Vertex TH-57 mod pact: $18.7M

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC of Madison, Miss. is awarded $18,721,174 for modification P00037 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, labor hour, cost-reimbursement indefinite-delivery requirements contract (N00019-13-D-0007). This modification extends the period of performance and increases the ceiling of the contract to provide TH-57 contractor logistics support. This modification provides all logistics services and materials for organizational and depot level repairs required to support and maintain the TH-57 fleet. Work will be performed at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Milton, Fla., and is expected to be completed in March 2019. No funds are being obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division of Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 01/31/19)

Firm: USN favors single engine helo

The U.S. Navy posted its Request for Proposals on Jan. 28 asking for 130 helicopters to replace its legacy fleet of Bell single-engine TH-57B/C Sea Ranger training helicopters that are used for primary aviation training at NAS Whiting Field, Fla. In response, the Italian aircraft manufacturer Leonardo says its AgustaWestland AW119 commercial helicopter’s simple design and single engine makes the most practical and cost efficient aircraft for training U.S. naval aviators. “If you look at the aircraft the Navy does undergraduate training with now, it’s the single-engine T-45 (NAS Meridian/NAS Pensacola), the single-engine TH-57 (NAS Whiting Field), the single-engine T-6 (NAS Whiting Field/NASP), and the most-expensive jet on the planet (F-35) is a single-engine aircraft,” he says. “I think they see the benefit in keeping it simple.” Leonardo’s TH-119 trainer’s likely competition for the Navy trainer contract includes the single-engine Bell 407GXi and Airbus Helicopters Inc. of Columbus, Miss.’s twin-engine H135. The contract award is anticipated in the first quarter of FY 2020. (Source: Flight Global 01/30/19)

Golden Navy Lodge program

Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.’s, Navy Lodge celebrated the Navy Exchange Service Command’s (NEXCOM) 50th anniversary of the Navy Lodge program on Jan. 25. The Navy Lodge program was created in 1969 to relieve difficulties associated with Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders for sailors and Marines. The Pensacola lodge marked the occasion with a cake-cutting ceremony. Unlike other services’ temporary lodging facilities, the Navy Lodge program distinguished itself by operating with non-appropriated funds. The first Navy Lodge opened at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Norfolk, Va., on Feb. 6, 1971. Over the past 50 years, the Navy Lodge Program has grown to 39 facilities worldwide. (Source: NAS Pensacola 01/25/19) There are Gulf Coast Navy lodges at NAS Whiting Field and Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City, Fla.; NAS/JRB Belle Chasse, La.; and NCTC Gulfport, NAS Meridian, and Stennis Space Center, Miss.

MSU: Top 10 military-friendly

STARKVILLE, Miss. - For the second consecutive straight year, Mississippi State University has earned the Military Friendly Gold Medal. MSU is recognized as a Top 10 Military Friendly school for 2019 by its commitment to supporting service members, veterans, and their families. The distinction was recently awarded to MSU by VIQTORY (formerly Victory Media), which evaluates post-secondary schools annually for support of student veterans. Vets and dependents comprise some 2,810 students at MSU. These students are served by the university’s G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery Center for America’s Veterans and a network of specially trained university personnel. VIQTORY’s evaluation showed that MSU exceeded standards in all measured categories, including culture, financial aid, military student support and retention, as well as academic policies and compliance. (Source: MSU 01/30/19)

NASM ATC1 runner-up to SESoY

MERIDIAN, Miss. – Naval Air Station Meridian’s Air Traffic Controller 1st Class (ATC1) Jonathan M. Epperson was named Navy Region Southeast Air Traffic Controller of the Year. Epperson, a native of Columbus, Ga., competed against nine others at the region level in December 2018. He advances to competition for the 2018 Vice Adm. Robert B. Pirie Naval Air Traffic Controller of the Year. ATC1 Epperson currently serves as Assistant NATOPS Evaluator, Crew Leading Petty Officer, and Facility Watch Supervisor at NAS Meridian’s McCain Field. (Source: NAS Meridian 01/30/19) UPDATE 02/07/19: AC1 Epperson was a runner-up for the 2019 Shore Enterprise Sailor of the Year. Master-at-Arms 1st Class Yanitsa Wiley of Naval Security Force Bahrain was selected as the top 2019 Shore Enterprise SoY on Feb. 6. There were some 70 other installation sailors of the year competing for the big award.

Transforming DoD medical care

FALLS CHURCH, Va. - The Military Health System (MHS) is one of America’s largest and most complex health-care delivery systems. It is the world’s pre-eminent military-medical enterprise. Saving lives on the battlefield and caring for 9.5M beneficiaries, MHS is ushering unprecedented reform to military medicine. The Air Force, Army, and Navy have begun transferring the administration and management of their military treatment facilities (MTFs) to the Defense Health Agency. DHA will take charge of MTFs’ and branch health clinics’ administration and management to electronic health record (EHR) employment, and Tricare benefit enhancements - and will be “working hard to provide medical readiness” for war-fighters and health-care delivery to beneficiaries, said Tom McCaffery, principal deputy assistant secretary of DHA. The first phase, on Oct. 1, 2018, included Keesler AFB, Miss. Subsequent phases will be completed by October 2021. DHA will be responsible for purchased care for beneficiaries through the civilian sector and direct care via MTFs. As these reforms move forward, DHA will “continue to deploy MHS GENESIS (the new electronic health record) for the military, said McCaffery. The next scheduled roll out is this fall. System-wide completion is anticipated in 2023. (Source: DHA 01/28/19) Gulf Coast Note: MTFs and clinics across the Gulf Coast include Eglin AFB hospital and Naval Hospital Pensacola, Fla.; and Mississippi-based branch health clinics at the 14th Medical Group aboard Columbus AFB, Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, and NAS Meridian; NAS/JRB Belle Chase, La.; and Panama City, NAS Whiting Field, NAS Pensacola, Corry Station, NATTC Pensacola in Florida.

OBOG T-45 pact includes NASM

The Boeing Co. of St. Louis, Mo., is awarded a $56,755,269 cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract that provides program management support as well as engineering and integrated logistics support by the original equipment manufacturer for the post-production support phase of the T-45 aircraft lifecycle. The contract includes special tooling and test equipment, data accessibility and obsolescence identification, and resolution in addition to field services support that will provide subject matter expertise in the areas of environmental control systems, cockpit pressurization and On-Board Oxygen Generation (OBOG) Systems integration. Work will be performed in St. Louis (96.1%); NAS Meridian, Miss. (1.3%); NAS Kingsville, Texas (1.3%); and NAS Pensacola, Fla. (1.3%), and is expected to be completed in January 2022. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1). Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division of Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 01/28/19)

Enlisted faculty instructors for AFA

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - For the first time in Air Force Academy history, enlisted airmen will be deliberately hired for faculty teaching positions. The Air Force Personnel Center announced Jan. 23 the need for senior non-commissioned officers to fill enlisted academic instructor positions at the academy. Airmen have been instructing cadets for decades at the academy. They have never been directly assigned as accredited academic faculty instructors. Chief Master Sgt. Rob Boyer, academy command chief, said the move stems from the academy’s investment in the enlisted force, and the development of future officers. The push for accredited enlisted instructors is part of a joint effort by Air University and the Academy to advance the enlisted force education across the Air Force, said Boyer, and the modern-day joint-service environment. (Source: US Air Force Academy 01/28/19)

Navy seeks noms for LREC awards

WASHINGTON, DC - The Navy Language, Regional Expertise and Culture (LREC) Office is seeking nominees for the FY 2018 Language Professional of the Year (LPOY), Linguist of the Year (LOY), and Command Language Program of the Year (CLPOY). The program awards are presented to active duty, reserve, and civilian members with foreign language capabilities who have distinguished themselves in support of the Navy's LREC mission. The CLPOY award recognizes the Navy's top command language program. Nomination procedures are outlined in OPNAV Instruction 1650.31 and in OPNAV Instruction 1650.32. The deadline to submit nomination packages is March 30, 2019. E-mail nomination packages to ALTN_N13F1@navy.mil. (Source: Chief of Naval Personnel 01/28/19)

Fossil fuel rollbacks: Pros & Cons

Federal government agencies are projecting billions of dollars in potential future savings for energy-sector companies that extract, burn, and transport fossil fuels based on the White House’s rolling back of environmental and safety rules. The Associated Press identified and analyzed 11 targeted rules for repeal by using the administration's own estimates that could lead to as much as $11.6B in potential future savings for energy-related firms, but at a steep price: Up to 1,400 annual premature deaths and illnesses from air pollution; 1B tons of vehicle emissions; increase risk of water contamination from the drilling technique of fracking; and fewer safety checks to prevent off-shore oil spills. The rule changes examined by The AP mark a much-needed pivot away from heavy regulations that threatened to hold back the president's goal of increasing energy production. But, The AP's findings seem to underscore the administration's willingness to put profits ahead of safety and pollution effects. (Source: The AP 01/27/19)

Fla. reps condemn Belfour-Tyndall

PANAMA CITY – After touring hurricane-damaged housing aboard Tyndall AFB, Fla., on Jan. 23, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) called the situation “catastrophic.” An effort to rebuild more than 600 single-family units is being paralyzed by a dispute between defense contractor Balfour Beatty Communities and one of its biggest creditors. Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis condemned the developer, in a media release, for their actions and for providing unclear answers to his staff. “I have reached out to company executives and they have refused to provide any written explanation as to why they have catastrophically failed this community,” Patronis is quoted in the media release. He drew a line in the sand telling Balfour to begin repairs immediately “or be held in breach of contract.” Balfour is one of the nation’s largest residential housing managers with more than 50,000 units in its portfolio; and developed Tyndall’s housing under a lease with the Air Force. A Balfour representative has said the firm has arranged a meeting with Sen. Rubio to discuss Tyndall. (Source: News Herald 01/24/19) Balfour also has privatized military housing at 55 AF, Army, and Navy bases through the Military Housing Privatization Initiative. Among some Gulf Coast bases using Balfour housing include NAS Pensacola and Whiting Field, Fla.; and NAS Meridian, Miss.

Iraqi BG comes to SUPT-Columbus

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - Iraq Defense Attaché Brig. Gen. Mustafa Al Bayati spoke with instructor pilots, airmen and senior leaders here Jan. 18. The purpose of the visit was three-fold: To see the Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) program; meet with Iraqi student-pilots; and strengthen the relationships between the U.S. and Iraqi militaries. The Iraqi general began at the 14th Operations Group and spoke to leadership about pilot training; and to T-6 Texan II training squadrons and the 50th Flying Training Squadron to speak with instructor-pilots and Iraqi student pilots about training. He was briefed on the SUPT program in its current state and saw the training techniques used to create world-class military aviators. “The training they are going through here is advanced,” Bayati said, “and we are happy to have students at CAFB. (Source: CAFB 01/25/19)

$9M Vertex Aero mod pact for Army

Vertex Aerospace of Madison, Miss., was awarded a $9,086,502 modification (P00300) to contract W58RGZ-13-C-0044 for aviation field maintenance services. Work will be performed at Fort Rucker, Ala., with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2019. FY 2019 Army operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $9,086,502 were obligated at the time of the award. The U.S. Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 01/25/19)

Trump offers to re-open gov’t

President Donald Trump agreed to temporarily re-open the federal government – after congressional funding approval – until Feb. 15 basically surrendering to Democrats in the U.S. House. Trump agreed Jan. 25 with negotiated terms of lawmakers after the 35-day shutdown began to negatively impact air travel. Earlier Jan. 25, LaGuardia (NYC) Airport briefly closed due to a shortage of air traffic controllers. Under the agreement, Trump will sign a short-term spending bill through Feb. 15 and Congress will begin negotiating border security legislation. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said the chamber will vote “immediately” on the deal. House passage is required and could happen quickly, unless a member objects. In that case, House members would have to return to Washington for a floor vote. (Source: Bloomberg 01/25/19)

Olin-Oxford's $85M ammo work

Olin Corp.’s Winchester Division of East Alton, Ill., was awarded an $85,131,683 modification (P00036) to contract W52P1J-16-C-0003 for 5.56mm, 7.62mm and .50mm caliber ammunition. Work will be performed at Olin's facility in Oxford, Miss., with an estimated completion date of July 31, 2020. FY 2017/18/19 Army funds in the amount of $85,131,683 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command of Rock Island Arsenal, Ill., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 01/24/19)

Navy force protection exercises

Exercise Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain 2019 (CS/SC 19) is conducted by Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command and Commander, Navy Installations Command on all Navy installations across the country, including major Gulf Coast commands at NCBC Gulfport and NAS Meridian, Miss.; NAS/JRB New Orleans; and NAS Pensacola and Whiting Field, and NSA Panama City, Fla. The weekday-only exercises will run from Feb. 5-14 and may cause delays near or onboard those Navy bases. The exercise is designed to enhance the readiness of Navy security forces and ensure seamless interoperability among the commands, other services and agency partners. Exercise CS/SC 19 is not in response to any specific threat, but is a regularly scheduled exercise. (Source: NCBC Gulfport 01/21/19)

GA-Tupelo part of $19.6M pact

General Atomics’ Electromagnetics Systems Group of San Diego is awarded $19,682,252 for firm-fixed-price delivery order N0001919F2406 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-16-G-0006). This order provides for the manufacture, assembly, inspection, integration, test and delivery of Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) spare parts in support of the CVN-78 prior to the Advanced Arresting Gear and EMALS material support dates. Work will be performed in San Diego (37%); Boston (18%); Tupelo, Miss. (10.7%); Aston, Pa. (5.8%); Guilford, Conn. (4.4%); San Leandro, Calif. (3.5%); Cincinnati, Ohio (2.6%); Randolph, N.J. (2.4%); Mankato, Minn. (1.4%); Middletown, Ohio (1.2%); Bindlach, Bavaria, Germany (.53%); and various locations within the continental U.S. (12.47%), and is expected to be completed in January 2023. FY 2018/19 Navy shipbuilding and conversion funds in the amount of $19,682,252 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 01/23/19)

Production planner at AHI

Airbus Helicopters Inc. in Columbus, Miss., is looking for a production planner to perform activities associated with the scheduling and analysis of the LUH Production Line and all back shops required for the completion of production activities in accordance with contractual customer requests. Perform activities associated with the planning and reporting of resources (material, capacity, schedule, back shop and off load) required for the completion of Production activities in accordance with the Routines, Standard Network and high level Forecast; participate to the change board for serial production affectivity of each change request; net plan scheduling; and forecast schedules. (Source: Ziprecruiter.com 01/20/19)

L-3 among contractors on $Bs pact

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace of Madison, Miss., and L-3 Communications Integrated Systems of Waco, Texas are among nearly two dozen firms that will each be awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts. These contracts provide for logistics services for the Contracted Maintenance, Modification, Aircrew and Related Services (CMMARS) Program in support of aviation platforms of various Navy and Air Force type/model/series aircraft, inter-related systems, subsystems, and services. CMMARS will provide contractor logistics services for fixed-wing, rotary-wing, unmanned aircraft vehicles, and lighter than air vehicles, as well as integrally related systems and weapon systems. Logistical support to be provided includes logistics functions and maintenance tasks required to keep U.S. and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers’ aircraft ready, available, and operating worldwide. CMMARS may be used for platforms at all phases of the acquisition life cycle. The estimated aggregate ceiling for all contracts is $12,599,999,930, with the companies having an opportunity to compete for individual orders. Work will be performed at various afloat and ashore locations inside the continental U.S. (99%); and outside the U.S. (1%), and is expected to be completed in January 2024. No funds are being obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as issued. The contracts were competitively procured via an electronic request for proposals; 21 offers were received. Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division of Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: Defense Department 01/22/19)

Reckoning for some senators Jan. 24

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate leaders agreed Jan. 22 to hold votes this week on a pair of proposals to reopen federal agencies still affected by the longest (partial) shutdown in history. It’ll be a reckoning for some senators: Side with President Trump or vote to temporarily end the shutdown and keep negotiating. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) set up the showdown votes for Jan. 24, one day before about 800,000 federal workers are due to miss a second paycheck. One vote will be on Trump’s offer to trade border wall funding for temporary protections for some immigrants. It has already been rejected by Democrats. The second vote is set for a bill approved by the Democrat-controlled House that would reopen the government through Feb. 8, but no wall money, to give bargainers time to talk. (Source: The AP 01/22/19)

UPDATE: Blues gearing up

EL CENTRO, Calif. – The Navy’s Blue Angels flight demonstration team reached a major milestone in winter training when they completed their first set of training flights over the airfield at Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro, Calif., on Jan. 19. The six jet pilots had been training over the Special Use Airspace adjacent to NAFEC, and will continue to do the bulk of training there for the next few weeks, before moving full time to the air space above NAF El Centro. It was the first time in 2019 the Blue Angels held a full practice over the airfield, a critical step in preparing for the 2019 air show season that begins March 16. El Centro is the winter home of the Blue Angels from January to mid-March. The show-season’s home base is NAS Pensacola, Fla. The team is scheduled to conduct 61 demonstrations at 32 locations across the country in the 2019 show season. The Pensacola Beach, Fla., air show is July 11. (Source: Blue Angels 01/22/19) There are no Mississippi shows scheduled for the Blue Angels this season, but the Air Force Thunderbirds will fly over Biloxi in May 4-5. UPDATE: A pilot attached to the Blue Angels made an emergency landing at NAF El Centro on Jan. 22 without injuries. The mishap occurred when the F/A-18 Hornet’s main landing gear did not extend on approach to the airfield following a training flight. The cause of the mishap is under investigation. Information on the pilot and aircraft number was unavailable from the Commander of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) in Corpus Christi, Texas.

AF gains Ala. native’s collection

OFFUTT AFB, Neb. – When the family of a man who lived to see the age of 101, served in the Army, Army Air Corps, and Air Force for 30 years, asks to donate something, the answer is easy. Col. John Watters Sr., a Selma, Ala., native, graduated from Auburn University in 1940 and commissioned into the Army’s horse-drawn artillery. A few years later, he became a bombardier and navigator in the Army Air Corps’ B-17s. When the AF was established, Watters’ final assignment was as Gen. Curtis LeMay's Strategic Air Command commander, and lead operational bombing planner. Watters retired in 1970 and passed away in 2018 leaving behind his wife, Jean, of 72 years, six children, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. One of Watters’ pastimes was collecting military literature. It was the family who suggested leaving the extensive collection of military books to Offutt AFB and the 55th Wing. With a hundred U.S. and Air Force history books from the Watters’ collection in tow, the wing decided to open a professional development reading library. The books can be checked out by anyone on the base interested in learning about history. (Source: Offutt AFB 01/19/19) Note: In 2011, Jean, a British Royal navy veteran, was presented a badge and certificate signed by British former Prime Minister Gordon Brown in recognition of her efforts supporting the Top Secret ENIGMA code-breaking program of Nazi Germany's ENIGMA operational codes in WWII.

OCS graduations streaming live

NEWPORT, R.I. - Family members and friends can now watch graduations of the Navy's newest officers via live streaming from the Officer Training Command. OTC is broadcasting its Officer Candidate School (OSC) graduations live from Kay Hall at OTC onboard Naval Station Newport, R.I, through the Defense Visual Distribution Service website. The first live streamed broadcast was Dec 14. (Source: OTC /18/19)

Iberia port tenants on ’19 fast tract

The Gulf Coast’s energy sector continues to be in a slump, but the Port of Iberia (La.) is seeing some tenants off to a fast start in 2019. “These guys are staying busy,” port executive director Craig Romero told the Daily Iberian. One of the most visible activities is the Bayou Companies pipeline coating facility, which has a contract to coat 1.8M feet of 36-inch pipe for a major pipeline project. The project is bringing tons of pipe via barge and railway to the port and traffic to the railhead at the Acadiana Regional Airport, where it is off-loaded and trucked to Bayou. The project brought a profit in the form of more than $400,000 in maintenance to the port’s railroad spur. That project is expected to keep the facility busy into 2020. Dynamic Industries’ fabrication facility is filling an order for 92 modules to be shipped to Pennsylvania for use in a polyethylene plant, and a supplemental order for 44 modular units going to Texas. The two orders will peak 450 workers employed. Local firms Omega, LQT and Berard Transportation will handle parts of the project. Custom Compression Systems is also busy, according to VP of Operations Joey Belfour. The company has been steadily supplying (up to 130 last year of) its skid-mounted compression systems to fields in Texas. CCS provides pressure for fracking activity across the region. More than 990 of an available 1,000 acres for lease at the port is already under contract. Activity should continue unabated through 2019, according to an optimistic Romero. (Source: Daily Iberian 01/20/19)

SPP protects TRA from shutdown

TUPELO, Miss. - The partial federal government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, has led to thousands of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) workers not getting paid hasn’t affected security screening at the Tupelo Regional Airport (TRA). TSA screeners at some major airports have been calling in sick or simply not showing up to work. However, that’s not the case in Tupelo or 21 other airports – from Key West to Montana - that are part of the TSA’s Screening Partnership Program (SPP). In 2011, TRA became a member of the program, which contracts security screening services at commercial airports to qualified private companies. The companies run screening operations under federal oversight and must comply with all TSA security screening procedures. At TRA, screeners are paid by BOS Security of Georgia. The company is one of six contractors working in the Screening Partnership Program. Those firms “had the selling factor of not being federal,” TRA Executive Director Cliff Nash told Daily Journal, because they “aren’t civil service, and therefore the argument was they can provide better service. The contractors pay employees and therefore aren’t relying on the federal government. Last week, TSA officials said missing screeners was stabilizing 6.1 percent on Jan. 16. Last year on that date, there was a 5 percent absentee rate. But it’s down from the 7.7 percent surge Jan. 13. TRA air traffic controllers are also contracted by a third party and are not affected by the shutdown. (Source: Daily Journal 01/19/19) UPDATE 01/20/19: The American Federation of Government Employees, the largest union of federal employees, representing about 44,000 TSA workers, says some TSA employees have resigned, and others are considering quitting after working one of the busiest air travel periods of the year without pay.

CAFB hub partners with Keesler

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - The Columbus Air Force Base’s Spark Cell program and laboratory is designed to be a creative hub for innovative minds to cultivate ideas. CAFB is now partnering with the 333rd Training Squadron at Keesler AFB, Miss., to create new processes and contribute different concepts. Maj. Eddy Gutierrez, 14th Communications Squadron commander, reached out to Keesler to see if any transitional lieutenants would be interested in partnering with CAFB to drive some solutions that could benefit each base and potentially the Air and Education Training Command and Air Force. “Collaboration and innovation go hand-in-hand,” said 2nd Lt. Joshua Hullings, a student of the 333rd TRS Undergraduate Cyberspace Officer Training course. Currently, the lieutenants are helping program a flight scheduling application to aid instructor-pilot scheduling teams at the 37th and 41st Flying Training Squadrons at CAFB. (Source: 14th Flying Training Wing 01/18/19)

HII’s Tech solutions seeks Fulcrum

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced Jan. 18 it has entered into an agreement to acquire Fulcrum IT Services LLC, an information technology and government consulting firm located in Centreville, Va. The planned acquisition is expected to close in February. Financial terms were not disclosed. Fulcrum will join HII’s Technical Solutions division. Fulcrum would expand HII’s capabilities in enhanced situational awareness and predictive threat analytics through the firm’s advanced engineering, cyber security, software development, big data engineering, and intelligence and special operations experience across the C5ISR domain (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Combat Systems, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance), said Andy Green, president of Technical Solutions. (Source: HII 01/18/19) Gulf Coast Note: Technical Solutions provides fleet maintenance and modernization, unmanned solutions and rapid prototyping, agile software development and network engineering, training systems, logistics support, nuclear engineering and fabrication, and oil and gas engineering. TS employs more than 5,000 people across 35 states and 11 countries with mobile “fly- away” teams that can support emergent situations around the globe. One of those TS sites is located in Panama City, Fla., where they employ engineers and designers that provide rapid prototyping that also include unmanned systems.

Pilots show off F-35A to newbies

SHEPPARD AFB, Texas – The Air Force has bolstered its aerial fighting capabilities with the likes of the F-35A Lightning II. Combat pilots from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., made a stopover here on Jan. 11 to give students of the 80th Flying Training Wing’s Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program and up-close look at the sleek Joint Strike Fighter and to talk about its unique features, and how the AF is deploying it now and for the future. The pilots are on a five-day tour and additional stops at Laughlin AFB, Texas; Vance AFB, Okla.; and Columbus AFB, Miss. (Source: 82nd Training Wing 01/16/19)

SF Sgt. missing from NW Fla. base

Military and local police are searching for a missing Army sergeant assigned to 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) near Crestview, Fla., is located on Eglin Air Force Base’s range. The search began after Sgt. Greco Antoine Tucker Jr., 23, failed to report for duty Jan. 14. He was last seen Jan. 11. “Sgt. Tucker is a valued member of the 7th SFG(A) team, and we will do everything we can to facilitate the Crestview Police Department’s investigation,” Col. Patrick Colloton, 7th group commander, said in a statement to Military Times. The sergeant’s Crestview home showed no signs of forced entry, and all personal property was in place, according to police. However, his 2014 four-door, white Dodge Charger SE sedan was gone, police confirmed. At this time, police do not suspect foul play. Members of 7th SFG(A) described Tucker as an exemplary soldier, according to police. Anyone with information about Tucker or his car’s whereabouts (license plate: 044-QCF) are encouraged to contact the Crestview Police Department at (850) 682-3544. (Source: Military Times 01/16/19)

Seabees renovate Wiggins PD bldg

WIGGINS, Miss. - Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 133 and Wiggins city officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Jan. 15 to mark the conclusion of the Seabees’ renovation project for the Wiggins Police Department and Municipal Courthouse. The project included interior framing, rough in and finish of electrical and plumbing features, interior sheetrock, suspended ceilings, and various floor finishes for the 21 interior spaces, nine restrooms, kitchen, utility room, and three hallways in the 7,417 square foot facility. The project provided a labor cost savings to the city equal to some $600,000. “I don’t believe we ever would’ve been able to get back in here without the help of the Seabees,” said Mayor Joel T. Miles. The Gulfport, Miss.-based Seabees are preparing for its next deployment in early 2019. (Source: NMCB 133 01/17/19)

AHI unveils expansion plans

COLUMBUS, Miss. - Airbus Helicopters Inc. officials announced Jan. 16 an expansion of its connected services, delivery, and training services in 2019; and reiterated the significance of an upcoming contract award for the Navy to produce the H135 training helicopters. The Industrial Center of Excellence facility in the Golden Triangle region builds H125 commercial helicopters; UH-72A Lakota helicopters for the Army; and custom-built helicopters for commercial clients. But the Columbus-based facility is probably best known for producing the Lakotas for the Army. The facility generally builds two per month; and to date, AHI has produced a total of 437 Lakotas. In total, more than 1,300 aircraft have come from the Columbus facility. The plant helped generate $7.9B in revenue in 2018. Parent company Airbus Group is planning for other expansions such as private and business aviation, says Scott Tumpak, VP of military affairs. Connected services and pilot training programs will also be expanding. Last October, AHI showcased the H135 to the Navy at NAS Whiting Field, Fla., for a replacement training helicopter. On Jan. 22, the Navy is tentatively scheduled to announce interest for a new military contract for training helicopters. The Lakota is the training aircraft most used for the Navy's Advanced Test Pilot School in Maryland. If the Navy awards the contract to AHI, the H135 helicopter would be produced in Columbus for initial pilot training. (Source: Daily Journal 01/16/19)

NOLA corpsman: Reserve SoY

NORFOLK, Va. – Navy Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Neil Cataline was selected Jan. 9 as the 2018 Navy Reserve Shore Sailor of the Year (SoY) during a ceremony aboard Naval Station Norfolk. Cataline, one of five finalists from the full-time support Reserve Force, is a native of Antioch, Calif., and currently assigned to Marine Reserve Forces in New Orleans. Vice Adm. Luke M. McCollum, chief of Navy Reserve and commander, Navy Reserve Force, announced the winner. The finalists represent the top five FTS petty officers first class in a force of more than 10,000. (Source: Navy Reserve Force 01/16/19)

NOLA officer nominated to BG

Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan announced Jan. 16 that the president has nominated Marine Corps Reserve Col. Leonard F. Anderson IV for appointment to the rank of brigadier general. Anderson currently serves as assistant wing commander of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing at U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve in Algiers, La., a suburb of New Orleans. (DoD 01/16/19)

Media stop at AHI no accident

MOBILE, Ala. - Fireworks were set off Jan. 16 after the ceremonial groundbreaking for the $300M A220 aircraft final assembly line at the Mobile Aeroplex. About 700 people were on hand for the invitation-only event, which was held north of the current A320 assembly line. Work is already underway on the site that will eventually produce four A220 passenger jets every month. The first delivery is expected in 2020. With international attention turning to south Alabama for the major aerospace groundbreaking, the fact that a delegation of foreign and aviation-industry media stopped over at Airbus Helicopters Inc. (AHI) in Columbus, Miss., on Jan. 15 was no accident. The group visit to the helicopter plant was part of a press tour organized by Airbus, a grand arc that started Monday in a Mirabel, Canada, plant where Airbus and Bombardier already build A220 jetliners. (Source: AL.com 01/16/19)

Black to lead CLCC’s programs

The Columbus Lowndes (Miss.) of Commerce has announced that Eason Black will be its director of programs and events. Black joins the chamber to lead the organization’s planning and programming efforts. Black has worked for CLCC since May 2018. A native of Columbus, Miss., Black graduated from Mississippi State University. In her new capacity, Black will plan and execute existing CLCC programs ranging in focus on education, youth leadership, military affairs, and community development. The previous CLCC's former director of programs, Meryl Fisackerly, is serving as Golden Triangle Development LINK as project manager. (Source: Mississippi Business Journal 01/15/19)

Resources for affected fed workers

For the third time this year, federal employees are caught in the middle of a partial (25% of agencies) government shutdown. The current shutdown, which started Dec. 22, has a different feel than the others. For one, it looks like it’ll be lasting longer. Also, it doesn’t apply to the entire government. Agencies without budgets are: Agriculture, Commerce, EPA and FDA, Interior, Justice, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Homeland Security, Interior, IRS and NASA, State, and Treasury departments. About 800,000 fed workers are being impacted: 380,000 furloughed, and 420,000 working without pay, according to U.S. Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.). With uncertainty still swirling, govloop.com’s website has provided a number of resources to help keep government employees informed. (Source: govloop.com 01/08/19)

AF pitching fast-track pacts

ARLINGTON, Va. - The Air Force is calling for submissions from start-ups and small businesses while it seeks to quickly invest up to $40M at Air Force Pitch Day, which is part of a rapid contracting effort. Air Force Pitch Day is designed as a fast-track program to put companies on one-page contracts and same-day awards with the swipe of a government credit card. Submissions are open to ideas furthering national security in air, space and cyberspace with a special emphasis on three areas: Command, control, communications, intelligence ad network technologies; Battlefield air operations family of systems technologies; and Digital technologies. Companies are encouraged to apply before Feb. 6. (Source: Secretary of the Air Force 01/15/19)

Navy PT earns top senior award

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Lt. Cmdr. Marissa Greene, associate director of Clinical Support Services at Naval Hospital Pensacola, Fla., was recently named Navy Medicine’s 2018 Physical Therapy Senior Officer of the Year. Greene was selected out of 100 PTs in the Navy for her leadership, innovative strategies, and dedication to ensure 100 percent access to care for all active duty and post-operative patients. “In my 30-year career, I have not run into an officer with this level of quality,” said Capt. Michael Allanson, CSS director at NHP. “Her ability to multi-task … [and] attention to detail is exceptional.” The one-on-one interaction with patients is the best part of being a PT, she says, which allows her to witness those transformations from the first appointment to the last. As a physical therapist, Greene aids injured war-fighters by increasing their functional ability so they can return to the mission, and naval aviation officer and enlisted students across the regions. (Source: Naval Hospital Pensacola 01/14/19) There are two NHP branch health clinics in Mississippi (NAS Meridian and NCBC Gulfport); and one at NAS/JRB New Orleans. NHP oversees the operation of 10 total branch health clinics across four states.

SECNAV gets peak at naval aviation

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer got a first-hand look naval aviation training during a Jan. 9-10 visit to Naval Air Stations (NAS) Corpus Christi and Kingsville, Texas. Spencer met with Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) staff, student-aviators, and instructor pilots and toured both bases. Instructor pilots and students showed Spencer CNATRA’s twin-engine T-44 Pegasus and single-engine turboprop T-6B Texan at Training Air Wing 4 at NAS Corpus Christi; and the T-45 Goshawk training jet aircraft of Training Air Wing 2 at NAS Kingsville. CNATRA is responsible for training of all Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aviators, naval flight officers, and naval aircrewmen across five air wings located at NAS Pensacola and NAS Whiting Field in Florida; NAS Meridian, Miss.; and Texas. (Source: Chief of Naval Air Training 01/14/19)

NOAA fellowships for grad students

The Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium is accepting applications for four National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) fellowships. The fellowships are open to graduate students, and the application deadlines are in January and February. Students apply through the consortium’s program for fellowships that are in several different locations from Washington, D.C., to Oregon. (Source: Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium 01/11/19)

Jet changes coming to Tupelo

TUPELO, Miss. – Passengers from Tupelo Regional Airport are at a nine-year high. TRA and Contour Airlines anticipate a bigger number when regional jet service begins around April, according to Contour’s CEO. Contour, which began service in April 2016, will switch to 30-passenger twin-engine Embraer ERJ135 jets, which the company said to the Daily News that was “developed specifically to achieve the right balance between frequency and capacity on regional routes.” The EJR135 will replace the Jetstream twin-turboprop plane Contour has used since service began in Tupelo almost three years ago. The airline started the Tupelo-to-Nashville route using 9-seat Jetstreams, but last May added back 10 seats to its original configuration. Contour CEO Matt Chaifetz says an exact date for the new aircraft to be in service hasn’t been set, but is shooting for April. (Source: Daily Journal 01/13/19)

Carothers joins MEDC-8 board

The Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission has announced that its Chief Development Officer Janel L. Carothers has been selected as District 8 president of the Mississippi Economic Development Council (MEDC) Board of Directors. Carothers, a 10-year veteran economic development professional, has been instrumental numerous industrial locations and expansions in South Mississippi. She has been an active member of MEDC since 2008. She also is on the Foreign Trade Zone Board and is president of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Alliance for Economic Development. (Source: Mississippi Economic Development Commission 01/14/19)

Option year pact for Vertex: $35M

MADISON, Miss. – The Air Force has awarded the Mississippi-based company Vertex Aerospace an option year on its C-12 program. The option year award has an estimated value of $35M and an estimated cumulative value of $70M. The contract provides contractor logistics support to the C-12 fleet. Vertex will provide services to the C-12 fleet across 20 company locations throughout the U.S., Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, and Honduras. The Madison, Miss.-based firm has more than 4,200 employees at 65 U.S. and 35 international facility sites. (Source: Vertex Aerospace 01/09/19)

Free public drone seminar at GTRA

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Unmanned Aircraft Systems (drones) have become popular gift, with more hobbyists and businesses using the technology to benefit the bottom line - like the Golden Triangle, where new drone technologies are researched and implemented daily. In an effort to provide details to the public, the Golden Triangle Regional Airport (GTRA) in Columbus, Miss., will host its third annual Drone Seminar on Jan. 15 with a focus on home, safety and business uses. The free seminar will be at 6 p.m. in the airport terminal, and will feature experts from Mississippi State University and Columbus Air Force Base to discuss changes in rules for drone operations from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in addition to safe practices and how to effectively use drones for business. (Source: Starkville Daily News 01/10/19) Mississippi State was selected by the Federal Aviation Administration in 2015 as the National Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).

Where have all the buildings gone?

The Defense Department doesn’t have the number of facilities, equipment and square footage that it once thought it did, according to a recent government audit, calling into question whether there’s a need for another round of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). In recent years, Pentagon leadership had decried it had too much, and began asking for another BRAC. “We thought we had more … than we did,” David Norquist, DoD chief financial officer, said Jan. 9. The audit showed 6.5 percent of buildings and infrastructure on the Navy’s property books didn’t exist. They had been demolished or replaced, but no one took them off the books, he said. The Army did account for its buildings, but auditors found a number of the buildings were inhabitable. The audit comes as the U.S. military is growing and forces are planning to withdraw from Syria and Afghanistan. The idea of excess DoD infrastructure comes as President Trump decides whether to declare a national emergency that would allow him to raid military construction accounts to fund the border wall. MILCON funds are used for projects like base housing and runways. (Source: Defense One 01/09/19)

GTRA sets new travelers record

The number of people traveling through the Golden Triangle Regional Airport (GTR) in Columbus, Miss., increased more than 10 percent for 2018, setting a record for the airport. Nearly 100,000 passengers used GTRA, making it the second consecutive record-setting year. While commercial airline traffic was up nine percent, the number of passengers on charter flights was up 30 percent. Commercial flights are all through Delta Air Lines, and the charter flights come from a variety of airlines flying groups, including sports teams, coming and going from Mississippi State University. “We have seen a significant increase in the number of business travelers,” said GTRA Executive Director Mike Hainsey. “Even more important, the increase in the number of repeat customers tells me they like the way they are treated when they fly from GTR.” (Source: GTRA 01/07/19) Tupelo Regional Airport reported the number of passengers boarding planes there rose to 12,948, the most since 2009.

Read more here: https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/business/article224364075.html#storylink=cpy

Educator commands Kuwait unit

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State University associate professor Kenneth V. Anthony is taking on a new responsibility in his role as a Mississippi Army National Guard officer. On Jan. 1, Lt. Col. Anthony took command of the Mississippi National Guard 2nd Battalion’s 198th Armored Regiment - based in Senatobia, Miss. - but nearing the end of a 12-month deployment to Kuwait. Anthony, an associate professor in MSU’s College of Education, has served in the Army since 1991. He also has served as an intelligence officer in a peacekeeping mission in Bosnia. Now, he commands the armored battalion in Kuwait. That unit has conducted operations in eight different countries in the Middle East. In his position at MSU, Anthony teaches social studies methods courses for elementary education majors and in research as the principal investigator for a Library of Congress grant. He also serves as the undergraduate coordinator for elementary education. (Source: Starkville Daily News 01/07/19)

MSU provost to retire

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State University announced Jan. 7 that its provost, Dr. Judy Bonner, will retire in June. Bonner, a former University of Alabama president, is stepping down as Mississippi State's chief academic officer at the end of the budget year. MSU President Mark Keenum says Mississippi State will launch a national search to replace Bonner. (Source: The AP 01/07/19)

Destin firm garners $95M contract

NORFOLK, Va. - Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Atlantic has awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for $95,000,000 for mission assurance assessments of installation/facilities infrastructure and facility-related control systems to Risk Mitigation Consulting Inc. of Destin, Fla. The work includes, but is not limited to the collection and evaluation of data concerning the criticality of facilities, utilities, industrial control systems, and supporting infrastructure based on mission impacts, probable threats and hazards, and degrees of vulnerability to determine the overall risk posture of the asset. Work will be performed at various Navy/Marine installations within the NAVFAC Atlantic’s area of responsibility, both inside and outside the continental U.S., including, but not limited to, California (24.6 percent); Virginia (13.0); Florida (10.1); Maryland (7.2); Washington (5.8); Hawaii (4.3); Texas (4.3); South Carolina (4.3); Washington, D.C. (2.9); North Carolina (2.9); Mississippi (2.9); Georgia (2.9); Tennessee (1.5); Rhode Island (1.5); Pennsylvania (1.5); New York (1.5); New Jersey (1.5); Louisiana (1.5); Indiana (1.5); Illinois (1.5); Connecticut (1.4); and Arizona (1.4). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of January 1, 2024. FY 2019 Navy operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $10,000 are obligated on this award, and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by Navy and Marine Corps O&M funds. The contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website and Federal Business Opportunities website, with six proposals received. NAVFAC Atlantic of Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity. (Source: NAVFAC Atlantic 01/07/19)

Opinion: Burning explosives danger

In a country that prides itself on high technology, the U.S. government is burning and detonating hazardous waste in the open air, using disposal methods that have been outlawed for private companies. In the 1980s, when federal hazardous waste rules were written, a special exemption was created for military explosives’ waste. Since then, open burning and open detonation (OB/OD) were the norm for waste munitions and explosives, and limits were ignored, even as more effective disposal methods were put in use by civilian companies. … and it’s dangerous. There are 60-plus military sites in America where millions of pounds of unneeded explosives (i.e. bombs, artillery, propellants, tactical missiles, napalm) are being burned and dioxins from it being spread beyond the point of release, and washing into rivers and bays, and leaching into groundwater, exposing communities. The contaminants can cause cancer, birth defects, cardiac and immune system deterioration, and brain damage. Eglin AFB, Fla., is the OB/OD disposal site for waste explosives and munitions generated at Hurlburt Field, Tyndall AFB, NAS Pensacola, and Navy Support Activity Panama City. Eglin has a Florida DEP permit that allows some nine million pounds to go up in smoke and come down as air and water pollution. While sites in other states are prohibited from OB/OD of certain wastes, there are no prohibitions at Eglin. (Source: Pensacola News Journal Guest Opinion 12/08/18) Note: Opinion writer Enid Sisskin is the chair of the Natural Resource Committee of the League of Women Voters of the Pensacola Bay Area. This is one of the issues being studies by the committee to present to the local LoWV for consideration.

WH considering Webb for SECDEF

The Trump administration is considering Jim Webb, a former Democratic senator from Virginia and former 1-year Navy secretary under former President Reagan, as the next Secretary of Defense, according to The New York Times. An unnamed official told the NYT that Vice President Mike Pence and acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney have reached out to Webb. A senior Pentagon official also told the newspaper that Webb’s name had been circulating in the White House. President Trump is searching for a new Defense secretary after James Mattis announced he'd be resigning. Mattis resigned following Trump’s decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria. Patrick Shanahan, a former Boeing executive and deputy defense secretary, is serving as acting Defense secretary. Webb’s views on the Middle East align more closely with Trump’s. The decorated Marine veteran and Naval Academy grad was an outspoken opponent of the Iraq War while he served in the Senate. Webb served in Vietnam as a platoon commander for the Marines. Wounded twice, he was awarded the Navy’s second-highest decoration, the Navy Cross. Reagan appointed Webb to be SECNAV but he resigned after a year later over budget cuts to the Navy. He later switched political parties and in 2006, was elected to his first and only term as a senator from Virginia. (The Hill 01/03/19)

Assessments of GC bases

Risk Mitigation Consulting Inc. of Destin, Fla., is awarded a maximum amount $95,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for mission assurance assessments of installation/facilities infrastructure and facility-related control systems for the Department of the Navy. The work includes, but is not limited to, the collection and evaluation of data concerning the criticality of facilities, utilities, industrial control systems, and supporting infrastructure based on mission impacts, probable threats and hazards, and degrees of vulnerability to determine the overall risk posture of the asset. Work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps installations at various locations within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic’s area of responsibility, both inside and outside the continental U.S., including, but not limited to, California (24.6 percent); Virginia (13.0 percent); Florida (10.1 percent); Maryland (7.2 percent); Washington (5.8 percent); Hawaii (4.3 percent); Texas (4.3 percent); South Carolina (4.3 percent); Washington, D.C. (2.9 percent); North Carolina (2.9 percent); Mississippi (2.9 percent); Georgia (2.9 percent); Tennessee (1.5 percent); Rhode Island (1.5 percent); Pennsylvania (1.5 percent); New York (1.5 percent); New Jersey (1.5 percent); Louisiana (1.5 percent); Indiana (1.5 percent); Illinois (1.5 percent); Connecticut (1.4 percent); and Arizona (1.4 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of January 1, 2024. FY 2019 Navy operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $10,000 are obligated on this award, and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by Navy/Marine Corps O&M. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website and Federal Business Opportunities website, with six proposals received. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic of Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 01/02/19)

AHI-Columbus: Senior aircraft tech

Airbus Helicopters Inc. of Columbus, Miss., is searching for a Senior Aircraft Technician (Avionics) to perform work on assigned aircraft or parts in the avionics function. Tasks included fabrication, repair, and installation of aircraft parts, maintenance and repair of helicopters and support of helicopter specific programs. Perform assembly, installation, repair or replacement of aircraft electrical/electronic components and systems in the manufacture, maintenance or refurbishing of aircraft and function check of components. Conduct operational checks of complete systems to verify proper functioning of components and systems. Diagnose malfunctions or failures and make adjustments, repairs or replacements of parts or components. (Source: Zip Recruiter 01/02/19)

Vertex Aerospace jobs in Miss.

Vertex Aerospace jobs in Mississippi
Executive Assistant, Bank Shop Manager, Procurement Specialist, International Programs' Business Manager … and more.