Stennis: RR's B-52 engine tests

Rolls-Royce announced March 2 its commencement of F130 engine testing as part of the Air Force’s (USAF) B-52 modernization program. The tests are underway at RR's Outdoor Jet Engine Test Facility at the Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, Mississippi. The latest development also marks the first time that a B-52 aircraft’s F130 engines are being tested in the dual-pod engine configuration. Each B-52 Stratofortress bomber aircraft features eight engines in four different pods. As part of the new tests, the company will focus on the crosswind aerodynamic flow of the engines and ensure that the engine’s digital controls system is operating properly. RR claims that some tests performed in the early stages have already yielded positive results. The current test series will further provide additional data to Rolls-Royce that will be analyzed in the next several months. (AF Technology 03/02/23) Rolls-Royce begins F130 engine test for USAF B-52 aircraft (airforce-technology.com)

CG rescues boater south of Mobile

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard rescued a boater from a 40-foot sailing vessel March 3 after it began to take on water 70 miles south of Mobile, Ala. CG New Orleans received a call from an offshore oil rig early Friday morning. The CG launched a New Orleans-based MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew. The helo crew hoisted the boater and transported him to emergency medical services personnel at Lakefront Airport in New Orleans. The boater was last reported to be in stable condition. (Coast  Guard 03/03/23)

Regional aero/aviation jobs

2X Sr. IT Service Delivery Analyst (Remote) Vertex Aerospace Madison, Miss. Administration job at Vertex Aerospace - V2X Sr. IT Service Delivery Analyst - US (Remote) (jsfirm.com) 

Aircraft Technician B at Airbus Helicopters in Columbus Miss. Aircraft Technician B job at Airbus Helicopters in Columbus Mississippi (avjobs.com)

Bollinger delivers 52nd FRC

LOCKPORT, La. - Bollinger Shipyards has delivered the USCGC Maurice Jester to the Coast Guard in Key West, Fla. It is the 178th vessel Bollinger has delivered to the CG over a 35-year period and the 52nd Fast Response Cutter (FRC) delivered under the current program. FRCs are named for enlisted CG heroes who distinguished themselves in the line of duty. Maurice Jester enlisted in the CG as a Surfman in 1917, working his way up to Lieutenant Commander. He was the first Coast Guardsman to earn the Navy Cross in WWII and the first CG officer to receive the award for a direct combat action with enemy forces. In WWII, CG cutters battled Nazi submarines off the North Carolina coast. Jester commanded the cutter Icarus, which sunk a German U-352 off the Outer Banks. It was also the first U.S. capture of German combatants. Bollinger Shipyards have a 76-year legacy as a designer and builder of military patrol boats and salvage vessels, offshore oil field support vessels and tugboats. Bollinger has 11 shipyard throughout Louisiana. Bollinger is the largest vessel repair company in the Gulf of Mexico region. (Bollinnger 03/01/23) BOLLINGER SHIPYARDS DELIVERS 52ND FAST RESPONSE CUTTER TO U.S. COAST GUARD - News - Bollinger Shipyards

Apply for $12.4M Marad funds

The Maritime Administration (Marad) announced March 1 that it is making $12.4M funds available in FY 2023 through the U.S. Marine Highway Program (USMHP), previously, America’s Marine Highway Program. “America’s waterways serve as critical links in our nation’s supply chains,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. The USMHP seeks to increase the use of navigable waterways in America. The USMHP helps to create maritime jobs, strengthen the nation’s supply chains, reduce emissions, and lower maintenance costs, Marad said. Marad will evaluate projects using criteria, including the effect on movement of goods, level of non-federal funding investment, use of domestic preference, consideration of equity, and environmental justice. The department will also consider geographic diversity when selecting grant recipients, as well as how the project addresses challenges faced by rural areas. Applications must be submitted now through by 11:59 p.m. EST on April 28, 2023. For technical assistance, Marad will host a series of webinars during the USMHP grant application process. For webinar registration details or for additional information contact the USMHP staff via email at mh@dot.gov, or by phone at 202–366–1123. (Workj Boat 03/01/23a0 Over $12 million available for U.S. Marine Highway Program | WorkBoat

Severe weather damage in MS

PEARL, Miss. - Severe weather Friday has damaged at least 30 homes in Itawamba County, according to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency's (MEMA) first preliminary report. Itawamba County also reported damage to Itawamba Community College. Monroe County has reported damage to one house and one apartment complex. Oktibbeha County has reported damage to three houses, and Pontotoc County has reported damage to two. More counties may report more damage in the coming days. (WTVA 03/03/23) 30 homes damaged in Itawamba County, MEMA reports | News | wtva.com

IHL places Jax State prez on leave

The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL) placed Jackson State President Thomas Hudson on administrative leave with pay effective immediately. The board named Dr. Elayne Hayes-Anthony temporary acting president at its meeting March 3 in Jackson. There were no reasons given by the IHL for putting Hudson on leave. Hudson is the sixth president at Jackson State in the last 14 years. Dr. Hayes-Anthony currently serves as Chair and Professor, Department of Journalism and Media Studies, at Jackson State University. (Clarion Ledger 03/03/23) JSU president Thomas Hudson relieved of duties by MS IHL. Interim named (clarionledger.com)

Lawmaker trio tours HII ships

PASCAGOULA, Miss. - HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division here hosted U.S. Reps. Trent Kelly (R-Miss.), Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) and Jerry Carl (R-Ala.), who were accompanied by Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl and Lt. Gen. Christopher Mahoney March 2 for a meeting with Ingalls leadership and a shipyard tour that included the amphibious transport dock ship Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29) and large deck amphibious assault ship Bougainville (LHA 8). Ingalls has designed, built and maintained amphibs, destroyers and cutters for 85 years. Ingalls Shipbuilding is the sole builder of the entire San Antonio class of ships and has already delivered 12 to the Navy. Three more under construction, including McCool, Harrisburg (LPD 30) - the first Flight II LPD - and Pittsburgh (LPD 31). Ingalls is also building large deck amphibs and has delivered 15 ships with ongoing construction of Bougainville and Fallujah (LHA 9), which started fabrication in December. (HII 03/02/23) https://hii.com/news/hii-hosts-congressional-delegation-and-usmc-officers-at-ingalls-shipbuilding/

Ret. Army colonel to receive MoH

WASHINGTON - The White House announced retired Army Col. Paris Davis will receive the Medal of Honor (MoH) for his acts of bravery as a commander during the Vietnam War. President Joe Biden will present the award to Davis during a ceremony at the White House on March 3. Davis commanded American Special Forces as well as an inexperienced South Vietnamese company against a large North Vietnamese force June 17-18, 1965. His tactical leadership allowed the company to gain an advantage and surprise the enemy. Davis was wounded in the initial assault but continued to push forward after multiple counter attacks. Initially, he was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal with “V” device, Purple Heart with one Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster and the Air Medal with “V” device. (Army 03/02/23) The long wait is over: Vietnam veteran to receive Medal of Honor | Article | The United States Army 

HII-Ocean Aero UUV partnership

GULFPORT, Miss., and MCLEAN, Va. - HII and Ocean Aero initiated a strategic agreement to advance their combined capabilities of unmanned maritime platforms and autonomy software solutions. The providers recently commenced multiple efforts to enhance the operational reach and duration of the platforms, collaborative autonomy behaviors, shared sensor fusion and perception capabilities, and accelerated seabed-to-shore data transmission methods. “We are pleased to partner with Ocean Aero to further expand the operational capabilities of the U.S. Armed Forces, partner nations and other maritime-focused commercial institutions,” said Duane Fotheringham, president of the Unmanned Systems business group at HII’s Mission Technologies division. HII and Ocean Aero are involved in several unmanned maritime systems initiatives and exercises across the world. Ocean Aero recently completed Digital Horizon, the U.S. 5th Fleet Maritime Domain Awareness exercise in the Arabian Gulf, where HII’s REMUS vehicles (MK18 Mod 1 and MK18 Mod 2) have been deployed since 2013. The HII-Ocean Aero team is to demonstrate its combined capabilities at an upcoming event in the region, in addition to other planned events for U.S. and international partners. HII is a top UUV manufacturer and pioneer in the industry. (HII 03/02/23) HII and Ocean Aero to Partner on Advanced Unmanned Maritime Capabilities - HII

Commandant's state of CG address

WASHINGTON - Adm. Linda L. Fagan, the 27th commandant of the Coast Guard is scheduled to deliver her first State of the Coast Guard Address here on March 7. Adm. Fagan will provide her vision for the future and commit to prioritizing support for the CG workforce to a live audience of officials and partner-agency leaders. She is to discuss the demand for CG operations throughout the world, and how advances in technology, changes in the global economy, and the impacts of climate change influence this demand. The speech will be recorded and posted on the Coast Guard website and on YouTube. (Coast Guard 03/02/23)

Program ends hunger relief benes

Millions of Americans are about to have their food stamp distribution cut by about $90/ month starting in March. The cuts are the result of the end of a nearly 3-year pandemic hunger relief program. Some of the nation's largest families may see their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cut as much as $250, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Thirty-two states, and District of Columbia, still have been giving qualified families the emergency SNAP allotments. Eighteen states already made the decision to end benefits. The average food stamp benefit for qualified Americans will go down to about $6/day compared to the $9 currently provided with the pandemic boost. (Emergency Email & Wireless Network 03/01/23) 

Miss. APEX Accelerator initiative

JACKSON, Miss. - The Mississippi Procurement Technical Assistance Center has a new name - Mississippi APEX Accelerator. The initiative has upcoming events around the state to help small businesses navigate contracts with government procurement. All 95 PTACs nationwide will change to the new name in the months ahead. The program is now under the Department of Defense's Office of Small Business Programs. The procurement assistance program offers resources and guidance on the government procurement process, helping numerous businesses throughout Mississippi. APEX Accelerators' brand reflects the program’s mission to spur innovation and assistance to aid small businesses reach new heights. 

Upcoming schedule of APEX Accelerator workshops for March in Mississippi: 

* Columbus AFB: March 15 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. "Small Business Doing Business with the Government"

* NAS Meridian on March 28 from 10 a.m. to 12Noon "Small Business Subcontracting Opportunities" (MDA 02/28/23) MS PTAC updates to MS APEX Accelerator | Mighty Mississippi

New biz school dean at Belhaven

JACKSON, Miss - Dr. Brett Andrews has been named dean of Belhaven University's School of Business. The appointment follows the retirement of Dean Dr. Chip Mason after 28 years of service. Andrews comes to Mississippi from four years of service as senior VP of academic innovation at Oklahoma Wesleyan University. He brings years of experience as a business school dean while serving three institutions, including 10 as dean of Oklahoma Wesleyan's school of business. Andrews earned a B.B.A. in Marketing from Northeastern State University; M.B.A. from Oral Roberts University; and Ph.D. in Management from Walden University. The Tulsa, Okla., native begins his duties at Belhaven on May 15. (Mississippi Business Journal 03/01/23)

Boeing NOLA 90% of $70M pact

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, is awarded a $70,704,608 cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price, cost reimbursable contract to provide integrated logistics support for the government of Kuwait in support of preparing Kuwait pilots for delivery of the Kuwait F/A-18E/F Super Hornets. The support will include general logistics support; logistics program management; logistics support to aircraft during pilot training within the continental U.S. (CONUS); maintenance of aircraft, aircraft armament equipment, F414 engines, and Sniper pods; logistics representative support within the CONUS, as well as both within the CONUS and outside the CONUS ferry support; packaging, handling, storage, and transportation; and program security tasks. Work will be performed in New Orleans, Louisiana (90%); St. Louis, Missouri (8%); various locations within the CONUS (1%); and various locations outside the CONUS (1%), and is expected to be completed in September 2026.  Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $70,704,608 will be obligated at the time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.  This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to 10 U.S. Code Section 2304(f)(2)(E).  The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (DoD 03/01/23)

Buys diversity educator of year

The Mississippi Board of Trustees of the State Institutions of Higher Learning celebrated Black History Month by holding its annual Diversity and Inclusion Awards ceremony in Jackson. Campus and community leaders were recognized for advancing diversity and encouraging understanding and respect. In addition, Dr. David R. Buys, Associate Professor for Delta State University, was named the 2022 Diversity Educator of the Year. Tupelo resident Shawn Brevard received the Karen Cummins Community Service Award. (Mississippi Valley State 03/01/23) Board of Trustees holds annual Diversity Awards recognition | Mississippi Valley State University (mvsu.edu)

Tough confirmations for Prez noms

President Biden will nominate Deputy Secretary of Labor Julie Su to head the Department, replacing Marty Walsh, who is to become the next executive director of the NHL Players' Association. Su is the former secretary of labor for California, and may face a tough confirmation. She was confirmed 50-47 by the Senate in July 2021 to serve in her current role. Biden has faced criticism for not having a Cabinet secretary who is Asian American. Seven congressional Republicans from California previously signed a letter that urged Biden not to consider Su. The members of Congress accused Su of overseeing "one of the largest cases of unemployment insurance fraud" during the pandemic and of implementing one of the "most destructive labor policies in decades" during her time as California’s labor secretary. (Fox Business 02/27/23) Biden to nominate Julie Su as next labor secretary | Fox Business 

Sen. Cruz: FAA nominee not qualified

WASHINGTON - During a Senate Commerce committee confirmation hearing March 1, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said President Biden's nominee to serve as the next leader of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is not qualified for the position. Cruz cited a need for the next FAA administrator to have "decades of experience in aviation" and said Phil Washington lacks the necessary experience. Washington had a "long and honorable career in the military," Cruz continued, but does not have "any experience in aviation safety." Washington is currently CEO of Denver International Airport (DIA). He was first nominated by Biden in 2022 but failed to advance amid concerns from Republicans about his experience. (Fox Business 03/01/23) Sen. Ted Cruz calls Biden FAA nominee unqualified, says White House 'playing politics' with safety | Fox Business

Intense weather heading South

An outbreak of intense weather packing powerful winds and tornadoes looms over the Southern Plains and South by week's end. The storm system will move eastward March 1 eventually triggering a severe outbreak on March 2. Northern Louisiana and likely is facing a threat of winds up to 80 mph, baseball-size hail and tornadoes (up to EF-2 strength). The region is under a Level 4 of 5 threat on March 2, including Shreveport, La. The entire severe threat area stretches from central Texas to Alabama on March 2.  Memphis and Jackson, Miss., are under a Level 3 of 5 severe storm risk. Temperatures have been near record highs across the Southeast this week. This warm air will add fuel to the storms. Cities in Louisiana are set to tie or break temperature records before the onset of severe weather. As a cold front pushes eastward, a squall line is predicted to develop in the afternoon of March2, which will increase the threat of damaging winds. It will be a long-duration storm as it treks eastward into Louisiana and Arkansas by nighttime. A severe storm threat moves into central Mississippi and western Tennessee overnight into March 3, maintaining a risk of damaging winds up to 70 mph and tornadoes. A Flash Flood watch will be in place for western Tennessee and northern Mississippi through Friday morning. (CNN 03/01/23) Severe weather in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas threatens strong tornadoes and damaging winds on Thursday | CNN

Court declines to hear O&G appeals

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear oil companies' appeal of a ruling in a high-stakes lawsuit over Gulf coast damages, which may open the way for the case to move forward in state court. The decision adds to December and October decisions by the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals that sent the damages suit, filed against Chevron USA, Exxon Mobil Corp., ConocoPhillips Co., BP America and Shell, back to the 25th Judicial District Court in Plaquemines Parish, which filed the lawsuit. The court's decision adds expectations that the 5th Circuit rulings will clear the way for 42 other lawsuits filed in Plaquemines, Jefferson, St. Bernard, St. John the Baptist, Vermilion and Cameron parishes between 2012-17 against a total of about 200 O&G companies to begin being heard in state courts. (NOLA.com 02/28/23) Supreme Court won't halt moving energy suits to state courts | Environment | nola.com

Offshore LNG port challenged

Ahead of a March 1 deadline, 22 environmental and grassroots groups are calling on the Biden administration to deny a federal license for a proposed offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) port near Plaquemines Parish, La. The coalition sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation and its Maritime Administration (MARAD) asking that a deepwater port license be rejected for West Delta LNG. The letter was also sent to the Office of Deepwater Port Licensing and Port Conveyance. The letter claims Houston-based LNG 21 failed to meet several deadlines to submit more information to MARAD and the Coast Guard about its technical specifics. Federal regulatory agencies generally ask applicants for added information to complete environmental reviews before approving projects. If approved/built West Delta LNG would pump out roughly 6M metric tons of LNG annually. It would be located about 12 miles off the coast of Plaquemines Parish. Twenty-two entities signed the letter, including Healthy Gulf, Louisiana Bucket Brigade, RISE St. James and Sierra Club. According to their letter/documents filed alleges LNG 21 first applied for the license in August 2019. Since then, MARAD and the CG have given the firm multiple extensions. West Delta LNG did not respond to a media query from NOLA.com. Deadline looms for delayed Plaquemines LNG port | Business News | nola.com