MSU's Spirit of State awardees

MERIDIAN - Alan Bracken, a senior psychology major at MSU-Meridian is one of 15 Mississippi State University students honored with the Spirit of State Award, the university’s premier student recognition for exceptional personal contributions to campus life. For 15 years, the Spirit of State Awards program, organized by the Division of Student Affairs, formally has honored those who have made a positive impact on peers and campus community through organizational involvement, service to the institution and personal actions promoting school spirit and tradition. Those selected have been nominated either by faculty and staff members or fellow students. In addition to Bracken, some of the other Spirit of State Award recipients include (by hometown): BILOXI - Shandrea D. Stallworth, a plant and soil sciences/weed science doctoral student. BYRAM - Justice A. Rule, a senior psychology major. GAUTIER -Taylor M. Reeves, a senior business administration major. JACKSON - Robyn Elizabeth Hadden, a senior biochemistry/science and foreign language/Spanish double-major. KOSCIUSKO - Mayukh K. Datta, a senior chemical engineering major. MERIDIAN - Alan Bracken, a senior psychology major. MOBILE, Ala. - Emily L. Maxime, a senior educational psychology major. OCEAN SPRINGS - Eric Darnell Lucas Jr., a senior biological engineering/biomedical engineering major. RIDGELAND - Jacob S. “Jake” Manning, a senior biomedical engineering and software engineering double-major. STARKVILLE - David N. Cuevas, a senior biomedical engineering and biochemistry/bioinformatics double-major; and Ben K. Mackin, a senior sociology major. (Source: MSU 04/20/20)

CNATRA relief served at NASM

The Chief of Naval Air Training's command Rear Adm. Daniel W. Dwyer will be relieved by Rear Adm. (Select) Robert Westendorff, who currently serves as Chief of Staff for Commander Naval Air Forces in San Diego. The change of command will occur aboard the USS Lexington museum June 5 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Westendorff was commissioned in December 1992 after completing Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Fla. He was designated a Naval Aviator in April 1995 in Meridian, Miss., after flying T-34, T-2, and TA-4 training aircraft. Dwyer assumed command of CNATRA in July 2019, which consists of nearly 5,000 military and civilian personnel and 700 aircraft across five training wings in three states, including Training Air Wing One at NAS Meridian. CNATRA trains and qualifies over 1,000 naval aviators and naval flight officers each year for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, and international partners. As CNATRA, Dwyer is also responsible for the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels. (Source: Blue AngelsAssociation.org 03/29/20)

81st FS to train Nigerians on A-29

MOODY AFB, Ga. - Moody Air Force Base will host a stateside mission to train Nigerian air force pilots and maintenance personnel on the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft. The 81st Fighter Squadron, a geographically-separated unit of the 14th Flying Training Wing at Columbus AFB, Miss., will conduct the A-29 Light Air Support training. The aircraft begin arriving this summer, and the unit is planned to become fully operational in the winter of 2021. The 81st FS has been training Afghan Air Force personnel in the A-29 since 2014. Mirroring training for its Afghan partners, U.S. Air Force advisors will provide flying, aircraft maintenance, and ground training device instructors and operators to support training for the Nigerian forces. The new mission is anticipated to bring about 100 additional personnel to Moody, including Nigerian military, civilians and contractors required to support training on 12 of the aircraft. The program will train an initial cadre of Nigerian personnel, both pilots and maintenance personnel, who will become instructors. The additional A-29 aircraft, procured by the Nigerian government, will in turn train additional personnel on the A-29 weapons system throughout Nigeria to combat terrorism. (Source: 23rd Wing 04/16/20) https://www.aetc.af.mil/News/Article/2153275/14th-ftw-unit-at-moody-afb-set-to-host-nigerian-af-training/

Aviation support for FRC NOLA

AECOM Management Services Inc., Germantown, Md., is awarded a $35,330,861 modification (P00062) to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price contract (N68335-17-C-0272). This modification exercises options to procure contractor support services that provides seamless integrated support equipment maintenance repair and overhaul services for 14 Fleet Readiness Center aviation support equipment sites with a goal of reducing repair cycle time while improving availability and readiness in support of the Navy. Among the regional work sites are at Jacksonville, Fla. (12%); and New Orleans (7%); and is expected to be complete by April 2022. FY 2020 Navy operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $9,624,915; FY-20 Navy working capital funds in the amount of $2,435,821; FY-20 other Navy procurement funds in the amount of $1,410,800; andFY20 Navy aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $590,600 will be obligated at time of award $9,624,915 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Air Warfare Center’s Aircraft Division of Lakehurst, NJ, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 04/15/20) https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Contracts/Contract/Article/2151724//

F-35As to base with 187th FW

The Air Force selected Dannelly Field in Montgomery, Ala.’s 187th Fighter Wing and Truax Field near Madison, Wis., and its 115th Fighter Wing for the next two Air National Guard F-35A Lightning II base locations. F-35As will begin to replace the older fourth-generation aircraft, but the AF will continue to fly both fifth and fourth-generation fighters into the 2040s. Dannelly’s 187th Fighter Wing provides the nation with an F-16C+ Aviation Package, RC-26B Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platform and Expeditionary Combat Support functions organized, trained, and equipped for rapid worldwide combat deployment, domestic relief and law enforcement operations. Truax is to receive 18 F-35As that will replace the current 21 primarily assigned F-16 Fighting Falcons. The AF expects the F-35As to begin arriving at Dannelly and Truax in 2023. (Source: Air Force 04/15/20) https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2151179/air-force-makes-final-basing-decision-for-next-two-air-national-guard-f-35a-bas/

MS airfields to split $34.8M grants

TUPELO, Miss. - Seventy-three Mississippi airports and airfields, which have experienced “severe economic disruption because of the COVID-19 pandemic, will split nearly $34.9M in Federal Aviation Administration grants funded under the recently enacted Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Mississippi’s U.S. senators, Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith, made the announcement April 14. “This emergency funding will help our airports mitigate the worst effects of the coronavirus on their operations so they can continue to support air travel after this crisis has ended,” Wicker said. The senator is chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, which was responsible for negotiating transportation-related provisions in the CARES Act. Among some of the other larger grants are: Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport – $20,929,795; Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport – $8,561,630; Golden Triangle Regional Airport, Columbus – $1,190,282; Key Field, Meridian – $1,079,543; and Tupelo Regional Airport – $1,055,781. Other grant recipients included: Iuka and Corinth (both $30,000); Oxford ($69,000), Starkville ($69,000), and West Point ($20,000). (Source: Daily Journal 04/14/20) https://www.djournal.com/news/business/mississippi-airports-receive-nearly-35m-in-grants-for-economic-disruption/article_3fef8cfd-3029-5d44-bfdc-d91731df5368.html. Other airports in the Gulf Coast region receiving grants were Mobile Regional Airport, $15.1 million, and Mobile Downtown Airport, $69,000, both in Alabama. In NW Florida, Destin-Fort Walton Beach is getting $12.4M, Pensacola International Airport $11M, and NW Florida Beaches International Airport $6.3M. In Louisiana, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International is receiving $42.8M, and Lakefront New Orleans is getting $157,000.

Stop movement orders extended

The Defense Department plans to extend its stop movement orders (PCS moves) likely into the summer and limit the exemption process to further address the spread of the coronavirus, according to SECDEF Mark Esper. Those orders were to expire May 11. Esper initially ordered personnel across the world to limit movement in mid-March. He confirmed April 14 that an extension is coming, but not finalized. A review process will happen every 15 days to allow for a curtailment or a further extension. “The key thing is to protect our people,” Esper said. Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel Matt Donovan will announce the changes in the near future, and to provide personnel enough notice to make adjustments. The eventual decision to reopen travel within the military will be “driven by science.” The stop movement order also means personnel down range can’t return home unless commanders approve specific waivers. (Source: AF Magazine 04/14/20) https://www.airforcemag.com/esper-dod-stop-movement-will-be-extended/

MS infrastructure report card: D+

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi schools may be closed due to the coronavirus, but the State of Mississippi got a D+ on its infrastructure systems report card on April 14 from the American Society of Civil Engineers’ research of 12 categories including, aviation, bridges, dams, drinking water, energy, inland waterways, levees, ports, rail, roads, solid waste, and wastewater. Two key grades were roads and bridges – both got a D-. ASCE said a great deal of the state’s infrastructure was aging and outdated, which lead to the grade. It’s going to take increased awareness of the issues, and more funding, to fix the problems, according to Jacob Forrester, Infrastructure Report Card Chairman. (Source: WCBI 04/14/20) https://www.wcbi.com/mississippis-infrastructure-systems-receive-low-rating/

Launcher signs on with Stennis

WASHINGTON - Small launch vehicle startup Launcher has signed an agreement with the Stennis Space Center in south Mississippi to use the E-1 test stand at the center for tests of its E-2 engine that the company is developing for a small launch vehicle. The Brooklyn, NY-based company signed a Space Act Agreement with SSC in March. But CEO Max Haot said in an April 14 interview the Launcher had planned to conduct tests of the 3D-printed combustion chamber for the E-2 on Long Island that they have used for smaller engine tests. Those tests are part of a $1.5M Air Force Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract from last November. “We had always assumed that Stennis was out of our expense range for now,” Haot said. Stennis officials contacted Launcher after the SBIR to discuss how the center could affordably support those tests. “We basically found a mode of operation and a deal that made sense for us at our current size.” Testing at SSC removed some of the environmental issues at the Long Island site. Stennis also has the infrastructure that included access to high-pressure nitrogen needed for engine tests, he continued. “If we’re doing it ourselves we’re dealing with more than 50 bottles for each test. There (at SSC) it comes from the tap.” Launcher is working on the specific test stand structures it needs with the goal of being ready to start combustion chamber tests in the summer. One complication is that Stennis is one of a dozen NASA facilities currently at Stage 4 under its pandemic response framework, effectively closing the center except for safety and security. Haot said he hopes that by the time the company is ready to set up the test stand, SSC will have reopened. The long-term agreement allows the firm to perform full-scale E-2 engine tests at Stennis. The goal is to complete testing of the engine by the close of 2021. (Source: Space News 04/14/20) https://spacenews.com/launcher-to-test-engines-at-stennis/

AF negotiating mil.housing PIF

The Air Force is negotiating with privatized housing owners on a Performance Incentive Fee (PIF) plan aimed at improving customer service and strengthening the role of base commanders with quality military housing. Corvias Group was the first project owner to reach an agreement with the AF on the revised PIF plan. The AF privatized housing program awards fees to project owners for achieving specific performance standards each quarter. As part of an effort to improve the program, officials revamped the fee structure to ensure residents have a voice in the operation and evaluation of housing, and increase the chain of command’s involvement and ability to solve problems and drive improvements at the installation level. Under the new criteria at Corvias projects, including Hurlburt Field and Eglin AFB in Florida, residents will have more impact. Base commanders’ evaluations will make up 25 percent of the total award of the incentive plan that focuses on resident satisfaction, project safety, maintenance management and financial management. Corvias operates housing units at 15 Army and AF bases, including regional bases at Fort Polk, La., and Fort Rucker, Ala. “We appreciate Corvias’ partnership and leadership … to also hold themselves accountable by putting their incentive fees at risk should they fall short of the high standards our military families deserve,” said John Henderson, assistant secretary of the AF for Installations, Environment and Energy. The Air Force will negotiate similar revisions to the PIF with the remaining nine AF project owners, Lendlease, Hunt Military Communities (Columbus/Keesler AFBs) and Balfour Beatty Communities (NAS Meridian, NCBC Gulfport, Miss.; NAS Pensacola and Whiting Field, NSA Panama City and Tyndall AFB in Florida). (Source: Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center 0/14/20)

NASP shooting 'still open and active'

QUANTICO, Va. - The investigation into the Dec. 6, 2019, shooting at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., that left four people dead - including the shooter, a Saudi military aviation student - and wounded eight people “is still open and active,” according to a Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) e-mail of April 13, the Northwest Florida Daily News reported in an exclusive story in today's edition. The e-mail was in response to an April 9 e-mail seeking an update of the newspaper’s initial Dec. 7, 2019, letter requesting documents from NCIS and Navy under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The newspaper asked for information on the shooter, Saudi Air Force 2nd Lt. Ahmed Mohammed al-Shamrani, and all other Saudi aviation students on base at the time of the shooting. Both agencies rejected initial and subsequent requests for documents; but the Navy’s Office of Judge Advocate General (JAG) did leave a glimmer as to the potential future release of documents related to the shooting. G.E. Lattin, director of the JAG’s general litigation division, cited U.S. Code 5, U.S.C. 552(b)(7)(a), which allows withholding “records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes, but only to the extent that production … could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings.” Lattin wrote that the applicable code section is “temporal in nature,” which suggests those record requests could potentially be fulfilled at some point in the future, the paper surmised in today’s edition. In another development, the FOIA office of the U.S. Central Command in Tampa, Fla. - a unified command comprising all U.S. military services whose area of responsibility includes Saudi Arabia - wrote April 9 that the shooting case is still in the review process. “The request is currently #1731 in the USCENTOM queue,” the e-mail noted. “Please contact our office in 60-90 days if a response has not been provided.” In January, the FBI reported that it had “conducted more than 500 interviews and collected more than 42 terabytes of digital media in an effort to determine if Alshamrani was acting alone” and “have not identified any solid evidence that the shooter acted with any co-conspirators or that he was inspired by a specific group.” In a Navy JAG letter of Dec. 23 rejecting the FOIA request, it was noted that “(w)hile Mr. al-Shamrani is dead, it is possible that others may be charged criminally in this case. Likewise, it is possible that other foreign students may be subject to administrative proceedings.” (Source: NW Fla. Daily News 04/14/20) https://www.newsherald.com/news/20200413/nas-pensacola-shooting-investigation-continuing-says-ncis-office.

NASWF top dog of NSF small bases

MILTON, Fla. - Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC) has named Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field, Fla., winner, in the small base category (less than 500 personnel), of the 2019 Navy Security Force (NSF) of the Year Award. NASWF was chosen from a field of 32 installations. Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy, was the recipient for the large installation category. The award recognizes installations that successfully completed the NSF shore training and certification cycle, and demonstrates safety and proficiency in assessed areas while achieving the highest scores in a Final Evaluation Problem - an installation security exercise that tests the security force response and readiness. “This award is the culmination of a tremendous amount of effort by this team,” said Lt. Cmdr. Mike Lombardozzi, the Installation Security Officer and the Police Director at NAS Whiting Field. “It is the greatest honor, I think, as a security officer that I could ever be a part of a team to have earned. It identifies that we are the best of the best.” CNIC is the naval command tasked with overseeing 71 of the Navy’s shore installations worldwide. (Source: NASWF media release 04/14/20)

NBHC 7 train for COVID hot spots

MERIDIAN, Miss. - Seven Navy health care workers from Naval Branch Health Clinic at NAS Meridian, Miss., are about to join with others flocking to COVID-19 hot spots to assist with stopping the spread of the coronavirus. NBHC Officer-in-Charge, Cmdr. Nichole Olson, said once the group - known as the "LIMA" team - gets trained up at Naval Hospital Pensacola, Fla., the call to deploy gives them 48 hours to hit the road. “Nobody really expected this to come up,” she told WTOK, “but my staff is ready to go. They know how to protect themselves. They know what the risks are and they’re ready to go help and serve in any way that they can.” Senior Medical Officer Lt. Cmdr. Michael Racs will be among the leaders of the team. “Being able to deploy is the penultimate goal” for doing anything to support the community and nation, he said. The list of personnel preparing to deploy include Lt. Cmdr. Racs, HM2 Aaron Barnes, HA Shea Buquet, HN Dylan Ehler, HM2 Dakota Neel, HN Hannah Ross and HM3 Bishop Sisemore. The eighth member of the NBHC team, Hospital Corpsman Chad Nelson, is already serving aboard the hospital ship USNS Comfort in NYC. (Source: WTOK 04/13/20) https://www.wtok.com/content/news/NAS-Meridian-sailors-prepare-to-serve-in-COVID-19-hot-spot-569599291.html?fbclid=IwAR1i-mPkXZuHo-NdUrIcybfM0nr7RckB3no_WAujcMWys_MtnLJCkmRUY7c. The NAS Meridian clinic is one of 10 branch health clinics across five states that falls under the command of NH Pensacola.

$415M pact for N95 decon system

U.S. Health & Human Services awarded a $415M contract to Battelle Memorial Institute’s for 60 Critical Care Decontamination Systems (CCDS) that can decontaminate up to 80,000 used N95 respirators per system/per day enabling mask reuse up to 20 times. Six of those units have already been delivered to New York (2), and one each to Columbus, Ohio; Boston; Chicago; and Tacoma, Wash., providing the ability to sterilize 3.4M masks a week, reducing the need for new masks by the same number. All 60 systems will be available by early May. Once delivered, the 60 units will allow 4.8M masks to be sterilized per day (nearly 34M a week). (Source: DoD 04/13/20) https://www.defense.gov/Newsroom/Releases/Release/Article/2148352/dod-contract-for-60-n95-critical-care-decontamination-units-415m-contract-each/ The Ohio-based company announced that its decontamination services for N95 respirator masks will be offered at no charge to healthcare providers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. The government contract will cover Battelle’s associated costs of staffing and training system operators who will be deployed across the country to help process previously worn respirator masks. The Battelle CCDSTM uses concentrated, vapor phase hydrogen peroxide (VPHP) and works by exposing used respirator masks to the validated concentration level for 2.5 hours to decontaminate biological contaminates, including SARS-CoV-2 which causes the COVID-19 illness. (Source: Battelle 04/10/20)

Strong storms pummel La., Miss.

NEW ORLEANS - Strong storms pounded Louisiana and Mississippi earlier on Easter Sunday killing at least six people in south Mississippi – in Walthall (1), Lawrence (2) and Jefferson Davis (3) counties - and damages were to about 300 homes and other buildings in north Louisiana. All three Mississippi counties are more than an hour's drive south of Jackson, near the Louisiana state line. The National Weather Service said strong winds were sweeping through other parts of Mississippi. A tornado was spotted north of Meridian. The weather service reported multiple tornadoes and damaging winds across north Louisiana. There were no immediate reports of serious injuries, but thousands of power outages. The mayor of Monroe, La., Jamie Mayo, told KNOE-TV that flights were canceled at Monroe Regional Airport, where siding was ripped off buildings and debris scattered on runways. Airport Director Ron Phillips told the News-Star the storm caused up to $30M in damage to planes inside a hangar. The weather service said the greatest risk for strong storms throughout Sunday into early Monday covered much of Mississippi, Alabama and western Georgia. (Source: The AP 04/12/20)

Pandemic upside: Taking care

While the news surrounding the coronavirus pandemic appears to be doom and gloom, there's been a number of upsides. People are stepping up to take care of one another, whether it’s helping a neighbor or trying to cheer up a first responders. If you're looking to brighten your day, read on to discover a few feel-good stories. * Barbara Benoit discovered a stranger's free motivational gifts while on a walk. The best things in life are often free. During the walk, she discovered a dish on the ground full of painted stones with motivational phrases, like "let it be" and "you're braver than you think." Next to the dish was a note recommending passersby take one for themselves or a friend who might need encouragement. * Then there was very young boy who delivered Easter treats to his entire block. Jamie Thom's son wanted to make sure the holiday was a happy one. To ensure that his neighbors could enjoy it, they brought treats and cards decorated by the toddler to 61 homes on their block. * Shop donates microwave to a stroke patients to help them stay nourished while house-bound. * 16-year-old has been flying medical supplies to hospitals around Virginia in need.  * Shopkeeper brought a box of groceries to a quarantined family. * Young boy creates a whole tutorial to teach others how to grow their own food under quarantine. (Source: Best Life 04/09/20) https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/13-uplifting-stories-that-will-warm-your-heart-right-now/ar-BB12oxdN?ocid=spartandhp

Mercy MTF boss served at NASWF

Captain (Dr.) John Rotruck (MC) is commanding officer of the Medical Treatment Facility aboard the Navy’s hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) that is currently in the Port of Los Angeles assisting with the coronavirus pandemic. He was commissioned in the Navy Medical Corps in 1996 after obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Biology, MBA, and Medical Degree all from the University of Miami. After completing Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer training, he went to NAS Whiting Field, Fla., as Flight Surgeon for Helicopter Training Squadron (HT 8) EIGHT and later as Senior Flight Surgeon for Commander Training Air Wing (CTW 5) FIVE at NASWF. (Source: Navy Live Blog/Comfort, Mercy deployment website 04/20) https://www.navy.mil/strategic/USNS_ComfortandMercyBios.pdf

Farms, coronavirus domino effect

PALMETTO, Fla. - Mounds of harvested zucchini and yellow squash ripened and rotted in the Florida sun. Juicy unpicked tomatoes were left to wither in the fields. Thousands of acres of Florida fruits and vegetables are being plowed under because farmers can’t sell the items to restaurants, theme parks or schools that have closed because of the coronavirus. “This is a catastrophe,” said south Florida tomato grower Tony DiMare. “We haven’t even started to calculate it. It’s going to be in the millions of dollars.” Agriculture officials say leafy greens in California, and dairy farmers in Vermont and Wisconsin have had to dump a surplus of milk because of the virus and shutdowns. Florida leads the nation in harvesting tomatoes, green beans, cabbage and peppers. Many farmers cater only to restaurants, schools and theme parks. It’s created a domino effect for the farm industry, Florida’s second-largest economic driver, which yields $155B in revenue and supports about 2M jobs. (Source: The AP 04/09/20) https://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20200408/coronavirus-florida-vegetables-unexpected-virus-victim?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NW%20Florida%20Daily%20News%20daily%202020-04-09&utm_content=INKA_FWN&utm_term=040920

MSU small biz center CARES

STARKVILLE, Miss. - As the Magnolia State's small businesses navigate during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mississippi State University is providing guidance to owners seeking funds from the federal government’s $2T stimulus package. MSU's Small Business Development Center provides no-cost counseling to businesses within a 10-county area. Chip Templeton, SBDC director, said the center has been working to understand the rapidly evolving provisions for businesses in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and relaying that information to owners. Templeton said there are two main relief programs from which business owners can seek loans. The Paycheck Protection Program, created by the CARES Act, and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program through the U.S. Small Business Administration. “We’re not in the deciding position on loans or anything like that," said Templeton, "but we guide business owners and help them get the right information.” Mike Tagert, CEO of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, also has been working to communicate key details of the CARES Act to local businesses. The Partnership has been supporting the broader community with relevant information on business changes related to COVID-19 and aggregating relevant resources for business owners at www.starkville.org/support. (Source: MSU 04/08/20)

‘Rosie’ meets ‘Robbie the Riveter’

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - In an update to the fight against coronavirus, the Defense Department directed all individuals on DoD property, to the extent practical, wear cloth face coverings when they cannot maintain six feet of social distancing in public areas. In many facets of a training air wing, six feet of physical distance isn’t practical. Wing leaders researched how to purchase dust masks online, but quickly found out masks are in short supply. Col. Samantha Weeks, 14th Flying Training Wing commander at Columbus AFB, Miss., wanted to “tap into” community efforts to ensure the wing’s mission could continue in a safe manner for the team and their families. Patricia Wilson, whose husband is retired Air Force and a T-1 simulator instructor at CAFB, was already making face coverings for local organizations and commissary employees. Wilson, best known for sewing efforts in support of the annual Columbus Spring Pilgrimage, was one of the first volunteers to step up. “I used remnants from the fabrics that I had left over from our pilgrimage dresses,” Wilson said. “It really didn’t cost me anything, other than time.” Col. Weeks reached out to Wilson to discuss forming a team of spouses to make face masks. “Without hesitation, she jumped in and I could even hear her excitement over the phone.” Using appropriated funds, Wilson along with AF spouses, Brittani Metzger and Kelly Marshall, got started. More than 200 yards of fabric and sewing necessities to make about 6,000 coverings. The initiative brought to mind those women who pitched into the WWII effort, and became known as the iconic “Rosie the Riveter,” only a 21st century version. When Weeks discovered some of the sewers were men, she commented about “how Rosie has evolved into today’s Robbie the Riveter.” (Source: CAFB 04/07/20)

https://www.columbus.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2143022/21st-century-rosie-and-robbie-the-riveters-how-the-home-front-continues-to-supp/