L-3 Vertex $21.3M T-45 mod pact

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace of Madison, Miss., is awarded $21,361,072 for modification P00032 to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery requirements contract (N00019-14-D-0011). The modification exercises an option for organizational, intermediate, and depot level maintenance, logistics, and engineering support for Navy T-45 aircraft and systems, and related support equipment. Support to be provided includes services, equipment, tools, direct material, and indirect materials required to support and maintain all to support flight and test and evaluation operations. Work will be performed at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Kingsville, Texas (55.5%); NAS Meridian, Miss. (41.3%); and NAS Pensacola, Fla. (3.2%), and is expected to be completed in September 2019. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. Naval Air Warfare Training Systems Division of Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 02/28/19)

Military to face SASC over housing

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) will reopen its investigation into substandard military housing March 7 with follow-on testimony from civilian and uniformed leaders of the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy. The leadership will testify before the committee on “the chain of command’s accountability to provide safe military housing” for its service members and families. The hearing comes weeks after it heard from military families and private contractors over a host of health and safety issues at privatized military housing across the country. “One of the recurring, heartbreaking sentiments was that families felt they had no advocate within the military to ensure they had high-quality, affordable housing,” committee chairman Sen.. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., said in a statement. “That is unacceptable,” he said. In recent weeks, military officials have offered several remedies. Air Force and Army officials have promised force-wide housing inspections in coming months. Service officials are also looking into a possible “tenant bill of rights” that would allow them to suspend rent payments if their problems aren’t resolved. (Source: Military Times 02/27/19)

Best-worst states for retirement

Retirement might be the end of a career, but doesn’t have to be the end of financial security or satisfaction. Retirement generally coincides with the age at which one receives Social Security or pension benefits. However, not everyone can retire when they want to. One quarter of non-retired adults haven’t saved enough for retirement, though not necessarily through their fault. In addition to when to retire, finding the best locations to retire can be difficult without a great deal of research. Even in affordable areas, retirees can’t rely on Social Security or pensions to cover living expenses. Social Security benefits increase with local inflation, but they replace only around 39 percent of the average worker’s earnings. WalletHub compared the 50 states across 46 key indicators of retirement-friendliness. The analysis examines affordability, health-related factors and overall quality of life. (Source: Wallet Hub 01/2019) Gulf Coast Note: Florida led all states across affordability, quality of life and health care measurements. Neighboring Gulf Coast states: Alabama (39th), Louisiana (42), and Mississippi (43).

RP school returns home to NASM

MERIDIAN, Miss. – The Navy’s Religious Program Specialist (RP) schoolhouse training has returned to Naval Air Station Meridian after a 10-year absence due to the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) commission mandated the move to Fort Jackson, S.C. RP training moved to Fort Jackson in 2009. The BRAC relocation mandated a collocation of schools to design and foster closer cooperation among the three military chaplain corps. “The relocation (back) to Meridian allows our RPs the opportunity to develop as leaders and sailors alongside their Navy enlisted counterparts,” said Capt. Steve Moses, commanding officer, Naval Chaplaincy School and Center (NCSC). The Meridian ‘A’ school provides initial RP skills training following boot camp. Twenty students are enrolled in the first back-to-Meridian RP class. Nearly 200 RPs graduate from NCSC residence courses annually to prepare them to deliver professional religious ministry to sailors, Marines, guardsmen and Merchant Marines. (Source: Naval Education and Training Command 02/26/19)

Unique AF civilian education ops

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas - Eligible Air Force civilians may apply for developmental education for the 2020 academic year from May 1-10. Developmental education programs, including the Civilian Strategic Leader and the Engineer and Scientist Exchange programs prepare AF civilians through unique educational and leadership opportunities to meet the challenges across AF operations and missions. This year, the Air Command and Staff College-online master’s program and the AF Legislative Fellows program are open to GS 12-14 employees. Fellowships at the RAND Research Institute are open to GS 14-15. Leading With Impact is a new course offered to GS 12-13. Applicants must submit nomination packages by April 17, with chain of command concurrence by May 1.The selection board convenes in September with final approval of primary/alternate candidates released later this year. (Source: AF Personnel Center 02/25/19)

New CNRSE: Rear Adm. Mayes

NAS JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Commander Navy Region Southeast (CNRSE) held a change of command ceremony Feb. 23 onboard Naval Air Station Jacksonville. Rear Adm. Gary Mayes relieved Rear Adm. Babette “Bette” Bolivar as the region’s commander. Mayes is a Purdue University graduate; and earned his naval commission from Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Fla. He was designated a naval aviator in 1989. He was officer in charge of a combined East/West Coast Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron detachment of 16 helicopters conducting rescue and humanitarian relief missions in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast. He comes to CNSRE from the staff of Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics. Bolivar’s next assignment will be at San Diego’s Navy Region Southwest. (Source: CNSRE 02/25/19) Gulf Coast Note: CNRSE supports and guides 18 installations throughout the Southeastern United States and Caribbean, including NAS Meridian, and CBC Gulfport, Miss.; NAS Pensacola and Whiting Field and NSA Panama City, Fla.; and NAS/JRB New Orleans.

HII tech solutions acquires Fulcrum

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced Feb. 25 it has completed the acquisition of Fulcrum IT Services, an information technology and government consulting firm in Centreville, Va. Fulcrum expands HII’s capabilities in enhanced situational awareness and predictive threat analytics through its advanced engineering, cyber security, software development, big data engineering, and intelligence and special operations experience. Fulcrum will join HII’s Technical Solutions division. HII-TS is a professional services business helping government and commercial customers solve complex problems. Areas of expertise include cyber security, software development, unmanned systems, training, modeling and simulation, nuclear operations, fleet services, and oil and gas engineering. (Source: HII 02/25/19) Gulf Coast Note: Additionally, Technical Solutions has engineers and designers that provide rapid prototyping, including unmanned systems, in its unique Panama City Beach, Fla., facility.

Male-only draft unconstitutional

Judge Gray H. Miller of the Federal District Court in the Southern District in Houston has ruled that a military draft for men only is unconstitutional. The judge took note of the Supreme Court’s 1981 ruling that excluding women from the draft was “fully justified” because women were not allowed to serve in combat. But the Defense Department abolished that restriction in 2015, opening the way for women to serve in any military billet. No one has been conscripted into the military in more than 40 years, but the Military Selective Service Act requires all men to register at age 18, in case a draft is reinstated. They remain eligible through age 25. The Houston case was brought by the National Coalition for Men, a men’s rights group, which argued that drafting men exclusively violates the 14th Amendment’s equal-protection clause. Miller’s ruling was declaratory, and did not specify any governmental action to comply. This ruling comes at a time when the National Commission on Military, Nation, and Public Service advisory panel is studying the draft system - whether it should continue and whether women should be required to register. (Source: New York Times 02/25/19)

Spec ops may get new orders

American military’s special warfare forces are getting new orders as the Defense Department makes a major mission focus from post-9/11 terrorist groups to eyeing powerhouse antagonists such as China and Russia. The U.S. Special Operations Command, located in south Florida, is drafting guidance to reorient its top-tier military special operation commands to fight expanding militaries of “near-peer” powers. The guidance, still needing to get a thumbs-up USSOC boss Gen. Raymond A. Thomas III, will allow special operations forces to take on a bigger role in cyber-warfare, information and digital age propaganda, according to Washington Times sources, as well as train allies in those new skills. Since 9/11, SOF personnel have been at the tip of the spear for the U.S.-led global war on terror. DoD’s National Defense Strategy is ushering in a move away from the fight against non-state terrorists to big-boy rival nations. The Middle East will become a theater to be managed, while the new focus will be on Asia and Europe. Whether this shift is an attempt to clip the SOF’s wings is a matter of debate across the military. Air Force, Army, Marines and Navy “spec ops” forces have grown from 45,000 in 2001, it is estimated today’s numbers are about 70,000 today. Some critics say the expansions in size and mission hasn’t been healthy. The advantage spec ops units provide in this new environment is during “competition short of conflict” to deter adversies, Gen. Thomas said. That gray area between a hot and cold war “is arguably the most important phase of deterrence.” But shifting gears from the “kill/capture” missions to subtle missions have already been in the works. A Congressional Research Service survey of Special Forces issues mandated reviews in the FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act to reflect lawmakers’ concern about the status of the special operations commands and missions. (Source: Washington Times 02/24/19) Gulf Coast Note: The Air Force Special Operations Command headquarters is located aboard Hurlburt Field, Fla. AFSOC is a component of U.S. Special Operations Command at MacDill AFB, Fla. The command's core missions include battlefield air operations, combat support, aviation foreign internal defense, information operations/military support, precision strike, specialized air mobility; command and control; and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and psychological operations. The Army’s 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) is located within the Eglin AFB, Fla., Range. Its purpose is to conduct guerilla operations and train friendly governments' armed forces in South, Central and North America as well as the Caribbean.

Highest start salaries: STEM grads

College graduates that earn bachelor degrees in STEM-related subjects – engineering, computer science, math and sciences - will be among the highest starting salaries earners for 2018 grads, according to a projection survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. The top three STEM-degree earners’ average starting salaries were engineering ($69,188), computer science ($67,539), and math and sciences ($62,177). Those projected amounts, reported in the NACE "Winter 2019 Salary Survey," were for base salaries only. Data was collected from 186 surveys submitted by NACE employer members between August and December 2018. The survey also found that those graduating in 2018 would enjoy a 16.6 percent increase in hiring compared to those who finished schooling in 2017. (Source: Campus Technology 02/20/19)

Navy GC fire department of year

Fire & Emergency Services Gulf Coast (F&ESGC) has been named Navy Region Southeast’s 2018 Fire Department of the Year in the large category on Feb. 19. It’s their second consecutive win. F&ESGC operates at Naval Air Stations Pensacola and Whiting Field, and Corry Station. Additionally, two F&ESGC service members were recognized. ABH1(AW/SW) Anthony Kirby and ABH2(AW/SW) Lewis Mashburn, both based at NAS Whiting Field, were awarded the Military Fire Officer of the Year and Military Firefighter of the Year respectively. Having won the regional award, F&ESGC is now up for the Navy-wide Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC) Fire Department of the Year award. (Source: NAS Pensacola 02/18/19)

MS tornado claims one; power out

COLUMBUS, Miss. - One person was killed and at least a dozen injured when a tornado smashed into the commercial district of Columbus around 5 p.m. on Saturday (Feb. 23). The tornado struck about 5 p.m. and was confirmed on radar, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Anna Wolverton in Jackson. A team from NWS would be going to Columbus on Sunday to gauge the storm’s intensity. Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant identified the victim as Ashley Glynell Pounds, 41, of Tupelo. Pounds was one of four people in a Tuscaloosa Road building that collapsed during the storm. She was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, where she died during surgery, he said. Todd Gale, general manager of Columbus Light and Water, confirmed to the Columbus Dispatch newspaper that the hospital was running on emergency generators - and some 4,700 residents were without power - as of 7:30 p.m. Saturday. In Bruce, Miss., located some 50 miles SW of Tupelo, rivers broke flood stage and flash floods poured into homes and businesses. A state of emergency was declared in Grenada, Miss. – located some 70 miles NW of Starkville - after dozens of streets and homes flooded. NWS had issued a flash flood warning for Lafayette County, Miss., after emergency officials reported that the Audubon Dam, which blocks a creek on the northside of Oxford, was at risk of failing. Weather officials said the storm system threatened areas from eastern Arkansas across the South into Alabama. (Source: The Dispatch 02/24/19)

LM seeks QE for Meridian area

Lockheed Martin (LM) seeks a Quality Engineer for the Meridian, Miss., area. The selectee will be responsible for leading and implementing advanced Quality Engineering initiatives. This will include developing and introducing new QE processes used to reduce process variation, cost, and non-conforming hours. QE will be expected to manage and deliver multiple projects simultaneously (on schedule/within cost). The position is intended to be a catalyst for program initiatives to reduce Scrap, Rework, and Repair (SRR) cost, improve Quality Inspection systems, and ensure Production/Quality process compliance. Must be a U.S. Citizen or legally authorized to work in US as a permanent resident. Bachelors degree from an accredited college in a related discipline or equivalent experience; Statistical Process Control principles and techniques; formal Root Cause Action; Audit and Product Surveillance; ability to read and interpret engineering drawings. Desired Skills: Basic understanding of AS9100 Basic aircraft knowledge; Tableau; LM Systems (QADS/SFM/Dims); MS Office (Excel, Access, PowerPoint). Prefer Mechanical Degree. (Source: Help Wanted 02/23/19)

Milcon pacts for GC states

Archer Western Federal JV of Chicago (N69450-19-D-0907); B.L. Harbert International of Birmingham, Ala. (N69450-19-D-0908); Haskell Co. of Jacksonville, Fla. (N69450-19-D-0909); Korte Co. of St. Louis (N69450-19-D-0910); and Mortenson Construction of Minneapolis, Minn. (N69450-19-D-0911) are each awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award design-build construction project contracts located primarily within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast’s area of responsibility. The work to be performed provides for, but not limited to, general building type projects (new construction, renovation, alteration, demolition, and repair work) including industrial, airfield, aircraft hangar, aircraft traffic control, infrastructure, administrative, training, dormitory, and community support facilities. These five contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. Archer Western is awarded the $24,774,660 initial task order for P427 Littoral Combat Ship Operational Trainer Facility at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. The remaining four contractors will be awarded $1,000 each to satisfy the guaranteed minimum. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by January 2021. All work on this contract will take place in Florida (15%); Georgia (15%); Louisiana (14%); Mississippi (14%); South Carolina (14%); Tennessee (14%); and Texas (14%). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of February 2024. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast of Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 02/22/19)

Survey says: Mil.spouses satisfied

WASHINGTON - The latest survey of active-duty and reserve-component service members’ spouses shows they are by and large happy with their military lifestyles. Defense Department officials briefed reporters at the Pentagon Feb. 21 on the results of the surveys, which were conducted in 2017. Active-duty and a similar survey of National Guard and Reserve spouses showed similar results. Among ACDU spouses, 60 percent said they are “satisfied” with their military way of life. Among the reserve components, 61 percent were satisfied. While both surveys showed a slight decrease from a 2015 survey, the results of both were higher than results from the same question on the 2008 survey, officials noted. Results are used to inform decisions about how the U.S. military provides services to families, he said. For the 2017 survey, about 45,000 ACDU spouses were asked to participate; about 17 percent responded. Among reserve-component spouses, 55,000 were invited with a response rate of 18 percent. Invitations to participate in the 2019 survey went out to reserve component spouses in January. Invitation will be sent to active-duty spouses in May. (Source: Defense.gov 02/22/19)

MSU UAS contract: $7.2M

Mississippi State University of Starkville was awarded a $7,200,000 cost contract for test and validation of emerging propulsion technologies for unmanned aircraft systems. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed at Mississippi State with an estimated completion date of Feb. 20, 2021. FY 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $7,200,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 02/21/19)

NOLA airport sets record

New Orleans airport passenger traffic hit a new high in 2018, which comes months before the opening in mid-May of a new $1B terminal. More than 13.1M travelers flew in and out of Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport last year, up 9.3 percent from 2017. It marks a fourth consecutive year of passenger growth at the airport. (Source: NOLA.com 02/21/19) Mississippi airport notes: 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. Nearly 100,000 passengers used GTRA, making it the second consecutive record-setting year. Also, the Tupelo Regional Airport reported the number of passengers boarding planes there rose to 12,948, the most since 2009.

Tinker visits CAFB ‘Spark Cell’ lab

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - Columbus Air Force Base’s “Spark Cell” innovation lab is leading the way across the Air Force. The latest interest in getting insight on how to develop Spark Cell, a team from Tinker AFB, Okla., visited the Mississippi base Feb. 13. The visit was initiated by Master Sgt. Reza Zeinalpour, 552nd Air Control Wing process manager, after attending a Spark Cell workshop in Texas last year. The workshop, hosted by the AFWERX-Austin hub team, featured speakers and classes that focused on building innovation teams and sharing ideas on how to foster a results-driven culture of innovation. Maj. Ryan Brewer, 14th Flying Training Wing director of innovation, highlighted CAFB’s Spark Cell at the workshop and how its design allowed airmen to network and collaborate on innovative ideas and projects. Zeinalpour wanted to learn more about the spark cell. Tinker airmen learned about project management software and the bigger ecosystem that was available to CAFB. They also toured areas in the 14th Medical Group and 14th Operations Group, where the Spark Cell has aided in projects utilizing the innovation for faster and better daily operations. “If we don’t innovate, we’re already falling behind,” Zeinalpour said. Since each base has its own capabilities, working together allows the innovation process to flow smoothly. Mixing these groups gives a deeper pool of talent and viewpoints that lead to further innovation. “It’s about a culture of change,” said Brewer, “moving from stagnation to innovation” and to become “more flexible … in today’s challenging environment.” (Source: CAFB 02/21/19)

Navy retooling Fire Scout program

SAN DIEGO – The Navy is shifting its focus of how to employ its emerging MQ-8C Fire Scout rotary-wing unmanned vehicles to help Littoral Combat Ships take on tougher targets. In the last 12 months, the Navy’s shift of focus has gone from protecting LCS from fast smarm attacks to using new sensors to provide targeting information for weapons aboard LCS, Cmdr. Edward Johnson, the Navy’s Fire Scout requirements officer, said during a panel here at the WEST 2019 conference. The new focus comes as the Navy has included additional weaponry for LCS to make it more lethal. Plans had called for the Fire Scouts to be armed with 70mm Hydra rockets equipped with the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) guidance system to take on threats. The shifted focus will be to a “more sensor-laden targeting platform” for the developing over-the-horizon (OTH) Naval Strike Missile, Johnson said, with the right kind of sensors, multi-functional radar, passive targeting capability, and networks to push the information to the “right people at the right times.” The captain, who has control of the ship and Fire Scout, will now have his own asset to generate that OTH targeting information out to about 300 miles. The larger “Charlie” model is based on the Bell 407 airframe, and with future long-range weapons that include the anti-surface Naval Strike Missile. Naval Air Systems Command has said the aircraft will also be compatible with the systems aboard the next-generation frigate (FFG(X)) currently under development. The C-variant is currently being tested after completing an Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) event in 2018. (Source: USNI News 02/20/19) Gulf Coast Note: Northrop Grumman began flight tests of the MQ-8C Fire Scout in 2018. The unmanned helicopter is produced in Moss Point, Miss., at the Trent Lott International Airport. The Moss Point facility is key to producing and testing of the Fire Scout, the Navy’s newest autonomous helicopter.

Stark: QA improvement manager

Stark Aerospace in Columbus, Miss., has posted a job calling for an individual to plans, coordinate, and manage its quality assurance program. The post provides leadership in the establishment, development and maintenance of quality systems; ensures processes lead to outstanding quality of products and services offered. Leads the development, formulation and documentation of company policies and quality system needs; reviews and responds to quality concerns. Implements corrective actions as needed. Implements strategies and action plans conducive with the company’s strategic initiatives. Seeks to improve departmental efficiencies and processes. Continually seeks education and/or certification to elevate the quality program. Analyzes customer-concern data to identify risks and/or areas of improvement. Interfaces with other departments and/or vendors to coordinate and resolve quality related issues. Works with other departments to perform internal quality audits. Oversees and manages vendor related documentation. Trains associates. Works to establish management practices throughout assigned areas to promote employee engagement. Initiates and leads continuous improvement projects. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and 10 years experience in a related field. Minimum of 7 years of supervisory experience in a manufacturing environment. (Source: Stark Aerospace 02/19/19)

AF directs mil housing stand down

ARLINGTON, Va. – Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson and Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein directed commanders at every base worldwide to conduct a “100 percent review” of the condition and safety of all military housing by March 1. The directed review was in response to reports of poorly maintained and unsafe housing across the military services following a Feb. 13 session before the U.S. Senate’s Armed Services Committee, and in media reports. AFSEC said those reports “are not acceptable.” The AF’s two leading officials took steps to ensure that senior military commanders are personally aware of the conditions that exist in military housing at their bases. The effort, which begins immediately, will be the housing equivalent of a safety stand down. The goal, over the next 10 days, is to conduct a 100 percent in-person health and safety check of all 74,500 family housing units in the AF. (Source: Secretary of the Air Force 02/19/19) Gulf Coast Note: Col. Samantha Weeks, 14th Flying Training Wing commander, said a team from Columbus AFB, Miss., "will be reaching out to each on-base resident, via telephone, to ask questions about any health and safety concerns with local military housing. In a memorandum addressed to CAFB family housing residents, Weeks stated she takes the health and safety of families seriously and this is an "immediate priority" for her. Mississippi is home to Keesler AFB and Columbus AFB. Louisiana is home to Barksdale AFB in Bossier City. Alabama is home to Maxwell-Gunter AFB near Montgomery. Florida is home to Eglin and Tyndall AFBs and Hurlburt Field in the Panhandle, and MacDill and Patrick AFBs in the southern part of the state.

CoE Vicksburg to get new boss

The Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army announced the following officer assignments Feb. 19 to and from the Mississippi Valley Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (CoE) in Vicksburg, Miss. Maj. Gen. Richard G. Kaiser, commanding general of the Mississippi Valley Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Vicksburg, Miss., has been assigned to duty as deputy chief of engineers/deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Washington, D.C. Maj. Gen. Richard M. Toy, commanding general of the Great Lakes and Ohio River Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been assigned to commanding general of the Mississippi Valley Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Vicksburg, Miss. (Source: DoD 02/19/19)

FAA considers drone reg changes

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), after warning over two years ago, will attempt to close a regulatory loophole that could put law enforcement at risk from booby-trapped drones. FAA indicates it will use a shortened public process to fix the problem in a couple of weeks. The move was part of an array of proposed rules and regulatory changes published last week by the Trump Administration, which wants to roll back rules on the use of drones and taking steps to ease security concerns. The FAA is also proposing to end its general prohibition on flying drones over people. Documents published last week shows the FAA is considering new limits on how and where drones can fly; what payloads it can carry, and are asking for industry and public advice on how far officials should go. (Source: Washington Post 02/18/19)

GTR adding 4th flight to ATL

Delta Air Lines will be adding a fourth round-trip flight between Atlanta and the Golden Triangle Regional Airport (GTR) in Columbus, Miss., starting in June. The new flight will be in the early afternoon, giving GTR passengers choices for travel throughout the day, according to Airport Executive Director Mike Hainsey. The additional flight is part of a long-term plan. “We appreciate the efforts by Delta to help our growth and support the people in the Golden Triangle,” Hainsey said. “As the industry continues to grow and bring people to our area, we will strive to provide them the service they deserve.” Departures from GTR on Delta Air Lines to Atlanta offer connections worldwide. (Source: Aviation Pros 02/18/19)

Celebrating WWII’s end: Kissing sailor

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The ecstatic sailor, in an iconic photograph of the 20th century, shown kissing a woman in Times Square celebrating the end of WWII has died. George Mendonsa was shown kissing Greta Zimmer Friedman, a dental assistant in a nurse's uniform, on Aug. 14, 1945 - on V-J Day, the day Japan surrendered to the U.S. People spilled into the streets of NYC to celebrate the news. Mendonsa planted a kiss on Friedman, whom he had never met. The photo by Alfred Eisenstaedt was first published in Life magazine and is called "V-J Day in Times Square," but is known to most as "The Kiss." It became one of the most famous photographs of the 20th century. Mendonsa, 95, died at an assisted living facility in Middletown, R.I, according to his daughter Sharon Molleur. (Source: The AP 02/18/19)

GoM federal lease sale: March 20

The U.S. Department of Interior (DoI) and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced it will offer 78M acres for a region-wide lease sale slated for March 20. The sale would include all available unleased areas in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). Lease Sale 252, scheduled to be live-streamed from New Orleans, will be the fourth offshore sale under the 2017-22 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program. Lease Sale 252 will include 14,696 unleased blocks, located from three-to-231 miles offshore in the Gulf’s central, eastern, and western planning areas, and to depths ranging from nine feet to more than 11,110 feet. The following areas are excluded from the lease sale: Blocks subject to a congressional moratorium established by the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006; blocks adjacent to or beyond the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone; and whole blocks and partial blocks within the current boundaries of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. The Gulf’s outer continental shelf covers about 160M acres that is estimated to contain about 48B barrels of undiscovered/recoverable oil, and 141T cubic feet of undiscovered/recoverable gas. Revenues received from the leases are directed to the U.S. Treasury; the Gulf Coast states of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas; the Land and Water Conservation Fund; and Historic Preservation Fund. All terms and conditions for Gulf of Mexico Region-wide Sale 252 are detailed in the Final Notice of Sale information package. (Source: Dept. of Interior 02/13/19)

AHI hosting hiring event

Airbus Helicopters Inc. is a leading manufacturer of helicopters worldwide. AHI, an American affiliate started in Grand Prairie, Texas, also operates a final assembly plant in Columbus, Miss. AHI will be hosting a hiring event at its Columbus facility on March 5. This event will allow AHI to discuss qualifications of applicants for available positions. Relevant experience is required to attend this event. AHI is looking for aircraft technicians and engineers with previous aviation or related experience. Prefer candidates to have an A&P license, but it’s not required. (Source: Eventbrite 02/2019)

Aurora shooting victim, MSU grad

One of the five victims killed in an Aurora, Ill., manufacturing plant shooting Feb. 15 has been identified as a graduate of Mississippi State University. Josh Pinkard, 37, was plant manager at the Henry Pratt Co. – a firm that had made its name in the rubber seat butterfly valves business. Pinkard, a native of Holly Pond, Ala., held a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from 2005 at MSU and a master’s from the University of Alabama. While at MSU, Pinkard met his wife, Terra, who was from Laurel, Miss. They were the parents of three children. In April 2018, he was promoted to plant manager at the Aurora plant where he and four co-workers died at the hands of another employee, who was about to be terminated, according to The Associated Press. Right after learning Friday he was being fired from his job of 15 years, Gary Martin pulled out a gun and began shooting. WBRC-TV in Birmingham, Ala., reported in an interview with an uncle, the Rev. David Chambers, that Pinkard " texted his wife, ‘I love you. I’ve Pinkard is also survived by a twin sister, Gidget Wright of Cullman County, Ala. (Source: Cullman [Ala.] Times 02/16/19)

Airbus A320-220 recruiting on GC

MOBILE, Ala. - With Airbus expecting to need more workers for its A320 assembly line and the new A220 line that's currently being built, the aerospace firm is holding recruiting drives at two Gulf Coast (GC) sites at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., on Feb. 19, and at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., on Feb. 28. Military/DoD I.D. is required to attend recruiting open houses. Airbus and its hiring partner, AIDT, are seeking candidates - retired military, Guard, Reserve or active duty - to fill positions at the A220 assembly line. The open house at NAS Pensacola is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Building 741. To register. The open house at Keesler AFB is from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at Sablich Center, Room 108B. To register. (Source: Airbus Facebook page, 02/15/19)

Looking to add Reserves to LaDRs

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Enlisted Reserve leaders joined forces with the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) HQ staff Feb. 13 to discuss ways ahead for Learning and Development Roadmaps (LaDR) as a career tool for both active-duty and reservists. LaDRs have been used primarily by active-duty sailors to navigate careers through a document that outlines training and education milestones for each rating and pay grade. “Our aim working with the Reserve Force is to give Reserve Sailors the same benefit, the same tool that their active-duty counterparts have,” said NETC Force Master Chief Karim Cole. “There is actually a lot of information in the LaDRs already that applies to all of our sailors, so it makes sense to broaden the scope.” The workshop developed an integrated active-Reserve LaDR that will be used by the total force. “We’re rolling up our sleeves and thoroughly reviewing each LaDR to ensure Reserve opportunities and milestones are captured in one document for each rate, including civilian skills where applicable,” said Force Master Chief Chris Kotz of the Navy Reserve Force HQ in New Orleans. “This is a great opportunity to ensure our Navy continues to capitalize on the experience and innovation of the total force, active and Reserve. LaDRs are available on the MyNavy Portal website at https://my.navy.mil, and the Navy Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) website at https://www.cool.navy.mil/usn. Navy COOL is part of the NETC team that recruits and trains those who serve the nation, and taking them from “street to fleet” and transforming civilians into operational and combat-ready war-fighters, while providing opportunities for learning and development. (Source: NETC 02/15/19)

Prez: Nat’l emergency; DoD specifies

President Donald Trump declared a national emergency Feb. 15 in a bid to fund a border wall, along the U.S.-Mexico border, without congressional approval. Democrats vowed to challenge as a violation of the Constitution. Building a wall was the Republican president's 2016 campaign pledge to halt the flow of illegal immigrants into America. Hours after Trump's announcement, the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives' Judiciary Committee said it had launched an investigation into the emergency declaration, according to Reuters. In a related matter, the Defense Department released a statement on the president’s declaration of a national emergency. “The president invoked sections 12302, 284(b)(7), and 2808 of Title 10, U.S. Code, and requires the use of the armed forces to respond to this emergency through support to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in its efforts to secure the southern border.”
*Section 12302 (Activation of the Ready Reserve) authorizes involuntary activation of the Ready Reserve, which includes members who, when mobilized, perform a federal mission at the direction of the secretary of defense.
*Section 284(b)(7) (Counterdrug Support) authorizes DoD to support the counterdrug activities of other federal agencies, including DHS, with the construction of roads, fences, and lighting to block drug smuggling corridors across international boundaries. DoD will review and respond appropriately to any request for assistance received from DHS.
*Section 2808 (Military Construction [MILCON]): This declaration of a national emergency at the southern border requiring the use of the armed forces authorizes the secretary of defense to determine whether border barriers are necessary to support the use of the armed forces and to re-direct unobligated DoD MILCON funding to construct border barriers if required. (Source: Defense Department 02/15/19)

$23M EW contract to L-3

L-3Communications Vertex Aerospace of Madison, Miss., is awarded a $23,420,937 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to provide contractor owned and operated aircraft for airborne threat simulation capabilities to train shipboard and aircraft squadron weapon systems operations and aircrew to counter enemy electronic warfare (EW) and electronic attach operations. Work will be performed at various locations inside and outside the Continental U.S., and is expected to be completed in February 2022. No funds are being obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division of Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 02/14/19)

CAFB gives cadets ‘motivation’

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - It’s not every day college students are given the opportunity to work closely with Air Force pilots, but the Virginia Tech Air Force ROTC detachment was given that chance when instructor pilots from the 37th and 48th flying training squadrons from Columbus AFB, Miss., took nine pilots, five T-6 Texan IIs, T-1A Jayhawk, aircrew flight equipment personnel, and the 14th Medical Group’s flight surgeon to the university Feb. 8-11. The pilots also helped meet Air Education and Training Command’s vision of “Recruit Next” by recruiting, training, and educating Air Force ROTC cadets on flying missions, and primarily on the Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training mission at CAFB. Capt. Andrew Barstow, 37th FTS assistant chief of training, said the experience gives cadets a better realization of what they’re getting into, and will help them make more informed decisions about AF careers. Having the IPs from CAFB “gives relevancy, excitement and motivation” to the cadets, said Lt. Col. Barry Burton, VA Tech AFROTC commander. “It’s a hands-on actual view of what it’s like from a pilot’s perspective on the lifestyle and experience.” (Source: CAFB 02/14/19)

Privatized military housing’s black eye

The non-profit Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN) conducted a non-scientific targeted military family online survey (Jan. 6-Feb. 6) to try and figure out the scope of problems with five privately-managed military housing companies across 46 states following reports in 2018 of mold, termites, lead paint, faulty wiring, poor water quality and vermin causing health-related issues. Respondents also noted their requests for remediation or reporting the issues were often denied and ignored by base commanders. Nearly 56 percent of 14,558 respondents said they had "negative or very negative experiences" with base housing. The results of the online survey were released Feb. 13 hours before Senate Armed Services subcommittees were to hold a joint hearing on those issues with military family, Pentagon officials, and executives from the five private companies - Balfour Beatty Communities, Corvias Group, Hunt Military Communities, Americas Lendlease Corp., and Lincoln Military Housing- were to testify. Military families cited 35 firms. Crystal Cornwall told of a move from Camp Pendleton, Calif., to military house at Keesler AFB, Miss., where termites fell out of light fixtures. At Pendleton, the family lived with pervasive mold. Janna Driver’s family suffered from respiratory issues, headaches, nosebleeds and other problems at Tinker AFB, Okla. "It's clear this is happening everywhere,” said Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe, chairman of the SASC. Nearly all military housing is now being managed by private companies since 1996, when DoD turned over responsibility under a 50-year contract. About 30 percent of military families live in military housing, according to the DoD. During testimony, the five executives were contrite, but John Picerne of Corvias was the only one to apologize. When asked about annual profits, Christopher Williams of Balfour said net profits were $33M annually; Corvias: From $12M-$14M; the other three declined or promised to answer later. The committees floated some ideas to fix some issues: Requiring firms to issue a tenant bill of rights; breaking the 50-year contracts and rebid so others could compete; and conducting and publishing satisfaction online surveys. Spouses asked for the option to withhold rent if maintenance issues are not addressed. Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Energy John Henderson agreed with the withholding rent suggestion. “It would be nice if we had discretion over the incentive fee so we had a bigger hammer to hold over our project managers," Henderson said. (Source: Military.com 02/13-14/19) Gulf Coast Note: Balfour manages military housing at NAS Meridian and NCBC Gulfport, Miss.; NAS Pensacola and Whiting Field, Tyndall AFB, NSA Panama City, Fla. Corvias manages units at Hurlburt Field and Eglin AFB, Fla., and Fort Rucker, Ala. Hunt manages units at Keesler AFB, Miss.

CAFB annual award winners

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - Forty-three members and four teams, represented in 16 categories, were recognized and competed for the 14th Flying Training Wing-level awards during the 2018 banquet on Feb. 8 at Columbus Air Force Base. Retired Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Pelfrey, former first sergeant of the 14th Operations Group, gave a speech with a story highlighting his past experiences and giving insight into lifestyles. Following the speech, Col. Samantha Weeks, 14th Flying Training Wing commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Raul Villarreal Jr., 14th FTW command chief, presented the awards to the wing’s winners. The winners and categories included:
*Airman of the Year: Senior Airman Glen Simmons, 14th Operations Group
*NCO of the Year: Staff Sgt. Bryce Cook, 14th Medical Group
*Senior NCO of the Year: Master Sgt. Charles Virgil, 14th OG
*Company Grade Officer of the Year: Capt. Daniel Wilson, 14th MDG
*Field Grade Officer of the Year: Maj. Eric Scott, 14th OG
*Flight Commander of the Year: Maj. Nicholas Ervin, 14th OG
*First Sergeant of the Year: Master Sgt. David Pennington, 14th OG
*Honor Guard Member of the Year: Staff Sgt. Brianna Brown, 14th MDG
*Supervisory Category I Civilian of the Year: Will Gray, 14th Mission Support Group
*Non-supervisory Category I Civilian of the Year: David Ross, 14th MDG
*Supervisory Category II Civilian of the Year: James Rackley, 14th MSG
*Non-supervisory Category II Civilian of the Year: Latoria Reid, 14th MSG
*Supervisory Category III Civilian of the Year: Kevin Billingsley, 14th OG
*Non-supervisory Category I Civilian of the Year: Timothy Turner, 14th MSG
*Volunteer of the Year: Jeff Johnwick, 14th MSG
*Innovation Team of the Year: Spark Cell, Wing Staff Agencies. (Source: CAFB 02/13/19)

Proposed cyanide plant near airport

Cornerstone Chemical Co.'s plan to build a $100M hydrogen cyanide plant at its Fortier manufacturing complex near Waggman, across the Mississippi River from the Louis Armstrong International Airport, drew dozens of concerned citizens to a Feb. 12 public hearing, according to WVUE Fox8. The public has until 4:30 p.m. Feb. 18 to submit written comments on the proposal to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, but the agency also is considering extending the comment period. The Tuesday hearing lasted more than three hours, with many speakers expressing alarm that the chemical firm might obtain an air quality permit. (Source: NOLA.com 02/13/19)

Pope’s climatologist in NOLA

The Rev. Eduardo Scarel, best known for his role in advising Pope Francis on climate change and who has been dubbed the Pope’s climatologist, was in New Orleans Feb. 12 speaking to high school students and audience at the Notre Dame Seminary. Scarel is a Carmelite priest and atmospheric scientist. The Pope needs a climatologist because the “care for environment, for nature requires to see the state of the planet,” he said, ”and the tools of science provide the best way to see.” Scarel helped advise Pope Francis on the Pope’s 2015 encyclical about climate change. An encyclical is a letter to Catholic leadership clarifying the church’s stance on an issue. The 2015 encyclical argued that humans have a moral imperative to address climate change. (Source: NOLA.com 02/13/19)

Fed chair’s message to rural Miss.

ITTA BENA, Miss. - Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell traveled Feb. 12 to Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU), a historically lack university in the Mississippi Delta, to deliver a message that the nation’s prosperity has not been felt in many rural areas across the nation. Many rural areas have been left out and need special support, he says, such as access to affordable credit to start small businesses and high-quality education to train workers. In addressing the current economy, the fed chairman stated that economic output remained solid, and he didn’t feel the possibility of an “elevated” recession in the near-term. He did note that unemployment is currently at 50-year low. Yet, “prosperity has not been felt as much” in many rural locations where 70 percent of the 473 counties in the nation that have been designated as having persistent levels of poverty were rural. Among the problems within the Mississippi Delta, Powell said, were the loss of jobs in agriculture and low-skilled manufacturing because of automation and the outsourcing of manufacturing jobs. Many rural communities also have limited access to education resources, quality childcare, and inadequate work training programs. Powell did not address the future course of interest rates or the Fed’s decision in January to announce that it planned to be “patient” in its future interest rate hikes. (Source: The AP 02/12/19)

Meetings on proposed La. hunt regs

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will hold six public meetings to present and gather comments on the proposed 2019-20 and 2020-21 hunting seasons; 2019-20 general and Wildlife Management Areas’ (WMA) hunting seasons, rules and regulations, 2020 general and WMA turkey hunting season rules, and regulations, and the 2019-20 migratory bird hunting season. Public comment will be taken on all items currently under consideration, including the Notice of Intent adopted at January’s meeting of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) and amendments to the NoI tentatively adopted at February’s meeting. Meeting dates and locations include: Feb. 25 at the Ponchatoula (La.) High School Library; Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. at the LDWF Lafayette (La.) Field Office; Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. at the LDWF Minden (La.) Field Office; Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. at the LDWF Monroe (La.) Field Office; March 1 at 6 p.m. at the Alexandria (La.) Convention Hall; March 2 at 10 a.m. at the LSU Ag Center Building in Lake Charles, La. The full NoI and amendments for all proposed hunting season changes can be seen online at http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/action-items. Public comment will also be accepted at LWFC monthly meetings or in writing to Tommy Tuma, LDWF Wildlife Division, P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9000, or via email to ttuma@wlf.la.gov until 9 a.m., March 7. (Source: LDWF 02/13/19)

EPA: 1st nat’l PFAS action plan

DALLAS – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Region 6 Administrator Anne Idsal will unveil the agency’s Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Action Plan at a media conference at 8 a.m. CST from Dallas. EPA’s action plan will move forward with the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) process outlined in the Safe Drinking Water Act for PFOA and PFOS - two of the most prevalent PFAS chemicals. Additionally, EPA Region 4 Acting Regional Administrator Mary Walker and EPA Office of Policy Associate Administrator Brittany Bolen will unveil EPA’s action plan at a media conference Feb. 14 at 9 a.m. CST from Durham, N.C. EPA will continue enforcement actions and clarify clean-up strategies, expand monitoring PFAS in the environment, and expand research and scientific foundation for addressing PFAS by developing new analytical methods and tools. Both media conferences will be streamed live at www.epa.gov/live. (Source: EPA 02/13/19) Gulf Coast Note: Region 6 serves Louisiana; Region 4 serves Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi.

Female Viper commander relieved

Air Force Capt. Zoe Kotnik, the first female pilot to head the Air Combat Command’s F-16 Viper Demonstration Team, was relieved of command Feb. 11 due to a loss of confidence in her ability to lead, Col. Derek O’Malley, 20th Fighter Wing commander, said in a statement.  Kotnik was from her post after only two weeks. O’Malley alluded to Kotnik making mistakes, but did not elaborate on exactly what led to her being relieved of duty. He said he hoped Kotnik will continue to serve the AF despite the incident. (Source: Fox News 02/12/19) See previous blog, entitled: ‘SiS’ to lead F-16 Viper Demo Team.

Setting up Naval University System

WASHINGTON - Education will be key to maintaining America’s might at sea, according to Navy officials Feb. 12 in unveiling a comprehensive look at education throughout the service after Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer signed a memorandum that will lead to the establishment of a Naval University System to help develop America’s ultimate competitive advantage: The minds of its service members. The memo is an outgrowth of the Education for Seapower Study - the first comprehensive “top to bottom” look at Navy education in 100 years. The effort will go from the deckplates to the flag and general officer ranks, with the Navy establishing a Naval Community College system and putting in requirements for masters’ degrees in strategic studies for all unrestricted line flag and general officers. The Navy will name a chief learning officer - a senior executive civilian - in place by June. The CLO will develop the education strategy by December. CNO Adm. John Richardson is reorganizing the Naval Staff to create the position of director of war-fighting development. The idea of a Navy community college system is to get sailors and Marines educational programs delivered wherever they serve. This will develop into a system that will be a mix of online learning and at schools to fulfill the needs of the individuals and the services. (Source: Defense.gov 02/12/19)

AF finding cure for UPEs

For Air Force instructor-pilot Maj. Kinsley “Trigger” Jordan, the first clue something was awry was when he suddenly tasted something metallic in his mouth. He wondered, during a training sortie in 2017 with a student-pilot in a T-6 Texan II, if he had unintentionally bit his lip and drawn blood. He looked down at the instrumentation. He could see the numbers, but couldn’t comprehend the readings. That’s when the severity of what was happening - hypoxia or lack of oxygen to the blood – had him totally confused, the Vance AFB, Okla., instructor of the 33rd Flying Training Squadron said. The AF calls them an “unexplained physiological event” (UPE). It was one of the first flights in a series of incidents that led Vance’s 71st Flying Training Wing to ground its T-6s. The 19th Air Force later suspended all T-6s flights in early 2018. The AF scrambled to solve the mystery that put fliers at risk. Now, the AF is rolling out a series of fixes. Key to the effort is a completely redesigned On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGOS) that takes designs from the F-15E Strike Eagle and A-10; and maintenance cues from the Navy. The AF has some 20 changes it’s making to the T-6. The AF concluded UPEs are caused by rapidly fluctuating oxygen concentrations. The AF learned, from consulting with Navy, that periodically purging moisture from the OBOGS may cut down on UPEs. The AF has begun purging moisture regularly with signs of improvement. The AF is also in the midst of hardware upgrades to the OBOGS. A new oxygen concentrator has been designed with new parts and materials. But, it will likely take up to 18 months to install in all 400 T-6s. A big improvement is that software can be easily upgraded to tweak oxygen concentrations. The elder concentrator couldn’t accept software adjustments and had to be physically removed from the T-6. Training is vital for pilots to be able to recognize UPEs before it gets dangerous, said retired Gen. Hawk Carlisle, former head of the Air Combat Command. But the fact that pilots are flying fewer hours on average is worrisome to Carlisle. The lack of time in the cockpit could put pilots at greater jeopardy if a UPE develops. Pilots are spending more time in simulators, he said, but even the best simulators can’t prepare a pilot how to react if suddenly faced with a life-and-death hypoxic situation. (Source: Military Times 02/11/19) Gulf Coast Note: The 19th Air Force’s T-6 grounding of the fleet included Columbus AFB, Miss., and at an AF unit aboard NAS Pensacola, Fla. The Navy also had hypoxia-like symptoms in the T-45C training aircraft based at NAS Meridian, Miss., and NAS Pensacola.

CAFB’s 48th leading the way

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. – The 48th Flying Training Squadron “Alley Cats” were the leading creator of Air Force pilots having graduate 233 pilots in 2018. In Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT), each class starts with flying the T-6A Texan II. Afterwards, based on track selection, some students will fly T-1A Jayhawks. That is where the 48th FTS comes into play. The 48th flew 9,100 sorties in 2018, more than any other SUPT T-1 squadron. Those sorties resulted in 19,500 flying hours which put the Alley Cats second overall out of 23 ‘white jet’ squadrons (non-operational aircraft) in the Air Force. However, being the No. 1 pilot creator doesn’t come without challenges. Between the ever changing weather conditions, syllabus updates, aircraft maintenance and unforeseen circumstances, the Alley Cats have mastered the art of “adapt and overcome.”(Source: CAFB 02/08/19)

Improving DOD housing initiative

WASHINGTON - Defense Department officials are looking for ways to improve the Military Privatization Housing Initiative (MPHI) that was established in 1996, according to Pentagon spokeswoman Heather Babb. DOD recognized the need to improve housing conditions it sought ways to leverage the expertise of private-sector partners. DOD needed the improvements to address retention, recruitment, and quality-of-life concerns. Congress authorized MPHI in 1996. DOD has privatized 99 percent of its family-housing inventory in the U.S. - more than 50,000 units across some 150 bases. MPHI transformed the quality of on-base housing faster than traditional military construction could have, Babb continued. But, there is room for improvement, and that’s why working with private partners to address reports of unhealthy living conditions at any installation is a top priority for Robert McMahon, assistant secretary of defense for sustainment, who has oversight of DOD’s privatization program. “If there are problems, we will address them,” he said. McMahon, and his counterparts from the military services, recently met with executives from each of the housing partners to look for ways to improve and better ensure residents have a positive living experience. At the meeting, McMahon outlined a vision between DOD and its partners to provide safe, high-quality and affordable housing where military members and their families will want, and choose, to live. (Source: DOD 02/08/19) Gulf Coast Note: DOD-Private Housing Partnerships across Gulf Coast region: Naval Air Stations Pensacola and Whiting Field and Naval Support Activity Panama City, Fla.; Naval Air Station/Joint Reserve Base New Orleans; NAS Meridian and Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, Miss.; Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Don’t look now: Shutdown looming

 WASHINGTON – Bipartisan talks aimed at resolving the border security/wall dispute, and averting another government shutdown Feb. 15, have broken down, according to multiple sources speaking to media on Feb. 10. “I'm not confident we're going to get there," Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman and lead Republican negotiator, Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) said on "Fox News Sunday." Lawmakers had been trying to finalize a dollar amount that could go to barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border. President Trump wants $5.7B, but lawmakers offered between $1B-to-$2B. Also Democrats want to cap (reduce) the number of detention beds to limit detention activities of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The question of the ICE beds led to the impasse, according to sources familiar with the talks. Republicans seek a way to exclude violent criminals from the cap. “It's all over the map (status of the talks) because of the Democrats," White House Acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney said on "Meet the Press." The president “will do something about it," he said. Multiple agencies, including Homeland Security, are operating on a short-term spending bill Trump signed Jan. 25 to end the last 35-day shutdown. That shutdown was also caused by the refusal of Democrats to provide funding for border security/wall. Trump has threatened to declare a national emergency to circumvent Congress, but that option faces GOP opposition and legal hurdles. The president is scheduled to travel to El Paso, Texas, for a rally Feb. 11 and is widely expected to focus on demands for a border wall. (Source: Washington Post 02/10/19)

NRF leaders visit Camp Lemonnier

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - Navy Reserve leadership, including Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) Gregory J. Slavonic, Chief of Navy Reserve Vice Adm. Luke M. McCollum, and Navy Reserve Force Master Chief Chris D. Kotz visited the East African base Feb. 2-4. Camp Lemonnier, located in the Horn of Africa (HOA), is home to more than 900 forward-deployed sailors; two-thirds of whom are Navy Reservists. Lt. Cmdr. Jay Gaul had lunch with the admiral. “It is very clear to me that Vice Adm. McCollum is committed to modernizing the way the Navy Reserve does business and leveraging emerging technologies to accomplish his vision,” Gaul said. A Feb. 4 all-hands meeting included a question-and-answer session about reserve pay, training prior to deployment, Pentagon websites, and warfare qualifications. But the admiral and force master chief’s points were on modernization of existing systems and qualifications to help streamline and focus resources. “I work for you,” the admiral said, “and I wake-up every day thinking about what we can improve … to advocate on your behalf and ultimately, to thank you.” (Source: Camp Lemonnier 02/09/19) Gulf Coast Note: The Naval Reserve Force (NRF) is headquartered in New Orleans, and functions as the Director of Naval Reserve on CNO’s staff in Washington, D.C., and as Chief of Naval Reserve on matters before Congress.

GC pilot's mark on moon program

SHALIMAR, Fla. – On July 20, America will mark the 50th anniversary of the first manned landing on the moon - in 1969. The massive technological achievement involved thousands of people from across the nation, including retired Air Force fighter pilot Col. Jack Petry of Shalimar, Fla., who retired from the AF after commanding the 33rd Tactical Wing at Eglin Air Force Base. Petry’s piloting skills helped NASA at a critical time in its effort to put an astronaut on the moon. A pair of F-4 Phantom jets from MacDill AFB’s job in 1965 was to approach the Gemini 4 Titan missile from opposite directions, and follow it downrange. Each aircraft had two high-speed cameras mounted under each wing and calibrated to the jets’ gun sights. NASA needed the aerial footage to determine how well the metal skin of the Titan was going to stand the heat and pressure. The timeline was four years before Apollo 11 landed on the moon. Petry is part of a Smithsonian Channel series, “Air Warriors,” in which an episode on the F-4 and unique mission will air March 18 at 4 p.m. (Source: NW Fla. Daily News 02/08/19)

NOLA 2% of $10.2M contract

Homeland Security Solutions of Hampton, Va., is awarded a $10,250,351 firm-fixed-price, six-month contract for program management support, training, human resources services and non-guard security support services. This contract includes three one-year option periods, and one six-month option period which, if exercised, could bring the cumulative value of this contract to $35,291,550. Work will be performed at Camp Lejeune/New River, N.C. (11%); Camp Pendleton, Calif. (10); Washington, D.C. (9); Cherry Point, N.C. (8); Miramar, Calif. (8); Quantico, Va. (8); Camp Smith/Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii (7); Beaufort/Parris Island, S.C. (6); Yuma, Ariz. (5); Barstow, Calif. (5); San Diego (5); Albany, Ga. (5); Okinawa (5); Bridgeport, Calif. (2); Blount Island, Fla. (2); New Orleans (2%); and Iwakuni, Japan (2). Work is expected to be completed September 2019. The Marine Corps’ Installations National Capitol Regional Contracting Office of Quantico, Va., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 02/08/19)

Skytypers to perform with Blues

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. - The GEICO Skytypers Air Show Team, among the leading vintage airshow performance squadron, will begin their 2019 airshow season on April 6-7. They will be flying across the country and performing at 15 airshows. The team’s six WWII-era aircraft perform an 18-minute, low-level precision-flying demonstration. (Source: Aviation Pros 02/07/19) The Skytypers will fly for their final airshow on Nov. 8-9 at the Navy’s Blue Angels homecoming event at NAS Pensacola, Fla.

Ex-NHP doc to fam med panel

Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Bernstein, senior medical officer of Naval Branch Health Clinic Mayport, Fla., has been elected as Navy director to the Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physicians’ board of directors. Bernstein will represent more than 2,500 uniformed family medicine physicians from the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard and Navy. He will be sworn in for a 3-year term next month at the USAFP annual meeting, in St. Louis. Naval Hospital Jacksonville oversees five branch health clinics in Florida and Georgia. (Source: NH Jacksonville 02/07/19) Dr. Bernstein was chief resident of the 3-year Family Medicine residency program, from which he completed, at NH Pensacola, Fla. NHP oversees 10 branch clinics across five states, including NAS Meridian and NCTC Gulfport, Miss.; NAS Belle Chasse, La.; NAS Pensacola and Whiting Field, Corry Station-Pensacola, NCTC Pensacola, and NSA Panama City, Fla.

Tours with Industry apps sought

MILLINGTON, Tenn. – Selected sailors and officers can apply to participate in the Secretary of the Navy’s “Tours with Industry” (SNTWI) program, outlined Feb. 7 in NAVADMIN 029/19. SNTWI is open to active-duty and Full Time Support (FTS) sailors in pay-grades E-6 to O-6. Sailors must route applications through detailers; and eligibility is based solely on individual community needs. SNTWI provides a “venue for exceptional sailors to experience innovative business practices for between 10 and 12-months,” said Lt. Christina Johns, SNTWI program coordinator. “Navy fellows are fully immersed in company practices and will be actively engaged in projects and company operations.” Communities must submit names to SNTWI (PERS-443) no later than Feb. 22. Final selection will be made by the Community Distribution Division, and selectees will be notified. Past fellows have been assigned to such companies as Qualcomm, Apple, Boeing, Tesla, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, GE Digital, Amazon, FedEx, Space X, LinkedIn and USAA, according to Johns. (Source: Naval Personnel Command 02/07/19)

Gulfport AG: NAVIFOR Shore SoY

SUFFOLK, Va. - Naval Information Forces (NAVIFOR) announced the Sea, Shore and Reserve Senior Sailors of the Year (SOY) during an awards ceremony at their annual Information Warfare (IW) Commanders Summit in Suffolk, Virginia, Jan. 30. During the ceremony, Cryptologic Technician (Interpretive) Petty Officer 1st Class (NAC/IW) Shastyn Nelson, assigned to Navy Information Operations Command, Georgia, (NIOC Georgia) was named NAVIFOR Sea Sailor of the Year, and Aerographer’s Mate (AG) Petty Officer 1st Class (IW/AW/SW) Leigh Windham, assigned to Naval Information Warfare Training Group (NIWTG) Gulfport, Miss., was named NAVIFOR Shore Sailor of the Year. Cryptologic Technician (Networks) Petty Officer 1st Class (IW) Kara Budreau, assigned to NIOC Texas-Minneapolis, was announced as NAVIFOR Reserve Sailor of the Year. (Source: Naval Information Forces 02/07/19)

‘SiS’ to lead F-16 Viper Demo Team

The Air Force recently named Capt. Zoe "SiS" Kotnik to be the first female pilot to command the F-16 Viper Demo Team based out of Shaw AFB, S.C. "I can't believe I have this opportunity," Kotnik said in a Jan. 29 interview with Live Airshow TV. She will lead the 17-member demonstration team to more than 20 air shows in 2019, including stops along the Gulf Coast at Lake Charles, La. (May 11-12), Stuart, Fla. (Nov. 2-3) and a final season show Nov. 9-10 at NAS Pensacola, Fla., along with the Blue Angels. The Air Force Academy graduate was commissioned in May 2011. Upon graduation, she was selected for undergraduate pilot training at NAS Whiting Field, Fla., where she flew the T-6B Texan II and T-38C Talon from August 2011 to March 2013 . Her operational assignments include being assigned to the 35th Fighter Squadron at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, and the 55th Fighter Squadron at Shaw AFB where she flew missions in support of Operation Noble Eagle. Capt. Kotnik was raised in Poynette, Wis., with a family of aviators. Her mother was a private pilot and her uncle, Aviation Hall of Fame pilot Charlie Hillard, was the first American to win the World Aerobatics Championships. (Source: Military Times 02/07/19)

Free contractor development series

JACKSON, Miss. – State contractors interested in expanding business are encouraged to enroll in the Mississippi Development Authority’s free Model Contractor Development Program (MCDP). The program kicks off Feb. 26 at Gregory Construction in Columbus, Miss. The nine-week workshop series covers relevant topics for businesses seeking to increase operations and bonding capacity. Participants must enroll, or already be enrolled, in the Mississippi Contractor Procurement Network system [mscpc.com] to take part. Each company’s representative must agree to attend at least seven of the nine sessions to receive certification. The kick-off session will feature Joanne Brooks, managing partner of JSSB Consulting and co-author of the MCDP’s framework. She will discuss the importance on bonding as an empowerment tool that may lead to controlled growth and job creation. (Source: Mississippi Development Authority 02/05/19)

Commentary: DEIS prefers ‘One Lake’

The Rankin Hinds Pearl River Flood Control and Drainage District’s draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) has been made public, but already a review process is moving toward a U.S. Corps of Engineers tentative decision this year. Information is scarce. The public comments period closed last September. The DEIS has “One Lake” as a preferred alternative for addressing Pearl River flooding in Jackson, Miss. It also ranks alternatives by cost from greatest to least: Floodplain buyouts, Levee improvements, One Lake, and no action. The District’s DEIS minimized some costs and amplified others. The Mississippi Department of Transportation stresses nine bridges around Jackson need replacing – at an estimated cost of $100M - if the lake dredging project goes forward. The bridges could fail if support piers become unstable due to lake dredging, MDOT has calculated. The DEIS didn’t include the $100M bridge costs. (Source: Clarion Ledger ‘COMMENTARY’ 02/05/19) Commentary article was written by Andrew Whitehurst, the water program director at Gulf Restoration Network and who follows wetland and water policy matters in Mississippi and Louisiana; and Martha Watts, mayor of Monticello, who is concerned about the downstream effects to her town from further alterations to the Pearl River’s channel and floodplain.

WH FY-20 budget expected March 12

WASHINGTON - The White House expects to deliver its FY 2020 budget to Congress on March 12, six weeks later than its initial release date, three sources have told Defense News. The sources, speaking on background because there has been no formal announcement from the Office of Management and Budget, confirmed the March 12 target. No dollar figure has been announced, but is expected to be about $750B. It is possible the date could slide should there be another government shutdown, which could begin as soon as Feb. 16 if an agreement is not reached between Congress and the White House. (Source: Defense News 02/06/19)

MS trailblazer a man of many firsts

VICKSBURG, Miss. - Brady Tonth Jr. is a trailblazer in Mississippi black history having come from humble beginnings in the Mississippi Delta. He became an Air Force pilot and captained the first all-black flight crew. After serving in the AF, he became a pilot with American Airlines in 1986, and was a member of the first all-black flight crew to pilot a commercial airliner. A member of the Mississippi Valley State University AFROTC, Lt. Tonth became the first ROTC black pilot to be commissioned an officer after graduating from MVSU in 1973. He was assigned to Columbus (Miss.) Air Force Base and became the first black trainee from Mississippi to complete the Air Force Pilot Training School. He later joined the Mississippi Air National Guard in 1979 and became the first black pilot to fly for the MANG. He spent 20 years of service in the armed forces, serving in Desert Storm/Desert Shield. He earned the distinction of being the first black pilot to carry transport survival goods to a major war zone during Desert Storm. He retired from the AF with the rank of major. Now in retirement, the Vicksburg native and his wife Fannie, who were married during Tonth’s senior year at MSVU, still live in Vicksburg. (Source: Magnolia State Live 02/03/19)

MSU aerospace duo earn gold

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State University aerospace engineer professor Rani Sullivan and MSU graduate Leeanna Meadows have been named recipients of the 2018 George Stephenson Gold Medal awarded for the best original paper published by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. The duo received the honor for the co-authored paper entitles “Distributed optical sensing in composite laminates” that was published in the Journal of Strain Analysis for Engineering Design. Meadows, a Grenada, Miss., native was a graduate student under Sullivan at the time of the research paper. She currently works at Dynetics in Huntsville, Ala., and holds a 2015 bachelor’s and 2017 master’s degree from MSU. Co-authors also included Kevin Brown and Vipul Ranatunga of the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio, and Keith Vehorn and Steven Olson of the University of Dayton Research Institute. The paper focuses on research efforts using fiber optics to develop structural health monitoring techniques for composite aerospace designs. Research for the paper was conducted during a summer fellowship at the Air Force Research Laboratory. (Source: MSU 02/01/19)

Meridian native joins supreme court

JACKSON, Miss. – Meridian, Miss., native T. Kenneth Griffis Jr. took the oath of office Feb. 1 as the newest member of the Mississippi Supreme Court. Griffis became Chief Judge of the Mississippi Court of Appeals on Jan. 2. A few days after his selection in November, Gov. Phil Bryant named him to fill a vacancy on the state Supreme Court. Griffis took the Central District judgeship previously held by retiring Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr. Griffis has accounting and law degrees from the University of Mississippi. He attended Meridian Community College and Mississippi State University-Meridian campus. He was a Certified Public Accountant from 1984-2007. Additionally, he was an adjunct professor at Mississippi College School of Law at Belhaven University, University of Mississippi School of Law, and Meridian Community College. Newly sworn in Chief Justice Michael K. Randolph administered the oath to Griffis. (Source: WTOK 02/01/19)

AC maintenance manager at CAFB

NESCO is seeking an aircraft (AC) maintenance manager for Columbus AFB, Miss. The candidate should be a strong leader who demonstrates the project management and aviation maintenance skills required to effectively meet organizational goals on time and on budget. The person should be adept at briefing senior leaders and providing mentorship and training to a large workforce; and works directly for the Fleet Manager in support of aircraft assigned to Columbus AFB. The maintenance manager has direct oversight of and is responsible for overseeing maintenance servicing, repairing and ensuring assigned aircraft are in good mechanical condition and safe for flight. (Source: AV Jobs 02/01/19) Additional CAFB-related jobs are also available via the connecting website.

Nigerian AVM views SUPT training

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - Columbus Air Force Base’s Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) program produces some of the best Air Force aviators, and assists in the development of pilots for international partners. Air Vice-Marshal (AVM) Aliyu Bello, director of training for the Nigerian Air Force, toured CAFB on Jan. 24 to get a first-hand view of the SUPT training and to check on a Nigerian student who is currently in class. “The Nigerian and U.S. Air Forces have had a long standing history,” Bello said. “Nigerian pilots who have went through training here have excelled (and) peaked in their careers.” Bello and his group began by exploring the base’s T-6 Texan II simulator, and viewing just how simulators aid student-pilots throughout training. They also went to various squadrons and witnessed the new virtual reality (VR) equipment that SUPT pilots use to train. The VR technology used by the 14th Operations Group has the potential to give student-pilots more practice in a virtual cockpit, and that allows them to fix discrepancies or issues. “We are very impressed with the innovations and technology used here to help student pilots train,” Bello said. “We plan to send more here in the future.” (Source: CAFB 02/01/19)

Connecting airmen to locals

COLUMBUS, Miss. – Columbus-Lowndes County community members welcomed airmen and their families to the first Enlisted Partnership dinner here on Jan. 24. The Enlisted Partnership Program assists enlisted personnel with civic leaders from the community and provides newly arriving Columbus, AFB-based personnel with a home away from home. “Our goal for this program is to lay the foundation” between newly reporting personnel with the community, said Col. Samantha Weeks, commander of the 14th Flying Training Wing at CAFB. “Stronger partnerships across career fields better enable us to complete our mission and stronger partnerships with the community are crucial to the strength of our military and national defense,” she said. (Source: CAFB 02/01/19)

Vertex Aerospace jobs at CAFB

Multiple Vertex Aerospace jobs in Columbus, Miss. (Source: Indeed 02/01/19)

EPA seeks applications for awards

DALLAS – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking applications for the President’s Environmental Youth Award (PEYA) and The Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators Award (PIAEE). The applications should highlight environmental stewardship in a variety of areas, including environmental sustainability; healthy school environment projects; environmentally friendly agriculture practices; reducing human contributions to ocean litter; recycling or using STEM to teach environmental education. EPA will select up to two winners in each of EPA’s 10 Regions – one regional winner for grades K-5 and one for grades 6-12. PIAEE recognizes exceptional K-12 teachers employing innovative and interactive approaches to environmental education. Winners will be invited to a ceremony in Washington, D.C. in mid-2019, and have their project mentioned on EPA’s website. Applications are due March 8, 2019. (Source: EPA 02/01/19)