NASA’s ‘Protégé’ program

Professionals across trade industries general praise the benefits allying with veteran companies with energetic startups with proven business acumen, fresh perspectives, and bleeding-edge technological capabilities. David Brock, manager of NASA’s Mentor-Protégé Program, agrees those are high-value rewards. When it comes to teaming space industry leaders with prospective subcontractors – particularly among small, disadvantaged businesses and minority-serving academic institutions – he’d put one more mutually beneficial gain atop the list: People. State-of-the-art hardware and technology are cornerstones of NASA’s missions, but for 60 years, “talented, engaged, diverse human beings have been the driving force behind everything we do,” said Brock, the small business specialist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. NASA’s Mentor-Protégé Program nurtures that shared tradition, helping industry refine the skills and qualifications of the Artemis Generation workforce – and forming a pipeline to bolster and replenish that workforce for generations, he said. Launched in 2008, the program facilitates agreements between NASA’s large contractors and eligible small businesses and academic institutions. (Source: NASA 07/22/20) https://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/news/releases/2020/nasa-mentor-prot-g-program-cultivates-space-industry-firms-skills-know-how-and-talent-pool.html

Hurricane Hunters going into wave

The northern Gulf Coast region should be keeping a watchful eye out for a tropical wave over the eastern Gulf of Mexico. This wave has a 40 percent chance of cyclone formation in 48 hours, and a 50 percent chance in the next five days. The tropical wave may gradually develop as it travels west-north-west across the GoM. According to the National Hurricane Center: "An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft (WC-130J) is scheduled to investigate the system later (July 22), if necessary." This area of low pressure will bring portions of the northern Gulf Coast rain through late week along with rough surf and increasing seas. Most of the rain with this system will end up across portions of Texas and Louisiana. (Source: WEAR-TV 07/22/20) The Air Force Reserve’s 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron (53rd WRS) is the only Defense Department unit that flies into storms to gather weather data for National Hurricane Center forecasts.

NW Fla. EMF teams head to Texas

ARLINGTON, Va. - About 70 sailors from Expeditionary Medical Facility-L (Lima) deployed from Pensacola, Fla., to Texas on July 20 in support of COVID-19 response operations in civilian hospitals. One Acute Care Team (ACT) and four Rapid Rural Response Teams (RRRT) arrived as part of the pandemic response. U.S. Northern Command is leading Department of Defense’s response operations in support of federal efforts in Texas. The ACT is a tailorable package designed to support urban hospitals with medical staff to augment 50-beds of acute or non-acute care. ACT members include four physicians, four advance care practitioners, two certified RN anesthetists, 24 nurses, two pharmacy officers, two advance x-ray technicians, and six respiratory therapy technicians. The RRRTs provide targeted rapid hospital support and stabilization during peak COVID-19 patient surges, with capacity to operate ventilated patients 24/7. The RRRT consists of a critical care physician, five critical care nurses, and a respiratory therapy technician. (Source: Navy Office of Information 07/21/20) USNORTHCOM’s HQ is at Peterson AFB, Colo. 1st Air Force (Air Forces Northern) - based along the Gulf Coast at Tyndall AFB, Fla. - is one of three numbered AFs assigned to the Combat Command. 1st AF (Northern) is the designated air component for the U.S. Northern Command.

Navy’s new powerful radar at HII

WASHINGTON - The Navy has taken delivery of the first AN/SPY-6 radar array for the Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer Jack Lucas, which was designed and built specifically to accommodate the upgraded air and missile defense radar. The Raytheon system is about 30 times more sensitive than the SPY-1 arrays on cruisers and older destroyers, but it requires more power, which led to a major redesign of the Flight IIA. Jack Lucas, being built at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss., is the first of the new builds. The ship is scheduled to be delivered in 2024. Delivery of the first SPY-6 marks a major step for the radar, which looks poised to rapidly become the fleet standard. The Navy plans to install a scaled-down version of the radar on older Arleigh Burke destroyers and the future frigate (FFG(X)). Wes Kremer, president of the Raytheon Missiles & Defense business, is confident the radar has been put through its acquisition paces, and will approach the next hurdle during Jack Lucas’ sea trials. (Source: Defense News 07/20/20) https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2020/07/20/us-navy-takes-delivery-of-new-more-powerful-radar/

CG helo medevacs crewman

NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard medevac'd a man from onboard a bulk carrier vessel about 230 nautical miles south of New Orleans on July 21. The Coast Guard received a request at 4:05 a.m. for the medevac of a 53-year-old man showing signs of a possible heart attack. The CG launched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from CG Air Station New Orleans to medevac the man. The aircrew arrived on scene, hoisted the man, and transported him to New Orleans’ University Medical Center around 6 a.m. The man was reported in stable condition. (Source: Coast Guard 07/21/20) Video: https://www.dvidshub.net/video/760427/coast-guard-medevaced-man-off-bulk-carrier-gulf-mexico

AR completes SLS/Orion checks

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc. has completed all propulsion systems checks for the first manned flight of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft for the Artemis II mission to the moon. Aerojet’s four RS-25 engines will provide 2M pounds of thrust to power the core stage of the SLS. The upgrades to the RS-25 engines for Artemis II were completed in November 2019, and following testing at AR’s facility at NASA’s Stennis Space Center, Miss., all four engines have been readied to be integrated with the Artemis II’s core stage. CEO Eileen Drake said that with America sending humans beyond low-Earth orbit for the first time in nearly 50 years, it is exciting times for both the nation and NASA. The RS-25 engine is a staged-combustion engine cycle powered by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. The Artemis II mission is a key precursor to landing the first woman and next man on the moon,” Drake said in a media statement. In May, the company won a $1.8B NASA contract to produce an 18 more RS-25 engines for future deep space missions. (Source: San Fernando Valley Business Journal 07/20/20)

Fauci to throw 1st pitch in MLB

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s foremost expert on infectious diseases, will throw out the first pitch Thursday to start the abbreviated Major League Baseball season. Fauci, who wore a Washington Nationals face mask when he testified before a U.S. House committee in June, was invited by the defending World Series champions, who host the New York Yankees on Opening Day. ... Play Ball America!

La. trustees approve marsh creation

The Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group has approved the Final Phase 2 Restoration Plan and Environmental Assessment #3.3: Large-scale Barataria Marsh Creation: Upper Barataria Component. The project was initially evaluated for engineering and design funding in the 2018 Strategic Restoration Plan. The 1,207 acre marsh creation project approved in the plan will be led by NOAA, in partnership with other federal and state trustees, and private contractors. The project includes filling areas to create an intertidal marsh platform and support healthy wetland habitat; use approximately 8.4M cubic yards of sediment dredged from the Mississippi River; and a single construction phase to maximize cost effectiveness. The estimated construction duration is 26 months. Bids are expected to be solicited in 2021. The total estimated cost is about $176M, including previous design efforts. This project is intended to continue the process of using restoration funding to restore and conserve wetlands, coastal, and nearshore habitats in the Barataria Basin where the greatest oil impacts from the Deepwater Horizon spill occurred. The trustees will consider plans for additional wetlands, coastal and nearshore habitat restoration projects in the future. (Source: Gulf Spill Restoration 07/20/20) https://www.gulfspillrestoration.noaa.gov/2020/07/louisiana-trustees-approve-massive-1200-acre-marsh-restoration-project-barataria-basin?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

HII ships part of radar (EASR) pact

Raytheon Missiles and Defense, Marlborough, Mass., is awarded a $125,881,928 fixed-price, incentive fee modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-16-C-5370) to exercise options for the Enterprise Air Surveillance Radar (EASR) low rate initial production (LRIP). Work will be performed in Marlborough (76%); Andover, Mass. (18%); Sudbury, Mass. (5%); and Portsmouth, R.I. (1%).  This option exercise is for the production of six EASR LRIP units; four AN/SPY-6(V)2 (air and missile defense radar) EASR rotator LRIP units; and two AN/SPY-6(V)3 EASR fixed-faced LRIP units. The AN/SPY-6(V)2 EASR rotator LRIP units will be deployed on the USS Bougainville (LHA-8); USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74); USS Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD-29); and USS Harrisburg (LPD-30).  The AN/SPY-6(V)3 EASR fixed-faced LRIP units will be deployed on USS John F. Kennedy (CVN-79); and USS Brooke (FFG-1). Work is expected to be completed by January 2023. FY 2017, 2018 and 2020 Navy shipbuilding and conversion funding in the amount of $122,301,170 will be obligated at time of award. Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 07/17/20) Mississippi Note: LHA 8, and LPD 29 are under construction at Ingalls shipbuilding at Pascagoula, Miss. LPD 30 is scheduled to begin construction at HII.

How many zeroes behind #15!

Lockheed Martin Corp., Marietta, Ga., has been awarded a $15,000,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for C-130J development, integration, retrofit and production activities for all C-130J variants. This contract provides flexibility to accommodate the broad enterprise of activities associated with the C-130J program. Work will be performed in Marietta, and is expected to be completed July 16, 2030. This contract involves Foreign Military Sales and is the result of a sole-source acquisition. FY 2018 and FY-19 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $3,300,000 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright‐Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the primary contracting activity. (Source: DoD 07/17/20)

New Airbus strategy; UH-72s stay

WASHINGTON – Airbus has been trying to break into the American military aviation market for decades – losing to Boeing after a bitter battle over the KC-X tanker contract, and later earning a major award for the AHI Columbus, Miss.-built UH-72A Lakota helicopters for the Army. Now, Airbus is shifting to a new strategy that prioritizes selling off-the-shelf sensors, data, space and intelligence capabilities that have been customized for U.S. government buyers. On July 15, a new division - Airbus U.S. Space and Defense - was unveiled by its CEO Chris Emerson, formerly president of Airbus Helicopters. He indicated the company want to move its focus in the U.S. away from major fixed-wing platforms. His direction is to expand the company’s presence in the growing space and intelligence markets, particularly with low-cost satellites like those made by its joint venture One Web, geospatial intelligence and imaging, and space-based sensors. “It’s not traditional for Airbus,” he said, but it will bring value and a better foundation. But, if there are opportunities to offer Airbus-Europe aircraft to the U.S. military, the strategy will be to partner with American primes, Emerson said. Those UH-72s will continue to be manufactured alongside Airbus’ commercial H125 helicopter in Columbus, Miss., but modifications, support and contracting will be performed by the Airbus U.S. Space and Defense. (Source: Defense News 07/15/20) (Gulf Coast Note: The KC-X contract from Airbus would have built the tankers in Mobile, Ala.) https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2020/07/15/airbus-us-pivots-business-strategy-away-from-selling-big-platforms-to-the-pentagon/

CAFB units command changes

COLUMBUS, Miss. - Lt. Col. Tracy Markle assumed command of the 14th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron during a change of command ceremony July 16, 2020, on Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. Also this week, Col. Jeffery Welborn, 14th Mission Support Group commander, took command of the 14th MSG at a change of command ceremony on July 13. (Source: CAFB 07/16/20)

USM researchers land 146-lb turtle

A pair of University of Southern Mississippi graduate students have spent four years trapping and studying freshwater turtles. The largest one they’d found was just over 100 pounds … until July 10. While on a research-trap run in the South Delta, they caught 10 of them over 100 pounds in three days – including one they’ve nicknamed Goliath, who weighed in at 146.6-pounds. They had already caught 26 alligator snapping turtles that day, said researchers Luke Pearson and Lucas Haralson. There was a lot of amazement because he was so big, but there was exhaustion - from the other 26 – and having been on a boat for 12 hours. The research, on alligator snapping turtle populations that was significantly impacted decades ago by commercial harvesting of their meat, shows these Delta turtles are heather than most others in the region. They estimated that Goliath was between 50-to-80 years old. Hattiesburg American 07/15/20) https://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/story/news/2020/07/15/researchers-capture-147-pound-alligator-snapping-turtle-mississippi/5434096002/

Lake Charles B-52 cowls pact: $36M

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., McLean, Va., has been awarded a not-to-exceed $35,964,710 firm-fixed-price, undefinitized contract for repair of 174 B-52 Engine Nose Cowls for the B-52 Stratofortress bomber. Work will be performed in Lake Charles, La., and is expected to be completed in July 2021. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. FY 2020 working capital funds in the full amount are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Sustainment Center, Tinker AFB, Okla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 07/15/20)

COBRA Block II calling businesses

The Navy issued a sources-sought notice July 10 to find businesses that can potentially design, manufacture, assemble, test and deliver the upgraded COBRA Block II mine detection system. COBRA is an evolutionary acquisition program and introduces new capabilities through ‘Blocks’. COBRA provides the detection capability for the Navy’s Assault Breaching System of Systems. COBRA’s mission is to conduct unmanned, aerial tactical reconnaissance in the littoral battlespace for the detection and localization of Mine-Like Objects, Minefields, Mine-lines and obstacles in the Surf and Beach Zones. (Source: Navy Recognition 07/15/20) https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2020/july/8736-us-navy-conducting-research-for-cobra-block-ii-mine-detection-system.html

COMBAT Sentry: 1st of kind for AF

PANAMA CITY, Fla. - COMBAT Sentry got under way at Tyndall Air Force Base on July 13. It’s the first of its kind of exercise for the Air Force. The exercise is part of the AF’s Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP) and it will last until July 24. The exercise will be conducted using the E-3 AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) aircraft instead of combat jets. The exercise is hosted by 81st Air Control Squadron out of Eglin AFB. “It’s evaluating them in situations that is combat relevant for the AWACS in understanding the full battle sphere and managing it,” said Lt. Gen. Savanah Bray of 53rd Wing at Eglin AFB. COMBAT Sentry will use sub-scale drones (BQM-167 and QF-16s) from the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron to evaluate the AWACS. The environment will include simulated cruise missiles, live fire operations, and maritime operations. (Source: News Herald 07/14/20) https://www.newsherald.com/news/20200714/tyndall-squadron-starts-combat-sentry-first-of-its-kind-in-air-force

Who becomes keeper of history?

The University of West Florida Historic Trust is investigating how to change the name of the T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum in downtown Pensacola after uncovered historic documents revealed that Wentworth was the leader of the Ku Klux Klan in Escambia County in the 1920s. Local historian Tom Garner sent a letter to the Pensacola City Council ahead of its July 13 vote concerning (Robert E.) Lee Square. Who tells the story of a community? Who becomes the keeper of its history? Among Pensacola’s earliest storytellers were Exalted Cyclops Wentworth and Confederate veteran William Chipley - a former mayor, and a driving force behind placing the Confederate monument at Lee Square in 1891. He has his own monument at Plaza Ferdinand. Documents in the Historic Trust's archives include Wentworth's KKK membership card, letters from Wentworth to the "Grand Dragon, Realm of Florida" and an invoice for Wentworth's "Exalted Cyclops" robes. (Source: News Journal 07/13/20) The Pensacola City Council voted unanimously (7-0) to remove and relocate Pensacola's Confederate monument. https://www.pnj.com/story/news/2020/07/13/t-t-wentworth-kkk-leader-1920-s-uwf-historic-trust-looks-change-museum-name/5429495002/

Report+ on AF jumpmaster’s death

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. - Staff Sgt. Cole Condiff, 29, an Air Force Special Tactics jumpmaster, who was ejected from the rear of a C-130 aircraft over the Gulf of Mexico last November, was likely dead before he hit the water, according to an accident investigation’s 43-page report signed on March 6, and only recently released. He had been slammed into a doorframe of the aircraft, according to Maj. Gen. L. Kip Clark, senior Air National Guard adviser to Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and president of the Accident Investigation Board (AIB) convened by the Air Force. Loose material on Condiff’s reserve parachute was sucked into the aircraft’s wind stream. Also, according to the report, insufficient knowledge of procedures and requirements for safe static-line parachute operations and “insufficient command oversight” were major factors in his death. Condiff was declared dead Nov. 8 after exhaustive searchers by multiple agencies, and suspended after 17 days. There has been no recovery to date of his remains or personal effects. Condiff’s death came less than a month after another 24th Special Operations Wing airman, 33-year-old Tech. Sgt. Peter Kraines, a Special Tactics pararescueman, died during mountain rescue and climbing training in Idaho. In the wake of the two incidents, the command teams of two units associated with the fatal mishaps were relieved of duties, according to Maj. Amanda Reeves, chief of AFSOC public affairs operations. (Source: News Journal 07/14/20) https://www.pnj.com/story/news/2020/07/14/two-command-teams-relieved-duty-following-report-hurlburt-airman-death/5436866002/

MS state flag design submissions

Since Mississippi lawmakers voted in late June to remove the old state flag — the last in the nation featuring the Confederate battle emblem — the Magnolia State has been without an official state flag. On July 13, officials with the Mississippi Department of Archives and History called for public design submissions, officially putting the process of adopting a new flag into motion. The deadline for public design submissions is Aug. 13. The proposals will be considered by a nine-member commission that is to be appointed by Gov. Tate Reeves, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and House Speaker Philip Gunn. Those appointees will be made and announced by July 15. The commission will have until Sept. 14 to select a single flag design. Voters will approve/reject that design in the Nov. 3 general election. (Source: Mississippi Today 07/13/30) https://mississippitoday.org/2020/07/13/officials-ask-public-to-submit-design-proposals-for-new-mississippi-state-flag-whats-next/

ST's 'Commando Crucible' exercise

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. - Air Force special tactics (ST) teams provide a range of core responsibilities, and combatant commands rely on those operators to hone their skills long before being deployed. Special tactics teams are in the midst of completing the Commando Crucible exercise, from June 18-July 3, at Hurlburt Field and in Kinston, N.C. “Despite logistical frustrations (COVID-19), the exercise allowed special tactics flights and attachments to conduct critical training on global access, precision strike, personnel recovery and foreign internal defense capabilities,” said a special tactics officer and lead planner for the exercise. Special tactics operators led the training, which consisted of 253 participants and leveraged 40 aircraft from across the Air Force Special Operations Command and Air Combat Command. Another critical readiness component that teams were evaluated on was the ability to plan and carry out agile combat employment concepts - a priority for ST airmen in response to near-peer competition as well as AFSOC’s strategic guidance. Special tactics operators traveled from Hurlburt to Kinston to rapidly secure an airfield to use as a forward air refueling point, integrating combat Air Force assets such as F-15 Eagles, F-22 Raptors and AFSOC MC-130s. (Source: Hurlburt Field 07/13/20)