CG suspends search for boater

UPDATE: The Coast Guard suspended its search at 6:38 p.m. on March 1 for a missing 63-year-old man near Fort Pickens, Fla. Rescue crews searched more than 1,426 square nautical miles for a combined search time of 29.5 hours. 

INITIAL STORY - NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard is searching Feb. 28 for a missing 63-year-old male near Fort Pickens, Fla. John Hayden, who was last reported leaving Orange Beach, Ala., at 5 p.m. Sunday was due to return at midnight. CG Sector Mobile received a call at 11 a.m. Monday reporting a vessel was found, with the throttle engaged and kill switch missing, with no one aboard. The vessel was found near Fort Pickens Fishing Pier. Involved in the search are CG Air Station New Orleans, CG Station Pensacola, Escambia County Sheriff's Office, Lower Alabama Search and Rescue, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Orange Beach Marine Police and Alabama Marine Resources. (Source: 02/28/22)

Bill to tighten foreign offshore regs

Foreign-flagged vessels working in American offshore energy development - such as wind power, and oil and gas - could face more restrictions under a bill introduced in Congress. The bill calls for foreign-flagged vessels to operate under the same rules as U.S. vessels, and limit foreign nationals they hire to work in the U.S. offshore industry. The legislation, introduced by Reps. Garret Graves (R-La.) and John Garamendi (D-Calif.) in the House and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) in the Senate would “level the playing field” by tightening U.S. oversight of foreign vessels and their crews and making sure that U.S. mariners aren’t priced out of the labor market by lower paid foreign seafarers, supporters of the bill say. The American Offshore Workers Fairness Act would close a loophole in current law dating to 1978 that allows foreign-registered vessels and structures to employ nationals of any country while working in U.S. waters, provided they show the vessel is more than 50 percent foreign-owned or controlled.

If the bill becomes law, the legislation will make the following changes:  

*Require mariners on foreign-flagged vessels to be either U.S. citizens or citizens of the nation where the vessel is flagged. 

*Limit the number of visas that could be issued to crew each foreign vessel and make sure these visas are connected to a mariner’s work on that vessel. 

*Require foreign vessels to annually prove their ownership. 

*Require U.S. Coast Guard inspections of these vessels annually to ensure compliance with this law. 

*Require that foreign crew members secure TWIC cards from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as is required of U.S. mariners. (Source: Work Boat 02/25/22) Congress considers tightening rules for foreign vessels operating in U.S. offshore energy sector | WorkBoat

Bollinger FRC commissioned

LOCKPORT, La. - Bollinger Shipyards' President/CEO Ben Bordelon joined senior Coast Guard officials at the Port of Tampa, Fla., for the commissioning of one of the newest Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters (“FRC”), USCGC John Scheuerman. The cutter is the fifth of six FRCs to be home-ported in Manama, Bahrain, which will replace the aging 110-foot Island Class Patrol Boats, built by Bollinger 30 years ago, supporting Patrol Forces Southwest Asia, the CG’s largest overseas presence outside the United States. (Source: Bollinger 02/23/22)

SMCC VP found shot to death

McCOMB, Miss. - The Vice President of Southwest Mississippi Community College, William Tucker, was found shot to death in his home here Feb. 26. Pike County Coroner Bryant Jones says Tucker was shot and killed either Friday night or Saturday morning. His body was discovered Saturday evening. Jones says the death is not believed to be gang-related, despite an increase in gang violence in the community. Tucker’s death remains under investigation. Police have yet to comment on the case publicly. (Source: WLBT 02/28/22)

NO pressure for cruise passengers

The Port of New Orleans was experiencing water pressure issues Feb. 27, which is leaving cruise passengers and administrative office workers without restrooms. According to Port NOLA, the facilities have been experiencing intermittent low water pressure at the terminals and administration buildings for months. Port NOLA issued a statement to media: "We are in contact with the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, who has confirmed low water pressure in the Warehouse District area in general and has indicated they are working toward a fix expected in the coming months.” In the interim, the port has engaged contractors to see whether internal adjustments could expand water flow within the terminals even as pressure remains low. (Source: WDSU 02/27/22)

LCAC's irregular haul to Eglin

A Navy amphibious Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) hovercraft transported a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter from Pensacola to Eglin Air Force Base in NW Florida – about 50 miles. It was an irregular delivery. The CH-46 is to be used for training purposes within the Eglin Range. Images from the Air Force shows the LCAC landing at Hurlburt Field - an Air Force Special Operations base - on Feb. 24. Portions of Highway 98, which stretches along the Gulf Coast, had to be closed to allow the hovercraft to be towed on its own landing gear to Eglin 12 miles away. In transit from Pensacola, the LCAC traveled through Santa Rosa Sound to Hurlburt Field. LCACs are operated by Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City, Fla., but it’s unclear exactly from where the helicopter originated. Eglin has an unlikely history with LCACs. In 1983, the Navy sent one to the base’s McKinley Climatic Laboratory, a specialized facility that features a wide array of heating and cooling systems, steam generators, and other equipment that put vehicles through torturous climate testing. It’s unique for an LCAC to be used to transport such a large aircraft between close-by bases. CH-46 helicopters have been moved on highways using aircraft tugs or drop-deck trailers. The wetlands around Eglin - and limited number of highway-connectors - may have dictated the unconventional trip. The Navy introduced the first LCAC - USS Germantown (LSD 42) - in 1987. Currently, the Navy is developing a replacement for the LCAC - the Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) - an air cushion craft that can accommodate larger loads than current hovercraft. The Navy expects the 73 of the SSCs to cost $4 billion. SSCs are constructed at Textron Systems, Marine & Land Systems in Slidell, La. The Navy anticipates the SSC to reach its operational capability later in 2022. The service also plans to buy the Light Amphibious Warship (LAW). The first is expected in 2023. The LAW is intended to fill a gap between these smaller hovercraft and the Marine Corps' larger L-class multipurpose amphibious warfare ships. Austal USA was awarded a contract in December 2021 to perform design studies for the Next Generation Logistics Ship (NGLS) program. The Mobile, Ala.-based Austal USA shipyard will be the prime contractor. The NGLS program represents a new class of medium-sized at-sea supply ships intended to support small surface combatants such as Littoral Combat Ships and frigates as well as the Navy’s planned Light Amphibious Warships (LAW). The mission of the NGLS fleet will include refueling, rearming, and resupply of naval assets. (The War Zone 022/25/22) Navy Hovercraft Played Helicopter Hauler For Florida Air Base (thedrive.com)

Commerce's $277M grants

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Informative Administration (NTIA) awarded of 13 grants totaling more than $277M across 12 states, including Louisiana and Mississippi. The grants aim to expand broadband to unreached households through the Broadband Infrastructure Plan. The projects are designed to bring broadband to approximately 12,487 Mississippi households in ten counties. The grants were awarded to: Georgia, Guam, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia. More information on each of these grant projects is provided in the table below. The $29M Acadiana regional partnership for the deployment of a Fiber to the Home Network in the Rural Underserved Areas of Acadiana project is a last-mile broadband deployment in the Acadiana region of Louisiana that is designed to bring qualifying broadband to 22,196 unserved households across the region. Mississippi's Application for the $39.6M project is a last-mile and middle-mile broadband deployment across the state of Mississippi consisting of ten unique projects that are designed to bring qualifying broadband to a total of 12,487 unserved households across 10 counties. (Source:: SuperTalk Mississippi 02/5/22
$32M broadband grant awarded to Mississippi - SuperTalk Mississippi

CG medevacs cruise passenger

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard medevaced a 74-year-old cruise ship passenger in the evening of Feb. 26 on the Mississippi River near New Orleans. CG Sector New Orleans received a call at about 4:30 p.m., from the cruise ship Carnival Valor regarding a passenger experiencing heart attack-like symptoms. The CG launched a 29-foot Response Boat-Small II boatcrew that loaded the passenger, and a Carnival Valor nurse, and transferred them to awaiting emergency medical services personnel at the New Orleans cruise terminal. The passenger was last reported to be in stable condition. (Source: Coast Guard 02/26/22)

Whitaker leaving LINK for VP post

After 11 years with Golden Triangle Development LINK, Macaulay Whitaker is leaving for new opportunities as Vice President of Talent and Culture at Burns Dirt Construction. In her decade tenure at LINK and the Chamber, she was an "absolute key" of creating 4,350 jobs, securing $2.1B in investments and a player in developing plans that funded Communiversity,” said Joe Max Higgins, CEO of the GTR LINK. Among her notable projects include the formation of the 3-county Golden Triangle Development LINK, the region’s ACT WorkReady certification, Communiversity and the NorthStar Industrial Park. LINK is an economic development agency that represents Clay, Lowndes and Oktibbeha counties. (Source: WCBI 02/24/22) Burns Dirt Construction is a heavy construction, demolition, earthwork, construction management, storm drainage, and commercial construction firm based in Columbus, Miss., and does work both Mississippi and Alabama.

Quick switch to Terran R eyed

Relativity Space intends to use the small Aeon 1 engine it is developing to power its first rocket for only a few flights. Instead, the company plans to quickly perform a "block upgrade" for the Terran 1 rocket, which will serve as a bridge to the much larger, more capable Terran R rocket. "We’ve always envisioned Terran 1 being a development platform," said Tim Ellis, the co-founder and chief executive of California-based Relativity Space, in an interview with Ars. Relativity, which seeks to 3D-print the majority of its rocket parts, is continuing to work toward the first launch of Terran 1 this year. Powered by nine Aeon 1 rocket engines, this small rocket has a lift capacity of 1.25 metric tons to low Earth orbit. This first Terran 1 mission will not carry any customer payloads. The second flight of Terran 1 will carry a "Venture Class Launch Services" small satellite payload for NASA, awarded by the space agency in 2020 to support US-based small launch companies. Relativity plans to upgrade the Terran 1 rocket by moving from a nine-engine configuration to just a single Aeon-R engine. This engine, nine of which will eventually power the reusable Terran R rocket, is projected to have about 300,000 pounds of thrust, or more than 10 times that of the Aeon-1 engine. Engineers and technicians at Relativity are finalizing integration work on the first and second stages of the first Terran 1 rocket to launch. The second stage will soon ship to Stennis Space Center, Miss., for tests. Ellis said the Aeon 1 engines have completed acceptance testing. (Source: Ars/Technica, 02/22/22)

3rd RS-25 hot fire at SSC

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - NASA powered up its third RS-25 engine hot fire test of the new year Feb. 24, on the Fred Haise Test Stand. Operators fired the engine past recent testing at the 111 percent power level up to 113 percent. NASA is testing RS-25 engines to help power the agency's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket on future deep space missions. Each engine test in the current series at Stennis Space Center provides operational data to NASA's lead contractor, Aerojet Rocketdyne, on new components manufactured with state-of-the-art fabrication techniques as the company begins production on new RS-25 engines. (Source: NASA/SSC, 02/24/22)

CG medevacs oil platform worker

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard medevaced an oil platform worker Feb. 24  near Breton Sound, La. Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received notification around 6:25 p.m. of a worker having sustained a serious arm injury on the oil platform Breton Sound 21. The CG launched an MH-65 Dolphine helicopter crew from CG Air Station New Orleans. The helicopter crew hoisted the worker and transferred him to University Medical Center in New Orleans in stable condition. (Source: Coast Guard 02/24/22)

Ways to assist Ukraine citizens

Want to help non-profits provide assistance for Ukraine citizens? (Source: KATC 02/25/24) Here's how you can help Ukrainians (katc.com)

Petro repair work includes MS

APTIM Federal Services LLC, Alexandria, Virginia, was awarded a $7,874,854 modification (P00008) to contract W912DY-20-F-0164 for recurring maintenance and minor repair of petroleum systems. Work will be performed in Birmingham and Montgomery, Alabama; Avon Park, Eglin Air Force Base, Fort Walton, Homestead, Hurlburt Field, Tampa, and Tyndall AFB, Florida; Biloxi, Columbus, Gulfport, Jackson, and Meridian, Mississippi; and Isla Verde, Puerto Rico; with an estimated completion date of March 7, 2023. Fiscal 2022 revolving funds in the amount of $7,874,854 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 02/25/22)

US gas prices may go above $4/gal

Gas prices across America continue to rise after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. On Feb. 24, the national average was $3.54 a gallon. Last year it was $2.65. By the afternoon of Feb. 25, it had reached $3.57. The national average could go beyond $4 a gallon by mid-March, Tom Kloza, an energy analyst for the Oil Price Information Service, told CNN on Thursday. In Hawai'i and Oregon, the price has already reached $4 gallon. (Source: CNET 02/25/22) US Gas Prices Keep Rising After Russian Invasion of Ukraine: How High Could They Go? (msn.com) 

Mississippi Note: Mississippi’s highest record average price was $3.96 in 2008. Currently, the average for regular is $3.20. Experts expect those numbers to go up as much as 15 cents a gallon in the next few weeks as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to unfold. (Source: WLOX 02/24/22) South Mississippi residents already feeling the pinch of higher gas prices (wlox.com)

No illusion of free press in Russia

Russia's government creates no illusion of press freedoms. Most of its prominent media, TV channels to the Russian news agency TASS, are owned by the government, and journalists critical of that censorship risk livelihoods and their lives. On the eve of the invasion, Roskomnadzor - the agency responsible for controlling and censoring Russia media - issued a statement informing media “they are obliged to only use information and data they have received from official Russian sources.” The statement warned unnamed media have spread “unverified and unreliable information.” Despite it, Russian citizens in Moscow and St. Petersburg had taken to the streets in opposition to war. (Time 02/24/22) The World Is Watching Russia Invade Ukraine. But Russian Media Is Telling a Different Story (msn.com)

Russia sanctions; La. LNG gains?

While Russia is being punished with economic sanctions from the U.S. and Europe, Louisiana’s heavy industry sector is waiting to see the effects those penalties will have on the state’s Liquefied Natural Gas market. The impact hinges on several factors, according to industry experts: (a) Whether the Nord Stream 2 pipeline from Russia to Germany has been shut down; (b) whether European buyers will abstain from Russian resources for Louisiana’s LNG; and (c) whether federal agencies might limit Louisiana LNG exports as part of the President’s push to reduce the impacts of climate change. The outcomes are hard to predict in the infancy of sanctions, but some experts contend Louisiana could be poised to see market gains should foreign demand for LNG increase over time. “Long-term, short-term, we wouldn’t know” (the impact of sanctions), Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson told Advocate.com.  “(S)trategically, to be this powerful energy resource for the globe, we anticipate that there will be great market opportunities across Louisiana for the export of liquefied natural gas for decades to come.” (Source: Advocate.com 02/24/22) A Louisiana LNG surge amid Russia-Ukraine fight? Only under these conditions, experts say | Business | theadvocate.com

$3.4M grant for Northstar site

Mississippi recently awarded Golden Triangle Development LINK a $3.4M grant for site improvements at the NorthStar Industrial Park in Starkville. Though the park is mostly undeveloped, the grant will create a foundation that can hold a 100,000 square-foot building. Vice Mayor Roy A. Perkins predicts NorthStar will one day become a hot spot for businesses. LINK, based out of Columbus, has transformed the Golden Triangle region into its most successful economic development times. LINK has invested almost $6B into the region helped supply over 6,000 jobs. $680,000 of the grant comes from the state and about $2.7M comes from the Appalachian Regional Commission. NorthStar's site improvement proposal includes wetland and stream permitting and mitigation, clearing and grubbing the trees on the land, conducting earthwork at three sites inside the industrial park and building a site access road, LINK Chief Operating Officer Macaulay Whitaker said. Garan Manufacturing was the first business to move to NorthStar in 2020. (Source: Reflector-online 02/24/22) NorthStar projected to be Starkville's next commercial hot spot after receiving $3.4 million grant | News | reflector-online.com

Hughes, Jacobs promoted at HII

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced Feb. 24 the promotion of Edmond Hughes to executive vice president/chief human resources officer. Hughes, formerly the vice president of human resources and administration contracts at HII-Pascagoula, Miss., will replace William “Bill” R. Ermatinger, who will retire April 1. HII also appointed Susan Jacobs to replace Hughes as the vice president, human resources and administration of Ingalls in Pascagoula effective April 1. In prior roles, Hughes led human resources at General Motors and TRW Automotive. He holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Tougaloo College in Mississippi and an MBA from Indiana University. Susan Jacobs has served as vice president of human resources at HII’s Newport News (Va.) Shipbuilding since 2016, and before that as director of human resources and administration for more than nine years at Ingalls in Pascagoula. She is a native Mississippian who has a bachelor’s degree in political science and an MBA from the University of Southern Mississippi.

US export restrictions on Russia

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Commerce Department, through its Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), responded to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by implementing a sweeping series of export controls designed to restrict Russia’s access to technologies and other items needed to sustain its aggressive military capabilities. These controls primarily target Russia’s defense, aerospace, and maritime sectors and will cut off Russia’s access to vital technological inputs, atrophy key sectors of its industrial base, and undercut its strategic ambitions to exert influence on the world stage. BIS’s actions, along with those of the Department of the Treasury, are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s response to Russian aggression. The measures also reflect cooperation among the U.S, European Union (EU), Japan, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, and New Zealand in aligning export control policies and requirements. In the near future, there may be more stringent economic measures. The export control measures announced Feb. 24 are the most comprehensive application of Commerce’s export authorities on U.S. items. "Russia’s actions ... also pose a real threat to democracy throughout the world,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. The U.S. "will not tolerate Russia's aggression against a democratically-elected government,” she said. The BIS actions were taken under authority of the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 and its implementing regulations, the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The regulation will take effect when it is publicly released by the Federal Register on Thursday, February 24, 2022. (Source: Dept of Commerce 02/24/22) www.bis.doc.gov.

1st Project Hellcat graduates

The first class of eight student naval aviators (SNA) completed Naval Aviation Training Next (NATN) - Project Hellcat at Training Air Wing 4 at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas, on Feb. 14. Project Hellcat is Chief of Naval Air Training’s intermediate flight training syllabus for students selected for the tactical jet pipeline. Traditionally, the pipeline only included a primary and advanced phase, but Project Hellcat introduces an intermediate phase to teach more foundational principles before the advanced phase. The class included students who completed Project Avenger, the most recent update to CNATRA’s primary flight training syllabus. Project Hellcat seeks to develop a more capable, self-sufficient tactical jet aviator, proficient in a dynamic and fluid environment to better prepare them for advanced training. “Project Hellcat continues the innovation of Naval aviation’s undergraduate flight training,” said CNATRA Rear Adm. Robert Westendorff. The CNATRA team developed, refined and implemented the program to teach foundational tactical flight concepts that leads to producing more competent strike-fighter pilots" prior to going to the next phase of training. CNATRA is currently testing Project Hellcat as a T-6B Texan II flight training syllabus before tactical jet students step into the T-45C Goshawk, the aircraft used in advanced training. The graduating class will continue to NATN’s advanced flight training syllabus called Project Corsair, an updated advanced strike T-45C Goshawk syllabus, with classes set to begin at TW-1 at NAS Meridian, Miss., on March 1w, and TW-2 at NAS Kingsville, Texas, Aon April 4. Project Hellcat is named after the Grumman F6F Hellcat, a U.S. Navy carrier-based fighter plane during WWII. (Source: CNATRA 02/23/22) DVIDS - News - Naval Aviation Training Next – Project Hellcat graduates first class of student aviators (dvidshub.net) 

Firestone to pay $3.5M settlement

Firestone Polymers of Sulphur, La., will pay a $3.35M fine to settle allegations it emitted illegally excessive amounts of toxic chemicals, federal and state officials said Feb. 22. The U.S. Department of Justice filed a complaint in District Court against Firestone last September, accusing it of emitting large amounts of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and other hazardous chemicals that run afoul of the federal Clean Air Act and anti-pollution laws. DOJ also filed a federal consent decree detailing remedies the firm must make. Firestone, a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Inc., will pay EPA $2.1M and DEQ $1.25M. The company also will pay DEQ $654,125 to upgrade ambient air monitoring systems in SW Louisiana as a “Beneficial Environmental Project," an alternative penalty embraced by the Biden administration. (Source: NOLA.com 02/23/22) Firestone Polymers of Sulphur to pay more than $3.35M to settle air pollution complaints | Environment | nola.com

HII lays keel for LPD 30

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced it has ceremonially authenticated the keel of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock Harrisburg (LPD 30) on Feb. 23. Program Executive Officer Rear Adm. Tom Anderson, stepped in as a substitute, to declare the keel “truly and fairly laid.” The keel ceremony marks the start of construction for Harrisburg by welding the initials of the ship’s sponsor, Alexandra Curry, into a ceremonial plate. Harrisburg will be the first Flight II amphibious ship in the San Antonio class. LPD Flight II is the next generation amphib ship to replace Whidbey Island (LSD 41) and Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) classes of dock landing ships. Ingalls has delivered 11 San Antonio-class ships to the Navy and has three more under construction. (Source: HII 02/23/22) https://www.hii.com/

America's Black MoH recipients

In a salute to Black History Month: Black Americans have participated in every war in the nation’s history, fighting not just for the American ideal, but also their place in it. For many, fighting for their nation overseas was one front. The second was against racism and discrimination back home. Discrimination took many forms, from segregated units, assignment of menial jobs and lack of recognition for valor. The nation’s highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, has often been refused to Black service members since its creation by the Navy during the Civil War in 1862. The MoH is the nation’s original award for valor in combat as a way to build morale among Union troops. Of the 3,458 MoHs given, 40 percent were awarded during the Civil War. It was not until WW I that the military offered other awards for valor in combat, and not until WW II that the Medal of Honor could only be awarded for valor in combat with the enemy. Ninety-two MoHs have been awarded to 90 Black recipients. Twenty-six earned the Medal of Honor during the Civil War. The majority among the 4h U.S. Colored Infantry at the Battle of Chaffin’s Farm, Va. Six sailors were awarded the MoH in the Battle of Mobile (Ala.) Bay on Aug. 5, 1864. Navy Landsman John Henry Lawson was assigned to the flagship USS Hartford. Navy Landsman William H. Brown with USS Brooklyn. Navy Landsman Wilson Brown, USS Hartford. Navy Landsman John Henry Lawson, USS Hartford. Navy Engineer’s Cook James Mifflin, USS Brooklyn.

Navy Ordinary Seaman Robert Augustus Sweeney was awarded the MoH twice (1881-1883).

Two were awarded in WWI, and none for WWII, until Jan. 13, 1997, for it to be rectified, when seven African-American service members were awarded the medal. Two were awarded from the Korean War. Twenty-two from the Vietnam War. (Source: Task & Purpose 02/22/22) US Military heroes: Every African-American recipient of the Medal of Honor (taskandpurpose.com)

Lawmakers ask for 3 destroyers

Lawmakers from Maine and Mississippi sent a letter to Navy Secretary (SECNAV) Carlos Del Toro urging him to include funding for three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers in the president’s Navy budget for FY 2023. The two delegations - Mississippi Sens. Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith, and Reps. Steven Palazzo and Trent Kelly alongside Maine Sens. Angus King and Susan Collins, Reps. Jared Golden and Chellie Pingree - emphasized the importance of Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to national security and its impacts to shipbuilding in their states at Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagoula and Bath (Maine) Iron Works. In the FY-22 defense authorization act there is $4.9B for three destroyers, which BIW and Huntington Ingalls can compete to build. The delegations also asked SECNAV to develop a multi-year contract for 15 Arleigh Burkes to be built over five years to help support the shipbuilding industrial base. Aside from the Arleigh Burkes, the lawmakers urged the Pentagon to complete and submit its acquisition strategy for a new type of destroyer - yet to be named - “based on a collaborative design, development, and production approach between the government and industry,” the letter reads. A strategy tied to the industrial base with extensive oversight would “help prevent the issues of cost increases, program delays, and end-product reliability issues seen in other ship classes.” During a visit to BIW last September, Del Toro said both BIW and HII-Pascagoula are helping the Navy design the new warship, which is expected to succeed Arleigh Burke destroyers. According to a Congressional Research Service report in February, Navy officials anticipate requesting the new ship in 2028. It’s forecasted to be larger than the 9,700-ton Arleigh Burke, but smaller than a 15,700-ton Zumwalt-class destroyer, and with a cost estimated $2.9 B. Arleigh Burke costs about $2B apiece. (Source: Times Record 02/22/22) Maine congressional delegates ask for more Bath-built ships - Portland Press Herald

HII engineers earn tech award

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Global engineering and defense technologies provider Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced today those seven employees from its Newport News Shipbuilding and Ingalls Shipbuilding divisions were recognized for achievements in the science, technology, engineering and math fields during the 36th annual Black Engineer of the Year Award STEM Global Competitiveness Conference. Six HII employees received the Modern Day Technology Leader award, which recognizes efforts in shaping the future of engineering, science and technology. Two of the six were HII-Pascagoula personnel: Tania Johnson, chief electrical engineer and William Johnson, electrical engineer. (Source: HII 02/22/22) HII Employees Honored at 36th Annual Black Engineer of the Year Award STEM Conference | Huntington Ingalls Industries

CG medevacs critical mariner

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard medevaced a 68-year-old boater on Feb. 21 near Delacroix, La. CG Sector New Orleans received a call around 3:30 p.m. from a recreational fishing vessel about a boater who sustained serious head injuries. The CG launched an MH-65 Dolphin aircrew, and while on scene, hoisted the boater and transferred him to University Hospital in New Orleans. The boater was last reported to be in critical condition. (Source: Coast Guard 02/22/22)

Russia invades; US troops on move

President Joe Biden ordered American troops already based in Europe to shore up the defenses of nations bordering Ukraine and directed SECDEF to temporarily move forces within the U.S. European Command to the Baltic Republics, Poland and Ukraine's southeastern flank. The forces will move within a week, DOD officials said early evening on Feb. 22. The deployment follows Russia's renewed invasion of eastern Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin's mobilization of forces all along the borders of Ukraine. SECDEF ordered an infantry battalion task force of about 800 to deploy from Italy to the Baltics and the movement of up to eight F-35 Lightning II aircraft from Germany to locations on NATO's eastern flank. Twenty AH-64 Apache attack helicopters will deploy from Germany to the Baltics along with 12 Apache helicopters from Greece to Poland. All forces are under Air Force Gen. Tod D. Wolters U.S. European Command.  There are about 90,000 U.S. service members based in Europe. (Source: DoD 02/22/22) 

UPDATE: USA TODAY is reporting that Russia invaded Ukraine around 2 p.m. CT. Russia invades Ukraine. Effects on energy, US-Europe security and more (usatoday.com)

UPDATE2: MISSISSIPPI SENATORS REACT TO RUSSIAN SANCTIONS - Mississippi's U.S. Senators Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith reacted to the president's announced sanctions against Russia. (Source: WTOK 02/22/22) Mississippi senators react to sanctions against Russia (wtok.com)

Pascagoula 1% of $8M Navy pact

 Leidos Inc., Reston, Virginia, is awarded an $8,097,773 cost-plus-incentive-fee and cost-only modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-21-C-5202) to exercise options for ship installation of the Navy’s AN/SQQ-89A(V)15 Surface Ship Undersea Warfare Systems. Work will be performed in Chesapeake, Virginia (26%); Everett, Washington (23%); Norfolk, Virginia (19%); Yokosuka, Japan (14%); San Diego, California (13%); Bath, Maine (1%); Manassas, Virginia (1%); Mayport, Florida (1%); Pascagoula, Mississippi (1%); and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (1%), and is expected to be completed by September 2024. Fiscal 2022 other Navy procurement funds in the amount of $5,050,840 (83%); and fiscal 2021 other Navy procurement funds in the amount of $1,007,802 (17%) will be obligated at the 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 02/22/222)

Happy Presidents' Day!

Happy Presidents' Day! It's a holiday celebrated on the third Monday of February to honor all presidents of the United States, and a federal holiday specifically honoring George Washington, who led the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolutionary War, presided at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and was the first president of the United States. Did you know? Presidents' Day never falls on the actual birthday of any American president. George Washington, William Henry Harrison, Abraham Lincoln, and Ronald Reagan were all born in February, but their birthdays all come either too early or late.

'Miliary One Coast' meets March 16

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber will host its 'Military One Coast' annual meeting on March 16. Among guest speakers are the commanders of local military bases to provide updates on base activities. Commanders include Keesler Air Force Base 81st Training Wing, Keesler AFB 403rd, Combat Readiness Training Center, Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport and 1108th Aviation Group. Doors open at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast and networking. The program begins promptly at 8 a.m. Complimentary to attend, registration is encouraged. Register at mscoastchamber.com or by calling 228-604-0014. To sponsor, contact Alexis Higgins at Alexis@mscoastchamber.com. (Source: NCBC Gulfport Facebook 02/21/22)

Guvs EOs to support mil.families

JACKSON, Miss. - Gov. Tate Reeves announced in a Feb. 21 news conference the signing of two executive orders in support of Mississippi’s military communities and families. Executive Order 1561 directs the Mississippi Department of Education to create and administer the new Military Star Schools Program, which is to award schools that host student-children of military families that change schools frequently. “These orders are just the beginning." The school can apply for the military star designation if they designate a staff member as a military ambassador, maintain a webpage with resources for military students/families, maintain a peer-to-peer transition program and professional development for staff members. Executive Order 1562 establishes the Mississippi Defense Communities Development Council. It expands the Mississippi Militaries Communities Council, which has protected the state’s military assets from base closures since 1997. It recreates the council with a new focus. Reeves said representatives from communities where military installations are located could advise executive and legislative officials regarding changes to installations and opportunities for new facilities, missions, and employment. (Source: WLBT 02/21/22)

USM's Economic Outlook Forum

HATTIESBURG, Miss. The University of Southern Mississippi's College of Business and Economic Development is hosting a 2022 Economic Outlook Forum March 3 focusing on economic trends and future forecasts. The event is to be held at the Thad Cochran Center's Grand Ballroom on campus. The forum will bring together experts from the fields of banking, finance, and academia to explore a variety of issues and research related to this year's economic outlook. The forum’s featured speaker will be Adrienne Slack, VP/Regional executive of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta's New Orleans branch. As part of her role, Slack is responsible for the New Orleans branch's board of directors, regional Energy Advisory Council and advises the fed's strategic planning process and advises on regional community and economic development. The forum will include a presentation from Dr. Chad Miller, professor of economic development and graduate coordinator of the Master of Science in Economic Development program at USM. To learn more or register for the forum, visit: www.usm.edu/business/eof.  (Source: WDAM 02/20/22) USM to host annual Economic Outlook Forum (wdam.com)

MS, TN, AR counties' econ agency

Seven counties in north Mississippi, west Tennessee, and eastern Arkansas are forming a regional compact called the TriState Compact Agency (TSCA). It’s designed to seek federal funds for beneficial economic development projects for the region. "What this does is help us achieve funding as a unit that benefits all of us," Southaven (Miss.) Mayor Darren Musselwhite told the Commercial Appeal at a Feb 18 luncheon to unveil the broader effort. "(W)e've got to get past looking at our individual jurisdictions and realize there's a bigger picture out there.” In addition to DeSoto County, Miss., the other six counties are Shelby, Fayette and Tipton in Tennessee and Crittenden, Miss., and Craighead, Ark. The TSCA has been proposed by the Mid-South Mayor's Council, which consists of 15 mayors from the 3-state Mid-South region. RegionSmart, the organization that oversees the Mid-South Mayor's Conference, hosted the fundraising luncheon that attracted about 150 people. RegionSmart the organization overseeing the conference, hosted the fundraising luncheon for about 150 people. In November, Musselwhite said of the TriState agency, it’s a way to finance large projects that may be too large for one city or county, but collaborative efforts may be the way to accomplish things “you couldn't do on your own."  The No. 1 project in Musselwhite’s eyes is the widening of I-55. In asked state legislators for $368M in infrastructure monies “with a straight face.” He’s just hoping for a piece of the billions-of-dollar-federal dollars to fully fund the project. Just “hoping to get a piece of it anyway.” U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) met with the mayor last summer. He says Hyde-Smith that having other states working with Mississippi could help secure all the funding needed to widen I-55. In Memphis and Arkansas, officials say there’s interest in using TriState to secure funding to build a third bridge across the Mississippi River. In order for the agency to be officially granted powers, it must go through all three legislative branches in all three states before being signed into law by all state governors. Congress must then give consent for its existence and the President must sign off on it. In Mississippi, it’s passed the Senate and will be going to the House workforce development committee before March 1. In Tennessee, it has cleared the House utility and business subcommittee and set to go to the full commerce committee in weeks. In the Senate, it is set to go through the state and local business committee. (Source: Commercial Appeal 02/18/22) TriState Compact Agency to find transportation funding for Mid-South (commercialappeal.com)

AHI career event March 17

Airbus Helicopters Inc. (AHI) is hosting a Career Event from 3-7 p.m. on March 17 on site at its facility in Columbus, Miss., located at 1782 Airport Rd., Columbus, MS 39701. AHI is seeking candidates for many job roles, including QA Inspector, Avionics, Electrical, Mechanical, Flightline, Sheetmetal and Paint. To be considered for an interview provide information on jobs of interest no later than March 13. Those who have applied for a job, but don't have a confirmed interview, are welcome from 6-7 p.m. A valid I.D. is required for entry. Airbus is an international pioneer in the aerospace industry. (Source: AHI 02/18/22) Airbus Helicopters Career Fair Columbus, MS - Columbus, MS - Airbus Helicopters, Inc Jobs (applicantpro.com)

VP Harris plans visit to Acadiana

Vice President Kamala Harris is planning a trip to Lafayette, La., on Feb. 25, according to members of Louisiana's congressional delegation who confirmed Feb. 18 to the USA Today Network. Republican Rep. Clay Higgins' office was informed, without specifics, on Friday of the VP's visit to the 3rd District. Higgins will be out of the country and unable to greet the VP, he said. Second District Rep. Troy Carter of New Orleans, the only Democratic member of the congressional delegation, plans to join Harris in Lafayette. (Source: Daily Advertiser 02/18/22)

MDA's $3.4M Hattiesburg grant

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Mississippi Development Authority is providing a $3.4M site-development grant for USM’s Innovation and Commercialization Park in north Hattiesburg. The land is called “The Garden.” The park area is already home to “The Accelerator,” a technology-focused business incubator full of public research ventures and private start-ups. The vision was for the park to be a place to cultivate innovation from mind to market, says Mayor Toby Barker. The grant will pay to clear the land, build access roads and extend water and sewer systems for future buildings. (Source: WDAM 02/18/22) USM’s Innovation and Commercialization Park gets $3.4M site development grant (wdam.com)

Southern-NO names new prez

NEW ORLEANS - Southern University announced Dennis Shields as the next president of the Southern University System and chancellor of Southern University and A&M College. Shields, currently chancellor at University of Wisconsin-Platteville, will succeed President-Chancellor Ray L. Belton, who is retiring June 30. Shields, an Iowa native, earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Graceland College in 1977 and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1982. (Source: WDSU 02/18/22)

WAA's mobile exhibit coming to MS

Wreaths Across America (WAA) is a non-profit organization that aims to honor deceased veterans through the placement of live balsam wreaths on their headstones. Wreaths will be placed as part of National Wreaths Across America in March. Veterans, active-duty military, family members, and the public is invited to join and tour a Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit to share stories. The goal of the WAA’s mobile exhibit is to remember vets’ service and sacrifice, says Karen Worcester, executive director of WAA. The WAA tour is stopping at three Mississippi locations during its Mobile Education National Tour: Jackson, March 25, at Jackson Academy from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 4908 Ridgeland Road; Madison, March 26, at Liberty Park from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 810 Madison Avenue; and Corinth, March 29, at The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 6 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 511 South Tate Street. For more information or to sponsor a veteran’s wreath, visit Wreaths Across America’s website Wreaths Across America’s website. (Source: SuperTalk Mississippi 02/18/22) Wreaths Across America Tour for veterans to stop in Mississippi - SuperTalk Mississippi