Rosa takes command of CTW-5

Navy Capt. Doug Rosa took command of Commodore Training Air Wing (CTW) Five following a change of command ceremony in mid-March at Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Fla. CTW-5 is the Navy’s largest primary aviation training wing. Marine Corps Col. Dave Morris relinquished command after 18 months after receiving orders to the Pentagon to serve on the Joint Staff and on the immediate staff of the Secretary of Defense. Rear Adm. Gregory Harris, Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) was guest speaker for the ceremony and presented Morris with the Legion of Merit. Capt. Rosa was serving as deputy commodore of CTW until the change of command. (Source: NAS Whiting Field 03/30/19) CTW-6 provides primary aviation training for Navy, Marine, Coast Guard, and international student-pilots, some of which are selected for advanced pilot training at NAS Meridian, Miss.

RAF aids PTN 2.0 pilot training

AUSTIN, Texas – After a May 2018 visit here to the Air Force’s Pilot Training Next facility and facing a similar pilot shortage as the AF, the UK’s Royal Air Force is taking innovation forward with the inclusion of a student and an instructor pilot in the second iteration of PTN. PTN 2.0 is a continuation of the AF’s experimental training that is designed to integrate various technologies to produce aviators in an accelerated, cost efficient, and learning-focused manner. The RAF needs to reduce pilot training time and increase its numbers, according to British Army Col. Paddy Logan, assistant director for flight training. The RAF chief of aviation staff has given “us the go–ahead to push the envelope and innovate our pilot-training pipeline,” he said. “We don’t have the capacity to experiment … so having this (USAF) partnership … is invaluable.” The RAF is transitioning from the A-29 Super Tucano to the T-6 Texan II as its primary trainer aircraft, and its goal is to incorporate PTN lessons- learned into their undergraduate pilot training by this coming fall. For the PTN 2.0 team, the inclusion of the RAF duo has opened the eyes on learning that both air forces face similar challenges in terms of production and retention. “This strengthens the partnership with one of our closest allies by continuing to share best practices, and tackling difficult problems together,” Lt. Col. Paul Vicars, PTN director, said. (Air Education and Training Command 03/29/19) While the training is designed to teach students how to fly, priming them for transition training at flying training units, like Columbus (Miss.) AFB’s 14th Operations Group that is responsible for the 52-week Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) mission, was a major consideration for PTN officials for this second class.

Judge OKs incorporation of new city

The Clarion Ledger newspaper reported that the community of Gluckstadt has received a judge's permission to incorporate. Chancery Court Judge James C. Walker gave permission for the Gulckstadt community to incorporate on March 28, and set boundaries for the new Madison County city, according to the Clarion Ledger. The decision caps more than a 10-year effort by residents to incorporate. The judge also ruled that the City of Canton could annex two of the five areas it was seeking, both north of its city limits, and also approved all areas south proposed by Gluckstadt Incorporators and the South Madison County Fire Protection District. It was a sound ruling, and the judge provided a solid basis for his rulings, according to attorney John Scanlon who represented the incorporators. If there is no appeal, the Secretary of State's office will issue a charter with the names of Gluckstadt's city leaders, including its prospective mayor, Walter Morrison. (Source: The AP & Clarion Ledger.)

Vertex $19M mod pact for TH-57

Vertex Aerospace of Madison, Miss., is being awarded a $19,963,187 modification (P00038) to a previously awarded, firm-fixed-price, cost reimbursable, labor-hour indefinite delivery requirements contract (N00019-13-D-0007). The modification increases the ceiling and extends the period of performance of the contract to provide additional TH-57 (helicopters') logistics support services and materials for organizational and depot level maintenance in support of the TH-57 fleet. Work will be performed at NAS Whiting Field in Milton, Fla., and is expected to be completed in May 2019. No funds are being obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. Naval Air Systems Command of Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 03/29/19)

 

Sailors should take housing surveys

WASHINGTON - All sailors living in government or Private Partner Venture (PPV) housing are being encouraged to participate in surveys to share their overall experiences about current living conditions. The PPV survey, which will be available April 2-30, will give sailors an opportunity to note likes and dislikes with PPV housing and any health or safety concerns in their homes, community, and services provided by privatized housing management companies. Surveys will also be conducted from April 2-June 30 for sailors living in unaccompanied housing, as well as those living in government owned or government leased housing. This survey runs through June 6. “The Navy is committed to ensuring that our sailors and their families have a quality, healthy and safe place to live,” said Vice Adm. Mary Jackson, Commander of Navy Installations Command. The three surveys are from CEL & Associates, an independent third party conducting and managing the surveys. (Source: CNIC 03/29/19)

CAFB airman earns heroics award

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - Senior Airman Dylan Fivecoate, an air traffic controller assigned to the 14th Operations Support Squadron at Columbus AFB, was announced as the Air, Education and Training Command’s winner of the 2019 Air Force Sergeants Association Pitsenbarger Award. The award is presented annually to an AF enlisted member who has performed a heroic act, on or off duty, which resulted in the saving of life or the prevention of serious injury. “It’s a great honor to even be nominated for the award,” Fivecoate said. Fivecoate’s heroic efforts were vital in saving the lives of two civilians involved in separate vehicle accidents while responding as a volunteer firefighter. (Source: CAFB 03/29/19)

MSU’s 29th International Fiesta

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State University’s 29th annual International Fiesta, sponsored by the Starkville World Neighbors Association and the school’s Holmes Cultural Diversity Center, is set for April 6 on Drill Field. MSU’s Assistant VP for multi-cultural affairs, Ra’Sheda Forbes, looks forward to the kid-friendly fiesta because it “provides an opportunity to further knowledge and cultural capital in such a fun and exciting way … (and) is a great opportunity to bring communities together to foster pride in the varying cultures and heritage” among students and surrounding cities. (Source: MSU 03/29/19)

Mississippi contractor workshop

JACKSON, Miss. - Contractors interested in becoming licensed or obtaining a Certificate of Responsibility are encouraged to register for the Mississippi Development Authority’s Contractor Licensure Readiness Workshop on April 18. The workshop will be from 8 a.m.–11:30 a.m. at the Associated Builders and Contractors building in Pearl, Miss. The workshop will focus on contract reading and comprehension, on-the-job safety, and will position participants to secure government contracts. The workshop also will provide participants with information regarding upcoming workshops. (Source: MDA 03/28/19)

CAFB pilot part of air & space show

A pilot with the Navy F-18 Super Hornet Legacy Demo Team, an enlisted crew chief with the new F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team, and an aviator from Columbus (Miss.) Air Force Base will all take part in the Melbourne Air & Space Show in Florida this weekend, March 30-31. All three are south Florida natives. The event will be the North American debut of the F-35 demo team. Inspired by the 9/11 terror attacks, Navy Lt. Dominic “Iceman” Garcia enlisted in the military at 18, just before graduating from Melbourne High School. This weekend he’s pumped to return to the Space Coast to fly an F-18 Super Hornet as one of the headline acts. Eight years ago Paul Ogletree of Merritt Island was working at T.J. Maxx. He’s now the lead dedicated crew chief of the F-35 demo team. AF 2nd Lt. Nicolas “Nico” Del Pozo, a Viera High School graduate, will fly a T-6 Texan II trainer in from CAFB to Melbourne to join the static display of aircraft at the air and space show. His father, Raymond, a retired AF pilot who lives in Suntree, Fla., told Florida Today: "He’s got four sisters and six nephews and nieces, so we’re all going to be out there” to support him. (Source: Florida Today 03/11/19 – 03/28/19)

Blue Angels' to name 2020 CO

PENSACOLA, Fla. – The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, will announce its new commanding officer for the 2020-21 air show seasons at the Blue Angels Atrium at the National Naval Aviation Museum aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola on April 2. A selection panel of nine admirals, and former commanding officers, will select the individual to succeed current Blue Angels Commanding Officer and Flight Leader, Capt. Eric Doyle. (Source: Blue Angels 03/28/19)

W/out more $, Tyndall work stops

Without additional congressional funding to repair hurricane-damaged Tyndall AFB in Florida, and flooded Offutt (Neb.) AFB, Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson says it will be forced to stop all rebuilding work on Tyndall starting May 1. Without more rebuilding funds, the AF plans to cut 18,000 flight training hours Sept. 1. It has already deferred 61 initial projects across the service – including airfield and flight line repairs at Columbus Air Force Base and an entry gate road at Keesler AFB both in Mississippi - in order to reallocate funds for repairs, Wilson said in a March 26 speech at the Heritage Foundation. Without funds materializing by May or June, Wilson said additional decisions would have to be made. The 61 projects are across 18 states. AF officials estimate they’ll need $1.2B in FY 2019; and $3.7B spread over FYs-20/21 to make repairs at Tyndall and Offutt. Without the additional fund, adjustments will have to be made, some of which pose a risk to readiness recovery, the service said in a news release. (Source: Military.com 03/27/19)

Meridian Aviation pact: $18M

Meridian Airport Authority, doing business as Meridian Aviation of Meridian, Miss., has been awarded a maximum $18,062,977 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment contract for fuel. This was a competitive acquisition with one response received. This is a 46-month contract with one six-month option period. Location of performance is Mississippi with a March 31, 2023, performance completion date. Using customers are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is FY 2019-23 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy of Fort Belvoir, Va. (Source: DoD 03/27/19)

MS plant's APG-79 pact: $57.9M

Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems of El Segundo, Calif., is awarded a $57,980,007 long-term requirements contract for repair of 25 weapon repairable assemblies for the APG-79 active electronically scanned array radar system used on the F/A-18 aircraft. The contract includes a three-year base period with two one-year options, which, if exercised, would bring the total value of the contract to an estimated $98,637,530 based on estimated quantities. Work will be performed at Raytheon's Forest, Miss., facility. Work is expected to be completed by March 2022; if all options are exercised, work will be completed by March 2024. No funds will be obligated at the time of award. Navy working capital funds will be obligated as individual orders are issued. Funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a sole-sourced, non-competitive requirement pursuant to the authority set forth in 10 U.S. Code 2304(C)(1) and Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1, with one offer received. Naval Supply Systems Command's Weapon Systems Support of Philadelphia, Pa., is the contracting activity. (Source: 03/27/19) In 2018, Raytheon investing $100M in a 50,000 square foot Leadership in Environmental Design (LEED) certified radar production facility in East Mississippi. The facility is the newest addition to Raytheon's existing Consolidated Manufacturing Center campus in Forest, which will continue uninterrupted delivery on critical commitments across the airborne radar and electronic warfare markets.

GA-Miss. to expand 11th time

JACKSON, Miss. – General Atomics’ Electromagnetic Systems advanced defense manufacturing operations in Shannon will increase capacity to accommodate a new product line. The project is a $50M corporate investment that will create 75 jobs over five years. The expansion was announced during the 2019 International Homeland Defense and Security Summit. GA’s expansion, the 11th in 14 years at Shannon, enables the firm to increase some of its defense manufacturing operations. This project will add a new 100,000 square-foot facility to GA’s existing 552,000-square-feet of production space at the Tupelo Lee Industrial Park South. GA workers will work in state-of-the-art advanced CNC machining and electronic assembly centers to manufacture components, products and systems that meet exact specifications and conform to quality and compliance standards. (The CNC machining manufacturing process - pre-programmed computer software that dictates the movement of factory tools and machinery can be used to control a range of complex machinery.) “We are a proud member of the community and look forward to expanding operations to provide game-changing technologies that will support our war-fighters well into the future,” said Scott Forney, president of GAES. Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance for building renovations and workforce training. Lee County is providing property tax exemptions. Based in San Diego, the GAES Division is a Navy contractor. Since locating in Mississippi in 2005, the company has invested some $100M and created more than 300 jobs at its Shannon location. (Source: MDA media release 03/26/19) GA Notes: Alabama's fast-growing aerospace industry received another boost March 27 when GE Aviation announced it will invest $50M in an expansion of its Auburn facility. GE Aviation's Auburn facility is the aerospace industry's first site to mass produce a jet engine component – a fuel nozzle tip for a jet engine - using 3-D printing technologies. With the expansion, the plant will begin producing a second part, a 3-D printed bracket for another engine program.

Blue Angels return to Pensacola

Local and spring break crowds packed Pensacola Beach, Fla., on the afternoon of March 25 to welcome home the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration team – The Blue Angels – return to their show-season home after several months of winter training in El Centro, Calif., and early March air shows on the West Coast. Blue Angels flans also lined downtown Pensacola and Perdido Key to watch the six F/A-18 Hornets fly in formation overhead on their way back to Naval Air Station Pensacola. (Source: Pensacola News Journal 03/25/19)

Powerlifters compete at nationals

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - Powerlifting competition is an individual sport that’s performed in single repetition over numerous sets of the squats, bench presses, and dead-lifts. The winner has the highest combined weight in their category. A Columbus (Miss.) Air Force Base duo – 2nd Lt. Brett Albertson and Staff Sgt. Thomas Buena - had been training for the 2019 USA Powerlifting Military Nationals in Texas. The nationals took place March 16. With more than 75 competitors, Buena finished runner up in his category, tying the winner with a combined weight of 1,593 pounds, but lost the tiebreaker. Albertson was on track to place first in class, however none of his squats counted. He was disappointed, but had a great learning experience. It was both men’s first competition. Buena serves as the 14th Contracting Squadron’s NCO in charge of Base Operating, Support and Services. Albertson is the 14th Civil Engineer Squadron’s chief of project management. Both athletes will continue their fitness journeys. Albertson wants to continue powerlifting-style training in addition to intense cardio workouts. Buena said his goal is to work towards a lower weight class and keep the same strength in each of the three major lifts. (Source: 14th Flying Training Wing 03/22/19)

Eaton seeks material controller

Eaton’s Aerospace Division is currently seeking a Material Controller to join its team at its Jackson, Miss., facility. This is a first shift position. (Source: Recruit Net 03/26/19) Eaton is a global innovator in aerospace. Eaton designs, manufactures and integrates the industry’s most advanced products and technologies for: Engine Solutions, Fuel and Inerting Systems, Hydraulic Systems, and Motion Control.

Good conduct gold for all sailors

The Navy is about to end the tradition of requiring sailors to have 12 years of good conduct to rate gold stripes, according to a Navy message March 25 signed by the Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. Robert Burke. On June 1, sailors with less-than-perfect records will no longer be required to wear red service stripes and rating badges on uniforms instead of gold ones for the Good Conduct Medal, the Navy-wide administrative message (075/19) stated. Senior-enlisted feedback prompted the Uniform Matters Office to look at revising the rules for gold rating badges and service stripes, said Lt. j.g. Stuart Phillips, a spokesman for Burke's office. Fleet feedback indicated the desire for there to be a single criterion that encompasses the achieved milestone of all enlisted sailors with 12 years of service, he continued. In 2017, Chief Musician Jessica Privler called for a change to the policy. Sailors who receive non-judicial punishment can lose pay, rank or face other punishment, she wrote in the U.S. Naval Institute's Proceedings magazine. "Ultimately, we must ask ourselves what the goal of this regulation is and what it achieves," Privler wrote. "If the answer is public shaming, then the Navy is successful. ... By leaving this tradition behind, we would allow sailors to move on from their past mistakes." In June, all sailors with 12 years of active or drilling Reserve time in the Navy, Marine Corps or Navy and Marine Corps Reserves will qualify for gold stripes and badges. (Source: Military.com 03/25/19)

Surface Navy researching aircraft PEs

PANAMA CITY, Fla. – The surface Navy is developing a solution for detecting symptoms associated with rapid pressure fluctuations in military aircraft, a phenomenon associated with physiological events (PEs) in E/A-18G, T-45C trainers, and F/A-18 weapon systems. Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City’s (NSWCPC) Fluctuating Altitude Simulation Technology (FAST) team delivered an aircraft cabin simulator system to the Navy Experimental Diving Unit (NEDU) for their use conducting human subject research. NSWCPC engineers designed and fabricated the FAST system to replicate the rapid cockpit pressure fluctuations observed in the Navy’s jet aircraft. The FAST system characterizes symptoms associated with rapid pressure fluctuation, and determines what symptoms may most closely be associated with PEs. The information will allow us to conduct future research targeted and focused on specific symptoms and adding in cockpit factors, according to Navy Research Psychologist, Lt. Jenna Jewell. Aircrews experience PEs when there is a suspected aircraft or aircrew systems’ malfunction, and a loss in performance related to insufficient oxygen, alterations in breathing, unexpected pressure or other human factors. Environmentally-controlled research “flights” were conducted at NEDU to simulate rapid cabin pressure fluctuations, which allowed medical researchers to investigate whether there are physiological or neuro-cognitive impacts due solely to the pressure fluctuations. “This study is the first-of-its-kind human subject research investigating PEs plaguing Naval Aviators by replicating the cabin pressure fluctuations observed in the Fleet. It is also the first-ever study to investigate and identify the physiological responses and symptomology associated with rapid cabin pressure fluctuations at altitude,” said NEDU Research Physiologist, Lt. Travis Doggett. (Source: Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City 03/25/19) Cmdr. Brad Hickey and the NEDU Aviation Physiological Events team presented their research into aviation PEs at the 2019 U.S. Naval Aeromedical Conference in Pensacola, Fla.

From ‘Top Gun’ to Hurlburt AFSOC

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. - Watching the movie ‘Top Gun’ as a child – and hearing the words from it, “I feel the need, the need for speed!” - made it clear to AF Capt. Holly Mapel she wanted to fly when she grew up. It didn’t hurt that she already had a familiarity with the military growing up as an “Air Force brat.” She’s wanted to join the Air Force “for as long as I can remember,” said Mapel, a combat systems officer and operational flight test director with the 18th Flight Test Squadron (FLTS) at Hurlburt Field. She joined six months out of high school and began a career as an enlisted aircrew flight equipment technician and spent seven years maintaining flight equipment used by Air Force Special Operations Command aircrews. Later, she arrived at Hurlburt Field, where she applied for Officer Training School. After commissioning, she became a combat systems officer (CSO) with a specialization as an electronic warfare officer on the MC-130H Combat Talon II. “I still wanted more” and requested a change to the MC-130J Commando II. The Commando II is flown in covert refueling missions for helicopters and tilt-rotor aircraft. In 2018, Mapel certified as an operational flight test director and came to the 18th FLTS. She now leads a team for planning, execution and reporting phases of tests. They test new/updated equipment on AFSOC aircraft and weapons systems. Mapel enjoys her current duties because it allows her to fulfill her to fly. “Whether I am performing crew duties as a CSO on an MC-130J or executing a test on another AFSOC platform, I get to do what I love.” (Source: 1st Special Operations Wing 03/25/19)