Exercise coming to GC bases

WASHINGTON - Navy installations within the United States will soon be conducting its annual two-part anti-terrorism force protection exercise called Exercise Citadel Shield-Solid Curtain between Jan. 29 and Feb. 9. Citadel Shield is a Field Training Exercise led by Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) from Jan. 29 - Feb. 4. Solid Curtain is a Command Post Exercise portion co-led by U.S. Fleet Forces Command and CNIC from Feb. 5-9. This annual exercise is designed to enhance the readiness of Navy Security Forces, ensure interoperability among commands, other military services, and agency partners. They are regularly-scheduled exercises and not in response to any specific threat. CS-SC is vital to the Navy’s ability to execute its mission in support of homeland defense, and to protect people, equipment, and facilities in situations that pose significant and eminent threat. (Source: Navy Installations Command 01/18/18) Gulf Coast Note: Navy bases across the Gulf Coast have participated in this annual exercise, including Naval Air Stations Meridian, Miss., Pensacola, and Whiting Field, Fla., and New Orleans; Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport, Miss.; and Naval Support Activity Panama City, Fla. Measures will be taken to minimize disruptions within local communities and base operations, but there may be times when the exercise causes increased traffic or delays in base access. Area residents may also see or hear security activities associated with the exercise. Advanced coordination has taken place with local law enforcement and first responders to minimize any inconveniences.

Gov’t shutdown: New CR in sight?

WASHINGTON – Congressional aides are saying to expect another short-term Continuing Resolution (CR) to deal with funding the government for a few more weeks and into mid-February, but cautions that another CR is no guarantee. Prospects for any deal were diminished because of a report of President Trump’s alleged comments in a meeting about the desire to stop immigration from “shithole countries.” The president’s latest “self-created outrage du jour makes it harder for (the GOP) to get Democrats on board for anything,” said Doug Heye, a former top Republican congressional aide. President Trump has denied those reports and blamed Democrats for backing away from an agreed upon deal and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) for having “totally misrepresented” what was said at the meeting. He Tweeted: “Deals can’t get made when there is no trust! Durbin blew DACA and is hurting our Military.” GOP and Democrat leaders had engaged with the White House last week on a deal on federal spending, which would bring Democrat support to prevent a government shutdown, and include protections for (“Dreamers”) brought into the U.S. illegally. Without a spending bill, the federal government would shut non-emergency functions starting Saturday at 12:01 a.m. (EST). (Source: Wall Street Journal 01/16/18 UPDATE: U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, has introduced a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the federal government open through Feb. 16. If enacted, the CR (H.J.Res. 125) will replace the one that expires Jan. 19, becoming the fourth stopgap measure for FY 2018. The CRs are needed because Congress can't reach an agreement on an FY-18 budget, nearly four months after the start of the FY. Whether Congress will pass the CR and avert a shutdown is not clear because some lawmakers assert CRs hurt military readiness. Yet, if the government does shut down, it punishes military and government retirees, and social security recipients.

Flu intense in 3 of 4 GC states

Three of the four Gulf Coast states, plus 36 other U.S. states, are currently experiencing outbreaks of the flu. Florida is the only GC state not yet experiencing a heavy volume of influenza cases. The flu season in the GC region - Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi - generally peaks from January to March. Mississippi is seeing the impact of high levels of influenza with more than 100 reported flu outbreaks in nursing homes and long-term care settings, according to MSDH State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers. Additionally, the Mississippi Department of Health (MSDH) has reports from hospitals across the state that are experiencing increased ICU admissions and Emergency Room visits. “Hospitals are operating at full capacity,” he said. Alabama has already declared its flu outbreaks a crisis. Felicia York and her Alabama family found out how serious it was after her 38-year-old husband became sick in December. The kids already had the flu. They tried to treat husband Adam’s symptoms without a visit. When that didn’t work, they went to Grandview Medical Center in Birmingham thinking he would get a prescription and go home. But they “ended up keeping him because his oxygen level was too low," said Felicia. Within 24 hours of admission, "he went from sitting up … to two tubes down his throat, sedated and on an ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) machine to circulate his blood and oxygen instead of using his lungs," she explained. He tested positive for flu strains A and B. It progressed to something worse. Adam’s been in the hospital since early January. He’s stable, but sedated and “basically in a medically induced coma." This flu season really opened Felicia’s eyes as to just how serious the virus can be. (Source: WBRC 01/14/18) According to Dr. Frank Welch of the Louisiana Department of Health, the flu is “unprecedented … (and like a) freight train." He fears up to 700 people may die this year in Louisiana from flu-related symptoms or conditions exacerbated by the flu. Those seeking treatment for symptoms is about 10 percent of the state’s population, nearly doubled the percentage during last year's peak season in February.

NASA seeking innovators

NASA is looking to small businesses and research institutions for innovative technologies that could have significant potential for successful transition into its mission programs and other commercial markets. This year, through NASA’s Small Business and Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I solicitation, proposals for research, development and technology demonstrations can be submitted until March 9, 2018, 4 p.m. CST. Phase I awards are valued at about $125,000 for up to six months for SBIR and 13 months for STTR to establish the scientific, technical and commercial merit and feasibility of the proposed innovation in fulfillment of NASA needs. (Source: NASA, 01/11/18)

Advancing adaptive flight study

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - Student researchers from Air Command and Staff College at the Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., conducted an Adaptive Flight Training Study from Jan. 9-12 to aid in the AF’s advancement in training and education through virtual reality (VR). The study was to find out if VR would rates of currently learning, how the brain works and reacts in conjunction with other parts of the body during the learning process. Three test groups flew a T-6 Texan II simulator. None of them had flying experience in T-6. The three test groups flew four simulations: First to simulate a baseline for data that could be compared to the other three. “The data we are gathering can hopefully help us start to determine the key factors of what makes individuals succeed or perform better,” said Maj. Matt Elmore of the Air Command and Staff College. The study “won’t be an end all, but it’s good to be on the leading edge of this and start the conversation.” Because there is a lot of data being gathered, there are multiple groups attached to the project. Only a handful of individuals came to CAFB to set up, and conduct, the study. (Source: 14th Flying Training Wing 01/11/18)

NJROTC manager retires

PENSACOLA, Fla. - The director of the Navy's Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) program was recognized for his 17 years of leadership during a retirement ceremony here Jan. 5 at the National Museum of Naval Aviation. Dr. J. D. Smith was presented with the Distinguished Civilian Service Award by the commander of Naval Service Training Command (NSTC) Rear Adm. Mike Bernacchi. "It's been wonderful being able to assist in the development of the nation's youth through the JROTC program," said Smith who retired after 44 years of federal service. Smith began his federal civil service employment at the flag-command HQ of the Chief of Naval Education and Training in Pensacola in 1973. In 2002, Dr. Smith was selected to become the NJROTC program manager. Navy JROTC was founded in 1964 as a citizenship development program for high school students and in U. S. secondary educational institutions. The program is currently under the direction of NSTC, headquartered at Naval Station Great Lakes, Ill., and includes 573 units worldwide. NSTC command oversees 98 percent of initial officer and enlisted accessions training for the Navy. (Source: NSTC 01/11/18) Among some of the Mississippi JROTC units are at Gautier High School, Moss Point, Pascagoula, Northeast Lauderdale in Meridian, and Warren Central Senior in Vicksburg. Dr. Smith is also a former Pensacola City Council representative.

UA-MSU team up for deaf, blind

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. The University of Alabama has been awarded a grant of $251,850 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to study how tornado warnings could be improved for members of the deaf-and-blind communities. The project is collaboration between UA’s departments of geography and communication studies and Mississippi State University’s department of geosciences and National Research and Training Center on Blindness and Low Vision. The grant will enable the team to build and test a system whereby deaf people can view a local weather broadcast in a split-screen format. Half of the screen will show a meteorologist, and the other half an American Sign Language interpreter. The team will conduct interviews with members of the blind community in Mississippi, and the deaf-and-blind communities in Talladega, Ala. (Source: University of Alabama 01/09/18)

XO provides MH services to vets

WASHINGTON - Transitioning military service members and veterans can receive up to one year of mental health care from the Veterans Affairs (VA) Department after discharge from the service, according to an Executive Order (XO) signed Jan 10 by President Trump. The XO, "Supporting Our Veterans During Their Transition From Uniformed Service to Civilian Life," directs Defense, VA, and Homeland Security departments to develop a joint plan to ensure that 60 percent of new veterans that don't qualify for enrollment in health care - because of a lack of verified service connected medical-related issues - will receive treatment and access to mental health services for 12 months following their separation from service. (Source: DOD 01/10/18)

AFS’ Orion: $48M AF contract

WEST POINT, Miss. – The record-breaking unmanned aircraft Orion that is made at Aurora Flight Sciences’ facility in Lowndes County south of the Golden Triangle Regional Airport has a new $48M Air Force contract. The company is banking on Orion, a long-flying, high-altitude UAV, to fly for more than 100 hours without landing. AFS was bought in October by Boeing. Orion has already flown more than 80 hours non-stop, and tests indicate it can go up to 120 hours, and carry 1,000 pounds of cargo. The AF, and other agencies, is hoping to use the UAV for long-term aerial surveillance. The Coast Guard is expected to do test flights, according to industry publications. Work on Orion, which has a long wing span that requires a specially-built addition to Aurora's Lowndes County's facility, began in 2006. The project could peak in 2019. AFS employs about 100 workers at its three-building facility south of Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus. Operations began in 2003 from the Raspet Flight Science Laboratory at Mississippi State University. (Source: Daily Times Leader 01/09/18)

Top 13: Beaches of NW Fla., Ala.

The travel website Tripping.com has listed Destin, Fla., as the No. 1 beach destination for 2017. Gulf Shores, Ala., was No. 3 followed by Panama City Beach. Orange Beach, Ala., ranked ninth; and Pensacola, Fla., Beach was No. 13. The website saw an increase in searches for urban markets such as NYC, but beaches were the most popular destination, according to the report. The three NW Florida beaches were among the overall Top 25 destinations: Destin was No. 2 followed by NYC; Panama City Beach was No. 5, and Pensacola Beach No. 20. Looking ahead to 2018, Tripping.com predicts lake destinations will rise, but southern beaches will continue to gain popularity. (Source: News Herald 01/04/18) The average rental price for Destin Beach was $267; Panama City $195; and $229 for Pensacola Beach, according to the website.

MDA targets growth industries

The Mississippi Development Authority has identified eight target-growth industries to focus on Mississippi’s assets, human and natural resources, and business climate. Those eight include: Aerospace, advanced manufacturing, agribusiness, automotive, forestry, energy, healthcare, shipbuilding, and tourism and film. Mississippi public universities support these eight industries in many ways. (Source: Hattiesburg American opinion (01/07/18)

Army notice for more UH-72s

The Army has taken another step via a “sources sought” notice published Jan. 4 to begin the process of awarding a contract for up to 35 additional UH-72 Lakota helicopters. Airbus Helicopters Inc. of Columbus, Miss., has assembled more than 400 UH-72s under contracts dating to 2006. The notice checks off a requirement to investigate whether there are competitive options. Parent company Airbus owns all technical data on the UH-72 that means a potential competitor would have to buy the data from the Airbus to build the helicopter. In 2014, the Army selected the UH-72A for its helicopter trainer, which is conducted primarily at Fort Rucker, Ala. The Army’s approved budget for FY 2017 contains funds for 23 Lakotas – meaning 12 could be purchased under future budgets. A new order from the Army may be necessary to keep the Columbus facility open, according to Airbus. (Source: Flight Global 01/04/18)

MS: Top 4 less-taxing for retirees

Mississippi was named the No. 4 most-friendly tax state for retirees by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance in the release of its 2017 Retire Tax Map, which looks at most and least tax-friendly states for retirees. Sandra Block, senior editor of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, said one reason Mississippi scores high is because the state exempts all qualified retirement income from state taxes. “For that reason, it compares favorably with states that have no income tax,” she concluded. Florida, which has no state income tax, was rated No. 5 on Kiplinger’s map. The Top 3 most tax-friendly states are Wyoming, Alaska, and South Dakota. Valencia Williamson, executive VP of the Area Development Partnership in Hattiesburg - one of Mississippi’s cities involved in the Hometown Retirement City program – says the value of retirees goes beyond economics. “Retirees get involved.” In Hattiesburg, retirees (age 55-plus) make up 24 percent of the population. Among the Top 10 least tax-friendly states are Minnesota, Connecticut, Kansas, Vermont, Nebraska, New Mexico, Utah, Maryland, Indiana, and Wisconsin. (Source: Mississippi Business Journal 01/04/18)

New Orbital ATK, AF agreement

DULLES, Va. - Orbital ATK, a global aerospace and defense technologies company, has signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Air Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC). The agreement provides the framework and plan for data exchanges needed to certify Orbital ATK’s Next Generation Launch (NGL) system to carry National Security Space missions. “Under this CRADA, Orbital ATK is better able to support SMC in being the guardians of assured access to space,” said Scott Lehr, president of Orbital ATK’s Flight Systems Group. Orbital ATK is in early production of development hardware for NGL. To date, the firm, along with the Air Force, has invested more than $200M toward development of the NGL rocket family. (Source: Orbital ATK 01/04/18) Central Mississippi Note: Orbital ATK’s Iuka, Miss., facility produces large composite structures for United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V and Delta IV launch vehicles. The company announced plans to begin production on the new composite launch vehicle structures and aerospace components in the third quarter of 2017.

DESI competition for unique solutions

The Defense Department has announced an award competition for the Defense Enterprise Science Initiative (DESI), a new pilot program that supports university-industry collaboration on use-inspired basic research. DESI incentivizes use-inspired basic research or scientific study directed toward increasing fundamental knowledge and understanding in the context of end-use applications. Funded projects will bring university and industry teams together with the aim of discovering unique solutions to challenging defense/national security problems. DESI aims to accelerate the impact of basic research results on defense capabilities, inform existing or future acquisition programs, and support sustainable collaboration between the nation’s universities and the private sector. The theme of this year’s competition centers on technologies to enable a new generation of sensing, mobility, and autonomy. Research topics include power beaming, highly‐maneuverable autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle, soft active composites, and meta-material based antennas. For more info see the Broad Agency Announcement (FA9550-18-S-B001) at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=299112. (Source: Defense Department 01/03/18)

TS is AF nominee for GEICO award

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas - Technical Sgt. Edward Mauss of the 96th Security Forces Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., was among the four Air Force finalists for the 2017 GEICO Military Service Awards. The awards recognize enlisted service members from all branches of the military for contributions to the military or civilian communities. Mauss earned the award in the drug and alcohol abuse prevention category. He led a five-member team in investigating and deterring drug use and distribution affecting the Defense Department’s largest military installation. The team also initiated 20 investigations that resulted in the seizure of 727 grams of Schedule 1 controlled substances. Through partnership with local police, Mauss’ drug suppression efforts eradicated a marijuana growing field, removed 222 pounds of prescription medication, and identified drug houses in the community. (Source: Air Force Personnel Center 01/04/18) GEICO will select recipients in each category from nominees from all of the military services. Those recipients will be honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Nominees are authorized to wear the Air Force Recognition Ribbon.

Military kids’ scholarships

Military children taking college classes could get financial aid through a scholarship offered by the Fisher House Foundation, a national non-profit organization that has provided free housing for military families while a service member undergoes medical treatment. The merit-based scholarship applicants must be children of active duty, reserve units or retired service members with at least a 3.0 GPA and enrolled full-time at a college or university. Each scholarship is $2,000 and for students pursuing undergraduate degrees. Applications can be downloaded from the website militaryscholar.org and dropped off or mailed to the nearest commissary. The deadline to apply is Feb. 16. The program has been around since the 2001. Fisher House has provided about 10,000 scholarships since the inception. (Source: Panama City News Herald 01/03/18)

Blues leave GC for winter training

The Navy’s Blue Angels flight demonstration team left its home base at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., on Jan. 3; and arrived at Naval Air Station El Centro, Calif., to begin winter training for the 2018 air show season. The maintenance and support team and six FA/18 jets make up most of team. The team will perform in El Centro on March 10 and March 17-18 at Davis-Monthan AFB in Arizona before returning to the NW Florida base to continue its 2018 show season. (Sources: Pensacola News Journal, 10NewsKGTV, 01/03/18) Naval Air Station El Centro is located between San Diego and Yuma, Ariz. The Blues will be flying July 14 at Pensacola Beach and July 21-22 at the Biloxi (Miss.) Gulf Coast Air Show.

‘One Lake’ EIS in peer review stage

The head of Louisiana’s Lower Pearl River Basin Task Force, which studies the health and management of the basin, hopes to meet with the state’s congressional delegation this month in Washington, D.C., to discuss the “One Lake” proposed flood control project near Jackson, Miss. The project proposes to create a 1,500-acre lake by damming the river. An environmental impact study (EIS) on the proposed project could be released around Feb. 1. Louisiana Sen. Sharon Hewitt (R-Slidell) has environmental concerns that the One Lake project could mean for the lower Pearl. "Anything that happens upstream definitely has an impact downstream,'' she said, including the flow of water and salinity. Hewitt chairs the Lower Pearl River Basin Task Force. She fears the EIS won't adequately address the impact on the lower Pearl River. The unfunded, but authorized project would use a low-head dam below Interstate 20 to create the lake. The proposal stems from efforts to reduce the chances of another flood that swamped Jackson, Miss., in 1979 that caused hundreds of millions of dollars in losses. South Louisiana and south Mississippi officials worry the dam will slow the flow of water into the basin causing environmental problems. The St. Tammany Parish (La.) Council objected to the project, and questioned its impact on threatened wildlife species, as far back as 2013. Keith Turner, an attorney for the Rankin-Hinds Pearl River Flood Control District, which is spearheading the proposed $300M project, said Dec. 29 that the EIS is in the peer review process. The Army Corps of Engineers has advised the district not to publicly release the study until the peer review is completed. (Source: NOLA.com 01/03/18)

Fuel contracts for 4 GC states

Petroleum Traders Corp. (SPE605-18-D-8506; $14,770,197) and Tayrona Investments LLC. both of Fort Wayne, Ind. (SPE605-18-D-8504; $7,333,851) have both been awarded a fixed-price, with an economic-price-adjustment contract under solicitation SPE600-17-R-0218 for various types of fuel. These are three-year contracts with no option years. Locations of performance are for Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, Coast Guard, Defense Logistics Agency Energy and federal civilian agencies in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina and South Carolina. Performance completion date is Oct. 31, 2020. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy of Fort Belvoir, Va. (Source: DoD 01/02/18)