony embezzlement charges alleging they stole money in late 2014. Itawamba County hired Three Rivers Planning and Development District to handle economic development after Clements left the post. (Source: Daily Journal 07/20/18)

DAV to host job fair in NOLA

The New Orleans Disabled Veterans Association (DAV) will be hosting a job fair at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 2. Among some of the exhibitors will be Archer Daniels Midland Company, DOT / FAA, Military Sealift Command, New Orleans Police Department, and Northrop Grumman. (Source: Recruit Military 07/2018)

Lowndes port gets $466K grant

The Lowndes County Port Authority in Columbus, Miss., has received a $466,317 grant from Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) to expand its West Bank Port. The project, which will cost more than $476,000, will add a 250-foot crane rail extension that allows operators to off-load two barges at the same time and increasing the capacity of raw materials to be off-loaded and taken to Indiana-based Steel Dynamics Inc.’s Columbus facility, according to the Port Authority. The remaining $10,000 will be funded by the LCPA. At the start, the port will increase current tonnage by about 20 percent, which could eventually lead to doubling the amount of tonnage coming through the port annually, according to Will Sanders, director for the Port Authority. The extension project stands to increase the port's profits since it is paid by tonnage, according to Sanders, but he would not disclose to The Dispatch the total annual tonnage numbers. Online, MDOT documents indicate just short of 1 million tons passed through the port in 2012. The new extension is tentatively scheduled to begin this fall. It will take about 12 months to complete. (Source: Columbus Dispatch 07/23/18)

Deployed dad surprises daughter

LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Miss. – Abbey Carter, a new West Lauderdale High School student got a big surprise at band camp July 23 when her deployed-father, Command Master Chief Jonas Carter, who had at sea since April and not due back until late fall, showed up unexpectantly when his ship, USS Harry Truman, returned home earlier than anticipated. For his efforts, the master chief got an enormous hug from an emotional Abbey. The whole class cheered. The surprise was kept under wraps by family and WLHS Band Director David McKinney. "Abbey’s a new student to us this year so (her classmates) are very excited about her. They actually didn't know until he walked in so it was pretty cool," he says. (Source: WTOK 07/23/18)

Thunderbirds add new pilots, doc

The Air Force Thunderbirds flight demonstration team announced July 20 its selection of four new pilots and a medical doctor to the team for the 2019 season. Next season will be the team’s 66th. In March-April 2019, the team will have two performances along the Gulf Coast on March 30-31 at Tyndall AFB, Fla. and April 13-14 over Biloxi, Miss. Lt. Col. John Caldwell, 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron Commander Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., will be Thunderbird No. 1, the squadron’s Commander and Leader. As the two-fold duty title implies, his responsibilities will include commanding a force of more than 120 enlisted personnel and 11 commissioned officers assigned to the Thunderbirds, along with leading all demonstration flights. In 2012, then-Maj. Caldwell was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for actions as the pilot of an F-16 in response to several attacks on American and allied forces by the enemy while serving in Afghanistan in 2011. (Source: Air Combat Command 07/20-18)

Associate manufacturing planner

Multi-Functional Manufacturing Planner Associate Manager position will be responsible for PC management functions within Lockheed-Martin’s Meridian, Miss., facility. Position may require providing recommended modifications to operating policies or procedures to support continuous improvement. Responsibilities include ensuring that projects are completed on schedule and within budget. Position requires frequent contact with internal personnel, industry peers, customers at various management levels concerning operations and scheduling of specific phases of projects. Successful candidate will conduct briefings and participate in technical and non-technical meetings. Successful candidate will function as an adviser to other functional departments and external customers regarding tasks, projects, and operations, typically procurement or commodity related but will include assembly and production operations as well. Position requires active involvement in daily operations in a high volume, fast paced, environment demanding hands-on participation to meet critical schedules or resolve complex problems. Successful candidate will be expected to achieve results, meeting company goals and objectives. Position requires management and leadership of skilled, experienced, professional personnel along with entry level subordinate positions requiring mentoring and training as well as represented personnel. (Source: Lockheed Martin 07/18)

15 Miss. airports get $6M in grants

WASHINGTON – Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airport improvement grants, in the amount of $6.32M, were announced July 18 for 15 Mississippi airports. The grants are for infrastructure construction support, safety improvements and equipment acquisition, according to U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi. The grants are funded through the Airport and Airway Trust Fund and federal appropriations. Northern Mississippi airports included $1M for the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, for existing terminal expansion and safety equipment acquisition; Meridian Airport Authority: $1M for improvements to Key Field; Tishomingo County Airport: $237,920 for drainage improvements, land acquisition to extend runway protection zone, and building obstruction removal; Calhoun County Airport: $224,235 for apron and taxiway rehabilitation; Monroe County Airport: $198,000 for installation of a new vertical/visual guidance system; Holly Springs-Marshall County Airport: $94,500 for updates to the airport master plan narrative report and airport layout plan; and Booneville-Baldwyn Airport: $76,500 for updates to the airport master plan narrative report and airport layout plan. (Source: Daily Journal 07/18/18)

Fat Albert returns to Blues

The Navy Blue Angels’ airlift support aircraft, a Lockheed Martin KC-130T or simply known as Fat Albert, performed at the Pensacola, Fla. Beach an air show July 14 for the first time in over a year. The veteran Blue Angels’ aircraft, flown by an all-Marine Corps crew, had served with the team since 2002, but had been grounded along with all KC-130T transports after a Marine C-103T crashed near Itta Bena, Miss., in 2017 killing all crew members aboard. Avggeekery.com 07/19/18) The Blue Angels will be performing in Biloxi, Miss., July 21-22.

Navy’s only nerve conduction tech

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Melissa Clayton, an electroneurodiagnostic technician at Naval Hospital Pensacola, Fla., recently became the only registered nerve conduction study technologist in the Navy. She can now test the nerves of patients to see how efficiently their nerves transmit and receive signals from their spinal cord; and sees 10-12 patients weekly in the Neurology Clinic. While attending the Navy’s school for electroneurodiagnostic technicians at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Clayton was exposed to only one day of nerve conduction training across her six-month corpsman training course. That day struck a nerve. When she came to NHP, the department wasn’t doing nerve conduction studies. “I found an old nerve conduction machine and started teaching myself how to use it,” she said. Nerve conduction studies evaluate the function of the motor and sensory nerves of the human body and the studies are used for numbness of extremities, signs of carpal tunnel, and spinal cord nerve issues. Clayton is also the enlisted technical leader for the all 22 electroneurodiagnostic technicians in the Navy. (Source: NH Pensacola 07/19/18) NHP is the parent command of two branch health clinics in Mississippi at NAS Meridian and Naval Construction Battalion Center in Gulfport.

Navy-themed games seek recruits

ARLINGTON, Va. - The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is sponsoring ‘Navy Life’, an online platform of Navy-themed games and simulations in hopes of matching potential recruits to enlisted jobs according to their skills, abilities, and interests that’s designed to increase recruitment and encouraging sailors to consider long-term naval careers. Navy Life also presents a realistic look at the service’s career development path. (Source: Seapower Magazine 07/19/18)

USDC seeks investment council noms

The U.S Department of Commerce announced July 19 that it is accepting nominations for the Secretary’s Investment Advisory Council. The role of the Council is to consider ways to attract and retain foreign direct investment (FDI) in the U.S. The U.S. is home to more FDI than any country in the world, with a total stock of $3.7 trillion at the end of 2016. “The Investment Advisory Council plays a critical role advising the department on how we can best support (the president’s pro-business) mission by further increasing our FDI footprint while creating new American jobs,” said Secretary Wilbur Ross. The Council has made recommendations on issues including broadening infrastructure investment priorities, improving U.S. workforce initiatives, and refining digital tools. Membership consists of up to 20 members appointed by the Secretary, and serves a two-year term. Nominees should represent companies/organizations investing, seeking to invest, seeking foreign investors, or facilitating investment across many sectors. (Source: Commerce Department 07/19/18)

It’s all mines

BARKSDALE AFB, La. – Airman 1st Class Elliot Broger, a conventional weapons maintainer assigned to the 2nd Munitions Squadron, moved munitions around the bay unstrapping and re-strapping them to trailers. He knew it was a fairly average job. But, that the mission was unique. Broger is an active-duty airman who works with the AF Reserve members of the 307th Maintenance Squadron munitions flight as part of the Total Force Enterprise initiative that helps civilian AF employees and Navy contractors certify the MK 164 Mine Flight Gear Kit. This kit is a new tail section for the Navy’s QuickStrike mine series. The mines are designed to be dropped from B-52 Stratofortress bombers. “By doing this, we’re making sure we can certify the new tail section of the mine so it can be flown internally on a B-52,” said Master Sgt. Shawn Thomason, 307th MXS material section superintendent. The contractors at the 307th MXS munitions storage facility were hired by Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City, Fla. They are responsible for test oversight and assembly of the weapon. (Source: 307th Bomb Wing 07/18/18)

Prez to nominate MSU alum

STARKVILLE, Miss. - President Trump announced July 16 that he plans to nominate Mississippi State University alumnus Scott Hutchins for the position of Undersecretary of Agriculture for research, education and economics at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Hutchins received his master’s degree in entomology from MSU in 1983. He is a leader of integrated field sciences for Corteva Agriscience; and an adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska. Hutchins has also earned a bachelor’s degree from Auburn (Ala.) University and a doctorate from Iowa State University. Trump’s nomination awaits confirmation by the Senate Agriculture Committee and full Senate. According to the USDA, an undersecretary for research, education and economics oversees the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Economic Research Service, National Agricultural Statistics Service and the Agricultural Research Service. MSU is a higher-education research partner of USDA. According to a National Science Foundation analysis, MSU was in the Top 20 colleges and universities receiving USDA research funding in FY 2016. (Source: MSU 07/18/18)

CAVS seeks research engineers

The Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS) at Mississippi State University is looking for research engineers. CAVS is an interdisciplinary center comprised of research, engineering design & development, and technology transfer teams for industry and government partners. Our overall effort is focused on developing superior computational, engineering, manufacturing, design, and information technologies relevant to Mississippi and regional industries. This is accomplished by bringing to bear world-class technologist and technologies to solve complex problems. (Source: MSU 07/16/18)

L3 awarded $8M FMS contract

L3 Vertex Aerospace of Madison, Miss., was awarded an $8,479,381, for modification P00001 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price cost contract (N00019-17-C-0080), to exercise an option to provide logistics and supply support as well as organizational and authorized intermediate level aircraft maintenance on three KC-130J aircraft in support of the government of Kuwait. Work will be performed at Abdullah Al-Mubarak Air Base in Kuwait, and is expected to be completed in August 2019. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) funds in the amount of $8,479,381 will be obligated at time of 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: DoD 07/17/18)

Miss. dedicates crash memorial

ITTA BENA, Miss. - Mississippi and Marine Corps officials dedicated a memorial July 14 to the 15 Marines and Navy corpsman who died in a KC-130T military transport plane crash in July 2017. Hundreds gathered for ceremonies at Mississippi Valley State University, and a nearby memorial, according to The Greenwood Commonwealth. The Special Forces Marines aboard the KC-130T were flying from Camp Lejeune, N.C., to California for training when it crashed near Itta Bena. "Your loss has become our loss," Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant told those who came from as far away as Ireland for the ceremony. Following the service, the crowd was bused to witness the unveiling of the memorial, which displays an image of a KC-130T set in granite and surrounded in a circle by the engraved names of the service members. About 30 people then set off on a 900-mile ruck march to the Marine Corps Special Operations Command at Camp Lejeune. The teams of will be on the road around the clock for weeks, relaying rucksacks of dirt and sand from the crash site and memorial site to Camp Lejeune. They intend to plant a tree in the soil at the MCSOC. No cause for the plane crash has been released, as the investigation continues. (Source: The Associated Press 07/15/18)

Program Manager, Columbus AFB

Program manager directs all phases of the Columbus Air Force Base maintenance program; and is responsible for the cost, schedule and technical performance of the program; participates in the negotiation of contract and contract changes; coordinates the preparation of proposals, business plans, proposal work statements and specifications, operating budgets and financial terms/conditions of contract. The PM acts as primary customer contact for program activities, leading program review sessions with customer to discuss cost, schedule, and technical performance. The PM establishes milestones and monitors adherence to master plans and schedules; and identifies program problems and obtains solutions, such as allocation of resources or negotiating change to contractual specifications. (Source: L3.com 07/18)

Duo pleads guilty to defrauding AF

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Jerry T. Vertefeuille, 53, of Niceville, and Christopher A. Carter, 37, of Fort Walton Beach, pleaded guilty July 11 and June 28 respectively to conspiracy and bribery of a public official. Vertefeuille also pleaded guilty to obtaining and disclosing procurement information. The guilty pleas were announced by United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida Christopher P. Canova. Vertefeuille was a federal government contracting officer for the 96th Test Wing Maintenance Group at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., where he oversaw maintenance work and initially approving purchases and invoices. In 2007-14, Vertefeuille assisted Carter, owner of TCC Services Unlimited LLC, win a paint booth maintenance contract, and multiple contract renewals. Vertefeuille received kickbacks in exchange for okaying Carter’s fraudulent invoices and recommending renewal of TCC’s contract. An investigation later revealed TCC, and another contractor, submitted invoices for payment to the Air Force for identical work. For the conspiracy charge, the defendants face a maximum of 20 years. For bribery, they face a maximum of 15 years. For obtaining and disclosing procurement information, Vertefeuille also faces a maximum of 5 years. Sentencing hearings are slated for Sept. 26 in Pensacola. (Source: The StL News 07/13/18)

Eaton seeking Materials Manager

Eaton's Aerospace Group is seeking a Materials Manager for its Jackson, Miss., operation. The primary responsibility of the Materials Manager is to implement and maintain a world-class materials organization incorporating tactical procurement, inventory management, demand planning, master production scheduling and distribution of materials for the Aerospace Group. Source: Zip Recruiter 07/12/18)

New CNATRA boss takes helm

Rear Adm. Gregory “Hyfi” Harris relieved Rear Adm. James “Spock” Bynum as the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) headquarters in Corpus Christi, Texas, on July 12 in a change of command ceremony aboard the former aviation-training aircraft carrier USS Lexington (AVT-16). The new CNATRA boss is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and recently served as commander of Carrier Strike Group 11. The lead ship of CSG 11 is USS Nimitz, the oldest U.S. aircraft carrier in active service and based out of Naval Base Kitsap, Wash. Bynum had led CNATRA since June 2017. CNATRA oversees all pilot and naval flight officer training for the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and international partners throughout five training air wings located in three states, including NAS Meridian, Miss., and Pensacola and Whiting Field, Fla. It also oversees the Navy’s Blue Angels. (Source: KRIS-TV 07/12/18) The ‘Lady Lex’ is now an aviation museum, and had served, until its decommissioning, at NAS Pensacola. Student-aviators from NAS Meridian often did carrier qualifications with AVT-16 throughout the Gulf of Mexico.

CG sets safety zone for Blues’ shows

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard is scheduled to establish two temporary safety zones in portions of the Gulf of Mexico and the Santa Rosa Sound during the annual Pensacola Beach (Fla.) Air Shows on July 13-14 from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. The GoM safety zone includes all waters 1.75 nautical miles east and 1.5 nautical miles west of position 30̊ 19’ 36” N, 087̊ 08’ 23” W in the vicinity of the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier and extending 1,000 yards south of Pensacola Beach creating a box. This safety zone is for the protection of people and vessels on navigable waters during the air show. No person/vessel may enter the zone without authorization. Official vessels may be contacted on marine radio VHF-FM channel 16. The safety zone is for the protection of spectator vessels during and immediately following the air shows. Uncooperative boaters will be expelled from the zone, and cited for failure to comply or both. (Source: Coast Guard 07/12/18)

MS Pearl Harbor survivor turns 100

A Mississippi man, who survived the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, turned 100 on July 9. William Breland grew up in the area of Marion and Walthall counties to a family of sharecroppers. As a child, he got up at 4 in the morning to fire the wood-burning stove and made breakfast for the family. During the day, he picked cotton with the family for 50 cents a day. They never knew they were poor, only thought about working hard and becoming successful - something Breland accomplished through his military service. He attained the rank of major, and retired from the Army in 1960. Breland and his late brother Parley enlisted in the Army Air Corps before WWII. Both were stationed in Hawaii in 1941. Bill was at Hickam Air Force Base on that fateful Sunday morning. Parley was at Wheeler Army Air Field. In the last few years, William, a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, lived on the family's property, where he and his wife of 64 years raised four children. He now lives with his son, John, in Ridgeland. His wife has since passed away. Breland will celebrate his 100th birthday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Columbia on July 12. (Source: Hattiesburg American 07/12/18)

‘Hurricane Hunters’ up and flying

KEESLER AFB, Miss. - The Air Force Reserve’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron - known as the “Hurricane Hunters” - spent last weekend flying weather reconnaissance missions into Tropical Storm Chris off North Carolina and Tropical Storm Beryl in the Caribbean Sea to gather data for the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The Keesler AFB, Miss., squadron began flying missions July 7. The squadron, the Defense Department’s only organization that flies weather reconnaissance, is expected to continue flying into TS Chris for the rest of the week, sending weather data by satellite communication to the NHC to improve their computer models that forecast movement and intensity. (Source: Keesler AFB 07/09/18) The Atlantic hurricane season began June 1 and runs through November.

$14.9M mod pact includes CAFB

DynCorp International of Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $14,909,094 modification (P00022) to contract (FA8617-17-C-6210) for continued contractor operated and maintained base supply support. The purpose of this contract modification is to exercise an option to extend services in accordance with 52.217-8 "Option to Extend Services." Work will be performed at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.; Laughlin AFB, Texas; Randolph Air Force Base, Texas; Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas; Vance Air Force Base, Okla.; Air Force Combat Systems Officer at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.; Naval Flight Officer unit at NAS Pensacola, Fla.; NAS Whiting Field, Fla.; NAS Corpus Christi, Texas; NAS Patuxent River, Md. (satellite), and Army Aviation Flight Test Directorate (satellite). Work is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2018. Fiscal 2018 Air Force operations and maintenance; fiscal 2018 Navy operations and maintenance; fiscal 2018 Navy research development test and evaluation; Navy defense working capital, and fiscal 2018 Army operations and maintenance funds are being obligated at the time of award. The total cumulative face value of the contract is $261,922,970 Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Training Aircraft Division, Joint Primary Aircraft Training System, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 07/06/18)

Blues Over Biloxi Airshow

The skies over the Mississippi Gulf Coast will be filled with some of the biggest names in the air show industry, including the Navy's Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team, AeroShell Aerobatic Team, and an assortment of other exciting performances by world renowned aerobatic pilots. The Blues Over Biloxi Airshow is July 21-22. The main viewing area will be along Beach Blvd. The site opens at 9 a.m. The airshow runs from about 1-4 p.m. In the past, the event has been held at Keesler Air Force Base, but this year, in order to give the show added features like Coast Guard rescues, and the ability for spectators to stretch out in lawn chairs, the show was moved to the coastline centered at Harrah's Casino. The Great Lawn in front of Harrah's will provide the best view of the show even though spectators will still have breathtaking views for over two miles of waterfront shoreline. (Source: Blues Over Biloxi 07/18)

AFA ‘super’ talks to SUPT grads

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - Air Force Academy superintendent Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria spoke June 29 to newly-winged graduates of the base’s 56-week Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) program at Columbus AFB. The “super” was guest speaker at a graduation ceremony for 20 new AF pilots. “As the Air Force Academy superintendent, I’m responsible for turning 18-year olds ultimately into lieutenants,” he said to the grads. “It’s so exciting to be here today to see what these lieutenants become.” In speaking of his first assignments after earning his AF wings, Silveria that he didn’t want any of those posts, but learned that ‘That’s what the Air Force needed’ and I needed to be the best ‘fill in the blank I could be’,” he said. “If they needed an instructor pilot, I’d be the best instructor I could be.” Silveria told the grads that he cherishes memories of his time as an instructor pilot. “The chance to be with the kind of people who want to serve, who want to work hard, who want have an impact, who care about what they’re doing? I can’t imagine doing anything with anyone else,” he said. Silveria has more than 3,900 hours in a variety of aircraft, including fighter jets and helicopters. He was assigned instructor-pilot duties twice: At the now-defunct William AFB near Phoenix and Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C. In the primary phase of training, students fly the T-6 trainer; followed by the T-6 and T-38 phases. Students entering training at CAFB average 475 officers annually. (Source: Columbus AFB 07/05/18)

Why are military pilots getting sick?

On June 28, a young Navy officer flying in a two-seater electronic warfare (EW) EA-18G Growler above Washington state suddenly felt tightness in his chest and tingling in his extremities. He instantly recognized his symptoms as signs of hypoxia, or oxygen deprivation. The jet was from a training squadron out of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island that was diverted to a local airport, and made an “uneventful” landing, according to the Navy. The crew member, an EW warfare officer in training, was transported to a hospital for medical treatment. The incident was among a string of similar physiological episodes (PEs) that leave aviators disoriented and shaken, especially across the Air Force and Navy aircraft, including the T-45C trainer at NAS Meridian, Miss.; T-6 trainer used at Columbus, AFB, Miss.; F-22 fifth-generation AF jet (squadron at Tyndall AFB, Fla.); F-35 fifth-generation jet; EA-18G; and F/A-18. Across the U.S. military fleets, pilots and aircrew are experiencing a dramatic surge in so-called PEs that leaves aviators disoriented and shaken. At worst, these unexplained incidents can be fatal. The Navy has linked four F/A-18 pilot deaths to the events over 10 years. The rate of fatal aircraft crashes has reached a six-year high. It also raises the question of the ability of the U.S. military to resolve a basic problem. In the T-45C fleet, the spike was more significant. In 2009, the Navy reported just one incident, but rose to 38 in 2016. Modifications to the T-45C has reduced the number of incidents, according to Rear Adm. Sara Joyner, who until recently led the Navy’s PE probe. Rear Adm.-select Fredrick Luchtman currently leads that effort. Neither the AF nor Navy has identified a single point of failure or solution to the episodes despite years of investment – a fact that has gotten lawmakers attention. NASA is wading into the fray. After completing a mandated review of the Navy’s investigation into the F/A-18 and EA-18G incidents, which faulted both the Navy and Boeing, the space agency is embarking on a new study of how pilots breathe while flying high-performance aircraft. (Source: Foreign Policy 07/04/18)

L3T completes sale of Vertex biz

NEW YORK – L3 Technologies announced July 3 that it had completed the sale of its Vertex Aerospace businesses to American Industrial Partners for $540M in cash, subject to customary adjustments. The sale included the Crestview (Fla.) Aerospace and TCS business units, which were part of L3’s Aerospace Systems business segment. Vertex Aerospace provides aviation logistics services, supply chain management, and maintenance, repair and overhaul services. Crestview Aerospace provides select rotary aircraft component fabrication and assembly, and TCS provides select engineering services and logistics support. L3T also had aerospace assets under the name of L3 Technologies Systems in Madison, Miss. (Source: Business Wire 07/03/18)

COMBS site manager at CAFB

COMBS Site Manager at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.: Manages, plans, directs, controls, coordinates and evaluates all logistics and personnel management functions at Contractor Operated and Maintained Based Supply (COMBS) sites. Among some of the essential job functions are: Managing personnel in Supply, Logistics, Warehouse, etc. to ensure timely and accurate COMBS management; and overseeing, and responsible for, scheduling and performance of Quick Engine Changes by the GSE mechanic(s). Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in an associated discipline, or equivalent experience, and five years T-6 supply or quality control related experience preferred. (Source: Integrity and Purpose 07/03/18)

Meridian native earns ‘Wings’

Six Navy and Marine Corps aviators were presented with their “Wings of Gold” during a pinning ceremony June 29 at Naval Air Station Meridian, Miss. Among the new aviators was Meridian native Lt.j.g. Ethan Ray Williams whose entire family was in attendance. Williams is a 2010 graduate of Enterprise High School, and 2014 graduate of Mississippi State University, where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering. During training, he earned two Navy “E” ribbons for bombing accuracy. He carrier qualified in the T-45C on board the USS Abraham Lincoln on May 6, and completed Advanced Jet Flight Training with Training Squadron 7. His next career stop will take him and his family to Virginia, where he will train to fly the F/A 18 Super Hornet. (Source: Meridian Star 06/29/18)