FY-19 DoD markup expected in May

The U.S. House Armed Services Committee is expecting to mark up its FY 2019 Defense Authorization bill around May 9, which may set up a floor vote later that month, according to congressional sources. With the two-year budget deal reached in February, the defense spending cap will rise to $647B. Total discretionary spending, after overseas operations account is included, will likely rise to $716B. A spokesman for the HASC declined to confirm, to the Congressional Quarterly, its schedule for considering the bill. (Source: Defense Communities 03/19/18)

Navy developing Game of Drones

ARLINGTON, Va. – Can a video game help the Navy find future operators for its remotely operated, unmanned drones? Pensacola, Fla.-based Naval Aerospace Medical Institute, and a commercial software company, Adaptive Immersion Technologies, are in the process of developing a computer game – called StealthAdapt - to identify potential operators for their remotely operated, unmanned vehicles (UxV). "This fast-paced, realistic computer simulation of UxV missions could be an effective recruitment tool," said Lt. Cmdr. Peter Walker, program officer at the Office of Naval Research. Since the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, UxVs have played major roles in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The Air Force and Marines have established their own screening processes, but the Navy doesn't have an official training pipeline for UxV operators. In 2017, more than 400 civilian and military volunteers participated as StealthAdapt research subjects at Navy and AF training centers. The Adaptive research team currently is reviewing results and designing an updated system for validation by prospective Navy and AF unmanned operators. It will be ready for fleet implementation later this year. (Source: Office of Naval Research 03/19/18)

T-45 engine work for NASM

Rolls-Royce Corp. of Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded $69,433,967 for modification P00010 to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery, requirements contract (N00019-14-D-0016) to exercise an option to provide intermediate, depot level maintenance and related logistics support for approximately 209 in-service T-45 F405-RR-401 Adour engines. Work will be performed at Naval Air Stations Kingsville, Texas (46%); Meridian, Miss. (44%); Pensacola, Fla. (10%); and Patuxent River, Md. (< 1%). It is expected to be completed in September 2018. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual delivery orders as they are issued. Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division of Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity. (DoD 03/19/18)

EPA extends comment on MS site

ATLANTA - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced March 19 it was extending the public comment period on the proposed listing of the former Rockwell International Wheel & Trim site in Grenada, Miss., to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL). The NPL is a list of sites that require further action to protect human health and the environment. The original 60-day public comment has been extended one week to March 26, 2018. The Rockwell Grenada site, a 40-acre facility commonly referred to as “Grenada Stamping” – in north-central Mississippi - and now operated by Ice Industries, as well as additional areas where site-related contaminants may have migrated or were disposed. Rockwell International, followed by Textron Automotive and later by Grenada Manufacturing, operated a wheel cover manufacturing and chrome plating facility on the property from 1966 to the early 2000s. In 2005, portions of the plant were leased to Ice Industries. EPA has been overseeing the cleanup of the site under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act program. Adding the site to the NPL will allow EPA to conduct a comprehensive assessment of potential risks and take necessary cleanup actions. Only sites added to the NPL are eligible for receive federal funding for long-term cleanup. Public comments on the proposed docket number (EPA-HQ-OLEM-2017-0608) may be submitted online at www.regulations.gov or mailed to: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; EPA Superfund Docket Center; Mail Code 28221T; 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW; Washington, D.C. 20460. (Source: EPA 03/19/18)

TWs getting expertise on T-6 issues

Sustaining a 9 G-Force break turn in an F-16 is no small feat, but let go of your breath the wrong way, and the world will fade from gray to black in an instant. Major Justin Elliott, an Air Force Strategic Policy fellow, experienced those events for two weeks in 2015 trying to identify an array of physiological episodes (PEs) problems affecting Defense Department fighter pilots. Elliott is now studying the complexity of PEs affecting DoD’s fighter and training fleet. He’s had more than 255 combat hours in 30 aircraft, and spans the early F-22 Raptors’ breathing tests to the development and testing of the AF’s first “smart” cockpit pressure gauge that’s scheduled to come on line later this year. Air Education and Training Command officials decided to capitalized Elliott’s following recent series unexplained physiological events (UPEs) with AETC’s T-6 instructors and student-pilots within the AF’s training wings (TWs), including at Columbus AFB, Miss. The “priority is making sure our aircrew are safe and smart in the aircraft, confident in themselves and their equipment,” he said. Three years after the F-22 investigations in 2012, today’s research has grown to include collaborative anecdotes from F-35, T-45C Goshawk, international fighter community and even the AF’s pararescuemen. Elliott has recorded briefs that are being integrated into student undergraduate pilot training across AETC bases. The T-6A II is used to train JPPT students in one of the four AF/Navy training tracks. (Source: Air Education and Training Command 03/16/18) Instructor pilot training in the T-6A is currently at the 14th Student Squadron at Columbus AFB; Vance AFB, Okla.; and Laughlin and Sheppard AFBs in Texas.

Former POW wows CAFB grads

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. – Former Prisoner of War, retired Air Force Col. Carlyle “Smitty” Harris, congratulated the newly graduated Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 18-06 at Columbus AFB. He then spoke to the graduates about their accomplishment, and how it will change their lives, like it had his. “The things that have led you to this point are significant; intelligence, education, positive attitudes, perseverance, sacrifice and God given abilities,” Harris said. “The most important attributes however concern character. You have values you learned your entire lives … All of the attributes have been honed through your pilot training.” He went on to explain a story from his life, to show the power of the attributes all pilots develop through their training and through their lives. The keys to the AF and Navy POWs’ success in North Vietnamese captivity are “all those same attributes you have now,” Harris said. “(O)ur training and values, when needed, gave us the opportunity to step up to significant challenges,” he continued. “You are now a part of a brotherhood of air force pilots. (Source: Columbus AFB 03/16/18)

GA to expand Miss. facility

General Atomics' Electromagnetic Systems will invest $20M to expand for the 10th time in 13 years at its Shannon, Miss., facility. The project is expected to create 48 jobs over the next three years. The project includes a 128,000-square-foot addition to an existing facility, which will house manufacturing operations for complex, lightweight, compact and powerful laser systems and expanded fabrication facilities. The expansion supports increased demands for airborne, maritime, and land military lasers. The Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance to help with equipment costs. Lee County will provide property tax exemptions. (Source: Area Development 03/15/18)

AF stepping up more flight-hours

The Air Force is stepping up efforts to have its pilots fly about 20 hours per month, which is on average with the other military services, according to Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein. AF pilots currently average 17.8 hours a month, he said. The big push is to get more flight-hours while producing, and retaining, additional pilots. In recent week, lawmakers have questioned the AF's numbers after Marine officials testified they’ve been averaging 14-to-16 hours a month, with the AF only flying nine or 10 hours by comparison. "We've dug into” the details and it “really comes down to two areas," Goldfein told the House Appropriations Defense subcommittee: (1) how many pilots produced; and (2) how many pilots retained. The AF is on track to reach its 1,400 pilot-a-year goal, but not until around 2020, he testified. One setback to that goal was the groundings of T-6 Texan II trainers, used for pilot orientation and training flights, over unidentified physiological episodes. The AF ordered an indefinite operational pause for all T-6s at Columbus AFB, Miss.; Vance AFB, Okla.; and Sheppard AFB, Texas. The groundings have since been lifted, but forced the AF to cancel at least one class of pilots training backlogging 82 student-aviators. The AF is on track to get 275 of 444 T-6s back flying, according to Goldfein, and have the remaining aircraft flying by summer. (Source: (Source: Military.com 03/14/18)

MS international security summit

BILOXI, Miss. – The State of Mississippi hosted an International Homeland Defense and Security Summit March 13 in this Gulf Coast city with an Air Force base and a shipyard. Among attendees was the U.S. Coast Guard’s commandant; a general from India; and representatives from Taiwan and South Korea, but it appears Israel was a major player. Sixteen Israeli companies attended the summit, along with a delegation from Israel’s Defense Ministry and arms industry. Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant couldn’t stop talking about Israel, crediting a 2016 national security conference he spoke at in Israel as the inspiration for this summit. Bryant noted that Israel knows about homeland security. They live in a “tough neighborhood,” the governor said. The Israeli delegation featured companies specializing in security technology. They were there to expand into the U.S. market with multiple tools, including a border security sensor system, and a surveillance system that is already being used in Baltimore and Houston police departments. Summit discussions focused on the Gulf Coast’s maritime economy, including boats ferrying drugs, migrants, and weapons across the waters; natural disasters like hurricanes; area military presence; and how manufacturing equipment like drones can boost Mississippi. (Source: Times of Israel 03/15/18) Israel Aerospace Industries has two facilities in Mississippi, including Stark Aerospace in Columbus.

Smith named MSU’s ACI director

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Professor (Dr.) Dennis Smith Jr. has been named director of Mississippi State University’s Marvin B. Dow Advanced Composites Institute (ACI), which is located at the Raspet Flight Research Laboratory. After a competitive selection process by Boeing, the ACI was created at MSU with the donation of a revolutionary stitched composite process and equipment developed at NASA. Smith will continue to serve as head of the chemistry department. (Source: Mississippi State University 03/14/18) Smith received a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Florida in 1992. Among his broad interests are science and technology leadership, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and chemistry/materials research.

Military toxicologists meet in MS

DAYTON, Ohio – Navy medical researchers participated in a bi-annual Tri-Service Toxicology Consortium (TSTC) meeting at the Army’s Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg, Miss., on Jan. 30 to coordinate research efforts and offer recommendations to improve each other's studies. Naval Medical Research Unit-Dayton (NAMRU-D) participated in the meeting. The TSTC connects scientists from Air Force, Army and Navy research facilities, and works to coordinate and optimize recent toxicology knowledge, approaches, and data toward the common goal of protecting human health and the environment for the Defense Department. Dr. Frank Golich, principle investigator for a research team joining expertise from NAMRU-D’s two science directorates, EHEL and Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, is testing whether low level exposure to nitrous oxide may influence, even subtly, pilot cognition or performance. The AF and Navy both have had aircraft stand-downs related to psychological episodes (PEs) related to pilot oxygen-deprivation. (Source: NAMRL-Dayton 03/12/18) T-45C student pilots from NAS Meridian, Miss., and NAS Pensacola, Fla. were among the squadrons experiencing unexplained PEs. NAMRL-Dayton originally was a stand-up research lab based at NAS Pensacola, but was moved to Ohio under a Base Realignment and Closure Commission decision.

HSM for hurricane support

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas - The Joint Staff recently approved the Humanitarian Service Medal for all service members, Coast Guard, Reserve components that include the National Guard, who were physically present during recent hurricane disaster relief. Any qualified personnel who directly participated with Hurricanes Harvey, Irma or Maria relief efforts, and provided disaster support to impacted areas would merit receipt of the award. (Source: AF Personnel System 03/09/18)

NAS Meridian’s Dr. Seuss

MERIDIAN, Miss. - Naval Air Station Meridian’s Public Works Department Contracting Officer Jason Clayton brightened the faces of school children during a week-long celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday March 2. "I've been doing it for about four years now," said Clayton. "It started with my daughter and son's daycare." Dr. Seuss' birthday is typically set aside by schools to celebrate reading. "I've worked with the four- and five-year-old kids at my church for several years, and I've learned that children get distracted easily," he continued. "So, I figured instead of just going up there and reading, I would paint my face to get into the spirit of the thing, maybe hold their attention a little better. The teachers and kids have loved it. The daycare is an extension of Clayton's church and word of his extracurricular activity has gotten around. Lamar Elementary asked Clayton to visit two years ago. "I decided this was getting to be a bigger deal than t-shirt and jeans, so I ordered a 'Cat in the Hat' costume and wore it," said Clayton. Last year, they invited him back, and put him at the front door of the school. I read to anyone that came in the door, kindergarten through 5th grade." "(I)t just gives everyone something special to see; a change from their typical day," he said. "The smaller kids come up and hug me … As for me, I love the look in the children's faces.” (Source: NAS Meridian 03/09/18)

Hypoxia episodes still a mystery

The U.S. military still can’t figure out the root cause of mysterious hypoxia-like psychological episodes (PEs) that have led to the grounding of multiple aircraft at bases in Florida, Mississippi, Texas, and around the globe. The Navy grounded its fleet of T-45 Goshawk training aircraft in April 2017 when flight instructors at Naval Air Stations Pensacola, Fla., and Meridian, Miss., refused to fly after experiencing PE symptoms related to a loss of oxygen in flight. It’s had a big impact on naval aviation training, delaying student-pilots in the T-45C pipeline training, and keeping them from earning their “Wings of Gold”. The Navy has also grounded some of its F-18 Hornets because of similar issues. The Air Force recently grounded its T-6A II trainers after pilots reported a series of unexplained PEs. The AF also briefly grounded its F-35A fifth-generation Joint Strike Fighters last June after pilots reported PEs. In serious hypoxia cases, pilots could lose control of the aircraft and crash. Despite investigations by the military and private industry, experts still don't know the root causes, or have solid solutions, to these episodes. One of the causes appears to involve the aircrafts’ onboard oxygen generating system (OBOGS), which takes bleed air from the engine and filters it to provide breathable oxygen. Congress is pushing for solutions. U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) inserted an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act to provide $10M for industry solutions to the problem. Wicker's district includes NAS Meridian, a key T-45 training base. U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) partially blames Pentagon bureaucracy. On the front line of the effort is Navy Capt. (Dr.) Merrill Rice, who heads an NAS Pensacola-based study of pilots' responses to oxygen deprivation at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute. Dallas Snider of the University of West Florida is working with Rice to analyze data collected in the lab and creating an algorithm for helmet sensors. (Source: Pensacola News Journal 03/10/18)

Harris to be new CNATRA

Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson announced March 9 that Rear Adm. (lower half) Gregory N. Harris will be assigned as the new Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) at Corpus Christi, Texas. Harris is currently serving as commander, Carrier Strike Group 11, Everett, Washington. (Source: DOD 03/09/18) Gulf Coast Note: CNATRA oversees naval aviation training at bases such as NAS Meridian, Miss.; NAS Pensacola, NAS Whiting Field, and Marine Aviation Training Support Group 21 in Pensacola, Fla.; and several Navy bases in Texas. Rear Adm. James Bynum is currently serving as CNATRA.

AHI awarded $273M helo pact

Airbus Helicopters Inc. of Grand Prairie, Texas, was awarded a $273,289,949 firm-fixed-price contract for procurement of 35 UH-72A "Lakota" helicopters. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Work will be performed in Columbus, Miss., with an estimated completion date of March 8, 2021. FY 2017 and FY-18 Army aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $136,644,970 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command of Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-18-C-0007). (Source: DOD 03/08/18)

TIGER grant for MSU

WASHINGTON, DC - Mississippi State University will receive $7M Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for development of a nearly two-mile multi-modal corridor along Hightower Road to “help alleviate gridlock and improve safety for students … and Starkville residents,” said U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.). The grant will allow MSU to develop the corridor project, a north-south passage, which will incorporate sidewalks, bike lanes, transit shelters, traffic signal improvements, and street lighting on the eastern perimeter of the MSU campus. Congress annually appropriates funding for TIGER grants, which are awarded on a competitive and matching fund basis, and directed toward projects expected to have an economic impact. Since 2009, Mississippi has received nearly $100M in TIGER funds. (Source: WJTV 03/06/18)

USM VP selected for AF program

Dr. Casey Maugh Funderburk, vice provost for the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Park campus, has been selected to the 81st Training Wing Honorary Commander Program at Keesler Air Force Base. The program offers opportunities for community leaders to gain insight about the Air Force and Keesler AFB programs. In addition, AF commanders and personnel have the opportunity to connect to the local community and its leadership. “(S)erving as a bridge between the 81st Training Wing and (USM) will most certainly lead to brilliant partnership opportunities in the years to come that will benefit our students, our military partners, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” said Funderburk. Honorary commanders are nominated by local chambers of commerce and AF commanders. (Source: Southern Miss Now 03/07/18)

Sen. Cochran to resign April 1

U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) announced March 5 that he intended to resign from the Senate on April 1. Cochran, the senior senator from the Magnolia State, is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. The senator commented that “health has become an ongoing challenge” in a media release. “I intend to fulfill my responsibilities and commitments to the people of Mississippi and the Senate through the completion of the 2018 appropriations cycle, after which I will formally retire from the U.S. Senate.” Gov. Phil Bryant will likely appoint a replacement and call for a special election Nov. 6, the day of the general election, to allow pick someone to serve out the remainder of his term. Cochran’s decision may draw candidates from the race against Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) whose 6-year term expired. He plans to run for re-election. In March 2017, Cochran was recognized as the 10th longest-serving U.S. senator in American history. (Source: Sun Herald 03/05/18) As a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Cochran has worked to ensure that the U.S. Armed Forces remain the best trained and equipped, including support for the Navy’s shipbuilding programs and military installations across Mississippi. In 2010, he was presented the Herbert H. Bateman Award from the American Shipbuilding Association, as well as the Sea Service Award from the Navy League of the United States.

AHI announces 2 aeromed sales

PARIS - Airbus Helicopters announced Feb. 27 that the Shreveport, La.-based air medical transport provider Metro Aviation had placed an order for 25 EC145e helicopters. Airbus Helicopters Inc. (AHI) will produce the EC145e at its assembly plant in Columbus, Miss., where it also produces UH-72A Lakota for the U.S. Army, and the H125 commercial helicopter for the U.S. market. Metro will customize the helicopters for individual customers at its completion center in Louisiana. No financial details were disclosed. The deal was announced during the Heli-Expo 2018 expo in Las Vegas. (Source: Reuters 02/27/18) The EC145e is essentially a commercial version of the UH-72 built in Columbus. UPDATE: A second deal was also announced at the Las Vegas expo involving Boston MedFlight, a non-profit providing critical care air medical transport for Boston regional hospitals. Boston MedFlight ordered three Airbus H145 helicopters as part of a planned upgrade to its fleet of helos. The first two helicopters will be placed into service this spring with the third arriving in the fall.