AlaDefense.com

Air Force awards $89 million contract for work in Madison to support F-16 program

September 21, 2024

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AIR FORCE, CONTRACTS

By Troy Turner [email protected] The U.S. Air Force has awarded a Texas-based company doing business in Madison, Alabama, as International Enterprises Inc. an $89 million contract for optical upgrades on F-16 fighter aircraft. ElbitAmerica Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, leads a large family of business units involved in a wide array of defense and civilian industry…
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Navy: Mobile region could gain 2,000 new jobs as Alabama shipbuilder Austal USA is tapped for submarine expansion program

September 20, 2024

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CONTRACTS, NAVY

By Troy Turner [email protected] Navy and local officials say 2,000 new jobs could be created in the Mobile region over the next four years as the U.S. Navy looks to nearly double submarine production by 2028, and major changes are in store for Austal USA and Alabama Shipyard, both located inside the Port of Mobile.…
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Alabama Shipyard wins contract to service Army’s largest dredge ship

September 18, 2024

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ARMY, COAST GUARD, CONTRACTS, NAVY

Alabama Shipyard LLC, based in Mobile, was awarded an $11.5 million contract to drydock and repair the Dredge Wheeler, which is the largest dredge ship operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Wheeler keeps waterway channels clear from Key West, Florida, to Brownsville, Texas. Although the dredge is maintained in a state of…
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TURNER: The U.S. military’s history with Martin Dam and Lake Martin continues

September 16, 2024

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AIR FORCE, ARMY, OPINION

(Illustration of an F-35 in flight over Lake Martin. AI-generated/AlaDefense.com) COMMENTARY By Troy Turner [email protected] It might be a hard-to-detect stealth fighter jet, but there was no sneaking into Tallapoosa County a recent afternoon when an F-35 roared up the river at low altitude and made a tight turn over Martin Dam. “Hello, 187th, I…
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First Lady, Secretary of Defense to visit Maxwell Air Force Base

September 11, 2024

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AIR FORCE, ARMY, MARINES, NAVY

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III will travel to Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery on Friday and will accompany First Lady Jill Biden to highlight the new universal pre-kindergarten program being implemented at Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schools. Austin also will conduct a troop engagement and give remarks announcing the fourth…
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B.L. Harbert chosen for renovations to Barksdale weapons generation facility

September 11, 2024

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CONTRACTS

Barksdale Air Force Base (DOD photo) Birmingham-based B.L. Harbert International LLC, a major defense and civilian contractor developing high-profile projects around the globe, received a contract modification bringing to $220 million its award for work on a weapons generation facility in Louisiana. The contract is for renovations to the facility, which is located at Barksdale…
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War Dogs: How WWI led to the Military Working Dog Program

September 9, 2024

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ARMY, MARINES

Editor’s note: Canine training for service dogs assisting the U.S. military, Homeland Security Agency and law enforcement, among others, is an active research-and-development initiative in Alabama, including among academia and private contractors. The Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, for example, in 2022 was awarded a five-year, $24 million contract by Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate to…
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Big names don Austal USA’s big stage for USNS Lansing ceremony

September 8, 2024

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NAVY

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro (Austal USA photo) By Troy Turner [email protected] MOBILE – Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Alabama Congressman Jerry Carl were among the speakers on stage Friday to help Austal USA celebrate the beginning of construction on the Expeditionary Fast Transport series-finale vessel,…
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Alabama F-35s participate in Northern Lightning 2024

August 19, 2024

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AIR FORCE

MONTGOMERY – F-35 fighter jets from the Alabama Air National Guard 187th Fighter Wing recently participated in the Northern Lightning training exercise, designed to enhance the readiness of approximately 1,100 Airmen, Soldiers and Marines from more than 19 military units. The 187th is based at Dannelly Field in Montgomery, and it is one of only…
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Austal USA eyes steady growth with new production facility, and more new ships

August 17, 2024

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COAST GUARD, CONTRACTS, NAVY

By Troy Turner [email protected] MOBILE – Austal USA continues to have a productive summer as it works to fulfill multi-ship contracts with the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, and in early July the shipbuilder made news by breaking ground for a new final-assembly facility. The facility, scheduled to be complete and fully operational by summer…
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Alabama readies for a quantum leap, with Huntsville-based Davidson leading the way

August 14, 2024

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AIR FORCE, ARMY, CYBERSECURITY, MARINES, NAVY, SPACE FORCE

By Troy Turner [email protected] HUNTSVILLE – Quantum computing, a technology combination capable of being superior to and advancing basic artificial intelligence applications, is coming to Alabama; and with it, opportunities to study and develop state-of-the-art computer abilities, including future classified support for the Department of Defense. Exciting new opportunities also will exist for recruitment from…
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Army helicopter instructor killed, student injured in Fort Novosel crash

August 7, 2024

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ARMY

An AH-64 Apache flies over the Fort Novosel post run on April 12, 2024. (Photo by Brittany Trumbull) By Troy Turner [email protected] FORT NOVOSEL, Alabama — An Army AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed Wednesday during routine flight training, killing the instructor and injuring the student. Fort Novosel, previously known as Fort Rucker, is located in south Alabama…
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