Raspet expanding UAS research

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory is expanding its unmanned aerial systems (UAS) research and support capabilities with the purchase of two TigerShark XP3 aircraft. The buy, along with associated radio and computer equipment, represents a total investment of about $2M, and will increase the lab’s UAS core flight research capabilities. The cost of the TigerSharks is covered in part by grant funding from federal research projects aimed at making UAS safer. The new UAS carry more equipment, flies higher and longer, that “increases our ability to meet the needs of our federal research partners, as well as to directly support Mississippians in times of emergency” such as directing crews to repair downed power lines, broken levees, or other emergency relief efforts. Pilots have spent weeks training with the new UAS, which weighs about 500 pounds. MSU is the lead university for the FAA Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence (ASSURE). The university also leads the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Common UAS Test Site. Additionally, MSU works with Mississippi economic development officials to support the state’s growing aerospace industry. (Source: MSU 02/28/19)

CAFB’s McGinnis 3-time AF winner

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - Master Sgt. Kevin McGinnis, 14th Civil Engineer Squadron Readiness and Emergency Management Flight superintendent at CAFB, has been awarded the 2018 Air Force Emergency Manager of the Year in the military category. It’s the third time that McGinnis has won the award. In 2014, he won with the AF Special Operations Command; and in 2017 with the Air Education and Training Command. “I was especially happy to win this award at Columbus,” McGinnis said. His team is responsible for the CAFB’s emergency planning for natural disasters; chemical, biological, radioactive or nuclear attacks; certain aircraft mishaps; and other incidents. Also, the team is responsible for protecting personnel and their families, the millions of dollars’ worth of equipment and infrastructure. They also ensure base personnel are fully trained to minimize casualties and damage in the event of a disaster or attack. The final catalyst in his nomination package was a T-38C Talon mishap in May 2018. He and his team directed emergency personnel to rescue the pilots, find their ejection seats and help contain the incident. “We had a really ‘good’ year,” McGinnis said. “When your job involves disasters, it’s never really good to have a busy year, but it’s good for the experience.” (Source: CAFB 02/28/19)

L-3 Vertex $21.3M T-45 mod pact

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace of Madison, Miss., is awarded $21,361,072 for modification P00032 to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery requirements contract (N00019-14-D-0011). The modification exercises an option for organizational, intermediate, and depot level maintenance, logistics, and engineering support for Navy T-45 aircraft and systems, and related support equipment. Support to be provided includes services, equipment, tools, direct material, and indirect materials required to support and maintain all to support flight and test and evaluation operations. Work will be performed at the Naval Air Station (NAS) Kingsville, Texas (55.5%); NAS Meridian, Miss. (41.3%); and NAS Pensacola, Fla. (3.2%), and is expected to be completed in September 2019. No funds will be obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. Naval Air Warfare Training Systems Division of Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 02/28/19)

Military to face SASC over housing

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) will reopen its investigation into substandard military housing March 7 with follow-on testimony from civilian and uniformed leaders of the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy. The leadership will testify before the committee on “the chain of command’s accountability to provide safe military housing” for its service members and families. The hearing comes weeks after it heard from military families and private contractors over a host of health and safety issues at privatized military housing across the country. “One of the recurring, heartbreaking sentiments was that families felt they had no advocate within the military to ensure they had high-quality, affordable housing,” committee chairman Sen.. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., said in a statement. “That is unacceptable,” he said. In recent weeks, military officials have offered several remedies. Air Force and Army officials have promised force-wide housing inspections in coming months. Service officials are also looking into a possible “tenant bill of rights” that would allow them to suspend rent payments if their problems aren’t resolved. (Source: Military Times 02/27/19)

Best-worst states for retirement

Retirement might be the end of a career, but doesn’t have to be the end of financial security or satisfaction. Retirement generally coincides with the age at which one receives Social Security or pension benefits. However, not everyone can retire when they want to. One quarter of non-retired adults haven’t saved enough for retirement, though not necessarily through their fault. In addition to when to retire, finding the best locations to retire can be difficult without a great deal of research. Even in affordable areas, retirees can’t rely on Social Security or pensions to cover living expenses. Social Security benefits increase with local inflation, but they replace only around 39 percent of the average worker’s earnings. WalletHub compared the 50 states across 46 key indicators of retirement-friendliness. The analysis examines affordability, health-related factors and overall quality of life. (Source: Wallet Hub 01/2019) Gulf Coast Note: Florida led all states across affordability, quality of life and health care measurements. Neighboring Gulf Coast states: Alabama (39th), Louisiana (42), and Mississippi (43).

RP school returns home to NASM

MERIDIAN, Miss. – The Navy’s Religious Program Specialist (RP) schoolhouse training has returned to Naval Air Station Meridian after a 10-year absence due to the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) commission mandated the move to Fort Jackson, S.C. RP training moved to Fort Jackson in 2009. The BRAC relocation mandated a collocation of schools to design and foster closer cooperation among the three military chaplain corps. “The relocation (back) to Meridian allows our RPs the opportunity to develop as leaders and sailors alongside their Navy enlisted counterparts,” said Capt. Steve Moses, commanding officer, Naval Chaplaincy School and Center (NCSC). The Meridian ‘A’ school provides initial RP skills training following boot camp. Twenty students are enrolled in the first back-to-Meridian RP class. Nearly 200 RPs graduate from NCSC residence courses annually to prepare them to deliver professional religious ministry to sailors, Marines, guardsmen and Merchant Marines. (Source: Naval Education and Training Command 02/26/19)

Unique AF civilian education ops

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas - Eligible Air Force civilians may apply for developmental education for the 2020 academic year from May 1-10. Developmental education programs, including the Civilian Strategic Leader and the Engineer and Scientist Exchange programs prepare AF civilians through unique educational and leadership opportunities to meet the challenges across AF operations and missions. This year, the Air Command and Staff College-online master’s program and the AF Legislative Fellows program are open to GS 12-14 employees. Fellowships at the RAND Research Institute are open to GS 14-15. Leading With Impact is a new course offered to GS 12-13. Applicants must submit nomination packages by April 17, with chain of command concurrence by May 1.The selection board convenes in September with final approval of primary/alternate candidates released later this year. (Source: AF Personnel Center 02/25/19)

New CNRSE: Rear Adm. Mayes

NAS JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Commander Navy Region Southeast (CNRSE) held a change of command ceremony Feb. 23 onboard Naval Air Station Jacksonville. Rear Adm. Gary Mayes relieved Rear Adm. Babette “Bette” Bolivar as the region’s commander. Mayes is a Purdue University graduate; and earned his naval commission from Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Fla. He was designated a naval aviator in 1989. He was officer in charge of a combined East/West Coast Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron detachment of 16 helicopters conducting rescue and humanitarian relief missions in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast. He comes to CNSRE from the staff of Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics. Bolivar’s next assignment will be at San Diego’s Navy Region Southwest. (Source: CNSRE 02/25/19) Gulf Coast Note: CNRSE supports and guides 18 installations throughout the Southeastern United States and Caribbean, including NAS Meridian, and CBC Gulfport, Miss.; NAS Pensacola and Whiting Field and NSA Panama City, Fla.; and NAS/JRB New Orleans.

HII tech solutions acquires Fulcrum

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced Feb. 25 it has completed the acquisition of Fulcrum IT Services, an information technology and government consulting firm in Centreville, Va. Fulcrum expands HII’s capabilities in enhanced situational awareness and predictive threat analytics through its advanced engineering, cyber security, software development, big data engineering, and intelligence and special operations experience. Fulcrum will join HII’s Technical Solutions division. HII-TS is a professional services business helping government and commercial customers solve complex problems. Areas of expertise include cyber security, software development, unmanned systems, training, modeling and simulation, nuclear operations, fleet services, and oil and gas engineering. (Source: HII 02/25/19) Gulf Coast Note: Additionally, Technical Solutions has engineers and designers that provide rapid prototyping, including unmanned systems, in its unique Panama City Beach, Fla., facility.

Male-only draft unconstitutional

Judge Gray H. Miller of the Federal District Court in the Southern District in Houston has ruled that a military draft for men only is unconstitutional. The judge took note of the Supreme Court’s 1981 ruling that excluding women from the draft was “fully justified” because women were not allowed to serve in combat. But the Defense Department abolished that restriction in 2015, opening the way for women to serve in any military billet. No one has been conscripted into the military in more than 40 years, but the Military Selective Service Act requires all men to register at age 18, in case a draft is reinstated. They remain eligible through age 25. The Houston case was brought by the National Coalition for Men, a men’s rights group, which argued that drafting men exclusively violates the 14th Amendment’s equal-protection clause. Miller’s ruling was declaratory, and did not specify any governmental action to comply. This ruling comes at a time when the National Commission on Military, Nation, and Public Service advisory panel is studying the draft system - whether it should continue and whether women should be required to register. (Source: New York Times 02/25/19)

Spec ops may get new orders

American military’s special warfare forces are getting new orders as the Defense Department makes a major mission focus from post-9/11 terrorist groups to eyeing powerhouse antagonists such as China and Russia. The U.S. Special Operations Command, located in south Florida, is drafting guidance to reorient its top-tier military special operation commands to fight expanding militaries of “near-peer” powers. The guidance, still needing to get a thumbs-up USSOC boss Gen. Raymond A. Thomas III, will allow special operations forces to take on a bigger role in cyber-warfare, information and digital age propaganda, according to Washington Times sources, as well as train allies in those new skills. Since 9/11, SOF personnel have been at the tip of the spear for the U.S.-led global war on terror. DoD’s National Defense Strategy is ushering in a move away from the fight against non-state terrorists to big-boy rival nations. The Middle East will become a theater to be managed, while the new focus will be on Asia and Europe. Whether this shift is an attempt to clip the SOF’s wings is a matter of debate across the military. Air Force, Army, Marines and Navy “spec ops” forces have grown from 45,000 in 2001, it is estimated today’s numbers are about 70,000 today. Some critics say the expansions in size and mission hasn’t been healthy. The advantage spec ops units provide in this new environment is during “competition short of conflict” to deter adversies, Gen. Thomas said. That gray area between a hot and cold war “is arguably the most important phase of deterrence.” But shifting gears from the “kill/capture” missions to subtle missions have already been in the works. A Congressional Research Service survey of Special Forces issues mandated reviews in the FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act to reflect lawmakers’ concern about the status of the special operations commands and missions. (Source: Washington Times 02/24/19) Gulf Coast Note: The Air Force Special Operations Command headquarters is located aboard Hurlburt Field, Fla. AFSOC is a component of U.S. Special Operations Command at MacDill AFB, Fla. The command's core missions include battlefield air operations, combat support, aviation foreign internal defense, information operations/military support, precision strike, specialized air mobility; command and control; and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and psychological operations. The Army’s 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) is located within the Eglin AFB, Fla., Range. Its purpose is to conduct guerilla operations and train friendly governments' armed forces in South, Central and North America as well as the Caribbean.

Highest start salaries: STEM grads

College graduates that earn bachelor degrees in STEM-related subjects – engineering, computer science, math and sciences - will be among the highest starting salaries earners for 2018 grads, according to a projection survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. The top three STEM-degree earners’ average starting salaries were engineering ($69,188), computer science ($67,539), and math and sciences ($62,177). Those projected amounts, reported in the NACE "Winter 2019 Salary Survey," were for base salaries only. Data was collected from 186 surveys submitted by NACE employer members between August and December 2018. The survey also found that those graduating in 2018 would enjoy a 16.6 percent increase in hiring compared to those who finished schooling in 2017. (Source: Campus Technology 02/20/19)

Navy GC fire department of year

Fire & Emergency Services Gulf Coast (F&ESGC) has been named Navy Region Southeast’s 2018 Fire Department of the Year in the large category on Feb. 19. It’s their second consecutive win. F&ESGC operates at Naval Air Stations Pensacola and Whiting Field, and Corry Station. Additionally, two F&ESGC service members were recognized. ABH1(AW/SW) Anthony Kirby and ABH2(AW/SW) Lewis Mashburn, both based at NAS Whiting Field, were awarded the Military Fire Officer of the Year and Military Firefighter of the Year respectively. Having won the regional award, F&ESGC is now up for the Navy-wide Commander Navy Installations Command (CNIC) Fire Department of the Year award. (Source: NAS Pensacola 02/18/19)

MS tornado claims one; power out

COLUMBUS, Miss. - One person was killed and at least a dozen injured when a tornado smashed into the commercial district of Columbus around 5 p.m. on Saturday (Feb. 23). The tornado struck about 5 p.m. and was confirmed on radar, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Anna Wolverton in Jackson. A team from NWS would be going to Columbus on Sunday to gauge the storm’s intensity. Lowndes County Coroner Greg Merchant identified the victim as Ashley Glynell Pounds, 41, of Tupelo. Pounds was one of four people in a Tuscaloosa Road building that collapsed during the storm. She was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, where she died during surgery, he said. Todd Gale, general manager of Columbus Light and Water, confirmed to the Columbus Dispatch newspaper that the hospital was running on emergency generators - and some 4,700 residents were without power - as of 7:30 p.m. Saturday. In Bruce, Miss., located some 50 miles SW of Tupelo, rivers broke flood stage and flash floods poured into homes and businesses. A state of emergency was declared in Grenada, Miss. – located some 70 miles NW of Starkville - after dozens of streets and homes flooded. NWS had issued a flash flood warning for Lafayette County, Miss., after emergency officials reported that the Audubon Dam, which blocks a creek on the northside of Oxford, was at risk of failing. Weather officials said the storm system threatened areas from eastern Arkansas across the South into Alabama. (Source: The Dispatch 02/24/19)

LM seeks QE for Meridian area

Lockheed Martin (LM) seeks a Quality Engineer for the Meridian, Miss., area. The selectee will be responsible for leading and implementing advanced Quality Engineering initiatives. This will include developing and introducing new QE processes used to reduce process variation, cost, and non-conforming hours. QE will be expected to manage and deliver multiple projects simultaneously (on schedule/within cost). The position is intended to be a catalyst for program initiatives to reduce Scrap, Rework, and Repair (SRR) cost, improve Quality Inspection systems, and ensure Production/Quality process compliance. Must be a U.S. Citizen or legally authorized to work in US as a permanent resident. Bachelors degree from an accredited college in a related discipline or equivalent experience; Statistical Process Control principles and techniques; formal Root Cause Action; Audit and Product Surveillance; ability to read and interpret engineering drawings. Desired Skills: Basic understanding of AS9100 Basic aircraft knowledge; Tableau; LM Systems (QADS/SFM/Dims); MS Office (Excel, Access, PowerPoint). Prefer Mechanical Degree. (Source: Help Wanted 02/23/19)

Milcon pacts for GC states

Archer Western Federal JV of Chicago (N69450-19-D-0907); B.L. Harbert International of Birmingham, Ala. (N69450-19-D-0908); Haskell Co. of Jacksonville, Fla. (N69450-19-D-0909); Korte Co. of St. Louis (N69450-19-D-0910); and Mortenson Construction of Minneapolis, Minn. (N69450-19-D-0911) are each awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award design-build construction project contracts located primarily within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast’s area of responsibility. The work to be performed provides for, but not limited to, general building type projects (new construction, renovation, alteration, demolition, and repair work) including industrial, airfield, aircraft hangar, aircraft traffic control, infrastructure, administrative, training, dormitory, and community support facilities. These five contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. Archer Western is awarded the $24,774,660 initial task order for P427 Littoral Combat Ship Operational Trainer Facility at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. The remaining four contractors will be awarded $1,000 each to satisfy the guaranteed minimum. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by January 2021. All work on this contract will take place in Florida (15%); Georgia (15%); Louisiana (14%); Mississippi (14%); South Carolina (14%); Tennessee (14%); and Texas (14%). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, with an expected completion date of February 2024. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast of Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 02/22/19)

Survey says: Mil.spouses satisfied

WASHINGTON - The latest survey of active-duty and reserve-component service members’ spouses shows they are by and large happy with their military lifestyles. Defense Department officials briefed reporters at the Pentagon Feb. 21 on the results of the surveys, which were conducted in 2017. Active-duty and a similar survey of National Guard and Reserve spouses showed similar results. Among ACDU spouses, 60 percent said they are “satisfied” with their military way of life. Among the reserve components, 61 percent were satisfied. While both surveys showed a slight decrease from a 2015 survey, the results of both were higher than results from the same question on the 2008 survey, officials noted. Results are used to inform decisions about how the U.S. military provides services to families, he said. For the 2017 survey, about 45,000 ACDU spouses were asked to participate; about 17 percent responded. Among reserve-component spouses, 55,000 were invited with a response rate of 18 percent. Invitations to participate in the 2019 survey went out to reserve component spouses in January. Invitation will be sent to active-duty spouses in May. (Source: Defense.gov 02/22/19)

MSU UAS contract: $7.2M

Mississippi State University of Starkville was awarded a $7,200,000 cost contract for test and validation of emerging propulsion technologies for unmanned aircraft systems. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed at Mississippi State with an estimated completion date of Feb. 20, 2021. FY 2018 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $7,200,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command of Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 02/21/19)

NOLA airport sets record

New Orleans airport passenger traffic hit a new high in 2018, which comes months before the opening in mid-May of a new $1B terminal. More than 13.1M travelers flew in and out of Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport last year, up 9.3 percent from 2017. It marks a fourth consecutive year of passenger growth at the airport. (Source: NOLA.com 02/21/19) Mississippi airport notes: The number of people traveling through the Golden Triangle Regional Airport (GTR) in Columbus, Miss., increased more than 10 percent for 2018, setting a record. Nearly 100,000 passengers used GTRA, making it the second consecutive record-setting year. Also, the Tupelo Regional Airport reported the number of passengers boarding planes there rose to 12,948, the most since 2009.

Tinker visits CAFB ‘Spark Cell’ lab

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - Columbus Air Force Base’s “Spark Cell” innovation lab is leading the way across the Air Force. The latest interest in getting insight on how to develop Spark Cell, a team from Tinker AFB, Okla., visited the Mississippi base Feb. 13. The visit was initiated by Master Sgt. Reza Zeinalpour, 552nd Air Control Wing process manager, after attending a Spark Cell workshop in Texas last year. The workshop, hosted by the AFWERX-Austin hub team, featured speakers and classes that focused on building innovation teams and sharing ideas on how to foster a results-driven culture of innovation. Maj. Ryan Brewer, 14th Flying Training Wing director of innovation, highlighted CAFB’s Spark Cell at the workshop and how its design allowed airmen to network and collaborate on innovative ideas and projects. Zeinalpour wanted to learn more about the spark cell. Tinker airmen learned about project management software and the bigger ecosystem that was available to CAFB. They also toured areas in the 14th Medical Group and 14th Operations Group, where the Spark Cell has aided in projects utilizing the innovation for faster and better daily operations. “If we don’t innovate, we’re already falling behind,” Zeinalpour said. Since each base has its own capabilities, working together allows the innovation process to flow smoothly. Mixing these groups gives a deeper pool of talent and viewpoints that lead to further innovation. “It’s about a culture of change,” said Brewer, “moving from stagnation to innovation” and to become “more flexible … in today’s challenging environment.” (Source: CAFB 02/21/19)