President Kennedy departs NAS Pt. Mugu for NAF China Lake aboard Air Force One, USAF VC-137C s/n 62-6000, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo.

China Lake JFK Ordnance Demonstration, NOTS Project 1-63, the Number One project for the U.S. Navy in 1963.

President Kennedy's schedule at China Lake for the Project 1-63 weapons demonstration, 7 June 1963. JFK Presidential Library.

President Kennedy arrives at NAF China Lake aboard Air Force One, USAF VC-137C s/n 62-6000, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo.

President Kennedy de-planing Air Force One via the aft door of VC-137C s/n 62-6000, China Lake, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo.

President Kennedy and California Governor Edmund G. Brown on the ramp by Air Force One (VC-137C s/n 62-6000,) Armitage Field, China Lake, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo from Jerry Willey.

Air Force One VC-137C s/n 62-6000, Armitage Field, China Lake, 07 June 1963. Among the ground crew are G. Verver, P. Coleman, M. Steuerman, A. Perkins & R. Summers. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Air Force One VC-137C s/n 62-6000 and the 1956 Cadillac Secret Service Limousine and 1961 Lincoln Continental SS-100-X limousines, Armitage Field, China Lake, 29 May 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Part of the crowd on hand pressing against the rope line to greet the President, Armitage Field, China Lake, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo via the China Lake Museum.

JFK greeting the crowd of well wishers, China Lake, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo via the China Lake Museum.

'Hi , Mr. President' shouts the enthusiastic crowd at the Naval Air Facility, as dozens of hands reach out eagerly to greet him. Most receptive, the Chief Executive (arrow) moves in close and shakes hands with as many as he can. He even took time to chat a while with some of them, China Lake, 07 June 1963. Rocketeer photo.

All of the Skyhawks participating in Project 1-63, ramp area NE end of runway 31, Armitage Field, China Lake, 07 June 1963. NAF A-4A 137818, A-4C 147680, A-4A 137813, A-4B 144925, A-4B 142085, A-4E 149969 and NA-4C 145063. VX-5 Vampires A-4C 145068, XE-4, A-4C 145075, XE-3, A-4C 145127, XE-9, A-4C 145112, XE-8, A-4E 149658, XE-00, A-4E 149657, XE-22, an two unknown A-4C. VX-4 Evaluators A-4C 149511, XF-40. VA-164 Ghost Riders AH-406, AH-410, AH-411, AH-414, AH-401, AH-415, AH-403, AH-407, AH-404 and AH-417. VA-163 Saints AH-304, AH-307, AH-311, AH-313, AH-301 and AH-300. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Mobile grandstands at Naval Air Facility gave spectators excellent view of demonstration, termed by CNO "One of the finest I've seen!", China Lake, 07 June 1963. Rocketeer photo.

Event #3, VA-164 Ghost Riders A-4B Skyhawk, BuNo 142724, AH-412, Mk-81 bombs, China Lake, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #3, VA-164 Ghost Riders A-4B Skyhawks AH-401, AH-417, AH-403 & AH-407 led by CDR Banks loft 9 tons of MK-81 bombs toward the target 3 miles away, China Lake, 07 Jun 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #5, VA-165 Boomers A-1H Skyraider firing high velocity aircraft rockets (HVAR), China Lake, 07 Jun 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #5, VA-165 Boomers A-1H Skyraider firing high velocity aircraft rockets (HVAR), China Lake, 07 Jun 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #6, VA-165 Boomers A-1H Skyraider firing 2.75-inch folding-fin aircraft rockets, China Lake, 07 Jun 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #8, VA-163 Saints A-4B Skyhawks AH-300, AH-305, AH-310 & AH-313 led by LCDR Harry Jenkins release napalm over area "H" during the napalm demonstration, China Lake, 07 Jun 1963.

Event #8, VA-163 Saints A-4B Skyhawks AH-300, AH-305, AH-310 & AH-313 led by LCDR Harry Jenkins saturate area "H" with an inferno of fire during the napalm demonstration, China Lake, 07 Jun 1963.

Event #8, VA-163 Saints A-4B Skyhawks AH-300, AH-305, AH-310 & AH-313 led by LCDR Harry Jenkins release napalm over area "H" during the napalm demonstration, China Lake, 07 Jun 1963.

The press watches from a safe distance as Naval aviation firepower turns the dessert into a fiery inferno, 07 June 1963. Naval Aviation News photo.

President Kennedy seated at the Presidential viewing box at the Presidential viewing area confers over his shoulder with RADM Masterton and ADM Sides, G-1 Range, China Lake, 07 June 1963. Naval Aviation News photo.

Dignitaries in the Presidential viewing area or the ordnance demo, G-1 Range, China Lake, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo via the China Lake Museum.

Press gallery in the Presidential viewing area included array of media representatives plus the crew of the White House press' Pan Am 707 jet, China Lake, 07 June 1963. Rocketeer photo.

Event #10, NAF China Lake DT-28B Trojan BuNo 138355 50 cal gun pods flown by LT Rod Sikes as it would have looked for the strafing demonstration on 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #12, NAF China Lake A-4A Skyhawk BuNo 137818, three Mk-4 HIPEG 20mm gun pods strafing demonstration, pilot was Lt. Dave Callahan, China Lake, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #13, A-4B Skyhawk BuNo 142085, Walleye captive flight demonstration flown by Cdr. Jack Sickel who flew a trajectory, similar to a released weapon, as close to the target as possible. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #14 was a Walleye warhead detonation (the characteristic "spray" pattern of the unique linear shaped charge warhead with a cross-section in the form of an 8-point star design is the recognition key), circa 1960's. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #15, NAF China Lake A-4B Skyhawk, BuNo 144925, LCdr Rochester, Sadeye cluster bombs which spew a large number of anti-personnel grenades over a target, China Lake, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #15, NAF China Lake A-4B Skyhawk, BuNo 144925, LCdr Rochester, Sadeye cluster bombs which spew a large number of anti-personnel grenades over a target, China Lake, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #16, NAF China Lake A-4A Skyhawk BuNo 137813, Gladeye Lazy Dogs (each dispenser was loaded with 35,000 inert 41 caliber steel anti-personnel missiles fitted with tail fins,) flown by LT. Morgan China Lake, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #16, MK-17 Gladeye dispenser payloads, Lazy Dogs, napalm and leaflets. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #17, BTR target missile & Sidewinder 1A missile was flown by NAF F-8B Crusader BuNo 145443. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #18, NAF China Lake F-8D Crusader BuNo 147047, in flight with Sidewinder 1C missiles, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-4A Skyhawk BuNo 137822 and NAF DF-1D Fury drone controller BuNo 133788 (Event #18b), Armitage Field, China Lake, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #19, VX-5 Vampires A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 145127, XE-9, and VX-5 Vampires A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149658, XE-00, at right, Snakeye demonstration, China Lake, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #19, VX-5 Vampires A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 145064, XE-1, China Lake, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #19, flight of VX-5 Vampires A-4C Douglas Skyhawks (145075, XE-3; 145068, XE-4; 145112, XE-8; and 145127, XE-9) in two sections, led by LCdr Palmer, each carrying three 250 pound Snakeye retarded bombs attack buildings at the position "M", China Lake, 07 June 1963.

Event #20, VX-5 Vampires A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149658, XE-00, Rockeye I cluster bomb, China Lake, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #20, VX-5 Vampires A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149657, XE-22, and BuNo 149658, XE-00, led by LT Robert Rice attack armored vehicles with Rockeye I cluster bombs, China Lake, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #21, NAF China Lake A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149969, LT Tony Tambini & Shrike missile, 07 June 1963. Photo from Tony Tambini.

Event #21, NAF China Lake A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 147680, Shrike missiles, June 1963. Pilot is Gus Jones. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #22, VMFA-314 Black Knights F-4B Phantom II BuNo 150458, VW-19, piloted by Maj Hal Vincent and VX-5 Vampires F-4B BuNo 150440 piloted by Lt Paul McCarthy, each with a load of 24 500 lb. bombs saturated targets near position "Q" with 12 tons of bombs, China Lake, 07 June 1963. Photo from Paul Dros.

Small bomb explosion near the group of poles in Area "R" which were staked out with trees as seen from the Presidential viewing stand during the JFK ordnance demo, G-1 Range, China Lake, 07 June 1963. The poles were utilized for Event #24, the ZUNI warhead static firing that effectively cleared an area 60 feet in diameter. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #27, NPF El Centro TF-9J Cougar BuNo 142448 piloted by LT Tom Reed RAPEC ejection seat demonstration, China Lake, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #27, NPF El Centro TF-9J Cougar BuNo 142448 piloted by LT Tom Reed RAPEC ejection seat demonstration, China Lake, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Event #29, USS Kitty Hawk Carrier Air Group Eleven (CAG-11) Fly-By. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Some of the kids on hand to greet the motorcade with their Welcome Mr. President sign, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo via the China Lake Museum.

The Presidential limousine & President Kennedy, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo via the China Lake Museum.

President Kennedy receiving model of Shrike from Capt. Charles Blenman. Looking on at right is Dr. William B. McLean, NOTS Technical Director, and Secretary of the Navy Fred Korth. At left is Adm. George Whelan Anderson, Jr., Chief of Naval Operations, 07 June 1963. Photo from JFK Presidential Library.

President Kennedy and Senator Claire Engel (D-Cal) (right) talk with Mark McLean and with scouts Chip and Bing Blenman. Mark is the son of Technical Director Dr. William McLean & Chip & Bing are twin sons of Capt. Charles Blenman. Between Chip and Mark is Rhea Blenman, and next to her LaV Mclean, wife of the Technical Director. At left are CA Governor Edmund Brown and Adm. George Whelan Anderson, Jr., CNO, 07 June 1963. Photo from JFK Presidential Library.

Dr. William B McLean & JFK, 07 June 1963, China Lake. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Dr. William B McLean and President Kennedy, Michelson Lab., China Lake, 07 June 1963. Naval Aide, Capt. Tazwell Shepard at right. Official U.S. Navy photo. 

JFK (NAF CO CAPT Jack Hough on the far right) thanking the pilots, maintainers etal after the demo, China Lake, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo.

President John F. Kennedy speaks with NAF Lt. Dave Callahan, HIPEG demo (Event 12), to the right of JFK is Secretary of the Navy Fred Korth, White House Naval Aide Capt. Tazewell Shepard, CA Governor Edmund G. Brown and at far right NOTS CO Capt. Charles Blenman, China Lake, 07 June 1963. In the background is VA-164 Ghost Riders A-4B Skyhawk BuNo 142842, AH-407, (Event 3)Photo from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston.

President John F. Kennedy thanks pilots & Bluejackets following the ordnance demo. Pilot at left of JFK is NAF Lt. Dave Callahan, HIPEG demo (Event 12) and the VF-162 Hunters pilots who flew the 20mm strafing demo (Event 11) and to the right of JFK is Lt. Rod Sikes who flew the 50 cal. demo in the DT-28 (Event 10). L-r behind JFK are Secretary of the Navy Fred Korth, JFK’s naval aide Capt. Tazewell Shepard, CA Sen. Claire Engel and NAF CO Capt. Jack Hough. Aircraft are DF-1D Fury BuNo 136064 (Event #16) & DT-28B Trojan BuNo 138355 (Event #10). Photo from JFK Presidential Library.

NAF China Lake NA-4C Skyhawk BuNo 145063 and VX-5 Vampires Event 19 pilots LT Bob Boyd, LCDR Gary Palmer & USMC CAPT Ray Powell, China Lake, 07 June 1963. Photo from Ray Powell.

 President John F. Kennedy speaks with Event 21 (SHRIKE) pilots Lt. Tony Tambini & Lt. Gus Jones. At left are VMFA-314 RIO Ed Edelen & VX-5 RIO (unknown). Behind JFK are Secretary of the Navy Fred Korth, White House Naval Aide Capt. Tazewell G. Shepard. Lt(jg). on Tony’s right is unknown as is the Cdr. in the background between JFK & SecNav Korth. Pilot in the green hat partially obscured by Capt. Shepard is either Event 20 (Rockeye) VX-5 Lt. Rice or Lt. Borgardt and at far right are three of the Event 19 (Snakeye) VX-5 Lt. Palmer, Capt. Ray Powell, Lt. Boyd or Lt. Barr, 07 June 1963. VF-162 Hunters F-8A Crusader BuNo 14531x, AH-200 and VX-5 Vampires A-1H Skyraiders BuNo 139731, XE-14 in the background. Photo from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston.

President John F. Kennedy speaks with Event 22 pilots VMFA-314 Maj. Hal Vincent, VX-5 Lt. Paul McCarthy, VMFA-314 RIO Ed Edelen & VX-5 RIO (unknown), 07 June 1963. Behind JFK are Secretary of the Navy Fred Korth and White House Naval Aide Capt. Tazewell G. Shepard. At far right is CA Gov. Edmund G. Brown. In the background are NPF El Centro TF-9J Cougar, VF-162 Hunters F-8A Crusader BuNo 14531x, AH-200 and VX-5 Vampires A-1H Skyraider BuNo 139731, XE-14 Photo from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston.

JFK and security detail, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo via the China Lake Museum.

JFK & the USMC Honor Guard south of hangar #1. VR-1 VC-118B BuNo 128425, tail code JK, and Alameda C-117D BuNo 17123 in the background, China Lake, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Photographers and VIP's surround JFK prior to his departure after the NOTS China Lake JFK ordnance demonstration on 7 June 1963. Photo was taken at Armitage Field with NAF China Lake hangar 2 in the background. The officer at left behind the photographers hand is NAF China Lake Commanding Officer Capt. Jack Hough. Official U.S. Navy photo from the Stan Abele collection.

JFK departing speech, Armitage Field, China Lake, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo from the G. Verver collection.

President Kennedy walks up steps to board helicopter for trip to Los Angeles after his whirlwind visit here. Following him is his Naval Aide, Capt. Tazwell Shepard. Thus ended NOTS' most exciting day in 20-year history. Rocketeer photo.

President John F. Kennedy (at bottom of helicopter stairs) exits Marine One upon his arrival at the Beverly Hilton Hotel rooftop heliport in Los Angeles, CA after his departure from China Lake, 07 June 1963.

JFK Project 1-63 display, China Lake Museum of Armament & Technology, 28 July 2000. China Lake Museum of Armament & Technology photo.