EM-1 Orion set for shipment

NEW ORLEANS – The recently completed Exploration Mission One (EM-1) Orion will be shipped to Florida's Kennedy Space Center Monday aboard NASA's Super Guppy. The pressure vessel, built by Lockheed Martin at Michoud Assembly Facility, is the structure that holds the spacecraft's systems and subsystems. The pressure vessel's aluminum pieces were joined using friction-stir welding that bonds the edges of the aluminum pieces together. This structure will eventually be fitted atop NASA's Space Launch System and conduct its first mission in 2018 – an unscrewed orbit around the moon. (Source: Spaceflight Insider, 01/30/16)

Contract: Composite Eng., $37M

Composite Engineering Inc., Sacramento, Calif., has been awarded a $37,000,000 firm- fixed-price contract for Air Force Subscale Aerial Target (AFSAT) peculiar spares, contractor logistics support, and out of warranty repairs. Contractor will provide procurement of peculiar reparable spares and consumables to be procured for use in the AFSAT during operations at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.; and the Utah Test and Training Range. In addition, the contract provides for contractor logistics support and out of warranty repairs for the system. Work will be performed at Sacramento and is expected to be complete by Feb. 28, 2022. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8678-16-D-0008). (Source: DoD, 01/29/16)

Contract: Airbus DS, $8.6M

Airbus Defense and Space Inc., Herndon, Va., was awarded a $8,648,399 modification (P00970) to contract W58RGZ-06-C-0194 for logistics support for UH-72A (Lakota) helicopters. Work will be performed in Herndon with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2016. Fiscal 2016 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $8,648,399 were obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 01/29/16) Gulf Coast note: Airbus builds UH-72As in Columbus, Miss.

Contract: Lockheed, $61.9M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $61,943,088 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-15-C-0031) for recurring logistics services support for F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. Services to be provided include ground maintenance activities; action request resolution; depot activation activities; Automatic Logistics Information System operations and maintenance; reliability, maintainability and health management implementation and support; supply chain management; and activities to provide and support pilot and maintainer initial training. Work will be performed in Ft. Worth, Texas (35 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (25 percent); Warton, United Kingdom (20 percent); Orlando, Fla. (10 percent); Nashua, N.H. (5 percent); and Baltimore, Md. (5 percent). Work is expected to be completed in February 2016. This contract combines purchases for the Air Force (55 percent); Marine Corps (21 percent); Navy (16 percent); and non-DoD participants (8 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 01/29/16) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Sicily to get drones by year end

NATO will send all five of its Global Hawks this year to Sigonella Air Base in Sicily, four years later than program managers had initially planned. The drones are part of the Alliance Ground Surveillance system NATO is setting up in Italy amid growing regional and global concern about the presence of the Islamic State group across the Mediterranean in Libya. Fifteen NATO members are in the process of acquiring the Global Hawk surveillance systems. (Source: International Business Times, 01/26/16) Gulf Coast note: All variants of the Global Hawk are built in part in Moss Point, Miss.

JetBlue to overhaul cabins

JetBlue said on Monday that it's ready to overhaul the cabins of its A320 jets. The carrier say the restyling of all 130 of its A320s marks the first complete redesign of A320 interiors since JetBlue launched in 2000. The A320 cabin overhaul will include the addition of JetBlue's "Fly-Fi gate-to-gate" high-speed Internet and new high-definition seatback TV screens. JetBlue also will add power outlets and USB ports at every seat. JetBlue officials say the restyling is partially an attempt to make the A320 cabin interiors more like the interiors found on the airline's newer A321s, which get higher ratings from customers. (Source: USA Today, 01/26/16) Gulf Coast note: JetBlue will take delivery of the first Airbus A321 built in Mobile, Ala., this year.

KC-46A has first refueling flight

SEATTLE -- Boeing and U.S. Air Force aircrews successfully completed the KC-46A tanker's first refueling flight Sunday over Washington state. Following takeoff from Boeing Field, the KC-46A test team worked through a series of test points before offloading 1,600 pounds of fuel to an F-16 flying at 20,000 feet. During the 5 hour and 43-minute flight, air refueling operators accomplished multiple contacts with the F-16 that confirmed the system was ready to transfer fuel. (Source: Boeing, 01/24/16) Gulf Coast note: Airbus had competed for the refueling contract and planned to build the tankers in Mobile, Ala. Boeing won, and Airbus instead opted to build A320 series jetliners in Mobile. The first Mobile-built jetliner, for JetBlue, will be delivered this year.

Contract: General Atomics, $34M

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, Calif., has been awarded a $34,028,813 order (0014) from basic ordering agreement FA8620-15-G-4040 to develop and field the Air Force Special Operations Command MQ-9 Medium Altitude Long Endurance Tactical (MALET) Lead-Off Hitter (LOH) software line. Contractor will establish, define, and grow a process to rapidly field capabilities. Included in this effort is to address activities driving software changes such as: software defect corrections, threats, policy or doctrine driven, safety, interoperability, and software changes resulting from hardware upgrades. Work will be performed at Poway; Clovis, N.M.; and Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., and is expected to be complete by Feb. 28, 2018. Fiscal 2016 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $11,898,735 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 01/22/16)

Contract: Composite Eng., $18.7M

Composite Engineering Inc., Sacramento, Calif., has been awarded an $18,674,455 modification to previously awarded contract FA8678-15-C-0069 for Air Force Subscale Aerial Target (AFSAT) Lots 11-13 production. Contractor will provide additional quantity of 21 AFSAT production units being produced under the basic contract (Lot 12) and the associated warranty. Work will be performed at Sacramento and is expected to be complete by Nov. 30, 2020. Fiscal 2016 procurement funds in the amount of $17,785,195 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 01/21/16)

GE Aviation, Praxair joint venture

GE Aviation and Praxair Surface Technologies Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Praxair, Inc., have entered into an agreement to form a joint venture for the development, support and application of specialized coatings. The coatings will be tailored for GE Aviation’s and CFM International’s current and future engine models, including the GE9X and LEAP engines. The joint-venture company will expand its footprint with a new coatings plant in the southeast United States, which will supplement the services provided to GE from Praxair’s Indianapolis facility and other global operations. (Source: Praxair via Business Wire, 01/19/16)

Contract: Raytheon, $14M

Raytheon Co., Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded a not-to-exceed $14,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity cost contract for research and development in support of increased capabilities for next-generation, air-launched, tactical missiles. Contractor will work to increase the number of missiles carried on a single sortie, increase the effectiveness of each missile, and enhance the platform survivability against all threats in an anti-access, area denial (A2AD) environment. Two research concepts to fulfill these needs are the Small Advanced Capability Missile (SACM) and Miniature Self-Defense Munition (MSDM). The SACM will support affordable, highly lethal, small size and weight ordnance with advanced air frame design and synergistic control capabilities for air dominance enabling high air-to-air load-out. The MSDM will support miniaturized weapon capabilities for air superiority by enabling close-in platform self-defense and penetration into contested A2AD environment with little to no impact to payload capacity. Work will be performed at Tucson and is expected to be complete by Jan. 19, 2021. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition with four offers received. Fiscal 2016 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $388,905 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Research Laboratory, Munitions Directorate, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8651-16-D-0314). (Source: DoD, 01/20/16)

Contract: PAE, $31.9M

PAE Applied Technologies LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $31,927,651 modification (P00101) to exercise the option on previously awarded contract FA3010-13-C-0007 for Keesler Base Operations Support services. Work will be performed at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., and is expected to be complete by Jan. 31, 2017. No funds are being obligated at the time of award. The 81st Contracting Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 01/19/16)

Airbus lists three openings

MOBILE, Ala. -- Airbus Americas posted three open positions for its new U.S. Manufacturing Facility at the Mobile Aeroplex. They are customer manager; facilities specialist-industrial systems manager; and facilities specialist-infrastructure coordinator. For a full job description of the positions, a full list of qualifications and to apply, go to the Alabama Industrial Development Training website. The plant will produce the Airbus A320 series of jetliners, the company’s most popular models. (Source: Airbus, 01/15/16)

Contract: ATK, $47M

ATK Launch Systems Inc., a subsidiary of Orbital ATK Inc., Magna, Utah, has been awarded a $46,968,005 other transaction agreement for the development of three rocket propulsion system prototypes for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. This agreement implements Section 1604 of the Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act, which requires the development of a next-generation rocket propulsion system that will transition away from the use of the Russian-supplied RD-180 engine to a domestic alternative for National Security Space launches. An other transaction agreement was used in lieu of a standard procurement contract in order to leverage on-going investment by industry in rocket propulsion systems. This other transaction agreement requires shared cost investment with ATK Launch Systems Inc. for the development of prototypes of the GEM 63XL strap-on solid rocket motor, the Common Booster Segment (CBS) solid rocket motor, and an Extendable Nozzle for Blue Origin’s BE-3U upper stage engine. These rocket propulsion systems are intended for use on an Orbital ATK next generation launch vehicle. The GEM 63XL strap-on solid rocket motor is also intended for use on United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan launch vehicle. The locations of performance are Magna; Iuka, Miss.; Chandler, Ariz.; and Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. The work is expected to be completed no later than Dec. 30, 2019. Air Force fiscal 2015 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $46,968,005 are being obligated at the time of award. ATK Launch Systems Inc. is contributing $31,130,360 at the time of award. The total potential government investment, including all options, is $180,238,059. The total potential investment by ATK Launch Systems Inc., including all options, is $124,830,693. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition with multiple offers received. The Launch Systems Enterprise Directorate, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA8811-16-9-0002). (Source: DoD, 01/13/16) Gulf Coast note: Blue Origin has tested components for the BE-3U engine at Stennis Space Center, Miss.

Contract: SpaceX, $33.6M

Space Exploration Technologies, Corp. (SpaceX), Hawthorne, Calif., has been awarded a $33,660,254 other transaction agreement for the development of the Raptor rocket propulsion system prototype for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program. This agreement implements Section 1604 of the Fiscal Year 2015 National Defense Authorization Act, which requires the development of a next-generation rocket propulsion system that will transition away from the use of the Russian-supplied RD-180 engine to a domestic alternative for National Security Space launches. Another transaction agreement was used in lieu of a standard procurement contract in order to leverage on-going investment by industry in rocket propulsion systems. This other transaction agreement requires shared cost investment with SpaceX for the development of a prototype of the Raptor engine for the upper stage of the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch vehicles. The locations of performance are NASA Stennis Space Center, Miss., Hawthorne, and Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. The work is expected to be completed no later than Dec. 31, 2018. Air Force fiscal 2015 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $33,660,254 are being obligated at the time of award. SpaceX is contributing $67,320,506 at the time of award. The total potential government investment, including all options, is $61,392,710. The total potential investment by SpaceX, including all options, is $122,785,419. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition with multiple offers received. The Launch Systems Enterprise Directorate, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, is the contracting activity (FA8811-16-9-0001). (Source: DoD, 01/13/16)

Contract: Raytheon, $85M

Raytheon Co.- Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz., has been awarded an $85,500,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Griffin missiles and support. Contractor will provide Griffin A and B Block II/III missiles, including test and support equipment with engineering support. Work will be performed at Tucson and is expected to be complete by Jan. 31, 2017. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8656-16-D-0072). (Source: DoD, 01/13/16)

Contract: Scientific Systems, $11.6M

Scientific Systems Co. Inc., Woburn, Mass., has been awarded an $11,565,001 cost-plus-fixed-fee Small Business Innovation Research III contract for an advanced navigation system technology demonstration on Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) Increment I. Contractor will flight test, demonstrate, and evaluate the technology readiness of an ImageNav-SDB advanced navigation system using the SDB Increment I. Work will be performed at Woburn and is expected to be complete by Jan. 13, 2018. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, Rapid Acquisition Cell, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8656-16-C-0094). (Source: DoD, 01/13/16)

New leader picked for 1st AF

Air Force Maj. Gen. Robert S. Williams has been nominated for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general and for assignment as commander, Continental U.S. North American Aerospace Defense Command Region, and commander, First Air Force (Air Forces Northern), Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. Williams is currently serving as chief, Office of Military Cooperation; and senior defense official and defense attaché-Kuwait, U.S. Central Command, U.S. Embassy, Kuwait. (Source: DoD, 01/13/16)

Allegiant to serve VPS

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – Allegiant Air will begin operating out of Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport with service to the Midwest, officials announced Tuesday. Allegiant Air will begin service May 20 with direct flights between Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) and the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. Then on June 2 it will offer direct flights between Destin-Fort Walton Beach and the MidAmerica St. Louis Airport. The Las Vegas-based company, founded in 1997, will use an A320 to serve the Destin-Fort Walton Beach market. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 01/12/16)

Contract: Multiple, $900M

Aktarius LLC, Panama City, Fla. (W911SR-16-D-0001); Allied Technical Services LLC, Oxnard, Calif. (W911SR-16-D-0002); AQuate II LLC, Seminole, Okla. (W911SR-16-D-0003); Axseum Solutions LLC, Arlington, Va. (W911SR-16-D-0004); K.D. Analytical Consulting Inc., Harrisburg, Pa. (W911SR-16-D-0005); Murtech Inc., Glen Burnie, Md. (W911SR-16-D-0006); Omega Consultants Inc., Oak Ridge, Tenn. (W911SR-16-D-0007); SciTech Services Inc., Havre De Grace, Md. (W911SR-16-D-0008); STS International Inc., Berkeley Springs, W.V. (W911SR-16-D-0009); Veteran Corps of America, O’Fallon, Ill. (W911SR-16-D-0010); Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus, Ohio (W911SR-16-D-0011); Camber Corp., Huntsville, Ala. (W911SR-16-D-0012); DRS Technical Services Inc., Herndon, Va. (W911SR-16-D-001); Engility LLC, Chantilly, Va. (W911SR-16-D-0014); Leidos Inc., Reston, Va. (W911SR-16-D-0015); Patricio Enterprises Inc., Stafford, Va. (W911SR-16-D-0016); and SAIC Corp., McLean, Va. (W911SR-16-D-0017), were awarded a $900,000,000 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award task order contract for logistics and service support to the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical and Biological Defense. Bids were solicited via the Internet with 17 received, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 11, 2020. Funding and work location will be determined with each order. Army Contracting Command, Aberdeen, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 01/12/16)

Contract: Lockheed, $28.8M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $28,842,000 not-to-exceed, cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0020). This delivery order provides for air vehicle retrofit modifications associated with the F-35A fuel tank overpressure engineering change proposal in support of the Air Force, and the governments of Australia, Italy, the Netherlands, and Norway. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (62 percent); Ogden, Utah (28 percent); and Palmdale, Calif. (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2017. This contract combines purchases of the Air Force (93.11 percent); and the governments of Netherlands (5.67 percent); Italy (0.70 percent); Norway (0.35 percent) and Australia (0.17 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 01/12/16) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Northrop, $8M

Northrop Grumman Corp., Aerospace Systems, San Diego, Calif., is being awarded an $8,021,113 modification to a previously issued cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-16-C-0023) to exercise an option for software sustainment services in support of MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned aircraft systems. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif. (90 percent); and Point Mugu, Calif. (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2016. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 01/12/16) Gulf Coast note: Fire Scouts are built in part in Moss Point, Miss.

Contract: SAIC, $37.9M

NASA has awarded Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) of McLean, Va., a modification to the NASA Integrated Communications Services (NICS) contract which provides and manages the vast majority of NASA’s information technology (IT) communications infrastructure services. The NICS contract is a cost-plus award fee/cost-plus incentive fee contract which began June 1, 2011, and consists of a three-year base period, one two-year option, one three-year option and one two-year option. The period of performance runs through May 31, 2021, if all options are exercised. This $37.9 million contract modification adds NICS support for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF) and National Space Science & Technology Center campuses. NICS support includes: cable plant, emergency warning system, public address, radio services, telephone services, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), MSFC and MAF physical access control systems, emergency telecommunications, facsimile services and conference room support. The contract will be administered by the NASA Shared Services Center (NSSC) at Stennis Space Center, Miss. (Source: NASA/NSSC, 01/12/16)

More Airbus jobs open

MOBILE, Ala. -- Airbus issued two releases during the week seeking candidates for new positions at its U.S. Manufacturing Facility. One is for a customs specialist and the other for two aircraft conformity managers. The customs specialist is responsible for ensuring the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility complies with corporate import policies and U.S. Customs regulations, while enabling the supply chain to support aircraft production. The successful candidates must have at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience and a U.S. Customs Broker License. The aircraft conformity managers are responsible for managing all conformity topics related to the major assemblies delivered to the Airbus U.S. Production Facility from the start of assembly until the final customer delivery. Among other qualifications, successful candidates must have five or more years of experience in aircraft inspection, configuration management or quality management and a degree in aerospace/industrial engineering or business/quality management is preferred. For a complete list of Airbus jobs in Mobile, visit the Alabama Industrial Development Training website. (Source: Airbus, 01/08/15 and 01/06/15)

Report sees 3.4% growth

Global commercial aerospace subsector revenues are projected to increase by 3.4 percent this year. That's according to a new report released by Deloitte. Continued demand for new commercial aircraft, new technologies, strong passenger traffic, and military spending prompted by activity in the Middle East, will drive the growth. Deloitte's projection for the commercial sector is based on forecasts from airframe manufacturers and several investment analyst reports. (Source: Avionics Today, 01/05/16)

Zodiac opening Mobile facility

MOBILE, Ala. -- Zodiac Aerospace of France is the latest company to decide to place an operation close to the Airbus manufacturing plant at the Mobile Aeroplex. Zodiac designs aircraft cabins and has some 30,000 workers at 100 sites. Mobile is its 25th in the United States. The facility is expected to employ five initially who will focus on A320 cabin interiors, specifically seating. Zodiac will occupy about 1,700 square feet of a 5,000-square-foot space already inhabited by Germany’s Vartan Product Support. (Source: Made in Alabama, 01/05/16)

Contract: Exelis, $14.1M

Exelis Inc., Colorado Springs, Colo., has been awarded a $14,102,120 modification (P00655) to previously awarded contract F19628-02-C-0010 for sustainment posture of the System Engineering and Sustainment Integrator (SENSOR) weapon systems. Contractor will provide SENSOR Eglin, Globus II, Distributed Space Command and Control - Dahlgren, Ground-based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance, Ballistic Missile Early Warning System and Precision Acquisition Vehicle Entry Phased Array Warning System, and Perimeter Acquisition Radar Attack Characterization System sustainment support projects. Work will be performed at Clear Air Force Station, Alaska; Cape Cod Air Force Station, Mass.; Beale Air Force Base, Calif.; Thule Air Base, Greenland; Royal Air Force Fylingdales, United Kingdom; Cavalier Air Force Station, N.D.; Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Socorro, N.M.; Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory; Maui, Hawaii; Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.; and Naval Support Facility, Dahlgren, Va., and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2016. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/31/15)

Contract: Lockheed, $26M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, has been awarded a $26,059,500 modification (P00614) to previously awarded contract FA8611-08-C-2897 for the sustainment of the F-22 Reliability and Maintainability Maturation Program (RAMMP). Contractor will provide RAMMP candidate development, RAMMP solution development, and Truth in Negotiations Act retrofit changes. Work will be performed at Fort Worth and is expected to be complete by Sept. 30, 2017. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/31/15) Gulf Coast note: F-22 pilots are trained at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.

Contract: Boeing, $35.7M

The Boeing Co., Fort Walton Beach, Fla., has been awarded a $35,700,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for integrated sustainment support of the AC-130U Gunships. Contractor will provide development, modification, sustainment and maintenance of AC-130U Gunships. Work will be performed at Fort Walton Beach; Hurlburt Field, Fla.; Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan; and Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2020. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, is the contracting activity (FA8509-16-C-0001). (Source: DoD, 12/31/15)

Contract: UTC, $317.8M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt and Whitney, East Hartford, Conn., has been awarded a $317,757,559 modification (P00160) to previously awarded contract FA8611-08-C-2896 for F119 engine sustainment. Work will be performed at East Hartford; Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.; Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska; Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii; Hill Air Force Base, Utah; Langley Air Force Base, Va.; Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.; Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas; Tinker Air Force Base; Okla.; and Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2016. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 12/31/15)

Naval museum gets new director

PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Retired Navy Capt. Sterling Gilliam is the new director of the National Naval Aviation Museum at Naval Air Station Pensacola. Gilliam follows Bob Rasmussen, who retired as director in 2014. Gilliam graduated from Aviation Officer Candidate School at NAS Pensacola in 1983. Over 27 years, he flew 22 aircraft aboard multiple carrier groups, accumulated more than 4,600 flight hours. (Source: Pensacola News Journal 01/01/16)