NO-go Mardi Gras gets creative

When the City of New Orleans canceled Mardi Gras 2021, residents decided to take matters into their own hands. Despite cancellations, festive "floats" will still line the streets of the Big Easy because people have decided to decorate their houses instead. (Source: CBS 01/30/21) New Orleans houses turn into Mardi Gras floats (msn.com)

Gulf Coast Jam moved to June

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. – The Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam is moving to June 4-6, organizers announced Jan. 28. Luke Bryan, Brad Paisley and Lynyrd Skynyrd remain confirmed headline here for the Southeast’s largest country music festival. General Admission ticket prices, which are currently available, remain at $119 for all three days. Military and First Responder ticket prices are $109 per ticket. Early entry passes will be available for $75. The three-day General Parking and Platinum Parking passes are $50 and $75, respectively, and are available but close to selling out. (Source: Gulf Coast Jam 01/29/21) www.GulfCoastJam.com.

Biden EOs to effect marine biz

President Joe Biden signed a number of Executive Orders on Jan. 27 that includes taking action on international efforts to combat climate change, including those relating to decarbonizing shipping. One of the EOs directs Secretary of the Interior to pause on entering into new oil and natural gas leases on public lands or offshore waters, launch a review of all existing leasing and permitting practices related to fossil fuel development on public lands and waters, and identify steps that can be taken to double renewable energy production from offshore wind by 2030. There may be a pause on new O&G lease sales, that doesn’t mean a shift end to offshore drilling. A DoI fact sheet notes that there are 12M acres of public waters under lease, over 77% are unused and non-producing. Under the previous administration, more than 78M were offered for lease to oil, gas, and mineral development offshore, and only 5M were purchased. Still, nobody in the offshore O&G sector, including offshore support businesses, isn’t going to be gleeful with the idea of a moratorium on new leases. (Source: Marine Log 01/28/21) Biden actions on climate change have big implications across maritime sector - Marine Log

AF housing survey extended

The Defense Department extended the deadline to Feb. 5 for Air Force housing residents to complete the annual Tenant Satisfaction Survey to ensure residents have an opportunity to voice their opinions. In December, a third-party firm hired by the AF to distribute the survey and collect data sent out 60,684 electronic survey invitations to residents in privatized and government-owned housing. To date, an average of 24.3%, across 66 housing projects, have responded. For the 14 government-owned projects, the average response rate is 18.8%. With around two weeks left to respond, leadership is urging residents to take the time and complete the survey. If a resident wants to provide feedback, but has not received a survey link via e-mail, they are encouraged to email CEL & Associates at AirForceHousingSurvey@celassociates.com for assistance. The Office of Management and Budget control number for this survey is OMB 0704-0553. (Source: Air Force 01/21/21) DoD extends deadline for Tenant Satisfaction Survey  > U.S. Air Force > Article Display (af.mil)

History teacher of year named

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Mississippi Historical Society recognizes one teacher annually for their work in preserving the history of Mississippi. Sacred Heart Catholic School teacher Theresa Moore is this year’s History Teacher of the Year. She has been a teacher at Sacred Heart for nearly 20 years. (Source: WDAM 01/29/21) Sacred Heart teacher recognized as MHS History Teacher of the Year (wdam.com)

16 states w/ declining populations

With aging residents, low birth rates, COVID-19 and immigration cutbacks, 16 states are/have been seeing decreases in population. The U.S. is experiencing the slowest national population growth since the Great Depression. The nation grew about 7% between 2010-20, similar to the previous historic low between 1930-40, according to new Census Bureau estimates, which do not reflect the 2020 census counts. The agency will release the final 2020 census tally in March. The 16 states that are experiencing a decline in population are Louisiana, Mississippi, California, Massachusetts, Ohio, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia. (Source: Pew Trust 01/21/21) Census Estimates Show Population Decline in 16 States | The Pew Charitable Trusts (pewtrusts.org)

Census: 18% US biz minority owned

The Census Bureau released new estimates on the characteristics of American-employer businesses. The 2019 Annual Business Survey (ABS), covering 2018, indicates about 18.3% (1M) of all U.S. businesses were minority-owned; and about 19.9% (1.1M) of all businesses were owned by women. The statistics also include the four sectors with the most businesses - Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services; Construction; Health Care and Social Assistance; and Retail Trade. Combined, the estimated 2.8M businesses employed about 51.1M workers with an annual payroll of around $2.6T. Veteran-owned businesses made up about 5.9% (337,934) of all businesses. Hispanic-owned businesses had a growth of about 3% from 2017. In 2018, Hispanic-owned businesses made up about 5.8% (331,625) of all businesses. There was an estimated 577,835 Asian-owned businesses, with about 24.5% (141,746) in the Accommodation and Food Services sector. Asian-owned businesses had the largest estimated receipts ($863.3 billion) among minority groups. African-Americans owned about 124,551 businesses, with about 28.5% (35,547) in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector, the highest percentage of any minority group. (Source: Census Bureau 01/28/21) Data on Minority-Owned, Veteran-Owned and Women-Owned Businesses (census.gov)

New round of RS-25 tests

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss - NASA is set to begin a new round of tests for development of RS-25 engines that will help power the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket on future missions to the Moon and, eventually, Mars. The first test of the new series was set for Jan. 28 on the A-1 Test Stand at Stennis Space Center (SSC). The seven-test series will use RS-25 developmental engine No. 0528, and will provide data for Aerojet Rocketdyne as it begins production of new RS-25 engines for use after the first four SLS flights. The new engines and components will be manufactured with cutting-edge and cost-saving technologies. The SSC test engine will be fired seven times for a total of 3,650 seconds during the first half of 2021. (Source: NASA/SSC, 01/27/21)

MS biz HoF's Speed has died

JACKSON, Miss. - Mississippi Business Hall of Famer Leland Speed died Jan. 27 after suffering from ALS. Speed served as head of the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) during Gov. Haley Barbour’s administration after Hurricane Katrina. He left as CEO of both Parkway Properties and EastGroup Properties - which he founded - to take on the MDA position. (Source: WAPT 01/27/21) Former MDA leader, businessman Leland Speed dies Wednesday (wapt.com)

Special-needs playground built

Last fall, Bay-Waveland (Miss.) Elementary School officials discussed the need for more non-typical playground space for its special-needs and younger students. The school carved just enough from their budget to purchase the playground. The younger students in pre-K, along with Autistic and other special needs students, were not allowed on the existing playground due to regulations that protect children of certain categories. With all going well, officials learned that the installation of the playground would break their budget without volunteer help. The cell phone of of Lt Sarah Powell, NCBC Gulfport Chaplain, began to ring. The chaplain has been functioning as the base’s volunteer and community service coordinator for two years. The volunteer call went across the base for 10 personnel to step up. The multi-day project got underway Jan. 27. “It has been amazing watching the volunteers" build the playground, said Tara Scott, project director. The playground "has been a dream of ours for some time.” said Scott. Additionally, the Bay St. Louis Habitat for Humanity brought their trailer filled with tools to assist the sailors. “It feels awesome to be a part of this," said Builder 3rd Class Anthony Destefano of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1. (Source: NCBC Gulfport 01/28/21)

Mock tech expo at Keesler AFB

KEESLER AFB, Miss. - In preparation for the Air Education and Training Command (AETC) Technology Expo, the 81st Training Group held a Mock Tech Expo on Keesler AFB on Jan. 27. The expo set up booths for nine different projects. A demonstration for each project was  conducted for the 81st TRG and 81st Training Wing leadership. “(F)or a month and a half we have been gathering innovation projects," said Maj. Matthew Francom, 334th Training Squadron assistant director of operations. “Today’s event was for our folks working on innovation projects to present their projects for the first time in an expo format.” The goals of the tech expos are to share ideas, leverage cross-functionality, and generate innovation across the command, Francom said. The AETC Tech Expo was planned for early February, but is being rescheduled. (Source: Keesler AFB 01/28/21)

Army helo 'fam' flights at CAFB

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - Columbus Air Force Base hosted personnel from the 23rd Flying Training Squadron at Fort Rucker, Ala., to facilitate training and offer helicopter familiarization flights to prospective pilots on Jan. 26. The 23rd FTS brought two TH-1H Iroquois that are used to train pilots attending specialized undergraduate helicopter pilot training at Fort Rucker.  Air Force 1st Lt. Philip Strunk, 23rd FTS instructor pilot, also said they brought a group of helicopter student-pilots to receive physiological and altitude chamber training at CAFB. The pilots are coming back from initial flight training in Texas. “We are also here spreading the knowledge of what a helicopter can do and the purpose they serve in the Air Force,” said Strunk. “We are offering aircraft familiarization flights to student and instructor pilots to show them helicopters are actually pretty cool and useful, and they have some amazing capabilities.” (Source: CAFB 01/28/21)

Stennis to provide contract support

Bell Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is awarded a $25,523,136 modification (P00005) to cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price order N00019-20-F-0315 against previously issued basic ordering agreement N00019-17-G-0002.  This modification adds scope for the production and delivery of nine right aft sponson fuel tank kits in support of V-22 Production Aircraft 9-17 for the government of Japan.  Additionally, this modification provides development and updates to existing technical data as well as services in support of aircraft deliveries and aircrew pilot and crew chief training for the government of Japan.  Work will be performed in Jacksonville, North Carolina (35%); Chiba Provence, Japan (35%); Ridley Park, Pennsylvania (20%); Stennis, Mississippi (5%); and Fort Worth, Texas (5%), and is expected to be completed in March 2024.  Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $25,523,136 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 01/27/21)

La. shipbuilders part of 3 contracts

Bay Ship & Yacht Co., Alameda, Calif. (W56HZV-21-D-L002); Colonna's Shipyard Inc., Norfolk, Va. (W56HZV-21-D-L003); Conley Marine Services, Harvey, La. (W56HZV-21-D-L004); Fairlead Boatworks Inc., Newport News, Va. (W56HZV21DL005); GMD Shipyard Corp.,* Brooklyn, NY (W56HZV-21-D-L006); Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corp.,* Galveston, Texas (W56HZV-21-D-L007); Lyon Shipyard Inc.,* Norfolk, Va. (W56HZV-21-D-L008); Mare Island Dry Dock, Vallejo, Calif. (W56HZV-21-D-L009); Metal Trades Inc.,* Yonges Island, SC (W56HZV-21-D-L010); Murtech Inc.,* Glen Burnie, Md. (W56HZV-21-D-L011); Platypus Marine Inc., Port Angeles, Wash. (W56HZV-21-D-L012); Swiftships LLC, Morgan City, La. (W56HZV-21-D-L013); Vigor Marine LLC, Portland, Ore. (W56HZV-21-D-L014); and Yank Marine Services,* Dorchester, NJ (W56HZV-21-D-L015), will compete for each order of the $235,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the purpose of performing on-condition cyclic maintenance, modifications, modernizations and repairs, requiring the use of a dry dock as well as sustainment maintenance, modernization efforts on the Army Watercraft Fleet of vessels.  Bids were solicited via the internet with 16 received.  Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 26, 2026.  U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Mich., is the contracting activity.

* Swiftships LLC,* Morgan City, La. (W56HZV-21-D-L018); Heavy Engineering Industries and Shipbuilding Co., Shuwaikh, Kuwait (W56HZV-21-D-L019); Japan Marine United Co., Yokohama, Japan (W56HZV-21-D-L020); Orient Shipyard Co. Ltd., Pusan, South Korea (W56HZV-21-D-L021); Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd., Yokosuka, Japan (W56HZV-21-D-L022); Sunjin Entech Co. Ltd, Pusan, South Korea (W56HZV-21-D-L023); and Yokohama Engineering Works Ltd., Yokohama, Japan (W56HZV-21-D-L024), will compete for each order of the $180,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the follow-on efforts for the Watercraft Inspection Branch and Army Watercraft Systems Product Directorate to combine its shipyard efforts to efficiently execute modifications, modernizations and on-condition cyclic maintenance efforts for its existing fleet of vessels. Bids were solicited via the internet with seven received.  Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Jan 26, 2026.  U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Mich., is the contracting activity.

* Colonna's Shipyard Inc.,* Norfolk, Virginia (W56HZV-21-D-L025); Conley Marine Services LLC,* Harvey, Louisiana (W56HZV-21-D-L026); Continental Tide Defense Systems Inc., Wyomissing, Pennsylvania (W56HZV-21-D-L027); Epsilon Systems Solutions Inc., Portsmouth, Virginia (W56HZV-21-D-L028); Guam Industrial Services Inc., Agat, Guam (W56HZV-21-D-L029); Heavy Engineering Industries & Shipbuilding, Shuwaikh Port Area, Western Extension Shuwaikh, Kuwait (W56HZV-21-D-L030); HII Fleet Support Group LLC, Virginia Beach, Virginia (W56HZV-21-D-L031); L3 Unidyne Inc., Norfolk, Virginia (W56HZV-21-D-L032); Lyon Shipyard Inc., Norfolk, Virginia (W56HZV-21-D-L033); Metal Trades Inc.,* Yonges Island, South Carolina (W56HZV-21-D-L034); QED Systems Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia (W56HZV-21-D-L035); Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd., Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan (W56HZV-21-D-L036); Sunjin Entech Co. Ltd., Pusan, South Korea (W56HZV-21-D-L037); and Yokohama Engineering Works Ltd., Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan (W56HZV-21-D-L038), will compete for each order of the $155,000,000 firm-fixed-price contract for unprogrammed maintenance, emergency repair, modification and modernization efforts that do not require the use of a dry dock.  Bids were solicited via the internet with 15 received.  Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 26, 2026.  U.S. Army Contracting Command, Detroit Arsenal, Michigan, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 01/27/21)

AHI earns CBP helo contract

COLUMBUS, Miss. - Helicopters built at Airbus Helicopters Inc. In Columbus could soon play a role in securing the U.S. border. U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) announced Customs and Border Protection (CBP) had issued a $21.2M contract to begin production of Light Enforcement Helicopters in Columbus. Smith said that the contract is for the delivery of up to nine LEHs. The contract has a potential value of $65.9M. The contract is funded through the FY 2020 appropriations packages. (Source: WLBT 01/25/21)

CG calls off search for barge worker

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard and partner agencies are searching for a missing person on Jan. 26 in the Lower Mississippi River near Jefferson Heights in Jefferson Parish, La. Elisander Alvardo, 44, was last seen wearing coveralls and no life jacket. The CG received a call at about 3 p.m. from Zito Fleeting reporting one of their barge workers had fallen overboard near mile marker 105. The CG issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and directed the launch of search and rescue assets. Anyone with information regarding this case is requested to contact the Sector New Orleans command center at 504-365-2200. (Source: Coast Guard 01/26/21) UPDATE: The Coast Guard suspended its search Wednesday for Elisander Alvardo. (Source: CG 01/27/21)

Metal Shark to develop LRUSV

JEANERETTE, La. - Metal Shark shipbuilding was selected to develop and implement the Long Range Unmanned Surface Vessel (LRUSV) System for the Marine Corps. LRUSV system is to usher in a new era of naval technology while increasing lethality of forces with a network of unmanned vessels traveling autonomously for extended ranges and transporting loitering munitions to address targets at sea and on land. Metal Shark enlisted developer Spatial Integrated Systems (SIS), which was recently acquired by Huntington Ingalls Industries, to provide the autonomy solution for the LRUSV system. Metal Shark will design, build, test, and implement the vessels and will handle the integration of the autonomy system and an advanced Command and Control (C2) software suite. The LRUSV program is the latest success for Metal Shark’s Sharktech Autonomous Vessels division, a wholly-owned subsidiary launched in 2018 and focused on the advancement of unmanned vessel technology. (Source: Metal Shark 01/25/21)

Navy security exercises start Feb. 1

The Navy’s annual nationwide security exercises, known as Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain, will run from Feb. 1-12 involving bases across the country's 11 Naval Districts. The drills and training are designed for a range of security situations. It’s meant to ensure that the Navy is prepared to respond to security and terrorism threats. "We are always looking to improve and regional leadership has been fully supportive in allowing us the ability to find new ways to ensure we are combating both current and potential future threats to our installations," said Sean Sullivan of Naval District Washington, D.C. The first week of events, Citadel Shield, is led by the Navy Installations Command. Solid Curtain will be led by the U.S. Fleet Forces Command. (Source: UPI 01/25/21) Gulf Coast Note: All naval facilities across the Gulf Coast – from NAS/JRB New Orleans, NAS Meridian and NCBC Gulfport in Mississippi, and east to Tyndall AFB, Fla., - will be involved in the CS-SC exercises, which may cause delays and traffic backups in getting onto those bases.

200 NG pop positive since DC duty

Its been about three weeks since some 25,000 national guardsmen, from multiple states, were in Washington for inauguration security duty. Now that they’ve been making their ways back home, nearly 200 have contracted  COVID-19, according to Maj. Gen. William Walker, director of the D.C. Guard. He could not confirm the total numbers that are quarantined, but said close contacts are tested after a guardsman pops positive, with a 14-day isolation in D.C following diagnoses. “I’m deeply troubled by the number,” he told reporters Jan. 25. Nearly 50 percent of the deployed troops have made their ways back home. About 13,000 remain in D.C., but will dwindle to 7,000 by the end of this week, Army Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau, told reporters. (Source: Military Times 01/25/21) https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2021/01/25/nearly-200-national-guardsmen-have-tested-positive-for-covid-19-since-deploying-to-dc/ Gulf Coast Note: Several hundred guardsmen from Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama were among the 25,000 in Washington for inauguration duty. The 200 positive cases have not been identified by name or state.

Ala. shipyard $19.6M contract

Alabama Shipyard LLC, Mobile, Ala., is awarded a $19,679,483 firm-fixed-price contract (N32205-21-C-4128) for a 76-calendar day shipyard availability for the regular overhaul/dry docking on USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1). The contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the total contract value to $21,847,693. Work will be performed in Mobile, and is expected to be completed by May 24, 2021. Contract funds in the amount of $19,679,483 are obligated in fiscal 2021 using working capital funds (Navy). This contract was competitively procured with proposals solicited via the beta.Sam.gov website and three offers were received.  The Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 01/25/21)

15 MSU education projects funded

STARKVILLE, Miss.-Mississippi State University is using $4.3M allocated by the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund program to implement 15 innovative education projects across the state. The projects address educational needs that have emerged from the pandemic, such as providing virtual mental health services, and supporting at-risk students. The funding will also be used to expand a program providing support to MSU students nearing graduation in need of financial assistance to earn their degrees. GEER is funded by federal COVID-19 relief legislation. The 15 MSU-led projects include: *Student Financial Aid ($861,637.50) — Funding for the Maroon Completion Grant; *Research and Curriculum Unit ($850,413.88) —Provide or implement high‐quality training for students, parents and/or educators to support effective online learning; *Research and Curriculum Unit ($681,724.72) — Leveraging K-12 student access to devices provided through Mississippi Connects to implement innovative practices made possible by expanded access to technology, and address learning loss created or exacerbated by the pandemic; *Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Special Education ($368,167.44) — Expand awareness of and access to best practices and innovations in online learning in order to increase the current and future use of such practices; *Autism and Developmental Disabilities Clinic ($316,540.72) — Provide focused social and emotional learning support services for at‐risk groups, such as those students diagnosed with developmental delays including autism and dyslexia. *Student Support Services ($259,625.84) — Supporting and implementing online learning in the ACCESS program; *T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability ($242,204.95) — Funding for Ignite Reading: Individualized Reading Interventions; *Department of Psychology ($217,906.60) — Improving Mississippi mental health care through telehealth; *Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion ($174,411.30) — Mental health gatekeeper training; *Meridian Division of Education ($143,546.45) — Provide or implement high‐quality training for students, parents and/or educators to support effective online learning; *Department of Classical and Modern Languages ($105,601.05) —Support for online language teaching; *Department of English ($34,285.24) — Professional development for teachers working with emergent bilinguals; *MSU Libraries ($28,931.70) — Using MAGNOLIA resources to enhance remote learning; *MSU Writing and Thinking Institute ($23,335.72) — Provide or implement high‐quality training for students, parents and/or educators to support effective online learning; and *Student Counseling Services ($9,660.00) — Provide telehealth and teletherapy services to address student mental health issues at all levels of education, including providing a platform or application through which professionals may provide telehealth or teletherapy services. (Source: MSU 01/22/21)

GC native confirmed SECDEF

Gulf Coast native Lloyd J. Austin, a West Point graduate who rose to the Army’s elite ranks, won Senate confirmation Jan. 22 to become the nation’s first Black secretary of defense. The 93-2 vote gave President Joe Biden his second Cabinet member; Avril Haines was confirmed on Wednesday as the first woman to serve as director of national intelligence. Austin, a Mobile, Ala., native, describes himself as the son of a postal worker and a homemaker from Thomasville, Ga. (Source: AL.com 01/22/21) Lloyd Austin, Alabama native, confirmed as first Black Defense Secretary - al.com

MS senate OKs teacher pay raise

JACKSON, Miss. - The Mississippi Senate unanimously approved on Jan. 21 a $1,000 pay raise for all teachers. The bill is estimated to cost the state $51M. Senate Bill 2001 also would increase starting teacher pay to $37,000 and bring the minimum salary for assistant teachers to $15,000. SB 2001 now heads to the state House of Representatives for consideration. (Source: 01/21/21) Teacher pay raise unanimously passes Mississippi Senate, moves to House | News | djournal.com 

Gulfport part of TORA contract

Conflict Kinetics Corp., Sterling, Va., is awarded a $28,164,522 single-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract that will include terms and conditions for the placement of firm-fixed-price task orders for the procurement of Tactical Ocular Reaction Area™ (TORA™) small arms simulator support services to include on-site hardware; software and contracted information technology system security; air compressors; replacement equipment; and software modifications/software warranty as needed for all TORA™ simulators in support of Naval Expeditionary Combat Command within the continental U.S. and outside the continental U.S. locations. The contract will include a five-year ordering period with no options. The ordering period is expected to begin January 2021 and be completed by January 2026. Work will be performed in Williamsburg, Va. (15%); Virginia Beach (15%); Gulfport, Miss. (15%); San Diego (15%); Port Hueneme, Calif. (15%); Newport, RI (7%); Jacksonville, Fla. (7%); Seal Beach, Calif. (7%); and Guam (4%). Fiscal 2021 Navy operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $1,000 will be obligated to fund the contract’s minimum amount and funds will expire at the end of the fiscal year. Individual task orders will be subsequently funded with appropriate fiscal year appropriations at the time of their issuance. One source was solicited for this non-competitive, sole-source requirement pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 U.S. Code 2304(c)(1) in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center, Norfolk, Va., Contracting Department is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 01/21/21) 

New pilots graduate SUPT 21-04

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - Fifteen student from the Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 21-04 officially graduated Jan. 19, and earned their pilot wings, on board Columbus Air Force Base. Student pilots go through a 52-week training program, operating trainer aircraft such as the T-6 Texan II, before claiming the title of U.S. Air Force pilot. These pilots were accompanied on graduation by guest speaker Col. James Akers, 1st Operations Group commander at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. Akers offered words of wisdom to the graduates, and then gave a base-wide treat with an F-22 Raptor Airpower Demo show. (Source: Columbus AFB 01/19/21) 

Ingalls awards $99K in STEM grants

PASCAGOULA, Miss. - Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division has awarded $99,890 in grants to 26 schools and educational organizations in Mississippi and Alabama for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) initiatives. “The educators receiving these awards are innovators and strong advocates for science, technology, engineering and math,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias said. “Ingalls remains committed to supporting programs that cultivate talent in these important fields.” Ingalls has awarded more than $1.2M for local STEM-related educational projects over the last 13 years. STEM grant recipients: Bay Middle (Bay St. Louis, Miss.); Central Elementary (Pascagoula, Miss.); Dauphin Island (Ala.) Sea Lab; D’Iberville (Miss.) High School; Gulfport, Miss., High School; Lake (Miss.) Elementary; McGill-Toolen Catholic High (Mobile, Ala.); Mississippi Council on Economic Education (Jackson, Miss.); Moss Point (Miss.) High School; Ocean Springs (Miss.) Middle; Ocean Springs Upper Elementary; Orange Grove Elementary (Gulfport, Miss.); Pecan Park Elementary (Ocean Springs); Popp’s Ferry Elementary (Biloxi, Miss.); St. Alphonsus Catholic Elementary (Ocean Springs); St. Martin High (Ocean Springs); St. Martin Middle; St. Patrick Catholic High (Biloxi, Miss.); Saint Mary Catholic (Mobile, Ala.); Treehouse Montessori (Ocean Springs); Vancleave (Miss.) Lower Elementary; Vancleave Middle; and Vancleave Upper Elementary. (Source: HII 01/20/21) Huntington Ingalls Industries Awards More Than $99,000 in STEM Grants to Gulf Coast Schools | Huntington Ingalls Industries

Design fix halts Freedom LCS

WASHINGTON - The Navy has stopped the deliveries of Lockheed Martin’s Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship citing a design flaw with the ship’s transmission. In releasing a statement of the decision, the Navy pointed to “a material defect” with the ship’s combining gear that transmits power generated by the ship’s engines to its waterjet propulsion system. Additionally, the Navy said it is working to design a fix for in-service Freedom LCS while holding off on taking delivery of newer ships. The Freedom class LCS was designed by Lockheed Martin and built by Fincantieri’s Marinette (Wis.) Marine shipyard. The combining gear with the defect was designed by the German firm RENK AG. The fix may take months to install on each ship, according to a senior Navy official who spoke on condition of anonymity. (Source: Defense News 01/19/21) Gulf Coast Note: The Independence-class LCS is built by Austal USA's shipyard in Mobile, Ala.

Acting secretaries assume duties

At noon, Jan. 20, David L. Norquist assumed the duties of Acting Secretary of Defense. In his capacity as acting secretary, Norquist will maintain continuity and readiness of the DoD until a defense secretary is confirmed by the Senate. Norquist has served as the Deputy Secretary of Defense since July 2019. The acting secretary of the Army is John Whitley. The acting secretary of the Navy is Tom Harker. The acting secretary of the Air Force is John Roth. (Source: DoD 01/20/21)

MS native earns award from VA

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Randy Reeves, a native of Little Rock, Miss., received the VA’s Exceptional Service Award from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Robert Wilkie, recognizing Reeves’ outstanding contributions over three years as leader of the National Cemetery Administration. The National Cemetery Administration oversees 153 national cemeteries and 34 monuments and soldiers lots in 44 states and Puerto Rico, and provides grant funds to an additional 118 state, territorial and tribal Veterans cemeteries across the U.S.  (Source: VA 01/14/21)

King Memorial closed on his day

WASHINGTON, D.C. – It was a quiet, but discomforting holiday for those living in or visiting the nation’s capital on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. The King Memorial was closed, and barricades lined Black Lives Matter Plaza in the days leading up to President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration. In addition to beefed-up security, COVID-19 also forced many planned MLK Day celebrations to be called off or held virtually. A couple of portraits of King were plastered onto the side of the AFL-CIO building in Black Lives Matter Plaza, but no other signs of the holiday could be spotted downtown Monday morning. (Source: USA TODAY 01/18/21) 'It hurts my heart': MLK Day in DC subdued with King Memorial closed, city locked down (msn.com)

Biden expected to nix Keystone

President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. is expected to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline permit on his first day in office, quickly reversing his predecessor’s approval of a project to move oil from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, according to a person familiar with Mr. Biden’s plans for his first days in office. It’s expected to happen on Jan. 20, amid a flurry of other executive actions that Mr. Biden plans to take to demonstrate his determination to reverse Mr. Trump’s legacy. Had it been completed, the pipeline was designed to take /up to 830,000 barrels/day of Canadian and North Dakota crude to refineries in Texas and Louisiana for processing into oil that could be exported oversees or used to enhance domestic supplies. (Source: NY Times 01/18/21) Biden Expected to Cancel Keystone XL Pipeline Permit - The New York Times (nytimes.com) UPDATE: CALGARY, Alberta - Canada's main oil-producing province Alberta urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday to mount a last-ditch effort to save an $8 billion pipeline and threatened to seek damages if U.S. President-elect Joe Biden cancels Keystone XL. (Source: Reuters 01/18/21) Canada's Alberta urges Trudeau to press Biden, save Keystone XL pipeline (yahoo.com)

USM receives research workboat

Silver Ships Inc. has delivered an 11-year-old refurbished 48-foot workboat to the University of Southern Mississippi's (USM) School of Ocean Science Engineering. Originally, the Endeavor 45 was built by Silver Ships for the State of Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (DMR) in 2008. Its transformation to an Endeavor 48 research vessel involved careful strategy, design and reconstruction. The vessel is to serve as an offshore research vessel in support of USM’s deep ocean underwater surveys. The improved vessel will conduct testing, maritime research and underwater surveys in the Gulf of Mexico for various private and governmental partners. Silver Ships’ operations are out of Theodore, Ala. (Source: USM 01/15/21)

Cautious tests cause SLS shutdown

NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket ignited its four main engines on a test stand at Stennis Space Center, Miss., on Jan. 16, but the engines were powered down earlier than planned. The hot fire test, the last of eight, was aimed at ensuring the vehicle didn't have major structural or engineering issues before it is put on a launch pad. The SLS was supposed to light its engines for about eight minutes, but the engines were powered down after little more than 1 minute. The test was still useful for gathering data and "teams are assessing the data on early engine shutdown," the space agency tweeted. In a nighttime news conference, John Honeycutt, SLS program manager, said officials will go over the data to identify the issue. "What we learned was -- is that we didn't have the pressurization valve modeled appropriately," Honeycutt said. (Source: CNN 01/16/21) UPDATE: Conservative parameters with the hydraulic systems led to the shutdown of a key test for NASA’s new "megarocket" at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi last weekend. Officials said the way components had been set up to respond was "a little conservative" and that’s what led to the early stoppage. There was no sign of damage to the core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS). (Source: BBC News 01/20/21)