Category: Blog

Installation modernization remains top priority for Team Crane

Posted on by Radius Indiana

By: Matt Craig, Director of Crane Community Support for Radius Indiana

 

Naval Support Activity (NSA), Crane was originally established in 1941 under the Bureau of Ordnance as the Naval Ammunition Depot for the production, testing and storage of military weaponry. More than 80 years later, the installation is now poised as a national leader in advanced technology development and testing from microelectronics, hypersonics, and semiconductors to pyrotechnics. With the evolution of the work being done inside the gates, it has become more apparent than ever that the buildings and infrastructure supporting these initiatives and its workforce need a significant upgrade after nearly a century of industry-leading growth and innovation.

Over the next several years, NSA Crane anticipates more than $500M of investment into facilities across the base, specifically for both Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Crane Division and Crane Army Ammunition Activity (CAAA). In fiscal year 2024 alone, nearly $30M in investment was announced for the creation and improvement of facilities, both for innovation and sustainment.

In March, NSWC Crane held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new strategic and hypersonics research, development, test and evaluation facility. This new capability supports advanced concept development and intends to provide a hub and research testbed to support analysis of glide body avionics hardware and software from any source. The benefit of a joint use facility such as this is the ability to leverage common computational data centers for more than one project. This will be the first of its kind on the installation and a major advancement for collaboration and shared resources between departments.

NSWC Crane also announced the construction of a new Strategic Systems Engineering Facility in April, that will expand existing capabilities by providing additional classified workspace for Strategic Systems hardware support. Additional future projects for NSWC Crane include a Composites Engineering Innovation Facility as well as Trusted Microelectronics Assurance Center, Unmanned Fusion Warfare Lab and Virtual Electronic Warfare and Mission Engineering Center.

The largest investment news comes from CAAA with plans for a state-of-the-art pyrotechnics facility. Expected to cost nearly $100M when complete in 2031, the facility is part of the Army’s modernization plan and provides more than 50,000 square feet for pyrotechnic production operations. For fiscal year 2024, CAAA will also invest nearly $10M in base rail and magazine repairs as well as break room renovations to align with its current focus on culture and inclusion.

The new pyrotechnics facility will be outfitted with new, modern-process equipment and additional manufacturing features to include remote operations capabilities, climate-controlled storage and magazines, curing huts and storage for finished items, as well as loading and packing capabilities Plans for improvements also include, fire protection and alarm systems, modernized information systems and cyber security measures and a closed-circuit television system.

Crane has served our country’s warfighters for the better part of a century, not only by meeting the current needs of our military, but by anticipating the challenges on the horizon. The forward-thinking leaders at Crane prioritize preparedness and are being deliberate and proactive in building the facilities and capabilities that will ensure our nation’s security. The installation’s strategic evolution and smart investments are why it, and its nearly 6,000-person workforce, continue to be one of the most valued and trusted resources for this generation and generations to come.

Southern Indiana communities respond to NSA Crane

Posted on by Radius Indiana

The annual State of the Community Address to Naval Support Activity (NSA) Crane takes place each February as a direct response to the installation’s yearly report to the White River Military Coordination Alliance. Alliance Chair Brianne Jerrels along with representatives from Daviess, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, and Sullivan counties and towns, delivered the briefing to NSA Crane Commanding Officer Luis G. Martinez and additional Team Crane delegates.

Input for the presentation is provided by members from the five counties and nine incorporated towns that formed the Alliance in 2017. The briefing creates a forum for the communities to share accomplishments and initiatives in mutual interest areas between them and NSA Crane such as housing availability and development, infrastructure improvement and resiliency, and quality of life initiatives.

This year, the address focused on how communities surrounding the installation and NSA Crane can increase collaboration to make an impact in the following areas:

  • Advocacy for infrastructure resources: One of the most popular topics, specifically surrounding the WestGate Tech Park and the base, was infrastructure improvement and sustainability. The communities recognized and understood the Team Crane message that in order to grow and develop at the pace desired, surrounding infrastructure – including water, sewer, and other utilities – is a vital piece of the puzzle. Six community leaders identified innovative local initiatives to address these strategic issues via state and federal grants and partnerships with utility providers. Additionally, the community updated their efforts to focus on identifying the resiliency of community supplied utilities that Team Crane depends on.
  • Community Initiatives: The Alliance prepared information that covered eight topics with principal focus on workforce and housing. Communities highlighted the significant strides that have been made region wide in workforce development affiliated with STEM and the untapped workforce recruiting and attraction incentives that are available to Team Crane. While housing is a lingering regional challenge, the communities highlighted the improvements that READI 1.0 has commenced, and a new initiative focused on rural housing.
  • Opportunities to build long-term relationships: The efforts of the Alliance have laid a foundation for strong partnerships with NSA Crane. This relationship is an element needed to move the needle on local initiatives. Several communities expressed their interest in furthering the relationship by establishing new public to public partnerships that might provide services directly to NSA Crane, coupled with growing and refining their partnership opportunities for emergency services and training.
  • Engagement in community events: As always communities encouraged Team Crane to participate in local events, celebrations, festivals and programs.
    It was also noted communities would like to explore opportunities to venture behind the gate for focused base tours and interactions with Team Crane leadership, including field trips to increase awareness with the K-12 population.

The address provides local communities a unique opportunity to share accomplishments, challenges and needs with their neighbors at NSA Crane. This year, perhaps more than ever before, community leaders and stakeholders feel the momentum and excitement surrounding collaboration both within the gates and throughout the region. The forum allows for open discussion surrounding these areas of mutual benefit, partnership, and development of the southern Indiana defense ecosystem.

As one of the largest employers in Southern Indiana, Crane plays an important role in the economies of our communities. Continued collaboration through these annual reports is key to building a strong relationship between community leaders and the public with those working inside the gates at Crane to make the most of opportunities that benefit our region.

 

 

Crane Leadership provides annual report highlighting growth and collaboration

Posted on by Radius Indiana

By: Matt Craig, Director of Crane Community Support for Radius Indiana

 

The annual “State of the Installation Address” provides an opportunity for Naval Support Activity (NSA) Crane to share Team Crane’s strategic goals and any operational changes or proposed construction projects that may impact the community. NSA Commander Luis G. Martinez provided the keynote address, briefing the White River Military Coordination Alliance and the Crane Regional Defense Group on the installation successes over the past year, as well as current and upcoming projects for NSA Crane, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC), and Crane Army Ammunition Activity (CAAA).

Cmdr. Martinez’s address included the following key updates about the installation, highlighting strategic goals, a workforce overview, and upcoming opportunities for community collaboration:

  • Strategic goals: NSA Crane will continue to focus on community outreach as a pillar of its strategy and modernize the installation. NSWC was noted as being more valued and relevant than at any time in its history and is positioned for an abundance of growth opportunities, and CAAA continues to ensure that warfighters always have the ammunition they need.
  • Future mission growth: NSA Crane will implement a regional engagement strategy to enhance relationships with community support organizations. NSWC is awaiting the highly anticipated WestGate One facility to support the growing trusted microelectronics and hypersonics efforts, and CAAA is participating in strategic planning processes.
  • Infrastructure and modernization: In 2024, CAAA anticipates more than $58 million of outside funding for modernization efforts and new facilities to support their employees. For NSWC, a new radiation test facility was completed in 2023 and three more facilities will break ground in 2024. NSA, in partnership with NAVFAC, will execute a horizontal infrastructure improvement plan to address the electrical distribution system, water, and natural gas pipeline replacement.
  • Workforce, job trends, and skills: The total on-base population is approximately 6,100, with that number projected to grow three to five percent over the next five years through increased involvement at career fairs both virtually and in-person, social media postings, direct hiring authorities and engagement with direct commands.
  • Opportunities for educational collaboration: Partnerships with Indiana, Purdue and Vincennes Universities, as well as Ivy Tech Community College in Bloomington, work to fill the job pipeline and keep the installation relevant to graduates.
  • Community partnership and requests for support: Team Crane has plans to identify opportunities to engage in the communities, specifically in ways that will help fill the talent pipeline locally and provide jobs to local youth after high school and secondary education.

As one of the largest employers in Southern Indiana, Team Crane plays an important role in the economies of our communities. Continued collaboration is key to building a strong relationship between community leaders and the public with those working inside the gates at Crane to make the most of opportunities that benefit our region.

White River Military Coordination Alliance celebrates five year anniversary

Posted on by Radius Indiana

By: Matt Craig, Director of Crane Community Support for Radius Indiana

The White River Military Alliance celebrated five years of accomplishments this past November with a luncheon that brought together state and local leaders, stakeholders from five counties, defense representatives, and the leadership of Naval Support Activity Crane. Keynote speakers highlighted the organization’s accomplishments and monumental impact on the southern Indiana defense ecosystem.

The Alliance was formed in 2018 to promote positive development and growth in the communities that surround NSA Crane. Since its establishment, it has created a model for connectivity between military installations and their surrounding communities by initiating a direct line of communication focused on mutual benefit.

As the third largest US Navy base in the world, NSA Crane covers 64,000 acres and employs nearly 6,200 people, making its daytime population larger than many of the communities that surround the base. The local and military members of the Alliance recognize that the mutual well-being of Crane and the neighboring communities is critical for continued growth of the region’s defense economy.

Over the past five years, WRMCA worked to address the 87 recommendations that were identified in a 2017 Joint Land Use Study, a collaborative planning initiative undertaken by state or local government in partnership with a military installation to protect and preserve military readiness and defense capabilities while supporting continued community growth and economic
development.

The Alliance is proud to say that it is nearly 90 percent through that list. Major accomplishments since 2017 include formalizing a Commitment to Improve Communication and Collaboration between the installation and the communities, and a 911 Emergency Dispatch Agreement to coordinate and transfer 911 calls originating from NSA Crane from the county Dispatch Centers to the Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Dispatch Center. Additionally, a Conservation Incentive Toolkit was designed to identify opportunities for land conservation in the communities that neighbor Crane and Lake Glendora, and this program was nationally recognized during the Department of Defense’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program in 2020.

Most recently, the Alliance, in partnership with the Southern Indiana Development Commission, was awarded nearly $500,000 to develop two separate initiatives in the southern Indiana region. A Regional Resilience Master Plan will work to identify the effect of projected climate scenarios on shared critical infrastructure that may impact mission readiness and help to understand shared vulnerabilities and risks both inside and outside NSA Crane and Lake Glendora Test Facility boundaries. In addition, a housing coalition will be created to grow the pool of local development talent to increase residential options for those living near the local military installations.

The Alliance still has a lot to look forward to, including program implementation on projects such as Intergovernmental Support Agreements, the Southern Indiana Sentinel Landscape, and military compatibility alongside the Indiana Defense Task Force. Radius applauds WRMCA for the achievements it has reached over the last five years and looks forward to the continuing partnership in the years to come.

DoD award launches microelectronics hub, builds on southern Indiana semiconductor momentum

Posted on by Radius Indiana

By: Matt Craig, Director of Crane Community Support for Radius Indiana

The Department of Defense (DoD), through the WestGate Technology Park based National Security Technology Accelerator Other Transaction Agreement managed by Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Crane Division, has established a national network of microelectronic prototyping innovation Hubs. These newly created eight Hubs led by seven different states will provide a direct pathway to reduce the country’s reliance on foreign microelectronics and safeguard the nation from supply chain risks by accelerating domestic prototyping and growing a pipeline of U.S.-based semiconductor talent.

Last month, the DoD announced its first award of nearly $240 million under the CHIPS and Science Act to support this network of eight regional Microelectronics Commons innovation Hubs across the United States.

Governor Eric Holcomb commented on the announcement, sharing “(NSWC) plays a significant role in the DoD’s microelectronics strategy to build American dominance in microelectronics production and development.” He also added that it “builds on the Midwest’s strengths in research and development as well as workforce training at all levels, to build a domestic
semiconductor industry, a national security imperative to keep our nation ahead of our adversaries.”

The Silicon Crossroads Hub, led by Bloomington-based Applied Research Institute (ARI), is the largest consortium with 130 members and was initially awarded $32.9 million to help spur development of domestic production of microelectronics, semiconductor manufacturing and other advanced technologies.

ARI expressed in a written statement, “It is an honor for ARI to be designated as the largest member consortium in the official Microelectronics Commons Hub announcement this morning. The Silicon Crossroads Hub will continue to build upon the collaboration between our members across Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan within all six focused technology areas.”

With this announcement, the Hubs will be supporting prototyping capabilities for six technical areas (Secure Edge/Internet-of-Things Computing, Quantum Technology, 5G/6G Technology, Electromagnetic Warfare, Artificial Intelligence Hardware, and Commercial Leap-Ahead Technologies), effectively bridging the gap from lab to fabrication.

Comprised of a diverse set of partners in the private sector, the not-for-profit sector, and academia, the Microelectronics Commons has garnered rapid nationwide support and engagement. The inauguration of these Hubs will not only spur economic growth but ensure our region and nation maintains the necessary talent pool to keep us at the forefront of innovation. This major announcement and initiative partnered with the additional microelectronics campus news earlier this year highlights our southern Indiana region’s growth, momentum and overall impact to national defense.

NSA Crane Welcomes Three New Leaders in Change of Command Ceremonies

Posted on by Radius Indiana

By: Matt Craig, Director of Crane Community Support for Radius Indiana

 

Earlier this summer, Naval Support Activity Crane (NSA Crane) and Crane Army Ammunition Activity (CAAA) welcomed two new commanding officers to southern Indiana.

The new leaders were welcomed through a change of command ceremony, a tradition that symbolizes a peaceful military transition of power and recognizes the outgoing commander’s accomplishments while welcoming the incoming commander to the organization.

Commander Luis Martinez was sworn into the position for NSA Crane this past June. Martinez graduated from the Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and was designated a naval flight officer in July 2010. Martinez has logged over 1,300 E-2 aircraft flight hours and his personal awards include the Strike Flight Air Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and multiple unit and service awards.

Colonel Franyate D. Taylor became the 21st commander of CAAA in July. Taylor began her Army career as an enlisted soldier in 1991 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Ordnance Corps from Officers Candidate School in 1999. Taylor’s most recent assignment was in Battle Creek, Michigan, where she served as the Deputy Director for Defense Logistics Agency, Disposition.

Like the leaders before them, Martinez and Taylor are learning to balance the future for their organizations while acquainting themselves with the work that was completed before them. While they are adjusting to the new role, both commanders are also tasked with gaining the trust and support of those around them. The leadership teams, stakeholders and communities involved with Crane will also be adapting to the new leadership styles and expectations.

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) will also undergo a change in command August 16 as Capt. Duncan McKay will exit the leadership role after spending the last three years in southern Indiana. His replacement, Capt. Rex Boonyobhas is currently serving at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.

Today, Team Crane’s civilian and contractor workforce stands 6,000 strong. NSA Crane continues to grow as the base’s missions evolve. NSA Crane has shared its intent to expand its community partnerships under a Future Base Design initiative that is designed to bring increased optimization, mission support efficiencies, and stronger ties to the community and services available outside the gate. More than $150 million in construction projects and infrastructure improvements are currently underway on the installation including the CAAA rail holding yard and NSWC Crane’s strategic radiation testing modernization facility. We at Radius are looking forward to the completion of these plans and will continue to look for new ways to grow our community relationships.

New State Legislation Benefits Military Spouses and Defense Communities

Posted on by Radius Indiana

By: Matt Craig, Director of Crane Community Support for Radius Indiana

 

Indiana lawmakers wrapped up the 2023 legislative session in late April, approving 252 bills. Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s Next Level Agenda focused on several major funding increases in the state budget, including education, public health and safety, and community development.

In addition, under Gov. Holcomb’s leadership, Indiana is advancing a more collaborative, strategic approach to growing and enhancing its defense industry. Indiana is strengthening its efforts to increase the state’s competitiveness in the defense economy. Two Senate Bills and two House Bills affecting the military bases and military families were passed this spring and will improve Indiana’s defense environment.

Senate Bill 332 deals with planning and zoning that affects military bases. This bill allows a unit to establish a military impact zoning district for an area adversely impacted by the effects of military operations, and will make planning, zoning, and development activity in these areas subject to the military installation commander’s determination regarding the activity’s impact on military operations. This bill covers the majority of the state’s action items identified in the 2017 NSA Crane Joint Land Use study. In essence, the local communities have been doing this, and now it’s codified by state law. 

Senate Bill 477 limits threats to critical infrastructure. Starting June 30, 2023, a prohibited person may not purchase, lease, or acquire a parcel of real property that is directly adjacent to a military installation. This helps protect NSA Crane from a foreign company spying on activities on base. This concept of foreign direct investment adjacent to military bases is a significant national security issue and this Senate bill will help prevent such threats.

On the House side, House Bill 1555 focuses on occupational licenses for those in military families. This bill provides that a military service applicant who has held an occupational license, certification, registration, or permit in another jurisdiction for at least one year may qualify for an Indiana license, removing the requirement that an applicant must have had a license for at least two of the five years preceding the date of the application. This eases the burden on military families as they move across the country every two to three years. This is an issue the military tracks across all states, and allows Indiana to become more welcoming to those individuals by eliminating barriers. 

House Bill 1034 exempts Hoosier military members from paying state income taxes starting July 1, 2023. The final draft of the measure signed by Gov. Holcomb increases the active duty military income tax deduction from its current $5,000 cap to a full exemption, which follows a 2019 law allowing all retired military income to be tax-exempt.

Radius Indiana, the White River Military Coordination Alliance and Crane Regional Defense Group worked closely with Indiana Representatives and community partners on the creation of these bills and we commend our leaders for recognizing the importance of the defense industry in our state.

Crane Regional Defense Group hosts first Connect to Mission event

Posted on by Radius Indiana

By: Matt Craig, Director of Crane Community Support for Radius Indiana

 

Naval Support Activity (NSA) Crane and its Tenant Commands are dedicated to meeting the needs of the warfighter in defense of our nation. Serving this mission has made NSA Crane and tenants a modern leader in diverse and technical products. One of the bases’ priorities is to provide opportunities for academia and defense industry peers to connect and hear from the base.

Crane Regional Defense Group (CRDG) hosted Connect to Mission in February at the WestGate Academy. The half-day event brought together nearly 200 current members from academic institutions and defense industry representing more than 100 businesses (small, large, and non-traditional) from 18 different states. This is planned to be an ongoing series to continuously highlight the different missions at NSA Crane and provide insight and understanding into the needs of their mission areas, challenges, and opportunities for collaboration.

The February event featured Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC Crane), Crane Division’s Spectrum Warfare Systems Department, which houses the Department of Defense’s largest concentration of Electronic Warfare expertise, with more than one thousand civilian workers and 250 contractors. The department leads NSWC efforts in a wide variety of applied research, engineering, logistics, and maintenance support services for complex Electronic Warfare Systems and Infrared Countermeasures. 

The agenda included three interactive panel discussions, networking opportunities, and remarks from NSWC leadership. Division managers, chief strategists and engineers, contracting officers, and more covered topics from how to earn a contract, to how the divisions are assisting the warfighter today, and how attendees could position themselves to join their mission. 

CRDG’s second Connect to Mission will be held Tuesday, June 6, and feature NSWC Crane’s Global Deterrence and Defense Department, which leads NSWC efforts in a wide variety of applied research, engineering, logistics, and maintenance support services for complex 

Strategic System Programs, Microelectronic Technologies and the recently added Joint Hypersonic Transition Office.

When threats to our nation increase, so does the demand for Team Crane products and services. CRDG is poised to facilitate further collaboration between the base, academia and industry to meet the increased, modern-day needs of the warfighter. 

To learn more about the Crane Regional Defense Group or view upcoming events, visit their website at craneregionaldefensegroup.org. 

Microelectronics investment landing in Radius region

Posted on by Radius Indiana

By: Matt Craig, Director of Crane Community Support for Radius Indiana

 

Our region is home to Naval Support Activity Crane, the third largest naval installation in the world, making defense a huge economic driver for Southern Indiana. We at Radius work with others outside the installation’s gates to assist with growing the region’s defense ecosystem and connecting Crane with community, regional, and state leadership. These collective efforts are made possible by the strong national leadership in various technologies and missions at Crane.  Radius is dedicated to the installation preservation as well as investment in new projects and opportunities that arise to support the base.

One of the newest and largest projects includes an $84 million advanced microchip development and manufacturing operation that will open in Daviess County. WestGate One, a combined effort of NHanced Semiconductors, Everspin Technologies, Trusted Semiconductor Solutions, and Reliable MicroSystems, will be located in the WestGate@Crane Technology Park just outside of the NSA Crane gate near Odon.

This campus is the kind of development that local government and economic development leaders devote their careers to securing. It is expected to add 549 high-paying jobs between 2024 and 2028. The new, specialized jobs will be critical in advancing American-made microelectronics verification, validation, and production of critical microelectronics components in the U.S. 

Based on a project assessment analysis of WestGate One from Radius Indiana, NHanced is expected to generate over $3 million in local income tax revenue over 10 years. In addition to the jobs created directly at the semiconductor campus, there will be additional supplier and consumer-business jobs created by the presence of the NHanced employment, increasing the total employment impact to 858 total local jobs created.

The growth expected at this campus has validated the creation of a new organization to lead the physical development of WestGate as outlined in its 2021 Master Plan. The Uplands Science and Technology Foundation (USTF), a non-profit research foundation dedicated to enhancing the vitality of the tech park, is a new organization that will work to grow the park’s capabilities in emerging technology areas such as microelectronics, artificial intelligence, and hypersonics.

The Crane Regional Defense Group hosted USTF for its Key Leader Series event February 3 at WestGate, bringing together public and private sectors to learn more about the tech park’s mission and goals. The partnership between organizations such as Radius, CRDG, USTF and many others is vital in the continued success of developments like the microelectronics project above. 

Radius Indiana is excited about the growth at WestGate, specifically in the microelectronics and semiconductor space, and continues to curate other opportunities for investment. 

Team Crane shares strategic plans and goals with community partners

Posted on by Radius Indiana

By: Matt Craig, Director of Crane Community Support for Radius Indiana

 

Naval Support Activity (NSA) Crane delivered its annual State of the Installation address at the White River Military Coordination Alliance’s quarterly meeting and Crane Regional Defense Group’s Key Leader Series forum this past month. NSA Commander, Commander James Smith briefed the groups on successes over the past year, ongoing initiatives and workforce needs, and upcoming projects including a future base master plan.

Leaders from NSA Crane have delivered this address to the Alliance since its inauguration in 2018, and this was the first time Team Crane presented this information to an unrestricted audience during the CRDG Key Leader Series. The Alliance, which includes state and local government officials, regional and local economic development officials, and Crane representatives, was formed to strengthen the relationship between NSA Crane and the surrounding communities and is the parent organization to CRDG.

The annual State of the Installation address provides an opportunity for Team Crane to share its strategic goals and any operational changes or proposed construction projects that may impact the Alliance membership. 

Cmdr. Smith delivered his third address, noting the following key updates and opportunities for community collaboration:

  • Future mission growth and planning: NSA Crane will update its Installation Development Plan (Master Plan) in 2023, and Crane Army Ammunition Activity and Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane are also participating in strategic planning processes for modernization, mission growth, and future base design, respectively.
  • Improvements and infrastructure: More than $150 million in construction projects and infrastructure improvements are currently underway on the installation. 
  • Recruitment and job trends: Through increased involvement at career fairs both virtually and in-person, social media postings, direct hiring authorities and engagement with direct commands, installation employment is expected to grow 3 to 5 percent over the next five years. NSWC Crane has hired over 950 individuals over the last three years, which represents the largest number seen since the 1980s.
  • Opportunities for educational collaboration: Team Crane identified opportunities to continue to explore educational partnerships with state institutions that will build a strong talent pipeline to fill jobs, including Indiana University, Purdue University, Ivy Tech Community College, and Vincennes University.

As one of the largest employers in Southern Indiana, Crane plays an important role in the economies of our communities. Continued collaboration is key to building a strong relationship between community leaders and the public with those working inside the gates at Crane to make the most of opportunities that benefit our region.