Lone Star State News ~ Home Page

News Alert!

NTSB ADVISORY

National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594

December 19, 2007

NTSB SEEKS COMPONENTS LOST OVER TEXAS IN UNCONTAINED ENGINE FAILURE

In its investigation of an uncontained engine failure that
occurred on a Southwest Airlines flight from Dallas, Texas
(Love Field), to Little Rock, Arkansas, on November 17, the
National Transportation Safety Board is searching for engine
components that fell to the ground in a sparsely populated
rural area of Texas.

The incident, in which pieces of the fan blades and the
spinner separated from the #2 (right) engine, occurred at
2:54 pm over Hunt County, Texas, at an altitude of 25,000
feet during the climb phase of flight. None of the 133
passengers or 5 crewmembers on board the B-737-300 (N676SW)
aircraft were injured. The crew shut down the damaged
engine and returned safely to Dallas on power from the #1
(left) engine. In addition to the damage to the engine and
its housing components, the aircraft sustained minor damage
to the fuselage.

NTSB engineers developed a Ballistic Trajectory Analysis
using data such as the aircraft ground track, speed,
prevailing winds and other factors, to create an area where
the engine pieces are most likely to be found. The area is
approximately 0.4 miles wide and 1.7 miles long and is
located on private property.

The owners of the property whose land is in the identified
area will be contacted by the Hunt County sheriff's office
and will be asked to notify the sheriff if an aircraft
engine part is discovered. Because these engine parts
and the exact location of discovery are essential to the
investigation, parts should not be handled by the public,
but instead should be marked in place. If found, please
contact the Hunt County sheriff's office at (903) 453-6800.

The NTSB asks anyone volunteering to search for these items
to respect private property rights and get permission of the
landowner before searching on another's property.

###

Headline News

Finalists Named in Search for Greatest Interception

Online Voting to Pick Winners of Cash, Prizes And Donations To High School or Youth Football Programs

ATLANTA, Dec. 17, 2007 – An elite panel of judges including former NFL quarterback Archie Manning and star New England linebacker Rosevelt Colvin has selected eight finalists in the UPS Delivery Intercept Challenge Video Contest.

The eight advance to the UPS Delivery Intercept Challenge Bowl, in which online voting will crown the winners in the search for the nation's best amateur interceptions of all time. Today through Jan. 4, the public can go to www.ups.com/challenge to view the videos and vote for their favorites. Winners will be announced Jan. 9.

Those who submitted the eight finalist videos are competing for the grand prize of $25,000 in cash, a $10,000 donation to their favorite high school or youth football program and a tailgate party with Manning. Second- and third-prize winners, and the five remaining finalists, all will snag cash prizes and the opportunity to steer donations to their favorite football programs.

The finalists – two from each of the contest's four quarters – were selected from among 176 highlight-reel interception videos submitted from all over the country from July 30 through Dec. 3.

"Picking the top eight was a real challenge," Manning said. "I was really impressed by the level of athleticism shown by all of these young athletes, from high school right down to the little guys. And it was great to see and hear the enthusiasm displayed by the players and also by their parents, many of whom could be heard yelling from behind the camera."

"I hope everyone will take a few minutes to go to the site to view these videos and cast their votes," Colvin said. "I think they'll really enjoy the videos, and they have an opportunity to help decide which submitters and teams will take home the top prizes. It's going to be a tough choice."

Along with Manning and Colvin, the judges included Joe Bouffard and Joe Galat. Bouffard has coaching experience at the youth, high school and college football level and is the director of Youth Football USA, which boasts a membership of nearly 30,000 coaches, administrators, players, parents and volunteers. Galat, a former college and professional football coach and broadcaster who starred at Miami University (Ohio), is currently president of American Youth Football and Cheer, which operates in all 50 states and has more than 400,000 members.

Here are the eight finalists, including the descriptions submitters included with their entries:

~~~~~~~~~~

FIRST QUARTER (Videos submitted from July 30 through Sept. 3):

Keller High School. Keller, Texas. Annual girls powder puff football game. The juniors were behind the seniors going into the last 30 seconds of the game. Alyssa stepped in and picked up the game-winning interception. Juniors won! Submitted by Lee Kirby, Keller, Texas.
Butte Pirates. Arco, Idaho. With two minutes left in the game and the score tied at 6-6, Brandon intercepts a pass and runs it in for the winning touchdown. Submitted by Kevin Pearson of Moore, Idaho.

~~~~~~~~~~

SECOND QUARTER (Videos submitted from Sept. 4 through Oct. 8):

John Stark Regional Generals. Weare, N.H. Danny makes a break on the ball to pick it off and returns it 50 yards for a touchdown. Submitted by Bill Raycraft, Weare, N.H.
Woodruff High School. Peoria, Ill. Michael intercepts the ball and runs it back for a touchdown, the first time the red team had been scored on in two seasons. Submitted by Michael Aldrich, Peoria, Ill.

~~~~~~~~~~

THIRD QUARTER: (Videos submitted from Oct. 9 through Nov. 5):

Holton Youth Football. Holton, Mich. Garret throws an interception in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter and then chases the player all the way down to the 1 yard line, pulling him back to prevent the touchdown. Submitted by Denise Mitchell, Holton, Mich.
Mount Desert Island High School Trojans. Bar Harbor, Maine. Terrence grabs the ball out of the air for an interception and returns it 57 yards for a touchdown, with mom cheering him on! Submitted by Duane Crawford, Lamoine, Maine.

~~~~~~~~~~

FOURTH QUARTER: (Videos submitted from Nov. 6 through Dec. 3):

Southeastern RVT Hawks. South Easton, Mass. How fast can a 250-pound linebacker run? You be the judge on this 93-yard interception return for a touchdown. Submitted by Jeffrey Cziska, New Bedford, Mass.
Flora High School Wolves. Flora, Ill. On Oct. 5, 2007, the Flora Wolves' Jordan intercepts a sure touchdown pass with only one hand while never breaking stride against the Martinsville Bluestreaks. Submitted by Robert Boose, Flora, Ill.

~~~~~~~~~~

The Delivery Intercept contests highlights an award-winning service UPS (NYSE:UPS) introduced earlier this year called UPS Delivery Intercept that allows UPS shippers to make game-saving interceptions of their own. The industry's only Web-enabled package interception service, UPS Delivery Intercept gives customers the ultimate flexibility and control to return, redirect or hold packages before they're delivered.

"It's been a lot of fun to see the more than 175 highlight reel-worthy videos that streamed into the contest," said Kurt Kuehn, UPS senior vice president of worldwide sales and marketing. "We're delighted to highlight these phenomenal young players and to provide some much-needed support for their teams. At the same time, the contest has been a great opportunity to help spread the word about UPS Delivery Intercept, which provides our customers an unprecedented level of control over their shipments."

UPS is the world's largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain services, offering an extensive range of options for synchronizing the movement of goods, information and funds. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., UPS serves more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. UPS's stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (UPS) and the company can be found on the Web at www.UPS.com . To get UPS news direct, visit www.pressroom.ups.com/RSS

# # #

Headline News

Lockheed Martin News

FIRST SHORT TAKEOFF/VERTICAL LANDING STEALTH FIGHTER UNVEILED AT LOCKHEED MARTIN

FORT WORTH, Texas, December 18th, 2007 --

The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] F-35B Lightning II, the first fighter to combine stealth with short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) capability and supersonic speed, made its debut today amid customers from the United States Marine Corps, the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, and the Italian Air Force and Navy.

Attendees at the rollout ceremony in Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth assembly plant included Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway. “The flexibility that the STOVL variant of the F-35 will add to the contemporary Marine Air Ground Task Force is amazing,” Conway said. “This generational leap in technology will enable us to operate a fleet of fighter/attack aircraft from the decks of ships, existing runways or from unimproved surfaces at austere bases. We find that capability extremely valuable.”

The F-35B, designed to replace Marine Corps AV-8Bs and F/A-18s, is one of three variants of the Lightning II. Its first flight is planned for mid-2008, following a series of extensive ground tests. The F-35A conventional takeoff and landing version began its flight test program in December of 2006. The F-35C, designed for catapult launches and arrested recoveries aboard large U.S. Navy carriers, will make its inaugural flight in 2009.

“Think F/A-18 speed and maneuverability, AV-8B forward deployment, F-22 stealth, and astonishing avionics,” said Dan Crowley, Lockheed Martin executive vice president and F-35 program general manager. “It’s a combination of technologies that may seem like science fiction, but our abundantly-talented international team has made it science fact.”

The heart of the F-35B is a STOVL propulsion system comprising the most powerful engine ever flown in a jet fighter, a shaft-driven counter-rotating lift fan situated behind the cockpit, a roll duct under each wing for lateral stability, and a rear 3-bearing swivel nozzle that vectors engine exhaust in the desired direction.

During vertical or short takeoffs, or vertical landings, doors above and below the lift fan open, and a clutch connecting the lift fan to the engine drive shaft engages. A dorsal auxiliary engine inlet opens to increase airflow to the engine. At the same time, doors beneath the 3-bearing swivel nozzle open and the rear nozzle pivots downward, deflecting engine thrust toward the ground. Roll ducts under each wing also are engaged, keeping the aircraft laterally stable. In this configuration, the F-35B can hover, land vertically, take off in a few hundred feet fully loaded, or take off vertically with a light load. When the aircraft transitions from jet-borne to conventional wing-borne flight, the doors close and the pilot can then accelerate to supersonic speeds. The system is completely automatic.

The Lockheed Martin X-35B successfully demonstrated the shaft-driven lift fan propulsion system in 2001, becoming the only aircraft in history to execute a short takeoff, level supersonic dash and vertical landing in a single flight.

The Pratt & Whitney F135 engine will power the first series of F-35Bs. The F136, an interchangeable engine under development by the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team, will make its first F-35 flight in 2010. Rolls-Royce produces the shaft-driven lift fan, 3-bearing swivel nozzle and roll duct systems.

An additional six development STOVL F-35s are now in production across the worldwide F-35 supply chain. In 2007, long-lead procurement funds for the first six production STOVL aircraft were authorized, with the first Marine Corps training jets planned for a 2011 delivery.

The F-35 Lightning II is a supersonic, multi-role, 5th generation stealth fighter designed to replace a wide range of existing aircraft, including AV-8Bs, A-10s, F-16s, F/A-18 Hornets and United Kingdom GR.7s and Sea Harriers.

Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Two separate, interchangeable F-35 engines are under development: the Pratt & Whitney F135 and the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team F136.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2006 sales of $39.6 billion.

F-35 and Lightning II are trademarks of Lockheed Martin Corporation.

Headline News

Lockheed Martin News

LOCKHEED MARTIN F-35 MARKS 20TH FLIGHT

‘CATBird’ TAKES FINAL STEPS TOWARD AIRBORNE AVIONICS TESTING

FORT WORTH, Texas, December 7th, 2007 -- On its 20th flight, the first F-35 Lightning II successfully tested engine performance and aircraft handling qualities at up to 20,000 feet as pilots and crew prepare for air refueling in the coming weeks. Shortly afterward, a dedicated test-bed aircraft began final check-out flights for airborne testing of the Lightning II’s Communication-Navigation-Identification system, initiating a test program that will ultimately integrate and fly the complete F-35 avionics package.

“We are poised for a long run of testing on both of these aircraft,” said Dan Crowley, Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] executive vice president and F-35 program general manager. “For the F-35, those tests include refueling from an airborne tanker in the short term and supersonic flights next year. At the same time, we are putting the finishing touches on our first short takeoff/vertical landing F-35 aircraft, which will roll out of the factory this month and initiate flight testing in the spring. By the end of 2008, we expect to have at least three F-35s in the air and numerous aircraft on the assembly line.”

The Lightning II’s flight began at 1:30 p.m. CST when Chief Test Pilot Jon Beesley executed a military-power (full power without afterburner) takeoff, ran the engine at various power settings and checked flying qualities at 6,000, 17,500 and 20,000 feet, and performed a fuel-dump test at 250 knots. Landing was at 2:15 p.m. CST. Beesley reported that the tests were successful and the jet was a pleasure to fly.

“The Lightning II embodies a long list of advancements that will make it better, smarter and more reliable than anything that’s come before it, and those technologies are extraordinarily mature in this first-ever F-35,” Beesley said. “When you project ahead to the F-35s that will be entering the fleet in 2010, you see fighters that benefit from the testing we’re doing now – fighters that will set new standards for combat-readiness right out of the box.”

At 3:30 p.m. CST, the Cooperative Avionics Test Bed – “CATBird” – took off on a two-hour functional check flight, one of its final sorties before aerial F-35 mission systems testing begins. CATBird is a highly modified 737 airliner designed to test, integrate and validate the full F-35 mission systems suite in a dynamic, airborne environment before the system ever flies in an F-35 aircraft.

CATBird flights with the CNI system operating will be the first in a series of airborne tests that will methodically add constituent elements of the F-35 mission systems suite until the entire Lightning II avionics package is onboard the CATBird. The mission systems will be fully integrated and operating as they would on an F-35 aircraft – a first for a fighter test program.

“The F-35 will have the most powerful and comprehensive avionics ever flown on a fighter aircraft, and it represents a phenomenal capability,” said Doug Pearson, Lockheed Martin vice president of the F-35 Integrated Test Force. “Our goal is to get the system perfected on the CATBird so that it works exactly as advertised when we put it in the Lightning II fighter.”

Other parts of the F-35’s mission systems suite include a powerful Active Electronically Scanned Array radar with the ability to track multiple ground and air targets as well as provide Synthetic Aperture Radar mapping and electronic attack; an Electro-Optical Distributed Aperture System to provide spherical threat detection around the aircraft and supply the pilot with synthetic vision, in daytime or total darkness, that can be projected onto the helmet visor; an Electro-Optical Targeting System with search and track functions for ground or airborne targets; and an electronic warfare suite with emitter-locating capability. The F-35 mission systems suite is entirely internal to the aircraft, with no external pods or sensors, a configuration that preserves the Lightning II’s stealth profile.

The first mission-systems equipped F-35 will fly in 2009. The F-35 mission systems suite is already operating in ground-based laboratories, and individual components like the AESA radar, EOTS and EO-DAS already are undergoing preliminary airborne testing in aircraft other than the CATBird.

The F-35 Lightning II is a supersonic, multi-role, 5th generation stealth fighter designed to replace a wide range of existing aircraft, including AV-8Bs, A-10s, F-16s, F/A-18 Hornets and United Kingdom Harrier GR.7s and Sea Harriers.

Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Two separate, interchangeable F-35 engines are under development: the Pratt & Whitney F135 and the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team F136.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2006 sales of $39.6 billion.

Headline News

Through The Eyes Of A Soldier

AAFES News

Troops Receive Coast to Coast Support in 2007

DALLAS – In 2007, all of America was united in support of its military as people from every state in the union sent a helping hand in the form of gift certificates redeemable for items of convenience and necessity at BXs and PXs around the globe.

Missouri, home of Whiteman AFB and Fort Leonard Wood, led the charge by sending 7,106 gift certificates worth more than $144,000. Not surprisingly, states with the most active duty military members were the staunchest advocates of Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines this past year. Six of the top 15 contributing states (California, Virginia, Texas, Florida, Georgia and Washington) boasted some of the nation’s highest active duty numbers.

Two states that are no strangers to adversity proved that their residents know the value of assistance as Louisiana and Mississippi accounted for two of the top 10 states sending monetary support through the BX/PX gift certificate effort.

“The support that all of America has shown our military this year is awe inspiring and heartwarming,” said the Army & Air Force Exchange Service’s Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Bryan Eaton. “While a lot has been done since Jan. 1, it is important that we continue to stand together in support of our troops for the remainder of this year and beyond.”

“Gifts From the Homefront” can be sent to deployed troops by logging on to www.aafes.org or calling 877-770-4438. From there, the gift certificates are sent to individual service members (designated by the purchaser) or distributed to “any service member” through the Air Force Aid Society, American Red Cross, Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, Fisher House, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Operation Homefront, Operation Interdependence® or USO. “Gifts From the Homefront” gift certificates can be redeemed at exchange facilities worldwide. Some of the most popular items picked up by troops at the 53 BX/PX locations throughout Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom in 2007 included Monster Energy drinks, Red Bull, laptop computers and frappuccino.

The nation’s top troop support states based on “Gifts From the Homefront” orders received from January through November 2007 are as follows (the entire list can be obtained by logging onto http://www.aafes.com/docs/gfhfchart.pdf ):

State “Gifts From the Homefront” certificates Amount sent to troops

1. Missouri 7,106 $144,345
2. New York 1,156 $32,785
3. Connecticut 982 $21,325
4. Texas 670 $20,005
5. California 537 $17,105
6. Louisiana 270 $13,230
7. Illinois 1,270 $13,050
8. Virginia 282 $10,175
9. Washington, D.C. 245 $10,080
10. Mississippi 894 $10,050

Headline News

Vought Employees Circle the Globe Nearly Three Times During Eight-Week Walking Program

DALLAS, DEC. 18, 2007 – Employees of Vought Aircraft Industries racked up 73,507 miles during an eight-week walking program called Steps to LiveWell@Vought -- enough to circle the globe 2.95 times or walk between New York City and Los Angeles 24.5 times.

Vought issued 2,733 pedometers in September in an effort to help employees become more active one step at a time. There were 706 participants companywide, with 325 completing the entire eight-week walking program. During the first week, participants logged an average of 8,698 steps. By week eight, that number rose to 9,072.

“Research shows that when you’re trying to make lasting changes, tracking behavior is key,” said Vice President of Human Resources Tom Stubbins. “In addition to pedometers, we also provided employees with tracking sheets for them to log their physical activity.”

Some of the Vought sites held weekly drawings from employees who submitted their weekly walking tally sheets. The prizes ranged from fitness-related items such as water bottles and sports apparel to mini-home gym sets.

“The walking program was a big success, both in getting people more active and increasing the awareness that wellness is not just going to the gym -- it happens all day and can fit into anyone’s life,” said Wellness Director Kevin Meiners. “We have a lot of great programs to come. We are currently in the middle of our holiday weight maintenance programto help people work through their nutrition and activity struggles. The 2008 programs will cover everything from stress management to proper nutrition.”

Vought kicked-off its wellness program in June by hosting health fairs for active employees and their immediate families. Participants had the opportunity to receive a free, confidential health screening.

The company enlisted the help of Cooper Aerobics Center’s consulting division, Cooper Ventures, and Matria Healthcare to develop its wellness program. A Cooper wellness coordinator is located onsite at most Vought sites to assist in the design and execution of the wellness program.

About Vought:

Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. ( www.voughtaircraft.com ) is one of the world's largest independent suppliers of aerostructures. Headquartered in Dallas, the company designs and manufactures major airframe structures such as wings, fuselage subassemblies, empennages, nacelles and other components for prime manufacturers of aircraft. Vought has annual sales of approximately $1.6 billion and about 6,000 employees in nine U.S. locations.

Headline News

Lockheed Martin Team Opens New Space Exploration Development Laboratory For Orion And Constellation

Houston, TX, December 12th, 2007 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] announced today the opening of its new space Exploration Development Laboratory in a ceremony dedicating the facility to support the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Project Orion and Constellation Program. Orion isAmerica’s next-generation human spaceflight vehicle that will transport up to six astronauts to and from the International Space Station and up to four to the moon and destinations beyond, beginning in 2015 after the space shuttle is retired.

The new 10,000 sq. ft. Exploration Development Laboratory is a state-of-the-art test facility funded by Lockheed Martin and its teammates United Space Alliance and Honeywell as part of an integrated EDL network that includes facilities in Denver, CO, Glendale, AZ and Arlington, VA. The EDL network is designed to reduce cost and schedule risk by providing an early opportunity to perform systems level avionics and software testing for Orion in a realistic environment in the development phase of the program.

“The Exploration Development Lab provides a tremendous benefit to NASA and the Lockheed Martin team as we begin a very robust test program for Orion,” said Cleon Lacefield, vice president and program manager of Project Orion for Lockheed Martin Space Systems. “We are very excited to have the EDL ready and operational for Orion and Constellation so early in the development phase of the program. Testing in this new facility has already begun and we successfully completed the first Pad Abort 1 avionics systems test for Orion last week.”

The EDL in Houston is located adjacent to NASA Johnson Space Center, enabling the Lockheed Martin team to work closely with NASA’s Project Orion and Constellation Program early in the development and testing phase to gain clarity on requirements. This location allows the team to take full advantage of the breadth of human space flight experience in Houston, including early involvement and collaboration with astronaut flight crew members and flight controllers.

Initial testing of critical systems will be done in the EDL, including the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C), Automated Rendezvous and Docking (AR&D), crew interfaces, and software development processes. Avionics system testing will be performed to reduce risk prior to abort flight testing at White Sands Missile Range and NASA Kennedy Space Center. EDL testing also will include system integration tests and mission tests that employ the team’s “test like you fly” philosophy. The Lockheed Martin team also is working closely with NASA on a Human Engineering mockup that will be used to perform fact finding activities, such as reach zone, panel displays, internal lighting assessment, seat mockup and development, docking hatch development, crew stowage, hand controller development, and other human interface devices.

Following EDL testing, the next phase of tests will be done at NASA’s CEV Avionics Integration Laboratory (CAIL). Verification of requirements in the EDL ensures that certification in the CAIL will be successful, greatly reducing software development risk.

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company, a major operating unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation, designs, develops, tests, manufactures and operates a full spectrum of advanced-technology systems for national security, civil and commercial customers. Chief products include human space flight systems; a full range of remote sensing, navigation, meteorological and communications satellites and instruments; space observatories and interplanetary spacecraft; laser radar; fleet ballistic missiles; and missile defense systems.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md. , Lockheed Martin employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2006 sales of $39.6 billion.

Headline News

December 21, 2007 12:33 PM Pacific Time

Teletouch - Hawk Electronics Div. Announces Winner of Mobile Mom Makeover

Local Electronics Retailer Outfits Mom’s Car with New Gadgets

FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Moms are always on the go – whether they are picking up the kids from school or running errands for the day. With so many things to do in a day they can’t be expected to keep track of everything. The latest mobile technology can help moms find directions, keep kids occupied and return phone calls.

In November 2007, Hawk Electronics, the retail division of Teletouch Communications, Inc. (Pink Sheets: TLLE), held the “Mobile Mom Makeover Contest” asking people to enter a mom who deserved to win all of the latest electronics for her car. Dru McCready, of Coppell, Texas, entered his wife, Cindi, in the contest, noting: “My wife is the super mom of ‘super moms.’…I don’t know how we would function without her.”

Cindi is a mother of four and drives them all around the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex to band, work and soccer practice, to name just a few places. When she’s not with the kids, she’s volunteering at the local school or working at home. Hawk Electronics selected and installed four new gadgets in Cindi’s car to make her hectic lifestyle a little bit simpler as she travels around town.

“The devices we selected for the Mobile Mom Makeover contest were specially chosen to help Cindi get from place to place, entertain the kids and relieve the stress that virtually all moms face today with such busy lifestyles,” said Hawk’s technology expert, Bradi Van Noy-Hays. “As a mom on the go, I have these gadgets in my SUV. These mobile enhancements have improved the time spent in the car and made me a safer driver. We hope these same mobile electronics will make a real difference to this family that is always on the go.”

Hawk’s Mobile Mom Makeover includes: [contest details and product pictures available at – Gadget Girl]

Custom Myron & Davis DVD & Game Player Headrests – This all-in-one Myron & Davis Player and Monitor is a custom-mounted DVD and games player system installed directly into the headrests. Kids are entertained not only on long road trips, but also while mom is stuck in traffic in the city.

Parrot Hands-free Bluetooth Kit – The safest way to drive, especially when kids are in the car, is with hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. The Bluetooth® cellular hands-free car kit allows moms to be safe while driving and taking phone calls. This is also great for recent laws passed about limiting cell phone use in the Park Cities area. Easy to use, hands-free keeps moms from juggling too many tasks while she’s trying to drive.

BOYO Back-up Camera – Moms can now see everything behind them using this innovative license plate camera. By mounting the camera monitor by the rear view mirror on the windshield, drivers can safely back out of the garage or parking spot — checking for pets, toys or children behind the vehicle – every parent’s worst nightmare. Plus, the rear camera makes parallel parking a breeze.

Code Alarm Remote Start – This very small remote device attaches to the factory keyless entry remote (key fob) for any car. Kids love this because moms can start the car before they head out to run errands to cool the car during our hot Texas summers, or heat it up in the cool winter months.

Hawk Electronics is regarded as the top independent retailer of wireless and mobile electronics in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, with more than 20 company-owned and agent retail locations throughout the Metroplex. For nearly 35 years, Hawk is the brand name consumers’ trust to handle all of their wireless and mobile electronics needs -- from cutting edge smart phones to traditional car stereo upgrades and accessories, Bluetooth cellular hands-free car kit installations, XM and Sirius satellite radio and mobile television.

For store locations and more information, please visit www.hawkelectronics.com .

About Teletouch Communications

For more than 40 years, Teletouch has offered a comprehensive suite of telecommunications products and services including cellular, two-way radio, GPS-telemetry and wireless messaging products and services throughout the U.S. Teletouch’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Progressive Concepts, Inc. (PCI), is a leading provider of AT&T cellular services (voice, data, entertainment), as well as other mobile, portable and personal electronics products and services to individuals, businesses and government agencies. PCI operates a chain of retail stores and sells under the “Hawk Electronics” brand; Hawk-branded sub-agents; a direct sales force in Texas and Arkansas, and through the Internet at

http://www.hawkelectronics.com

...and other sites. PCI also operates a national wholesale distribution business, PCI Marketing (PCIM) that serves smaller cellular and automotive retailers, car dealers and rural cellular carriers throughout the country. Teletouch's common stock is traded Over-The-Counter on the Pink Sheets electronic exchange under stock symbol: TLLE. Additional information about Teletouch can be found at http://www.teletouch.com .

All statements in this news release that are not based on historical fact are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (which Sections were adopted as part of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain.

Forward-looking statements may address the Company's expected future business or financial performance, and future reporting of historic operating results the accounting for which has not been completed. Forward-looking statements often contain words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," or "will."

While management has based any forward-looking statements contained herein on its current expectations, the information on which such expectations were based may change. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are outside of our control, that could cause actual results to materially differ from such statements.

Such risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, but are not necessarily limited to, those set forth under the caption "Additional Factors That May Affect Our Business" in the Company's most recent Form 10-K and 10-Q filings, and amendments thereto.

In addition, we operate in a highly competitive and rapidly changing environment, and new risks may arise. Accordingly, investors should not place any reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. We disclaim any intention to, and undertake no obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statement.

Headline News

December 21, 2007 08:26 AM Pacific Time

Contango Completes the Sale of its Western Core Fayetteville Shale Properties

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Contango Oil & Gas Company (AMEX:MCF) announced today that the previously announced sale of its Western Core Fayetteville Shale properties to Petrohawk Energy Corporation (“Petrohawk”) (NYSE:HK) closed on December 21, 2007. The Company received a total of $199.2 million and intends to use the proceeds to finance the purchase of producing properties utilizing a 1031 like-kind exchange structure. Assuming a successful like-kind exchange, the Company expects to report a profit on this sale of approximately $162.4 million in the quarter ending December 31, 2007.

Kenneth R. Peak, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “We have already begun the process to analyze potential property acquisitions to fully utilize our $199.2 million in proceeds in a like-kind exchange. In the meantime, our proceeds will be invested at a rate of approximately 4.5%.”

Contango is a Houston-based, independent natural gas and oil company. The Company’s core business is to explore, develop, produce and acquire natural gas and oil properties primarily offshore in the Gulf of Mexico and onshore in the Arkansas Fayetteville Shale. The Company also owns a 10% interest in a limited partnership formed to develop an LNG receiving terminal in Freeport, Texas, and holds investments in companies focused on commercializing environmentally preferred energy technologies. Additional information can be found on our web page at www.contango.com .

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, and actual events or results may differ materially from Contango’s expectations. The statements reflect Contango’s current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties, including those related to successful negotiations with other parties, oil and gas exploration risks, price volatility, production levels, closing of transactions, capital availability, operational and other risks, uncertainties and factors described from time to time in Contango’s publicly available reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Headline News

December 21, 2007 06:54 AM Pacific Time

Dell and Tesco Announce European Retail Agreement

Consumer Notebooks and Desktops To Be Sold In Tesco Stores In UK, Ireland, Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia

ROUND ROCK, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dell™ (NASDAQ:DELL) and Tesco today announced the availability of Dell notebook and desktop computers in Tesco, a premier international retailer with operations in Europe and Asia.

Beginning next month, customers will be able to purchase Dell XPS and Inspiron products in Tesco stores, primarily in the UK, with sales also in Ireland, Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

With Dell and Tesco’s proven expertise in both supply chain management and manufacturing execution, this agreement is the logical next step in Dell’s evolving global retail strategy.

“With over 13 million customers per week shopping at Tesco’s stores, this deal will result in substantial exposure for Dell’s brand and products,” said Mark Ormerod, Vice President and General Manager, Consumer business for Dell’s Europe, Middle East and Africa operations. “Customers like to experience technology first hand, and can now purchase Dell’s award winning products in a Tesco store convenient to them.”

“We are committed to helping our customers with the latest hi-tech products at great value prices, which makes teaming up with Dell a perfect fit,” said Graham Harris, Tesco Commercial Director. “We are excited to offer our customers in the UK and in Europe a new and award winning brand that was previously only available from the company direct.”

With this agreement, customers will be able to click call or visit to shop and purchase Dell products how they want. Dell products will soon be available in more than 10,000 stores and on-line around the globe. In the past several months Dell has announced relationships with Best Buy in the U.S., DSG International and Carrefour in Europe, Staples in the U.S., Courts stores in Singapore, Gome stores in China, Bic Camera Inc. in Japan, Carphone Warehouse in the UK and Wal-Mart in the U.S., Canada, Brazil and Mexico.

About Dell

Dell Inc. (NASDAQ:DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services they trust and value. Uniquely enabled by its direct business model, Dell is a leading global systems and services company and No. 34 on the Fortune 500. For more information, visit www.dell.com, or to communicate directly with Dell via a variety of online channels, go to www.dell.com/conversations. To get Dell news direct, visit www.dell.com/RSS.

© 2007 Dell Corporation Limited. Dell, and the Dell logo are trademarks of Dell Inc.

Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.

Headline News

December 18, 2007 09:19 AM Pacific Time

Tank Services Benefits from Satamatics’ TAM-120 Tracking Unit Gaining Class 1, Division 2 Certification

Tracking Unit, Certified for Use in Hazardous Environments, Allows Monitoring of Volatile Materials

TEWKESBURY, England & WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Satamatics, the global provider of satellite telematics, asset tracking and monitoring services, has supplied Tank Services with its newly Class 1, Division 2 certified TAM-120 tracking and monitoring product.

In recent years Tank Services, the Texas based company, has as part of its offering supplied Satamatics’ products and services. Many of its clients routinely transport hazardous materials both inside and outside of the United States and in doing so require real-time fleet tracking. Chevron operates a fleet of 150 aviation fuel containers that travel throughout the Caribbean and South America and amongst a few other fortune 100 companies, were the first to use the TAM prototype several years ago. Now, with Class 1, Division 2 certification, many other companies with large HAZMAT fleets are likely to follow in Chevron’s footsteps.

Erick Garcia, Vice President of Tank Services, commented, “We started working with Satamatics in 2005 as a reseller, targeting the intermodal tank equipment and monitoring market. At the time we were trying to use GPRS-based cell-phone tracking systems but found the coverage area and roaming capabilities were very limited. Since moving to Satamatics’ Inmarsat-based satellite tracking system we have had many successful trials and have moved to full scale deployments with several different chemical companies’ ISO tank container and skid fleets.”

Class 1, Division 2 certification has given Tank Services the ability to extend its service offering to its customers who distribute volatile hazardous materials, chemicals, gases and fuels.

The TAM-120 provides global GPS tracking and sensor monitoring for fixed and mobile assets such as trailers, containers, tanks and railcars. With a typical battery life of five to ten years there is no need for an external power source. The Class 1, Division 2 certification, part of the United States hazardous areas classification system, guarantees the intrinsic safety of the TAM-120 when in hazardous environments as it ensures that the electrical and thermal energy in the system will always be low enough that ignition inside the explosive atmosphere cannot occur.

Garcia continued, “The fact that Satamatics’ TAM-120 product has recently received Class 1, Division 2 certification will give us greater penetration into our customer base including monitoring onboard sensors such as the level of liquid inside tanks. We look forward to continued success with Satamatics and its product and service offerings.”

About Satamatics

Satamatics is a global telematics company, which provides customised, end-to-end tracking and monitoring solutions that will work anywhere in the world. Satamatics enables land transport, security, maritime and oil and gas organisations to locate, track and communicate with mobile assets, safeguard their fleets, cargo and personnel, and monitor their fixed and mobile assets in the most hostile or remote terrains in the world.

The privately owned company was founded in Gloucestershire, UK, in April 2001. Satamatics has been placed in The Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track 100 for two years running. This annual league table ranks Britain's fastest-growing private technology companies and is based on sales growth between 2004 and 2006. Over the period Satamatics’ sales grew by 65% a year, from $5.1m in 2004 to $14.8m in 2006.

www.satamatics.com

Headline News

Northrop Grumman Awarded $1 Billion Contract to Build Ninth San Antonio-Class Ship
PASCAGOULA, Miss., Dec. 21, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) today received a $1 billion U.S. Navy shipbuilding contract to build a ninth San Antonio (LPD 17)-class ship. This 47-month, fixed-price incentive contract modification provides funding to finish design and begin construction on the new amphibious transport dock ship, Somerset (LPD 25).

The contract continues momentum in amphibious shipbuilding for Northrop Grumman, which commissioned its third LPD 17-class ship Mesa Verde (LPD 19) last Saturday in Panama City. New York (LPD 21) launched this week and will be christened March 1 in New Orleans.

Coupled with the advance procurement contract funded for LPD 25 in November 2006, the total contract is valued at more than $1.2 billion.

"These sophisticated expeditionary ships align with our nation's current National Maritime Strategy, and it is imperative our sailors and Marines receive the best we have to offer," said Philip Teel, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman's Ship Systems sector. "We continue to be devoted to building affordable ships of the highest quality. The LPD program will not only maintain this standard, but it will set the bar for other classes to follow."

The name Somerset honors the county in Pennsylvania where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed on Sept. 11, 2001, after courageous passengers stormed the cockpit in an attempt to regain control from the terrorists onboard. Their actions prevented the airplane from reaching its destination and inflicting further casualties and damage, and the heroic sacrifice of these 40 passengers and crew rallied and inspired the nation.

The San Antonio-class ships, 684 feet long and 105 feet wide, will replace the functions of the LPD 4, LSD 36, LKA 113 and LST 1179 amphibious ship classes. The San Antonio-class ships afford the Navy's Expeditionary Strike Group with the technology and flexibility to launch and recover two amphibious Landing Craft, Air Cushions (LCAC), operate an array of rotary-wing aircraft and carry and launch 14 Marine Corps Expeditionary Fighting Vehicles.

Technological and design advances in the LPD 17 class provide benefits such as enhanced survivability, state-of-the-art command and control, modernized weapons stations and enhanced ergonomics, which greatly improve quality of life at sea for sailors and Marines. This includes "sit-up" berths that allow occupants to sleep horizontally or sit up vertically to read or write. Each berth also has 40 percent more storage space than other ship type berths.

The ship will have a crew of 360 officers and enlisted Navy personnel and is capable of embarking a landing force of up to 800 Marines. It has a navigational draft of 23 feet and displaces approximately 25,000 tons. Four turbo-charged diesels power the ship to sustained speeds of 22 knots.

Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $30 billion global defense and technology company whose 122,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.

Texans in the U.S. Navy
Historical Galleries

U.S.S. Texas (BB-35)

From the U.S. Naval Historical Center:

USS Texas (Battleship Number 35, later BB-35), 1914-1948

USS Texas, a 27,000-ton New York class battleship built at Newport News, Virginia, was commissioned in March 1914. In May, she steamed to Vera Cruz to support the occupation of that Mexican city. Regular operations with the Atlantic Fleet began in mid-year and continued to January 1918. The battleship then crossed the ocean to join the Grand Fleet in the North Sea, where she remained to the end the First World War. Texas returned to the United States in late December 1918 and again took up her duties with the Atlantic Fleet.

Reassigned to the Pacific Fleet in mid-1919, and designated BB-35 in 1920, Texas came back to the Atlantic in 1924, when she again visited Europe on a training cruise. The ship received new oil-fired boilers and many improvements to her combat systems in a major modernization that began in 1925. With her appearance transformed, Texas' operations alternated between the Atlantic and the Pacific until 1931, when her base was shifted to California. For the next six years, she served as a fleet and division flagship during regular U.S. Fleet exercises. Texas briefly revisited the Atlantic in 1936 and was sent back to that ocean in 1937 for service that would last until late in 1944.

During 1937-39, Texas kept busy training the Navy's officers and men. When the Second World War began in September 1939, she joined other Atlantic Squadron ships in maintaining a Neutrality Patrol, an activity that became increasingly warlike when the U.S. Navy began convoying western Atlantic shiping in 1941. The next year, with the Nation now formally at war, Texas escorted troops and supplies to Panama, West Africa and the British Isles. A change in mission took place in October and November 1942, when she provided heavy gunfire support during the invasion of North Africa. Texas continued her Atlantic convoy escort duties through 1943 and beyond. In April 1944 she began preparations for the Normandy landings, which began on 6 June 1944, with Texas' 14-inch and 5-inch guns firing on German positions ashore for several days. On 25 June, she participated in a bombardment of Cherbourg, France, during which she was hit twice by enemy coastal artillery fire. Her heavy guns were again active in August, this time in the Mediterranean Sea in support of landings in Southern France.

After an overhaul, Texas went to the Pacific, arriving in the war zone in time to take part in the February 1945 Iwo Jima invasion. From late March to late May, she operated off Okinawa, firing her guns against Japanese positions and helping to fight off suicide plane attacks. Texas was preparing for the invasion of Japan when the war ended in August 1945. She left the Western Pacific in late September and spent the next three months transporting veterans home. Returning to the Atlantic coast in February 1946, Texas was inactive until April 1948, when she was placed out of commission and turned over to the State of Texas. She has been maintained as a memorial at San Jacinto ever since.

This page features, and provides links to, selected views concerning USS Texas (BB-35).

For more images related to this ship, see:

USS Texas (Battleship # 35, later BB-35) -- Part II.