KAFB volunteers at STEM academy

KEESLER AFB, Miss. - Keesler Air Force Base (KAFB) technical training instructors worked hand in hand with Biloxi School District teachers to participate in a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Academy for more than 200 students this month. The Department of Defense Education Activity-funded summer program was designed to teach young students about the possibilities of careers in STEM fields while working on problem-solving, creativity and collaboration skills. Several Keesler instructors volunteered to participate in the program. “STEM fields have an amazing capacity to shape the future of every person on our planet,” said volunteer Master Sgt. Dell-Ray Sackett, a 338th Training Squadron Radio Frequency Transmissions assistant flight chief. “Whether you dream of being the first person to set foot on a new planet, or are hoping to see the cure for cancer, it all starts with STEM.” The STEM Academy was open to all Biloxi public school first-through-seventh grade students and featured three days of interactive activities, culminating in a trip to the Infinity Science Center at Stennis Space Center. Keesler instructors taught weather forecasting, jet propulsion laboratory stomp rocket experiments and built wooden airplanes. (Source: Keesler AFB 06/28/19)

COOL, versatile corpsmen

NAS WHITING FIELD, Fla. - Two Sailors assigned to the Naval Branch Health Clinic (NBHC) at Whiting Field recently completed professional certifications to further their knowledge and skills within the medical community. Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class (HM3) Mansoor Kyemtore and Hospitalman Matthew Hampton utilized Navy Credentialing Opportunities On-line (COOL) to enhance their professional knowledge by earning certifications as a Clinical Medical Assistant and a Phlebotomy Technologist, respectively. Navy COOL provides active duty and reserve sailors a way to map their Navy education, training, experience and competencies to civilian credentials and occupations. It also allows sailors to pursue credentials throughout their military life cycle, from completion of technical training until they become eligible for transition opportunities. HM1 Holly Dean, leading petty officer of the base’s Military Medicine Clinic, noticed an opportunity to help further the professional knowledge and careers of her corpsmen by starting a Navy COOL program for the branch clinic. "When our corpsmen complete Navy COOL certifications they become more versatile and more educated," said Dean. "If laboratory requires assistance, we are confident that a certified phlebotomy technician from another clinic. Shortly after completing certification, HM3 Kyemtore had a chance to put his enhanced patient care to use while treating a respiratory-distressed patient. His training taught him the proper body positioning to allow for a proper reading of the peripheral capillary oxygen saturation. “I am not sure I could have figured out how to get the appropriate reading," said Kyemtore, had he not taken the training. (Source: NH Pensacola 06/26/19) Golden Triangle Note: NBHC Whiting Field is a part of Naval Hospital Pensacola (NHP) and its 10 branch health clinics across five states, including NAS Meridian and NCBC Gulfport, Miss., and NAS/JRB New Orleans. Corpsmen assigned to NHP and the clinics have completed more than 300 national certifications for clinical medical assistant, phlebotomy technicians, patient care technicians, clinical medical administrative assistants, and EKG technicians.

Blues to fly over DC on July 4

The Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration team will participate in the July 4th celebrations in Washington, D.C., officials confirmed to CNN. The event is being referred to as a "Salute to America," and will include fireworks and a speech from President Donald Trump on the National Mall. The mall is a non-traditional location for other presidents who have used the White House to celebrate the nation's birthday, but typically have not been present at the traditional large celebrations on the mall. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt teased the BA’s participation in the event, tweeting June 27 that a "big announcement," was coming June 28 along with a photo of the Blue Angels. Other military assets are expected, including F-35. Early in his administration, Trump announced intentions to hold a military parade in Washington. However, he canceled plans because the cost estimates came back at $10M. The U.S. military official told CNN that the cost of using military assets in this year's 4th of July celebration was estimated to be less than $1M. (Source: CNN 06/27/19) Gulf Coast Note: The Blue Angels are based out of Pensacola, Fla., during airshow season. The mid-season Pensacola Beach airshow is July 13.

Wounded Warrior medals for AF

TAMPA, Fla. - “Life can change in an instant and sometimes, for some of us, it’s like hitting a brick wall,” said Master Sgt. Melissa Martinez, staff unit deployment manager at Eglin AFB, Fla.’s 33rd Fighter Wing. Martinez suffered a leg injury during an Afghanistan deployment in 2017. Her journey to recovery hasn’t been easy, but she’s excited to share what has really helped her during that journey. “After the injury, she fell into a really dark spot, but the Air Force Wounded Warrior program “showed me that I could still get out there and be competitive.” She went to her first Warrior Camp on Eglin AFB in 2018, where she was introduced to numerous adaptive sports. In March, she was selected to compete with the Air Force team for the 2019 Department of Defense Warrior Games in Tampa where she competed in wheelchair tennis, indoor rowing, and track and field. She left the competition having earned three silver medals and two bronze medals. “(I)t’s not all about the medals and winning,” said Martinez. “It is really all about going out there and doing your best, and watching people push themselves.” With the support of her family, Martinez has made great strides towards recovery through the Warrior Program. Martinez arrived to the Tampa games ready to give her all, and succeeded in making her family, unit and Air Force proud. “To be able to represent the Air Force and the 33rd Fighter Wing and to be part of something that is bigger than myself is truly humbling,” Martinez said. (Source: 33rd Fighter Wing 06/26/19)

CTW-1 civilians of year named

Commander Training Air Wing One announced its two top Civilians of the Year at NAS Meridian, Miss. ‘Senior Civilian of the Year’ was production analyst Gerald F. "Jerry" Boos. CTW-1 ‘Civilian of the Year’ was Candy L. Murren, a Student Control Support Assistant. CTW-1 Commodore, Capt. Nicholas Mungas, presented both with awards at a June 21 ceremony. (Source: NASM Facebook 06/21/19)

Vets portrait project coming to MS

Award winning military photographer, and disabled combat veteran, Stacy Pearsall will be taking complimentary individual photographs of veterans as part of her Veterans Portrait Project. She has photographed thousands of veterans nationwide, archiving their history and service for posterity. She will be at the G.V. “Sonny” Montgomery VA Medical Center in Jackson, Miss., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on July 27. The medical center is located at 1500 East Woodrow Wilson Ave. (Source: Veterans Portrait Project 06/2019)

Firm’s shield could save astronauts

Geocent, a Metairie, La.-based information technology and engineering firm, has spent years developing new, high-tech coating to protect astronauts and equipment from harmful radiation in space. The technology is headed to the International Space Station (ISS) for testing. The tests, to be overseen by NASA, will also explore how the coating could keep astronauts alive, and equipment functioning, in deep space travel. In addition, NASA will test a separate thermal barrier coating developed by Geocent and its partners. That coating could one day protect parts of NASA’s latest multi-billion-dollar rocket from extreme heat. “It’s really some extraordinary technology that we feel is a major breakthrough,” Bobby Savoie, Geocent’s Chairman/CEO told NOLA.com June 18. “Our tests on the International Space Station will tell us whether we’re correct or not.” For decades, NASA built its rockets and modules at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans East. Michoud’s latest project is the Space Launch System (SLS), a new mega-rocket designed to take humans into deep space. Officials aim to land astronauts on the moon in 2024. Geocent, a subcontractor of the Boeing Co. - and the lead manufacturer of the SLS program - has been heavily involved in the rocket’s designs, stress testing and analysis, and 3-D modeling to make sure rocket parts are built to precise specifications. (Source: NOLA.com 06/19/19)

Miss. airports to get FAA grants

Fifteen airports along the Gulf Coast’s I-10 regional corridor will receive 16 airport infrastructure grants totaling $34.5M from the Federal Aviation Administration. They were among 358 grants awarded to 327 airports in 46 states and the Pacific Islands announced June 24 by the FAA. The agency said the $495M in grants is the second allotment of the total $3.18B in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding for U.S. airports. Along the Gulf Coast, grants, from highest to lowest were: Eglin AFB/Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Fla. ($11,527,654, expand apron, expand terminal building); Lakefront, New Orleans ($8,505,000, rehabilitate runway 18R/36L); Lafayette (La.) Regional/Paul Fournet Field ($6,449,350, reconstruct apron); Mobile (Ala.) Regional ($2,361,754, rehabilitate taxiway); Mobile Downtown ($1,350,000, update airport master plan study, and $822,207, acquire equipment, rehabilitate runway 14/32); Bob Sikes in Crestview, Fla. ($900,000, rehabilitate runway 17/35); Dothan (Ala.) Regional ($700,061, acquire equipment, acquire safety and/or security equipment, reconstruct apron, rehabilitate runway 14/32); H.L. “Sonny” Callahan of Fairhope, Ala. ($325,000, expand access road); Gulfport-Biloxi International ($319,500, update airport master plan study); Foley (Ala.) Municipal ($305,000, reconstruct taxiway); Peter Prince Field of Milton, Fla. ($300,000, update airport master plan study); Trent Lott International of Pascagoula ($138,308, rehabilitate runway 17/35); Stennis International Airport ($99,061, rehabilitate taxiway); Poplarville-Pearl River (Miss.) ($69,750, improve access road, improve airport drainage). The FAA says airport infrastructure in the United States, with 3,332 airports and 5,000 paved runways, supports economic competitiveness and improves quality of life. According to the FAA’s most recent economic analysis, U.S. civil aviation accounts for $1.6 trillion in total economic activity and supports nearly 11 million jobs. (Source: GCAC 06/24/19) Complete list of grants Golden Triangle Note: Additional non-Interstate 10 facilities in Mississippi include Batesville Panola County ($ 898,671 Rehabilitate Runway); Greenwood-Leflore ($250,000 Rehabilitate Apron); Columbia-Marion County ($300,000 Reconstruct Taxiway); Columbus-Lowndes County ($141,570 Rehabilitate Runway); Iuka Tishomingo Districts ($180,159 Remove non-hazard obstructions); Olive Branch ($150,000 Update Airport Master Plan Study); Tunica Municipal ($159,606 Acquire Land For Approaches); Vicksburg Municipal ($99,558 Expand Apron); West Point McCharen Field ($219,367 Acquire Land For Approaches); Wiggins Dean Griffin Memorial ($310,000 Rehabilitate Apron, Rehabilitate Runway and Taxiway); and Yazoo County ($150,000 Construct Apron, Taxiway, Expand Apron, Reconstruct Apron, Reconstruct Taxiway).

New ‘Fat Albert’ coming to Blues

A new Marine Corps cargo plane will be heading to the Pensacola, Fla.-based Navy Blue Angels from the British Royal Air Force by spring 2020. The Navy awarded a $29.7M contract to the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence for a Royal Air Force C-130J Super Hercules. In a news release, the Navy's Naval Air Systems Command announced the purchasing of a used U.K. aircraft to replace ‘Fat Albert’ as part of the flight demonstration team, and also stated the cost was about $50M less than the cost of a new one. “This is a win-win for the U.S. Navy and the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence,” said Capt. Steven Nassau said in the news release. The Navy announced in May it needed to replace the C-130T ‘Fat Albert’ aircraft. Around the same time, U.K. was divesting itself of an American-made C-130J allowing the replacement to be pursed at a “major cost savings,” he said. ‘Fat Albert’ has been with the team for 17 seasons. The Navy grounded its entire fleet of C-130s in July 2017 after a deadly crash in rural Mississippi that killed 15 Marines and a sailor. Fat Albert hadn't performed since the grounding until the 2018 Pensacola Beach show. Source: Pensacola News Journal 06/24/19) Golden Triangle Note: The special operations group was traveling from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., to conduct pre-deployment training at the Naval Air Field El Centro, Calif. - winter training ground for the Blue Angels. The Marine Corps Reserve KC-130T Hercules broke up and crashed in the vicinity of Itta Bena, Miss.

CTW-2 change of command

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Commander Training Air Wing (CTW) 2 held a change of command ceremony June 21 onboard Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas, where Capt. Brett “Ned” Lassen relieved Capt. Richard “Gash” Rivera as commodore. “I’m excited to get back to my roots within Naval Aviation,” Lassen said. He is a Naval Academy graduate and was commissioned in 1996. After graduation, Lassen reported to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., for initial flight training and completed intermediate and advanced strike training with Training Squadron 21 in Corpus Christi, and earned his Wings of Gold in June 1998. VT-21 is a squadron under the leadership of CTW-2. He comes to the Texas base from duty as director of the Commander’s Action Group at Naval Forces Europe-Africa. Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) Rear Adm. Gregory Harris served as the guest speaker for the change of command and presented Rivera, who retired after 25 years of service, with the Legion of Merit. CTW-2 is responsible for providing Strike and E-2/C-2 training to student naval aviators with the “Fighting Redhawks” of Training Squadron 21 and the “Golden Eagles” of Training Squadron 22. (Source: Chief of Naval Air Training 06/24/19) NAS Meridian, Miss., is home to CNATRA’s Training Air Wing One. Subordinate commands under CTW-1 are VT-7 and VT-9 squadrons.

Rural Energy Conference 2020

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) will host its second annual Rural Energy Conference on Feb. 25, 2020, in Chicago. The one-day event will explore how energy efficiency and clean energy are increasing rural prosperity. Interactive sessions, plenary panels, and networking breaks will connect with leaders from utilities, government, industry, nonprofits, financial institutions, and academia. This conference is an opportunity to delve into clean energy solutions tailored for rural communities that will spur economic growth and energy affordability. Many rural residents spend a higher share of their income on energy costs than non-rural counterparts. Topics for discussion – from Leaders from utilities, government, industry, nonprofits, financial institutions, and academia - relating to rural communities: Energy efficiency program design and financing; renewable and distributed energy resources; economic development; electrification of buildings and transportation; resilience and disaster recovery; energy affordability for low-income households; 2018 Farm Bill and USDA programs; and broadband access. (Source: ACEEE 06/2019) ACEEE is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that acts as a catalyst to advance energy efficiency policies, programs, technologies, investments, and behaviors.

EFVS upgrades for spec ops C-130J

Lockheed Martin has introduced Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) upgrades for some configurations of the C-130J tactical transport aircraft, company officials told Jane’s at the 2019 Paris Air Show, which was held from June 17-23. The upgrade, which comprises an internal research and development effort by Lockheed Martin, could be made available to C-130J customers, including the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), which has its headquarters based at Hurlburt Field, Fla. C-130J special operations cockpits typically utilize a terrain awareness and warning system; ground and traffic collision avoidance systems; flight management system; inertial navigation system; and night vision compatible heads-up display (HUD). Speaking to Jane’s at Le Bourget, LM officials said the EFVS would support low-level infiltration and exiting missions of C-130J aircraft and integrates additional sensor sight pictures into the pilot’s HUD to help with vision through clouds, smoke, and other obstructions. (Source: Jane’s 06/21/19)

Prez intends to nominate trio

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump has announced his intent to nominate Mark Esper for Secretary of Defense, David Norquist as deputy secretary of defense, and Ryan McCarthy as Secretary of the Army. Esper, currently the Army secretary, will take over as acting secretary of defense June 24; McCarthy, the under secretary of the Army, will then become acting secretary for the service. Norquist, the Pentagon’s comptroller, has been serving as deputy secretary of defense for the last six months. Should all three be nominated and confirmed, it would create stability among Pentagon leadership that’s been absent since SECDEF Jim Mattis left. Esper and McCarthy come with ties to industry. Esper worked as VP for government relations for Raytheon, while McCarthy worked as Lockheed Martin’s VP for sustainment on the F-35 program. (Source: Defense News 06/22/19)

Golden Triangle's economic engine

COLUMBUS, Miss. – Columbus Air Force Base brought in more than a quarter of a billion dollars to the Golden Triangle region’s economy in the last fiscal year - $315M. The figure is up $44M from FY 2017, an AF official told the Base Community Council. CAFB’s FY-18 Economic Impact Report shows that the training base is the Golden Triangle’s economic engine that can. “Columbus Air Force Base is an integral part of the community and it’s great that we can show a 16 percent growth since last year” and a $315M economic impact for the region, Wing Commander, Col. Samantha Weeks told the council. Since 2013, growth has climbed by 30 percent. “It is the people coming into the community and what we spend when we live off base, when we shop for food off base, or shop for the other life essentials that you need.” Weeks said part of the growth is from an increase in jobs tied to CAFB. The base’s aircraft maintenance contracts gave been “very large over the last two years,” she stated. There also have been construction projects on two of CAFB’s three runways and that “definitely has a significant impact on the economy in the region.” The nationwide shortage of AF pilots is not hurting CAFB, she exclaimed. “Our mission as a flying training wing is to … create pilots (and basically) molding something out of nothing to make a military aviator,” she said. Weeks also indicated that the base will be seeing an increase in its mission over the next few years, to meet that shortage and increase production of pilots. (Source: WCBI 06/19/19)

Vertex selected for Cogswell award

MADISON, Miss. - Vertex Aerospace has been selected as a recipient of the 2019 James S. Cogswell Outstanding Industrial Security Achievement Award. The Madison, Miss.-based aerospace defense company was one of 51 facilities selected for the award, which is the highest honor bestowed by the Defense Security Service (DSS). Vertex Aerospace received award at the NCMS Society of Industrial Security Professionals training seminar in St. Louis on June 12. Vertex was chosen from 13,000 cleared contractors to receive the award, which recognizes defense contractors for industrial security excellence. "We are honored to be recognized by this award, which is a testimony to Vertex's continued commitment to excellence in security and the support of our customers," said Ed Boyington, Vertex President/CEO. The DSS's stringent selection process includes several criteria for eligibility, including two consecutive superior industrial security reviews, maintaining a security program that far exceeds the National Industrial Security Program standards, and demonstration of continuous excellence and innovation in security program management, implementation, and oversight. (Source: PR Newswire 05/20/19)

Orion turns up the speed at MSU

In mid-July, Mississippi State University will begin operating a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-funded high-performance computer (HPC), named Orion, to support NOAA research and development in environmental, weather and climate modeling, and autonomous vehicle design and operation. The new computer will also be used by researchers and students working with NOAA, MSU and the Northern Gulf Institute, NOAA’s cooperative institute based at MSU that includes five other academic partners in Mississippi, Florida and Alabama. NOAA provided MSU with grants totaling $22M over the last two years to purchase, install and run the supercomputer. The Dell-EMC system will add 5 petaflops of computing capacity to NOAA’s existing research high performance computing capacity of 10.5 petaflops, currently operating at centers in Boulder, Colo.; Fairmont, W.Va.; Oak Ridge, Tenn.; and Princeton, N.J. Orion is located at the Thad Cochran Research, Technology and Economic Development Park adjacent to campus. It is nearly 10 times faster than MSU’s previous computing system, and is able to conduct 5 quadrillion calculations per second. HPC has been used for simulations of a fully configured submarine for the Navy; military ground vehicle designs; data analytics for the Department of Energy; cybersecurity research for Homeland Security; and ocean and storm surge modeling for NOAA. (Source: NOAA 06/19/19) Mississippi is home to two of the five Defense Department Supercomputing Resource Centers: the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s Research and Development Center in Vicksburg and the Navy DSRC at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Hancock County.

SECDEF nominee withdraws

WASHINGTON—Acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan decided not to pursue Senate confirmation as the permanent head of the Defense Department amid scrutiny of his tumultuous family relationships. Mr. Shanahan has done “a wonderful job” as acting SECDEF, President Trump tweeted June 18, but has “decided not to go forward with his confirmation process so that he can devote more time to his family.” Secretary of the Army Mark Esper, who is next in the line of succession since he is Senate-confirmed, will become acting SECDEF, Trump said. Mr. Shanahan said in a statement Tuesday that a series of events in his personal life triggered his decision to step down. (Source: Wall Street Journal 06/19/19)

Mosser assigned to NOLA unit

The Chief of Staff of the Army announced June 19 that U.S. Reserve Brig. Gen. (Promotable) Gregory J. Mosser, assistant to the deputy commanding general of Readiness (Individual Mobilization Augmentee) of the U.S. Army Reserve Command at Fort Bragg, N.C., is being reassigned to commander (Troop Program Unit), 377th Theater Sustainment Command at New Orleans. (Source: DoD 06/19/19)

CAFB officer drowns on cruise

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - An Air Force major assigned to Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., drowned June 14 while on a cruise with his wife in the Caribbean. The Broward County, Fla., medical examiner's office says 37-year-old Stephen Osakue drowned onboard a Caribbean Princess ship. The South Florida Sun Sentinel reports ship personnel were unable to revive him. Cruise line spokesman Nagin Kamali said the death appears to be an accident. Osakue was a research pharmacist at CAFB. (Source: The AP 06/18/19)

GE Aviation on a roll, Joyce says

PARIS - “Military is where the commercial business was 10 years ago,” said GE Aviation President and GE Vice President David Joyce. With commercial now set after a decade of renewals, and the emergence of the Catalyst turboprop engine, hundreds of engineers and research and development resources are being tasked with creating future generations of military power plants. Since the commercial side proved that new materials such as ceramic matrix composites and technologies such as additive manufacturing are viable, the military has the confidence to lead the march into new territory, he said. Commercial engine technologies have enabled new military capabilities, and in turn, military R&D will enable newer commercial engines decades into the future. ”It’s a virtuous cycle, Joyce explained. GE won the Army’s contract to replace all T700 engines in Black Hawk and Apache helicopters with the ultra-fuel-efficient single-shaft ITEP (Improved Turbine Engine Program) next-gen helicopter engine, and it won contracts worth a billions to develop its Adaptive Engine Technology Development’s three-stream fighter engine, and demonstrating it on the ground in an F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Flight tests may follow, and could lead to an eventual re-engining of the F-35 fleet. But, GE will be ready with an engine for sixth-generation fighters. Business is growing “at really good rates” on both manned and unmanned “black” programs, said Joyce. He believes GE already has the enabling technologies. “Additive manufacturing may be the most disruptive technology that I’ve seen in the industry in a long time,” he said, but the company is “jumping in with both feet because … when you get it right (the results) are extraordinary.” (Source: Aviation Week 06/16/19) Golden Triangle Note: GE Aviation, a global leader in jet engine and aircraft systems production, has two manufacturing facilities in Mississippi (Ellisville and Batesville) that produce advanced composite components for aircraft engines and systems. GEA and Praxair also have a combo-facility at Ellisville that specializes in advanced coatings that enable jet engines to withstand higher temperatures and stress.

Bill of rights Mil.housing survey

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas - The Defense Department is asking current residents of military privatized housing to provide feedback on a draft version of a Resident Bill of Rights. The Air Force is part of a tri-service initiative to create a Resident Bill of Rights that identifies the basic housing rights of service members and their families living in privatized housing. Families living in privatized housing can expect to receive an e-mail letter from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, which provides instructions on how to complete the voluntary survey. CEL & Associates will collect the feedback and analyze the information on behalf of DoD. All information collected through the survey is confidential. If you are a resident and have not received the emailed letter by June 18, have questions and/or are experiencing technical difficulties, call the toll-free helpline at (800)-482-6431, or contact CEL via email at BillofRightsFeedback@celassociates.com. The Resident Bill of Rights is one of 60 initiatives the AF will complete as part of its plan to address housing issues. In February, commanders conducted a health and safety review with all residents in AF family housing. The AF used the feedback, and other internal reviews, to identify systemic issues and plot an aggressive campaign to overhaul the program. (Source: Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center 06/14/19)

UNO grad takes helm of 9th AF

SHAW AFB, S.C. - Major General Chad P. Franks took command of Ninth Air Force during a change of command ceremony June 13 at Shaw AFB. “General Franks is at the pinnacle of experience in the HH-60 and (combat search and rescue) world,” said guest speaker Gen. Mike Holmes, Air Combat Command commander. “(H)e’s been a leader at every level … (and) combined with his recent assignment (as deputy commander for Operations and Intelligence) has set him up for success here as the Ninth Air Force commander,” he continued. Franks is a graduate of the University of New Orleans’ AFROTC program and comes to South Carolina from duty as deputy commander for Operations and Intelligence at Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve and the commander of 9th Air Expeditionary Task Force-Levant in Camp Arifjan in Kuwait. (Source: Ninth Air Force 06/15/19) Gulf Coast Note: Two Gulf Coast commands are units of the Ninth Air Force. The 823d RED HORSE Squadron (Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer) at Hurlburt Field, Fla., It is one of only four active-duty units of its kind in the AF. The 325th Fighter Wing's primary mission at Tyndall AFB, Fla., is to train and project unrivaled combat power for F-22 Raptor pilots and maintenance personnel to support the combat Air Forces. Training for F-22 pilots is performed in the 43rd Fighter Squadron.

West Ala. native Army's top enlisted

Command Sergeant Major Michael A. Grinston has been selected to become the 16th sergeant major of the Army. The decorated Ranger-tabbed artilleryman, who deployed in support of nearly every major combat operation that has taken place over the course of his career, hails from Jasper, Ala., about 110 miles east-north-east of Columbus, Miss. Grinston, who currently is command sergeant major for the Army Forces Command, will succeed Sgt. Maj. Daniel Dailey as the Army's top enlisted soldier, and will assume the post Aug. 16. CSM Grinston's deployments include Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Kosovo. He deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom twice each, and returned in 2015 from the Army’s first deployment of a division HQ in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq. His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, and 5 Bronze Stars (with 2 'V' devices). He has earned the Ranger tab, Master Parachutist badge, Air Assault badge, Drill Sergeant identification badge, and the Combat Action Badge. He has attended every level of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System and is a graduate of Ranger, Airborne, and Air Assault Schools. He is also a graduate of Drill Sergeant School and the Equal Opportunity Course. (Source: Military.com 06/11/19) Gulf Coast Note: The Army’s Ranger School is a 61-day combat leadership course oriented toward small-unit tactics. Ranger training is conducted in three phases: The initial phase is conducted at Camp Rogers and Camp Darby at Fort Benning, Ga.; mountain training at Camp Merrill near Dahlonega, Ga.; and swamp training at Biancur Field at Camp James E. Rudder located on the Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., reservation.

Council to focus on family mil.healthcare

Citing upcoming changes in the military health care system, the Defense Department’s Military Family Advisory Council voted to make 2020’s primary focus on how changes in military healthcare affect military families. “This is an area where there’s going to be a great amount of turbulence associated with the redoing of our healthcare system, so ultimately it’s really important that we understand how it’s impacting our families as we make these changes,” said James Stewart, chairman of the council. “These are wholesale, large changes to the way we provide care to our beneficiaries, not necessarily to the members, but certainly to our members’ families.” The military healthcare system has been undergoing reforms, which began in 2018. Families in many areas have had trouble finding healthcare providers who accept Tricare, and complain about increased costs. DoD is also in the process of changing the entire structure of the system, moving the management and administration of hospitals and clinics away from the services to the Defense Health Agency. DoD has also been looking at “right-sizing” the system, with an 18 percent cut in medical billets. This summer, DoD is expected to issue a report with details on which military medical facilities will be closed, downsized or ramped up. DoD may be rethinking the entire structure of its contracts for healthcare in the civilian community, which could include smaller Tricare regions, and possible contracted agreements with some high-performing civilian healthcare systems. (Source: Military Times 06/13/19) Gulf Coast Note: There are three military hospitals, and additional branch health clinics, along the Gulf Coast: Eglin AFB and Naval Hospital Pensacola, Fla.; and Keesler AFB, Miss. Some of those branch health clinics are located in Meridian, Columbus, and Gulfport, Miss.; New Orleans; Tyndall AFB and NSA Panama City, Fla.

OBOGS issues making headway

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas – The 19th Air Force hosted a forum of experts from inside and outside the Defense Department as part of an on-going process to improve the safety of the T-6 aircraft’s On-Board Oxygen Generating Systems (OBOGS) during a conference here in Texas on May 29-30. While many of the OBOGS issues are better than last year, the AF is still looking at ways to procure hardware upgrades, increase basic science and research, and collect and apply new data into acquisitions standards in order to address the broader issue of physiological events (PEs) affecting pilots from across all of military aviation. “The team made good progress and consolidated recognition across many functional areas how much we know and don’t know about OBOGS and the surrounding human-machine interaction of our aviators,” said Maj. Gen. Patrick Doherty, 19th AF commander. In the near term, prioritizing and studying oxygen-generating systems that are resistant and immune to oxygen concentration, flow and pressure oscillations, which appear to be producing these particular PEs in pilots, makes sense, Doherty said. “We are especially keen to ensure the new learning and data about OBOGS are applied to new acquisitions like the T-X,” said Brig. Gen. Edward L. Vaughan, physiological episodes action team leader. Collaboration across agencies has been extremely valuable in working towards solutions, with representatives from across the AF, Human Systems Engineering Special Program Office, Navy, NASA, and industry and academia were in attendance. (Source: 19th Air Force 06/12/19) Mississippi Golden Triangle Notes: Units under the 19th Air Force include Columbus and Keesler AFBs in Mississippi; Maxwell AFB, Ala.; and Eglin AFB, Fla. Commands that had been affected by PE issues included Columbus AFB, and NAS Pensacola, Fla.

AFA chapter's STEM teacher of year

The G.V. Sonny Montgomery Chapter of the Air Force Association chose Southeast Lauderdale (Miss.) High School teacher Chloe Gressett as its 2019 outstanding teacher for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). She teaches biology, advanced placement biology and zoology. She learned her work ethic, precision and high expectations from her family as her father has served many years in the military, including several years in the 186th Wing of the Air National Guard in Meridian and the 172nd Wing in Jackson, according to the Air Force Association. (Source: Meridian Star 06/12/19)

Keesler fire conducts joint training

KEESLER AFB, Miss - The Keesler (AFB) Fire Department conducted its semi-annual live-fire Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting training June 3-6 in conjunction with the Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center, Stennis Airport, and the Naval Air Station Pensacola (Fla.’s) Gulf Coast Fire Rescue departments to increase personnel readiness and joint operation efficiency. “It gets everybody on the same page on how we operate tactically,” said James Donnett, 81st Infrastructure Division fire chief … in the event the real thing happens, it’s a seamless integration.” (Source: Keesler AFB 06/11/19)

Relativity becoming reality

HANCOCK COUNTY, Miss. – Relativity, a company that builds and tests rockets at the John C. Stennis Space Center, is expanding its operations with a $59M corporate investment designed to create 190 jobs. Relativity is the first and only company to integrate metal 3D printing, robotics and software to build and launch rockets in days. It develops its own launchers and rocket engines for commercial orbital launch services. In addition to expanding the center’s E4 Test Complex with a build-out of four additional upgraded test cells, Relativity has secured an agreement with NASA for an exclusive lease of Building 9101, which has an 80-foot-high bay and strong industrial capability. It will enable Relativity to build its patented autonomous rocket factory in Hancock County and integrate its production and testing operations into one space, reducing lead time to launch. Relativity will activate its manufacturing equipment in July and plans to complete development of the world’s first 3D-printed rocket (Terran 1) in 2020. The company is on track to conduct its first orbital test launch at the end of 2020 and enter commercial service in 2021. (Source: WLOX 06/11/19)

Caraballo new boss at 85th EIS

KEESLER AFB, Miss. - Lt. Col. Nelson Caraballo assumed command of the 85th Engineering Installation Squadron (EIS) at Keesler AFB on June 4. He comes to South Mississippi from duty as director of operations at the 55th Strategic Communications Squadron at Offutt AFB, Neb. Outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Jennifer Carns’ next assignment will be as the executive for Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein. (Source: Keesler AFB 06/10/19)

Marine celebrates 100th at NASM

Retired Marine Col. Robert Hammond, a pilot during WWII and later an instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy, turned 100 years old on June 7 surrounded by family, friends and NAS Meridian, Miss., Marines. (Source: Meridian Star 06/07/19)

Memphis firm's Army pact: $8.9M

Mahaffey Tent & Awning Co. Inc., of Memphis was awarded a $8,976,868 modification to contract (W9124E-16-D-0006) for shower trailers, environment control units, light sets, tentage of various sizes and configurations, hand washing stations, generators, cots, and other logistical life support equipment. Work will be performed in Fort Polk, La., with an estimated completion date of June 20, 2021. FY 2019 Army operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $8,976,868 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command of Fort Polk, La., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 06/10/19)

LSU biochemistries pact: $12.9M

Louisiana State University System of Baton Rouge was awarded a $12,908,650 firm-fixed-price contract for Nutritional Biochemistries Analysis services. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of June 9, 2024. U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity of Fort Detrick, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 06/10/19)

Teary eyes, family lead teen to oath

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Sweaty palms, teary eyes, tradition, and two proud parents. Pensacola native and West Florida High School of Advanced Technology 2019 graduate Alexander Hamid Rashid Cole was administered the oath of enlistment inside the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) headquarters June 7. He is the son of NETC Force Master Chief Karim Cole and retired Marine Corps Master Sgt. Bridgette Cole. The oath was administered by Rear Adm. Kyle Cozad, NETC commander. “My main reason for joining the Navy was to become the best version of myself … (and) to serve in the best military in the world and protect the same freedoms that my parents have fought to protect,” the younger Cole said. He is to reports to the Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS) at Naval Station Newport, R.I., on July 23. At NAPS, Alexander will go through a 10-month course of instruction to prepare him for the challenges of life at the U.S. Naval Academy, where he plans to pursue a degree in aeronautical engineering and a member of the class of 2024. “My father used to work with the Blue Angels when he was a command master chief,” he said, where he was “able to hear and observe the behind-the-scenes view of such an elite group of pilots. I imagined being in a similar position in the future …” The teenager also received an ROTC scholarship to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and had acceptance letters from five other colleges before choosing the Naval Academy. (Source: NETC 06/10/19) NETC HQ subordinate commands include the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT), which has learning centers at NAS Meridian (AZ: Maintenance Logistics) and Keesler AFB, Miss. (AG: Calibration)

GC trio earn ORAU Powe awards

Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), a consortium of U.S. universities and headquartered in Oak Ridge, Tenn., has awarded competitive research grants totaling $180,000 to 36 junior faculty from its member institutions. The annual grants are made through the company’s Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Awards program that provides funds to enrich research and professional growth of young faculty, a media release indicated. The recipients, each of whom is in the first two years of a tenure track position, will receive $5,000 in seed money for the 2019-20 academic year to enhance their research during the early stages of their careers. Each recipient’s institution matches the ORAU award with $5,000, making the total package worth $10,000. The awards recognize faculty members for their work in any of five science and technology disciplines: Engineering or applied science; life sciences; mathematics and computer science; physical sciences; and policy, management, or education. The awards are named for the late Ralph E. Powe, who served as ORAU’s councilor from Mississippi State University for 16 years. Recipients of the Powe awards from Gulf Coast (GC) states' universities are Tanvir Faisal, University, Louisiana-Lafayette; Xiaodan Gu, University of Southern Mississippi; and Tuo Wang, Louisiana State University. (Source: Oak Ridge Today 06/09/19)

NOLA-to-Mobile rail project grant

Amtrak is expected to return passenger rail service to the Gulf Coast within two years with trains running between New Orleans and Mobile, Ala., with U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) announcing June 7 of a $33M grant from the Federal Railroad Administration to fund infrastructure and improvements for the service, which was suspended after Hurricane Katrina wrecked much of the rail line in 2005. “This is huge,” said John Robert Smith, chairman of Transportation for America and former mayor of Meridian, Miss., who has long pushed to restore the GC rail service. “This has been such a labor of commitment from so many people.” The grant, through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements program, will go to the Southern Rail Commission, a 21-member group that promotes passenger rail service and seeks money to support its mission. The money will cover half the cost of the $65.9M rail line project, with other monies coming from investments and matching grants from Mississippi, Louisiana, and Amtrak. The commitments in Mississippi, estimated at $15M-plus, were also announced June 7. Mississippi has the most stops along the route: Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi and Pascagoula. (Source: NOLA.com 06/08/19) Last year, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey rejected the plan, and the state is contributing no funds to roll Amtrak past Mobile. As a result, the train will not continue to Atmore, Ala., Pensacola and other parts of Florida using the federal funds announced Friday. (Source: NorthEscambia.com 06/07/19)

1st of many AF med redesignations

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. – The 1st Special Operations Medical Group realigned its squadrons June 7 at a redesignation ceremony. It was the first of 60-plus redesignation ceremonies expected to take place across the Air Force over the next year. The redesignations will ultimately enhance medical readiness and duty availability, while sustaining the delivery of high quality care to all beneficiaries, according to a Hurlburt Field media release. The 1st Special Operations Aerospace Medicine Squadron was redesignated to the 1st Special Operations Operational Medical Readiness Squadron and will align functions supporting Total Force care into the 1st SOOMRS. Dental was inactivated, and absorbed by the new 1st SOOMRS. The 1st Special Operations Medical Operations Squadron was redesignated to the 1st Special Operations Health Care Operations Squadron to consolidate non-Total Force primary care. (Source: 1st Special Operations Command 06/07/19)

Tulane grad will lead Marine Corps

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Lt. Gen. David Berger to serve as the next commandant of the Marine Corps after Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) dropped his opposition to Berger’s confirmation for unspecified reasons, according to USNI News. Berger, the current commander of Marine Corps Combat Development Command, was confirmed June 5. Now confirmed, Berger will become the 38th commandant of the Marine Corps on July 11. A carrier infantry officer, he commanded the 1st Marine Division in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2012. He is a 1981 Tulane University graduate. (Source: USNI News 06/06/19)

Meridian NEXCOM runner-up

The Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) announced its 2018 Bingham Award winners that recognize outstanding performance in operations, customer service and community support. “This award is presented to both the NEX and the local Navy command to recognize their partnership and commitment to support the quality of life of our military members and their families,” said retired Rear Adm. Robert J. Bianchi, CEO of NEXCOM. The 2018 Bingham Award winners and runners-up included, In Category 3: Sales $23-$34M, the winner, was the Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., Aviation Plaza. In Category 5: Sales $4.4-$13.5M, the winner was Naval Air Station Oceana-Dam Neck (Va.) Annex. The runner-up was Naval Air Station Meridian, Miss. There were nine total categories. (Source: NEXCOM 06/06/19)

Viet officer graduates ALP at CAFB

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - Capt. Toai Dang of the Vietnam Air Defense-Air Force became the first Vietnamese student to graduate from the Aviation Leadership Program (ALP) on May 31 at Columbus Air Force Base. ALP is a U.S. Air Force-funded program providing students of partner and developing countries with undergraduate pilot training scholarships. The graduation ceremony also recognized students from the Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 19-10/16. In addition, Lt. Gen. Steve Kwast, commander of Air Education and Training Command, commented on Dang’s graduation marking a significant step forward for the two countries’ air forces. His graduation from ALP and the skills and knowledge he’s gained through the training “will allow the U.S. and Vietnam to more effectively work together to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” he continued. Maj. Dave Cote, a 41st Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot, and Capt. Christy Martin, from the 14th Student Squadron, are both international military student officers who provide administrative support to the 55 international student officers from 23 nations while they are in pilot training at CAFB. Dang said he is looking forward to returning home to help fellow pilots with lessons learned after a year at CAFB. Upon his return, Dang will fly the EADS CASA 295, a twin turboprop tactical airlifter. Twenty years from now, “student pilots and graduates from Columbus AFB will be colonels and generals in their respective air forces, and these relationships could play a major role down the road, Cote said. (Source: CAFB 06/06/19)

Proposed aviation STEM grants

The U.S. House Appropriations Committee voted to recommend full funding for two workforce development grant programs supported by AOPA and the aerospace industry to develop high school aviation science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) curriculum and support aviation maintenance technician initiatives to meet the long-term demand for aviation workers. The two programs each received committee backing for $5M for FY 2020. Both programs are authorized for five years, as proposed in the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-254) but require funding through the annual appropriations. The pilot education grant program is intended to support the creation and delivery of curriculum and teacher development designed to provide high school students with meaningful STEM and aviation education, and develop the next generation of commercial, general aviation, drone, or military pilots. A vote by the full House is expected this month. The Senate must also consider its own FY-20 Transportation Housing and Urban Development bill. The two chambers will have to reconcile differences before a final bill can go to the president for signing. (Source: AOPA.org 06/05/19)

MSU grad commands new FRC

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Lt. Lennie R. Day, a 2004 Mississippi State University mathematics graduate and former Bulldog football player from 2000-03, assisted in the commissioning of the Coast Guard Cutter Benjamin Bottoms in mid-May, and became the first commanding officer of the service’s 32nd Fast Response Cutter. Day, a native of Mobile, Ala., was a four-year letter-winner at MSU. The Benjamin Bottoms, a 154-foot multi-mission ship, is the last of four Fast Response Cutters to be homeported at CG Base Los Angeles-Long Beach. The ship is based in San Pedro, Calif., but will operate throughout the 11th Coast Guard District, which includes all of California and international waters off Mexico and Central America. The FRC was built by Bollinger Shipyards in Lockport, La., and delivered to the CG in February. The ship honors the Georgia native who was part of a CG aircrew that rescued an Army aircrew from a downed B-17 off the west coast of Greenland in 1942. Bottoms was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his role in the rescue. (Source: MSU 06/05/19)

Shaw named new MSU provost

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Longtime faculty member and senior administrator David R. Shaw has been named the new provost and executive vice president at Mississippi State University after a productive tenure leading the school’s research enterprise and economic development initiatives. MSU President Mark E. Keenum made the announcement June 5 confirming Shaw as Mississippi State’s chief academic officer. His appointment is pending formal approval by the Board of Trustees, State Institutions of Higher Learning. He is expected to begin his new role on July 1. As MSU’s second-ranking administrative officer, Shaw will be responsible for all academic policies, integrity of the academic mission, and academic operations of the university. He will provide direct oversight for eight academic colleges and two campuses, as well as many academic and non-academic support units. (Source: MSU 06/05/19)

Squadron changeovers at Keesler

KEESLER AFB, Miss. – There were two changes of command at Keesler AFB since May 31. Lt. Col. Catherine M. Callender took command of the 81st Aerospace Medicine Squadron on June 4. She comes to South Mississippi from serving as commander of the 412th Medical Operations Squadron at Edwards AFB, Calif. Outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Michael A. Blowers, will report as team lead of the 711th Human Performance Initiative and chief of the Biomedical Services Core at Luke AFB, Ariz. At a May 31 change of command, Maj. Matthew R. Lowe became the leader of the 81st Security Forces Squadron (SFS). Prior to arriving at Keesler, Lowe was the Deputy Chief of Standards and Evaluation at the Officer Training School at Maxwell AFB, Ala. Outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Jonathon M. Murray’s next assignment will be as leader of the 374th SFS at Yokota Air Base in Japan. (Source: Keesler AFB 06/05/19)

EPA Brownsville grants for Miss.

The U.S. Environment Protection Agency announce that 149 communities were selected to receive 151 grants totaling $64.6M in EPA Brownfields funds - through the Multipurpose, Assessment, and Cleanup (MAC) grants - to assess, clean up and redevelop underutilized properties while protecting public health and the environment. These funds will expand the ability of communities to recycle vacant and abandoned properties for new, productive reuses. “EPA’s Brownfields Grants provide significant benefits to communities across the country where environmental cleanup and economic redevelopment are most needed" said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. In Mississippi/Region 4: South Delta Planning and Development District Inc., Rosedale, Moorhead, Rolling Fork and Isola - $481K; Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District - $300K; and Yazoo City - $300K. EPA selected the South Delta Planning and Development District Inc. for a Brownfields grant targeting the AMPCO Manufacturing Plant and former Ford dealership in Rosedale, former Allen's Canning facility in Moorhead, former Delta Elastics facility, Red Barn Brownfields site in Rolling Fork, and the former Producer's Feed Co. in Isola. Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District assessment grant is to be used to conduct three Phase I and three Phase II environmental site assessments, and develop one cleanup plan. The target area for this grant includes downtown Waynesboro; Hattiesburg’s Mobile Street/Twin Forks Rising Community; and the D'Iberville Southern Waterfront Region. Grant funds will also be used to conduct community outreach activities, including six public meetings. Yazoo City assessment grant is for targeting priority sites in Census Tract 9505 of downtown Yazoo - 26 South Main, 407-511 South Main, and 504 South Washington areas; former Hotel Lamar; 114 W. Broadway building; and 210 W. Jefferson site. The grant funds will be used to conduct six Phase I and four Phase II environmental site assessments sites and prepare two cleanupns. Funds will be used to conduct three Phase I and three Phase II environmental site assessments on priority sites, and prepare one cleanup plan. Grant funds also will be used to complete additional Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments, establish a secondary brownfield inventory, conduct community outreach activities, and create a Brownfields revitalization plan for the downtown target area. (Source: EPA 06/04/19)

NOLA JV to compete for USA pacts

Taylor Engineering of Jacksonville, Fla. (W912HY-19-D-0003); 5Engineering of Houston, Texas (W912HY-19-D-0004); Arcadis U.S. Inc. of Highlands Ranch, Colo. (W912HY-19-D-0007); Ice & Dannenbaum of Corpus Christi, Texas (W912HY-19-D-0002); Geo-Stanley Joint Venture 1 of Kevil, Ky. (W912HY-19-D-0005); Ilsi-Arcadis Small Business Joint Venture of New Orleans (W912HY-19-D-0006); CEC-CDM Smith A Joint Venture of Naples, Fla. (W912HY-19-D-0001); FNI,COWI & CDM Smith JV of Fort Worth, Texas (W912HY-19-D-0008); and HDR Engineering Inc., Houston, Texas (W912HY-19-D-0009) will compete for each order of the $96,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for architect and engineer services. Bids were solicited via the internet with 45 received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of June 3, 2026. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers of Galveston, Texas, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 06/04/19)

CNATRA aviation awards

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) annually recognizes distinguished aviation training squadrons, and instructors, for their outstanding performance while supporting the mission of training new naval aviators. This year’s squadrons are the “Shooters” of Training Squadron (VT) 6 of NAS Whiting Field (NASWF), Fla., and the “Stingrays” of VT-35 of NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, for training excellence. In FY 2018, both squadrons exceeded mission goals; graduated more pilots while using fewer resources; and maintaining the highest level of safety and professionalism. VT-35 also received the Vice Adm. Robert Goldthwaite Training Excellence Award. CNATRA also recognized five individuals for their exemplary support in the training of naval aviators. Instructors of the Year were: Lt. Andrew Galvin assigned to the “Vigilant Eagles” of Helicopter Training Squadron (HT) 18 at NASWF; Lt. Cmdr. Bryan E. Globke assigned to the “Eagles” of VT-7 of NAS Meridian, Miss.; and Lt. Dominic E. Perron assigned to the “Warbucks” of VT-4 at NAS Pensacola, Fla. Along with recognizing of instructors, these awards also distinguish Lt. Cmdr. Sean P. Haight from Training Wing (TW) 5 at NASWF as Flight Surgeon of the Year; and Lt. Matthew T. Axley with VT-7 as the Landing Signal Officer of the Year. CNATRA’s aviation awards program also recognizes the work of students in the flight training pipeline. This year CNATRA recognized seven students for their superior performance in training. The students were: Lt. j.g. Conner J. O’Donnell, winged with the “Redhawks” of VT-21 at NAS Kingsville, Texas; Marine 1st Lt. Michael J. Pence, winged with VT-7; Ensign Nicole J. Nordlie, winged with “Sabrehawks” of VT-86 at NASP; Lt j.g. Thorys J. Stensrud, winged with VT-21; Lt. j.g. Colby W. Shinholser winged with HT-18; Ensign Andrew M. Devries and Marine 1st Lt. Emilee N. Johnson, both winged with VT-35. CNATRA’s distinguished Reserve officer awards went to Lt. Cmdr. Thomas L. Donohoo with VT-35, Lt. Cmdr. Stephen J. Ingersol with the “Wildcats” of VT-10 at NASP; and Lt. Cmdr. Geoffrey L. Dick with VT-21. The CNATRA Squadron Augment Unit of the Year is at VT-6. (Source: CNATRA 06/03/19)

VT-7 change of command at NASM

Naval Air Station Meridian, Miss., held a change of command ceremony May 31 for Training Squadron (VT) 7. For the last 18 months, Cmdr. Steven Vitrella has been its leader. During the ceremony, he passed along those duties to Cmdr. Michael Poe, who had been the squadron's executive officer. Cmdr. Poe is a graduate of the Naval Academy, and he earned his "Wings of Gold" at NAS Kingsville, Texas. Since those days, he has served as instructor at VFA-125, assigned to the Carrier Air Wing 9 "Shogun" team, and deployed with the USS Carl Vinson. Vitrella earned his "Wings of Gold" 16 years ago at NASM. His next assignment is Air Boss of aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt in San Diego. (Source: WGBC 05/31/19)

Storm-flying ‘our type of combat’

KEESLER AFB, Miss. – The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, better known as the Air Force Reserve “Hurricane Hunters” based out of Keesler Air Force Base, is the only AF unit tasked with the mission of collecting data from the inside of a storm and flying into the eyes of hurricanes. This specialized unit is made up of a five-person crew. All aircraft are forbidden to fly into severe weather by FFA regulations - with the exception of the Hurricane Hunters, who fly into storms to collect atmospheric data for the National Hurricane Center’s use in forecasts. “We fly into weather, when all other aircraft have to stay at least 20 miles out to avoid it,” said Maj. Kendall Dunn, the 53rd WRS pilot. “Flying into storms, this is our type of combat.” Dunn’s been flying with the AF Reserve since 2013, and has about 1,500 flight hours in the WC-130J Super Hercules and has been into 25 named storms. Every mission requires a pilot and a co-pilot who are responsible for all crewmembers and the mission’s outcome. Aerial Reconnaissance Weather Officer Maj. Tobi Baker acts like a flight director by continually monitoring and checking for accuracy from atmospheric data collected via the sensors. The data is used to guide the aircraft into the center of a storm. He also directs when “dropsonde” sensors are released. Dropsondes collect information - temperature, pressure, wind direction and wind speed - from various locations inside of a storm and transmits observations via satellite to the NHC. “The (weather) mission and the level of responsibility we have to the public is a tall order that we take seriously,” Dunn said. “There is no other job that I would rather have.” (Source: Keesler AFB 06/03/19) The 2019 Atlantic-Gulf of Mexico hurricane season began June 1, and ends Nov. 30.

Ex-Kessler trainer heads AFA

The new Air Force Academy (AFA) commandant, Brig. Gen. Michele Edmondson, took the job on May 31 at her installment ceremony in Colorado after leaving a post as the White House’s top expert on space policy. She helped the Trump administration craft a new aggressive stance on space, with a war-fighting command and a push for a separate satellite service. She replaced Brig. Gen. Kristin Goodwin, who was ousted from her post amid an ongoing investigation. The nature of allegations hasn’t been revealed, but she was removed weeks before she was supposed to head to the Pentagon. A 26-year veteran, who entered the AF, after graduation from the University of Florida, Edmondson was seen as an officer in high demand. While she’s best known for her rocket scientist brain, Edmondson is also one of the AF’s most experienced trainers. She’s run units from boot camp at Lackland AFB, Texas, to a job atop the AF’s technical training programs at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. (Source: The Gazette 06/02/19)

AIAA 2019 forum, awards

RESTON, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) will announce the winners of technical excellence awards during its 2019 AIAA Aviation Forum on June 18 in Dallas, Texas. The presentation is part of AIAA’s 2019 Aviation and Aeronautics Forum and Exposition June 17-21. Among the professionals to be recognized for outstanding contributions is David Minto, the retired technical director of the 96th Test Group at the Air Force Test Center at Holloman (N.M.) Air Force Base. He is to be presented with the 2019 Chanute Flight Test Award for outstanding contributions to the art, science, and technology of test flight engineering and the capabilities delivered in support of the nation’s defense. Among highlights of the June 17-21 forum will be Airbus Helicopter Inc. (AHI) and Airbus North America’s President Chris Emerson on how developments in vertical lift are expanding the envelope of possibilities. AHI operates a production line in Columbus, Miss. (Source: AIAA 05/21/19) The 96th Test Group is a geographically separated unit assigned to the 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

AF 'Industry Day' June 18 at Eglin

The Air Force is holding a defensive weapons industry day June 18 at Eglin AFB, Fla., and requesting white papers on conceptual armament capabilities. The government will provide threat, war-fighter, overall program and weapon briefs, according to a Federal Business Opportunities notice. White papers, due July 16, should detail kinetic and non-kinetic concepts, including lasers and high-power microwaves. The AF is also interested in procedures that support open-systems architecture into interfaces across the design, as well as activities needed to rapidly prototype and integrate the weapon concepts in the future. Prospective contractors should further provide a rapid fielding schedule, assuming a production quantity of 1,000 for kinetic weapons and 100 for non-kinetic weapons. (Source: Inside Defense 05/31/19)

Ex-CNATRA to deliver talk

PENSACOLA, Fla. – The Naval Aviation School Command (NASC) will host a ceremony in honor of the 77th anniversary of WWII’s Battle of Midway on June 4 at the National Naval Aviation Museum onboard NAS Pensacola. Guest speaker will be retired Rear Admiral Donald P. Quinn. Six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the Navy inflicted irreparable damage to the Japanese Navy in the Battle of Midway from June 4-7, 1942, that changed the tide of the war in the Pacific. (Source: Chipley Bugle 05/31/19) Quinn is a Naval Academy graduate (1979) and a designated a naval flight officer. In September 2005, Quinn was promoted to flag rank. He commanded the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) at Corpus Christi, Texas, and was the 17th commander of the Naval Education and Training Command HQ based at NAS Pensacola, Fla. CNATRA conducts six Student Naval Aviator training pipelines and is the foundation of Naval Aviation's development of the primary phase of pilot training. Primary training is conducted in the T-6B Texan II at NAS Meridian – home to Training Air Wing One, and Training Squadron 9, and Training Squadron 7 – and Training Air Wing Four and Five. NETC is the HQ for education and training that includes CNATRA and an array of other commands.

CAFB unveils T-6 heritage colors

COLUMBUS AFB Miss. - The 14th Flying Training Wing unveiled the first of its six T-6 Texan II heritage flagship aircraft during a ceremony May 30 at Columbus Air Force Base. Members of the 37th Flying Training Squadron (FTS) were able to see their freshly painted T-6, which represents the squadron’s patch - a Bengal tiger mother with a cub in her mouth. The T-6 is primarily yellow and its black stripes represent their lineage and heritage at CAFB. “This is about having pride in our unit and across the base as a whole,” said Lt. Col. William Free, 37th FTS commander. Now that the plane is finished it will give people an opportunity to honor and celebrate the great traditions at Columbus AFB and the squadrons that are represented, he continued. The new paint schemes reflect the heritage of the aircraft’s squadron. Squadrons are responsible for designing the aircraft’s look. The 37th FTS has a strong lineage dating to the Army Air Corps in the 1940’s. It was initially a pursuit squadron assigned to the 55th Pursuit Group at Hamilton Field, Calif. During WWII, the 37th Fighter Squadron conducted combat operations with their P-38s in the European and Mediterranean theaters of operations. In March 1972, the squadron was re-designated the 37th FTS and assigned to the 14 FTW at CAFB. With a strong legacy to uphold, the 37th FTS continues its mission to create pilots and will use this newly painted T-6 to reach the next generation of aviators, giving them the opportunity to connect with their heritage and build the future. (Source: CAFB 05/31/19)

CAFB Memorial Wall adds 2

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. -- Members of the 14th Flying Training Wing gathered in front of the Richard “Gene” Smith Plaza for a May 28 Memorial Day ceremony that paid tribute to Master Sgt. John Chapman, a Medal of Honor recipient, and 1st Lt. David Albandoz, a former student pilot at CAFB. “Today is not a day of celebration, but a day to remember, reflect and be grateful for the men and women who selflessly sacrificed for their nation,” said Col. Samantha Weeks, 14th Flying Training Wing commander. Chapman was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for actions on Takur Ghar Mountain in Afghanistan on March 4, 2002, when his team was ambushed by the enemy and came under heavy fire. Despite severe wounds, he fought relentlessly, and with his last actions, Chapman saved the lives of his team and dozens of rescuers. Albandoz dedicated over 16 years of his life to the Air Force. Most recently, Albandoz attended Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at CAFB and graduating in 2017 as a member of SUPT Class 17-14. After completing C-130H training at Little Rock AFB, Ark., he returned to the 198th Airlift Squadron at Muñiz Air National Guard Base in Puerto Rico as a qualified C-130H co-pilot. He died May 2, 2018, in a non-combat related incident involving a WC-130 Hercules aircraft departing from Savannah, Ga. Their names were added to the memorial wall in the plaza. Since Columbus AFB became a pilot training base in 1971, 87 pilot training graduates and instructor pilots have died in the line of duty, and their names have been added to the memorial. (Source: 14th Flying Training Wing 05/31/19)