Ex-Hurlburt airman advisor to CJCS

For the first time, an airman will serve as the top enlisted service advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon. CMSgt. Ramon “CZ” Colon-Lopez was named to become the next senior enlisted advisor to General Joseph F. Dunford Jr., replacing current SEAC, Army Sgt. Maj. John Troxell. Colon-Lopez is currently SEL for U.S. Africa Command. Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth Wright announced the decision Oct. 16 on Twitter. Colon-Lopez previously served as the senior enlisted advisor to the AF’s assistant secretary for manpower and reserve affairs, before moving to AFRICOM. He also served as the command chief for the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Fla. Colon-Lopez is a pararescueman and earned the Bronze Star with Valor and Combat Action Medal for a 2004 mission in Afghanistan, where he took part in an operation to capture a drug kingpin who financed terrorism in the country. The Pentagon has not announced Troxell’s next move or when the change of command will take place. (Source: Air Force Magazine 10/16/19) www.airforcemag.com/Features/Pages/2019/October%202019/In-First-Airman-Tapped-as-Pentagons-Top-Enlisted-Service-Member.aspx.

Barrett confirmed as AF Sec'y

The U.S. Senate voted 85-7 to confirm Barbara Barrett as the Air Force’s new secretary, about five months since the service’s last permanent secretary left the post. (Source: AF Magazine 10/16/19) http://www.airforcemag.com/Features/Pages/2019/October%202019/Senate-Confirms-Barrett-as-Next-Air-Force-Secretary.aspx

T-45 pilot gets emergency training

A student naval aviator got some major mid-air emergency landing training last week when the engine of a Navy T-45C Goshawk failed and caught fire. The pilot and instructor from Training Squadron 21 at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas, were 30 minutes into an hour-long training flight when indicator lights alerted to them of an engine fire. Earlier, and after landing about 50 miles northeast at Naval Auxiliary Landing Field Orange Grove, the pilots took off again as part of the out-and-in training. The T-45C was between 15,000 and 16,000 feet when the engine failed, according to Lt. Michelle Tucker, a spokesperson with the Chief of Naval Air Training. After a successful restart, they got "momentary indications of an engine fire," she said, and “immediately executed emergency landing procedures per their training and landed safely at NALF Orange Grove." No one was injured, but the incident remains under investigation. It was reported by the Naval Safety Center and was classified as a Class-A aviation accident, which means the aircraft suffered at least $2M in damages. The Goshawk is expected to return to service, but at what point remains uncertain, she continued. The engine failure and fire was the second Navy Class A aviation mishap for FY 2002, which started Oct. 1. (Source: Military.com 10/15/19) Gulf Coast Note: NAS Meridian, Miss., pilots also train in the T-45C Goshawk https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/10/15/student-naval-pilot-was-flying-15

Hurlburt TS dies in training accident

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. - Air Force Tech. Sgt. Peter Kraines, 33, a 24th Special Operations Wing special tactics pararescueman assigned to Hurlburt Field, died from injuries sustained in a training incident while performing mountain rescue techniques in Boise, Idaho, on Oct. 8. The incident is currently under investigation. “This is a tragic loss to the special tactics community,” said Col. Matthew Allen, 24th SOW commander. “We are grateful for the support from our community and our (Air Force Special Operations Command) teammates. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and teammates at this time.” Kraines was a military static-line jumper, free fall jumper, an Air Force combat scuba diver and certified as an emergency medical technician. As a special tactics pararescueman, Kraines was specially trained and equipped for immediate deployment into combat operations to conduct combat search and rescue and personnel recovery operations. (Source: 24th SOW 10/10/19) https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1986350/special-tactics-airman-killed-in-training-incident/

Prez to award MoH to ACDU MSgt

On Oct. 30, President Donald J. Trump will award the Medal of Honor to Army Master Sergeant Matthew O. Williams for conspicuous gallantry on April 6, 2008, while serving as a member of Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 3336 with Special Operations Task Force-33. Then-Sgt. Williams exposed himself to insurgent fire while rescuing and evacuating wounded members of his team. Master Sergeant Williams of Boerne, Texas, is still serving in the Army and assigned to Fort Bragg, N.C. The event will be held at the White House. (White House 10/11/19) https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-donald-j-trump-award-medal-honor-9/

MS native, ex-POW passes away

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - U.S. Navy pilot Byron Fuller, who later rose to the rank of Rear Admiral before retiring, spent about six years as a prisoner of war (POW) in North Vietnam. Upon release from the Hoa Lo prison camp (Hanoi Hilton) in 1973, he strode across the tarmac at NAS Jacksonville with his wife and four children. He briefly addressed the crowd: "America, America, how beautiful you are ... Tonight my cup runneth over." Among his POW captees to return with him in 1973 was Rear Adm./Senator John McCann; and Gulf Coast notables Rear Adm./Senator Jeremiah Denton of Alabama; AF Brig. Gen. Bud Day, a recipient of both the Medal of Honor and Air Force Cross, of Shalimar, Fla., and former CO of NAS Pensacola, Fla. Capt. J.B. McKamey – all of whom have passed away. Fuller, 91, died Oct. 4 at Fleet Landing in Atlantic Beach, Fla., with his family around him. Fuller was born in 1927 in Quitman, Miss., about 25 miles south of Meridian. (Source: Florida Times Union 10/09/19) https://www.stripes.com/news/us/byron-fuller-naval-aviator-who-survived-six-years-in-hanoi-hilton-and-rose-to-rear-admiral-dies-at-91-1.602447

NETPDC change of command

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Capt. Brett St. George relieved Capt. Kertreck Brooks as the Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center (NETPDC) commanding officer at a change of command ceremony Oct. 4 onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola. Brooks assumed command in March 2017. During his time, he led efforts at the Navy Advancement Center in transitioning Professional Military Knowledge (PMK) questions from the Navy Wide Advancement Exam (NWAE) to a separate 100 question electronic PMK Eligibility Exam (PMK-EE) for pay grades E4-E7. He also led efforts to launch Web Tuition Assistance (WebTA), which delivers unparalleled customer service to Sailors by providing greater Sailor self-service functionality. St. George assumes command of NETPDC’s 14 military and 202 civilian personnel, most of whom are assigned at Saufley Field in Pensacola. He came to NETPDC from U.S. Northern Command in Colorado Springs, Colo. NETPDC's mission is to provide Navy-wide products and services that enhance and enable training, education, personnel advancement and career development. The primary elements of the command include the Navy Advancement Center, and the Voluntary Education and Resources Management Departments. Brooks will transfer to San Francisco under the Secretary of the Navy Tours with Industry (SNTWI) to serve as a Navy fellow at LinkedIn. (Source: NETPDC 10/09/19)

Forest, MS: Parts contract $11.9M

Raytheon Co. of El Segundo, Calif., is awarded an $11,954,744 firm-fixed-price delivery order (N00383-20-F-UX00) under a previously-awarded basic ordering agreement (N00383-19-G-UX01) for the procurement of 101 spare part units across nine assemblies used in support of the F-18 APG-79 active electronically scanned array radar system. Work will be performed in Forest, Miss. This contract contains no options, and work is expected to be completed by December 2022. Annual Navy working capital funds in the amount of $11,413,201, and Foreign Military Sales funds (Kuwait) in the amount of $541,543 will be obligated at the time of award in the full amount of the contract, and funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One firm was solicited for this non-competitive requirement under authority 10 U.S. Code 2304 (c)(1) with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support, Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 10/09/19) Forest, Miss., is located halfway between Jackson and Meridian, Miss.

MSU Ph.D. likely DoL nominee

President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to appoint Dr. Laurie Todd-Smith of Mississippi to be the Director of the Women’s Bureau at the U.S. Department of Labor. Laurie Todd-Smith is the former Executive Director of the State Workforce Investment Board and Senior Education Policy Advisor to Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant. Dr. Smith led numerous legislative efforts to help improve public education in Mississippi. She formerly served as the Executive Director of the State Early Childhood Advisory Council (SECAC) and has led the council in developing the Family Based Unified and Integrated State Plan. Dr. Smith helped to implement the Mississippi Works award winning technology, connecting job seekers with real-time employment opportunities. She is a former elementary classroom teacher, and was also an adjunct faculty member and a researcher at Mississippi State University. Dr. Smith has a Ph.D. from Mississippi State University, M.Ed. from Western New Mexico University, and B.A. from the University of Arizona. (Source: White House 10/04/19) https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/president-donald-j-trump-announces-intent-nominate-appoint-individuals-key-administration-posts-17/

FMS requests clear nearly $68B

The U.S. State Department cleared $67.9B in weapons throughout FY 2019 in an indication that America’s position in the global arms trade remains high. Those numbers are spread across 64 individual procurement requests from 28 different countries and a NATO consortium, but representing the second year in a row that the overall value of Foreign Military Sales’ (FMS) requests have slightly declined. Defense News.

LM-Meridian celebrates 50 years

Lockheed Martin workers and community leaders recently marked the 50th anniversary of the corporation’s sub-assembly plant at Meridian, Miss., which began production operations in August 1969 and initially producing the L-1011 jet airliner’s tail assembly. Since those early days, the Mississippi facility has been involved with the production of aircraft components for the JetStar, C-5 Galaxy and C-141 Starlifter ‘strategic airlifters’, P-3 Orion submarine hunters, F-22 Raptors, and the C-130J Super Hercules ‘tactical airlifter’. (Source: Machinery Market 10/05/19) https://www.machinery-market.co.uk/news/25021/Lockheed-Martins-facility-celebrates-50-years

Update: AHI escapes US tariffs

The World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled that the U.S. can move forward with plans to impose some $7.5B in tariffs on European Union (EU) goods annually to counteract years of European loans and illegal subsidies to Airbus. Fortunately for the Gulf Coast region, major parts shipped from Europe to build Airbus jetliners in Mobile, Ala., escaped those tariffs. The WTO decision comes after a 15-year dispute over EU countries' roles in building Airbus into a global player that competes head-to-head with Boeing. But the clash isn't over. The WTO will rule in the coming months on the EU's own request to levy tariffs on the U.S. over its aid to Boeing. The United States said it would slap 10 percent tariffs on European-made Airbus planes and 25 percent duties on French wine, Scotch and Irish whiskies, and cheese from across the continent as punishment for illegal EU aircraft subsidies. The size and scope of the tariffs were reduced from a $25B list floated by Washington earlier this year that included helicopters, major aircraft components, seafood, luxury goods and other big-ticket categories that were excluded from Wednesday’s announcement. (Source: GCAC Week In Review 10/05/19) It’s not yet clear whether Airbus Helicopters Inc. of Columbus, Miss., also escaped those tariffs. http://gcacperspectives.blogspot.com/2019/10/week-in-review-922-to-105.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GulfCoastAerospaceCorridorPerspectives+%28Gulf+Coast+Aerospace+Corridor+Perspectives%29
Gulf Coast Note: After further information received, AHI-Columbus, Miss., will not be affected by these actions.

Concern letter to mil.housing’s BBC

Air Force assistant secretary for installations, environment, and energy, John Henderson, raised concerns about military housing provider Balfour Beatty Communities (BBC) in a Sept. 30 letter to the company, saying Tinker AFB, Okla., is suffering from newly discovered issues in on-base homes. The AF “recently discovered” an issue at Tinker caused by a flooring subcontractor failing to test for asbestos, Henderson wrote to BBC. This follows a July discovery at Tinker that BBC failed to construct firewalls as required in certain duplex housing units. All 292 units built by Balfour at Tinker need repairs, including 77 units that don’t meet fire safety code, according to Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Inhofe’s (R-Okla.) office. Homes also suffer from mold, rodents, pests, radon gas, and other structural deficits, Inhofe’s office said in an Oct. 2 release. (Source: AF Magazine 10/03/19) BBC oversees 21 AF housing sites, plus Gulf Coast units at NAS Meridian and NCBC Gulfport, Miss.; NAS Pensacola, NAS Whiting Field, NSA Panama City, and Tyndall AFB, Fla. http://www.airforcemag.com/Features/Pages/2019/October%202019/USAF-Balfour-Beatty-Must-Do-More-to-Improve-Military-Housing-at-Tinker-Others.aspx The AF is working on numerous initiatives to address the health, safety and quality concerns of service members and their families living in privatized housing. https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1978142/air-force-joins-other-services-to-address-military-privatized-housing/

AHI celebrates 15 at Columbus

Airbus Helicopters Inc. celebrates its 50th anniversary of activity in the United States, holding a special celebration for employees, customers, and government officials at its North American headquarters in Grand Prairie, Texas. This year also marks the company’s 35th anniversary in Canada (with its HQ in Fort Erie, Ontario), and 15 years of activity at its facility in Columbus, Miss. (Source: Vertical 10/01/19) https://www.verticalmag.com/news/airbus-helicopters-inc-celebrates-50th-anniversary/

MS mod for KAFB food services

Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services of Madison, Miss., has been awarded a $7,706,151 modification (P00012) to exercise an option on previously awarded contract FA3010-18-C-0007 for full food services. The location of performance is Keesler AFB, Miss., and the work is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2020. Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $7,706,151 will be obligated when they become available. The 81st Contracting Squadron of Keesler AFB is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 10/03/19)

GA-Tupelo mod work 55%

General Atomics of San Diego is awarded a $12,255,842 modification (P00019) to a cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order (0001) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-16-G-0006). This modification increases the level of effort for repair of repairables (ROR) and technical assistance. ROR includes efforts and materials required to inspect and repair or remanufacture unserviceable repairable components that are provided to the contractor as government furnished property and return the electromagnetic aircraft launch systems (EMALS) and advanced arresting gear (AAG) repairable items to a fully operational status. Technical assistance includes the necessary services to provide "on-call/on-site" emergency repairs. Repair services and technical assistance will also be provided for EMALS and AAG shipboard systems. Work will be performed in Tupelo, Miss. (55%); San Diego (35%); Norfolk (6%); Waltham, Mass. (2%); Philadelphia (1%); and San Leandro, Calif. (1%), and is expected to be completed in September 2020. Fiscal 2019 Navy shipbuilding and conversion funds in the amount of $12,255,842 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 10/03/19)

T-1A avionics pact includes CAFB

ASES LLC, doing business as Field Aerospace, Oklahoma City, Okla., has been awarded a $21,346,897 firm-fixed-price contract modification (P00023) to previously award contract FA8106-18-C-0002 to exercise Option One for full rate production to begin for the T-1A Avionics Modification Program. This contract provides for the replacement of the avionics suite in the Air Education and Training Command fleet of 178 T-1A trainer aircraft, 16 operational flight trainers and 14 part task trainers. Work will be performed at Oklahoma City; Randolph AFB, Texas; Laughlin AFB, Texas; Vance AFB, Okla.; Columbus AFB, Miss.; and Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla., and is expected to be completed by Aug. 14, 2025. Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $9,993,753; and 2019 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $11,353,143 are being obligated at the time of the award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Tinker ADB, Okla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 10/02/19)

MOWA $7M pact at Tyndall

MOWA-Barlovento JV A of Gautier, Miss., has been awarded a $7,058,125 firm-fixed-price contract to repair and update the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. The work is expected to be completed by Dec. 10, 2020. This award is the result of the Regional Engineering and Construction indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract and four offers were received. Fiscal 2019 operations and maintenance funding in the amount of $7,058,125 are being obligated at the time of award. The 325th Contracting Squadron at Tyndall AFB is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 09/30/19)

Milley sworn in as CJCS

Army Gen. Mark Milley became the 20th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Sept. 30, taking over for retiring Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford. Milley, who had served as the chief of staff of the Army since 2015, was sworn in as the nation’s top uniformed officer during a rain-soaked ceremony at JB Myer-Henderson Hall, Va. During his speech, Milley pledged to continue the military’s modernization, along with showing “unwavering support” and care for troops and families. (Source: AF Magazine 10/01/19)

AHI to deliver H160M helo by 2026

COLUMBUS, Miss. – During a briefing at its Columbus, Miss.-based helicopter manufacturing facilities, Airbus Helicopters Inc. (AHI) President Romain Trapp said the company will introduce the H160M for military markets. First delivery is expected by 2026. The commercial H160 is to receive certification by the end of 2019. AHI unveiled the commercial version of twin H160 at Heli Expo 2015. Versions are also available for offshore transportation, public services, and commercial passenger transport markets. AHI plans to reach a production rate of 30 helos annually by 2022, ramping up to 50 once it enters service with the French military as the H160M Guépard (Cheetah). Outside of the H160, AHI is delivering two UH-72A Lakota training helicopters a month from its Mississippi plant to the Army. Currently, AHI has delivered 444 Lakotas since 2006. The Army has used the UH-72A for missions including training at Fort Rucker, Ala., air medical transport, search and rescue, and Army National Guard support of Customs and Border Protection operations. In addition, the Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Md., operates five Lakotas. Source: Avionics International 09/30/19) https://www.aviationtoday.com/2019/09/29/airbus-helicopters-expects-introduce-first-military-version-h160-2025/