50th EOD Memorial to add trio

EGLIN AFB, Fla. - The 50th annual Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Memorial Ceremony is scheduled for May 4 at the EOD Memorial across from the Naval School Explosive Ordnance Disposal aboard Eglin AFB. The wall currently honors 338 fallen EOD warriors since 1942. Three EOD technicians will be memorialized and honored at this year’s event: Army Spc. Joseph P. Collette, Killed In Action on March 22, 2019, while serving in Afghanistan; Army Sgt. James Allen Slape, KIA Oct. 4, 2018, while serving in Afghanistan; and Army 1st Lt. William F. “Bill” Alter, KIA June 11, 1945, while serving in WWII. The original memorial was dedicated in 1970 at Indian Head, Md., before it was re-established at Eglin in 1999. NAVSCOLEOD is a Navy-managed command, jointly staffed by Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps personnel. (Source: NW Florida Daily News 04/08/19)

MS team tops for well-child data

A 4-person team from Naval Branch Health Clinic Gulfport, Miss., took first place for their presentation at the 2019 National Capital Region Quality Symposium. The winning presentation was to “Improve Healthcare Effectiveness Data Information Set (HEDIS) (for) Well-Child Visits.” The team won first place out of 87 entries. (Source: NH Pensacola 04/08/19) NBHC Gulfport is one of 10 branch clinics , including NBHC Meridian, across four states affiliated with Naval Hospital Pensacola, Fla.

APSU: Helo flight school bachelors

Austin Peay State University’s aviation science program recently received approval for veterans’ education benefits, and this fall veterans can begin earning a bachelor’s degree at “little or no cost” at Tennessee’s first helicopter-specific flight school. The program is designed for veterans, nearby Fort Campbell (Ky.) pilots, and civilians pursue competitive careers such as a flight instruction, in aerial tourism and charter operations. About 20 students have signed up for the fall program, and more are expected. (Source: Austin Peay State University 04/04/19) Gulf Coast Note: Delta State University’s Department of Commercial Aviation offers the state of Mississippi’s only undergraduate and graduate aviation programs. Based on 59 evaluation factors, DSU’s flight program ranks in the Top 50 Flight Schools in America. Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro and Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, La., also offer degrees in flight and flight administration.

Test pilot school apps due May 29

Application packages for the 2019 Air Force Test Pilot School selection board are due by May 29. The selection board will convene at the Air Force’s Personnel Center in Texas from July 29-Aug. 2, and will consider Total Force officer and current AF civilian applicants to attend training as early as July 2020. Test pilot, test combat systems officer and test remotely piloted aircraft pilot positions are open to officers. Flight test engineer positions are open to both officers and civilians. Applicants from all aircraft types and backgrounds may apply, and all applicants must have strong academic and technical experience. (Source: AF Personnel Center 04/03/19)

Apollo 11 VR & naval aviation

NAS PENSACOLA, Fla. - This year is the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing, which happened July 20, 1969. For dreamers who’ve ever wanted to explore space, the National Naval Aviation Museum is making it come true via its Apollo 11 Virtual Reality (VR) attraction. Would-be space enthusiasts can walk in the footsteps of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin during the museum’s 5-minute VR experience, including climbing aboard the rocket and a row of 12 chairs facing a replica Houston Mission Control. The seats shake, pitch and roll to simulate the feeling of being hurled into space. VR riders get a 360 degree view of earth and space while heading to the moon. Animation of the historic 1969 landing allows guests to see what the astronauts may have witness and felt on the moon’s surface. Actors dressed in white button ups and skinny 1960s era black ties give museum guests a glimpse into the experiences of the flight control team at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston during the landing. “Naval aviation involvement in space is phenomenal,” said Sterling Gilliam, director of the museum. The first American in space, first to orbit the earth (Mercury 7), first man to walk on the moon, and last man to walk on the moon were all naval aviators, Gilliam told the NW Florida Daily News. “This is a perfect fit (for) the museum as we tell the wonderful story of Americans in space, specifically naval aviators in space.” (Source: NW Florida Daily News 04/05/19) Several of those astronauts trained at either NAS Meridian, Miss., and/or Pensacola.

Wilcox nominated for major general

Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan announced April 3 that the president has nominated Air Force Brig. Gen. John T. Wilcox II for appointment to the rank of major general. Wilcox is currently serving as director of Operations and Communications at the headquarters of the Air Force Global Strike Command at Barksdale (La.) Air Force Base. (Source: DoD 04/03/19)

Vertex Aerospace opens UAE office

MADISON, Miss. - Vertex Aerospace has expanded its global presence by establishing its first regional office in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Madison, Miss.-based company received its license to practice business in the UAE on March 5 under its Vertex Global Aerospace business line. VGA was formed Jan. 1 to globally offer Vertex's complete solution for aftermarket aerospace services to government and commercial clients. VGA leadership held a soft opening of its office in Abu Dhabi on Feb. 16, and attended the city's International Defence Exhibition and Conference that same week. "Abu Dhabi is modern, business friendly, and perfectly positioned within the region for easy access to over 75 countries" and future international opportunities, said Steve Suttles, senior director of VGA's Middle East/Africa business operations. The New York-based private equity firm American Industrial Partners purchased Vertex Aerospace in June 2018 to operate as a standalone company. (Source: Vertex Aerospace 04/04/19) Vertex Aerospace is a global defense company that provides all aftermarket aerospace services for government and private sector customers. The Mississippi-based company has more than 4,200 employees at its 65 U.S. and 35 international locations.

Scouts come to CAFB for camporee

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. – More than 150 area Scouts came to Columbus Air Force Base on a 2-night camporee at SAC Lake from March 29-31, where they learned about various military and civilian-specific jobs at the 14th Flying Training Wing (FTW). The Scouts were split into groups where they received demonstrations with the 14th Mission Support Group’s military working dog section and fire station; and the 14th Operations Support Squadron’s air traffic controllers, and the 14th Medical Operations Squadron’s Aerospace and Operational Physiology Flight. On March 30, they gathered at Kaye Auditorium, where Col. Samantha Weeks, commander of the 14th FTW, explained the wing’s mission and why scouts are important to local communities and the base. It was a great event for the first all-female troop to see Weeks as a “strong role model” and for all scouts, said Jeremy Whitemore, scout executive of the Pushmataha Area Council. The camporee was an effort by CAFB to connect with the Mississippi-based scouts and to inspire them to continue to work hard and achieve future goals. (Source: CAFB 04/04/19) The Columbus-based HQ for the Pushmataha Area Council is part of the Boy Scouts of America. It renders service to Scout units in 10 counties of North Mississippi.

Blue Angels’ select 2020 boss

NAS PENSACOLA, Fla. – Cmdr. Brian Kesselring was selected April 2 to be the 2020-21 air- show season commanding officer of the Blue Angels’ Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron. A selection panel comprised of nine admirals and former commanding officers selected Cmdr. Kesselring to succeed current Blue Angels boss, Capt. Eric Doyle. Kesselring, a native of Fargo, N.D., joins the Blue Angels after serving as the commanding officer of Strike Fighter Squadron 81 at NAS Oceana, Va. His previous assignments include four squadron tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve. He has more than 3,790 flight hours and 812 carrier-arrested landings. Kesselring will report for initial training in Pensacola in September and officially take command of the squadron at the end of the air show season in November. The change-of-command is scheduled for Nov. 10 at the National Naval Aviation Museum. Kesselring will lead a squadron of 141 personnel and serve as the demonstration flight leader, flying the #1 jet. The Blue Angels are scheduled to perform 56 shows in 29 locations for the 2020 air-show season. (Source: The Blue Angels 04/02/19)

AHI: Lakota production manager

Airbus Helicopters Inc. of Columbus, Miss., is seeking a Production Project Manager (PPM) to lead efforts to establish, implement and monitor activities associated with Production and Aircraft modifications in support of the Lakota (UH-72A) program. The PPM will coordinate activities of all involved departments, establish planning, provide risk assessment analysis, review budget, and participate to vendor selection/management to ensure on-time completion or retrofit and production aircraft deliveries. (Source: Zip Recruiter 04/2019)

AHI looking for QA inspectors

Airbus Helicopters Inc. of Columbus, Miss., is looking for Quality Assurance inspectors to assure compliance of policies and procedures and FAA regulations. The QAIs perform detailed, functional, operational and dimensional inspections of aircraft, systems and components to determine airworthiness. They would be responsible for returning aircraft and components to service after production or maintenance. (Source: Zip Recruiter 04/2019)

Mil.housing issues ‘predictable’

Privatized military housing is under fire. It started with a Feb. 13 hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, where witnesses reported horrendous living conditions including "black mold, lead, and infestations of vermin, flooding, radon and faulty wiring." Family members testified that their complaints to private management companies’ representatives were often met with denials, resistance, and occasional retribution from those firms and military chains of command. None of this is acceptable. But given decisions made years ago, it was predictable. (Retired Army Lt. Gen. Thomas Spoehr, author of the article, is director of The Heritage Foundation's Center for National Defense.) (Source: Military.com OPINION 04/02/19)

GC schools preparing for TARC-19

Schools across the nation are preparing to send their final qualifying scores for this year’s Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) by April 8, including 62 from Gulf Coast states. This year TARC is commemorating the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11, America’s first moon landing, and the 100th anniversary of primary its primary sponsor, the Aerospace Industries Association. TARC is requiring each team’s rocket to be able to safely carry three eggs to represent the people who were on the spaceship, and each team’s rocket has to reach an altitude of 856 feet, which represents the time the moon landing occurred. Each rocket’s flight time can only last 43-to-46 seconds. Teams will fly their rockets in front of an observer from the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) for an official qualification score by April 8. If the sum of scores from two flights are among the top 101, those teams will be invited to compete for a share of the $100,000 prize package in a national fly-off on May 18 near Washington, D.C. (Source: TARC 03/2019) Gulf Coast/Golden Triangle Notes: There are three teams from two schools in Mississippi: Mississippi School for Mathematics & Science from Columbus and George County High School in Lucedale. Six teams from Barksdale AFB in Louisiana. Thirty teams from across Alabama, including single teams from Fairhope and Mobile. Twenty-three teams from Florida, including Pensacola High School. New Site (Miss.) High School, located about 33 miles NNE of Tupelo, was a Top 3 competitor in the 2009 TARC national competition.

DoD eyes changing fixed-price regs

The Defense Department is considering amending changes to Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) acquisition regulations and designed to establish a preference for fixed-price contracts, according to an April 1 Federal Register notice. The proposed changes would implement a section of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2017 that requires a preference in the use of fixed-price contracts to determine contract types. It would also require review and approval for certain cost-reimbursement contracts, from the office of the under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, at specified thresholds and timelines. It would also require the use of firm fixed-price contracts for foreign military sales “unless an exception or waiver applies," the notice states. Risk levels associated with a program is a major factor and consideration point for choosing the contract type. "Since development efforts are inherently risky and do not lend themselves to a fixed‐price type of contract, a cost‐reimbursement contract is more appropriate and customary." (Source: Inside Defense 04/01/19)

CAP helps students find paths

Dominic Sangregorio praises Johnstown, Pa.’s new Civil Air Patrol (CAP) squadron in preparing him for a career in the Air Force. “I’ve learned a lot that can help toward joining the military,” Sangregorio told the Tribune-Democrat at a recent squadron meeting. “I’ll be a step ahead of the game, which is something I think the Civil Air Patrol does very well.” An auxiliary of the Air Force, CAP was founded during WWII to organize civilian pilots and aviation resources in support of the war effort. Its 60,000 volunteers continue that heritage as a leading public service organization specializing in land- and air-based emergency services and search-and-rescue operations. (Source: The Tribune-Democrat 04/01/19) Gulf Coast Note: The cadet programs nationwide are structured around leadership, aerospace studies, fitness and character. Its curriculum, advancement and recognition features are designed to develop future leaders. The Mississippi Wing of Civil Air Patrol cadet squadrons are located in Olive Branch, Biloxi, Vicksburg, Meridian, Oxford, Pascagoula, Columbus, Diamondhead, Hattiesburg, Wiggins, Tupelo, Jackson, Cleveland, Madison, and Senatobia. South Alabama CAP squadrons are located in Mobile, Tuscaloosa, Dothan, Montgomery, Auburn and Pelham. Louisiana CAP squadrons are in Baton Rouge, Hammond, Gonzales, Patterson, Lafayette, Kentwood, Broussard, Covington and New Orleans. NW Florida CAP squadrons are at Eglin, Pensacola, Panama City, Marianna, and Milton.

MSU drone: Real time info to NOAA

As the Yalobusha River rose around Greenwood, Miss., during a major February rainstorm, scientists from the Northern Gulf Institute at Mississippi State University deployed a small drone to take high-resolution images of rising water and to send images in real time to NOAA experts. Forecasters were able to see the rising waters for two days, which helped confirm when the crest was reached, according to Dr. Suzanne Van Cooten, hydrologist-in-charge at the NOAA National Weather Service Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center in Slidell, La. The visuals helped the weather service to “improve our forecasts, so we can provide critical information to those in an affected area.” NGO scientists piloted the 8.5-foot long by 14-foot wide Griffon Outlaw G2E unmanned drone from MSU’s Raspet Flight Research Center in Starkville. It was equipped with an Overwatch Imaging TK-5 payload, a system able to take, process and transmit images with 6-inch resolution while flying 4,500 feet. The images were transmitted to the High Performance Computing Collaboratory at MSU, and were downloaded to NOAA-Slidell. NOAA forecasters used the information to refine forecasts that are vital to local emergency managers, the public and the area’s farmers. (Source: Weather Nation 03/2019)

MS work on Triton: $12.8M

Northrop Grumman Systems of San Diego is being awarded a $12,872,342 modification (P00012) to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive contract (N00019-17-C-0018). This modification upgrades three MQ-4C Triton aircraft from a baseline Integrated Functional Capability (IFC) 3 software configuration to a Multi-IFC 4 software configuration. Additionally, this modification updates drawings and associated technical data in support of the MQ-4C IFC software configuration upgrade. Work will be performed in Palmdale, Calif. (48%); San Diego (38%); and Moss Point, Miss., (14%), and is expected to be completed in October 2021. FY 2018 Navy aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $12,872,342 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Air Systems Command of Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 04/01/19 Gulf Coast Note: Fuselage work on the Triton is done in Moss Point.

Navy zeroing in on PE causes

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. – Teams utilizing a Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) analysis process as a cause of the physiological episodes (PEs), in F-A/18 Hornets and EA-18 Growlers, and T-45C Goshawk pilots, has eliminated contaminated breathing gas as a cause of those episodes. The teams, tasked with investigating the issue, continue to narrow the list of possible factors. Each RCCA Core team determined last fall that the quality of pilots’ onboard oxygen was unaffected by asphyxiates, carbon monoxide, and external/internal contaminants, such as fuel vapor or pyrolysis byproducts. "We are happy to see that contamination has been ruled out and that all Navy aircraft are delivering clean air to our aviators," said Rear Adm. Fredrick Luchtman, lead for the Physiological Episodes Action Team (PEAT). "We still have work to do,” he continued, “especially with the Hornets and Growlers. The T-45 team reached its conclusion in September and the F/A-18 team in October after a 16-month joint effort. The T-45 team closed more than 90 percent of nearly 350 branches on its RCCA “fault tree” - 50 was related to contamination. The team is now focusing on optimal breathing pressure and oxygen concentration as potential factors. The F/A-18 team is focused on two potential factors: (1) Cabin stability by preventing unexpected pressure fluctuations correlated with PE events, but not yet shown to be a causal factor; (2) Focus on breathing dynamics and factors that can impact gas exchange during respiration, such as hyper/hypocapnia, hypoxic hypoxia, work of breathing, and adsorption/acceleration atelectasis (collapsed lung). There appears to be no one single cause, but rather multiple contributors being worked by the F/A-18 team with near-term corrective actions. Other potential factors have been ruled out - such as electromagnetic exposure - while others were determined to have played a role in F/A-18 PEs, including maintenance-related issues and atelectasis. https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=109080 Gulf Coast Note: T-45C instructors and student-aviators from both NAS Meridian, Miss., and NAS Pensacola, Fla., were among those experiencing some of these psychological episodes.

New direction for female flight gear

NELLIS AFB, Nev. - The Air Force is working to redesign gear used by female pilots across the service after facing challenges with current flight equipment – the majority of which dates back to the 1960s. “We have women performing in every combat mission, and we owe it to them to have gear that fits, is suited for a woman’s frame” that one can be in for hours, said AF Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein. The lack of variety and representation in current designs have caused a multitude of issues for women pilots, according to Col. Samantha Weeks, 14th Flying Training Wing commander at Columbus AFB, Miss. Many of the uniform issues circulate around G-suits, flight suits, urinary devices, and survival vests. The AF and Air Combat Command are working to find a feasible solution for aircrew members. Part of the strategy to correct some of the issues was to take part in several collaborative Female Flight Equipment Workshops to explore and come up with proposed solutions. The workshops were designed to bring female aviators, Aircrew Flight Equipment, Human Systems Program Office personnel and subject matter experts to “understand the current products, the acquisition process and the actual needs from the field,” Weeks said. There were some clear actions coming out of those workshops. “The Air Force has evolved over the years and continues to evolve,” Weeks echoed. “Female aviators entering the Air Force now will not have the same issues I had over the last 21 years.” (Source: 99th Air Base Wing 04/01/19)

GA system completes arresting test

SAN DIEGO - General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced March 29 that its Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) system was successful in executing the first aircraft barricade arrestment at the Jet Car Track Site in Lakehurst, N.J., which marks a milestone in qualifying the system for barricade use on board Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers. It’s the first such test by Naval Air Systems Command in more than 20 years. The barricade test sent an E-2C Hawkeye, weighing some 46,500 pounds, accelerated to arresting speed into the barricade netting attached to the AAG via stanchions. The aircraft was brought to a safe stop, according to GA-EMS President Scott Forney. AAG is a turbo-electric system designed for controlled and reliable deceleration of aircraft. AAG is installed on USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) along with the GA-EMS Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), which uses electromagnetic technology to launch aircraft from the deck of aircraft carriers. Both systems have been successfully tested during at-sea periods on CVN-78 and are in production for the future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79) and USS Enterprise (CVN-80). (Source: Seapower Magazine 03/29/19) Gulf Coast Note: GA’s EMS Division has a production and test facility at Shannon, Miss. – near Tupelo – to support production of EMALS and AAG programs for the next‐generation of aircraft carriers.