Change to MNG warrant advisor

CAMP SHELBY, Miss. - The Mississippi National Guard is hosting a Change of Charge ceremony at the Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center theater Aug. 7. Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) 5 Tommy W. Smith has served as the senior -ranking warrant officer in the MNG since April 2018. He will relinquish his responsibilities as the state command chief warrant officer to CWO5 Donny R. Dukes Jr., who will serve as the senior advisor to the adjutant general on all matters relating to warrant officers, including recommendations in matters of recruiting, retention, promotions and assignments. (Source: WDAM 08/04/22)

The ceremony will begin at 12:30 p.m. followed by a reception and a retirement ceremony.

Smith will be retiring after nearly 36 years of service in the Mississippi Army National Guard, 

Belle Chasse 1% of ESB 8 work

General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. (NASSCO), San Diego, California, is awarded a $535,021,375 modification to previously awarded contract N00024-19-C-2235 for the procurement of detail design and construction of Expeditionary Sea Base (ESB) 8. Work will be performed in San Diego, California (69%); Santa Fe Springs, California (6%); Crozet, Virginia (6%); Mexicali, Mexico (4%); Houston, Texas (3%); National City, California (1%); Aliağa, Turkey (1%); Belle Chasse, Louisiana (1%); Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (1%); and various other locations, each accounting for less than 1 percent (8%), and is expected to be completed by March 2026. FY 2022 Navy shipbuilding and conversion funds in the amount of $535,021,375 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 08/04/22)

Kaman to command NAS/JRB

Captain Lena Kaman will relieve Captain Todd Bruemer as commanding officer of Naval Air Station/Joint Reserve Base New Orleans at a change of command ceremony Aug. 5. Kaman was raised in Shawano, Wisconsin, and a member of the NROTC at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in August 1996. After graduating in May 2000, she reported to flight school in Pensacola, Fla. She was designated as a Naval Aviator in March 2002. Following her first fleet tour, Kaman reported to HT-18 at NAS Whiting Field, Fla., in January 2006 as an instructor pilot in the TH-57 helicopter. During the tour, she was awarded the Pensacola Lions Club HT-18 Instructor of the Year for 2007. She served as Training Air Wing Five’s TH-57 Standardization Officer from June 2008 through August 2009.  She transitioned to the Navy’s Full Time Support community in February 2009.  CDR Kaman became a member of America’s Squadron, HT-8, in August 2009. She was awarded the Association of the United States Navy Full Time Support Officer of the Year for all Chief of Naval Air Training squadrons for 2010. In 2011, she earned her Master of Aeronautical Science Degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. (Source: NAS/JRB New Orleans & NHA historical society 08/02/22)

Brinston new OIC at NASM clinic

Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Unit Meridian, Miss., health clinic held a change of charge ceremony Aug. 3 to welcome Cmdr. Edward Brinston as the new Officer-in-Charge. Capt. Grace Key, Dental Corps, is Executive Officer. Brinston comes to NAS Meridian from the Chief of Naval Personnel Command in Millington, Tenn., where he served as Deputy Division Director, Benefits Issuing Authority, Medical Benefits/Transition Division. (Source: NAS Meridian 08/03/22)

PBVR recognized for safety record

KILN, Miss. – Port Bienville Short Line Railroad (PBVR) was recognized for its safety record by the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) for above-industry-average performance across 2021. PBVR received a Jake Award With Distinction in recognition of its reportable injury-free performance. The award is named for the late Lowell S. “Jake” Jacobson, President/GM of the Copper Basin Railway. Connecting the port to CSX, Port Bienville Short Line Railroad boasts 17 miles of track and processes over 8,000 loaded railcars a year. The railroad is owned and operated by Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission. (Source: Hancock County Port 07/26/22)

Transportation exec tours MS port

GULFPORT, Miss. – Deputy Secretary of Transportation Polly Trottenberg visited the Port of Gulfport on Aug. 1 as part of a tour of southern port cities, including New Orleans. The Port of Gulfport is a deep-water seaport that handles about 330 deep draft vessels and over 200,000 TEUs on an annual basis. The Deputy Secretary’s visit comes at a time when supply chain shortages and congestion at cargo points of entry are at the forefront of transportation and logistics issues. It was a "great visit," she was quoted in a media release. Discussions centered around supply chain and opportunities for federal partnerships. The president’s infrastructure law is putting $17B into improving ports' infrastructures, said Trottenberg. Jon Nass, CEO/Executive Director of the Mississippi port authority  said: “We’re proud to be recognized as a strategic gateway" for cargo and continued growth and development. "We look forward to discussing the ways that dredging for a deeper channel will help us fulfill that potential." Darius Johnson, President of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local  #1303 joined the tour, highlighting the importance of a dedicated and capable workforce. (Source: MSPA 08/01/22) US DEPUTY SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION TOURS PORT OF GULFPORT | Port of Gulfport, Mississippi (shipmspa.com)

HII total revenue up; Ingalls down

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Overall, Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) reported second quarter 2022 revenues of $2.7B, up 19.3% from the second quarter of 2021, primarily driven by revenue attributable to the acquisition of Alion Science and Technology (Alion) in the third quarter of 2021, as well as growth at Newport News Shipbuilding. Mississippi-based Ingalls Shipbuilding's revenues for the 2Q were $658M, a decrease of $12M (1.8%) from the same period in 2021, primarily driven by lower revenues in the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer (DDG) program, and partially offset by higher revenues in the amphibious transport dock (LPD) and amphibious assault ship (LHA) programs. DDG program revenues decreased due to lower volumes on Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129) and USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), partially offset by higher volume on Thad Cochran (DDG 135). Amphibious ship program revenues increased due to higher volumes on Pittsburgh (LPD 31), Harrisburg (LPD 30), LHA 9 (unnamed) and amphibious class planning yard services, partially offset by lower volume on the recently delivered Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28). (Source: HII 08/04/22) HII Reports Second Quarter 2022 Results | HII News

Hodges is director of CG foundation

The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to strengthening the Coast Guard community and service to members and families, announced Aug. 2 that Kelly P. Hodges recently joined the Foundation’s fundraising team. In her new position as regional director for the Gulf Coast, she will work closely with CG units in Texas, Louisiana and throughout America’s heartland to identify and fulfill education, morale and wellness, and family support for CG members. Hodges brings more than 20 years of fundraising, strategic planning, nonprofit management and public relations experience to the foundation. She is a graduate of Grambling State University in Louisiana. (Source: Work Boat 08/02/22) Coast Guard Foundation names new Gulf Coast regional director | WorkBoat

NOLA's risks up for future flooding

High tide flooding events on the East and Gulf coasts are occurring at twice the rate recorded in 2000, NOAA oceanographer William Sweet, said in an online media presentation by the agency Aug 3. The newly released information documents change in high tide flooding patterns from May 2021 to April 2022 at 97 NOAA tide gauges along U.S. coats. “It also provides a flooding outlook for these locations through April 2023 and projections for several decades High tide flooding, commonly called “sunny day” flooding, in coastal communities owing to a past century of sea level rise and climate change. The trend means flooding problems will happen more routinely during the full moon phases or times of prolonged currents and onshore winds. The National Ocean Service reported all-time high tide record days at three U.S. locations - Reedy Point, Del.; Kwajalein Island in the Marshall Islands; and Springmaid Pier, S.C. - between May 2021 and April 2022. NOAA projections predict high tide flood frequency between May 2022 and April 2023 will average 3-7 days compared to an increase from the 2-6 days between 2019-20. The National Ocean Service data shows some of the biggest risks to New Orleans and Houston. Sea level rise effects there are compounded because “the land is sinking.” Southern Louisiana coast and wetlands are starved of sediment that should be supplied by the Mississippi River and can’t replace the elevation lost to soil compaction, at a rate around 1-inch every two and a half years, he said. (Source: Work Boat 08/02/22) High tide flooding days increasing on East and Gulf coasts | WorkBoat

La. biz building suction dredge

Callan Marine, Galveston, Texas, recently launched the hull and set the house on the 290-foot cutter suction dredge General Arnold. The new dredge, which has a 32-inch dredge pipe diameter, is on schedule for launch this year and will join Callan Marine’s other CSD, General MacArthur. Callan Marine LTD is a privately-owned dredging and marine construction business. The new dredge will have a maximum digging depth of 97 feet. It is under construction at C&C Marine and Repair of Belle Chasse, La. The diesel-electric driven General Arnold will boast 24,000 hp. It will also feature advanced production automation and monitoring systems. (Work Boat 08/02/22) Callan Marine cutter suction dredge to launch later this year | WorkBoat

Miss. port authority meets Aug. 25

 The Mississippi State Port Authoity board of commissioners meeting will be at 1 p.m. on Aug. 25 at the Port’s Administrative Office on the 14th floor of Hancock Bank Plaza, located at 2510 14th Street in Gulfport. (Source: MSPA 08/01/22)

Miss. produce firm's $44.8M pact

Robertson Produce of Mississippi, Clinton, Mississippi, has been awarded a maximum $44,887,500 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for fresh fruit and vegetables. This was a competitive acquisition with three responses received. This is a four-year six-month contract with no option periods. The ordering period end date is Feb. 6, 2027. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and U.S. Department of Agriculture schools and reservations. Type of appropriation is FY 2022-27 defense working capital funds. The contracting agency is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

* MCP Computer Products Inc., San Marcos, California (H92239-22-F-0104), was awarded an $8,787,459 firm-fixed-price order for computer peripherals (Dell laptops, docks, towers, and accessories) intended as lifecycle replacements in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Fiscal 2022 operations and maintenance Major Force Program-11 funds in the amount of $8,787,459 are being obligated at the time of award. The work will be performed at the Dell Federal Facility in Nashville, Tennessee. This contract is a blanket purchase agreement award based on an existing General Services Administration schedule and is in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302.1. USSOCOM, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity. (Awarded July 29, 2022) (Source: DoD 08/03/22)

Miss. grocery tax highest in US

Mississippi's grocery tax is the highest in the nation - taxed at 7 percent. There's been talk of reducing the tax or suspending it for a time, but the legislature doesn't meet again until January. Mississippi is one of 13 states with a grocery tax. Alabama (4%), Tennessee and Arkansas are too, but they tax groceries at a lower rate. In Arkansas, groceries are subject to a reduced 0.125% state sales tax, as well as any local taxes. Candy and soft drinks are taxed at the full 6.5% sales tax rate. In Tennessee, groceries are subject to a reduced 4% state sales tax, plus local taxes. Prepared food, candy, and alcohol are taxed at the full 7% state sales tax rate, plus local tax. (Source : WLBT 08/02/22) Mississippi’s grocery tax is highest in nation but proposals to reduce it have failed (wtok.com)

Reviving La. insurance program

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is trying to get state leaders to identify funds to revive a 2006 incentive program at luring home-owner insurance companies into Louisiana’s troubled market. The Insure Louisiana Incentive Program followed hurricanes Katrina and Rita, when large insurers packed up and left the state. Lawmakers resuscitated the program early this year when insurers went belly up following hurricanes Laura, Delta, Zeta and Ida. Donelon declined to commit on specific totals though the state offered $100M in 2006. He hinted a budget amendment may be the best route to identify funds. (Source: The Advocate 08/02/22) Louisiana’s insurance commissioner looking for funds to lure insurers here | Business | theadvocate.com Donelon is slated to hold a town hall meeting Aug. 3 at UNO.

HII declares quarterly dividend

NEWPORT NEWS, Va.- Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced Aug. 2 that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.18 per share, payable on Sept. 9 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Aug. 26. (Source: HII 08/02/22)

MSU prof collaborates on NIH grant

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State University assistant English department professor Lourdes Cardozo-Gaibisso is collaborating through a $1.2M grant from the National Institutes of Health to advance immersive learning environments for Latine multilingual learners (LML) with a focus on science, technology, engineering and math settings. Cardozo-Gaibisso says the 5-year project focuses on creating spaces for LML students to engage with science inquiry experiences using features of trans-languaging - maximizing communication using more than one language in a classroom. "(C)reating and using immersive learning environments to support culturally and linguistically diverse students is crucial,” she said, noting the lack of current research into the topic. The study addresses the ‘how’ questions from a multitude of perspectives - deep learning theories, immersive learning, machine learning, educational linguistics and trans-languaging.” The project - (SISTEMAS) Stimulating Immersive Science Through Engaging Multilingual and Authentic Scenarios - is supported by a Science Education Partnership Award and housed at the University of Georgia. (Source: MSU 08/02/22) MSU faculty member collaborates on $1.2 million NIH grant to increase access, equity for multilingual learners | Mississippi State University (msstate.edu)

Global partners to open MS facility

Terberg Taylor Americas Group is slated to open a $15.9M specialty vehicle manufacturing facility in Lowndes County, Miss., that will create 90 jobs. “The Taylor Group of companies and Royal Terberg Group global partnership is a testament to the strength and success of Mississippi-rooted companies ... and a prime location for global partnerships,” said Gov. Tate Reeves. Terberg Taylor Americas is constructing a specialty hauling vehicle facility as a joint venture between Taylor Group of Companies of Louisville, Miss., and Royal Terberg Group of The Netherlands. The facility will be a "state-of-the-art factory where the best terminal tractors in the world will be built,” said Robert Taylor, President/COO of Taylor Group. The first terminal tractor is expected to be built in the third quarter of 2023. (Source: Terberg 08/02/22) Terberg and Taylor join forces to manufacture and distribute terminal tractors in the United States (terbergspecialvehicles.com)

NASA to host Artemis briefings

NASA will host a pair of briefings Aug. 3 and Aug. 5 to preview the upcoming Artemis I lunar mission. The agency is targeting, no earlier than Aug. 29, for the launch of the Space Launch System rocket to send the Orion spacecraft around the Moon and back to Earth. The mission will take place over the course of about six weeks to check out systems before crew fly aboard on Artemis II. The first briefing will provide an overview of the Artemis I mission, and the second briefing will dive deeper into the Artemis I mission timeline and spacecraft operations. Both briefings will air live on NASA Television, the NASA app, the agency’s website. Artemis I is an uncrewed flight test, the first in a series of complex missions to the Moon. Through Artemis missions, NASA will land the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon, paving the way for a long-term lunar presence and serving as a steppingstone to send astronauts to Mars. Learn more about NASA’s Artemis I mission at: https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis-i/ (Source: NASA 08/01/22)

Grieve takes helm of 14th FTW

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - Air Force Col. Seth W. Graham turned-over command of the 14th Flying Training Wing (FTW) to Col. Justin T. Grieve here on July 26. Under Graham's guidance, the 14th FTW increased the wing’s pilot production by 31 percent and exceeded a 71,000-hour flying program across the AF’s largest pilot training wing. Grieve comes to CAFB from duty as the Chief of the Nuclear Missions Planning Division, Plans and Policy Directorate at the United States Strategic Command, at Offutt AFB, Neb. (Source: CAFB 07/26/22)

Metro to deliver AHI helo to TN unit

Shreveport, La.-based Metro Aviation is delivering an Airbus EC145e light twin-engine helicopter to its Life Force Air Medical unit in Cleveland, Tenn., which will be operated by Med-Trans Corp. Metro placed an order for 25 of the helicopters in 2019 for delivery over the course of four years. The EC145e is equipped with Metro Aviation’s emergency medical service kit and options under its own supplemental type certificate. Airbus Helicopters Inc. produces the EC145e at its Columbus, Miss., assembly plant. The EC145e is a lighter and lower-cost variant of the H145 that can be ordered in a VFR-only configuration. (Source: AIA Online 07/29/22) Metro Delivers Airbus EC145e Air Ambulance to Life Force | General Aviation News: Aviation International News (ainonline.com)