Lawmakers make own RE$TORE list

Members of the Gulf Coast Restoration Fund Advisory Board spent months reviewing 119 potential projects to finance with $85.5M in RESTORE Act money. They finally recommended 14 projects with major economic impact on South Mississippi. On June 30, the state House and Senate approved a different list that cuts/deletes some of those recommended projects. One of the lawmakers’ new project gives $1.55M to Power Dynamics Innovations, a private firm located in Picayune. The solons’ list for how to spend the money was in SB 2977, an appropriations bill for the Mississippi Development Authority. The advisory board’s recommendation for $32.5M for USM’s Ocean Enterprise project at the State Port of Gulfport is on the Legislative list. But the amount was cut to $7M. Follow the link below to see both the Legislature’s and advisory board’s list. (Source: Sun Herald 06/30/20) https://www.sunherald.com/article243898957.html#storylink=cpy

Mil.travel lifted except for 3

Military personnel and their families based in most states across the country - except California, Florida and Michigan - have been given the green light to resume regular travel. Ten more states have met the criteria to lift Defense Department travel restrictions put in place in March, Pentagon officials announced June 29. It means that service members/families can resume recreational travel, and permanent change-of-station )PCS) moves. Waivers will still be considered for mission-essential travel, emergencies and some PCS moves. Deployments could also resume for some units in locations that are still seeing travel restrictions, though they're being considered on a case-by-case basis. (Source: Military.com 06/29/20) https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/06/29/pentagon-lifts-travel-ban-all-states-except-florida-california.html

MSU Top 5 in supercomputing

Mississippi State University’s Orion supercomputer is the fourth most powerful academic data center in the U.S., according to rankings released this week by Top500.org. Orion is ranked at No. 68 on Top500’s list of the world’s most powerful computing systems. Managed by MSU’s High Performance Computing Collaboratory, Orion was installed on campus last summer with the support of $22 million in grants from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). (Source: MSU 06/30/20) https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2020/06/msu-ranks-fourth-us-academia-supercomputing-power

Ex-NASWF CO to head airport

Former interim Escambia County (Fla.) Administrator Matt Coughlin will become the next director of the Pensacola International Airport this week. He is the currently the deputy director. He will be promoted with the retirement of Dan Flynn on June 29. Coughlin was previously the commanding officer of NAS Whiting Field, Fla. (Source: NorthEscambia.com 06/28/20)

MS legislature votes down flag

Both chambers of the Mississippi Legislature passed a resolution to take up a bill to change the state flag on June 27. The House voted 84-35. The Senate voted 36-14, which haves the way for the creation of a commission to design a new state banner without a  Confederacy battle-flag emblem. The deadline for introducing new bills had already passed, but the legislators voted to suspend the rules to allow for the legislation on the flag. According to The Associated Press, with that done, debate on the flag bill could come as soon as Sunday, June 28. (Source: The Dispatch 06/27/20) https://www.cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=81996 UPDATE: The Mississippi Senate joined the House on Sunday in a historic vote to take down the 1894 state flag with its Confederate battle emblem and ask Mississippi voters to approve a new flag in November. A commission is to design a new flag that is to go on that ballot. HB 1796 passed in the Senate by a vote of 37-14. The House originated the bill and voted 91-23 earlier Sunday afternoon to take down the flag. (Source: Sun Herald 06/28/20)

Read more here: https://www.sunherald.com/news/state/mississippi/article243851177.html?#storylink=cpy

New DACOWITS members

The Department of Defense announced June 23 the induction of seven new members to the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services. DACOWITS provides the Secretary of Defense with advice and recommendations on matters and policies relating to the recruitment, retention, employment, integration, well-being, and treatment of women in the U.S. Armed Forces. The committee is comprised of up to 20 members, who include prominent civilian women and men from academia, industry, public service, and other professions. Members perform a variety of duties, to include visiting military installations annually, conducting a review and evaluation of current research on military women, and developing an annual report with recommendations on these issues for the secretary of defense. New committee appointments include: Retired Vice Adm. Robin R. Braun, Navy; Retired Maj. Gen. (Dr.) George A. Alexander, U.S. Army National Guard; Retired Col. Many-Bears Grinder, U.S. Army National Guard; Retired Command Master Chief Octavia D. Harris, Navy; Retired Maj. Gen. Ronald L. Johnson, Army; Ms. Robin Kelleher; and Retired Fleet Master Chief Susan A. Whitman, Navy. Robin Braun is the daughter of a career naval aviator. Born in Pensacola, Fla., she is a graduate of Northern Arizona University and was commissioned in 1980. Designated a naval aviator in February 1981, her first assignment was to Training Squadron (VT) 31 at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas, where she served as an instructor pilot in the T-44 aircraft. Later in her career, Braun became the chief of Navy Reserve on the staff of the CNO in August 2012. Returning members with some regional ties are Retired Lt. Gen. Judith A. Fedder, Air Force; and Retired Gen. Janet C. Wolfenbarger, Air Force. Wolfenbarger was commissioned in 1980 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, and began her career in acquisition as a technical intelligence analyst/engineer with the Armament Division at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Judith Federer served from July 1984 - November 1986 as Officer in Charge of the 58th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, and Officer in Charge of William Tell Maintenance with the 33rd Aircraft Generation Squadron at Eglin AFB. (Source: DACOWITS 06/23/20) https://dacowits.defense.gov/.

Aircraft technician: Columbus, MS

PDS Tech Inc. is seeking an Aircraft Technician in Columbus, Miss. Aircraft Technician B - Sheet metal will perform work on assigned aircraft, assemblies, and parts in sheet metal area. (Source: PDS Tech 06/26/20) https://pdstech.jobs/columbus-ms/aircraft-technician-b-sheetmetal/D86B4A1C18D94D5697E480C2FC5D2947/job/?vs=105&utm_source=ziprecruiter

La. Guard flyover of state hospitals

NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana Army National Guard’s State Aviation Command is going to conduct flyovers of Slidell, Hammond, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Alexandria, Shreveport and Monroe area hospitals on July 1 to honor first responders and healthcare professionals who have been working the frontlines of the COVID-19 response. They are to send four UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to fly over hospitals in each region. They are scheduled to be in the Slidell and Alexandria areas around 11 a.m.; Hammond area about 11:10 a.m., Lafayette and Monroe areas around noon; Lake Charles at about 1:40 p.m. and Shreveport at 2:30 p.m. (Louisiana Army National Guard 06/25/20) https://geauxguard.la.gov/

Hattiesburg food distro pact $16M

Merchants Foodservice of Hattiesburg, Miss., has been awarded a maximum $16,160,350 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-quantity contract for full-line food distribution. This was a sole-source acquisition using justification 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1), as stated in Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. This is a 241-day bridge contract with no option periods. Locations of performance are Louisiana and Mississippi, with a Feb. 21, 2021, ordering period end date. Using military services are Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2020 through 2021 defense working capital funds. The contracting agency is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support of Philadelphia, Pa. (Source: DoD 06/26/20)

BG Fasano deputy at 377th TSC

The Chief of Staff of the Army announced June 25 that Brig. Gen. Cheryn L. Fasano (USAR), commander (Troop Program Unit), 310th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Indianapolis, Ind., has been assigned to duty as deputy commander (Troop Program Unit), 377th Theater Sustainment Command (TSC) in Belle Chasse, La. (Source: DoD 06/25/20) The 377th TSC is a multi-functional unit that performs a dual mission from NAS/JRB New Orleans. The first is mission command of assigned forces in order to provide the U.S. Army Reserve with trained and ready individuals and units that support geographic combatant command requirements. The second mission is to deploy and operate as the senior Army logistics headquarters capable of planning, controlling and synchronizing operational-level Army deployment and sustainment. The 377th TSC has nearly 36,000 soldiers and civilians in 35 states.

Moss Point 3% MQ-4C mod pact

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, Calif., is awarded a $333,401,760 modification (P00007) to previously-awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm-target contract N00019-19-C-0008. This modification exercises options for the production and delivery of three low-rate initial production MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft, two main operating bases and one forward operating base in an integrated functional capability-four and multiple-intelligence configuration, with associated export compliance support for the government of Australia. Work will be performed in San Diego (23.3%); Red Oak, Texas (13%); Palmdale, Calif. (11.5%); Linthicum, Md. (9.4%); Salt Lake City, Utah (9.3%); Bridgeport, W. Va. (5.2%); McClellan, Calif. (4.7%); Indianapolis, Ind. (4.5%); Moss Point, Miss. (3.3%); Waco, Texas (2.1%); San Clemente, Calif. (1.5%); Newton, N.D. (1%); various locations within the continental U.S. (9.8%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (1.4%). Work is expected to be completed by April 2025. Foreign cooperative project funds for $27,601,190 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 06/25/20)

Tricare Select enrollment fees in '21

Working age military retirees under the age of 65 and who use Tricare Select for their health care will start paying enrollment fees in 2021, DoD officials announced June 23. It’s the first time since the creation of Tricare Standard in 1996, now known as Tricare Select, retired beneficiaries who joined the military before 2018 will pay a monthly fee for health care: $12.50 individual/$25 family. The enrollment fees do not apply to active-duty family members on Tricare Select or Medicare- eligible retirees on Tricare For Life. (Source: Military.com 06/23/20) https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/06/24/pentagon-retirees-plan-now-tricare-select-enrollment-fees-2021.html

Campaign to remove Stennis' name

A campaign was kicked off June 24 to rename Stennis Space Center, Miss., led by Will Pomerantz, Virgin Orbit’s VP for Special Projects and co-founder of the Brooke Owens Fellowship that is dedicated to career advancement for women and other gender minorities in the aerospace profession. The campaign is in an effort to raise awareness of racial disparities. Stennis is named for former U.S. Sen. John C. Stennis (1901-1995), a known segregationist early in his career. NASA announced June 24 it is naming its HQ building after Mary Jackson, the first African-American woman engineer to work at the agency. In a long series of tweets, Pomerantz urged Stennis be renamed, perhaps in honor of Mae Jemison, the first African- American woman in space although other names popped up as well. Also, an effort is underway to rename the Navy’s U.S.S. John C. Stennis aircraft carrier. It and NASA’s Center were both named for Stennis by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. (Source: SpacePolicyOnline 06/24/20) https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/campaign-to-rename-stennis-space-center-kicks-off/

O'Brien takes reins at 479th FTG

NAS PENSACOLA, Fla. - In front of a socially distanced audience, the 479th Flying Training Group turned the page in its next chapter of command here June 23 when Col. Charles McElvaine relinquished the reins to Col. William O’Brien IV. He enters command with the combination of recent tactical relevance and leadership that will have an immediate impact on the production of Air Force Combat Systems Officers (CSOs). Excited about his return to NAS Pensacola, he said: “I am humbled and privileged to be given the opportunity to lead such a great team, leading a unique mission such as our only Combat Systems Officer training pipeline. These future aviators are a lynchpin as the Air Force transitions from a platform-centric to a net-centric approach to warfare.” In his previous assignment, he was the Division Chief Enterprise and Engagement, Electromagnetic Spectrum Superiority Director at AF headquarters. Col. McElvaine ends a 3-year tour of the command that resulted in the production of 727 Combat Systems Officers and the largest overhaul of course syllabi in more than a decade. The course modification resulted in a production increase of over 30 percent, all without additional costs or resources. He will move to the post of professor at the National War College in Washington, D.C. (Source: 12th Flight Training Wing 06/23/20)

Flight academy shuts for summer

The National Flight Academy onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola has suspended all summer programming due to the coronavirus pandemic. The program, which houses up to 200 students per week as well as staff in close quarters, was suspended for safety purposes. The program allows for students to live onboard a land-locked, virtual aircraft carrier, called AMBITION, for six days while they plan and complete missions. (Source: News Journal 06/22/20) https://www.pnj.com/story/news/2020/06/22/national-flight-academy-suspends-all-2020-summer-programming/3235744001/

Saharan dust cloud by Friday

A northern Gulf Coast-wide plume of dust particles from the Sahara Desert in Africa remains on track to approach the Gulf Coast on June 24. The heaviest concentration to arrive by Friday afternoon, according to NASA models, which could pose a health threat for residents with existing lung conditions, and may increase the risk of contracting COVID-19. The good news is that it will diminish chances of tropical depressions forming. (Source: NOLA.com o6/23/20) https://www.nola.com/news/environment/article_4f403cd0-b576-11ea-9ede-5f1b7f3e5912.html

Raspet to lead UAS safety efforts

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State University again is leading a major federal unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) research, testing and development initiative. MSU’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory was recently designated as the Federal Aviation Administration’s UAS Safety Research Facility, placing the center as the helm of studying and developing safety and certification standards for UAS becoming more integrated in American airspace. Mississippi State’s “foundational work” with UAS has positioned Raspet to “help write the flight safety plan for this potentially transformational aspect of the aviation industry,” said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. Along with 25 partner universities and 100+ government agencies at the FAA’s UAS Center of Excellence, Raspet already conducts the vast majority of safety-related UAS research for civilian use. The research coalition is called the Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence (ASSURE). Raspet s the nation’s leading academic research center dedicated exclusively to the advancement of UAS. It is the only institute in the world designated both as the FAA’s UAS Safety Research Facility and as official UAS Test Sites for both the FAA and the Department of Homeland Security. (Source: MSU 06/23/20) https://www.msstate.edu/newsroom/article/2020/06/faa-selects-msus-raspet-flight-research-lab-lead-uas-safety-efforts

Fallout continues for GE-90 engine

The FAA issued an airworthiness directive (AD) May 12 after the October 2019 failure of a GE90-115B engine on a Thai Airways Boeing 777-300ER. The AD required initial and repetitive ultrasonic inspections of certain inter-stage high-pressure turbine (HPT) rotor seals installed on GE-90-110B1 and -115B engines. Depending on the inspections, the AD also called for removal and replacement of the HPT rotor seal at the next shop stop. The ADs are targeted at a group of 16 engines that are operated by just two carriers. None of the engines is installed on U.S.-registered aircraft, according to the FAA. Since some airlines, including Delta Air Lines, have recently announced plans to retire their 777s, aftermarket demand for the GE90 will most likely decrease because of the COVID-19 pandemic, unless those aircraft are picked up by other carriers or converted into freighters. (Source: Aviation Week 06/10/20) Mississippi Note: The manufacturing of the GE90 engine involves multiple GE Aviation locations across the country, including its Batesville, Miss., facility that provides composites for the fan stator case, acoustic panels, and fan platforms. https://aviationweek.com/mro/aircraft-propulsion/faa-issues-another-ad-ge90s?utm_rid=CPEN1000002255725&utm_campaign=24485&utm_medium=email&elq2=7a69f68b2bb04c3d8f0b90515bfac03a