AHI works on trainer despite CRs

The Navy’s TH-73A trainer helicopter contract award is to be delayed by at least a month as the U.S. government continues to function under a Continuing Resolution (CR) that prevent FY 2020 new-start programs from beginning. November 2019 had been the original plan for industry competitors to receive a $900M contract for 130 on the rotary wing trainers to replace the legacy TH-57 Sea Ranger fleet. But, until an approved appropriations act for FY-20 has been signed into law, no such developments will take place. A current CR lasts until Dec. 21. A third CR would be mean an even longer wait for the helicopters, but Naval Air Systems Command “will continue to coordinate with industry and adjust requirements accordingly,” a NAVAIR spokesperson confirmed. Airbus Helicopters Inc. (AHI) of Columbus, Miss, is offering the H135 light twin, followed by Bell and its 407GXi light single and Leonardo’s TH-119 light single, all of which meet a compulsory US Navy IFR requirement. AHI “stands ready at any moment to fully support the Navy’s (Advanced Helicopter Training System) requirement with the best-value solution … and technically mature H135,” the Airbus spokesperson said in a statement. AHI-Columbus has already begun production of the first helicopter at its production line in Columbus, which has delivered more than 450 Lakota helicopters to the Army and Navy, and which is easily augmentable for H135 production. (Source: Shepard Media 11/28/19) Gulf Coast: Navy helo-pilot training is done at NAS Whiting Field, Fla. https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defence-helicopter/us-navy-trainer-helicopter-award-schedule-slips/

Inspiring story for SUPT grads

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - Col. Clinton ZumBrunnen, 437th Airlift Wing commander at Joint Base Charleston, S.C., spoke to the Air Force’s newest aviators during Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 20-03’s graduation ceremony here Nov. 15. ZumBrunnen’s speech embodied inspiration for the new pilots. He told the graduates of a story about retired Army Staff Sgt. Dan Powers, a former squadron leader of the 118th Military Police Company, and how an aircrew’s skillful tactics helped save his life while deployed in 2007 in Iraq. Powers responded to a vehicle bombing with orders to keep pedestrians from the blast site. As he was guiding bystanders away, an assailant stabbed in the back of the head with a 9-inch blade, ZumBrunnen said. “He should’ve died instantly,” but over the next 32 hours, a careful symphony of modern medicine, advanced communications, unquestionable logistics and an air bridge across the Atlantic Ocean, provided by the Air Force would come together to save his life. … (Source: CAFB 11/27/19) https://www.columbus.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2028566/airlift-wing-commander-delivers-inspiring-story-to-supt-20-03-graduates/

AFMC duo compete for Spark Tank

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio - The Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) named two finalists to compete against other major command-selects in the Air Force for the 2020 Spark Tank competition: AF 2nd Lt. Justin O’Brien, a flight chief at the 88th Air Base Wing at Wright-Patt, and Tech Sgt. Maevemallory Kaneakalau, a member of the 96th Security Forces Squadron at Eglin AFB, Fla. O’Brien's Liquid Cooled Plate Carrier and Kaneakalau’s Virtual Visitor Control Center projects were selected from more than 15 submissions from across the AFMC command as having the highest probability of delivering game-changing impact for Air Force needs. The AFMC duo will compete in the finals at AFWERX against the winners from other AF major commands. The AFWERX judge’s panel will then choose six MAJCOM finalists and two wildcard selections who will present their project ideas to AF senior leaders, industry experts and investors during the Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Fla. (Source: AFMC 11/26/19) https://www.robins.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2027233/afmc-announces-spark-tank-2020-finalists/

Aerospace conference May '20

SpeedNews’ 8th Annual Aerospace Manufacturing Conference (AMC) will bring together leading manufacturers and suppliers in the aerospace industry to present updates and developments in manufacturing operations, capabilities and processes, innovation within manufacturing, modern machining technologies, and industry automation. May 12-13 in Charleston, SC. https://speednews.com/aerospace-manufacturing-conference?utm_rid=CPEN1000002255725&utm_campaign=22310&utm_medium=email&elq2=8a05ec7deadd455b800b95970459cd2e

CNO ‘trailblazer’ passes away

WASHINGTON - Adm. James L. Holloway III, former Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), died Nov. 26 in South Carolina. He was 97. Holloway, a native of Charleston S.C., served as the 20th CNO from July 1, 1974 until July 1, 1978. "Our Navy mourns the loss of Adm. James Holloway," said current CNO Adm. Mike Gilday. "He was a trailblazer who led the Navy through difficult times and a visionary leader who profoundly impacted the naval aviation community of today.” Holloway's far-reaching impacts included advocating for the Navy's future F-18 aircraft and developing the Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) program, which is still used today. Holloway relieved the legendary CNO Adm. Elmo Zumwalt in 1974. He served at a time of great transition for America, as the nation was healing from the Vietnam War, and transitioning from the draft to an all-volunteer force. Holloway served as CNO under three presidents: Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter. He and his father, Adm. James L. Holloway Jr., both served as four-star flag officers while on active duty; and the only son and father to do so to date. (Source: Naval History and Heritage Command 11/26/19) https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=111543/

SECDEF: Reset ethics, conduct

A day after Defense Secretary Mark Esper asked SECNAV Richard V. Spencer to resign, he told reporters that Spencer had broken crucial rules of trust and was publicly dishonest on multiple occasions about his plans and intentions. Speaking to reporters on Nov. 25, SECDEF said Spencer's termination was not ultimately about the handling of Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher, who was publicly championed by President Trump, but faced a review board and the loss of his prized trident pin after being found guilty of taking a photo with a corpse in a war zone earlier this year. It was about Spencer's honesty regarding the matter, Esper said. "A senior White House official took [Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley and me] aside and said, 'Oh, by the way, did you know that ...' and then told me what had happened, that this proposal had been brought by Secretary Spencer, and we had no knowledge whatsoever," Esper said. "We were flabbergasted ... and quite surprised, and caught completely off guard." According to Esper, Spencer had approached Trump with a deal regarding Gallagher: He would be guaranteed to keep his trident if the president allowed the Navy to proceed with a review board on the matter in a nod to proper procedures and protocol. "This proposal was completely contrary to what we agreed to, and contrary to Secretary Spencer's public position," Esper said. When approached, Esper said Spencer had been "forthright" and acknowledged his proposal. Spencer, who has not yet spoken in public, maintained in a termination letter that his resigning was based on a principled stand. "Unfortunately it has become apparent that ... I no longer share the same understanding with the Commander in Chief who appointed me, in regards to the key principle of good order and discipline," Spencer wrote. "I cannot in good conscience obey an order that I believe violated the sacred oath I took in the presence of my family, my flag and my faith to support and defend the Constitution of the United States." While SECNAV publicly and vocally denied that he had threatened to resign over Trump's intervention in Gallagher's case, Esper said Spencer's comment "was not true." (Source: CBS News 11/25/19) UPDATE: Esper wants the "SEALs and the Navy to move beyond this now and get fully focused on their war-fighting mission" ... and resetting professional standards, ethics and conduct, after asking for SENNAV's resignation and citing several rules of conduct he'd violated. (Source: DoD 11/25/19)

AF innovative challenge in 2020

The Air Force Research Laboratory’s Center for Rapid Innovation is sponsoring the Service Academy and University Design Challenge to tackle some of the Department of Defense’s top urgent needs while focusing on highly visible and challenging war-fighter problems. The competitive environment stimulates crosstalk innovation with an invaluable opportunity for professional development to seek creative, cost-effective solutions. This year’s senior capstone design project is to perform in-depth research, consultation and exploration to engineer, design and build a prototype system to locate personnel and assist in survival during water rescue and recovery missions in hostile environments. “We partner with the best schools in the nation to provide relevant ideas and concepts that are fabricated into working prototypes and then demonstrated as a final exam,” said Mike Lazalier, program manager for the SAC/UDC. AFRL, assisted by Rally Point Management, is hosting the 2020 challenge, forecast to be held in April 2020 near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. AFRL-sponsored challenges provide a low-cost conduit to develop innovative solutions while tapping into energetic and bright ideas of college seniors, their mentors and university staff. (Source: AF Research Laboratory 11/22/19) https://www.dvidshub.net/news/352950/afrl-sponsors-service-academy-and-university-design-challenge

Tyndall AFB will be first to get 5G

AT&T will start bringing fifth-generation (5G) wireless networking to Tyndall AFB, Fla., in early 2020, according to a Nov. 21 company media release. “AT&T is comprehensively rebuilding and modernizing communications infrastructure and capabilities across Tyndall,” the release states. “It is providing future-forward networking capabilities … to support augmented and virtual reality … and a broad array of innovative technologies.” Tyndall’s infrastructure was basically destroyed by Hurricane Michael in October 2018. AT&T was awarded a $23.6M sole-source contract Sept. 30 – the last day of FY 2019. AT&T will progress through a “rolling plan” based on how quickly the Air Force and other vendors are able to rebuild Tyndall. The AF is also planning to place 5G at bases on a regional basis. AT&T spokesman Bob Hallman declined to say when work would begin in 2020. The Defense Department is launching its own effort at select facilities to explore the possibilities of next-generation wireless. AT&T said it will also provide “FirstNet,” a nationwide public safety communications platform, for disaster-response operations at Tyndall. (Source: AF Magazine 11/22/19) http://www.airforcemag.com/Features/Pages/2019/November%202019/ATT-Announces-Start-of-5G-Network-Rollout-at-Tyndall-AFB.aspx

UPDATE: Braithwaite new SECNAV?

Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper demanded the resignation of Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer on Sunday, an abrupt move aimed at ending a dispute between President Trump and his own senior military leadership over the fate of a SEAL commando in a war crimes case. In a statement, Esper said he had lost trust in SECNAV Spencer because his private statements about the case differed from what he (Spencer) advocated in public. Esper added that he was “deeply troubled by this conduct.” (Source: The AP 11/24/19) https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/esper-demands-resignation-of-navy-secretary-over-seal-case/ar-BBXh04d?ocid=spartandhp UPDATE: Ken Braithwaite will be nominated as the new SECNAV, according to the Pentagon, breaking a pattern where President Trump elevates a deputy and keeps him as acting instead of nominating someone new. Braithwaite is the Ambassador to Norway, a graduate of the Naval Academy, and a retired Navy rear admiral. Navy Undersecretary Thomas Modly will take over as Acting Secretary for the second time this year. (Source: Breaking Defense 11/24/19) https://breakingdefense.com/2019/11/spencer-fired-as-secnav-three-different-stories-as-to-why/

Air University has new leader

MAXWELL AFB, Ala. - Lt. Gen. James B. Hecker took command and the presidency of Air University (AU) here during an assumption of command ceremony Nov. 22. Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, Air Education and Training Command commander, presided over the ceremony and emphasized the importance of AU’s mission. “Ground zero for doctrine and development resides right here at Maxwell,” Webb said. “I’m counting on Air University to ensure we lead out of the gate and pave the way for future leaders.” Before arriving in Maxwell, Hecker served as vice director of operations for the Joint Staff at the Pentagon. (Source: Air University 11/22/19) https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2024985/air-university-welcomes-lt-gen-hecker-as-commander-president/

Columbus superfund site cleanup

COLUMBUS, Miss. - After removing some 50,000 tons of contaminated soil, trustees of a federal superfund site here are asking area residents about redevelopment proposals for the 90-acre site – the former Kerr-McGee Chemical Corp. creosote plant. Some of the concepts may include open public spaces, residential, light industrial uses, and a town center concept. The Greenfield Multistate Trust is using $68M from a federal court settlement to clean up the property and prepare it for redevelopment of the site, where Kerr-McGee and Tronox Corp. treated railroad cross ties with creosote from 1928-2003. Many KM employees and nearby residents developed health problems linked to exposure to creosote. The main site's southernmost area is located in a flood plain, and likely to be used primarily for floodwater retention in some type of park. The western area, where contamination is highest, will have more restrictions, which means it will most likely be open space or limited development. All three concepts featured a community center in the NE corner. Charles King, project manager for EPA's Superfund cleanup work, said cleanup of this first area is 95 percent complete. The land could be available for redevelopment within six months. Concepts include residential and light industry. King said the main site is still in the early stages of cleanup. Sampling has begun in order to get “information on risks," he said. "I would expect the physical work … to begin around the end of 2020 or beginning of 2021." (Source: The AP 11/24/19) https://www.djournal.com/news/around-mississippi/as-cleanup-continues-new-uses-eyed-for-contaminated-site/article_377fee08-4700-5874-9845-c2921bee9ba3.html

Reeves new boss at VT 86

PENSACOLA, Fla. - The “Sabrehawks” of Training Squadron (VT) 86 held a change-of-command ceremony Nov. 14 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, where Cmdr. Eric Reeves relieved Cmdr. Joshua Fuller as commanding officer. During his tenure, Fuller saw 224 Naval Flight Officers received their Wings of Gold and together accumulated more than 19,000 hours in the T-45C Goshawk jet trainer. Fuller, a graduate of Samford University in Alabama, earned his Wings of Gold in December 2001. Reeves is a native of Baldwinsville, N.Y., and a Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduate earning his commission through the Navy ROTC program. He earned his Wings of Gold in 2003 as a naval flight officer. Cmdr. George Zintak, a native of Chicago, will assume the role of executive officer. (Source: Chief of Naval Air Training 11/22/19) https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=111501

Update: BBC will refund $, if guilty

U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee leaders on Nov. 20 demanded the Air Force investigate reports that Balfour Beatty – one of the major military privatized housing providers - falsified maintenance records for years at Lackland AFB, Texas, in order to gain millions in performance bonuses, according to a joint CBS-Reuters report. The report alleges that Balfour Beatty employees routinely doctored records. Committee Chairman Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and ranking member Jack Reed (D-R.I.) “urge the Air Force and appropriate federal law enforcement agencies to investigate this fully so we can truly understand what is going on and how pervasive this problem is,” according to a statement from the two lawmakers. “If the Air Force substantiates allegations that Balfour Beatty perpetrated widespread, illegal fraud, the Air Force must take every action appropriate to hold Balfour Beatty accountable and recoup every last dollar stolen from the taxpayers,” the statement adds. Earlier this year, Reuters alleged that Balfour Beatty faked records at Tinker AFB, Okla., to make it appear more responsive to maintenance complaints. Balfour Beatty was also accused of falsifying maintenance reports at Malmstrom AFB, Mont. (Source: The Hill 11/20/19) Gulf Coast Note: Balfour Beatty’s military housing sites among bases of the Gulf Coast includes NAS Meridian and NCBC Gulfport, Miss.; and NAS Pensacola, NAS Whiting Field and NSA Panama City, Fla. https://thehill.com/policy/defense/471384-senators-want-air-force-probe-into-allegations-military-housing-provider-faked UPDATE: On Dec. 5, Balfour Beatty Communities' (BBC) Rick Taylor told the House Armed Service Committee's readiness subcommittee that the firm promises to refund performance bonus money the company received from the AF, if an investigation finds that the landlord’s employees committed fraud. BBC has fired 17 employees this year for failing to comply with its code of conduct that included reports of falsified maintenance documents to earn extra money for its management of AF homes. (Source: AF Magazine 12/05/19)

UPDATE: Pilots of T-38 mishap ID'd

Two Air Force pilots in training at Vance AFB, Okla., were killed in a mishap between two T-38s during a routine training flight on Nov. 21. Two personnel were in each of the aircraft. The incident occurred during the “landing phase” of a formation training mission around 9:10 a.m., according to 71st Flying Training Wing Commander Col. Corey Simmons. Local TV station KOCO aired video on one T-38 upside down on the side of the runway with its landing gear lowered. The other T-38 was upright and further down the runway. Airmen in the upright T-38 were not injured, Simmons said. No additional details on the incident have been released, pending an official safety investigation. The names of the airmen will be announced after next of kin have been notified. The 71st FTW operates T-1s, T-6s, and T-38s for pilot training. Flying operations have been halted. Col. Simmons said he expects to make a decision on when to return aircraft to flight over the weekend. (Source: AF Magazine 11/21/19) Gulf Coast Note: Columbus AFB, Miss., is a similar unit under the 19th Air Force. CAFB is home to the 14th FTW. The 14th FTW’s mission is specialized undergraduate pilot training in the T-6 Texan II, T-38C Talon and T-1A Jayhawk. http://www.airforcemag.com/Features/Pages/2019/November%202019/Two-Vance-Airmen-Killed-in-T-38-Mishap.aspx UPDATE: The pilots have been identified as instructor-pilot Lt. Col. John “Matt” Kincade, assigned to the 5th Flying Training Squadron, and 2nd Lt. Travis B. Wilkie, assigned to the 71st Student Squadron. Kincade had previously served as a Navy pilot and was an Afghanistan war veteran. Wilkie was from San Diego and played baseball at the Air Force Academy. (Source: Daily Oklahoman 11/22/19) https://oklahoman.com/article/5647905/pilots-identified-in-vance-air-force-base-mishap

Engineering mil.pact for La., Miss.

Schmidt-Prime Group of Pensacola, Fla., is awarded a $30,000,000 maximum amount firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect-engineering contract for professional architectural and engineering services in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southeast area of operations (AO). The work to be performed provides for preparation of professional architectural and engineering services for preparation of design-bid-build documents and design-build request for proposals for various project types at Department of Defense (DoD) and non-DoD activities in the NAVFAC Southeast AO. Initial task order is being awarded at $441,467 to provide engineering services to update the installation DD Form 1391 project documentation and prepare the region team final DD Form 1391 for the Advanced Helicopter Training System at Naval Air Station, Whiting Field, Milton, Florida. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by March 2020. All work on this contract will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps installations in the NAVFAC Southeast AO including, but not limited to, Florida (20%); Georgia (17%); South Carolina (15%); Louisiana (10%); Mississippi (10%); Texas (10%); Andros Island, Bahamas (5%); Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (5%); Tennessee (3%); Alabama (1%); Arkansas (1%); Kansas (1%); Missouri (1%); and Oklahoma (1%), and is expected to be completed by November 2024. FY 2019 military construction (MILCON, Navy) contract funds in the amount of $441,467 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily funded by operation and maintenance and MILCON, Navy. This contract was competitively procured via the Navy Electronic Commerce Online website with 26 proposals received. NAVFAC Southeast of Jacksonville, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 11/20/19)

L-3 Vertex $77M T-1A contract

L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace of Madison, Miss., has been awarded a $77,247,414 firm-fixed-price contract for contractor operated and maintained base supply for the Air Education and Training Command's fleet of 178 T-1A trainer aircraft. Work will be performed at Randolph and Laughlin Air Force Bases in Texas; Vance AFB, Okla.; Columbus AFB, Miss.; and Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. The contract is expected to be completed by Nov. 30, 2020. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and three offers were received. FY 2020 operations and maintenance funds in the amount $15,787,799 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center of Tinker AFB, Okla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 11/20/19)

‘Chutist bring attention to Miss.

Eighty-seven paratroopers from the 4th Brigade Team of the 25th Infantry Division based out of Alaska parachuted into high winds above the Camp Shelby (Miss.) Army Base in early October, which garnered national media attention, Maj. Gen. Janson Boyles, adjutant general for the Mississippi Army National Guard, told the Columbus Rotary Club on Nov. 19. The jumpers were trying to hit a drop zone about the size of a football field, Boyles said, when they encountered a gust of wind at about 700 feet that "pushed them into the trees unexpectedly." The temporary miscue, Boyles said, drew attention to a first-time training mission that’s a positive for the State of Mississippi. The 650 active duty 650 had earlier off-loaded equipment at the Port of Gulfport, spent three weeks training at Camp Shelby. Before completing training at Fort Polk, La. The purpose was readiness training for an overseas mission, but the impact for the state was monumental, he said. Boyles, a Mississippi State University gram, who Gov. Phil Bryant appointed adjutant general in 2016, lauded the National Guard as a significant economic impactor for the Magnolia State, and one that is playing an increasing role across the globe. (Source: Columbus Dispatch 11/20/19) https://cdispatch.com/news/article.asp?aid=77450

House OKs bill to avert shutdown

The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation Nov. 19 to avert a widespread government shutdown later this week with a bill extending temporary federal funding through Dec. 20. (Source: Reuters 11/19/19) https://www.reuter.com/article/us-usa-congress-budget/u-s-house-approves-bill-to-avert-government-shutdown-this-week-idUSKBN1X2ND Update: Senate approved, and Prez has signed it.

Learn lessons from chute accident

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. - Air Force Special Operations Command will "see what lessons we need to learn" from what the Air Force is calling an airman's "unplanned parachute departure" from a C-130 combat aircraft over the Gulf of Mexico near Hurlburt Field during a Nov. 5 parachute training mission, according to a recent Facebook post from AFSOC commander Lt. Lt Gen James C. "Jim" Slife. (Source: NW Fla. Daily News 11/21/19) https://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20191120/afsoc-commander-slife-addresses-parachute-training-incident

ST airman upgraded to Silver Star

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. - What began as a typical reconnaissance patrol during a brisk November in Afghanistan took a turn for the worst. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Chris Grove, a Special Tactics combat controller assigned as the 720th Special Tactics Group based at Hurlburt Field, delivered thousands of pounds of munition, securing the safety of his joint and partner forces, and 12 years later received the Silver Star Medal. Air Force Lt. Gen. Jim Slife, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, presented the nation’s third highest medal against an armed enemy of the United States to Grove during a ceremony Nov. 15. “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity,” said Slife. In November 2007, Grove was the “right Airman at the right place, at the right time, who rose to the occasion brilliantly,” he continued. Grove was originally awarded the Bronze Star Medal in with Valor in 2008 for his actions, but due to a recent review of awards within the 24th Special Operations Wing, his package was resubmitted for an upgrade. (Source: 24th Special Operations Wing 11/15/19) The 720th STG is comprised of more than 800 Special Tactics combat controllers, pararescuemen, special operations weathermen, tactical air control party and support personnel. https://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2019204/special-tactics-chief-awarded-silver-star-for-countering-overwhelming-afghan-am/.