Podiatrist in Miramar, CA

The first Marine aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, tested positive for the coronavirus Thursday, Marine officials confirmed.

The Marine is part of the 3rd Marine Air Wing, and is at least the second Marine to test positive for the rapidly spreading virus. A Marine in Virginia tested positive for the virus at Fort Belvoir on March 7.

A U.S. soldier stationed in South Korea was the first American service member to test positive for the virus in late February.

Miramar, California, was one of four bases the U.S. has been using to quarantine civilians exposed to the deadly virus after confirmed cases on cruise ships.

But the Marine who tested positive likely did not get the virus from one of the quarantined civilians on the base, an official with knowledge of the case told Marine Corps Times Thursday. The Marine was exposed to the virus when on leave visiting family in Washington state, the official said.

RELATED

Congressman, a former dentist, says he’d ‘rather die gloriously in battle than from’ coronavirus

Gosar knows a thing or two about glorious battles.

By Jon Simkins

A second Marine on Camp Pendleton, California is currently “under investigation” for the virus and is receiving daily medical checks a release from the I Marine Expeditionary Force said. The release added that the Marine under investigation also had no contact with the civilians being quarantined on base.

A “thorough” contact investigation is currently being conducted to identify anyone who came in contact with the two Marines the press release said.

The medical facility where the Marine who tested positive was first screened has been sanitized and so far no personnel with known contact to either Marine has reported any symptoms.

On Wednesday, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency, restricting gatherings with more than 250 people, in an attempt to slow down the spread of the virus.

Its rapid spread, on Wednesday declared a “global pandemic” by the World Health Organization, led President Donald Trump to address the nation and enact a 30-day travel ban between the U.S. and Europe.

Also Wednesday Secretary of Defense Mark Esper announced significant restrictions on international travel for service members and their families, preventing them from traveling to nations with widespread transmission for the next 60 days.

The spread of the virus has also led to the cancellation of a multinational Arctic exercise and the 75th anniversary reunion for survivors of the Battle of Iwo Jima in Japan.

“We are taking every precaution to preserve the integrity of our warfighting forces, and stand ready to protect the health of our Marines, Sailors, family members, civilian employees, and our local communities,” Lt. Gen. Joseph L. Osterman, commanding general of I MEF said in the press release.

“We understand the severity of this situation and are deliberate in our actions to help diminish the impact of COVID-19," he added.

This is a breaking story and will be updated as Marine Corps Times learns more.

The US Army, Navy and Marine Corps have made big microgrid commitments in recent months. In February, the Army announced it would build a microgrid at each of its bases worldwide by 2035. In May, the Navy and Marine Corps made similar commitments.

So it’s not surprising that military microgrid projects are making the news. In San Diego, there was a real world demonstration of how military microgrids can support the communities outside of a base during a time of crisis. And in New Mexico, HSGS-Ameresco announced plans for a new microgrid to improve the energy reliability at a large military test facility.

MCAS Miramar to the rescue

On Aug. 17, Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar and Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Southwest ran the base’s microgrid power plant to help California utility San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) avoid a power emergency. At the utility’s request, NAVFAC Southwest operated the microgrid for five hours, allowing SDG&E to provide continuous power to 300,000 homes in the San Diego area during a time of high grid demand.

This real world demonstration of how the base’s microgrid can support the community in an emergency was “a huge win for the combined California Public Utility Commission, SDG&E, MCAS Miramar and NAVFAC Southwest team,” said Commander Jon Angle, MCAS Miramar’s public works officer.

The MCAS Miramar microgrid is based on 50% renewable energy and includes Tier 4 clean burning diesel generators, which means the base supported the community with cleaner burning generation than what the grid would typically provide.

A unique and innovative agreement

MCAS Miramar and NAVFAC Southwest responded to a statewide flex alert as part of the Miramar Summer Generation Incentive, an agreement the base and NAVFAC Southwest have with the California Public Utilities Commission and SDG&E to provide generation support. Enacted in the summer of 2021, this was the first time the agreement has been used.

Commander Angle said of the agreement, “This is a first-of-a-kind and one of the most innovative things we have done.” In exchange for its support, SDG&E will issue energy credits to MCAS Miramar.

Mick Wasco, energy manager for the San Diego air station, is credited with the idea of using the base’s microgrid to support the utility and the wider grid before it experiences an emergency. He shared his experience developing the microgrid in a video panel discussion featured on Microgrid Knowledge.

White Sands Missile Range to get new microgrid

Also announced last week, HSGS-Ameresco was awarded a contract to install a microgrid at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) in New Mexico. The microgrid will include a 700-kW solar photovoltaic array, a 500-kW natural gas generator and a 500-kW energy storage system.

Dave McNeil, president and CEO of HSGS-Ameresco said, “This diverse solution set will strengthen the base’s energy and water resilience, so that it is no longer dependent on a single source of power.”

The microgrid is designed to provide 14 days of power for potable water wells, the Army Research Lab, Material Test Directorate and the fire department at what is the Department of Defense’s largest open-air military test facility.

Construction on the microgrid will start later this year and is expected to be completed in late 2023.

New Mexico contract awarded to veteran owned business

HSGS-Ameresco, the joint venture company awarded the WSMR contract, is a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business. As part of the project, HSGS-Ameresco will install cybersecurity, anti-terrorism and physical security measures for the microgrid.

Learn more about the military’s microgrid commitments. Subscribe to the free Microgrid Knowledge Newsletter.

PRESS RELEASE

The B-29 Doc History Restored Tour will head west for the month of September for five tour stops, which will include visits to three historic aviation museums and the 2022 MCAS Miramar Air Show near San Diego, CA.

The September tour for B-29 Doc will include the following cities:

Pueblo, CO: Sept. 9-11 Chino, CA, Sept. 14-18 San Diego, CA: Sept. 21-25 Palm Springs, CA: Sept. 27-28 Inyokern, CA: Sept. 30-Oct. 2

The Pueblo Wiesbrod Aircraft Museum, Yanks Air Museum and the Palm Springs Air Museum will be three of the hosts for B-29 Doc in September. In addition to the museum visits, Doc will be a static performer at the 2022 MCAS Miramar Air Show, which is the largest military air show in the United States with an estimated 700,000+ attendees over three days. And wrapping up the month, Doc will make a return stop to Inyokern, CA, where its new life and current mission began.

“It’s an honor to be hosted by three historic and renowned air museums, all of which share our passion and mission of maintaining warbirds and aircraft to ensure our nation’s rich aviation history lives on,” said Josh Wells, B-29 Doc executive director. “Together, we work to continue our joint mission of honoring the legacy of the Greatest Generation, as well as those who have fought and continue to fight to defend our freedom at home and abroad. We are looking forward to working with these museums to give people a unique, up-close and personal experience with a B-29 Superfortress.”

All tour stops in September will include ground and cockpit tours, as well as B-29 Doc Flight Experience rides. Tickets for ride flight experience are on sale now at www.b29doc.com/rides, or available by calling the B-29 Doc Box Office at 316-260-4312, option 3.

“Attending the MCAS Miramar Air Show is a true honor and we look forward to sharing the B-29 Doc story and its legacy with those who attend,” Wells continued. “And of course, making a return trip to Inyokern and the area around China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station where Doc was rescued from the bombing range is always humbling. The tour stop at Inyokern is a way for us to say ‘thank you’ to the volunteers who worked tirelessly to kick-start Doc’s new mission.”

To date, B-29 Doc has logged 102 flight hours during the 2022 tour season, which began in early April, and has included stops in 19 cities across 11 states. B-29 Doc will depart its home base in Wichita on Sept. 8 and will return to the B-29 Doc Hangar, Education and Visitors Center on Oct. 3.

Event Details for the B-29 Doc History Restored Tour in Pueblo, CO

B-29 Doc will arrive at Pueblo Memorial Airport, Thursday, Sept. 8, and will be hosted by Freeman Jet Center of PUB and Pueblo Wiesbrod Aircraft Museum, Sept. 9-11. Ground and flight deck tours will be available Friday, Sept. 9, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., as well as on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 10 and 11, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., following the morning ride flight schedules both days. For details about B-29 Doc Flight Experience, visit www.b29doc.com/rides. Admission for ground and cockpit tours will be $10 per person and $20 per family and tickets can be purchased at the gate. Public entrance for the event will be at 31001 Magnuson Ave., Pueblo, CO 81001.

Event Details for the B-29 Doc History Restored Tour in Chino, CA

B-29 Doc will be hosted by Yanks Air Museum, Wednesday, Sept. 14, through Sunday, Sept. 18. Gates will open for ground and flight deck tours from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m, Wednesday, Sept. 14, and Thursday, Sept. 15. B-29 Doc Flight Experience rides will be available at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 16-18, followed by afternoon ground and flight deck tours both days. Admission for the static display event and flight deck tours will be $5 per person with the purchase of a Yanks Air Museum General Admission Ticket. For details about the B-29 Doc Flight Experience and to purchase ride tickets, visit www.b29doc.com/rides. For information about Yanks Air Museum, visit www.yanksair.com. Visitors can enter the Chino event through Yanks Air Museum, 15121 Stearman Drive, Chino, CA, 91710. Tickets for static ground and flight deck tours can be purchased at the event.

Event Details for the B-29 History Restored Tour in San Diego, CA and the MCAS Miramar Air Show

B-29 Doc will arrive at San Diego’s Brown Field Municipal Airport Monday, Sept. 19, and will be available for B-29 Flight Experience rides Tuesday, Sept. 20, and Wednesday, Sept. 21. Ride schedules and tickets can be purchased at www.b29doc.com/rides. Doc will then spend Sept. 22-25 at the 2022 MCAS Miramar Air Show as a static display and will be available for static ground and flight deck tours during the show. For details about the MCAS Miramar Air Show, visit www.miramarairshow.com.

Event Details for the B-29 History Restored Tour in Palm Springs, CA at the Palm Springs Air Museum

B-29 Doc will be hosted by the Palm Springs Air Museum, Sept. 27 and 28. B-29 Doc Flight Experience rides will be available both days at 9 and 11 a.m., followed by ground and flight deck tours from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission for ground and cockpit tours will be $5 per person with the purchase of Palm Springs Air Museum admission. Tickets for the B-29 Doc Flight Experience in Palm Springs are available at www.b29doc.com/rides. For information about the Palm Springs Air Museum, visit www.palmspringsairmuseum.org.

Event Details for the B-29 History Restored Tour in Inyokern, CA

B-29 Doc will arrive at Inyokern Airport, Thursday, Sept. 29. Gates will open for ground and flight deck tours from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m, Friday, Sept. 30. B-29 Doc Flight Experience rides will be available at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 1 and Sunday, Oct. 2, followed by afternoon ground and flight deck tours both days until 4:30 p.m. Admission for the static display event and flight deck tours will be $10 per person or $20 per family. For details about the B-29 Doc Flight Experience and to purchase ride tickets, visit www.b29doc.com/rides. Visitors can enter the Inyokern event through the main terminal building at Inyokern Airport, 1669 Airport Road, Inyokern, CA, 93527. Tickets for static ground and flight deck tours can be purchased at the event.

The Miramar (CA) Young Marines are extremely active in their community, volunteering to assist many other philanthropic, veteran, and community groups and causes. Already this year the Miramar Young Marine members have volunteered over 5400 hours in their pursuit to assist others and improve their community.

Partnering with these various groups allows the Young Marines to hone their leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. It also teaches them to be disciplined and to show respect for the accomplishments and sacrifices of others while stressing the importance of volunteerism.

One of the distinguished veteran groups the Miramar Young Marines have partnered with is the Foundation for Women Warriors. Their mission states: “We are on a mission to serve women veterans and their children so that their next mission is clear and continues to impact the world. Our programs enhance the personal and economic well-being of women veterans and address the growing needs for the increasing population of military women transitioning to civilian life. We address the top four needs that women veterans have self-identified as crucial to the success of their transition: education, employment, housing, and childcare.”

Find out what's happening in San Diegowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This September, the Miramar Young Marines assisted the Foundation for Women Warriors by crafting items to be included in baby show gift baskets being distributed to veteran mothers. The unit made all-natural pumpkin spice sugar scrubs and peppermint foot soaks. The Miramar Young Marines unit donated the necessary items for the project and set to work. First, the all-natural ingredients were carefully mixed. The scrubs and soaks were then placed into dozens of mason jars and decorated with ribbons and instruction cards. The items were then delivered to the foundation’s warehouse where they were included in the foundation's gift baskets

The Miramar Young Marines are looking forward to our next opportunity to assist The Foundation for Women Warriors.

Find out what's happening in San Diegowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Foundation for Women Warriors is a 100-year-old non-profit organization dedicated to honoring and empowering the women veteran community. The foundation, originally known as Military Women In Need, was established in 1920 as a housing association for widows, war nurses, and mothers of fallen service members. Visit: https://foundationforwomenwarr...

About the Young Marines

The Young Marines of the Marine Corps League is a national non-profit 501c (3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through the completion of high school. The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral, and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork, and self-discipline, so its members can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

For more information, visit the website at https://www.YoungMarines.org

An expansive redevelopment of the 100-year-old Miramar Hotel project is one major step closer to commencement this week, after the California Coastal Commission unanimously approved plans that would see the site transform with larger guest rooms and the addition of 60 luxury condos, a new affordable housing complex on 2nd Street, and three levels of underground parking, along with street-level improvements like a public green space.

Following the decision, project representatives Ellis O’Connor and Dustin Peterson issued a statement saying they were looking forward to the project moving into its next stage.

“We appreciate the California Coastal Commission’s unanimous approval of our project and are incredibly humbled by, and grateful for, the extraordinary outpouring of support across the community,” Connor and Peterson wrote. “We look forward to writing the next chapter in the Miramar’s storied history.”

The Coastal Commission’s hearing to discuss the project, now more than a decade in the making, lasted two-and-a-half hours on Thursday afternoon, March 10, and included an outpouring of public support from residents, business owners and stakeholders including representatives from the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Santa Monica, Unite Here! Local 11, and other groups.

One outspoken supporter was Peter Trinh, Vice Chair of Downtown Santa Monica.

“It’s astonishing how long this project has taken and we hope that you can help to officially put forward this, so Santa Monica can receive an enormous community and economic benefit that this development will bring,” Trinh said. “We’re in an unprecedented recovery time all over and Santa Monica needs a beacon project like this to help it with forward thinking and entrepreneurship as much as possible.” Trinh called the project a “role model” corporate partner.

During the hearing, detractors for the project were few.

According to Coastal Commission staff, six letters of opposition were delivered to the Commission by last Friday, March 4; 101 letters of support were delivered by the same time.

“Staff has received correspondence from residents of the building immediately inland of the project site expressing concern with the potential for this project impact private ocean views visible from the upper floors of an existing private residence,” a Commission staffer described. “However, as discussed in the addendum for this matter, private views are not protected by the policies of both the Coastal Act and the City certified LUP. In this case, the project will not result in significant impact to public ocean views, which are protected by the Coastal Act and certified LUP.”

One resident who spoke in opposition was Steve Linett, who said he was the head of a group of 800 residents called Residents Against the Miramar Expansion.

“What I thought this whole thing was supposed to be about [was] the coastline and the Coastal Act, not all these other issues relating to jobs,” Linett said, later adding, “The Coastal Act states that, quote development shall not interfere with the public’s right of access to the sea. The building of the Miramar is going to bring unprecedented gridlock to California Avenue, which is the most important artery leading from Santa Monica to the sea, since it feeds directly into the California Incline and empties out on the beach.” Linett also expressed concern over views.

Steve Hudson, the Coastal Commission District Director for the South Central Coast and South Coast Districts, thanked Peterson and his team for their many years of working to see the project come to fruition.

“This was a complex project, and there were issues as it was originally proposed. They had been working for many years with the city but there were still some issues and one of those primary issues was that, as this project originally came to us, there were no provisions for low cost overnight accommodations,” Hudson said. “Not either on site or any sort of in-lieu fee. So, that was a major point of many of our discussions with the applicant. I’d just like to thank them again for entering those discussions with an open mind; that was much appreciated.”

According to Coastal Commission staff who spoke at the hearing, the housing is part of a plan to offset the construction of 60 new luxury condominium units and 201 “new” hotel rooms (largely replacing rooms that are currently in the project, though the Coastal Commission classifies them as new).

“The construction of high cost hotels in the Coastal Zone may conflict with multiple Coastal Act and certified LUP [Land Use Plan] policies requiring that the lower cost hotels shall be protected, encouraged and, where feasible, provided,” a Coastal Commission staff member described. “In past actions, the Commission has required applicants to provide at least 25 percent of new overnight accommodations at lower cost. This approach would require the applicant to provide at least 51 of the proposed 201 new high-cost hotel rooms at lower cost rates.”

But, according to an estimate from a consultant hired by developers, locking in 51 of the new hotel rooms at a lower rate would not be economically feasible for developers; Miramar has proposed to build the 42 affordable housing units as well as provide $5.34 million to the City of Santa Monica in fees for community improvement projects. The Commission also requested an additional $6.477 million of “in-lieu” fees to help offset the lack of low-cost hotel rooms — a fee that, due to an increase in building costs, has gone up more than 25 percent since it was first proposed in 2015. Project representatives agreed to the change.

Commissioners were also effusive in their praise of the project.

“I’m incredibly excited to be able to be here and support the staff recommendations and approve this model project and I’m happy to make the motion to approve,” Commissioner Linda Escalante said, adding, “I do think that this is proof that, yes, we can: We can intentionally increase good quality affordable housing in the Coastal Zone and be inclusive and welcoming for the public access and provide good union jobs and economic development — and all of these while building with climate change and our environment top of mind.”

The Miramar project is not quite ready to break ground. Following the Coastal Commission Permit issuance on Thursday, developers now move on to design review with the City of Santa Monica, including going before the architectural review board and landmarks commission, a process expected to take months to years.

emily@smdp.com

Miramar redevelopment project seeks permits to begin construction

Developers are moving forward with the Miramar Hotel redevelopment project, more than a decade after

Letter to the editor

I recently took a midnight stroll to the foot of Wilshire Boulevard and looked out from the Palisades Park bluffs at the always inspiring Pacific Ocean. To many of us who live here, the ocean is our front yard and the most beautiful sight in the world. Such sights are…

Council to vote on Miramar project Tuesday

Nearly nine years since the original developer’s agreement was submitted, Santa Monica City Counci