The big 'ugly' may replace BHR

The fire that broke out on the Navy amphibious ship USS Bonhomme Richard (BHR) in San Diego last month caused catastrophic damage to 11 of 14 decks on the vessel. The Navy has awarded a $10M contract to begin post-fire clean-up, but the sea-service may not be planning to repair the badly-damaged ship. Restoration could cost hundreds of millions and years potentially making it more cost-effective to the ship. 

What’s the Navy’s options? The ugliest option may be the best one. The Navy could accelerate production of America-class assault ships with big-decks that combine troop-berthing, vehicle-storage, floodable well-deck for landing craft and a full-length flight deck. 

Huntington Ingalls Industries' (HII) shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss., is the only site that builds the aviation-optimized Americas. America and Tripoli already are in commission. Bougainville began production in 2019 and could join the fleet in 2024. Accelerating the unnamed LHA-9 would require hundreds of millions of dollars in advance funding. 

Instead of building a new assault ship to replace BHR, the Navy could acquire a different kind of vessel or mix of vessels with equivalent capabilities. Marine Commandant Gen. David Berger has argued for this approach in order to expand and diversify the amphib force. 

The Navy already is buying substitute ships for BHR-like vessels. The service is in the process of buying up to six expeditionary sea-base ships (ESB) with a flight deck that can accommodate every rotorcraft in the inventory. Under the flight deck is an open-air well-deck for landing craft. The ESB can slightly submerge its lower deck to allow landing craft to sail on and off. There’s berthing for hundreds. 

The main difference between the two ships is that the LHA can support Marine F-35Bs. The flight deck on the ESB is too flimsy for fixed-wing aircraft. The ESB also is lightly-built and lightly-armed compared to America. 

It may be fair to call the ESB “ugly,” according to Forbes. But that’s not to mean it can’t fight. National Steel and Shipbuilding in San Diego, which has built all the ESBs to date, is busy building fleet oilers. 

But the ESB design isn’t overly-complex. Another shipyard - namely, HII-Pascagoula - should be able to build it. (Source: Forbes 08/01/20) https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2020/08/01/big-ugly-dock-ship-could-replace-the-us-navys-burned-up-bonhomme-richard/#5661c5a92957

UM tackling safe drinking water

Most Mississippians receive their drinking water from a network of more than 1,100 public water systems. Some obtain water from private wells. With some of these water systems facing challenges, the interdisciplinary UM research team has focused on lead-in-drinking-water issues in both the Mississippi Delta and Jackson, working with several community partners. (Source: HottyToddy 08/01/20) https://hottytoddy.com/2020/08/01/um-researchers-tackle-challenges-of-safe-drinking-water-in-mississippi/

DOE biofuels funds to MSU, UAla.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced more than $97M in funding for 33 projects that will support high-impact technology research and development to accelerate the bioeconomy. The projects will improve the performance and lower the cost and risk of technologies that can be used to produce biofuels, biopower, and bioproducts from biomass and waste resources. The selected projects included $2,035,6022 in support of Mississippi State University’s research and development in bioenergy: PoSIES - Populus in the Southeast for Integrated Ecosystem Services; and regionally $3,053,043 to the University of Alabama for innovation and optimization of the Szego Mill for reliable, efficient, and successful up-scaling of the deacetylation and mechanical refining process for biofuel production. (WJTV/DOE 07/31/20)

Guerts: Preserve shipbuilding

ARLINGTON, Va. - James F. Geurts, the Navy’s top acquisition official, said the service is focused on sustaining its shipbuilding industrial base and their work force. Those shipyards are critical to the Navy’s shipbuilding programs. Geurts, speaking July 30 to reporters during a teleconference, responded to a question about the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala. Austal produces Independence-class littoral combat ships and Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport ships, but their contract will end in the next few years. “I am absolutely interested in ensuring that we don’t lose large chunks of the industrial base (such as Austal) or others.” Geurts claimed that “restarting an industrial base (would be) really painful” and take a long time. “(W)e don’t have the time or resources to re-generate it later, when we need it.” He emphasized the value of the Defense Production Act in shoring up the industrial base. “We’ve been working with Austal to enhance their capabilities to be able to be effective for future ships,” he said. “So, that work is ongoing as a shared activity between the Navy and the shipbuilder (in Mobile) there.” Geurts was optimistic about the future of shipbuilding. “(I)t’s a heck of an exciting time here,” he said. The Navy has a great many new ship types to go build, both manned and unmanned, he stated. The “critical activity from my perspective” is ensuring there is an industrial base - shipyards and suppliers - are “ready to go so we can pivot and continue to expand the numbers and types of ships we’re building, and drive the cost out of those ships.” (Source: Seapower Magazine 07/30/20) https://seapowermagazine.org/geurts-navy-focused-on-preserving-shipbuilding-industrial-base/

MS marine firm's T-AGOS contract

PASCAGOULA, Miss. - Halter Marine Inc., a company of ST Engineering North America, has been awarded a $981,000 contract for industrial studies of auxiliary general ocean surveillance ship (T-AGOS(X)) program. T-AGOS class of vessels will ultimately replace the existing fleet of four T-AGOS 19 and one T-AGOS 23 small waterplane area twin hull (SWATH) ships. The 12-month contract is to perform trade-off studies and analyses of the Navy design. Halter Marine has teamed with Gibbs & Cox as the ship designer. Gibbs & Cox has a Gulf Coast operation in New Orleans. T-AGOS has a SWATH style design and is built to tow a surveillance towed array sensor system. The catamaran design prevents it from rolling in heavy seas. T-AGOS will be designed for a 30-year service life. VT Halter Marine, the marine operations of ST Engineering North America, is based in Pascagoula, Miss., and designs and constructs medium-sized ships in the U.S. (Source: VT Halter Marine 07/20/20)

Atmos' rural natural gas expansion

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Atmos Energy announced July 30 it will be running a gas line to the Mississippi Horse Park as a rural expansion project to benefit Starkville, Mississippi State University and surrounding communities. The company, along with Public Service commissioners Brandon Presley and Dane Maxwell, Oktibbeha County Supervisor Bricklee Miller, and MSU President Mark Keenum, announced the project at the horse park. Natural gas service will be made available to more than 50 residences, and another 200 as part of future expansion. “This project is a great example of the positive things that can happen when public entities and the private sector work together," Presley said. (Source: WTVA 07/30/20) Atmos Energy’s distribution areas are in central and west Mississippi. The company has division offices in Flowood, Miss., and Baton Rouge, La.

AF's newest fighter coming to Eglin

The first two new F-15EX fighters are expected to roll off the production line in early 2021, and Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is already preparing their new home. Eglin’s 40th Flight Test Squadron will take possession of the first new fighter (EX1), the AF said in a July 29 media release. The 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron will receive EX2. The Operational Flight Program Combined Test Force at Eglin will manage the developmental and operational testing, which will be conducted at the same time by squadron air crews and testers, the release said. Initial testing is expected to take a year and a half. (Source: AF Times 07/30/20) https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2020/07/30/first-f-15exs-fighters-readying-to-test-at-eglin-air-force-base-in-2021/ 

RFI: Aerial maritime mine delivery

The Navy is seeking white papers from industry to determine capabilities to design, build and deliver a long-range air delivered maritime mine, according to a July 29 Request for Information (RFI)/sources sought notice issued for the Navy’s Program Executive Office of Undermanned and Small Combatants, Mine Warfare Program Office. The RFI is only for market research purposes to determine “whether industry possesses the requisite capabilities to successfully design, manufacture, assemble, test and deliver a long-range air delivered maritime mine.” The notice said combatant commanders need the capability to accurately place maritime mines in contested environments. and current capabilities include legacy air-delivered Quickstrike-series mines. The maritime mines may be required to deliver at least a 500-pound explosive payload at a minimum of 100 nautical miles, but the RFI requests a preferred 2,000-pound payload of more than 100 nautical miles. Industry is also being requested to comment on how the government can “best satisfy its needs, alternative approaches, technology availability and risk, the identification of cost drivers, and suggestions on ways to enhance or sustain competition.” Responses are due by Aug. 28. (Source: Defense Daily 07/29/20) https://www.defensedaily.com/navy-researching-long-range-aerial-delivered-maritime-mines/navy-usmc/

New CO at NCTC Gulfport

Naval Construction Training Center (NCTC) Gulfport, Miss., held a change of command ceremony July 29. Cmdr. Matthew Williams relieved Cmdr. Russell Bates as commanding officer. (Source: NCTC Facebook 07/29/20)

19 COVID cases at MS vets' home

The Mississippi State Veterans Home in Oxford is currently working to contain at least 19 COVID-19 cases – among residents and staff – and that included two deaths, according to the Mississippi Veterans Affairs office. The vets’ home reported the cases to the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) on July 27. One of the residents was in hospice care at the time of death. Twelve staff tested positive. All in-person visits at the veterans’ home has been suspended until conditions are deemed safe. Lafayette County is experiencing a spike in cases. MSDH reported 19 new cases on July 28 after reporting a record-high of 31 new cases July 25. As of July 27, there were 132 active cases in Lafayette County. (Source: Oxford Eagle 07/29/20)

High-tech biz for future AF bases

WASHINGTON - The Air Force was to kick off a unique virtual AFWERX Fusion conference July 28-30 about better ways to build and operate military bases globally and looking to improve everything from family support, functionality during pandemics, and resilience against attack. The central focus of the event will be pitches from 370 companies, many startups, to show off technology such as artificial intelligence, 5G networks, and 3D printing related to base operations. It’s not just home bases in the U.S., but safeguarding supply lines to expeditionary outposts. The Pentagon has made “logistics under attack” one of its key priorities. The Air Force is requesting $3B in FY 2021 to fund various efforts. The initial plan is to choose firms for contracts to rebuild Tyndall AFB, Fla., wrecked by Hurricane Michael in October 2018. But the service is convinced that the technologies and services showcased at the event also will lead to future upgrades, not just at other Air Force bases, but those of the other services as well. AFWERX Fusion is the annual flagship event put on by the service’s AFWERX innovation hub, each tailored to solve a set of Air Force needs. (Source: Breaking Defense 07/27/20) https://breakingdefense.com/2020/07/air-force-seeks-startups-to-build-high-tech-bases-of-the-future/

Census aids school plans & funding

Results from the 2020 Census are important to school districts across the country because they provide a baseline for the next 10 years of school planning. School districts use the numbers to ensure there are enough buildings and classrooms for children as they move through the school system. Plus, results from the 2020 Census will be used by federal, state and local officials to make informed decisions on how to spend federal funds on education programs like Head Start for pre-K children, free- or reduced-priced school lunches for low-income children and teacher training programs. That’s why it is important for families and caregivers to count everyone in their household when responding to the 2020 Census, especially all children who live with them, including babies born on or before April 1. Children under five are among the nation’s most undercounted populations, and school districts can’t plan for children they don’t know will be coming to schools in the future. (Source: 2020 Census 07/28/20) https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2020/07/2020-census-will-help-school-districts-prepare-for-next-generation-of-students.html?utm_campaign=20200728msacos1ccstors&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govd 

Mississippi Note: If you haven’t responded to the 2020 Census, you can by going to https://2020census.gov/en.html

ANG, Reserve evac units co-train

KEESLER AFB, Miss. - Aeromedical evacuation teams see more than their fair share of battle injuries. Reservists from the 36th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron and Mississippi Air National Guardsmen from the 183rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron at Jackson collaborated for a three-day training event to work as one team, focused on patient care and handling, during a simulated air evacuation of injured service members. “By working with the 36th AES we were able to put together training for two different airframes,” said Tech Sgt. Jarrett Lyle, 183rd AES aeromedical technician. “We were able to train on each other’s routine airframes.” In this case, the 36th AES were able to train aboard the C-17 Globemaster III, while the members of the 183rd AES got the opportunity to train on the C-130J Super Hercules. All aeromedical evacuation crews are required to be qualified on universal airframes, such as the C-130J Hercules, C17 and KC-135 Stratotanker, but they don’t always get the chance to practice how to configure different aircraft other than the ones at their respective units. Configuring aircraft was not the only training that was accomplished. The two aeromedical evacuation units set up an aeromedical evacuation operations team, which is the ground crew/mission support for an actual evacuation mission. The training missions were set up as start-to-finish missions; receiving patient information, setting up an aeromedical evacuation crew and then getting the patient to their final destination, which for this event was the same location. (Source: 403rd Wing 07/28/20) https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2289329/reserve-guard-train-for-aeromedical-evacuation-operations/

'Hurricane Hunters' fly into PAC storm

KONA AIRPORT, Hawaii - The Air Force Reserve “Hurricane Hunters” aircrews flew five weather reconnaissance missions into Hurricane Douglas, the season’s first hurricane in the Pacific Ocean, from July 24-27, collecting data to assist Central Pacific Hurricane Center forecasters. The 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, assigned to the 403rd Wing, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., departed from home July 22 to begin flying missions into the hurricane from Kalaeloa Airport on July 24 and moved operations to Kona International on July 26 to get out of the path of the storm, and finished their last mission July 27. Douglas peaked as a Category 4 storm before weakening throughout the day, and is expected to continue to do so as it approaches the Hawaiian Islands. It was projected to impact the islands until late Monday. The information the 53rd WRS collects assists forecasters, because while satellites do provide a lot of information, they don’t provide everything, according to Maj. Grant Wagner, 53rd WRS mission commander. “The Pacific and Atlantic Oceans are data-sparse environments as they lack radar and weather balloons in the area,” Wagner said. “We are able to get into the storm, find the center, and get that ground-truth data that assists with movement and intensity forecasts. The data we collect can improve a forecast by anywhere from 15-25%.” (Source: 403rd Wing 07/28/20) https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2291002/hurricane-hunters-fly-first-pacific-hurricane/

CC drops CSA's Davis from campus

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College will no longer honor the Confederate States of America President Jefferson Davis with his name on its Gulfport campus. On July 22, the Board of Trustees voted to change the name to the Harrison County campus. The change is part of a new strategic plan called Excelerate 2030, according to public information coordinator Kathy McAdams. In June, a former teacher at the campus launched a petition to rename the campus. The decision comes as people around the country have called for the removal of symbols and names honoring the confederacy and segregationists. (Source: Sun Herald 07/27/20) https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/mgccc-renames-gulfport-campus-to-remove-name-of-confederate-president-jefferson-davis/ar-BB17fJjQ

NOAA's proposed GoM rule change

NOAA Fisheries requests public comments on a proposed rule that would modify the on-board multi-day possession limit of fish species on for-hire trips by federally-permitted vessels in the Gulf of Mexico. The rule would increase the required trip duration to greater than 30 hours, but would allow anglers to retain the second daily bag limit at any time after the federally-permitted for-hire vessel leaves the dock. The rule would also require that the receipt issued to passengers specify the date and time of both the departure and return of the trip, and would clarify that the entire trip must occur on days when the harvest and possession of the applicable reef fish species are allowed. Comments are due by Aug. 27. (Source: NOAA Fisheries 07/28/20) https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/request-comments-proposed-rule-modify-requirements-federally-permitted-hire-vessels