Contract: L3, $8.8M

L3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., is being awarded $8,790,461 for modification P00022 to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery requirements contract (N00019-13-D-0007) for the procurement and installation of 96 automatic dependent surveillance (ADS) broadcast avionics kits (48 A kits and 48 B kits) required to upgrade the transceiver and transponders; navigation aid system wiring, radio/ADS-broadcast avionics; and global positioning systems in the TH-57 aircraft. Work will be performed at the Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Milton, Fla. (70 percent); and Melbourne, Fla. (30 percent), and is expected to be completed in May 2018. The Naval Air Warfare Center Training System Division, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 07/10/17)

Contract: UTC, $7.9M

United Technologies Corp., Pratt & Whitney Military Engines, East Hartford, Conn., is being awarded not-to-exceed $7,906,242 for modification P00014 to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive, fixed-price-incentive-fee contract (N00019-15-C-0004). This modification provides for the procurement of one F-35 Lightning II low-rate initial production II short take-off vertical landing full scale engine mockup training device to support sustainment activities for the United Kingdom’s initial operational capability. Work will be performed in East Hartford (95 percent); and Indianapolis, Ind. (5 percent), and is expected to be complete in May 2019. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 07/10/17) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Lockheed, $5.5B

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $5,577,714,486 modification to a previously awarded F-35 Lightning II low-rate initial production (LRIP) Lot 11 advance acquisition contract (N00019-16-C-0033). The LRIP 11 contract contains requirements for the Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, international partner nations, and foreign military sales (FMS) customers. This modification provides for the procurement of 74 fiscal 2017 aircraft, comprised of 48 F-35A aircraft for the Air Force, 18 F-35B aircraft for the Marine Corps, and eight F-35C aircraft for the Navy and Marine Corps. In addition, this modification adds funding to previously awarded fiscal 2015 and 2016 aircraft contract line item numbers for the U.S. Services. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (55 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (15 percent); Warton, United Kingdom (10 percent); Orlando, Fla. (5 percent); Nashua, N.H. (5 percent); Baltimore, Md. (5 percent); and Cameri, Italy (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2020. This modification combines purchases for the Air Force (61 percent); Navy (26 percent); and the Marine Corps (13 percent). An undefinitized not-to-exceed contract modification to fund procurement of 50 F-35 Partner and FMS aircraft for $2.2 billion is anticipated within the month of July 2017. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 07/07/17) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Whiting Field continues buffering

NAVAL AIR STATION WHITING FIELD, Fla. – Naval Air Station Whiting Field secured an easement to help protect the training mission of the installation last month. The contract provides for an easement over 163 acres of undeveloped property adjacent to the northern boundary of Navy Outlying Landing Field Pace. The easement issues protections that ensure incompatible development of the land cannot occur in the future. The property is under flight tracks for the helicopter training that occurs at NOLF Pace, helping to ensure that future construction does not occur under Accident Potential Zones (APZs) or clear zones. “This parcel of land offers a tremendous buffer with respect to our TH-57 training,” said Community Planning Liaison Officer Randy Roy. “These transactions will positively affect the installation’s mission for decades to come.” The easement was purchased for $571,000, with 75 percent paid by the Navy. Santa Rosa County picked up the rest of the cost. (Source: NAS Whiting, 07/07/17)

Airports get grants

The Mississippi congressional delegation announced 42 grants valued at $7.54 million for airports throughout the state, including at two in South Mississippi. Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport will receive $2.35 million from the Federal Aviation Administration for taxiway widening, runway rehabilitation and security enhancement. The grant also provides partial reimbursement for work completed in 2014. The City of Picayune was awarded $162,540 for the Picayune Municipal Airport to fund Phase 2 and 3 of a taxiway construction program to improve access to aircraft hangars, including design and wetlands mitigation. (Source: Sun Herald, 07/05/17)

33rd goes to Red Flag

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – Members of Eglin’s 33rd Fighter Wing are at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., to participate in a major training exercise. Officials said 120 members of the F-35 squadron will join the Red Flag exercise. It’s the first time the Nomads have taken part in a Red Flag since the squadron began flying F-35s in 2009. (Source: Pensacola News Journal, 07/06/17)

Contract: Lockheed, $50.8M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a not-to-exceed $50,800,000 for modification P00611 to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-02-C-3002) for the F-35 fighter verification simulation (VSim) / F-35 in-a-box software model development, integration and support. Work will be performed in Fort Worth (82 percent); Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. (15 percent); and Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (3 percent), and is expected to be completed in April 2018. This contract combines purchases for the Air Force (50 percent); Navy (25 percent); and the Marine Corps (25 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 07/05/17) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Lockheed, $44M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a not-to-exceed $43,974,520 modification P00001 to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract (N00019-17-C-0001). This modification provides additional funding for long-lead time materials, parts, components, and effort for production of five additional low-rate initial production Lot 12 F-35B aircraft. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (30 percent); El Segundo, Calif. (25 percent); Warton, United Kingdom (20 percent); Orlando, Fla. (10 percent); Nashua, N.H. (5 percent); Nagoya, Japan (5 percent); and Baltimore, Md. (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2017. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 07/03/17) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Lockheed, $30M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $30,000,000 not-to-exceed modification to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract (N00019-16-C-0033) for additional engineering and hardware assembly services in support of the F-35 low-rate initial production Lot 11 aircraft for the government of Japan under the Foreign Military Sales program. Work will be performed in Nagoya, Japan (80 percent); and Baltimore, Md. (20 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2018. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 07/03/17) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

F-35A pilot becomes Thunderbird

Air Force Thunderbirds. Air Force photo

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. – The first F-35A pilot has been chosen to join the Air Force Thunderbirds. He’s Capt. Stephen Del Bagno of the 58th Fighter Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., who will fly the No. 4 slot position. The commander of the Air Combat Command, Gen. Mike Holmes, officially selected seven pilots on June 30 to join the flying demonstration team for the 2018 season. (Source: Thunderbirds, 06/30/17) The 58th FS is part of the 33rd Fighter Wing, which trains pilots and maintenance personnel.

Contract: Northrop, $10.5M

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Linthicum, Md., is being awarded $10,491,865 for firm-fixed-price job order N0016417FW094 under previously awarded basic ordering agreement N00164-15-G-WS82. The requirement is for spare parts to be used to repair the AN/ALQ-240 Electronic Support Measures system at intermediate-level repair sites. The AN/ALQ-240 provides rapid detection, classification and geographical location of ground-based radar systems to provide situational awareness to the P-8A aircraft. The Navy's P-8A Poseidon aircraft also includes capabilities such as long-range anti-submarine, anti-surface, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of broad-area maritime and littoral operations. Work will be performed in Linthicum, (75 percent); San Jose, Calif. (10 percent); Ashburn, Va. (5 percent); Baltimore, Md. (5 percent); and Fort Walton Beach, Fla. (5 percent), and is expected to be completed by October 2020. The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, Crane, Ind., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 06/30/17)

Contract: SA Technical, $12M

SA Technical Services Inc., Niceville, Fla. (FA0021-15-D-0001); Advanced Concepts Enterprises Inc., Shalimar, Fla. (FA0021-15-D-0002); and Streamline Defense LLC, Tampa, Fla. (FA0021-15-D-0003), have each been awarded a combined $12,000,000 modification (P00004) to a previously indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) V services. This modification increases the ceiling amount of the original contract. Performance locations will be determined on individual task orders. Work is expected to be complete by Aug. 11, 2020. Funds will be obligated on individual task orders. Air Force Installation Contracting Agency, Hurlburt Field, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 06/30/17)

Tyndall F-22s reach milestone

F-22 gets ready for sortie. Air Force photo

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 95th Fighter Squadron achieved a major milestone June 26 by flying its 10,000 F-22 Raptor sortie. Since its first Raptor flight Jan. 21, 2014, the 95th FS has seen its fair share of action, including the jets’ first deployment to Europe in August 2015, and later in its first combat action over the skies of Iraq and Syria. The “Boneheads” completed their 10,000 mission sortie under squadron commander, Lt. Col. Joshua Biedermann. The 95th FS was inactivated in 2010 then re-activated in October 2013, marking the beginning of a new era. Today, Tyndall AFB has the largest contingent of F-22 Raptors in the world. (Source: 325th Fighter Wing, 06/30/17)

Contract: Sauer, $10.9M

Sauer Inc., Jacksonville, Fla., is being awarded a $10,937,000 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a Joint Reserve Intelligence Center (JRIC) at Naval Air Station New Orleans. The work to be performed provides for a design bid build project to construct a single-story addition to existing Building 558. The JRIC includes a service-owned and managed sensitive compartmented information facility and surrounding collateral and unclassified areas. The facility includes emergency/redundant power and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, including remote monitoring system. The contract also contains one planned modification, which if awarded would increase cumulative contract value to $11,557,897. Work will be performed in New Orleans and is expected to be completed by February 2019. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, is the contracting activity (N69450-17-C-1613). (Source: DoD, 06/29/17)

Air boss visits T-45C wings

Instructor pilots will resume flying the T-45C with the on-board oxygen generator system in early July, with students resuming flight training later in the month. That’s the word from Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker, Commander, Naval Air Forces, who visited bases in Kingsville, Texas, Meridian Miss., and Pensacola, Fla., Wednesday and Thursday with the news and to introduce the new Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA), Rear Adm. James Bynum. Bynum assumed command of CNATRA June 23, his third flag assignment. Regarding the T-45C, instructor pilots will conduct warm-up flights, after which they will brief the remaining pilots and students in their squadrons on use of the new configuration. Students will also require additional warm-up flights prior to the resumption of syllabus training. Flights were suspended then allowed with limitations after some pilots complained about hypoxia-like symptoms. (Source: NNS, 06/29/17) Previous

Contract: Lockheed, $22.8M

Lockheed Martin Corp., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded $22,806,587 for modification P00019 to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive-firm contract (N00019-16-C-0004) for interim contractor support for the Navy and Marine Corps in support of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Support to be provided includes capabilities and services associated with Autonomic Logistics Information System maintenance, system administration, database administration, networks administration and operational mission software administration. Additional support includes the establishment or expansion of on-site support equipment operations. Work will be performed at the Naval Air Station, Lemoore, Calif. (55 percent); and Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan (45 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2017. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 06/29/17) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Lockheed, $257.8M

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $257,780,849 firm-fixed-price modification to the previously awarded low-rate initial production lot 10 F-35 Lightning II advance acquisition contract (N00019-15-C-0003). This modification provides the procurement of 129 alternate mission equipment for the Air Force (54); Navy and Marine Corps (11); foreign military sales (FMS); and international partners (39); 468 pilot flight equipment for the Air Force (203); Navy and Marine Corps (131); and FMS and international partners (134); and 94 red gear for the Air Force (44); Navy and Marine Corps (11); FMS; and international partners (39), to support the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter production. Work will be performed in Inglewood, Calif. (60 percent); White Plains, N.Y. (25 percent); St. Petersburg, Fla. (5 percent); Orlando, Fla. (5 percent); and Fort Worth, Texas (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in June 2020. Fiscal 2016 aircraft procurement (Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps); international partner; and FMS funds in the amount of $257,780,849 are being obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order combines purchases for the Air Force (47.7 percent); Marine Corps (15.6 percent); Navy (4.0 percent); international partners (23.4 percent); and FMS customers (9.3 percent) under the Foreign Military Sales program. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 06/28/17) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center.

Contract: Boeing, $10.2M

The Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo., has been awarded a $10,217,915 firm-fixed-price delivery order for joint direct attack munition (JDAM) high compact telemetry modules. Contractor will provide flight test instrumentation hardware, which is used to gather real-time JDAM weapon data during testing. Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif., and is expected to be complete by April 2019. This contract involves foreign military sales to Japan, Republic of Korea, Israel, and Singapore. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Fiscal 2015, 2016 and 2017 procurement funds; fiscal 2016 research and development funds; fiscal 2017 operations and maintenance funds; and foreign military sales funds in the amount of $10,217,915 are being obligated at the time of award. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is the contracting activity (FA8681-14-D-0028 0017). (Source: DoD, 06/27/17)

Training squadron wins award

NAVAL AIR STATION WHITING FIELD, Fla. -- Training Squadron THREE recently earned recognition as the top primary training squadron in the Navy for fiscal year 2016. The Chief of Naval Air Training announced the winners of the Cdr. Theodore G. Ellyson Aviator Production Excellence Awards, honoring the top training squadrons. The award recognizes a unit’s ability to produce the right number of pilots, on schedule, and within Chief of Naval Operations approved syllabus time. VT-3, which uses the Hawker Beechcraft T-6B Texan II, trains aviators and pilots for the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and several allied nations. Current instruction includes day and night piloting, precision aerobatics, basic and radio instruments, and formation flying skills. VT-3's current commission at NAS Whiting Field dates back to May 1, 1960. (Source: NAS Whiting Field, 06/26/17)

Changes at Eglin

The Air Force announced Friday that Brig. Gen. Shaun Q. Morris, selected to the grade of major general, who is the Air Force program executive officer for weapons and the director of the Armament Directorate for the AF Life Cycle Management Center at Eglin AFB, Fla., will be going to command the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center at Kirtland AFB in New Mexico. Also, Col. Anthony W. Genatempo, selected to the grade of brigadier general and currently the senior materiel leader and F-22 systems program manager for the Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio, will be reassigned to Morris’ post at Eglin Air Force Base. (Source: DoD, 06/23/17)