Coast Guard Station Bodega Bay to host open house

Coast Guard Station Bodega Bay is scheduled to host an open house April 20, 2019, in Bodega Bay, California. The event is free and open to the public and will feature demonstrations and tours of Coast Guard assets. (U.S. Coast Guard graphic)

WHO:​ Coast Guard Station Bodega Bay crewmembers and representatives from state and local partner agencies.

WHAT:​ Coast Guard Station Bodega Bay Open House, where guests will have the opportunity to tour Coast Guard boats and aircraft, observe search and rescue demonstrations and meet local Coast Guard members. Spokespersons will also be available to answer questions about the Coast Guard’s missions in the area.

WHEN:​ Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WHERE:​ Coast Guard Station Bodega Bay at 355 Doran Beach Rd., Bodega Bay, CA 94923

SAN FRANCISCO —​ Coast Guard Station Bodega Bay crewmembers are scheduled to host an open house, Saturday.

Station Bodega Bay crewmembers invite the public to visit the station between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.​ to learn about Coast Guard operations in the area.

“We’re excited to open our doors to our community and we welcome them to come take a look at what we do,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Jeremiah Wolf, Station Bodega Bay's officer-in-charge. “We’re proud to serve this community. We hope the public takes this opportunity to come out and learn about the Coast Guard’s role in maritime safety and security along the California coast and meet some of our awesome partner agencies.”

Visitors will have the opportunity to tour Coast Guard boats and a helicopter, as well as other assets and equipment used by the Coast Guard and partner agencies. The event is kid-friendly and will feature games.​

Coast Guard motor lifeboat crews from Station Bodega Bay conduct surf training with a 47-foot motor lifeboat Saturday, Sept. 12. Motor lifeboat crews took advantage of an early season swell that brought consistent 15-foot surf to the area. The crews train to ensure they are prepared to respond to distress calls and maritime emergencies during storms that bring high seas and heavy weather.

Coast Guard rescues 2 from vessel taking on water near Año Nuevo Island

A Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew rescued two people from a 57-foot Chris-craft taking on water approximately 3 miles off of Año Nuevo Island, California, April 18, 2019. The Dolphin crew hoisted two people into the helicopter and had to make an emergency landing at a parking lot in Santa Cruz due to low fuel, where emergency medical services met the crew. (U.S. Coast Guard video)

SAN FRANCISCO​ —​ The Coast Guard rescued two people from a sinking boat approximately three miles off the coast of Año Nuevo State Park, Thursday.

The owner of the 57-foot Chris-craft, Never Say Never, contacted Coast Guard Sector San Francisco watchstanders at approximately 5:30 p.m., reporting that his boat was taking on water.

The command center watchstanders diverted a Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew and a Coast Guard Station Golden Gate 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew to the reported location of the boat.

The Dolphin helicopter crew arrived on scene approximately 10 minutes after they were notified, but had difficulty locating the Never Say Never through the dense fog.

The aircrew, using VHF channel 16 radio direction-finding equipment, was able to locate the Never Say Never.

The aircrew hoisted the two people aboard the Dolphin and departed en route to Watsonville airport. However, due to low fuel, the aircrew landed in the parking lot of the Sky View Flea Market in Santa Cruz, California.

Watchstanders coordinated with local police and emergency services to meet the aircrew as one of the survivors reported that they were experiencing chest pain.

Both rescued mariners​ were transferred to Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz.

“The most challenging part about this rescue was the dense fog offshore,” said Lt. Cmdr. Mike Dubinksy, the aircraft commander of the rescue helicopter. “This is a harsh reminder of the dangerous conditions we see this time of year near the coastlines. The sunshine can be very inviting, but the water is still very cold and the marine layer can surround you within minutes, making it very difficult to navigate back to shore.”

The Coast Guard reminds mariners that a VHF radio or an emergency position-indicating radio beacon are the best ways for mariners to communicate a distress to the Coast Guard.

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jordan Akiyama (archive).

-USCG-

Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus Spacecraft Successfully Completes Rendezvous and Berthing with International Space Station

“S.S. Roger Chaffee” delivers approximately 7,600 pounds of cargo to the orbiting laboratory

Dulles, Va. – April 19, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC)  today announced that the “S.S. Roger Chaffee” Cygnus™ spacecraft successfully completed its rendezvous and berthing maneuvers with the International Space Station earlier this morning. The mission marks the company’s 11th successful berthing with the orbiting laboratory.

Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft approaches the International Space Station for a robotic capture. Credit: NASA TV

Cygnus launched aboard a Northrop Grumman Antares™ rocket on April 17, 2019 from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad 0A on Wallops Island, Virginia. As the spacecraft approached the space station, Cygnus executed a series of thruster burns to raise its orbit. Once the spacecraft was in close range, crew members on board the space station grappled the spacecraft with the station’s robotic arm at 5:30 a.m. EDT. Cygnus was then guided to its berthing port on the nadir side of the station’s Unity module and officially installed on to the space station at 7:31 a.m. EDT.

“Our arrival at the space station as the ‘S.S. Roger Chaffee’ marks a proud moment for the NASA and Northrop Grumman teams,” said Frank DeMauro, vice president and general manager, space systems, Northrop Grumman. “As we deliver critical supplies and cargo to the astronauts aboard the space station, we are inspired by Lt. Commander Chaffee’s courage and commitment to the human exploration of space. The Cygnus spacecraft represents his planned journey to space in memory of those who took great risks to advance our nation’s space program.”  

Astronaut Roger Chaffee and his crewmates, Virgil “Gus” Grissom and Ed White II, all died in a tragic accident after a fire occurred in the space capsule during a simulation of the Apollo 1 launch in 1967. While his crewmates had flown to space on previous missions, Chaffee had not yet traveled to space. The naming of Cygnus in honor of his memory recognizes his legacy and valued contributions to human spaceflight.

Cygnus arrived at the space station with nearly 7,600 pounds (approximately 3,450 kilograms) of cargo, supplies and scientific experiments. The crew is now scheduled to open Cygnus’ hatch and make initial ingress into the cargo module to begin unloading the pressurized cargo. Cygnus will remain docked at the station for approximately three months before departing on secondary missions.

Once Cygnus departs the station, the spacecraft will begin a secondary mission to deploy CubeSats for two commercial customers. Cygnus will reposition to deploy three CubeSats using a NanoRacks deployer in the Company’s seventh commercial mission.  The Slingshot CubeSat Deployer system is also on board and marking its second mission on a Cygnus spacecraft. Slingshot is a flexible platform that can fly hosted payloads and CubeSats. The system is scheduled to be installed by astronauts while Cygnus is docked to the station in preparation for another round of CubeSat deployments during the next phase of its mission.

After the CubeSats are deployed, Cygnus will remain in orbit for an extended duration mission, an achievement marking a “first” for the spacecraft as it demonstrates capabilities beyond cargo supply and disposal. This newest innovation showcases Cygnus as a future testbed for various types of hosted payload missions. Upon completion of its secondary missions, Cygnus will perform a safe, destructive reentry into Earth’s atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean.

Leonardo: Italy’s National Fire Corps receives first two AW139 helicopters, the backbone of the Country’s rescue and emergency response services

- The  helicopters  will  carry  out  search  and  medical  rescue,  firefighting  and  disaster relief  with  enhanced  operational  effectiveness  from  all  national  bases.  The  first AW139 of  the  National  Fire Corps  is now  entering  service.

- Replacing  the  AB412  fleet  in  the  next  few  years,  the  AW139  has  also  been  chosen  by the  Italian  Air  Force,  Guardia  di  Finanza,  State  Police,  Coast  Guard  and  many  EMS operators 

- The  new  helicopters  feature  latest  generation  avionics  and  sensors  and  firefighting and rescue  equipment  for  operations  in all  conditions 

Rome,  18  April,  2019  –  With  the  delivery  of  the  first  two  AW139  intermediate  twin  engine helicopters,  Leonardo  and  the  Italian  National  Fire  Corps  (Vigili  del  Fuoco,  part  of  the  Ministry  of the  Interior)  announced  a  major  step  forward  in  strengthening  their  collaboration  delivering advanced,  more  effective  emergency  response  services  in  Italy.  The  event,  celebrated  during an  official  ceremony  held  at  Leonardo’s  Vergiate  facility  today  in  the  presence  of  Government representatives  and  local  authorities.  The  introduction  of  the  AW139  marks  a  major enhancement  of  airborne  multirole  capabilities  with  the  world’s  most  modern  helicopter  for maritime  and  mountain  Search  and  Rescue  (SAR),  medical  rescue,  firefighting  and  disaster relief  duties. 

Over  816,000  rescues  and  sorties  are  performed  every  year  countering  fires  across Europe,  including  many  in  Italy,  and  the  AW139s,  planned  to  progressively  replace  the  Italian National  Fire  Corps  AB412s  which  have  been  in  service  for  decades,  will  guarantee  optimimal coverage  and  an  even  more  rapid  responsiveness  across  the  country.  The  Italian  National  Fire Corps  will  receive  a  third  AW139  this  year  under  the  €45  million  contract  signed  in  2018.  The contract  also  includes  integrated  logistic  support  and  training  for  pilots  and  technicians,  and encompasses  an  option  for  12  additional  helicopters.  The  first  two  helicopters  will  be  based  in Rome  Ciampino  for  National  Fire Corpos  personnel  training.   

The  backbone  of  the  Country’s  rescue  services,  the  AW139  is  also  in  service  with  the Italy’s  Guardia  di  Finanza,  State  Police,  Coast  Guard  and  Air  Force.  The  National  Fire Corps  AW139s  feature  a  wide  range  of  mission  equipment,  including  an  external  rescue  hoist, cargo  hook  with  bambi  bucket  provision,  weather  radar,  multi-band  and  satellite  communication systems,  high  definition  Forward  Looking  Infra-Red  /  Low  Light  TV  (FLIR/LLTV)  system, Leonardo’s  high  definition  mission  console  with  digital  recorder,  high  definition  down  link, Leonardo’s  Optical  Proximity  LiDAR  System  (OPLS),  Night  Vision  Goggle (NVG)  capability,  new generation  Trakka  searchlight,  emergency  floatation  system  and  external  life  rafts,  external loudspeaker,  medical  rack  and bubble  windows. 

Northrop Grumman Set to Launch 11th Cargo Delivery Mission to the International Space Station for NASA

Mission to showcase late load operations, long-duration post-space station departure mission for Cygnus, and largest cargo load launched aboard an Antares rocket to date

Dulles, Va. – April 16, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) announced it is set to launch the company’s AntaresTM rocket carrying its CygnusTM cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station for NASA. Pending completion of cargo late load, final vehicle testing and acceptable local weather conditions, the launch will take place April 17 with lift-off scheduled for 4:46 p.m. EDT from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Pad 0A on Wallops Island, Virginia, at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility. The Cygnus spacecraft is scheduled to rendezvous and berth with the station on April 19, 2019.

Northrop Grumman’s Antares™ rocket and Cygnus™ spacecraft are set to launch the company’s 11th cargo delivery mission to the International Space Station.

The mission, designated NG-11, marks the 11th time Cygnus will deliver cargo to the International Space Station for NASA and will complete the Commercial Resupply Services-1 (CRS-1) contract. The company’s first launch under the CRS-2 contract is planned for this fall.

For the NG-11 mission, Northrop Grumman will showcase a number of new capabilities including late load operations and a solo, long duration post-space station departure mission for Cygnus. In addition, the Antares medium-class rocket is set to carry its largest cargo load to date, transporting approximately 7,600 pounds (3,450 kilograms) of vital supplies and scientific equipment aboard Cygnus.

Antares is carrying two secondary payloads on its second stage. These small satellites include one NASA-sponsored 3U CubeSat called Student Aerothermal Spectrometer Satellite of Illinois and Indiana CubeSat (SASSI2) and 60 ThinSats. SASSI was built by students attending the Universities of Indiana and Illinois. The ThinSats program is a science, technology, engineering and mathematics outreach program sponsored by the Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority for grades 4-12. These satellites were built by students from 70 schools located in 9 states (Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia). After the ThinSats are deployed, students will collect and analyze data transmitted from their satellite for approximately five days before it deorbits and burns up in the atmosphere.

Northrop Grumman names each Cygnus spacecraft in honor of astronauts and individuals who contributed to the United States’ space program. For the NG-11 mission, the company commemorates astronaut Roger Chaffee who was selected by NASA to fly on the first manned mission of the Apollo program in 1967. Lt. Commander Chaffee, and crewmates, Virgil “Gus” Grissom and Ed White II, all died in a tragic accident after a fire occurred in the space capsule during a simulation of the Apollo 1 launch. Unlike his crewmates, Chaffee had not yet traveled to space. The Cygnus spacecraft will represent Roger Chaffee’s planned journey to space in memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that others could pursue their dreams of space exploration.

On this mission the S.S. Roger Chaffee will demonstrate for the first time the ability to load cargo 24 hours before a scheduled launch. This capability allows time-sensitive payloads to be safely transported to the International Space Station.

Cygnus will be grappled by the crew aboard the International Space Station at approximately 5:30 a.m. EDT on April 19, 2019. The spacecraft will remain attached to the space station for approximately two months before departing with up to 7,700 pounds (approximately 3,500 kilograms) of cargo for disposal. The removal of this disposable cargo is a crucial step in keeping the space station operational.

Once Cygnus is unberthed from the station, it will reposition to deploy three CubeSats using a NanoRacks deployer. The Slingshot CubeSat Deployer System is also scheduled to be installed by astronauts while Cygnus is docked to the station for another round of deployments once the spacecraft unberths. These companies are just two examples of how the Cygnus spacecraft can facilitate commercial businesses through the second phase of its resupply missions to the space station.

After the S.S. Roger Chaffee deploys the hosted CubeSats, it will demonstrate the ability to remain in orbit for an extended duration independent of the space station. This innovation positions Cygnus to be used as a future testbed for various types of hosted payloads. While Cygnus performs this free flight, it will maintain an undisturbed microgravity environment which could host a number of experiments and technology demonstrations in the future. Once this demonstration is complete, Cygnus will perform a safe and destructive reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean.

The advanced capabilities demonstrated on this mission allow the International Space Station to maximize its potential as an orbiting laboratory and fosters a new economy in low-Earth orbit. Including NG-11, Cygnus will have delivered approximately 30,000kg (66,000 lbs.) of cargo under the CRS-1 contract. Future Cygnus missions will continue to showcase innovations benefitting the space station, commercial partners and deep space missions.

Live coverage of the Antares launch and Cygnus berthing with the station will be available on NASA Television at http://www.nasa.gov/live. Details about the mission can be viewed here.

Pratt & Whitney amplía su red de servicios en China con una instalación de mantenimiento para el Leonardo AW139

Leonardo AW139, Sociedad de Salvamento y Seguridad Marítima (SASEMAR)

SHANGHAI, 16 DE ABRIL DE 2019 - Pratt & Whitney, una división de United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), ha nombrado a Citic Offshore Helicopter Co. Ltd. (COHC) en Shenzhen (China) como instalación de mantenimiento designado para los motores PT6C- 67C de los operadores del helicóptero Leonardo AW139 en China. COHC ofrecerá servicios de mantenimiento de línea y de equipo de reparación móvil (MRT, Mobile Repair Team).

"Escuchar las necesidades de nuestros clientes y ofrecerles las soluciones adecuadas es de suma importancia para Pratt & Whitney", Frederic Lefebvre (ejecutivo de ventas y marketing de Pratt & Whitney). “Con la rápida expansión de la flota de helicópteros civiles en China queremos asegurarnos de que nuestros clientes tengan un servicio más cercano y personalizado. Estamos orgullosos de lanzar este esfuerzo con COHC".

Impulsando el crecimiento en China

Desde su primera puesta en servicio del Loening Air Yacht en China hace 90 años, Pratt & Whitney ha aumentado su presencia en las principales ciudades del país, con 1.200 empleados responsables de la fabricación, capacitación, ventas y servicio al cliente.

Hoy en día más de 3.600 motores Pratt & Whitney están en servicio en China, incluidos los motores GTF™, PW100, PT6A, V2500 y unidades de potencia auxiliar APS3200 (APU).

Los motores Pratt & Whitney y las APU impulsan en la actualidad varias aeronaves civiles, incluido el avión regional COMAC ARJ21, el Harbin Y-12, el Xi'an MA60, así como los turbopropulsores MA600 y MA700. También alimentamos la flota de aviones comerciales del país con nuestros motores PW300, PW500 y PW600, y estamos orgullosos de presentar nuestro último motor de última generación, el PW800.

Pratt & Whitney Celebrates Embraer E195-E2 Aircraft Certification

São Jose dos Campos, São Paulo, Brazil, April 16, 2019 – Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), and Embraer are celebrating a significant milestone as the E195-E2 aircraft receives Type Certification from three regulatory agencies, the Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC) in Brazil, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and from the European Aviation Safety Administration (EASA). The aircraft is exclusively powered by the Pratt & Whitney GTF™ PW1900G engine and is scheduled to enter into service in the second half of 2019 with Azul Brazilian Airlines.

“Thank you to our Embraer employees, our customers and our suppliers for their support of the E195-E2 program. This is a historic accomplishment and a day for celebration for all parties involved,” said John Slattery, President & CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation. “I want to especially recognize the contributions of Pratt & Whitney and the outstanding performance of the GTF engine which will power the E2 for years to come."

Embraer’s E190-E2 aircraft, which is also powered by the Pratt & Whitney GTF engine, entered service in April 2018 with Norway-based Widerøe.

“Congratulations to Embraer on the certification of their E195-E2 aircraft,” said Chris Calio, president of Commercial Engines at Pratt & Whitney. “The E2 is widely recognized for setting a new benchmark for performance and environmental leadership in the regional jet market, and we are honored to contribute to this legacy. We thank the individuals at Embraer and Pratt & Whitney for their dedication and teamwork in achieving this noteworthy milestone.”

In addition to being selected as the exclusive propulsion system for the E2 commercial aircraft, Pratt & Whitney’s APS2600E auxiliary power unit (APU) is the sole-sourced APU for the E2 family. The APS2600E APU gives airlines greater flexibility, by increasing the altitude ceiling for ETOPS and other operations, and providing a significant increase in electrical power delivery to meet the needs of today’s airlines.

The E195-E2 aircraft provides more than 24% reduction in fuel burn per seat than the previous-generation E195, with NOx emissions 50% below the ICAO CAEP/6 regulation and 19dB to 20dB of ICAO Chapter 4 cumulative noise margin.

Coast Guard ends search for person in the water near Destin, Florida

Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Giles (archive)

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard ended its search for the person in the water near Destin, Florida, Tuesday. ​

The Coast Guard used eight assets in conjunction with local agencies to search approximately 569 square miles over 41 hours.

Coast Guard Sector Mobile watchstanders received a request for assistance at 12:41 p.m. Sunday from Okaloosa County Sheriff’s in the search for a man who entered the water after he and another man were ejected from a 20-foot center console vessel after a reported malfunction. The vessel reportedly continued running in circles and struck the missing individual.

Involved in the response were:

• Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew
• Coast Guard Station Destin 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boatcrew
• Coast Guard Station Destin 29-foot Response Boat-Small boatcrew
• Coast Guard Auxiliary aircrew
• Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office
• Florida Wildlife and Fisheries
• Eglin Air Force Base Special Ops Dive Team

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

For questions regarding the missing individual please contact Army Major Beth Riordan, 1st Special Forces Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, at (910) 853-4366.

-USCG-

Lockheed Martin's 360-Degree Pilot Visual System Completes First Flight On Bell V-280 Valor

NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin's (NYSE: LMT) Pilotage Distributed Aperture Sensor (PDAS) system took flight for the first time aboard the V-280 Valor, Bell Helicopter's next-generation tiltrotor aircraft in a series of flights over Fort Worth, Texas, in March. PDAS is a multi-functional sensor system that generates high-resolution, 360-degree imagery around the aircraft to enhance situational awareness for pilots and other users.

The PDAS system captured complete spherical infrared imagery while operating in a high-speed, tactically relevant flight environment and generated real-time imagery.

"Conducting PDAS flight tests on the V-280 is an exciting first step toward delivering a level of situational awareness unavailable on today's Army rotorcraft," said Rita Flaherty, strategy & business development vice president at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "With its embedded, multi-functional sensors, PDAS is the ideal foundation for an integrated survivability suite that will enable Army aircrews to own any environment and universally detect and defeat incoming threats."

Specifically designed for current and future vertical lift aircraft, PDAS consists of six infrared sensors distributed around the aircraft linked to aircrew helmets and cockpit displays via an open-architecture processor.

During testing, engineers demonstrated PDAS's ability to provide simultaneous coverage to multiple independent displays. Aircrews benefit from its all-weather pilotage imagery while transported ground troops can survey the environment for tactical information and threats. While PDAS is currently generating imagery for two users, the system will ultimately support up to six users, which could include pilots in other aircraft and mission commanders on the ground.

Planned capability upgrades will demonstrate additional integrated survivability suite capabilities like Multi-Modal Sensor Fusion (MMSF). MMSF blends data from multiple types of sensors to restore aircrew situational awareness in degraded visual environments and enables navigation in GPS-denied zones.

Northrop Grumman Highlights Mission-Critical Capabilities at AAAA Summit

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – April 12, 2019 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) will highlight a full range of solutions aimed at providing integrated, mission-critical capabilities during the Army Aviation Association of America (AAAA) Mission Solutions Summit. The event will be held April 14-16 at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center in Nashville.

Northrop Grumman delivers the Integrated Avionics Suite for the UH-60V helicopter, which is designed to update existing UH-60L analog gauges with digital electronic instrument displays.

In booth #910, Northrop Grumman will feature technologies, products and services to deliver warfighter advantages in multi-domain operations. The exhibit will spotlight mission-oriented enhancements that help preserve command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance dominance; expand mission capabilities; and create tomorrow’s solutions for today’s Army aviation force.

Northrop Grumman is showcasing the digital helicopter cockpit, which is derived from the U.S. Army’s UH-60V Black Hawk program, and integrated avionics solutions. The scalable, open architecture-based cockpit design can be applied to many platforms to provide an affordable, digital, integrated suite of avionics equipment.

The Common Infrared Countermeasures (CIRCM) is designed specifically to protect rotary wing and medium fixed wing aircraft from infrared missiles. The system is built on open architecture to work with existing hardware, simplify upgrades and keep lifecycle costs low.

The Longbow Fire Control Radar provides Apache aircrews with automatic target detection, location, classification and prioritization, while enabling rapid, multi-target engagement in all weather conditions, over multiple terrains and through battlefield obscurants.

Northrop Grumman will highlight some of its armament systems, including the M230LF Bushmaster® Chain Guns integrated on all U.S. Army Apache Attack helicopters. The Chain Guns are reliable, effective, and have battle proven capability over all combat weapons platforms.

Hatchet, a miniature precision guide weapon and joint effort of Department of Defense and Northrop Grumman, will also be featured. The six-pound precision munition is designed with a lethal warhead that provides greater effectiveness and limits the chances of collateral damage. Hatchet is optimized for load out on unmanned aerial systems and fixed-wing aircraft.

The company will also display its Assured Position, Navigation and Timing (A-PNT) capabilities, including the U.S. Air Force’s Embedded GPS/INS-Modernization program (EGI-M). The open-systems architecture of EGI-M incorporates a military code GPS receiver that adds robustness to interference of GPS signals. It also allows new Alt-Nav and resiliency capabilities to be quickly demonstrated and deployed, making the EGI-M a future A-PNT Hub for platforms.

Vigilance on the high seas

An Air Station Barbers Point MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew prepares to take off from the flight deck of the Coast Guard Cutter Munro (WMSL 755) in the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 04, 2018. The crew of the cutter was conducting its first operational patrol supporting partners in Oceania. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew West/Released

Crew members from the Coast Guard Cutter Munro (WMSL 755) launch on the cutter's 35-foot Cutter Boat to conduct fisheries boardings in the Central Pacific, Dec. 4, 2018. The Murno was on its first operational patrol and was en-route to Fiji to conduct operations the the Republic of Fiji Navy. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew West

Oceania represents a geographic region many people are unfamiliar with, comprising Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Spanning the eastern and western hemispheres, Oceania covers an area of 3.3 million​ square miles and has a population of 40 million. It’s also home to some of our valued strategic partners - Australia and New Zealand, with whom the U.S. has aligned for more than a century, and many Pacific Island Nations. 

The importance of the Pacific Islands is very evident as the Coast Guard continues operations in the region and the U.S. strengthens partnerships with the governments of these nations. Tourism and exports, both requiring a great deal of commercial vessel traffic, are the primary economic driver. One of these exports, tuna, represented a nearly $5 billion industry in 2015 with more than half the world’s tuna sourced from the Western Pacific. In 2017 reported landings were 2.5 million tons of fish. How does any country, especially those that are smaller, protect a highly migratory resource in a region of more than 3.3 million square miles? Partnerships. 

That partnership takes several forms, but most recently it was the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Munro (WMSL 755) as they prepared to launch their 35-foot Cutter Boat for fisheries law enforcement boardings in the high seas off Fiji, in December. 

“This is the first time we have sent a National Security Cutter to perform this mission in this region,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Kelly Brockett, a boarding officer on Munro. “That action lends support to our allies in the region.”

The Munro is the Coast Guard’s newest fully operational National Security Cutter (NSC). Known as the Legend-class, NSCs are designed to be the flagships of the Coast Guard’s fleet, capable of executing the most challenging national security missions, including support to U.S. combatant commanders. At 418 feet in length and 4,600 long tons in displacement with a range of 12,000 nautical miles, an endurance of up to 90 days they are formidable assets. These new cutters are replacing the aging High Endurance Hamilton-class cutters (378 feet) that have been in service since the 1960s. This patrol marked the first use of this type of asset in Oceania. 

The Munro crew enforced Conservation and Management Measures established by the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC). This body represents another essential partnership. The WCPFC is an international body made up of 43 nations and international organizations. Members agree to allow the 13-enforcer nations in the pact to board and record any potential violations on their nationally flagged vessels. The findings go to the WCPFC who notifies the vessel’s flag state of the suspected infraction for further investigation and subsequent action. 

Participating in the WCPFC ties into a broader strategy the Coast Guard is pursuing in the Indo-Pacific region. Throughout the area, the U.S., and by extension the Coast Guard, is encouraging relationships respecting the sovereignty, supporting fair and reciprocal trade, and the rule of law in an open and free Oceania. 

Through a tactical lens, that strategy looks like a Coast Guard boarding of a foreign fishing vessel, while on the high seas or in a sovereign Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) jointly with a member of that country’s enforcement team. 

“We're looking at their permits, manifests, turtle mitigation measures,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Jonathan D’Arcy, one of the Munro’s boarding officers. “We are making sure there are no illegal fish onboard.”

These boardings were off Fiji, a destination perhaps best known for picturesque beaches, incredible sea life, and romantic sunsets. The island nation is part of Melanesia and is an archipelago of more than 330 islands, about 110 of which are inhabited. Endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, Fiji is one of the most developed of the Pacific island economies. Tourism and sugar cane represents a large section of the GDP, but fishing is also a large piece. Once a colony of Britain, it is now a republic with a sovereign government. In November the government entered into a bilateral enforcement agreement with the United States providing for shared policing of the EEZ and high seas offshore. 

“The bilateral agreements are simple; it means an increase in capabilities by providing temporary enforcement assets to many of these countries with limited fleets. In turn, we gain experience and access to enforce these measures in areas outside U.S. control with the goal of reducing illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing,” said Lt. Cmdr. Kenji Awamura, an enforcement officer with the Coast Guard 14th District. “Tuna are highly migratory. They chase heat. One day they may be your waters, the next day in mine. These measures and partnerships seek to protect those fish regardless of the waters they are in so they may be harvested legally and sustainably later. This practice levels the playing field for all fishermen in the region and fosters economic stability of many Pacific nations.”

That’s what it looks like on paper, in practice it looks like the cutter boat crew launching from the stern of the Munro, with an Air Station Barbers Point MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew deploying from the cutter’s flight deck to provide support for the operation. The aircrew boarded the cutter in Honolulu to participate in the patrol. Aviation assets further enhance the range of the crew. A Coast Guard HC-130, with an embarked enforcement officer from Fiji, was also used toward the end of the patrol to identify vessels and enhance the capability and understanding of both sides. 

“We identify what type of vessel they are, what they are actively doing,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Mitch Onorato, a flight mechanic on the Dolphin. “We look for any security issue on the boat that may look abnormal.”

In 2009 the Department of State entered into bilateral shiprider agreements with five nations to allow their authorities to enforce fishery laws from U.S. assets in their territorial waters. The number of countries that participate in such agreements with the U.S. has since increased to 10 nations with Fiji being the 11th. 

Upon arriving in Fiji, the cutter embarked Fijian navy Sub-Lt. Opeti Enesi, a navigation officer, to participate in the first Fijian shiprider on a Coast Guard asset. The following day Enesi joined an Air Station Barbers Point HC-130 Hercules aircrew during a joint law enforcement exercise with a Fijian navy Patrol Boat. The deployment of the Munro and Hercules crews displayed the Coast Guard’s capability to conduct operations and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance across Oceania.

These efforts tied directly into the Coast Guard’s goal of conducting operational activities by combining Coast Guard operational presence and information actions with coordinated efforts from our partners to deliver a free and open Indo-Pacific. Through such teamwork, the U.S. and nations like Fiji can work together to ensure a brighter future.

“This trip was huge for not only Fiji but also the United States,” said Brockett. “It strengthens our partnerships with the Pacific Islands. It shows that we are here to help.”

Though the Munro’s boardings earlier in the patrol resulted in no potential violations, it was a success. As the U.S. lead federal maritime law enforcement agency the presence of the Coast Guard on the high seas of the Pacific reinforces our commitment to our partners, and our resolve to those who would violate standing rules and regulations. It is another step toward ensuring sustainable fisheries for the region. Other cutters from the Coast Guard’s Pacific inventory will continue to ply these waters, including the soon to be commissioned cutters Kimball (WMSL 756) and Midgett (WMSL 757), both NSCs operating out of Honolulu as well as high endurance cutters from the West Coast.

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Coast Guard medevacs 81-year-old woman from cruise ship

USCG image courtesy of Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans (archive)

NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard medevaced a woman from a cruise ship near mile marker 50 on the Mississippi River near Pointe a la Hache, Louisiana, Saturday.

Coast Guard Sector New Orleans watchstanders received a report at 7:19 p.m. of an 81-year-old woman experiencing heart attack-like symptoms aboard the Carnival Glory while it was transiting outbound to sea on the Mississippi River.

Watchstanders directed the launch of a Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew at 7:30 p.m. The aircrew arrived on scene at 8:07 p.m. and transported the woman to West Jefferson Hospital in Marrero, Louisiana, at 9:05 p.m.

She was reported in stable condition.

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Coast Guard demonstrates capability of local hospital rooftop helicopter pad

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A Coast Guard helicopter aircrew performed the first landing at one of Sentara Norfolk General Hospital’s new helicopter landing pads on April 10, 2019.

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The hospital recently built two new rooftop helicopter landing pads in order to quickly move patients to needed care.

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A Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City-based MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew performed the first landing on the larger of the two landing pads.

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The Coast Guard aircrew and hospital personnel participated in the training to practice safely transferring patients from the aircraft to the emergency department.

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“The new pad will help us streamline patient care from the Coast Guard team to the Sentara team,"​said Denise Baylous, the program manager of the Nightingale Regional Air Ambulance at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

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At 269 feet off the ground, the rooftop pad makes the transfer of patients safer since it is out of the way of any obstacles.

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The hospital anticipates that the pad designed to accommodate military helicopters will be ready for full operation in May 2019.

MD HELICOPTERS IS APPROVED AS GFRC FACILITY FOR PRODUCTION OF ALL MILITARY-USE AIRCRAFT

NEW GUIDELINES EXPECTED TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND STREAMLINE US-ARMY CERTIFICATIONS

Mesa, Ariz., April 08, 2019

MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) announces that all military aircraft manufactured as part of the Company’s $1.4 Billion IDIQ Contract are now produced under the U.S. Army-mandated Ground and Flight Risk Clause (GFRC). Implemented pursuant to a February 5, 2019, Contract Modification, the DFAR 25.228-370 GFRC regulations went in to effect at MDHI’s Mesa, Arizona facility on April 5, 2019. GFRC distributes risk and limits contractor liability for loss or damage to any aircraft under the contractor’s control while performing a US Government contract.

“GFRC will streamline our development, certification, and production efforts,” said Lynn Tilton, Chief Executive Officer for MD Helicopters, Inc. “While this new level of USG oversight requires investment in both human and capital resources, the enhanced growth of our military sales assures that the effort to implement GFRC-compliant processes will be time and money well spent.”

Since the February 5, 2019 contract modification triggering GFRC, MDHI has actively engaged to identify each aspect of the new GFRC requirements, and the deltas to existing FAA approved Production and Repair Station Quality Systems. While fostering a strong relationship and open communications with the assigned Defense Contract Management Agency (“DCMA”) representatives and our MASPO Program Office counterparts, MDHI has established the required written Ground, Flight and Safety Operations Procedures addressing all applicable GFRC requirements.

“MD Helicopters’ implementation of GFRC regulations strengthens our position as the preferred choice for light armed scout attack helicopter solutions for US and Partner Nation forces,” Tilton continues. “I am proud of my team’s efforts to effectively implement and execute the necessary enhancements to our existing FAA Flight Operation Procedures and Ground Operation Procedures, in record time, while continuing to lean forward in research and development efforts, and executing under the tight productions schedules for three current programs on contract under our $1.4 billion IDIQ.”

Airbus names Julie Kitcher EVP Communications and Corporate Affairs

Airbus (stock exchange symbol: AIR) has appointed Julie Kitcher as Executive Vice-President Communications and Corporate Affairs, effective immediately. In this role, she joins the Airbus Executive Committee leading all external and internal communication activities, reporting to Guillaume Faury, Airbus Chief Executive Officer (CEO). 

In her new role, Julie will steer and co-ordinate the transformation agenda of Airbus and manage Audit, Performance Management, Responsibility and Sustainability and Environmental Affairs, in addition to her position as the Chief of Staff to the CEO.

Previously, Julie was Head of Investor Relations and Financial Communication at Airbus, a role she held since May 2015.

“Julie brings the right mindset, skills and background to lead Airbus’ global communication activities and further strengthen the Company’s brand and reputation worldwide,” said Guillaume Faury, Airbus CEO. “As Head of Investor Relations and Financial Communication, she proved her ability to build trust within the financial community and deliver clear and timely information to the markets. In her new role, she will coordinate the Company’s transformation efforts to help shape the story of Airbus as we open the next chapter in our journey.”

In her Head of Communications role, Julie Kitcher will take over from Rainer Ohler, who is leaving Airbus after 24 years in the Company, including more than 13 successful years as Head of Communications.

“I’m excited to be appointed in this new role at such an important moment in the history of Airbus,” said Julie Kitcher. “I feel honoured to have the opportunity to lead a world class Communications and Corporate Affairs team that – within the functions I have been entrusted to lead – will boost the dialogue with employees and stakeholders across the globe as well as help shape and transform the Airbus of the future.”

Julie joined Airbus in December 2000 as a Financial Analyst in Airbus in the UK and has held a number of roles within Finance since. She is a Chartered Management Accountant (CIMA) with an MSc in Accounting, ESC Skema (Lille).

Era Helicopters Wins 2019 NOIA Safety in Seas (SIS) Culture of Safety Award

WASHINGTON, April 11, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) presented Era Group Inc. (NYSE:ERA) (“Era”) with the 2019 NOIA Safety in Seas (SIS) Culture of Safety Award today during the association’s annual meeting in Washington, DC.  Era is recognized for instituting a robust safety culture that resulted in a drop in the company’s Total Recordable Incident Rate from 1.78 to zero, and a reduction in Lost Time Injury Cases from .78 to zero, within the last five years.

Chris Bradshaw, President and CEO of Era accepted the award.  “On behalf of all the hard-working men and women on the Era team, it is an honor to accept this safety culture award from NOIA,” said Bradshaw. “Safety is our #1 core value and our highest operational priority. Era is wholly dedicated to safely transporting offshore workers to and from work, every day.” 

Era’s exemplary safety culture was further enhanced in 2017 with the introduction of the OWN Safety Program, which stands for: One Team, One Goal; We are Each Responsible; and No Accidents, No Injuries.  As of March 31, 2019, Era had achieved over 550 Accident Free Days.  

NOIA President Randall Luthi congratulated Era saying, “This recognition is well deserved by ERA and is a great example of the emphasis that is always on safety in the offshore industry.  Nothing is more important than getting our workers safely to work and back home.”

Era’s award-winning entry was evaluated by an independent panel of judges from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, the National Academies Transportation Research Board, and an industry safety consultant.  Fieldwood Energy and Superior Energy Services also competed for the 2019 Culture of Safety Award.

NOIA has held the SIS awards competition since 1978 to recognize those who contribute to improving the safety of life in the offshore energy industry.  The awards are sponsored by Compass Publications.