County moves against city over F-35

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. - Officials in the county where the Air Force plans to locate the Joint Strike Fighter Training Center are taking legal steps to force a city opposed to the center to drop its fight with the Air Force. Okaloosa County commissioners voted Tuesday to initiate the dispute resolution process, the first step for one government agency to sue another in Florida. At issue is Valparaiso’s suit filed Monday against the Air Force seeking to stop the center and its F-35s from locating at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 03/31/09)

City files suit to block F-35

VALPARAISO, Fla. – The Valparaiso City Commission filed suit in U.S. District Court Monday seeking an injunction blocking the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Training Center from coming to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.. The 58-page suit asks the courts to halt all ground breakings, movement of aircraft and personnel. It claims the Air Force violated federal rules by not considering other locations on Eglin that would have less noise impact on Valparaiso. In two related matters, a lawyer told WEAR-TV that a suit will be filed in state court against Valparaiso, claiming a violation of sunshine laws. And Florida Freedom Newspapers reports that the Bay County commission has sent a letter to Air Force Secretary Michael Donley offering Tyndall Air Force Base near Panama City, Fla., as a good location for the training center. That base is losing two F-15s squadrons by the end of 2010. (Sources: Florida Freedom Newspapers, WEAR-TV, WJHG-TV, 03/30/09)

Air show expects 70,000

BILOXI, Miss. – Officials expect as many as 70,000 spectators Saturday and Sunday for the first air show at Keesler Air Force Base since Hurricane Katrina. Thunder on the Bay will include the Thunderbirds, the Air Force flight demonstration team, returning to the Coast for the first time in 15 years. Other military aircraft and stunt flyers will perform during the two-day show. (Source: The Sun Herald, 03/30/09)

Contract: EDO, $49.5M

EDO Corp., Panama City Operations, Panama City, Fla., is being awarded a $49,545,446 contract to provide services and materials for repair, modification, and overhaul of the Organic Airborne Mine Countermeasures System. This procurement is in support of depot level repair, overhaul, and modification of the MK-105 Magnetic Minesweeping Gear, Precision Navigation System, Organic Airborne and Surface Influence Sweep System, and the MH-53 Airborne Mine Neutralization System components. Work will be performed in Panama City and is expected to be completed by March 2014. The Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 03/27/09)

Contract: Bates, $20M

Bates Engineers/Contractors Inc., Bainbridge, Ga., was awarded a $20,048,601 contract for the design and build of a Joint Communications Support Element Squadron Facility at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. Work is to be performed at MacDill with an estimated completion date of June 10, 2012. Corps of Engineers, Mobile District, Mobile, Ala., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 03/27/09)

Lockheed, UF to develop mini satellites

Lockheed Martin has partnered with the University of Florida to develop and launch five miniature satellites to test innovative space concepts. Lockheed will fund $450,000 of research and development projects at the university this year. The satellites will be used to investigate, among other things, miniaturized, space-hardened GPS electronics and state-of-the-art intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. The satellites, called CubeSats, are cube-shaped, measuring less than four inches per side and operating on a power output similar to a cell phone. The work will complement work of the UF-led Advanced Space Technologies Research & Engineering Center, ASTREC. (Source: Lockheed Martin, 03/26/09) Gulf Coast note: UF has several engineering-related research programs in Shalimar, near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; The Institute for Human and Machine Cognition in Pensacola, Fla., is a participating member of ASTREC.

Special Forces groundbreaking held

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - An indoors groundbreaking was held at Eglin Air Force Base Thursday for the Army’s 7th Special Forces Group. It was the second groundbreaking in a week following last week’s event for the Joint Strike Fighter Training Center. The 600,000-square-foot campus near Duke Field will include a gymnasium, dining facility and two group headquarters on 500 acres. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 03/26/09)

Murtha develops own defense budget

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Absent a 2010 defense budget from the Pentagon, the chairman of the House Appropriations subcommittee on defense has fashioned his own military spending plan. Key elements of Rep. John Murtha’s plan: A new refueling tanker is the top Air Force priority, and splitting the buy between Boeing and Northrop Grumman is his priority. Murtha also wants a second engine option for the Joint Strike Fighter, even if the Air Force doesn’t. (Source: Defense News, 03/25/09) Gulf Coast note: If Northrop Grumman and partner EADS win some of the tanker competition, planes will be assembled in Mobile, Ala.; The Joint Strike Fighter training center is being built at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.

Guard finds support to replace planes

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate appropriators offered sympathy and support for the Air National Guard in its effort to gain new tactical aircraft. Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye told the director of the Air National Guard that appropriators would do their best to make sure replacement fighters are in the budget. The Guard uses F-16s and F-15s. The Government Accountability Office reported in January that if the planes aren’t replaced by 2020, 11 of 18 domestic air sovereignty alert sites could be without aircraft. (Source: Aviation Week, 03/25/09)

Orion crew module recovery tested

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A full-scale mockup of NASA's Orion crew module is being tested in water under simulated and real landing weather conditions as part of the Constellation Program designed to return astronauts to the moon and beyond. A Navy-built, 18,000-pound Orion mockup is being tested in a pool at the Naval Surface Warfare Center's Carderock Division in West Bethesda, Md. Ocean testing will begin April 6 off the coast of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. (Source: NASA, 03/25/09) Gulf Coast note: Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans and Stennis Space Center in Mississippi are both involved in the Constellation Program.

Bill designed to protect bases

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The state Senate is taking action to protect the Florida’s 20 military bases and $55 billion economic impact. Legislation introduced by Sens. Don Gaetz and Durell Peaden makes base closure and mission realignment a state issue. The bill establishes the Florida Council on Military Base and Mission Support and work groups to focus on intrastate activities, liaison with the Defense Department, competitive strategies, and public awareness. (Source: WMBB, 03/25/09) Gulf Coast note: Northwest Florida is home to a half-dozen major military bases.

Contract: Lockheed, $320M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded $320,000,000 not to exceed modification to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract. This modification provides for long lead materials and efforts associated with the Joint Strike Fighter Air System Low Rate Initial Production Lot III procurement of the required special tooling, special test equipment and technical assistance. Work is expected to be completed in November 2011. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 03/25/09) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is scheduled to become home to the JSF training center

Contract: L-3 Vertex, $15.6M

The Air Force is awarding a firm fixed contract to L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace, Madison, Miss., for $15,563,895. This action will provide fleet maintenance and training support on twelve Cessna 173 aircraft and five Cessna 208B trainer aircraft owned by the Iraqi Government. 727 ACSG/PKB, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 03/25/09)

Lakotas pass milestone

The Army’s fleet of UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopters passed the 10,000 flight-hour milestone. Fifty-eight UH-72As have been delivered by EADS North America to the Army and Army National Guard for missions including homeland security, medical evacuation, logistics and VIP flights. The helicopters are built by in Columbus, Miss. (Source: EADS North America, 03/25/09) Gulf Coast note: EADS also has an Airbus engineering center and EADS CASA operation in Mobile, Ala.

A-3 test stand work awarded

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - Roy Anderson Corp. of Gulfport, Miss., was awarded a five-year contract to work on the A-3 test stand for the Constellation Program. The 300-foot tall stand will be used to test the Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne J-2X engines that will power the upper stage of Ares I and Earth departure stage of Ares V. The contract value is not to exceed $45 million. Contract work includes installation of the general mechanical and electrical support for the A-3 test stand. The first test at the stand is slated for 2012. (Source: NASA, 03/24/09)

V-22s temporarily grounded

Naval Air Systems Command temporarily grounded 84 Navy and Air Force V-22 Ospreys after an inspection of a V-22s in Iraq revealed loose bolts damaging components in the rotor assembly. More than 50 aircraft have now cleared inspections, though four of the 12 V-22s in Iraq required repair. Air Force Special Operations Command, based at Hurlburt Field, Fla., expected all 11 of its CV-22s to be cleared. (Source: InsideDefense, 03/24/09)

Contract: Tybrin, $16.8M

Tybrin Corp., of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., was awarded an Air Force cost plus award fee contract for $16, 799,185. This action provides non-personal advisory and assistance services to fully support Aerospace Research, Development, Test and Evaluation Advisory and Assistance Services program. It focuses on robust systems engineering and technical assistance services. AFFTC/PKTJ, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 03/24/09)

Split tanker buy gains steam

Democratic lawmakers appear determined to push a bill splitting a $35 billion contract for aerial tankers between Boeing and the Northrop Grumman/EADS team. Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., and other defense appropriators think it will get the program moving again. Defense Secretary Robert Gates sees the move as an expensive compromise, but defense analyst Loren Thompson says the split contract could save money by more quickly retiring the existing fleet of KC-135 tankers. (Source: Seattle Times, 03/23/09) Gulf Coast note: Northrop Grumman/EADS plans to assemble its tankers in Mobile, Ala.

Homeowners offered compensation

MOBILE, Ala. - Homeowners in the loudest places around Mobile Regional Airport are being offered compensation. A Federal Aviation Administration grant of a little more than $1.6 million will be used for a one-time payment that could equal 10 percent of the home’s fair market value to help in noise abatement. (Source: Mobile Press-Register, 03/22/09)

Contract: Lockheed, $49.9M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Maritime Systems and Sensors, Integrated Defense Technologies, Baltimore, Md., is being awarded a fixed price contract not-to-exceed $49,877,689 for FY08 MK 41 Vertical Launching System production and delivery requirements. The MK41 VLS program is integral to the navies of nine allied and friendly foreign nations. This contract combines purchases for the U.S. Navy and the governments of Turkey and Australia under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Fourteen percent of the work will be performed in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., 64 percent in Baltimore, Md., 19 percent in Minneapolis, Minn., 2 percent in Eagan, Minn., and 1 percent in Virginia Beach, Va. Work is expected to be completed by December 2012. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 03/20/09)

UK announces F-35 purchases

FORT WORTH, Texas - The United Kingdom will buy three Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II operational test aircraft, a sign of the U.K.’s commitment to the Operational Test and Evaluation phase of the Joint Strike Fighter program. British Defense Secretary John Hutton made the announcement during a visit to Washington, D.C. The F-35B combines stealth with short takeoff/ vertical landing capability and supersonic speed. It will be flown from the two new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers. The U.K. plans to bring 138 F-35s to the fleet. (Source: Lockheed Martin, 03/19/09) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., will be home of the Joint Strike Fighter Training Center

ATK delivers Ares I-X hardware

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. - Four Alliant Techsystems' Ares I-X motor segments have arrived at Kennedy Space Center, bringing together all of the final hardware required for the upcoming test flight this summer, part of NASA's Constellation Program. The segments were originally produced for the space shuttle and later transferred to the Ares I-X mission. (Source: ATK, 03/19/09) Gulf Coast note: Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans and Stennis Space Center in Mississippi are both involved in the Constellation program

Marine flies F-35 for first time

FORT WORTH, Texas - An F-35 Joint Strike Fighter took off Thursday for the first time with a Marine at the controls. Maj. Joseph Bachmann, a test pilot, flew an F-35A for an hour and 20 minutes at a Lockheed Martin facility. According to Bachman, the flight “was badass.” The F-35 he flew is not the vertical landing version the Marines will use. Bachmann will be a government test pilot with the Harrier-type version. (Source: Wired, 03/19/09) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., will be home of the Joint Strike Fighter Training Center.

Airport sports new parking garage

GULFPORT, Miss. – Officials gathered Wednesday for a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new $15 million parking structure at the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport. Bruce Frallic, executive director of the airport, said the three-story, 800-car parking garage was no small undertaking. It was 10 years in the making. (Source: The Sun Herald, 03/18/09)

F-35 center groundbreaking set

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - Groundbreaking for the Joint Strike Fighter Training Center is slated for Friday. The Washington-based assistant secretary of the Air Force for installations, environment and logistics is scheduled to preside. Also attending will be the director of plans and programs from the Air Education and Training Command in Texas and the commander of the Air Armament Center at Eglin. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 03/18/09) All branches of the military will use the Eglin Air Force Base center for training in the three variants of the F-35 Lightning II

United Space gets ATK contract

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Alliant Techsystems awarded United Space Alliance a $257 million contract to perform subcontractor support to ATK for the NASA's Ares I and Ares 1-X programs through the design, development, test and engineering phase. The contract, part of the Constellation Program to return astronauts to the moon and beyond, includes engineering, deceleration system development and technical operations support for Stage I activities. (Source: PRNewswire, 03/18/09) Gulf Coast note: Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans and Stennis Space Center, Miss., are involved in the Constellation Program

Blue Angels back home

Blue Angels back home
PENSACOLA, Fla. - The Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration team has returned home to Naval Air Station Pensacola. The team had been at the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron’s winter training grounds at El Centro, Calif. The team opened its show season Saturday in El Centro. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 03/1709)

Airport authority OKs spending

MOBILE, Ala. - The Mobile Airport Authority approved $26.1 million in spending for the year that began Oct. 1. That includes $8.69 million in federal funds that will go for improvements at the agency's two airports. Projects include taxiway work and terminal work at the Mobile Regional Airport, as well as road and drainage work at Brookley Field Industrial Complex. (Source: Mobile Press-Register, 03/17/09)

Contract: Northrop, $59.6M

The Air Force is modifying a cost plus award fee contract with Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., of San Diego, Calif., for $59,608,897. This action will provide engineering, manufacturing and development infrastructure activities in support of the Global Hawk program. 303 AESG/SYK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (Source: DoD, 03/13/09) Gulf Coast note: Global Hawks are built in part in Moss Point, Miss.

Tyndall's F-15 drawdown set

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - The Air Force plans to draw down Tyndall's two F-15 Eagle squadrons by the end of 2010. The drawdown, rumored for some time, was confirmed in an e-mail from the 325th Fighter Wing commander. Tyndall also has an F-22 Raptor squadron. Bay Defense Alliance president Tom Neubauer said that event without the F-15s, he's confident about the base's future. He says military officials have said that something "will fill that tarmac." (Source: Florida Freedom Newspapers, 03/13/09)

Push on for new gunships

FT. WALTON BEACH, Fla. - Special Operations officials want to begin developing a new gunship to replace the AC-130H/U in the fiscal 2010 budget. But in a tight budget environment it may be hard. Replacement candidates include the L-3 Communications/Alenia North America C-27J and Lockheed Martin’s C-130J. The topic was discussed at the Precision Strike Association’s annual review conference here March 10. (Source: Aviation Week, 03/12/09)

Murtha presses foward on tankers

The chairman of the House Appropriations Defense subcommittee plans to use the upcoming war emergency supplemental bill to jumpstart the aerial tanker program. Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., advocates splitting the purchase between Boeing, which would build them in Washington State, and the Northrop Grumman/EADS team, which would build them in Mobile, Ala. Murtha has been working on a proposal that would fund two tankers to be built a month, instead of just one, as initially projected. (Source: The Hill, 03/12/09)

Lakotas delivered to D.C. Guard

Three Mississippi-built UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopters were delivered by EADS North America to the District of Columbia National Guard. The helicopters are the first of 16 Lakotas to be operated in the region. The D.C. National Guard will get eight, as will the Military District of Washington. All 16 will be based at Fort Belvoir, Va. The UH-72A is built at the American Eurocopter plant in Columbus, Miss. (Source: EADS North America, 03/12/09) Gulf Coast note: EADS also has a maintenance center and engineering facility in Mobile, Ala.

Contract: Imedia.it, $8.4M

Imedia.it, Houston, Texas, is being awarded an $8,370,187 contract for education/training products and support services managed by the Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center, Pensacola, Fla. Contract includes a base year and four option periods with a value of $43,850,230. Five percent of the work will be done in Pensacola, the rest in Houston. Work is expected to be completed by September 2009. The Fleet and Industrial Supply Center Norfolk Detachment Philadelphia is the contracting activity (Source: DoD, 03/12/09)

Contract: Bell-Boeing, $11M

Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded an $11,066,515 modification to a previously awarded contract for Increment II of the CV-22 aircraft Block 20 upgrade program. The project is to integrate and test the V-22 Multi-Mission Advanced Tactical Terminal Replacement Receiver, an improved crew interface of broadcast data. Nine percent of the work will be done in Fort Walton Beach, Fla. Other sites are Philadelphia, Pa., and Fort Worth, Texas. Work is expected to be completed in September 2012. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 03/12/09)

BAMS team wins award

HERNDON, Va. - The Global Hawk Maritime Demonstration team was recognized with the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Commander's Award in a ceremony at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. The award is the result of the team's achievements during 2008, which include providing support during Hurricane Ike and the California wildfires. (Source: Globe Newswire, 03/12/09) Gulf Coast note: Global Hawks are built in part in Moss Point, Miss.

White House denies seeking tanker delay

The Mobile Press-Register is reporting that the White House is not seeking to delay plans to buy new aerial refueling tankers. That's according to Ken Baer, a spokesman for the administration, who called reports that the Office of Management and Budget requested a five-year delay “inaccurate.” Defense analyst Loren Thompson said the White House budget office lists tankers among items that could be cut or delayed to save money. But Thompson said the administration gave no indication that it wanted to delay the program. (Source: Mobile Press-Register, 03/12/09)

Contract: Raytheon, $11.4M

The Air Force is extending a firm fixed price contract with Raytheon of Tucson, Ariz., for $11,397,736. This action will extend the period of performance to provide contractor logistics support for CY09. 695 ARSS, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 03/11/09)

Contract: Lockheed, $265M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded an advance acquisition contract with an estimated value of $265 million for long lead materials and effort associated with the Joint Strike Fighter Air System Low Rate Initial Production Lot IV procurement of 12 Air Force Conventional Take Off and Landing air systems, 14 Marine Corps Short Take-off and Vertical Landing air systems, one Navy Carrier Variant air system, and one Netherlands CTOL air system. In addition, this contract provides for associated ancillary mission equipment, sustainment support, special tooling/special test equipment and technical/financial data. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, El Segundo, Calif., Warton, United Kingdom, Orlando, Fla., Nashua, N.H., and Baltimore, Md., and is expected to be completed in January 2010. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 03/11/09) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is scheduled to be home of the JSF training center

Reaper to get more muscle

The armed MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft system will be getting an additional weapon system: the Joint Direct Attack Munition. Results of tests in California are still being evaluated, but it appears the 500-pound GBU-38 JDAM could be certified in July. The Reaper can carry the GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bomb and the AGM-114 Hellfire missile. The JDAM adds a weapon with global positioning system guidance along with adverse weather capability. Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.’s 678th Armament Systems Squadron and 679th Armament Systems Squadron participated in the tests. (Source: Air Force, 03/10/2009)

Ares I igniter tested

NASA completed a successful test firing of the igniter that will be used to start the Ares I rocket first stage motor. The March 10 test paves the way for the initial ground test of the Ares I first stage later this year. Ares I is the first launch vehicle in NASA's Constellation Program, which will return astronauts to the moon and beyond. The test, conducted at ATK Launch Systems test facilities near Promontory, Utah, generated a flame almost 200 feet long. (Source: NASA, 03/10/09) Gulf Coast note: Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans and Stennis Space Center, Miss., are involved in Constellation

Delay tanker five years?

CQPolitics reports that the White House wants to delay buying aerial refueling tankers by five years. The recommendation is part of negotiations between the Office of Management and Budget and the Defense Department. If the guidance survives the internal budget process, Capitol Hill is likely to protest. According to Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., whose state would assemble the planes if the Northrop Grumman/EADS team wins: "For a group who has been in the OMB for just a matter of weeks to come in and suggest the cancellation of the No. 1 Air Force priority for procurement is stunning, and I don’t think Congress will accept that." Boeing is also competing to build the tankers. (Source: CQPolitics, 03/09/09)

F-35 suit topic of meeting

VALPARAISO, Fla. - Valparaiso residents packed into Monday’s city commission meeting to discuss the city’s plan to sue the Air Force. Signatures of close to 500 residents and more than 1,000 from those outside the city who oppose the suit were presented to the commission. The commission took no action. The city is suing because of concerns about the noise that will come when the Joint Strike Fighter training center is established. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 03/10/09)

Supporters rally for F-35

VALPARAISO, Fla. - Supporters of the plan to bring the Joint Strike Fighter training center to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., gathered a petition Friday. The group opposes Valparaiso's plans to sue the Air Force, and wants to present the petition to the city commission Monday. Rally organizer Rick Woelfl said F-35 supporters collected more than a 1,000 signatures online and on paper. Valparaiso officials are concerned over the noise the F-35 will bring, and claim it will lower property values. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 03/06/09)

Contract: Northrop, $107.6M

The Air Force is modifying a contract with Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. of San Diego, Calif., not to exceed $107,575,999. This action will provide for long lead items associated with Lot 8 Global Hawk Block 40 air vehicles. 303 AESG/SYK, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 03/05/09) Gulf Coast note: Global Hawks are built in part in Moss Point, Miss.

Turkish company delivers F-35 parts

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. has delivered its first composite parts for the F-35. The structural composite panels are used to form the outer surface of the fighter. Northrop Grumman will integrate the parts into the center fuselages of the first two production F-35s. Northrop Grumman is a founding member of the Lockheed Martin-led F-35 Lightning II team, and is responsible for the design and production of center fuselages for all three variants of F-35 aircraft. The F-35 has multiple international suppliers. (Source: PRNewswire, 03/05/09) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is scheduled to be home to the F-35 joint training center

Parachute test successful

NASA successfully completed the second drop test of a drogue parachute for the Ares I rocket. The test was Feb. 28 at the Army's Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. Ares I, part of the Constellation Program, will send explorers to the International Space Station, the moon and beyond in coming decades. The drogue parachute is designed to slow the descent of the spent first-stage motor that will be jettisoned by the Ares I during its climb to space. The first-stage solid rocket motor powers Ares I for the first two minutes of launch. (Source: NASA, 03/02/09) Gulf Coast note: Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans and Stennis Space Center in Mississippi are both involved in the Constellation Program

Teledyne cuts jobs

MOBILE, Ala. - Teledyne Continental Motors laid off about 20 workers late last month, officials said. Like other companies, the airplane piston engine maker has been hit by the economic downturn. It has 400 workers at Brookley Industrial Complex location. The company is a subsidiary of Teledyne Technologies of Thousand Oaks, Calif. (Source: Mobile Press-Register, 03/03/09)

EDC launches J-35 support effort

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. - The Economic Development Council of Okaloosa County has launched a campaign in support of the Joint Strike Fighter mission at Eglin Air Force Base. EDC is asking residents to take an online poll on U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller's Web site. The City of Valparaiso, right outside Eglin, voted last month to sue the Air Force over plans to bring the F-35 training center to Eglin. The poll is designed to show how much support the basing has, despite Valparaiso's actions. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 03/01/09)

Gilbrech returning to Stennis

STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. – NASA has appointed Richard Gilbrech associate director of Stennis Space Center. He's the former director of Stennis, serving between January 2006 and August 2007, when he was appointed associate administrator for NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate. Last November Gilbrech announced his retirement from that headquarters post. Gilbrech will return to Stennis in early May. (Source: NASA, 03/02/09)