MSU bio prof earns NSF award

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Andrew K. Lawton, an assistant Biological Sciences professor at Mississippi State University, is the recipient of more than $870,000 from the Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program, one of the National Science Foundation’s most prestigious awards in support of early-career faculty. Lawton’s been on the MSU faculty since 2019. He will use the five-year grant to initiate research on brain development. Specifically, how the brain folds during development. He also will incorporate the research into a special course for undergraduate students and partner with Armstrong Junior High School in the Starkville-Oktibbeha School District to provide science experience “refresher” courses for AJHS science teachers. CAREER awards recognize faculty members with potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of departments or organizations. (Source: MSU 03/30/21) MSU faculty member garners NSF Career Award to study brain development | Mississippi State University (msstate.edu)

DoD MoA expands small biz ops

The Department of Defense’s Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP), the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense on small business matters, and the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN), an innovation unit within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) March 5 to collaborate on expanding the national security innovation base. The partnership links two DoD organizations with a common mission to establish an annual, joint program plan to leverage OSBP and NSIN resources to achieve shared objectives: Collaborate to develop events and programs to engage small businesses in the National Technology and Industrial Base; Prototype operational concepts related to emerging technologies and accelerate the transition of technologies and services into acquisition programs and operational use; Support partnership between DoD and academic institutions, commercial firms, accelerators, incubators, and non-profit organizations whose missions relate to national security innovation; and Enhance the capabilities of the DoD in market research, source selection, partnerships with private capital, and access to commercial technologies. The OSBP-NSIN partnership enables more DoD collaboration and support between small businesses, academic institutions, commercial firms, accelerators, incubators, and nonprofit entities whose missions include national security innovation. (Source: DoD 03/31/21) Partnership Expands Opportunities for New and Small Businesses to Work With the Department of Defense, Expand National Security Innovation Base > U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE > Release

AHI proposes H175s for NYPD

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas - Airbus Helicopters Inc. (AHI) has submitted a bid to the New York Police Department’s Request For Proposal (RFP) for two new helicopters to partially replace the department’s aging fleet. AHI is prepared to equip the NYPD with high-tech, high-performance search and rescue (SAR) H175 helicopters, which are built at AHI’s facility in Columbus, Miss. The NYPD is responsible for missions that include surveillance, search and rescue, counter terrorism, SWAT, medical evacuation, high rise rescue, and firefighting. The current RFP was released earlier this month, with an award announcement expected later this year. The H175 is a twin-engine helo that can hold two pilots and 18 passengers, and is suited for SAR, emergency medical, law enforcement, firefighting, and land and maritime border control operations. The H175 benefits from the latest developments of AHI’s state-of-the-art Helionix avionics suite, which bolsters the helicopter’s SAR capabilities. (Source: AHI 03/31/21) 

Stennis conducts 2nd 'hot fire'

Relativity Space is on track to ship the second stage of its 3D-printed rocket to Stennis Space Center, Miss., for testing this summer. The California-based company was founded with the goal of using 3D printing to manufacture pretty much the entirety of a small rocket. Whether it will ultimately be successful getting into space has yet to be seen, but the company's 3D printing technology does seem to be working. In an interview with Ars Technica, Relativity CEO Tim Ellis said the company recently printed the second stage that will be used on the inaugural flight of the Terran 1 rocket, right now scheduled before the end of 2021. The stage was printed at a rate of about 1 linear foot per day, so in printer time it took about three weeks in total to produce the 20-foot tall second stage. "We're now confident in this build process," Ellis said. "Not only is the second stage now completed, but we're 75 percent of the way through printing the rocket's first stage." With the printing complete, the company has begun installing an Aeon vacuum engine, avionics, and a separation system for the first stage. Assuming a successful test campaign in Mississippi, the stage will then be moved to Florida, where it will be integrated with the first stage for launch. There will be no payload with the first launch, but the second will carry a payload for NASA. With a maximum capacity of 1.25 metric tons to low-Earth orbit, the Terran 1 rocket has a base price of $12 million. It will slot into an increasingly competitive market for small launch vehicles. (Source: Ars Technica, 03/24/21) For a story on Relativity at Stennis Space Center, see page 3, Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor Newsletter, June 2020. (Source: GCAC 03/28/21) Gulf Coast Aerospace Corridor News: Relativity on track for summer test (gcacnews.blogspot.com) 

UPDATE: Second RS-25 hot fire test

RS-25 test April 6. NASA photo

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - NASA conducted a second RS-25 single engine hot fire test April 6 as part of a new series to support the development and production of engines for the agency’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The full-duration hot fire of more than eight minutes was conducted on the A-1 Test Stand at NASA’s Stennis Space Center (SSC) in South Mississippi. It is part of a scheduled seven-test series designed to provide data for Aerojet Rocketdyne, lead contractor for the SLS engines, as it begins production of new RS-25 engines for use after the first four SLS flights. Four RS-25 engines help power SLS at launch, firing simultaneously to generate a combined 1.6 million pounds of thrust at launch and 2 million pounds of thrust during ascent. The RS-25 engines for the first four SLS flights are upgraded space shuttle main engines and have completed certification testing. During the new test series, operators will focus on evaluating new engine components and reducing risk in engine operation. (Source: NASA/SSC, 04/06/21)

Piret to command NMOC

The acting secretary of the Navy and chief of naval operations announced March 29 that Capt. Ronald J. Piret has been selected for promotion to rear admiral (lower half) and will be assigned as commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NMOC), Stennis Space Center, Miss. Piret is currently serving as chief of staff, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command at Stennis. (Source: DoD 03/29/21)

Austal moves to build steel ships

Austal USA broke ground on its steel manufacturing line March 26 in Mobile, Ala., positioning itself to start steel production in April 2022. The addition of steel capability ensures Austal USA will remain a major contributor to the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base. As demand for greater and larger Navy/Coast Guard fleets, Austal USA is investing to meet those changing requirements, according to Rusty Murdaugh, interim president. Austal has helped Alabama’s lone port city turn into one of the nation’s premier locations for construction of aluminum ships. Now, Austal USA is poised to do the same for steel. During WWII, Mobile built steel Liberty ships that were critical to the war effort. In the coming years, Austal will look to build and deliver steel ships to the CG and Navy. (Source: Austal USA 03/26/21) Austal USA Enters Steel Shipbuilding Market | Austal: Corporate

API shifts long-standing policy

WASHINGTON - The oil and gas industry’s top lobbying group, the American Petroleum Institute, whose members include ExxonMobil, Chevron and other oil giants, announced a position shift ahead of a virtual forum April 2 by the Interior Department as it launches a review of the federal government’s O&G sales. On March 25, API endorsed a federal price on carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming - a reversal of long-standing industry policy. API also called for fast-tracking commercial deployment of technology to capture and store carbon emissions; advancement of hydrogen technology; and federal regulation of methane emissions from new and existing O&G wells. The industry also pledged to reduce flaring at drilling sites that has released vast quantities of methane gas after resisting regulations on methane proposed by the Obama administration. API President and CEO Mike Sommers said in a statement. API President/CEO Mike Sommers emphasized that the industry seeks “market based” solutions, such as a carbon tax or a cap-and-trade policy, rather than “heavy-handed government regulation.’’ (Source: The AP 03/26/21) In shift, oil industry group backs federal price on carbon | Business | djournal.com

Southern flounder disappearing

LSU researchers recently set out to gather data on southern flounder, but ran into a problem: They could hardly find any in Louisiana. Their population has dropped significantly over recent years, but they were first to report the problem extended beyond Louisiana waters. They published a study in March that reported the declines in fish’s population from the Carolinas to Texas. The range of the potential problem could be a warning for other aquatic life similar to the southern flounder, according to Kenneth Erickson, main author on the LSU study. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has recorded some of the lowest numbers of adult female flounder in the past 40 years. Yet, the cause is unclear. Wildlife officials/researchers suspect the declines have more to do with the population becoming increasingly more masculine (sex is determined after birth and based on water temperatures). It could also be environmental changes - warmer water temperatures in the marshy estuaries where they give birth and grow before going to sea. Warmer water tends to cause more male flounder. If that happens often enough, it could create a bottleneck in their ability to repopulate. (Source: NOLA.com 03/27/21) LSU study finds Southern flounder are disappearing throughout their habitat, including Louisiana | Environment | theadvocate.com

HBO film to feature Columbus

HBO documentary “Our Towns” will revisit eight communities from the bestselling book, “Our Towns: A 100,000-Mile Journey into the Heart of America,” penned by journalists James and Deborah Fallows. Columbus, Miss., is among those eight communities. The documentary debuts April 13 at 8 p.m. on HBO and will be available for streaming on HBO Max. Academy Award-nominated filmmakers Steven Ascher and Jeanne Jordan traveled with the authors on a coast-to-coast journey that included stops from San Bernardino, Calif., to the smallest community in the film, Eastport, Maine (population 1,300). “We picked places that were geographically diverse, diverse in size and population, and we also looked at where they are in their histories,” Ascher told The (Columbus) Dispatch in a telephone interview. (Source: The Dispatch 03/27/21) HBO ‘Our Towns’ film, featuring Columbus, debuts April 13 - The Dispatch (cdispatch.com)

JSU alums' scholarship event

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Hattiesburg chapter of the Jackson State University Alumni Association will be hosting its 30th annual Talent Fashion Exhibition and Scholarship Fundraiser on March 28. The “Moving Forward”-themed program will have local performances and a special guest appearance from JSU President Thomas Hudson. The association is setting a goal to raise $15,000 for scholarships. The association currently has 15 students receiving financial support throughout their time at Jackson State. The scholarship is open to any high school seniors in the south Mississippi area who are planning to attend Jackson State in the fall. The deadline to apply for the scholarship is April 23. (Source: WDAM 03/25/21)

CAFB evacuates T-38s from storms

Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., evacuated an unspecified number of T-38 Talon training jets to Patrick Space Base in south Florida earlier this week before severe weather threatened to batter parts of the Southeast. Tornadoes and large hail were threatening to hit Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee, with cities like Columbus and Tupelo, Miss., and Birmingham, Ala., projected to bear the brunt, according to the National Weather Service. A Columbus AFB spokesperson did not provide a specific number of the jets that evacuated, or how long they are to remain in Florida. T-38s are used to train students to fly fighter and bomber planes. CAFB is home to the 14th Flying Training Wing, a hub for undergraduate pilot training. The base also paused training operations until it was safe to return. “We are expecting another round of significant severe weather to impact our area the next three days,” the base’s Facebook page noted on March 24. The 81st Training Wing at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Miss., directed questions to the Air Force Reserve’s 403rd Wing on base, which said it is not moving aircraft. (Source: AF Times 03/25/21) Training base evacuates T-38s to Florida amid severe weather threat (airforcetimes.com)

New CEO for Port of Gulfport

The Mississippi State Port Authority (MSPA) Board of Commissioners has named Jon Nass the new CEO/Executive Director of the Port of Gulfport following an 8-month national search. Nass comes to south Mississippi from the Maine Port Authority where he helped develop Northern New England’s only container terminal and secured tens of millions of dollars in funding for port and rail infrastructure. In addition to his port experience, he was Deputy Commissioner at the Maine Department of Transportation, served seven years in Congress, and most recently as counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security. Nass also served on a U.S. Department of State Provincial Reconstruction Team as a field officer embedded in a U.S. Army infantry battalion operating in Baqubah, Iraq. His start date is June 1. (Source: Port of Gulfport 03/25/21) 

Miss, La. ENERGY STAR awardees

DALLAS - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced four manufacturing plants in Louisiana, and one in Mississippi, are among 95 facilities nationwide to earn ENERGY STAR certification in 2020 for being among the most energy-efficient in their industries. Georgia-Pacific Cellulose pulp mill, New Augusta, Miss., was a first-time certification awardee. Louisiana awardees included Flowers Baking Co. Shops in Baton Rouge, Lafayette and New Orleans. It is a commercial bread and roll baking company, and Marathon Petroleum Corp. in Garyville - petroleum refinery. By managing their energy use during the pandemic, these 95 ENERGY STAR certified plants saved nearly $400M on energy bills; and avoided 80T BTUs of energy and prevented over 5M metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. “These forward-looking businesses have demonstrated that economic development and job creation go hand-in-hand with environmental progress,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. (Source: EPA 03/25/21) EPA Announces Four Louisiana Facilities Among 2020 ENERGY STAR® Certified Manufacturing Plants | U.S. EPA News Releases | US EPA 

NOLA Army Reserve assignment

The chief of staff of the Army announced the following officer assignments at an Army Reserve unit on NAS/JRB New Orleans. 

*OUTGOING: Maj. Gen. Gregory J. Mosser, commander (Troop Program Unit), 377th Theater Sustainment Command, Belle Chasse, La., to deputy commanding general (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), U.S. Army Reserve Command, Fort Bragg, N.C. 

*INCOMING: Brig. Gen. Charles S. Sentell III, commander (Troop Program Unit), 95th Training Division (Initial Entry Training), Fort Sill, Okla., to deputy commanding general - support (Troop Program Unit), 377th Theater Sustainment Command, Belle Chase, La. (Source: DoD 03/25/21)

CG rescues mariners off Grand Isle

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard rescued two mariners from a fishing vessel taking on water three miles south of Grand Isle, La., in the early morning of March 24. CG Sector New Orleans received a notification at about 2 a.m. that the 60-foot fishing vessel P-Omo-IV was taking on water with two aboard. The CG directed the launch of a CG Station Grand Isle 45-foot medium response boat crew and a CG Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin helicopter to assist. The crews were unable to get close due to the vessel’s rigging. The fishermen donned life jackets and went into the water where the boat crew rescued both. The boat crew transported the fishermen ashore with no medical concerns. (Source: Coast Guard 03/24/21)

$100M proposed for restoration

The Deepwater Horizon Regionwide Trustee Implementation Group, which includes trustee representatives from four federal agencies and the states of Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Florida and Texas, is seeking public input on their first post-settlement draft restoration plan. The regional approach exemplifies collaboration/coordination among the trustees by restoring living coastal and marine resources that migrate and live in wide geographic ranges, and linking projects across regional jurisdictions. The plan proposes $99.6M for 11 restoration projects across the five states along the Gulf of Mexico, specific locations in Mexico, and the Atlantic coast of Florida. The trustees are holding two virtual public-webinar meetings that will be open for questions and answers on April 15. Comments will be accepted through May 6. The draft restoration plan evaluates restoration projects and marine resources injured by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. There are four projects ($18.6M) to help restore sea turtles; three projects ($7.2M) to help restore marine mammals; one project ($35.8M) to help increase the resilience of and restore oyster reefs; two projects ($31M) to help restore birds. [Additionally, one project ($7M) to help restore both sea turtles and birds.] (Source: NOAA 03/22/21) Nearly $100 Million Proposed to Restore Gulf-wide Resources | NOAA Gulf Spill Restoration 

Nungesser promoted at Ingalls

PASCAGOULA, Miss. - Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division announced March 22 that George Nungesser has been promoted to vice president of program management effective April 1. He was serving as program manager for Ingalls’ Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) destroyer program. He will serve as principal liaison to the Navy and Coast Guard for all platforms in the Ingalls portfolio. Nungesser has served as DDG 51 program manager since 2007. During his tenure, Ingalls delivered eight destroyers to the Navy and returned two overhauled ships to the fleet. He began his career at Ingalls in 1988 as an industrial engineer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and an MBA from the University of Southern Mississippi. (Source: HII 03/22/21)

MNG unit emergency drill at MSU

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State University will host the 47th Civil Support Team, a component of the Mississippi National Guard, for an emergency training exercise on campus March 25. MSU Emergency Manager Brent Crocker said the 47th CST will be in Starkville the week of March 22-25 for training purposes, with an exercise scheduled to take place on campus Thursday to drill first responders to a hypothetical emergency scenario. (Source: MSU 03/22/21) Mississippi State hosts emergency training drill on March 25 | Mississippi State University (msstate.edu) 

$41M Halter Marine mod contract

VT Halter Marine Inc., Pascagoula, Miss., is awarded a $41,090,592 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-18-C-2230) to exercise an option for the detail design and construction of an Auxiliary Personnel Lighter - Small. Work will be performed in Pascagoula (58%); Mandeville, La. (15%); Metairie, La. (12%); Gautier, Miss. (9%); Billerica, Mass. (3%); and Boca Raton, Fla. (3%); and is expected to be completed by June 2022. Fiscal 2021 Navy shipbuilding and conversion funding in the amount of $41,090,592 is being obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 0003/23/21)

Virtual family field trip with DISL

The Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL) will mark its 50 years of research and education for a week-long discovery with marine educators/scientists April 5-10 at the coastal Alabama facility. Each day, marine educators will take you on a virtual family field trip, where you can walk the beach, discover hidden salt marsh habitats, and even take a trip aboard the Research Vessel Alabama Discovery to learn what lives below the waves of the Gulf of Mexico. Monday through Thursday you can chat live with marine educators and aquarists on DISL’s Facebook page at 11:15 a.m. https://www.facebook.codisealabm/ On Friday, University Programs dives into current research with a Zoom seminar at 12 p.m. DISL DISL sets 2021 week of Discovery as part of 50th Anniversary Celebration | Dauphin Island Sea Lab

Triangle COVID cases on decline

Only 44 cases of COVID-19 were reported in Clay, Lowndes, Oktibbeha and Noxubee counties in Mississippi this week. Lowndes has the highest number of cases in the four-county area (6,197). There have been 143 deaths since the start of the pandemic in last March, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health. There were 22 new cases, and one death, reported in the county since over the past two weeks. (Source: The Dispatch 03/19/21) New COVID cases continue to decline in Golden Triangle – The Dispatch (cdispatch.com)

Vertex $71M helo maintenance pact

NAS WHITING FIELD, Fla. - Vertex Aerospace, a Madison, Miss.-based defense contractor with operations in Crestview, Fla., was awarded a $71.3M contract to provide maintenance and logistics services for both legacy TH-57A helicopters used for pilot training along with the new TH-73A helicopters that are to become the new training aircraft at NAS Whiting. The contract covers just the initial year of work. It includes options for six additional years that could bring the contract’s total value to more than $471M, according to the Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, Md. In January, the Navy announced it would acquire 32 TH-73As, with an Advanced Helicopter Training System, built by AgustaWestland in Philadelphia at a cost of $176.5M. NASWF is the center of helicopter pilot training for the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. (Source: News Journal 03/20/21)

NOLA airport rebounding

New Orleans’ Louis Armstrong International Airport reported last weekend's passenger traffic rose to the highest level since the start of the pandemic over a year ago. They say it’s an indication tourism is starting to rebound. Kevin Dolliole, the airport’s head of aviation, told the aviation board on March 18 he expects business to grow. Passenger traffic on March 14 rose to 12,000, the largest single number since last March. (Source: NOLA.com 03/18/21) New Orleans airport sees traffic rebound; see which international flight is returning | Business News | nola.com

Tupelo shows off expanded center

TUPELO, Miss. - The BancorpSouth Arena & Conference Center hosted a ribbon cutting on May 18 to showcase its newly renovated and expanded facility. The project finished under the $15.2M budget and four months ahead of the schedule. (Source: Daily8 Journal 03/18/21/) BancorpSouth Arena hosts ribbon cutting for new expansion, renovation | News | djournal.com

South African COVID strain in MS

A South African variant strain of COVID-19 (known as B.1.351) has been identified in Mississippi, the Mississippi State Department of Health reported March 19. State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs said the South African strain has "characteristics that are very concerning." At least 142 cases of the strain have been identified in the United States so far across 25 states and Washington, D.C. Mississippi is now among that number. (Source: The AP 03/19/21)

Breaux's delivers largest pilot boat

Louisiana-based Breaux’s Bay Craft in Loreauville delivered a new 90-foot aluminum pilot boat, Spindletop, to the Sabine Pilots on March 6. The Sabine Pilots, in Port Arthur, Texas, serve the ports of Orange, Port Arthur and Beaumont. “This is the biggest pilot boat built in the U.S.,” said Roy Breaux, the shipyard’s owner. Breaux’s has specialized in building aluminum offshore crew boats for decades. The pilot boat was designed by Breaux’s and C. Fly Marine Services of Mandeville, La. USCG-approved equipment includes lifejackets for 16 people, Revere Coastal Commander life raft, flare kit, battle lantern, and throw rings. The Harahan-based Herbert S. Hiller firefighting system includes one fixed CO2 suppression system with three bottles in the machine room. The Delta ventilation system includes four 11-inch blowers with temperature and speed control and Delta moisture eliminators with automatic vent dampers. (Source: Work Boat 03/18/21) Breaux's Bay Craft delivers largest U.S. pilot boat to Texas | WorkBoat

MSPA board meets March 25

The Mississippi Port Authority’s (MSPA) Board of Commissioners will meet at 1 p.m. on March 25 in its Administrative Office on the 14th floor of Hancock Bank Plaza, located at 2510 14th St. in Gulfport. Typically, the Commission meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at 1 p.m. Board meetings are open to the public. (MSPA 03/2021) Commission and Team of Port of Gulfport, Mississippi (shipmspa.com)

Law: Engine cut-off switches

WASHINGTON - Operators of recreational vessels less than 26 feet in length will be required to use an engine cut-off switch (ECOS) and associated ECOS link beginning April 1 as the U.S. Coast Guard implements a law passed by Congress. The ECOS/ECOSL prevent runaway vessels and the threats they pose. The ECOSL attaches the vessel operator to a switch that shuts off the engine if the operator is displaced from the helm. The CG receives annual reports of recreational vessel operators who fall off or are suddenly and unexpectedly thrown from their boat. These events have led to injuries and deaths. Boaters are encouraged to check the CG website for additional information on this new use requirement and other safety regulations and recommendations: https://uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/engine-cut-off-switch-faq.php

EPA $200K NOLA brownsfield grant

DALLAS - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced March 19 the selection of Limitless Vistas Inc. (LVI) to receive $200,000 in grant funding for environmental job training in the Greater New Orleans area. EPA is committed to advancing job training and workforce development. The initiative will help advance economic opportunities and address environmental justice (EJ) issues in underserved communities. (Source: EPA 03/19/21) Limitless Vistas plans to train 60 students and place at least 42 graduates in environmental jobs. The training program includes 192 hours of instruction. EPA's Brownfields Program empowers states, communities, and other stakeholders to work together to prevent, assess, safely clean up, and sustainably reuse brownfields. A brownfield site is real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. EPA selects Limitless Vistas to provide environmental job training in New Orleans | U.S. EPA News Releases | US EPA

Reps call for bigger shipbuilding $

WASHINGTON – Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn), chairman of the House Seapower Committee, came out forcefully on March 18 in favor of the Navy getting a larger slice (over the other services) of the FY 2022 defense budget pie. He adds another powerful voice to pushing for an expanded shipbuilding budget. Speaking at an amphibious warship lobbying group, Courtney said the traditional one-third breakdown between Army, Navy/Marines and Air Force budgets don’t match the reality of the current global competition, which is increasingly focused on the Pacific Theater that depends on the Navy/Marine Corps presence. “The ground force component of our military … right now is just not even close to what’s happening with the heel-to-toe deployments of our Navy and Air Force,” he said. Earlier in the day, he and Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) implored the Biden Administration to nominate a Navy secretary. The coming debate budget-battle kicked off in December 2020 when Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley predicted there would be “bloodletting” at DoD in 2021 over dividing up the budget dollars in a year where the top-line budget is expected to remain flat. In a memo leaked in February, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks listed the FY-22 shipbuilding plan as the highest priority to tackle in the upcoming budget process, signaling the premium the Biden administration is putting on modernizing the fleet. (Source: USNI News 03/18/21) NOTE: Connecticut is home to submarine builder Electric Boat in Groton, Conn., and the New London Navy submarine base. Wisconsin is home to Fincantieri Marine Group Holdings Inc. Its Marinette Marine shipbuilding facility has produced more than 1,300 vessels. Marinette became part of a team with Lockheed Martin to produce one of the variants (Freedom class) of the Littoral Combat Ship. (Austal USA in Alabama builds the other LCS variant.) In April 2020, DoD announced that Marinette Marine had won the contract to produce the Navy’s new Constellation-class multi-mission of guided-missile frigates. Huntington Ingalls in Mississippi is also a major Navy shipbuilder. HASC Members Pushing for SECNAV Nominee Ahead of Pentagon Budget Fight, Fleet Modernization - USNI News 

Riverboat cruise re-lands in MS

West Mississippi tourism officials were in high-cotton mode March 18 when, for the first time in more than a year, the American Duchess riverboat - filled with tourists - dock in Natchez. The stream of tourists was met with fist bumps, gifts and photo-ops with Mayor Dan Gibson, who led a large delegation of tourism cheerleaders. From Natchez, the American Duchess will continue up river with stops a stop in Vicksburg on the way to Memphis. American Queen Steamboat Co.’s American Countess and American Cruise Lines’ American Jazz and Queen of the Mississippi have planned tour stops in Natchez and other ports this month, too. (Source: MSLive.com 03/18/21/) Cities up and down Mississippi river welcome return of tourists, tourism dollars - Magnolia State Live | Magnolia State Live

 

MS House OKs teacher raises

JACKSON, Miss. - The Mississippi House of Representatives gave final approval, in a 119-2 vote on March 18 to approve the Senate’s version, to give teachers at least a $1,000 raise in 2022. The $51M pay package, which heads to the governor for signature. The legislation was a top priority of both chambers as lawmakers seek to prevent teachers from leaving the state. The bill raises salaries to $37,000 for teachers in their first three years - up $1,100. All other teachers will get a $1,000 raise. Both the Senate and House had advanced their own teacher pay bills this session. The language that ultimately passed Thursday was the Senate version. (Source: Daily Journal 03/18/21) Mississippi lawmakers give final OK to $1,000 teacher pay raises | State Government | djournal.com

Hornbeck lands $7.5M contract

Hornbeck Offshore Operators LLC, Covington, La., is awarded a $7,510,000 firm-fixed-price contract with reimbursable elements for long-term charter of one U.S. flagged offshore support ship, HOS Red Rock, which will provide support for Navy operations-at-sea. This contract includes a 12-month base period with three 12-month option periods, and one 11-month option period which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $39,702,000. Work will be performed worldwide and is expected to be completed, if all options are exercised, by March 14, 2026. Operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $7,510,000 are obligated for fiscal 2021 and will expire at the end of the fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured with proposals solicited via the Federal Business Opportunities website and five offers were received. Military Sealift Command, Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 03/17/21)

Stennis Hot-Fire2 gets 'A-plus'

NASA expects to firm up the schedule for its first Space Launch System (SLS) flight in a few weeks after a March 17’s second hot fire test at Stennis Space Center, Miss., between 3-5 p.m.  The agency is still holding November 2021 open. Acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk said it will take a few weeks to scrub the schedule and determine when SLS will be ready for an Artemis I test launch of an un-crewed Orion spacecraft around the Moon. The SLS core stage is getting ready for a second attempt at the last in a series of eight “Green Run” tests at Stennis. The first attempt on Jan. 16 ended after 67 seconds instead of 485 seconds because of the conservative test parameters. NASA TV will provide coverage. (Source: Space Policy Online 03/16/21) Jurczyk: Artemis I Schedule To Firm Up in A Few Weeks – SpacePolicyOnline.com UPDATE: NASA completed a second-time engine test firing of its moon rocket on May 18 at Stennis. The four engines remained ignited for eight minutes. Applause broke out in the control room at the Stennis Space Flight Center once the engines shut down. NASA officials called it a major milestone, but declined to say whether the first test flight without a crew would occur by year’s end. NASA’s SLS Program Manager John Honeycutt told reporters that everything seemed to go well. “The core stage … got an A-plus today.” (The AP 03/18/21) Second time charm for Mississippi test of moon shot rocket - Magnolia State Live | Magnolia State Live