Boeing to begin assembly of T-7A

Boeing aviation will start assembling the Air Force’s new T-7A ‘Red Hawk’ advanced trainer aircraft at its factory in St. Louis by the end of February, the company announced Feb. 24. According to the Air Force, the first T-7A aircraft and simulators are scheduled to arrive at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, in 2023. All undergraduate pilot training bases will eventually transition from the T-38C to the T-7A, including Columbus (Miss.) AFB. In September 2018, the AF awarded Boeing a $9.2B contract to supply 351 advanced trainer aircraft and 46 associated ground-based training simulators. Saab is teamed with Boeing on the trainer and provides the aft fuselage of the jet. (Source: Defence Blog 02/24/21.)

$24.5M mod contract to Vertex

Vertex Aerospace of Madison, Miss., is awarded a $24,514,965 modification (P00007) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, cost, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00421-19-D-0031). This modification exercises an option to provide contractor owned and operated aircraft to Navy fleet customers, Foreign Military Sales customers, as well as Department of Defense and other government agencies in support of the Contracted Air Services (CAS) program. The CAS program provides airborne threat simulation capabilities to train shipboard and aircraft squadron weapon systems operators and aircrew on how to counter potential enemy electronic warfare and electronic attack operations in today's electronic combat environment. Work will be performed in Virginia Beach, Va. (50%); Coronado, Calif. (40%); and Kauai, Hawaii (10%), and is expected to be completed in February 2022. No funds are being obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 02/24/21)

Amtrak returning to Gulf Coast

Amtrak passenger service is on target to return in early-to-mid-2022 across the northern Gulf Coast company spokesperson Marc Magliari confirmed Feb. 23 to AL.com. Magliari said the nation’s passenger rail service reached out to CSX and Norfolk Southern railroad companies in January to inform them “that we intend to begin service in 2022” that will connect New Orleans to Mobile with four stops in Mississippi – Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula. It will be the first time that passenger trains have rolled along the Gulf Coast in more than 16 years. (Source: AL.com 02/23/21)

Freeman retires from BFCC board

COLUMBUS, Miss. - BankFirst Capital Corporation (BFCC or the "Company"), parent of BankFirst Financial Services, announced Feb. 23 the retirement of William L. Freeman Jr. from the board of directors of the Company. Freeman will continue to serve as a director of the BankFirst. “Mr. Freeman has been an asset to the Company's board of directors since our acquisition of Newton County Bank in 2016, where he previously served as president and chief executive officer,” said Moak Griffin, president/CEO of BFCC. We will continue to benefit from his insight and experience as a member of the Bank's board of directors." It was also announced that Dr. Melinda W. Pilkinton was appointed to the Company's board of directors to fill the remainder of Freeman’s term, which was effective Feb. 17. Dr. Pilkinton was appointed to the board of directors of BankFirst in August 2020. Dr. Pilkinton is a retired professor with over 20 years of experience as a social science researcher and professor at the Mississippi State University. (Source: First Capital Corp. 02/23/21)

Goodyear buys Cooper; Tupelo safe

AKRON, Ohio - Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., the largest tire company in North America and third-largest in the world, is growing after announcing Feb. 22 it was acquiring Cooper Tire and Rubber Co. in a cash and stock deal valued at $2.8B. Goodyear expects to save about $165M within two years following the close of the transaction. The majority of the cost savings will be related to overlapping corporate functions and does not include manufacturing-related savings. There are no plans to close plants, including the Cooper Tire plant in Tupelo, Miss., which opened in 1984 and employs some 1,500 workers. (Source: Daily Journal 02/22/21) Goodyear to acquire Cooper Tire in $2.8 billion deal | Business | djournal.com

MS port's project public meeting

The Port of Gulfport, Miss., is hosting s public meeting March 18 on its proposed Access Project and to hear from contractor, MSPA-G and Cypress, representatives about the design and environmental impacts of the project. The scope of the proposed project includes construction of about 6,500 linear feet of surface road within the existing paved footprint of 30th Avenue, a 160-foot grade-separated bridge over U.S. Highway 90, the addition of a second turn lane for westbound Highway 90 traffic, pavement strengthening measures along 30th Avenue within the project footprint, new signalization, access management improvements and implementation of an Intelligent Transportation. Comment cards for the public meeting can be obtained by e-mailing Beth Beals at bbeals@cypressei.com. A copy of the Draft Environmental Assessment can be viewed at the Gulfport Public Library at 1708 25th Ave. To register for the WebEx Event and receive the log-in information, also e-mail Beth Beals. (Source: Port of Gulfport 02/22/21) Port of Gulfport Access Project Public Meeting | Port of Gulfport, Mississippi (shipmspa.com)

Austal prez resigns after probes

Alabama-based shipbuilder Austal USA confirmed Feb. 22 that it had accepted the resignation of President Craig Perciavalle following U.S. and Australian investigations into “historical matters” in the Littoral Combat Ship program. A company spokesperson confirmed the contents of its Feb. 22 text to workers regarding Perciavalle, and that Austal USA Chief Financial Officer Rusty Murdaugh had been named interim president, and also serve as CFO. Austal USA is one of the Mobile’s largest employers with a workforce of about 4,000. The shipyard builds two aluminum vessels-types for the Navy, the Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship and the Expeditionary Fast Transport. (Source: AL.com 02/22/21) Leadership change at Austal USA: CEO has resigned, shipbuilder says - al.com

LNG exporter looks to La. caverns

Sempra Energy, a major California-based utility company, is planning anew to convert existing salt caverns and build a new one for natural gas storage in Cameron Parish, La. In 2005, Sempra was considering retrofitting two caverns for natural gas storage under its Liberty Gas Storage project, but was put on hold. Sempra subsidiary LA Storage LLC is moving on the new plan near Hackberry, La., converting three existing salt caverns plus a new cavern. They would have a combined total storage capacity of 25.5B cubic feet of natural gas. Sempra also is a majority stakeholder in the nearby Cameron LNG export facility. In addition, pipelines are proposed to connect the storage cavern project to existing natural gas hubs. Cameron LNG exports up to 12M tons of LNG annually from the units at its export terminal. The new storage facility is tentatively scheduled to begin construction during 1Q 2022 after securing environmental permits. New Orleans-based environmental non-profit Healthy Gulf expects to oppose federal permits for the pipeline and caverns. The project is not in the public interest and would potentially destroy about 75 acres of wetland, according to Healthy Gulf. (Source: NOLA.com 02/21/21) LNG export company looks to salt caverns for natural gas storage in Cameron Parish | Business | theadvocate.com

Amory parents-teachers of year

The Amory (Miss.) School District honored its 2020-21 teachers and parents of the year at its Feb. 8 school board meeting. West Amory Elementary School (WAES) first-grade teacher Lacey Lovelace was named district teacher of the year. The nationally board-certified teacher is currently the PTO teacher liaison at the school. Amory Middle School Principal Nick Hathcock was named district administrator of the year. Courtney Boatright was selected parent of the year for the school. She currently serves as VP of the WAES Parent Teacher Organization. East Amory Elementary School selected April Brewer as parent of the year. She is EAES’ PTO president. Third-grade teacher Heather Moody was the school’s teacher of the year. Tracy Cox was teacher of the year at Amory Middle School. Cox, a 28-year veteran with the district, teaches special education and math, and has coached basketball and softball through the years. Mary Elizabeth Keohn was parent of the year Amort High School. Kristina Sawyer was Amory High School teacher of the year. Sawyer was STAR Teacher at AHS in both 2016-17 and 2017-18. Laura Beasley was Amory Career and Technical Center’s parent of the year. ACTC’s teacher of the year award went to retiring culinary arts instructor Dianne Young. (Source: Monroe Journal 02/19/21)

Update2: Japanese pilot ID'd

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Air Force confirmed two Mississippi-based pilots were killed after a T-38 Talon trainer aircraft crashed near the Montgomery Regional Airport around 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 19. The aircraft and pilots were based out of Columbus (Miss.) AFB. Lt. Steven D. Dean Jr., CAFB public affairs, said the pilots were flying a training mission at the time of the crash. The supersonic jet trainer was assigned to the 14th Flying Training Wing (FTW) at CAFB. Wing and base commander Col. Seth Graham said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the two pilots involved in this incident. There are no words that can describe the sadness that accompanies the loss of our teammates.” Officials did not release the names of the pilots since next of kin were still being notified. The jet crashed near Dannelly Field. A safety investigation board will convene to determine the cause. Marshall Taggart, executive director of the Montgomery Regional Airport (Dannelly Field), told The AP that the aircraft crashed in a wooded area near Danley Field and the two people aboard had died in the crash. (Source: WSFA-Montgomery 02/19/21) The aircraft crew is made up of an instructor and student pilot. Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) students fly the T-38C in aerobatics, formation, night, instrument and cross-country navigation training. The 14th FTW conducts SUPT training for AF and allied officers. The wing is composed of 244 aircraft flying more than 55,000 sorties and 77,000 hours annually while training over 400 pilots and combat system operators, according to its website. The T-38 Talon is a twin-engine, high-altitude, supersonic jet trainer. 2 killed after Air Force jet crashes near Montgomery, Ala. airport (wdam.com) THERE WAS ANOTHER T-38 ACCIDENT on Feb. 18. The incident was at Beale AFB, California. The aircraft and crew are part of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale. The T-38's landing gear malfunctioned and had to performed a “belly landing,” a media release from Beale AFB public affairs reported. The pilots were not injured. (Source: Aviationist 02/20/21) 

UPDATE SUNDAY: Lt. Scot Ames Jr., 24, from Pekin, Ind., has been identified as the instructor-pilot by the training wing Feb. 21. He was attached to the 50th Flying Training Squadron at CAFB. The lieutenant student-pilot killed was not named, but was a trainee with the Japanese Air Self Defense Force. The student-pilot's identity "will be provided according to Japan’s established process," according to a media release from the 14th FTW. (Source: ABC 02/21/21)

UPDATE2: The student-pilot was identified as Renshi Uesaki, 25. He was serving with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, while attending undergraduate pilot training at CAFB. Uesaki was one of about 15 Japanese student-pilots training at CAFB.

Shannon to lead USM's coastal ops

The University of Southern Mississippi has named Dr. Shannon Campbell to lead its coastal teaching and research sites in Long Beach, Gulfport, Ocean Springs and at the Stennis Space Center, Miss., toward future growth in support of unique education, business and industry needs in the region. Campbell will begin her post, as Senior Associate VP for Coastal Operations, on March 1. She will serve as the lead administrative officer for coastal operations and be part of USM's senior leadership. Campbell had been director of the Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship at USM. Dr. Chad Miller, professor of Economic Development and Program Coordinator for Master of Science in Economic Development, will serve as interim director while USM conducts a search for a new director. The new position of Senior Associate Vice President for Coastal Operations came as USM announced a restructuring of its Coastal Operations. (Source: USM 02/19/21)Campbell Selected to Lead USM’s Coastal Operations | The University of Southern Mississippi

Miss. firm's $86M food distro pact

The Merchants Foodservice of Jackson, Miss., has been awarded a maximum $86,100,000 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-quantity contract for full-line food distribution. This was a competitive acquisition with one offer received. This is a four-year contract with no option periods. Locations of performance are Louisiana and Mississippi, with a Feb. 15, 2025, ordering period end date. Using customers are Air Force, Army, Navy and Coast Guard. Type of appropriation is FY 2021 through 2025 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency, Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pa. (Source: DoD o2/19/21)

Conrad cuts steel for GL dredge

Morgan City, La.-based Conrad Shipyard held a steel cutting ceremony recently for a new suction hopper dredge being built for the Great Lakes (Ill.) Dredge & Dock Corp. The 6,500-cubic yard trailing suction hopper dredge is scheduled for delivery at the of the 2nd quarter of 2023. The 346-foot long dredge will feature two 800mm suction pipes, and be able to dredge at depths of up to 100 feet. It is to be deployed for channel deepening, maintenance dredging, beach nourishment, and coastal restoration projects (Source: Work Boat 02/18/21) Conrad cuts steel for new suction hopper dredge | WorkBoat

Depleted uranium not cause of GWI

In the 30 years since Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm, veterans/researchers have sought to find a cause of symptoms known as Gulf War illness (GWI). The suspicion has been that depleted uranium used in armor-piercing rounds created a toxic exposure with long-term health issues. A study released Feb. 18 - from the University of Texas and U.K.’s University of Portsmouth - found that inhaled fumes and dust from rounds and tank armor are not the cause. “(D)epleted uranium is not and never was in the bodies of those who are ill at sufficient quantities to cause (the) disease will surprise many,” researcher Randall Parrish said in a media release. Suspected depleted uranium may have contributed, he said. Studies had shown up to 25 percent of 700,000 troops deployed in that conflict suffered symptoms including memory and concentration problems, chronic pain and nerve system dysfunction, as well as fever, night sweats and sexual dysfunction. Authors of the UT/UK study are more inclined to believe that low-level exposure to sarin gas may be the cause, along with anti-nerve agent medication and pesticides troops were exposed to during the 1991 Gulf War. (Source: Military Times 02/18/21) Study concludes depleted uranium doesn’t cause Gulf War illness (militarytimes.com)

Money, consent: Mil.housing issues

The Defense Department says it has made (15 of 18) steps forward to add accountability and oversight to its on-base privatization housing programs. But keeping those contractors trustworthy will come at a price: Another $120M annually to hire staff to inspect/oversee the projects. Congress had already allocated nearly $200M. The military services are still assessing how many staff to hire. So far, they’ve hired about 500. The goal is to ensure that problems - mold to routine maintenance issues - were really being done by the private firms. As part of the FY 2020 Defense authorization bill, Congress enacted a “bill of rights” law for protecting military housing tenants. DoD has only implemented 15 of the 18. Unresolved requirements: Give tenants a 7-year maintenance history of their homes; ability for tenants to withhold rent when required maintenance isn’t done; and a new dispute resolution process. But for existing agreements, enforcing the bill of rights will be hard unless contracted housing providers voluntarily consent to modify terms of the contracts, which typically last for 50 years. The oldest of those contracts still have 30 years before expiration. (Source: Federal News Network 02/18/21) DoD improves oversight over private military housing, but with new costs to taxpayers | Federal News Network

'Percy' lands on Mars

NASA’s Perseverance rover safely landed on Mars after its 292.5 million-mile - 6+ month - journey, the agency confirmed at 2:55 p.m. CT on Feb. 18. The rover landed flawlessly, according to the mission's team. "Percy," as the spacecraft is affectionately known at mission control, sent back its first images of the landing site right after touchdown, which showed its shadow on the surface of the landing site of Jezero Crater. (Source: CNN 02/18/21) The Atlas V rocket powered the rover into space. Atlas V’s Common Cores are manufactured near Decatur, Ala. NASA Mars Perseverance rover has successfully landed - CNN

GT, Entergy power outages

Nearly 9,000 of 4-County Electric Power Association's households, primarily in Oktibbeha, Noxubee and Choctaw counties, are without power Feb. 17 after a second winter storm brought rain, snow and ice to the Golden Triangle (GT). 4-County's public relations and marketing manager Jon Turner told the Commercial Dispatch it likely will be Saturday or Sunday before linemen restore power to all. Noxubee and Choctaw each have about 2,800 members without power. Oktibbeha has 1,000, and Lowndes County 820 without power. (Source: The Dispatch 02/18/21) Thousands without power in Golden Triangle, surrounding area - The Dispatch (cdispatch.com) ADDITIONALLY: Entergy Mississippi, the state’s largest electricity provider says some customers will not see power back on until next week. Crews are busy trying to restore power, but the icy conditions are hampering efforts, officials say. Outages went from 64,000 on Feb. 15 to 200,000 on Feb. 19. Entergy Mississippi has 180 crew members coming from Arkansas to assist with restoration, and other power companies are working with contractors to supplement crews. (Source: Magnolia State Live 02/19/21)

Petro refinery shipments down 12%

The U.S. Census Bureau released data from the 2019 Annual Survey of Manufactures. The U.S. manufacturing sector’s value of shipments decreased 2.7 percent from $5.9T in 2018 to $5.7T in 2019. Additional info from the survey include: Total value of shipments for the Petroleum Refineries industry was $547.4B - a 12.4 percent decrease. The total value of shipments for the Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing industry was $93.7B - an 8.6 percent decrease. Among states and equivalents, manufacturing shipments in 2019 ranged from $438.5M in the District of Columbia to $599.8B in Texas. (Source: Census 02/18/21) Annual Survey of Manufactures (ASM) (census.gov)

Monitoring world top to bottom

GULFPORT, Miss. - The Navy is responsible for more than just sailing the seven seas. “We’re responsible for the bottom of the ocean all the way to the top of the atmosphere,” said Chris Olsen, Information Warfare Training Group Gulfport’s physical scientist and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) training lead for the Meteorology and Oceanography (METOC) community. A group of civilian and military instructors from the IWTG train the people responsible for making sure the Navy can operate and dominate on land, air, surface and sub-surface domains. The mission of Information Warfare Training Group-Gulfport is to develop naval war-fighters through tailored education and operational training of information warfare that is capable of achieving military objectives in and from the maritime domain. METOC training, geared mostly toward Aerographer’s Mates (AG), has taken place in Gulfport for more than two decades. AGs are the Navy’s METOC forecasters, trained in various aspects of meteorology and physical oceanography. “Every single thing that the Navy does (is) within the environment,” said Olsen. “Instead of fixing or operating a piece of gear … we describe the operating environment (from which) pieces of gear are operating in and communicate the impacts of the atmosphere and ocean to the war-fighter" (such as impacts to radar on surface ships or sonar on submarines). The group is pivotal in providing the fleet with the quality sailors trained in the fields of cyber, electronic warfare, cryptology, intelligence and meteorology and oceanography to support the Optimized Fleet Response Plan, and forward-deployed naval forces. Olsen, a retired Chief AG, summed up what he enjoys most about training sailors. “Seeing the look in a sailor’s eyes as the lightbulb comes on in their head when I explain something that finally makes sense to them.” (Source: NCBC Gulfport 02/17/21) DVIDS - News - Gulfport Navy instructors train Sailors monitoring the world from top to bottom (dvidshub.net)

New MSU International studies VP

STARKVILLE, Miss. - Daniel B. Reynolds, a Mississippi State University weed science professor, has been named associate VP for international programs and executive director of the university’s International Institute. The longtime MSU faculty member has led MSU’s international initiatives on an interim basis since last April. International Institute units include the English Language Institute, International Services, and the Study Abroad and International Student Exchange programs, as well as promoting international collaborations in research and outreach. The International Institute reports to MSU’s provost and executive vice president, vice president for research and economic development, and vice president for the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine.(Source: MSU 02/17/21) Reynolds named leader of MSU’s international programs | Mississippi State University (msstate.edu)