Vertex: Prime seat for SeaPort NxG

MADISON, Miss. - Vertex Aerospace of Madison, Miss., has been awarded a Prime seat in the Navy's SeaPort Next Generation award contract vehicle. This portal is designed to provide an efficient means of soliciting offers from thousands of multiple award contract (MAC) holders - large and small businesses and pre-approved team members. SeaPort-NxG awards were issued to a limited number of businesses. Bids for awards were evaluated based on the bidding companies' past naval contracts and the technical aspects of submitted proposals. Vertex currently provides commercial air services, maintenance, and supply-chain support to six Navy contracts, several of which the global aerospace company has supported for over 20 years, including logistics support services for Navy T-34, T-44, C-9, and E-6B programs at locations such as NAS Pensacola and Whiting Field, Fla. Vertex’s selection will allow the Mississippi firm to compete for future naval support service opportunities valued at $5B annually. The Navy will begin using SeaPort-NxG MACs to award task orders for services in 2019. (Source: Vertex Aerospace 12/12/18) Vertex Aerospace is a global aerospace company with about $1.4B in 2017 sales. Vertex Aerospace is a global aerospace company with about $1.4B in 2017 sales. The firm employs over 4,200 people in over 100 operating locations world-wide.

Garmin earns top AHI supply award

Garmin International of Olathe, Kan., received the 2018 Supplier of Excellence Award by Airbus Helicopters Inc. at AHI's North American Supplier Conference in Texas. Garmin was recognized for its responsiveness and competitiveness in support of the Army’s UH-72A Lakota helicopter program, and for its overall support at the AHI facility in Columbus, Miss. Garmin’s support of equipping these helicopters with its avionics that support flight training, surveillance and reconnaissance, medical evacuations, border security, VIP transport, and disaster response. In all, more than 430 Lakota’s have been delivered to the Army. (Source: Garmin 12/04/18)

Gulf Coast Defense Forum event

KEESLER AFB, Miss. - Leaders from Keesler Air Force Base participated here at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Defense Forum on Dec. 3-4. The event connected Defense Department and state leadership to bring key decision-makers to show DoD’s assets, facilitate communication between military bases with their associated community leaders. The forum highlighted issues of mutual concern, addressed gaps in military value and quality of life, and educated key stakeholders on state-wide defense missions. Some 130 people attended the event, including Richard Hartley, Air Force Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Installations, Environment, and Energy; and Phyllis Bayer, Naval Assistant Secretary, Installations, Energy, and Environment; along with keynote messages from U.S. Rep. Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.) and Gov. Phil Bryant. The forum was a product of the Association of Defense Communities, an organization focused on advancing community-military partnerships. (Source: 81st Training Wing 12/07/18)

Harrison-Navy sign first IGSA

GULFPORT, Miss. - Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) Gulfport and Harrison County, Miss., met at the county courthouse Dec. 3 to sign an intergovernmental support agreement (IGSA) that is a first of its kind for a Navy base and a local government in the Navy’s southeast region. The IGSA focuses on Mosquito Surveillance and Abatement Services, which will enable NCBC to purchase mosquito surveillance services from the county at a pre-determined price and on an as-needed basis. The staff at Naval Branch Health Clinic Gulfport normally performs mosquito surveillance on base to get an idea of the mosquito population in order to determine when mosquito spraying should be performed. The IGSA gives the base a backup capability during times when clinic staffing levels make surveillance a challenge, according to Kevin Gillam, NCBC Gulfport community planning and liaison officer. The intent is to save money on both sides. NCBC Gulfport has agreements with the city and county regarding Fire and Emergency Response Mutual Aid Agreements (MAA), but this is the first IGSA to be approved in the Navy's southeast region. (Source: NCBC Gulfport 12/11/18)

NASWF’s Hein is SE sailor of year

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Air Traffic Controller 1st Class Michael Hein from Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Fla., was named Navy Region Southeast Sailor of the Year. Six sailors from across the southeast, including Navy Counselor 1st Class Sarah Prather of Naval Air Station/Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, were the final nominees for the award across CNRSE’s 18 installations. “[These] Sailors represent the very best of the best throughout the region, and are to be commended for their sustained superior performance," said Rear Adm. Bette Bolivar, CNRSE. Hein served as chief of Whiting’s Flight Planning branch. He supervised his 24-member team in the filing and processing of over 49,000 aircraft flight plans. As leading petty officer, the team managed 165,826 mishap-free flight operations, and 7,000-plus ground controlled approaches. Hein also devoted personal time to deliver meals to families affected by Hurricane Michael, worked with Meals on Wheels, and helped place animals for adoption from the Escambia County Animal Shelter. The six nominees will make up a working group charged with devising policy and processes to drastically eliminate destructive behaviors like suicide, sexual assault, domestic violence and alcohol related incidents. The group will offer their ideas in the spring. Hein will now compete for the Commander Naval Installations Command Sailor of the Year, which recognizes the top sailor across all shore installations in the Navy. (Source: CNRSE 12/11/18)

Sailor returns home after 77 years

Seventy-seven years to the day, a Mississippi sailor was returned home for a proper burial. Calhoun County, Miss., native Aviation Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Durell Wade was one of 429 sailors killed aboard the battleship USS Oklahoma during the Dec. 7, 1941, sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He was buried with full military honors at North Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Kilmichael on Dec. 7. Among attendees was Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, several of Wade’s family members, retired and current military personnel and representatives from Naval Air Station Meridian. A funeral detail from NASM also participated in the ceremony. Wade’s remains were positively identified through improvements in DNA identification technology. The technology used is known as mitochondrial and Y-chromosome analysis. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) used this scientific analysis, along with dental, anthropological and circumstantial evidence to confirm the identities of USS Oklahoma sailors. Among attendees were Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, several of Wade’s family members, retired and current military personnel and representatives from Naval Air Station Meridian. A funeral detail from NASM also participated in the ceremony. Cmdr. J.P. Falardeau, executive officer of NAS Meridian, spoke to the importance of the event and the greater importance of remembering the attack on Pearl Harbor. “It’s a very humbling experience to be a part of something as truly impressive and meaningful as bringing home a sailor from that infamous day in 1941.” (Source: Starkville Daily News 12/10/18)

Santa arrives at CAFB via T-1A

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. – Santa Claus and three of his elves made a pre-holiday stopover at Columbus Air Force Base on Dec. 4 for the base’s official lighting of both the Christmas Tree and Menorah. Claus’ entourage arrived via a 14th Flying Training Wing T-1A Jayhawk. The Caledonia (Miss.) High School Choir performed Christmas carols. “This time of year provides amazing opportunities to invest our time connecting with others,” said Wing Commander, Col. Samantha Week. She encouraged participants “to invest with your kids and family … friends and wingmen … (and) “take advantage of every spare moment as it’s a gift.” (Source: Columbus AFB 12/10/18)

L3 mod contract: $21.8M

L3 Communications Vertex Aerospace of Madison, Miss., was awarded a $21,845,138 modification (P00035) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost-reimbursable, labor hour, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-13-D-0007). This modification increases the ceiling and extends the period of performance to provide contractor logistics services and materials for organizational and depot-level services required to support and maintain the TH-57 fleet. Work will be performed in at NAS Whiting Field in Milton, Fla., and is expected to be completed in January 2019. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual task orders as they are issued. Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division of Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/06/18)

MSU breaks ground on complex

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Construction on the Richard A. Rula Engineering and Science Complex at Mississippi State University is officially underway after a Dec. 7 groundbreaking ceremony. The new project will provide state-of-the-art facilities for MSU’s James Worth Bagley College of Engineering. The 70,000-square-foot facility will house the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The $34M building is named after MSU 2019 National Alumnus of the Year Richard A. Rula, an education advocate and leader in the construction industry. The dedicated research and teaching labs will support the department’s technical strengths in the areas of construction, environmental, geotechnical, materials, structural, transportation and water resources engineering. MSU’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering graduates professionals who help create and maintain the systems that raise the standard of living, such as clean water, safe roads, proper sanitation and quality buildings. Jackson-based Eley Guild Hardy Architects designed the building. Columbus-based West Brothers Construction is the general contractor. (Source: Mississippi State University 12/07/18)

NASM salutes former Navy OL

In honor of the Dec. 8 Army/Navy football game, NAS Meridian, Miss., salutes one of its own: Lt. Kyle Widhalm, a Naval Academy graduate who played for the Midshipmen as an offensive lineman from 2008-10! GO NAVY!! BEAT ARMY!! (Source: NAS Meridian 12/05/18)

New prez for EMCC

SCOOBA, Miss. - East Mississippi Community College announced Dec. 5 that Scott Alsobrooks will take over duties as president early next year. Alsobrooks has been VP of economic and community development at Pearl River (Miss.) Community College since 2011. He was workforce education director at PRCC for six years before that, previously working at the University of Southern Mississippi. He holds a bachelor's degree in engineering from Mississippi State University and a master's and doctorate from the USM. (Source: The AP 12/05/18)

Lockheed-Meridian Flight Sim Tech

The Army TADSS Maintenance Program (ATMP) is a seven-year Single Award ID/IQ contract for maintenance, sustainment, operations, and support of Army Training Aids, Devices, Simulators, and Simulations (TADSS), Live-Fire Ranges, and Instrumentation Systems. The ATMP portfolio includes 250,000 live, virtual, constructive, and gaming TADSS located at 422 sites worldwide. The primary customer is PEO STRI in Orlando, FL. PEO STRI’s published vision for ATMP is integrated, one-stop, world-wide maintenance and sustainment for Army Program of Record (POR) TADSS. Lockheed-Martin is advertising for a Flight Simulator Tech III, whose duties would be to repairs electronics in the CH-47F Transportable Flight Proficiency Trainer (TFPS) in Meridian, Miss. The CH-47F TFPS models a realistic flight environment and provides proficiency training of pilots and instructor pilots. (Source: Lockheed-Martin 12/2018)

Crash near Itta Bena preventable

WASHINGTON - Military investigators have concluded that the July 2017 crash of a Marine C-130 transport plane near Itta Bena in the western portion of Leflore County, Miss., was caused by mistakes made six years ago, according to some members of the families of the 16 service members killed. The military has briefed family members. "It kills me inside because my children could still have their dad. I could still have my husband," Ashley Kundrat told CBS News. CBS News spoke to her just after briefers from the Marine Corps told her what caused the crash that killed her husband, Staff Sgt. William Kundrat, and 15 others. The plane was flying at 20,000 feet when a blade on the left inboard propeller flew off and sliced through the fuselage. It caused major structural stress that the right inboard propeller came off and spun into the fuselage. The cockpit was severed from the plane followed moments later by the fuselage. The investigation found tiny pits of corrosion that over time had become a crack that caused the first blade to fail. "We tracked this back when it went through rework around 2011 and it was not detected," said air wing commander Brig. Gen. Bradley James. In 2011, the propeller had undergone a scheduled overhaul at this maintenance center at Robins AFB, Ga. Procedures, if “properly done should have detected that corrosion in 2011," said Brig. Gen. Kohn Kubinec, the current airwing commander. "The corrosion should have been detected. Why it wasn't, we don't know." (Source: CBS News 2/05/18)

Spain's new hypoxia-coping system

PARIS – Spanish companies have unveiled a new system for simulating low-oxygen conditions that air force pilots may experience in flight. The technology, made by Indra, one of Spain’s technology companies, and iAltitude, another Spanish firm specializing in high-altitude sports training, is a proposal to cope with the symptoms of hypoxia, which can cause pilots to fall unconscious in mid-flight. Spanish air force pilots have a backup oxygen mask in case oxygen levels drop too low, but if that too fails, pilots have to be able to identify symptoms that precede hypoxia, which can cause loss of consciousness, according to Indra. This new system, which the company claims is “the first of its kind in the world,” consists of normobaric hypoxia equipment made by iAltitude of which Indra has integrated into simulators for the C101 Spanish Air Force training jet at the Madrid-based Aerospace Medicine Training Center. The system regulates oxygen through pilots’ masks, reducing it a little at a time, and recording data to be used by the center to design programs to alert pilots to pre-hypoxia symptoms. Training in hypoxia has mainly been performed in hypobaric and normobaric chambers, but cannot be undertaken simultaneously with flight tasks. The new system means hypoxia tests are now integrated with flight training, while the capabilities of pilots to complete procedures in low-oxygen conditions is continuously evaluated. (Source: Defense News 12/04/18) Gulf Coast Note: U.S. Air Force, Marine and Navy pilots have experienced hypoxia-like symptoms in flight in F-35, F/A-18 Hornets, and T-6 trainer aircraft flown at both NAS Meridian, Miss., and Pensacola, Fla.

Last ‘CAVU’ favor from Prez 41

Vice President Mike Pence recalled Dec. 3 how he had asked a final favor from an ailing President George H.W. Bush in August on behalf of his son, Marine 1st Lt. Michael Pence - never expecting that the former president would be able to comply. The younger Pence had just made his first tailhook carrier landing on the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush earning his Wings of Gold as a Marine pilot - after graduation from Naval Air Station Meridian, Miss. The favor: Would the former president autograph a photo for his son? Bush's staff replied, he no longer signs autographs. But within a week, a handwritten letter and a signed photo from Bush arrived in Washington, D.C. "Congratulations on receiving your wings of gold," Bush wrote to Pence's son. "Though we have not met, I wish you many days of CAVU ahead" - a reference to the Navy acronym meaning "Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited" that he adopted as his motto for public service. Pence told the story, upon the arrival of Bush's casket at the Capitol Rotunda, as an example to the former president's basic decency and humility. Bush performed a final public service in the form of a brief respite from partisan politics among factions in Congress and the White House. President Donald Trump and Congress were nearing a tentative agreement to put off a battle on the budget and funding for the border wall until, at least, next week, avoiding a partial government shutdown Dec. 7. (Source: Military.com 012/04/18)

Miss. Superfund public meetings

ATLANTA - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing public meetings on Superfund Sites in Columbus and Grenada, Miss. For Columbus, a cleanup plan to address contaminated soil at the Kerr-McGee Chemical Corporation Superfund Site. The cleanup described in the plan is underway through a voluntary agreement with oversight from EPA and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). The cleanup will prepare about 20 acres of the site for reuse as early as next year. EPA will hold a public meeting to present the proposed plan and answer questions about the ongoing cleanup on Dec. 13, from 6-8 p.m., at the Genesis Dream Center in Columbus. EPA is also soliciting public comments on the plan for 30-days beginning on Dec. 7 and ending Jan. 6, 2019. (Source: EPA 12/04/18) Separately, between Jan. 7-17, the EPA will conduct soil and groundwater sampling at residential yards in the southern portion of the Eastern Heights neighborhood associated with the cleanup of the Rockwell Grenada (Miss.) Superfund Site. Prior to sampling, EPA will host two community information sessions on Dec. 13 for residents to learn more about the action. The same information will be presented at both sessions, 9-11 a.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Grenada City Auditorium. In January, drill rigs will be used to sample soil and groundwater from the ground surface down to the bottom of the first groundwater zone. Using electrical and water-based signals at each location, the drill rigs collect data continuously underground to determine how much contamination is present and where. This information will assist the EPA in determining future cleanup actions. (Source: EPA 12/04/18)

‘Hackin’ the Mish' at CAFB

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - Columbus Air Force Base (CAFB) will be hosting "Fight’s On: Airmen Hackin’ the Mish" professional development day for personnel and civilians of the 14th Flying Training Wing on Dec. 7. The event is designed to connect personnel with one another by learning about fellow airmen’s combat missions and experiences in today’s AF, and to help understand how CAFB contributes to those missions. Various career field representatives, including tactical air control, security forces, combat weather, pilots and explosive ordnance disposal, will be speaking. “We selected battlefield airmen … because they are enlisted, non-flyers who have been in combat and can connect with our airmen through their experiences,” said Maj. Thomas Hyde, 14th Flying Training Wing’s Commander’s Action Group chief. Pilots were selected because they can connect to CAFB student-pilots through their flying experiences. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Columbus Club and is open to all 14th FTW officers, enlisted and civilians. Questions about the event, please contact the Commander’s Action Group at (662) 434-1410. (Source: 14th Flying Training Wing 11/30/18)

NavMed worries over future cuts

The Navy’s push for a more lethal force, and a 355-ship fleet, could be re-invested from reductions to the service’s medical professionals, USNI News reports after viewing command guidance from the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. BUMED “expects” that a Pentagon plan will reduce the military medical personnel across all services, possibly as early as FY 2020, according to the guidance. The guidance explains that Defense Department (DoD) officials are considering military medical reductions as part of its Program Objective Memorandum (POM) 2020. Each service is to manage their own reductions. “We expect many of the billet cuts” to Navy Medicine (NavMed) and to be “re-invested in other Navy priorities and communities that increase lethality,” the guidance stated. The number of billet cuts being consideration is not known. NavMed has about 63,000 personnel around the world to active duty sailors and Marines, their families and veterans, according to the Navy. The potential of NavMed cuts comes at a time that ‘Big Navy’ leadership is talking about growing the force. Through FY-18, the Navy had 329,851 active duty personnel, according to DoD. It is authorized to have 335,400. The Navy is planning to expand its surface force to 355 ships, which will call for more sailors. “This is what the POM process is for – to review all accounts in determining the best balance of investments,” Navy spokesperson Lt. Lauren Chatmas told USNI News. NavMed leaders expect that potential funding cuts will reduce medical staff capabilities – like expeditionary medical facilities, Graduate Medical Education, and medical training programs – and the scope of services available at facilities, ashore and afloat, across the service, according to the guidance. NavMed plans to fight over those GME and medical training programs. The Navy is months away from finalizing its contribution to DoD’s POM-20. (Source: USNI News 11/30/18) Gulf Coast Note: Regional NavMed facilities include Naval Hospital Pensacola, Fla., and its branch clinics at Meridian and Gulfport, Miss.; New Orleans; Pensacola, Milton, and Panama City, Fla. NHP's GME program for Family Medicine residents was shut down nearly two years ago.

CAFB’s Spark Cell creative hub

Columbus (Miss.) Air Force Base’s Spark Cell laboratory was designed to be a creative hub for finding solutions to problems, building innovative tools and processes, and learning anything from 3D printing to flying patterns in a T-6 Texan II. The use of the Spark Cell is consistent, and the impact is already being felt with 15 Airmen visiting weekly to work on projects. Its purpose is to cultivate ideas and connect with other innovators so CAFB can create solutions for the betterment of the Air Force. It’s a place for personal and professional development to help the AF and the wing get better, he explained. An example of how to use the space effectively is learning how to program computer applications to create a solution to a problem. Several projects are being worked, but the ‘Check Six’ podcast project was the first completed, according to Maj. Ryan Brewer, 14th Flying Training Wing’s director of innovation. They’re always looking at other opportunities for the podcast to expand from its main T-6 Texan II topics. Another project showing potential at the Spark Cell is the collaboration effort with communications specialists from Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., to create a program that helps edit and create enlisted and officer performance report bullets. “We are doing a lot of neat collaboration with other training bases on a weekly basis,” he said. Spark Cell will be conducting another in-depth 3D printing class on Dec. 5. Opportunities will continue to open in January 2019. Brewer encourages people to start bringing in ideas to Spark Cell meetings every Friday at noon so they can be a part of the innovation team. (Source: 14th Flying Training Wing 11/30/18)

CAP is 77: Exposed XO to aviation

The Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the Air Force, celebrated its 77th birthday on Dec. 1. The organization has played a major role in the AF’s total force mission and has paved the way for many aviators. Its mission is to support America's communities with emergency response, diverse aviation and ground services, youth development and promotion of air, space and cyber power. Some members of the Columbus (Miss.) AFB’s 14th Flying Training Wing have their grassroots with CAP. Some still have an invested interest in the Mississippi Wing’s Golden Triangle Composite Squadron as it continues as an essential asset to the community and the wing. “I was active in the CAP for two years in college as a senior member,” said Maj. Ben Peacock, executive officer and T-1A Jayhawk instructor pilot for the 14th FTW. As a cadet, Peacock was able to be a part of the social search and rescue team as a ground team member, and a scanner in Cessna aircraft. “It was a lot of great experiences in small airplanes,” he said. “It made me feel like I was able to do something productive outside of college.” It also opens the door for cadets who want to be in the military and gives leadership opportunities. Peacock said his experiences in CAP helped him decide he wanted to join the AF, and opened his eyes to the passion for aviation. Columbus area youth have that same opportunity, as the Golden Triangle Comsite Squadron’s Internal Aerospace Education Program meets Thursdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the CAFB Chapel Annex. The squadron currently has about 20 cadets and 15 senior members. (Source: 14th Flying Training Wing 11/30/18)