Memphis-Navy football on TV

Memphis' Sept. 8 football game at Navy will be televised on CBS Sports Network at 2:30 p.m. CST.

GT's unemployment rates

Oktibbeha County’s unemployment rate rose from 3.9 percent in March to 4 percent in April. Starkville’s unemployment rate remained at 3.3 percent, according to preliminary data from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. Other Golden Triangle counties’ unemployment rates include: Chickasaw (4.2%), Choctaw (4.7), Clay (5.4), Lowndes (4.5), Monroe (4.3), Noxubee (5.9), Webster (5) and Winston (5.5). In April, Rankin County reported the lowest unemployment rate at 3.1 percent. Jefferson County reported the highest at 10.5 percent. The state’s unemployment rate continued to fall from 4.3 percent in March to 4.2 percent in April. (Source: Starkville Daily News 05/30/18)

Merging commissaries/exchanges

Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan has signed off toward consolidating the military commissaries and exchanges into a single system. A task force will be formed by July 1 to perform financial diligence, develop a business case analysis, and begin plans for the consolidation, according to a May 29 DOD memorandum. The proposed consolidation includes the Defense Commissary Agency, Army and Air Force Exchange Service, and Navy and Marine exchanges into one organization, which was recommended by DoD’s Reform Management Group. The one agency “offers the greatest potential to achieve the economies and efficiencies” necessary to ensure that commissary and exchange benefits survive, according to the memo. DoD officials want to lower the amount of taxpayer dollars used to support commissaries - about $1.3B annually - in order to shore up the commissary system sales, which have been in decline. The task force will complete its work by Oct. 31. If Shanahan okays the business case, the task force will finish integration plans by Jan. 31, 2019, and the consolidation will begin based on existing authority under law. If not, the task force will disband and the reform initiative closed. However, lawmakers have inserted a provision in the House version of the FY 2019 defense bill that requires congressional input into the decision. (Source: Military Times 05/30/18)

Segars new NASC boss

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Capt. Vincent W. Segars is the new commanding officer of Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC). He relieved Capt. Mark A. Truluck during a change of command ceremony May 17. Segars comes to Pensacola from duty as head officer and enlisted community manager and director of military community management at the Bureau of Naval Personnel. Truluck ‘s next assignment is commanding officer of Naval Education and Training Security Assistance Field Activity (NETSAFA) in Pensacola. Rear Adm. James S. Bynum, Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA), was the ceremony's guest speaker, and presented Truluck with the Legion of Merit. NASC is located aboard NAS Pensacola. NASC trains more than 12,000 Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and international aviation students per year. Students are enlisted and commissioned service members enrolled in aircrew, aviator, survival or prospective commanding officer training programs. NETSAFA is the Navy's agent for international education and training. (Source: Naval Aviation Schools Command 05/29/18)

F-22s, T38s hunker down at Tyndall

Tropical Storm Alberto has its sights on the panhandle of Florida this Memorial Day. The region is home to a multitude of military aircraft – from NAS Pensacola, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field, and Tyndall AFB. But, those bases have intricate contingency plans for readying aircraft for weather disasters. Tyndall is home to 325th Fighter Wing, which has the largest contingent of fifth-generation F-22 Raptors. This go around, 15 Raptors are taking cover in a massive hangar aboard TAFB. The fifteen are about eight percent of the Air Force’s entire F-22 fleet - valued at around $5B. Along with the F-22s are five T-38A Talon trainers belonging to the 2nd Fighter Training Squadron. (Source: The Drive 05/28/18)

AIP agrees to buy L3T components

CRESTVIEW, Fla. - L3 Crestview Aerospace, a helicopter component manufacturer that employs 500 people at Okaloosa Industrial Air Park, is set to be sold to American Industrial Partners, a New York-based investment firm, as part of a $540M cash deal, according to an L3 Technologies media release. L3T is the manufacturer’s parent company. In the pending deal, AIP will acquire two components of L3 Technologies: Vertex Aerospace and TCS. Vertex Aerospace provides aviation logistics and aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services. TCS provides engineering services and logistics support. The sale is expected to be finalized in the summer pending regulatory approvals, according to L3T. The sale is part of an ongoing L3T restructuring effort. (Source: NW Florida Daily News 05/25/18) Vertex Aerospace also has a location in Madison, Miss.

AFA grads heading to Gulf Coast

The Air Force Academy’s Class of 2018 graduated May 23 in Colorado Springs, Colo. Some of the athletes will be heading to the Gulf Coast for assignments as first-time 2nd Lieutenants. Here’s a list of those student-athletes, their sport, and where they are headed in the weeks ahead. Football: Ryan Beveridge, Pilot Training at Columbus AFB, Miss.; Cody Bronkar, Cyber training at Keesler AFB, Miss.; Aubrey Duty-Tyson, Cyber at Keesler AFB; Grant Ross, Nuclear/Missile at Keesler AFB; Ja’Mel Sanders, Cyber at Keesler AFB; Brayden Thomas, Engineering at Eglin AFB, Fla.; Jordan Tyler, Maintenance at Hurlburt Field, Fla.; Shaq Vereen, Cyber at Keesler AFB. Women’s Basketball: Erika Chapman, Logistics at Eglin AFB. Men’s Basketball: Trevor Lyons, Cyber at Keesler AFB; CJ Siples, Cyber at Keesler AFB. Track & Field: Trent Holmes, Andrew Johnston and Andrew Milliron, and Luke Piper, Pilot Training at Columbus AFB; John Reynolds, Cyber, Keesler AFB. Baseball: Nick Biancalana, Finance at Eglin AFB; Jacob Booker, Cyber at Keesler AFB; and Tyler Zabojnik, Logistics at Keesler AFB. Women’s Soccer: Angela Karamanos, Combat Systems at NAS Pensacola, Fla. Men’s Soccer: Tristan Conrad, Personnel at Hurlburt Field; and John Wendt, Pilot Training at Columbus AFB. (Source: Colorado Gazette 05/23/18)

LM hiring in Mississippi

Lockheed Martin is looking for a Multi-Functional Manufacturing Supervisor at its Meridian, Miss., operation. The person will supervise a diverse crew of aircraft mechanics that are responsible for C-130J major sub-assembly operations. The person will be responsible for assigning personnel, area monitoring, safety, FOD/Tool Control procedures in the assigned Task Centers. Responsible for maintaining quality, cost and schedule to program expectations and implementing constant improvement measures. Responsible for the installation and tracking-to-closure, travel-work sent from LM Aero in the assigned Task Centers. Basic Quals: At least 4 years experience in an aircraft manufacturing environment (assembly, production control, quality, etc.); demonstrated leadership experience (project or team). Candidate must have strong written and verbal communication skills. Basic computer skills required. (Source: Lockheed Martin 05/18) Other jobs with LM also found within link.

Update2: T-38 crash near CAFB

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - An Air Force T-38C Talon II crashed at about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday (May 23) in a remote area near Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. Both pilots ejected safely from the aircraft. Local law enforcement and first responders are on scene. The pilots have been transported to a local hospital for evaluation. First responders have extinguished the fire and are securing the area. There are no houses or other structures in the immediate area of the crash. (Source: CAFB 05/22/18) UPDATE: The T-38C went down in a wooded area outside the base's fenceline. Lt Col. Marc Deshaies, who commands the 14th Student Squadron at CAFB, told reporters he had no specific information on any injuries to the unnamed pilots. It is "still way too early to tell" what caused the crash, Deshaies said. The commander would not say whether the aircraft was landing, taking off, or in the midst of something else at the time of the crash. "We are extremely, extremely thankful” the pilots were able to eject safely, Deshaies said. They were taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle where they were treated and released. The instructor pilot is assigned to the 50th Flying Training Squadron. The student-pilot is assigned to the 14th Student Squadron. The base suspended flights for the remainder of Wednesday. The AF will investigate and release report findings at a later date. CAFB trains pilots in a variety of aircraft, with more advanced trainees learning with the T-38C. It is used for pilots learning to fly fighter and bomber aircraft. (Source: The AP 05/23/18) UPDATE2: CAFB holds media conference. http://www.wtva.com/content/video/483489281.html

Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/news/local/military/article211735164.html#emlnl=Breaking_Newsletter#storylink=cpy

Stark Aerospace seeks IT Manager

Stark Aerospace of Columbus, Miss., is searching for an Information Technology Manager that would be responsible for the firm’s information systems including all business applications and telecommunications systems. The IT Manager is responsible for defining and implementing technical strategy to support all aspects of the business, driving technical process improvement across the company, and directing information systems operations effectively and efficiently. (Source: Stark Aerospace 05/18)

GTR among first to employ drones

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. – Drones are becoming a fundamental for security and photography. The Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Miss., is no exception. GTR is one of the first airports in the country to use drones. It started with the idea of scaring birds off the runway to avoid bird-strike incidents, but has been more useful. GTR officials claim the drone also assists with perimeter patrols and facility inspections. Mississippi State University’s FAA Center for Excellence in Unmanned Aircraft Systems is working with the airport to develop new uses for the drones. (Sources: WCBI 05/21/18)

DC plan to fix military hypoxia issue

WASHINGTON — The Air Force and Navy still have no answers as to what is causing an physiological episodes (PEs) impacting pilots of tactical and training aircraft, including the T-45C trainer used at NAS Meridian, Miss., but the House Armed Services Committee is planning to order more studies and throw additional funds at the problem. In the last two years, pilots have reported a growing number of PEs in several other airplanes (F-35A, T-6 AF trainer, and the Navy’s F/A-18 Hornet). Shortness of breath and disorientation symptoms are similar throughout the numerous cases, but could actually be signs of various conditions including hypoxia - when carbon dioxide levels in the blood reach abnormally low and high levels. On May 10, the HASC put forward its version of the FY 2019 defense policy bill, which includes $10M and language to help fix the PE problem, despite several years of AF and Navy investigations. There doesn’t appear to be a single smoking gun to the PE issue. The AF intends to upgrade its T-6s’ onboard oxygen-generating system with a more effective condenser beginning in October, according to Materiel Command commander, Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski. Among some of the HASC’s plans are: To add $10M to accelerate development of technologies that could identify or mitigate PEs; and require the Navy to submit a report on modifications to the T-45 and its ground equipment made since 2017. The Navy’s assessment should indicate upgrade costs and success in addressing the PE issue. The AF is to report on its efforts in F-35As and T-6s. The T-6 trainer is used at Columbus AFB, Miss. The HASC proposal currently gives the service secretaries a waiver to those requirements if it’s determined to be in the service’s best interest. It’s also possible that some PE cases are psychological as opposed to being technical. (Source: Defense News 05/21/18)

Senior computer admin job at Eglin

DCS Corp. has an opportunity for a senior Network Computer System Administrator supporting the F-35 (Joint Strike Fighter) Partner Lab at Eglin AFB, Fla. This division has the responsibility for developing, testing, and producing mission data software for F-35 partner countries. (Source: DCS Corp. 05/18/18)

EOD chief headed to Warrior Games

TYNDALL, AFB, Fla. - Air Force Wounded Warrior Master Sgt. Kenneth Guinn, a 325th Civil Engineering Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Logistics section chief, has been selected to participate in the 2018 Warrior Games in track, field, archery, power-lifting, sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball. The games will be in June at the Air Force Academy in Colorado. Guinn will be in the opening ceremony of the Wounded Warrior Games alongside 39 AF team members who were selected from more than 300 applicants. “It is like going into battle again with 39 other brothers and sisters,” said Guinn. “We compete, train … (and ) do everything together … as part of a team.” The WWP reached out to Guinn after he sustained injuries to both knees while deployed in Afghanistan. He started running competitively in 2017, won every race in his classification, and set three new records. (Source: 325th Fighter Wing 05/18/18)

Gulf Coast O-3 AF’s athlete of year

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas - Maj. Ian Holt and Capt. Abby Hall were recently named 2017 Air Force Athletes of the Year. Hall, an acquisitions officer was the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile Program Office at Eglin AFB, Fla., helped the All-Air Force women’s volleyball team win its first Armed Forces championship in five years in May 2017. She then helped the All-Armed Forces team place second in the World Military Games, the highest finish in 23 years. She normally plays outside hitter, but was asked to play middle hitter during the Armed Forces Tournament. She filled, and thrived at the position to help lead the Air Force to win five straight matches and the gold medal. Holt, a combat operations division space control branch chief for the 614th Air Operations Center at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., is a cyclist and past member of the World Class Athlete Program. (Source: AFIMSC 05/19/18)

MoH recipient addresses NASM

MERIDIAN, Miss. – Retired Marine warrant officer Hershel "Woody" Williams – the last living recipient of the Medal of Honor from the Battle of Iwo Jima in WWII – was a welcomed guest during a Gold Star Program event May 17 at Naval Air Station Meridian. Williams shared stories about his service during WWII; discussed the importance of the Gold Star Program; and praised America to nearly 500 service members. "There is no place on this Earth like we have in this country," Williams said. "But we couldn't be who we are, or have the privileges that we have, without the protection … from our military. All because of people just like you." On Feb. 21, 1945, Williams landed on the beach at Iwo Jima with the 1st Battalion, 21st Marines. Covered by only four riflemen, Williams fought for four hours under terrific enemy small-arms fire and repeatedly returned to his own lines to prepare demolition charges and obtain serviced flame throwers. On Oct. 5, 1945, he and 13 other service members were presented the MoH by President Harry S. Truman. In 2010, the not-for-profit Hershel Woody Williams Congressional Medal of Honor Education Foundation was established "to honor Gold Star families, relatives, and children who have sacrificed a loved one in the service of their country. (Source: NAS Meridian 05/18/18)

L-3 mod pact for TH-57 helos

L3 Communications Vertex Aerospace of Madison, Miss., was awarded a $42,349,412 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery requirements contract (N00019-13-D-0007) to exercise an option for the organizational and depot level logistics services required to support and maintain the TH-57 helicopter fleet. Work will be performed at the Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Milton, Fla., and is expected to be completed in November 2018. No funds are being obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated against individual delivery orders as they are issued. Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/18/18)

186th ARW gets hurricane ready

TYNDALL AFB, Fla. - With an eye on hurricane preparedness and response capability, the Tyndall-based Air Forces Northern (AFNORTH) command participated May 11-17 in the annual Defense Support of Civil Authorities exercise, Ardent Sentry 2018 (AS-18), to grow its force of trained crisis responders. In response-capability mode, AFNORTH personnel oversaw reactions from the Meridian, Miss.-based 186th Air Refueling Wing cadre to simulate a hurricane while implementing lessons learned from the 2017 season. The 186th ARW “provided us support last year during the hurricane season,” said Chuck Stem, AFNORTH lead exercise planner, “but the unit has a number of new personnel who now have the opportunity to train alongside AFNORTH experts sent here to Meridian.” After the exercise, the Key Field Air National Guard Base in Meridian will be better prepared to augment AFNORTH and to take the lead during a hurricane response if Tyndall personnel are required to evacuate. Last fall, AFNORTH personnel worked continuously for 97 days in support of relief efforts - search and rescue, air mobility and airlift, medical, logistics - after hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria heavily impacted primarily Florida, Puerto Rico, Texas and the Virgin Islands. (Source: AFNORTH 05/08/18) The Tyndall-based command is comprised of five direct-reporting units, 10 aligned Air National Guard units, 1,400 Civil Air Patrol units, and a large number of active air-defense alert sites encompassing 15,000 Active Duty, National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and Canadian Forces. The Atlantic-Gulf Coast hurricane season starts June 1.

EPA extends WIFIA deadline

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced May 15 that the deadline to submit letters of interest for Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans has been extended to July 31, 2018. EPA sent letters to governors of 56 states, territories, and tribal leadership regarding the deadline extension that are for “critical water infrastructure improvements” for communities. The WIFIA program is a federal loan and guarantee program at EPA that aims to accelerate investment in the nation’s water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental loans for regionally and nationally significant projects. WIFIA can provide up to 49 percent of the financing for a project and a state SRF could provide additional financing for the remaining eligible project costs. The WIFIA program received $63M in funding in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018. (Source: EPA 05/15/18)

Stark seeks program manager

Stark Aerospace of Columbus, Miss., is looking for a Program Manager that would be responsible for interacting with design engineers and production personnel to insure success of transition to production. Plans, coordinates and monitors the scheduling, pricing, financial and technical performance of programs executed by the production department. (Source: LinkedIn 05/13/18)