MS small biz awarded $9.4M pact

MOWA Barlovento LLC JV, Gautier, Mississippi, is awarded a $9,475,750 firm-fixed-price task order (N6945021F0716) under a multiple award construction contract for the renovation of Building 304 South at Naval Support Activity Panama City, Florida. The work to be performed provides for removal of existing partitions and furring; addition of new gypsum board walls, acoustical ceilings and finishes; addition of an elevator; removal of hazardous materials encountered during renovation; removal and replacement of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system; removal and replacement of exterior windows and doors; complete renovation of electrical distribution and lighting system, receptacle power, data and audio-visual systems; and installation of a new fire alarm system. Work will be performed in Panama City, and is expected to be completed by January 2023. Fiscal 2021 defense working capital funds in the amount of $9,475,750 are obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Five proposals were received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 09/15/21)

477th to deploy from Camp Shelby

CAMP SHELBY, Miss. - Camp Shelby is hosting 177 soldiers from the 477th Military Police Company that are preparing to deploy overseas for Operation Allies Welcome, a mission to process dislocated Afghans. “It is an honor that we were chosen for this. It is an honor for us to be the command team and we look forward to assisting the Afghan nationals when we get over there,” said Capt. Amy Spencer. The soldiers have been going through simulated scenarios they may encounter on a daily basis. It’s been a “great training experience,” said Company Commander Jennifer Etters. (Source: WDAM 09/13/21)

MS port adds new Dole vessels

GULFPORT, Miss. – The Port of Gulfport welcomed Dole Food Company's newest container vessels, the “MV DOLE MAYA” and the “MV DOLE AZTEC” to Gulfport. The two new state-of-the-art vessels can accommodate 900+ reefer containers (FEUs) and are equipped with machinery that is not only very economical in fuel consumption but also meets the strict present-day emission mandates that demand a substantial reduction in pollution. Dole has operated a terminal in Gulfport since January 1965, and leases 31 acres on the port’s West Pier. Dole Food is a leader in the production and delivery of fresh produce. (Source: Port of Gulfport 09/14/21) PORT OF GULFPORT WELCOMES DOLE’S NEWEST CONTAINER VESSELS TO GULFPORT | Port of Gulfport, Mississippi (shipmspa.com)

Austal ahead of sked on steel mods

WASHINGTON - The Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala., is ahead of schedule in revamping its facilities to build steel ships. It has been building aluminum-only ships like LCS and EPFs. But, the burning questions about Navy shipbuilding plans have left the shipyard – part of Austal’s Australian HQ – with uncertainty what steel work may be available in the near future. The yard is completing its final five LCS contract. Austal USA is investing about $200M to expand and grow its ship repair business, according to Larry Ryder, Austal USA’s VP of business development and external affairs. About half of that is to convert production lines to work with steel. The yard is making modifications to steel that are planned to begin in April 2022. The challenge: Finding steel-ship contracts on which to bid. The south Alabama yard is looking at the Navy’s new light amphibious warship, next-generation logistics ship and T-AGOS ocean surveillance ship programs, and Coast Guard’s offshore patrol cutters. The biggest prized would be as the follow-on yard to the new frigate program, which would duplicate of Fincantieri’s Constellation-class frigate.  (Source: Defense News 09/13/21) Austal ahead of schedule in yard upgrades, but still awaiting ships to build (defensenews.com)

1st round of DOT aviation funding

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced Sept. 13 that it will offer $482.3M in funding to 313 businesses, under a new jobs-saving program created as part of the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan (ARP).  The funding announced will go to companies based in 37 states and Puerto Rico, helping protect as many as 22,500 jobs nationwide. (None of those businesses are in Mississippi; only one in Louisiana and four in Alabama.) “(A)viation industry workers have helped keep this economy moving” over the past 18 months, said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. This funding will “save jobs and support the workers who have supported us throughout the pandemic.” Before the pandemic, the aerospace industry was estimated to employ about 2.2M workers, including 1.2M who worked in various parts of the supply chain, according to industry sources.  The heavy drop in air travel had led to reduced demand for parts, repairs, modifications, and other services. Over 100,000 jobs in the industry was lost since the start of the pandemic. Estimates indicate hundreds of thousands more are at risk. As demand for aviation rebounds, businesses are crucial to the safety and functioning of the industry and U.S. economy. The ARP awards reflect two key DOT priorities – economic strength and equity. Many of the awardees are small businesses. Of the 313 companies receiving funds, 188 (60%) had fewer than 100 employees by the end of 2020; and 252 (80%) had fewer than 250 employees. (Source: DOT 09/13/21) U.S. DOT Announces First Round of Recipients of Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Program Funding | US Department of Transportation

Miss. CG unit change of command

KILN, Miss. - Coast Guard Port Security Unit 308 held a change-of-command ceremony in Kiln, Miss., on Sept. 11. Capt. Gennaro A. Ruocco transferred command of the unit to Cmdr. Paul E. Green. The incoming officer comes to the unit from Sector San Francisco, where he held the position of senior reserve officer. Ruocco served as CO since September 2018, and oversaw a deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as commander of Maritime Security Detachment, Joint Task Force Guantanamo, Cuba. (Source: Coast Guard 09/13/21)  

AHI delivers UH-72B to ANG

Airbus Helicopters Inc. (AHI) delivered the first UH-72B variant of its Lakota helicopter to the Army National Guard (ANG) from its production facility in Columbus, Miss. The delivery was the first of 18 UH-72Bs currently on order to support the NG. The UH-72B is the latest iteration of the off-the-shelf aircraft that has been the Army’s Light Utility Helicopter (UH-72A) since the first Lakota contract with AHI in 2006. The helos are based on AHI’s H145. (Source: Aerotech News 09/12/21) Army National Guard receives first Lakota helicopters from Airbus | Aerotech News & Review

LA declares weather emergency

BATON ROUGE, La. - Gov. John Bel Edwards declared a state of emergency for Louisiana in advance of Tropical Storm Nicholas, on Sept. 12, which has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is forecasted to bring heavy rains and flash flooding to the state in the coming days. Areas affected by hurricanes Ida and Laura, and flash flooding earlier in the year, could see impacts from the tropical weather. As of 6 p.m. Sunday, there are still 130,478 power outages in SE Louisiana caused by Ida. The governor's operation center has been activated. The most severe threat is to SW Louisiana. It’s also likely that all of South Louisiana will see heavy rain this week. (Source: Daily Iberian 09/12/21)

Vertex acquiring Raytheon biz lines

MADISON, Miss. - Vertex Aerospace announced Sept. 10 it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Raytheon Technologies Corp.’s Defense Training, Professional Services, Mission Critical Solutions, and Modernization and Sustainment business lines. The Defense Training and Mission Critical Solutions business is a provider of training and sustainment services and products to the defense and commercial aerospace industries. The acquisition adds scale and diversity to the Vertex portfolio, and expands its service and product offerings with defense and government agencies both domestic and international. Vertex President/CEO Ed Boyington says he’s looking “forward to welcoming over 2.000 talented, dedicated and highly skilled employees to our team." The acquired business lines fall into four segments: Defense Training Solutions, Commercial Training Solutions (Raytheon Professional Services), Mission Critical Solutions and Modernization & Sustainment that has generated nearly $1B in sales during 2020. The transaction will close following the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals. Vertex, acquired by American Industrial Partners in 2018, is HQ'd in Madison, Miss., and employs about 3,500 employees. (Source: Vertex Aerospace 09/10/21)  

HII turned back 9/11 tragedy

PASCAGOULA, Miss. - The hard-hats at Huntington Ingalls Shipbuilding turned the pain of 9/11 into a positive by taking seven tons of steel from the World Trade Center and turning them into three warships in defense of America. Those ships: USS New York, complete with a bow made from tons of that WTC steel;’ USS Arlington, named for Arlington, Va., where Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon; and USS Somerset, named for Somerset County, Pa., where Flight 93 went down after its passengers tried to retake the plane from terrorists. John Wilson helped build the New York. When members of the HII team went to New York’s commissioning in NYC they “got to meet some of those people and survivors and their families. That was absolutely gut-wrenching,” Wilson said. I remember people on the side of the river holding American flags, and sitting there thinking this is such an awesome moment...it puts in perspective everything we do at the shipyard,” said HII worker Sarah Trawick. (Source: WLOX  09/09/21) Ingalls employees reflect on post 9/11 shipbuilding (wlox.com)

SECDEF on 9/11's 20th

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III speaks to the force on the 20th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001. (Source: DoD 09/10/21) DVIDS - Video - Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s 9/11 Message (dvidshub.net)

USS LBJ heading south to Ingalls

Guided-missile destroyer Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG-1002) will head to Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Mississippi shipyard in Pascagoula to complete the ship’s combat system activation, reports USNI News. The DDG has completed builder’s trails and returned to Bath (Maine) Iron Works to finalize its hull, mechanical and electrical systems before heading south, Navy officials told the news agency. The move to HI-Pascagoula is to complete installation and testing of the ship’s air search radar, vertical launch missile cells and components that comprise the combat system. It’s a change from how the previous two Zumwalts - USS Zumwalt and USS Michael Monsoor - handled their combat activations. The two ships were delivered and commissioned before transiting Maine for Naval Station San Diego where the combat system activation was done. Space at Bath is at a premium. The decision for a hybrid delivery of the ships was to free up resources for the work on the Arleigh Burke-class (DDG-51s), which is already behind schedule. (Source: USNI News 09/09/21) Navy Wants Last Zumwalt Destroyer in Mississippi to Finalize Combat System; Delivery Anticipated in 2024 - USNI News

WWII Navy vet celebrates 100th

GULFPORT, Miss. - Navy Pipe Fitter 2nd Class Talmadge A. Byrd turned 100 years old Sept. 9. The WWII veteran was born in Lumberton, Missi., moved to Wiggins as a young boy. His family lived on a small farm growing crops to eat and sell to make ends meet. He joined the Navy in 1942, shortly after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. After basic training, Byrd shipped out to the Aleutian Islands in Alaska, where he served in the Pacific Theater assigned to a floating dry dock for 18 months. He helped repair battled-damaged ships. In 1944, he was reassigned to Oregon, where he worked on cargo ships being built for the Navy before they were crewed-up. After the war, he made it back to Mississippi, and rejoined the Navy in 1957. He received a medical discharge in 1964 and returned home., and landed a job as a pipe fitter at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, where he worked 22 years before retiring. He now lives in Vancleave. “It was a good experience for me. I just tried to take advantage of whatever opportunities they gave me, and it certainly helped me out,” said Byrd. (Source: NCBD Gulfport 09/09/21) Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport | Facebook

Keesler med team deploys to LA

KEESLER AFB, Miss. - Twenty-two medical personnel from Keesler’s 81st Medical Support Squadron was deployed in support of COVID-19 operations at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, La., back on Aug. 21. They were called to support Louisiana and first responders, who were facing challenges to keep up with the demands of care for a growing number of patients. The 22 personnel - doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and administrators – is to provide support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Defense Security Cooperation Agency as one of five DoD teams. “Typically, the Department of Defense is not the first one called in this situation,” said Lt. Col. Melissa Beasley, 81st MSS commander. “We train for this. Now. we get the opportunity to go out and work not only with our civilian, but Army and Navy counterparts as well.” The teams will be spread out in different areas in order to utilize resources. (Source: Keesler AFB 09/09/21)

Port, Ocean Aero lease agreement

GULFPORT, Miss. - Mississippi State Port Authority (MSPA) commissioners have entered into a lease agreement with Ocean Aero for construction, testing, and demonstration of Autonomous Underwater and Surface Vehicles (AUSVs) at the Port of Gulfport. The announcement comes as OA prepares to transfer its manufacturing operations and HQ from San Diego to Gulfport. Ocean Aero will occupy 67,000 square feet of warehouse space on the port’s East Pier and is expected to create 45 new jobs by the end of the year. The lease is for an initial 10-year term and provides for two 5-year extensions, with the new space being operational by early 2022. The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), as well as the Harrison County Development Commission and Mississippi Power, were instrumental in discussions to solidify Ocean Aero’s relocation. OA’s applications span defense, offshore commercial, and research industries. The company’s AUSVs are currently deployed with the Defense Department, Homeland Security, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and offshore energy companies. (Source: Port of Gulfport 09/08/21) PORT OF GULFPORT SECURES LEASE AGREEMENT WITH OCEAN AERO | Port of Gulfport, Mississippi (shipmspa.com)

V-Quad award grants

JACKSON, Miss. - ‘Pitch in the V-Quad' innovative energy competition, supported by the Energy Program for Innovation Clusters Prize from the U.S. Department of Energy, is an opportunity for innovators to showcase potential advancements in energy and agriculture technology. The Mississippi Development Authority awarded a $7,500 grant to Magna Gold Oil of Meridian, whose pitch was focused on a patented process in recycling roofing shingles. MDA also awarded $7,500 to a team of scientists from Mississippi State University that has patented a cost-effective process to produce biomass-based graphene nanomaterials using renewable and sustainable by-products from the wood product industry. Graphene significantly improves the properties of concrete. A $10,000 grant was awarded to ConnectVNA of Jackson. ConnectVNA is creating a digital workflow via an online portal, synced with oil and gas business management software. The company is developing affordable and effective tools for upstream and midstream O&G companies to help move to more seamless interactions with owners and stakeholders, vendors and employees. V-Quad is a partnership of private industry and public institutions with the goal of supporting Mississippi entrepreneurs launching businesses that focus on energy- and agriculture-related technologies. (Source: Mississippi.org 09/07/21) Mississippi Development Authority awards grants to V-Quad competition winners | Mighty Mississippi

DoD regional contract for MS, LA

Jacobs/HDR JV, Arlington, Virginia, is awarded a $34,017,960 firm-fixed-price task order (N6247021F4068) under an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for third party inspections of all Navy privatized homes with the exception of units scheduled for disposition or demolition. The work to be performed provides for all management, labor, supplies, equipment, information technology, materials, and transportation necessary to perform a thorough inspection and assessment of the structural integrity and habitability of each home at selected locations of privatized housing in the U.S. Work will be performed in California (31%); Virginia (11%); Hawaii (11%); Washington (9%); Florida (7%); Connecticut (5%); Illinois (5%); Maryland (4%);  Mississippi (3%); South Carolina (3%); Louisiana (2%); Rhode Island (2%); New York (1%); Maine (1%); Washington, D.C. (1%); Texas (1%); Georgia (1%); Tennessee (1%); and Nevada (1%), and is expected to be completed by September 2022. Fiscal 2020 and 2021 family housing, operation and maintenance (Navy and Marine Corps) contract funds in the amount of $34,017,960 are obligated on this award. The contract funds expire on Sept. 30, 2021. One proposal was received for this task order. The Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 09/08/21)

MNG aviators deploying to Calif.

JACKSON, Miss. - About 10 Mississippi National Guard aviators and maintainers are being deployed to California to help quell raging wildfires.  The guardsmen will provide aerial water bucket operations and aviation maintenance support as needed. The Chinook flight crew members and maintenance personnel will be on a month-long mission through mid-October. According to Capt. Lewis Howard, B Company commander. The soldiers are based in Jackson, Meridian and Gulfport. (Source: WTVA 09/07/21) UPDATE: The Mississippi National Guard is sending additional military personnel to help provide emergency relief in Louisiana. The forces include the Meridian-based Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 111th Aviation Regiment and the 255th Air Control Squadron Air National Guard in Flowood. The aviation team is providing a CH-47 Chinook heavy lift helicopter and five personnel to provide vital air support to the Louisiana National Guard during their relief efforts. The airmen of the 255th ACS are providing communication support to military and civilian authorities during relief and recovery missions as needed throughout the state. These additional forces will join MNG service members currently assisting the Louisiana National Guard.

Expanded medical for Austal EPFs

Seapower Magazine reported that the Navy’s modified Expeditionary Fast Transports (EPFs) will have expanded medical capabilities that include an 18-bed ICU, two operating rooms, and feeding and berthing for a medical team of about 100. Its flight deck would be capable of landing helicopters and V-22 tiltrotor aircraft. Navy spokesperson Lt. Lewis Aldridge explained to Naval News: “The Navy continues to expand Role 2 afloat medical capability through construction of USNS Cody (EPF 14) and Point Loma (EPF 15). Role 2 provides limited hospital capability consisting of advanced resuscitation and surgery. The Navy also continues the sustainment of the two T-AH hospital ships (Comfort and Mercy), which offer Role 3 medical capability. Role 3 provides full, but short-term, hospital capability, consisting of surgery, intensive care, postoperative care, and specialty care.” (Source: Naval News 09/05/21) Gulf Coast Note: EPFs 14 and 15 are under construction at Austal USA’s shipyard in Mobile, Ala. U.S. Navy expands Expeditionary Medical Capability with two EPFs - Naval News

Pentagon 9/11 event livestream

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark A. Milley will host an observance ceremony Sept. 11 at 8 a.m. (CT) at the Pentagon Memorial in honor of the 184 people killed in the 2001 terrorist attack on the Pentagon. Prior to the 9/11 ceremony, there will be a flag unfurling at sunrise on the westside of the Pentagon. Both events will livestream on Defense.gov. (Source: DoD 09/07/21)