First student-aviators fly TH-73A

MILTON, Fla. - Twelve student naval aviators at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field in Florida began advanced helicopter training in the new TH-73A Thrasher aircraft early this month. NASW accepted the first TH-73A in August 2021 as a replacement for the TH-57 Sea Ranger aircraft that provides basic helicopter training and advanced Instrument Flight Rules training to hundreds of aviation students annually. Before students begin flying the TH-73A, they complete a rigorous course of groundwork in virtual reality and flying simulators. Student-aviators spend approximately 38 weeks in the advanced training regimen at Whiting. Training Air Wing Five at Whiting is the largest aviation training wing in the Naval Air Training Command (CNATRA). It is responsible for training 60% of primary aviation students in the T-6 aircraft, and 100% of all Navy, Marine and Coast Guard helicopter students. (NAS Whiting Field 09/21/22)

NASA proposal for lunar lander

NASA is seeking proposals for sustainable lunar lander development and demonstration as it works toward a regular schedule of Moon landings. Through the Artemis missions, NASA is preparing to return humans to the Moon for long-term scientific discovery and exploration. Under the solicitation, Human Landing System Sustaining Lunar Development, NASA has provided requirements for companies interested in developing and demonstrating astronaut Moon landers. Companies selected will be required to perform one uncrewed and one crewed lunar landing demonstration. The final call for proposals comes after NASA incorporated industry feedback on the draft solicitation, released March 31. NASA’s current contract with SpaceX includes both an uncrewed and a crewed lunar landing demonstration that is part of the Artemis III mission, marking humanity’s first return to the Moon in more than 50 years. Proposals for the sustainable lunar lander development and demonstration are due Nov. 15. (NASA 08/16/2) https://www.nasa.gov/nextstep/humanlander4

$4+ in grants to MS delta region

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) announced over $4M in federal grants to improve access to quality jobs and training in the lower Mississippi Delta. The U.S. Department of Labor, in partnership with the Delta Regional Authority, is awarding $4,183,266 to provide education, training, and supportive services in regions that have suffered significant job losses in the energy extraction industry. The Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) Initiative assists rural communities in addressing historic inequities and producing jobs for dislocated workers in the Appalachian and Delta regions. The grants help communities diversify their economies by developing skilled workers and equitable access to underserved and underrepresented communities. Grants being awarded to Dream Innovations Inc. – $1,394,535; Mississippi Community College Board – $1,394,535; Delta Health Alliance Inc. – $1,394,196. (SuperTalk Mississippi 09/20/22)

Regional 'Bells Across America'

The Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans is hosting the 7th Annual Bells Across America Remembrance Ceremony for Fallen Service Members on Sept. 2022 from 9-11 a.m. There will be a pre-reception from 9-9:45 a.m. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. The event is open to everyone with base access: Service member, Veterans, Family members, and Civilians. If you would like to learn more about other installations across the nation who are hosting this remembrance event as well, please visit our Navy Gold Star Facebook page, www.facebook.com/navygoldstar. Regional sites include NAS Meridian, Miss., at the Fleet & Family Support Center; and NBCC Gulfport, Miss. (Bells Across America 09/20/22) (6) Navy Gold Star Program | Facebook 

Bells Across America NAS/JRB New Orleans photo(s) (2) Facebook

'The Nutcracker' coming to LA & MS

The World Ballet Series will be performing The Nutcracker in four locales across Louisiana and Mississippi in October, and in Hattiesburg Dec. 6 at Hattiesburg’s Historic Saenger Theater. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show is expected to begin at 7 p.m. Tickets go on sale on Sept. 23 at 8 a.m. Prices will range from $35 to $175 plus fees. Other dates: Oct. 11 in Alexandria, Lal Oct. 12 in Kiln, Miss.; Baton Rouge Oct. 13 and Lafayette, La. Oct. 14. Tickets at Tickets (worldballetseries.com) 

Synopsis: The Nutcracker is performed live by a multi-national cast of 50 professional ballet dancers gathered to bring the most beloved holiday tradition to life. A family-friendly experience accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, over 150 hand-sewn costumes, hand-crafted sets and classic Marius Petipa choreography. This fairytale will take you on a Christmas night adventure with Clara and the Nutcracker to the Land of Sweets. See the iconic Waltz of Flowers, and the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, meet Mother Ginger and the Drosselmeyer.

Camp Shelby to honor MS Marine

PINE BELT, Miss. - The Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby will honor the first female member of the armed forces from Mississippi killed in action in the War on Terror. The exhibit is scheduled to open Nov. 10, which is the 247th birthday of the Marine Corps. The exhibit will honor Marine Lance Corporal Casey Casanova of McComb. She and three other Marines were killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq in May 2008. The exhibit will have Casanova’s dress uniform, her helmet and medals that were donated days ago by Casanova’s mother, Paula Carruth. “(I)t's a huge honor to be able to continue her story, her legacy, and to teach others of her service," said the museum's Tommy Lofton, "but also, so we can appreciate and honor her sacrifice to her state and to her country.” (WDAM 09/20/22) Photo Camp Shelby museum to feature exhibit on Mississippi’s female Marine killed in Iraq (msn.com)

Regional aviation-related job

Cba Maintenance Record Clerk @ Vertex Aerospace Meridian, Miss. Cba Maintenance Record Clerk job at Vertex Aerospace LLC in Meridian, MS 39309 - Job Search (thelearningcommunity.com)

DoD regional contracts Sep. 19

* Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, Madison, Mississippi, has been awarded an $8,138,737 modification (P00032) to exercise an option on previously awarded contract FA301018C0007 for full food services. Work will be performed at Keesler AFB, Mississippi, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2023. Fiscal 2023 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $8,138,737 will be obligated when available. The 81st Contracting Squadron, Keesler AFB, Mississippi, is the contracting activity. 

* American Apparel Inc., Selma, Alabama, has been awarded a maximum $22,938,585 modification (P00008) exercising the first one-year option period of a one-year base contract (SPE1C1-21-D-1481) with four one-year option periods for various types of coats. This is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract. Location of performance is Puerto Rico, with a Sept. 28, 2023, ordering period end date. Using military services are Army and Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2022 through 2023 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

* Manson Construction Co., Seattle, Washington, was awarded a $9,925,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the removal and satisfactory disposal of all material excavated from the Baptiste Collette Bar Channel. Bids were solicited via the interest with five received. Work will be performed in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, with an estimated completion date of March 3, 2023. Fiscal 2022 civil operation and maintenance funds in the amount of $9,925,000 were obligated at the time of the awards. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, Louisiana, is the contracting activity. (W912P8-22-C-0052). (Awarded Sept. 16, 2022) (Defense Department 09/19/22)

Stennis airport earns training award

Stennis (Miss.) International Airport has earned an ANTN Digicast Excellence in Airport Training award. The award, presented by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), signifies that airport employees and other workers at each facility have completed a specified amount of federally mandated airport-specific training and continuing education using ANTN Digicast's web-based training system. “We are pleased to receive national recognition for our continued efforts to improve operations and safety at Hancock County’s community airport,” said Hancock County Port & Harbor CEO Bill Cotter. “It is a testament to the dedicated staff and their commitment to service. "The award levels are based on total training programs completed and total number of employees trained at each airport. Levels vary based on the airport's hub size. Each winning airport is presented with a plaque marking the achievement. Located in Kiln, Stennis International is Hancock County’s community airport. It features an 8,500-foot runway rated to carry the world’s largest cargo planes. It is home to 15 aerospace companies serving both general aviation and military aircraft. (Hancock County Port/Air 09/18/22)

Chlorine leaks at Jax water plant

JACKSON, Miss. - Employees at the O.B. Curtis Water treatment plant were evacuated from the chemical building around 9 a.m. (Sept. 19) today following a chlorine leak was discovered, according to a news release from the State Emergency Operations Center. All personnel were evacuated. There were no injuries reported. The building's air scrubbers, that keep chlorine from escaping, worked as designed, the release states. First responders, along plant maintenance, identified three leaking valves and secured the area. No other evacuations of the surrounding area were needed. Agencies responding included the Ridgeland Fire Department, and Jackson Fire Department Hazmat Team. “While this was a chlorine leak, engineers monitored the water disinfection during the leak. The disinfection process was uninterrupted,” said Jim Craig, an incident commander with the Mississippi State Department of Health. (WLBT 09/19/22) Emergency officials respond to chlorine leak at O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Plant (wlbt.com) 

Hemphill contracted to manage Jackson water facility

Florence, Miss.-based contractor Hemphill Construction was awarded more than a $1M contract to manage and "facilitate" the state’s continued response at the city’s O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Facility in Jackson. The 60-day contract began today (Sept. 19), Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Director of Communications Malary White said. (WLBT 09/19/22)

Respiratory MSgt among AF top 12

The Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2022 will be formally recognized at AFA’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference from Sept. 19-21 in National Harbor, Md. Among the 12 is Master Sgt. Brandon S. Blake, detachment superintendent and a registered respiratory care practitioner for the Special Operations Surgical Team, Detachment 1, 720th Operations Support Squadron, Birmingham, Ala. The AF Spec Ops HQ is located at Hurlburt Field, Fla. (AF Magazine September 2022) Outstanding Airmen of the Year: Master Sgt. Brandon S. Blake - Air & Space Forces Magazine (airforcemag.com)

La. shrimp task force meeting

A Louisiana Shrimp Task Force special meeting will be at 10 a.m. Sept. 21 at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries facility at 2000 Quail Drive, 3rd floor conference room, in Baton Rouge. Among new business will be discuss on the State of the Shrimp Industry- STF and the hiring and funding for a Lobbyist. The public is invited to attend or listen via webinar register at: https://wlf-la.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KYiX6ZGIS4GXxowEiDeFAQ. (LDWF 09/19/22)

Tow boats collide on La. waterway

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard is monitoring a barge, with heavy fuel oil, aground after a collision at mile marker 43.5 on the Port Allen route of the Gulf intracoastal waterway on Sept. 17. The CG received notification that two tow vessels, Creole Crusader and Jack Odom, collided around 12:30 a.m. The Creole Crusader was towing two barges containing heavy fuel oil. The Jack Odom was towing two empty barges and three barges of steel bars. All seven barges remain on scene. Two were intentionally grounded to prevent flooding or pollution. A transfer of the oil is scheduled to take place Sept, 18. The waterway will be closed at mile marker 43.5 to all vessel traffic until further notice. No injuries or pollution have been reported. (Coast Guard 09/17/22)

Man allegedly fires gun at CG helo

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) arrested a boater Sept. 16 near Venice, La., who allegedly fired a weapon at a CG rescue helicopter. The CG initially received a distress signal early on Sept. 15 from an activated emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) belonging to a 40-foot sailing vessel about 75 miles south of Southwest Pass, La. The CG launched an MH-60 helicopter aircrew to respond. Upon arriving, the helo attempted to lower a radio to the vessel and observed a person and two dogs aboard. The person then pointed what appeared to be a firearm at the aircrew. The aircrew heard objects striking the aircraft and departed due to safety concerns. Upon returning to CG Air Station New Orleans, the aircrew observed impacts to the helicopter rotors consistent with projectiles. Later, the CG launched a fixed-wing aircraft, a cutter with CGIS and FBI agents aboard, and a 45-foot Response Boat- Medium boatcrew to track the vessel’s movement. Additionally, CG units remained in the area to ensure protection of nearby mariners. On the morning of Sept. 16, the CG took the person into custody without incident. The person was transported to Venice, La., and transferred to CGIS custody. The incident remains under investigation. (Coast Guard 09/17/22)

Viking Mississippi heads for NOLA

Warm towels as you board. Champagne in the Explorer Room, which offers a 180-degree glass view on the Mississippi River. A live band and an infinity plunge pool on the top deck of the Viking Mississippi cruise ship. Viking Mississippi is the first luxury cruise ship to visit downtown St. Paul, Minn., in roughly a decade. The 386-passenger boat began its inaugural voyage to St. Louis on Sept. 3 and was back in  St. Paul on Sept. 17. The ship was scheduled depart from there on a 15-day trip down the Mississippi River to New Orleans, the first of what promises to be a regular series of trips. (Pioneer Press 09/17/22) Viking Mississippi makes inaugural departure from St. Paul to New Orleans – Twin Cities

New OIC for NOLA readiness center

Fleet Readiness Center Reserve Midwest Detachment New Orleans (FRCR MW DET NOLA) held a Change of Charge ceremony at NAS JRB New Orleans on Sept. 9. Cmdr. Byron M. Lee relieved Cmdr. Jonathan P. Greer as officer in charge. (NAS/JRB New Orleans 09/16/22)

Unit's Mission: Produce relevant quality airframes, engines, components and services to meet the Navy's aircraft-ready-for-training entitlements at improved efficiency and reduced costs. Formerly known as Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD), the Navy transformed Naval aviation maintenance in February 2006 by the formation of Fleet Readiness Centers, which integrated Naval Air Depots (NADEPs) and the Continental United States (CONUS) AIMDs into a consolidated organization for shore-based, off-flight-line maintenance. 

Ole Miss IMC prof earns HM

OXFORD, Miss.  - Amanda Bradshaw, a University of Mississippi assistant professor of integrated marketing communications (IMC), has earned an honorable mention (HM) in the Nafziger-White-Salwen Dissertation Award juried competition. Her 3-part dissertation examined vaccine-related social media advertising and organic vaccine discourse on social media in the early months of COVID-19, from March to May 2020. “Notably, the World Health Organization identified vaccine hesitancy as one of the top 10 threats to our societal health in early 2019, well before the spread of the novel coronavirus,” Bradshaw said. “Thus, this work has implications beyond COVID-19 ... but rather contributes to the formulation of effective social media messaging strategies to combat vaccine hesitancy holistically – including COVID-19.” She became interested in this topic while managing strategic communications for a medical group that specialized in pediatrics. (University of Mississippi 09/16/22) IMC Professor Honored for Study of Vaccine Discourse on Social Media - Ole Miss News

MS native named VP of AP News

Lauderdale County, Miss., native and award-winning journalist Ron Nixon has been promoted to Vice President for News, investigative, enterprise and grants and partnerships with The Associated Press. Nixon most recently led AP’s global investigations team, including reports into abuses in the palm oil industry that was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2020. Nixon joined AP in 2019 after nearly 14 years at The New York Times. He is co-founder of the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting, a news trade organization increasing the ranks, retention and profile of reporters and editors of color. He is also a Marine Corps infantry veteran who saw combat in the 1990 Persian Gulf War and was part of the Marine Corps security forces battalion, the security and counterterrorism unit. (Meridian Star 09/16/22)

Pogy boat dumps 900K dead fish

A menhaden fishing boat with an unexpectedly large catch let loose a raft of 900,000 dead fish off the coast of SW Louisiana last week sparking outrage conservationist and a renewed call for tougher rules governing the state’s largest and least-regulated fishery.  Omega Protein estimated 900,000 menhaden were lost when one of its crews cut free a bulging net less than a mile from Holly Beach in Cameron Parish on Sept. 8. The fish carcasses formed a rotting mass and drew complaints from multiple charter boat captains, which target redfish that depend on menhaden for food. “It’s hard not to be disgusted when you see that,” said Chris Macaluso, marine fisheries director for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “There should be some sort of penalty.” Also called pogy and fatback, menhaden are the state’s largest fishery, generating between 600M and 900M pounds for the two foreign-owned menhaden fishing companies that operate in Louisiana. Most of the dollar bill-sized fish are ground up into fertilizer, pet food and fish oil supplements. (NOLA.com 09/16/22) Pogy boat dumps 900,000 fish off Louisiana coast, raising the ire of anglers and conservationists | Environment | nola.com

Artemis demo test will air live

NASA will provide live coverage with commentary of the upcoming Artemis I cryogenic demonstration test beginning at 6:15 a.m. CDT on Sept. 21. The demonstration test will allow teams to confirm the repair to a hydrogen leak seen during an early September Artemis I launch attempt, evaluate updated propellant loading procedures and conduct additional evaluations. The demonstration will conclude when the objectives for the test have been met. Live coverage of the test will air on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website. (NASA 09/16/22) NASA to Televise Artemis I Demonstration Test, Host Media Call | NASA