Halter to double, open DT office

PASCAGOULA, Miss. - VT Halter Marine will double the size of its workforce by 850 shipyard and professional support positions in and outside the yard over the next two years, according to company PR direction Mark Scott. Some of those employees will move to an office on Delmas Avenue in downtown (DT) Pascagoula. In a few months, there will be 60 more workers shopping, eating and possibly living downtown. “Having Halter Marine come to our downtown area is, I think, a very crucial part of (the city's) continued development,” Pascagoula City Manager Michael Silverman told WLOX. The city has three mixed-use projects currently under construction near the new Halter location. The area is called the Flagship District, and VTHM is part of the long-term plan for growth. (Source: WLOX 01/24/22) Halter Marine to double workforce, adding to growth in other areas of Pascagoula (wlox.com)

Boeing-NOLA seeks 100 workers

NEW ORLEANS, La. - Boeing is seeking more than 100 potential workers to join its Space Launch System team at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans East. They will be involved in building the core and upper stages of the rockets designed to carry astronauts to the moon and beyond. Fabrication technicians, quality specialists and quality inspectors are invited to attend a manufacturing and quality virtual career event Jan. 27. For more details and to sign up, visit here. (Source: BizNewOrleans, 01/21/22)

RESTORE Hangar ribbon-cutting

KILN, Miss. - There will be a ribbon cutting for the 24,000 square foot RESTORE Hangar Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. at Stennis International Airport, 7250 Stennis Airport Rd. Scheduled to attend are Rep. Steven Palazzo, Gov. Tate Reeves, Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission (HCPHC) President Derek Necaise and HCPHC CEO Bill Cotter, along with Stennis International Airport Director Chanse Watson and other officials and business leaders. The hangar is adjacent to the terminal. The $5.24 million project, funded in part by a $1.85 million RESTORE grant, was awarded in November 2019 to Drace Construction Corp., of Long Beach, Miss. (Source: HCPHC, 01/21/22) The RESTORE act resulted in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010.

Navy making F-35C recovery ops

UPDATE2: The Navy is making recovery operations arrangements for the F-35C jet that crashed aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in the South China Sea on Jan. 24, according to Brenda Way, a spokesperson for the Navy's Pacific Fleet. The jet impacted the flight deck and subsequently fell to the water. Damage to the carrier's deck was "superficial and all equipment for flight operations is operational," which enabled the resumption of flight operations, said Lt. Mark Langford, a Seventh Fleet spokesman. (Source: ABC 01/25/22)

USS Abraham Lincon was one of two U.S. carriers (along with USS Carl Vinson) involved in the largest multinational exercise of aviation-capable ships in the South China Sea this week. F-35s from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 “Black Knights”, part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, arrived on USS Abrham Lincoln (CVN 72) on Jan. 3. CVN 72 left San Diego with Carrier Strike Group 3. 

UPDATE: Seven U.S. sailors were injured after a Marine Corps F-35C jet crashed on the deck of the USS Carl Vinson, the U.S. Pacific Fleet said Jan. 24. The pilot crashed while conducting routine flight operations. The pilot safely ejected and was in stable condition after being recovered. Three sailors were evacuated to a medical facility in Manila and were in stable condition. Four were treated by on-board medical staff. Three have been released. (Source: UPI 01/24/22)

Change of Command at VT-7

Naval Air Station Meridian's Training Squadron (VT) 7 held a change of command Jan. 21. Cmdr. Gregory B. Enzinger was named the new leader of training squadron. Enzinger, a native of Marietta, Ga., had been serving as executive officer of VT-7. He has accumulated more than 2,500 flight hours, 400 carrier arrested landings, and more than 50 combat missions. Outgoing CO, Cmdr. Dylan Porter, will report as "Air Boss" on the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). (Source: Meridian Star 01/22/22). CVN 72 recently left San Diego on deployment under the command of Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt, the first woman to be CO of a nuclear carrier in Navy history.

On this date in Navy history: 1991

On Jan. 24, 1991, in Navy and Marine Corps History: Desert Shield/Desert Storm SEAL platoons from USS Leftwich (DD 984) and USS Nicholas (FFG 47) recapture the island of Jazirat Qurah, Kuwait, from Iraqi forces. (Source: Navy 01/24/22)

More troops may be called up

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has placed 8,500 U.S. service members to heightened preparedness for deployment related to Russia's provocations along its border with Ukraine, DoD Press Secretary John F. Kirby said from the Pentagon on Jan. 24. The order highlights America's commitment to NATO and its common defense. The 8,500 troops are based in the United States and would be part of the NATO Response Force, if that unit is activated. The NATO force is a 40,000 multinational, multidomain command, but has not yet been activated. The U.S. personnel are being told (Jan. 24) of the heightened preparedness to deploy. What units affected will be released once personnel and their families are informed, Kirby said. (Source: DoD 01/24/22)

UPDATE: WASHINGTON - The U.S. may send more troops to Eastern Europe in addition to the 8,500 already placed on high alert, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Jan. 25, a day after announcing roughly 8,500 U.S.-based troops are being told to be ready to deploy within five days, if called upon to join NATO forces in response to Russian troop amassing around Ukraine. Plans are still in flux, the retired flag officer and former Blue Angels public affairs officer he said Jan. 25. The U.S. remains “in active consultations" with allies/partners about capabilities they may need. “I'm not going to rule out the possibility" of decision(s) given for additional units at home or abroad, Kirby told reporters at the Pentagon. (Source: Stars & Stripes 01/25/22)

Aircraft avionic tech jobs

19 Aircraft Avionics Technician Jobs in Mississippi. $39k-$60k Aircraft Avionics Technician Jobs in Mississippi (ziprecruiter.com)

USM prez will step down in '23

In an e-mail to staff Jan. 21, University of Southern Mississippi President Rodney Bennett, 55, announced he would be stepping down when his contract expires in 2023. Bennett arrived in Hattiesburg in February 2013 before the dust of an EF4 tornado caused major damage and then leading the university's cleanup effort. Bennett, the university's first Black president, led Southern Miss to new heights, including recording some of the university's highest freshmen enrollment figures and improved student retention. Bennett, USM's first Black president, led the school to new heights, including recording some of the university's highest freshmen enrollment figures and improved student retention. The university's footprint in Mississippi has grown in recent years, with an economic impact of more than $663M from 201-19, according to a report released by the university in October. (Source: Clarion Ledger 01/21/22)

Top offshore wind firms eye La.

Texas may be better suited, but Louisiana’s political winds are blowing up interest for the first wind turbines for development in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), and as early as 2028. The Governor’s Climate Task Force is showing the political will and interest of the industry’s Top 2 players: Ørsted and RWE. RWE is a Germany-based firm with renewable energy operations in 15 countries. Ørsted is a Danish company that supplies large-scale and cost-competitive offshore wind energy and solar energy solutions, according to its website. Both have written the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) urging regulators to focus on Louisiana despite studies showing Texas has stronger, more consistent wind speeds. Currently, Louisiana is the only Gulf state to have “signaled its interest in pursuing an offshore wind policy to meet its climate objectives,” Kate McKeever, an RWE manager of U.S. government affairs. Louisiana’s Climate Initiatives Task Force draft plan highlights the need to develop offshore wind to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet the governor’s “net zero” carbon emissions goal by 2050. With the state’s renewable energy policy, “there is a pathway with a timeframe of when commercial viability may be achieved,” McKeever wrote to BOEM. RWE Renewables recommends BOEM “prioritize” advancing a leasing area in SW Louisiana's sweet spot for offshore wind development near Lake Charles. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson said RWE’s opinion “feels very much like validation to me.” Harry Vorhoff, senior staffer for the climate task force, pointed to a renewable energy study that estimates a potential Lake Charles project would create about 4,470 construction jobs and generate $445M in goods and services. Once constructed, it could support 150 jobs and $14M yearly into the economy. The same study also found that the Texas coast had the strongest potential. But Louisiana remains a strong contender because of its O&G industry workforce that’s seen jobs evaporating with falling fuel prices. BOEM is completing Phase 2 of information gathering on GoM development. Federal lease planning could conclude in 2023. Turbines may start spinning in the GoM by 2028. Other energy companies that have submitted letters expressing interest in developing wind energy in the GoM: Royal Dutch Shell, Texas-based oil company Talos, Enterprize Energy of Singapore, Ocean Wind of Portugal, Total Energies of France, and Conn.-based power company Avangrid, owned by Spain-based Iberdrola. (Source: NOLA.com 01/23/22)

Airbus & Aerotek job listings

 Aviation/Aerospace jobs at Airbus & Aerotech 

Sr. Aircraft Technician - MAR (MS)(CONTRACT)

Airbus Helicopters, Inc.Columbus, MS, USA

Aircraft Technician A - Paint (MS) (CONTRACT)

Airbus Helicopters, IncColumbus, MS, USA 
Aerotek is hiring Aircraft Electricians in Columbus, MS Aerotek Avionics Technician in Columbus, MS | 703576673 | Snagajob

CPRA plans $1.28B on restoration

Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority's $1.28B, 76-project FY 2023 spending plan for hurricane protection and coastal restoration was presented for the first time at an authority meeting Jan. 20. It would align with the state’s spending goals for a coastal Master Plan, officials said. That broader plan calls for spending $50B over a half-century to shore up the state against sea level rise and other climate challenges. CPRA’s plan also includes $80M for engineering and design work for 33 projects, and another $11M for basic planning for five other projects. It’s a plan, not a budget because not all of the money has been turned over to the state yet, Chairman Chip Kline told NOLA.com. $2.7B of funding is being channeled via the Army Corps of Engineers’ budget. There’s the likelihood that spending totals in the plan will rise before it is presented to the Legislature. (Source: NOLA.com 01/21/22) Louisiana will spend $1.28B on hurricane protection, coastal restoration in fiscal year 2023 | Business News | nola.com

NOLA unveils 'Mami Wata' homage

NEW ORLEANS - It's been over four and a half years since the removal of the iconic statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee from a 60-foot column at what used to be known as Lee Circle. On Jan. 22, a new sculpture was unveiled at the base of what is now known as Égalité Circle. It’s more than 12-feet tall, and produced by Simone Leigh, a New York-based artist who will represent Americans at the Venice Biennale.  The artwork will serve as the grand finale to the months-long Prospect.5 art exhibition that ends Sunday. The sculpture will remain on site until July. The sculpture – entitled Sentinel (Mami Wata, which means watchman) - “is an homage to history and continued presence of traditions of the African diaspora in New Orleans," according to the Prospect.5 website. It is intended to honor the work of activists, citizens, and New Orleans officials to remove symbols of white supremacy while suggesting a new protective spirit downtown location, a statement from the exhibition said. The artwork celebrates the rituals practices by the African diaspora marking a new historical perspective and symbol to the status in Zulu culture that is honored in New Orleans, according to the exhibition. (Source: WWL 01/22/21) Sculpture at base of what used to be Lee Circle unveiled | wwltv.com

With SSC fixes, expect 4 per year

ARLINGTON, Va. - Capt. Scot Searles, amphibious assault and connectors program manager, is confident it can get its Ship to Shore Connector (SSC) production line up to four-per-year delivered this year despite past technical problems that led to a production slowdown. In mid-January, Searles said both the Navy and contractor Textron Systems have resolved the challenge of micro cracks in SSC's composite blades through both changes to the blades and software. The Navy and Textron conducted extensive studies in 2020 to understand micro-cracking and why. They developed two solutions: Reinforce existing blade design and modify the propeller control software. Both fixes have been backfit onto the four craft that have been delivered and have been inserted into the production line. Work continues for alternate blade designs that would be cheaper over the life of the craft, he said. The four craft turned over to the Navy have all gone to the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City, Fla., for test and evaluation work. (Source: Defense News 01/21/22) Gulf Coast Note: Textron Systems delivered its first SSC (100) to the Navy on Feb. 6, 2020. SSC is a replacement for Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) vehicles. The Navy has awarded a follow-on production contract to bring a total number of 24 craft to be built at Textron's shipyard in New Orleans, where it has four facilities. With blade issues resolved, Navy seeking four Ship to Shore Connectors a year (defensenews.com)

Airbus planning hiring spree

Airbus intends to recruit 6,000 new employees during the first half of 2022. The hiring drive will take place worldwide, with an emphasis on acquiring new skills to support the company’s decarbonization efforts, digital transformation, and cyber technology. Most of 2020-21 had times of uncertainty in the aviation industry due in large part to the pandemic. Now some actors are beginning to look to the future and the aerospace industry at large is beginning to show significant signs of recovery. Airbus announced Jan. 19 it is looking to hire new talent and will start 2022 with a recruitment plan across the entire group, particularly to help implement Airbus’ roadmap for decarbonization. (Source: SimpleFlying, 01/20/22) Airbus employs more than 3,200 people across the U.S. Airbus assembles both A320 and A220 passenger jets in Mobile, Ala., where it also has an engineering center. Airbus Helicopters Inc., in Columbus, Miss., produces the H125 commercial helicopter and the Army's UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter.

Link to bills before MS legislature

Mississippi Legislature in its current session. Mississippi Legislature 2022: Bills to watch - Mississippi Today 

To check the status of a bill in the Mississippi Legislature, click here.

BSEE issues GoM probe results

The federal Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) released a report of an investigation panel into the 2020 death of a Fluid Crane and Construction Inc. (FCC) worker on an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico. The incident occurred on Ewing Bank, Block 826, Platform A, operated by Fieldood Energy LLC about 60 miles south of the Louisiana coast. A contracted FCC crew was in the process of replacing grating on the casing deck of Platform A. The panel identified several probable causes:  Fieldwood failed to maintain all walking surfaces on the facility in a safe condition; and failed to ensure that FCC’s Safe Work Practices (SWPs)met or exceeded their own SWPs. Supervisors failed to fulfill their intended responsibilities established SWPs. Personnel failed to adhere to the requirements of the JSA. Contributing causes: Construction crews followed instructions of personnel who were not in a position of authority; complacency; and that the fire watch either did not have or did not use a personal communication radio to convey to the construction crew and platform personnel that the victim was in danger in a timely manner. Full report: BSEE PANEL REPORT 2022-001

CNO makes 1st trip to Stennis

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday made his first trip, along with Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare and Director of Naval Intelligence Vice Adm. Jeffrey Trussler, to Navy commands Jan. 20 at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. CNO’s group toured Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (CNMOC) facilities and got updates about unmanned capabilities, electromagnetic maneuver warfare and undersea warfare. CNMOC commander Rear Adm. (LH) Ron Piret, Command Master Chief Jessica Mihailin and Jennifer Hailes, acting technical director were among the welcoming party. CNMOC directs and oversees more than 2,500 military and civilian personnel world-wide who collect and process environmental information to Fleet and Joint Commanders in all warfare areas. “As we find ourselves in the breach of strategic competition, the Navy’s role .. remains clear,” said Gilday: Control the seas, project power, support leverage innovation, technology and personnel to maintain a competitive advantage. CNO also saw the Glider Operations Center, where pilots direct unmanned littoral battlespace gliders worldwide using satellites. CNO received updates about unmanned underwater vehicles, unmanned sensor operations, and ocean projects. “Unmanned systems have and will continue to play a key part in future operations … to help ensure the Navy can meet the demands and challenges of today and tomorrow.” (Source: US Navy 01/20/22) CNO Visits Stennis Space Center > United States Navy > display-pressreleases

USM prof: Forbes '30 Under 30' list

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Zhe Qiang, assistant professor at the University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Polymer Science and Engineering, has been named to Forbes magazine’s "30 Under 30" in science list for 2022. Among innovators who are making waves in their respective fields, Qiang is developing sustainable solutions for plastic waste and finding ways to improve chemical circularity by addressing environmental challenges, such as plastic waste management, water pollution and climate change. Derek Patton, director of the School of Polymer Science and Engineering, describes Qiang as a “bright, bold, and creative polymer engineer." The fact Qiang rose to the top as one of thousands of nominees "is no surprise," said Patton. "It perfectly aligns" with the ‘To The Top’ tradition of USM. (Source: WDAM 01/20/22) USM professor fits bill as ‘Forbes 30 under 30′ science list selection (wdam.com)

Tupelo schools' Parent of Year

TUPELO, Miss. - Volunteers are key to assisting schools and students reach their potentials.  Leigh Monroe, the parent of the year for the Tupelo Public School District, is known for her volunteer work. As president of the Thomas Street Elementary PTO, Monroe spends a lot of time doing what she can to help teachers and staff. “She’s just a treasure,” Thomas Street Elementary Principal Candi Moore-Saul told WCBI. Monroe was voted Parent of the Year for the school, and this week was named Parent of the Year for the school district. “I was shocked ... very humbled and honored ... (and) very surprised,” Monroe said. She's known for advocating for children with autism. Her son, a first grader, has autism. Monroe says she 's glad to give back to a school that has made such a positive difference in her son’s life. One of her biggest projects is helping create a sensory room for all students at the school. (Source: WCBI 01/21/22) Hard working volunteer named TPSD's 'Parent of the Year' (wcbi.com)