Communiversity’s 1st exec director

East Mississippi Community College (EMCC) announced Oct. 29 it had hired Courtney Taylor as its first executive director for the $42M Communiversity. Communiversity is a collaboration among EMCC, Mississippi State University and the Mississippi Development Authority focusing on the advance manufacturing skills required by local industries. Taylor “brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position," EMCC President Scott Alsobrooks said. "She understands the integral role community colleges play as intermediaries between local communities, economic developers and area industries." Taylor has served in higher education for the past 13 years, most recently as the regional director of workforce and economic development for the Alabama Community College System. Prior to that, she served as the director of the Workforce Solutions department at Calhoun Community College where she managed open-enrollment programs and customized training for local industry. She is a past assistant director at Troy University's Center for International Business and Economic Development. The Magnolia Springs, Ala., native holds a bachelors degree from the University of West Alabama, a master’s degree from Troy University and has an earned Ph.D in Human Capital Development at University of Southern Mississippi. In her current role, Taylor works with Alabama's 24 community colleges to develop and align workforce programs to ensure they are current, relevant and meet industry needs. The Magnolia Springs, Ala., native holds a bachelors degree from the University of West Alabama, a master’s degree from Troy University and earned her Ph.D in Human Capital Development at University of Southern Mississippi. (Source: Columbus Dispatch 10/30/19) https://cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=76985

La. funds for aging water systems

DALLAS - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is assisting Louisiana with the availability of $33,937,000 in funds to improve drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. The funding will help rebuild aging water infrastructure, create local jobs and provide cleaner water. “We are committed to investing in projects that will boost local economies and improve water systems,” said EPA Regional Administrator Ken McQueen. “These funds help cities rehabilitate critical drinking water infrastructure and emphasize public health programs.” The Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) play an integral role in EPA’s efforts to help communities replace or upgrade aging or inadequate drinking water and wastewater infrastructure through low-interest loans. (Source: EPA 10/31/19) https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-helps-improve-aging-water-systems-over-339-million-water-infrastructure-projects

Navy CR planning looks 'dismal'

The Navy is planning for the possibility of a one-year continuing resolution (CR) while the U.S. Senate remains stalled in its appropriations process. Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer, speaking to reporters at a Heritage Foundation breakfast Oct. 30, said the sea-service has planned for the current stopgap CR in effect through Nov. 21, and is evaluating what a potential full-year CR may look like. "All of them are dismal," he said. CRs restrict the Defense Department's budget to the previous fiscal year levels and precludes the services from spending money on new programs. In September, DoD said the current CR would interrupt several programs, including the Navy's Advanced Helicopter Training System that was tentatively scheduled to be awarded in the first quarter of FY 2020. Navy also intended to purchase its first future frigate FFG(X), in FY-20, with a design and construction contract expected in July, according to the its FY-20 budget books. Last month, the Senate failed to pass a minibus spending package due to disagreements over the Trump administration's push to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. (Source: Inside Defense 10/30/19) https://insidedefense.com/daily-news/navy-planning-one-year-cr

1st AF's Radliff nom to BG

Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper announced Oct. 31 that the president has nominated Air Force Brig. Gen. Bryan P. Radliff for appointment to the rank of major general. Radliff is currently serving as the mobilization assistant to the commander at the Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and commander of the 1st  Air Force (Air Forces Northern) at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. (Source: DoD 1031/19)

8 mil.families file suit against Hunt

Citing familiar scenarios, ranging from houses overrun by cockroaches to mold-blackened walls, eight military families filed a lawsuit Oct. 29 against a privatized housing company alleging fraud in connection with homes that were uninhabitable. The complaint was filed in federal court in San Antonio, Texas, alleging that Hunt Military Communities failed to properly maintain houses at Randolph Air Force Base and Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas, and “subjecting tenant service members and their families to atrocious conditions, including pervasive mold and other airborne toxins.” It alleges the company was aware of the condition of the houses, but misled the families by leasing houses that were uninhabitable and not safe for human occupancy. The families are from the Army, Air Force and Navy. The defendants are AETC II Privatized Housing; AETC II Property Managers; and Hunt Military Communities. Officials with Hunt denied the allegations in a statement provided to Military Times. Among the families was Army Capt. Jonathan Kline and his wife, Sarah, and their three children. The Klines are now at West Point, NY, where they’ve had similar issues with their house, owned by Balfour Beatty. They were displaced while mold remediation was taking place, from June 10 to Oct. 28, and were in the process of moving back into their home during Oct. 29’s interview. (Source: Military Times 10/29/19) https://www.militarytimes.com/pay-benefits/2019/10/29/cockroaches-mold-raw-sewage-8-military-families-sue-privatized-housing-company/

Grades are in for U.S. military

WASHINGTON - America’s investments in military readiness apparently are paying off, especially for the Army. But its armed forces would be stretched dangerously thin if they participate in more than one large war at the same time, according to the Heritage Foundation’s “2020 Index of U.S. Military Strength.” The think tank’s annual review of the past year’s defense policy issues assesses the global operating environment and U.S. military strength. It ranks all topics on a five-tiered scale. This year’s index is the rosiest of the six Heritage Foundation’s assessments. Defense News was given an exclusive interview with Dakota Wood, a senior research fellow at the think tank who edited the 500-page report. The full document was released Oct. 30. (Source: Defense News 10/30/19) https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2019/10/30/the-grades-are-in-for-americas-military-strength/

A&D innovative study challenges

Is the aerospace and defense (A&D) industry being sufficiently innovative? Either way, how does one measure innovation. Aviation Week and KPMG partnered to launch a project to ascertain the health of the industry’s innovation capability, and how it can drive customer decision-making and compete with others for talent. Rather than develop a very subjective ranking system, the project assessed the strength of innovation in industry, where the most important investments in research and development (R&D) are being made and the rate of investment. Overall, the industry is healthy, but is it meeting customer needs and being sufficiently innovative. The U.S. industry posted revenues of $929.5B in 2018, up 4 percent. Exports totaling $170.5B contributed $89.5B to the U.S. trade surplus. The research showed there is no shortage of product/ process advances being developed. But is it being innovative-sufficient? There are signs customer aren’t fully satisfied with the pace of development of new products/processes. Commercial airlines are pressured to reduce carbon emissions faster than the established 1-1.5 percent yearly average. The Air Force has set up an office to create a new design process that enables advanced aircraft to be developed within five-year cycles. External pressures and internal moves may be signs industry needs to do more and quickly. “For more than 50 years, higher, farther and faster has been the mantra of R&D in aviation and defense,” the authors say. “But this mantra of higher, farther and faster does not reflect the new focus of innovation - a shift to include processes as well as products and the melding of the digital and physical worlds. The new emerging mantra could be: Better, quicker, cheaper and smarter.” (Aviation Week 10/24/19) https://aviationweek.com/future-aerospace/aviation-weekkpmg-innovation-study-highlights-challenges-facing-ad?utm_rid=CPEN1000002255725&utm_campaign=21917&utm_medium=email&elq2=cc4557ef01de420a9c55f37754aa69b2

FL superfund site partially removed

PENSACOLA, Fla. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Oct. 29 that in FY 2019 the agency deleted all or part of 27 sites from Superfund’s National Priorities List (NPL) including Escambia Wood - Pensacola Superfund Site in Northwest Florida. This marks the largest number of deletions in a single year since FY 2001. Escambia Wood was one of 15 partial deletions. “Our renewed focus on the Superfund program is reaching directly into the heart of communities,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “We celebrate this significant milestone that EPA and our partners are making to clean up contaminated property and return the land to productive use,” EPA Region 4 Administrator Mary S. Walker said. EPA deletes sites or parts of sites from the NPL when no further cleanup is required to protect human health or the environment. The agency’s FY-19 deletions include 12 full sites and parts of 15 more. Escambia Wood was the only site among Gulf Coast states. (Source: EPA 10/29/19) The Escambia Wood is a 31-acre site of the former Escambia Wood Treating Company, which manufactured treated wood products from 1942-82; and 70 additional acres of former neighborhoods nearby. Escambia County plans to redevelop the site as Midtown Commerce Park. EPA placed the site on the Superfund program’s National Priorities List (NPL) in 1994 because of contaminated groundwater and soil. Soil contamination has been addressed and does not currently threaten people living and working near the site. Groundwater contamination does not currently threaten people because drinking water is supplied by a public water supply. The groundwater cleanup will begin once funding is available, according to the EPA website. https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-announces-partial-deletion-escambia-wood-pensacola-superfund-site-pensacola-florida

JASSMs used on IS hideout

American aircraft fired heavy ordnance, including multiple Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM), to destroy the Islamic State (IS) group leader’s hideout in Syria – only four miles from Turkey - that has resulted in his death, the Pentagon said Oct. 28. U.S. forces later retrieved a plethora of intelligence and took two fighters into custody, JCS Gen. Mark Milley announced from the Pentagon. He did not specify which aircraft were used to conduct the strikes. It was the second time JASSMs have been used in Syria. In April 2018, B-1 bombers launched 19 at the Syrian regime’s chemical weapons production facilities. (Source: AF Magazine 0/28/19) Gulf Coast Notes: The AF’s Armament Directorate primarily operates at Eglin (Fla.), Hill (Ariz.) and Robins (Ga.) Air Force Bases. The directorate designs, develops, produces, fields, and sustains a family of air-to-ground and air-to-air munitions for U.S. and partner nations. These high-priority, multi-billion dollar systems provide direct and long range attack capabilities. Among some of the programs managed is the Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), Small Diameter Bomb I & II, and Massive Ordnance Penetrator. On Oct. 25, 2011, a pair of B-1 bombers from Louisiana employed two JASSM as part of the AF's air-to-ground Weapon System Evaluation Program (Combat Hammer). The goal of that earlier exercise, managed by the 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., was to evaluate the effectiveness, maintainability, suitability, and accuracy of precision guided munitions and other advanced air to ground weapons. JASSM is a 2,000-pound conventional, precision, standoff missile with a lethal penetrator/blast fragmentation warhead and using state-of-the-art infrared seeker and anti-jam global positioning satellite-aided technology to find a target. A single B-1B can carry 24 JASSMs. [Four B-1B Lancers that deployed to Saudi Arabia Oct. 24 have already returned home to Ellsworth AFB, S.D. The unannounced, short-term deployment was the first time Lancers were sent to the Middle East since returning from a combat deployment in March.]
http://www.airforcemag.com/Features/Pages/2019/October%202019/JASSMs-Used-to-Level-Baghdadis-Compound-in-Syria.aspx

Vertex aircraft structures mechanic

MADISON, Miss. - Vertex Aerospace is redefining the mid-level aerospace market with the agility of rapid deployment capability and customized quality. Its international presence and vast range of services distinguish the firm from competitors. VA offers customers a variety of global aerospace support, including Systems Integration Fabrication Contractor Operated and Maintained Base Supply Engineering Training Support Maintenance Modification Repair and Overhaul and all levels of Maintenance for UAVs helicopters and airplanes. Vertex Aerospace is always seeking to hire Aircraft Structures Mechanics for a wide variety of assignments. These positions range from CONUS to OCONUS locations in support of clients. (Source: Avjobs.com 10/28/19) https://www.avjobs.com/jobs/public.asp?Company=Vertex+Aerospace&g=413A2347-9AB1-4AA2-8243-9594CF421990&t=Aircraft+Structures+Mechanic+Vertex+Aerospace&l=Madison%2BMS

NAVSAFECEN award for PE efforts

NORFOLK, Va. - Naval Safety Center (NAVSAFECEN) and members of the Navy and Marine Corps Physiological Event Rapid Response Teams (PERRT) were recognized Oct. 14 with a team achievement award from the SAFE Association for their collaborative efforts to decrease physiological events (PEs). SAFE Association, a non-profit organization that facilitates a common ground for safety-minded professionals. The award highlights the front-line efforts by PERRT to identify potential contributory and causal factors to help determine the root causes of unexplained PEs. NAVSAFECEN supports the team’s efforts by providing feedback to the fleet in its role as the Navy/Marine Corps’ safety advocate in providing evidence to frontline combatants against future PEs, according to Cmdr. Corey Littel, NAVSAFECEN Aeromedical Division. The teams’ efforts contributed “significantly to a decrease in PEs by 25 percent between 2018 and 2019,” he said. PEs happen when pilots and aircrew experience loss in performance due to an aircraft or aircrew systems’ malfunction during flight. Physiological events are the No. 1 safety concern for Commander Naval Air Forces, according to the award nomination. (Source: CNAF 10/28/19) Gulf Coast Note: Pilot-trainees at NAS Meridian, Miss., and NAS Pensacola, Fla., also experienced PEs with the T-45C jet trainer.

Keesler med learns fate in early '20

Keesler (AFB) Medical Center in Biloxi, Miss., could learn its fate in January. The hospital is one of the five largest in the Air Force, and why some veterans say they retire to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. KMC was among the first one-third the military’s medical centers (17 in all) to be reviewed this summer to determine whether they’re right-sized, services/staff cuts are needed, or if some should close. AF spokesman Tony Joiner told the Sun Herald that he doesn’t anticipate KMC to out-right close. “There is a possibility that Keesler Medical Center could lose some services and personnel,” he said, based on the outcome of a Section 703 review of the FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act. Even then, it could take three-to-five years before reductions start, he said. The Section 703 review-report was scheduled to reach Congress on Oct. 31. The report hasn’t been completed, and is tentatively scheduled for submission to Congress in December or January. At that time, the report will also be released to the public. Congress has 90 days to comment back to DoD before ultimately making the decision to carry out those recommended changes. (Source: Sun Herald 10/27/19) https://www.sunherald.com/news/local/military/article236653153.html?#storylink=cpy

AF ‘Pitch Day’ for speedy biz ideas

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - The Air Force will host the first-ever Hypersonics Pitch Day on Nov. 7 in Niceville, Fla., at the Doolittle Institute. AF “pitch days” are designed to do business at the speed of ideas by inspiring and accelerating start-ups' and small businesses’ creativity toward answering national security challenges. Eglin’s Armament Directorate and Air Force Research Laboratory will host. A selection of winning companies from the AFWERX 19.2 Open Innovation Small Business Innovation Research call will pitch ideas. Those selections are based on how their technology contributes to cracking one of the many challenges associated with hypersonic flight, and fashioning propulsion systems able to power a weapon at Mach 5-plus. Companies also will have a shot at a same-day AF contract valued at up to $750,000. Winning companies will also receive same-day initial payments via government credit to jump-start their work. The invited companies will present to AF experts. Fielding hypersonic weapons is a top priority for AF war-fighters. Hypersonic Pitch Day will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is required at this link. For more information about U.S. Air Force Small Business Innovation Research follow this link. (Source: Eglin AFB 10/28/19) https://www.eglin.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1998622/air-force-hosts-hypersonics-pitch-day/

AF plans more A-29s for AFSOC

The Air Force plans to buy four to six AT-6 and A-29 aircraft and split them between the Air Combat Command and Air Force Special Operations Command. AFSOC is headquartered at Hurlburt Field, Fla. On Oct. 24 the AF released its final request for proposals (FRPs) that show it plans to purchase two or three light-attack aircraft each from Textron Aviation (AT-6), and the Sierra Nevada Corp.-Embraer (A-29). The AF expects to issue a contract for the A-29 by end of this year, and in early 2020 for the AT-6s. The A-29s will go to Hurlburt Field for use in creating an instructor pilot program for those who advise partner-nations on air warfare. The program will help meet “increased partner-nation requests for light-attack assistance,” according to the AF. AT-6s will go to Nellis AFB, Nev., where ACC will use it for testing and development of “operational tactics and standards for exportable, tactical networks that improve interoperability with international partners,” an Oct. 24 AF media release stated. (Source: AF Magazine 10/25/19) http://www.airforcemag.com/Features/Pages/2019/October%202019/Air-Force-Releases-Light-Attack-RFP-for-Small-Numbers-of-AT-6s-A-29s.aspx

Giant salvinia reappears in MS bay

RANKIN COUNTY, Miss. - The highly invasive Giant salvinia plant that reservoir officials hoped had been eradicated reappeared in Pelahatchie Bay, some 15 miles NE of Jackson, officials announced Oct. 25. The Giant salvinia was first found in the bay in 2018 and the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District has been fighting with it ever since. There were no live salvinia plants found since May, PRVWSD officials said. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and Mississippi State University use various techniques, including flamethrowers, to kill the plant. “Raising the lake back to normal levels this week did exactly what it was designed to do, help us determine if any salvinia remained in the bay by exposing it,” PRVWSD General Manager John Sigman said. “Unfortunately, we did not get the answer we were hoping for. On the first day of the assessment, salvinia was found in one area and we began steps to handle it.” The infested area was sprayed. Nearly 3,000 feet of additional boom were added to increase containment. The PRVWSD board held an emergency meeting Oct. 25 and made a decision to close some areas of the bay to boating. (Source: WAPT 10/26/19) Giant salvinia (Salvinia molesta), a floating fern from southern Brazil, is currently one of the more problematic aquatic plants. It damages aquatic ecosystems by outgrowing and replacing native plants that provide food and habitat for native animals and waterfowl. Additionally, it blocks out sunlight and decreases oxygen concentrations to the detriment of fish and other aquatic animals. https://www.wapt.com/article/dreaded-giant-salvinia-reappears-at-reservoir/29590020

US suspends Cuba airflights

The U.S. Department of Transportation has suspended, until further notice, scheduled air service between the United States and nine (9) Cuban international airports - other than Havana’s Jose Marti International – on Oct. 25 to prevent the Cuban regime from profiting from American air travelers. U.S. air carriers have 45 days to discontinue all scheduled air service between the United States and those nine airports in Cuba. In line with the President’s foreign policy toward Cuba, this action prevents revenue from reaching the Cuban regime that has been used to finance its ongoing repression of Cubans and support of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela. In suspending flights, at the request of the U.S. State Department, it is designed to impede the Cuban regime from gaining access to hard U.S. currency from travelers staying in its state-controlled resorts and attractions, and contributing to the Cuban regime’s coffers, according to a State Department media note of Oct. 25. The U.S. continues to hold Cuba accountable for its repression of the Cuban people, and its interference in Venezuela that includes “its unconscionable support of the illegitimate Maduro regime,” the note continued. “The human rights situation in Cuba remains abysmal, with state authorities harassing and arbitrarily jailing activists, dissidents, artists, and others questioning regime authority with impunity.” Despite widespread worldwide condemnation, Maduro “continues to undermine his country’s institutions and subvert the Venezuelan people’s right to self-determination,” the media note continued. Empowered by Cuba, Maduro has “created a humanitarian disaster that destabilizes the region.” (Source: State Department media note 10/25/19) Gulf Coast Note: New Orleans has flights to three of the nine Cuban airports. https://www.state.gov/united-states-restricts-scheduled-air-service-to-cuban-airports/

Vet earns Congressional Gold Medal

Mississippi veteran Vonzia J. Rigsby, 98, became a Marine when blacks and whites were segregated in the early-to-mid years of the 1940s.He was among many black Marines who served in WWII as Montford Point (Miss.) Marines. His service to his country was recognized Oct. 22 with a presentation of the Congressional Gold Medal at Naval Air Station Meridian. (Source: Meridian Star 10/23/19) https://www.meridianstar.com/news/local_news/montford-point-marine-vonzia-rigsby-honored-with-congressional-gold-medal/article_b2b5758c-7b82-508d-a2af-76d8d21091c4.html

Ala. firm garners OBO pacts

The U.S. Department of State has awarded design-build contracts for new U.S. embassies and consulates that will provide secure, sustainable, and resilient platforms for U.S. diplomacy around the world. B.L. Harbert International of Birmingham, Ala., has been awarded design-build contracts for the U.S. Embassy in Windhoek, Namibia; U.S. Consulate General in Casablanca, Morocco; U.S. Consulate General in Chiang Mai, Thailand; and the U.S. Consulate General in Merida, Mexico. Since the start of the state’s Capital Security Construction Program in 1999, the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) has completed 162 new diplomatic facilities and has an additional 51 projects in design or under construction. (Source: U.S. State Department 10/25/19) B.L. Halter has had its hands in on multiple Gulf Coast projects: The 21,200-square-foot Troop Medical Clinic at Eglin AFB, Fla., that serves the Army’s 7th Special Forces Group. The design-build of a 55,420-square-foot Group Support Battalion (GSB) and a 81,650-square-foot Group Support Troop Battalion (GSTB) for the 7th SFG Complex at Eglin AFB; a Dual Bay Hangar expansion for Airbus-Mobile, Ala., designed to support completing work on A320 and A220 commercial aircraft. The Lafayette, La., VA outpatient health clinic; and Gulf LNG at Pascagoula, Miss., to name but a few.

No tariffs on Airbus USA-AHI

American Airlines and Spirit Airlines executives said on Thursday that they are working with Airbus to mitigate the impact of U.S. tariffs on European-made aircraft. That includes having more planes delivered from its aircraft plant in Mobile, Ala. Planes built there are not subject to a 10 percent tariff announced by Washington in the wake of the recent World Trade Organization ruling. American, one of the largest customers of the A320 series, expects 21 deliveries over the next two years, with nine already scheduled out of Airbus’ plant in Mobile. Spirit, which became the first U.S. airline to pick European planes following the tariff with a provisional order for 100 Airbus A320neo-family jets, said it was hoping for a resolution over time. Spirit’s remaining Airbus deliveries for 2019 and nine firm orders for 2020 will come from Mobile, while two are due from Hamburg and the remainder are undetermined. (Source: Reuters, 10/24/19) Previous. Airbus Helicopters Inc. of Columbus, Miss., is also not subject to the 10 percent tariff. AHI builds, among others, UH-72A Lakota helicopters for the U.S. Army at Fort Rucker, Ala.

Astronaut presentation at MSU

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State’s Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College and the Office of Prestigious External Scholarships are welcoming Astronaut Fred Gregory to the Starkville campus for a special presentation Oct. 29 from 3:30-5 p.m. in Griffis Hall. NASA’s first African-American deputy administrator will discuss his leadership within NASA, as well as its Space Shuttle program. His talk is free and open to the public. Gregory, also a former test pilot, manager of flight safety programs and launch support operations, will present the prestigious $10,000 Astronaut Scholarship to a pair of MSU students. (Source: MSU 10/24/19) See previous storyline: https://goldentriangleregion.blogspot.com/2019/10/msu-duo-earn-astronaut-awards.html