NAF China Lake F-4B Phantom II BuNo 151435, circa 1972. Photographer unknown.

NAF China Lake A-7A Corsair II BuNo 152656 in-flight with a Walleye II ER-3, 03 January 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake U-3A Blue Canoe s/n 57-5891, Saturn Aviation, possibly Tehachapi, CA, January 1972. Photographer unknown via C.T. Robbins.

USAF F-4D Phantom s/n 66-0824, Walleye seek-bang, China Lake, 06 January 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 152072, Bulldog missile, LCol. Bennie W. "Bulldog" Summers, China Lake, 12 January 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 152072, Bulldog missile and test set, China Lake, 12 January 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 152862, XE-12, NAS Jacksonville, 15 January 1972. Photo by Ron McNeil, Paul Minert Collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

NAF China Lake TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 154332, ARBS, China Lake, 19 January 1972. NAF A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149969 at left. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 154332, ARBS close-up, China Lake, 19 January 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 154332, ARBS cockpit, China Lake, 19 January 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake F-8H Crusader BuNo 147057 taxis from the Hot Line with Sidewinder AIM-9L missiles, China Lake, 21 January 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake F-4B Phantom BuNo 151435, AIM-9 Sidewinder missile, China Lake, 21 January 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4A Skyhawk BuNo 139927, NJ-007, is shown on a tie-down stand that was fabricated from a 5-in. gun mount. Shortly after this photo was taken, the aircraft was subjected to continuous bursts of armor-piercing incendiary rounds that were fired into the plane's fuel tank below the surface of the fuel. China Lake, 21 January 1972. Rocketeer photo.

Passengers are checked in by the pilot of Golden West Airlines DHC-6 200 for an early morning flight to LA, China Lake, 21 January 1972. Rocketeer photo.

VX-5 Vampires TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 152862, XE-12, Andrews AFB, 21 January 1972. Photo by Frank McSorley, Stephen Miller Collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

USAF A-7D Corsair, TRAM, 28 January 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF Lt. Rosemary L. Waller, Personnel and Public Affairs Officer, prepares to leave on an orientation ride in NAF China Lake A-6A Intruder BuNo 149937 with NAF Project Officer LCdr. Ivan Belyea, China Lake, 28 January 1972. Rocketeer photo.

MIM-72 Chaparral missile, JRC vertical launch test setup, G-2 range, China Lake, 01 February 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake F-4B Phantom II BuNo 152435, AIM-9L Sidewinder, China Lake, 02 February 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 152072, Bulldog missiles, China Lake, 07 February 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

RF-84F Thunderflash s/n 53-7530, China Lake, 08 February 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake QF-9J Cougar drone BuNo 141649, China Lake, 08 February 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149655, FAE ordnance, China Lake, 08 February 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

The honorable Robert A. Frosch (left), Assistant Secretary of the Navy is accompanied by RAdm. W.J. Moran, NWC Commander, and LeRoy Riggs, head of Electronic Systems Department, following a tour of Echo Range in NAF China Lake HH-1K Huey BuNo 157193. China Lake, 11 February 1972. Rocketeer photo.

VX-5 Vampires Maj. B.D. Rinehart climbs into the cockpit of AH-1J Sea Cobra BuNo 157759 that recently arrived for weapons evaluation. Seated in the front seat is Ltjg A.E. Critser, while GYSGT J.E. Jones and AN E.J. Wylie assist, China Lake, 18 February 1972. Rocketeer photo by PHAN J.A. Wilson.

NWC Fire Department assists code 572 in a fire fighting test being run by NWC at the Mini-Deck Facility using F-8 Crusader and F-11A Tiger aircraft, China Lake, 18 February 1972. Rocketeer photo by PHAN Daniel Yeats.

VX-5 Vampires ADJ-2 Johnnie L. Parker, Sr., is shown working on VX-5 A-7C Corsair II BuNo 156766, XE-01, China Lake, 18 February 1972. Rocketeer photo.

NAF China Lake A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 148437, February 1972. photographer unknown.

The HCTV gun mount is paired up with an operator. The mechanical head-tracker fitted to the operator's head allows him to view what the camera is picking up, and at the same time enables him to control the pointing direction of the camera-gun gimbal with movements of his head. The controls are located by his left hand, China Lake, 25 February 1972. Rocketeer photo.

An AIM-7 Sparrow missile detonates at Area R, NAWS China Lake, 01 March 1972.

VX-5 Vampires A-7C Corsair II BuNo 156770, XE-6, USAF HOBO ordnance, USS Midway, 01 March 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 Vampires A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 159471, XE-15, on the hangar deck with FAE ordnance, USS Midway, 01 March 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 Vampires A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 159471, XE-15, FAE ordnance, USS Midway, 01 March 1972. VA-127 A-4F Skyhawk NJ-733 in the background. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Jerry L. Reed, head of Code 3014, and John Fontenot, deputy manager of the Aircraft Survivability program, are shown at left as they joined Robert Hume and Cdr. M.L. Johnson of NAVAIRSYSCOM beneath A-4A Skyhawk BuNo 139927, NJ-007, which was used in a recent test, 03 March 1972. Rocketeer photo.

A CBU-55 FAE test drop in Louisiana demonstrates its effectiveness on underground positions, 10 March 1972. Rocketeer photo.

VA-82 Marauders A-7E Corsair II BuNo 157525, AJ-306, with Shrike missiles, China Lake, 14 March 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

U.S. Army OV-1C Mohawk, probably s/n 68-15940, FAE ordnance, China Lake, 16 March 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-6A Intruder BuNo 149953, Condor missile, China Lake, 16 March 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-7 Corsair II, RATAILS, China Lake, 16 March 1972. Left to right: unknown, Bill Porter, Charlie Hall, unknown, Elvy Hopkins, Woody Cartier, Bob Atkins, unknown, Capt. John Clinton, unknown, unknown and Robert E. Trimble. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 148613, Cold Cloud SUU-53/A firing close-up, 17 March 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Cold Cloud Modification System, China Lake, 27 March 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo. Successfully used in cold-fog mitigation it was for many years a world leader in weather modification for drought relief (GROMET), hurricane abatement (Cyclops, Stormfury), fog abatement (Foggy Cloud), and rainfall enhancement for military purposes (Project Popeye).

VX-5 Vampires TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 152862, XE-12, McChord AFB, 11 April 1972. Larsen/Remington photo.

Angle Rate Bombing System (ARBS), China Lake, 11 April 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake F-8H Crusader BuNo 147057, Sidewinders, China Lake, 12 April 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake F-8H Crusader BuNo 147057, AIM-9 Sidewinders, China Lake, circa April 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Thirty-six officers and men of Mobile Construction Battalion 17, Sub-unit 11-2 of China Lake, board a chartered UAL 727-22 (N7089U) at NAF for a flight to Gulfport, MS for 15 days of active duty training, 21 April 1972. Rocketeer photo.

P-3B Orion and Harpoon missile, China Lake, 26 April 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

F4U-4 Corsair BuNo 97259 in the markings of VX-5 Vampires CO Capt. "Tex" Birdwell XE-00, west side of hangar 1, China Lake, circa 1972. Photographer unknown.

VX-5 Vampires CO reunion, China Lake, circa 1972. L-r: former VX-5 CO Capt. H.N. O'Connor, Range Head Duane Mack, Bob Whiting Range Patrol, former VX-5 CO CAPT Boyd Muncie, A. Chappelle Motorola Corp. and VX-5 CO Capt. "Tex" Birdwell. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-6A Intruder BuNo 149953, EAGM-53A Condor close-up, China Lake, 03 May 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-6A Intruder BuNo 149953, EAGM-53A Condor close-up, China Lake, 03 May 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-6A Intruder BuNo 149953, EAGM-53A Condor, China Lake, 03 May 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Results of a AGM-53A Condor missile test against a trailer mounted radar, China Lake, circa 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Interior of the Anechoic Chamber as viewed from the transmitting end with a typical test stand shown in the distance, China Lake, 12 May 1972. Rocketeer photo.

Four of the pilots who will take part in the Armed Forces Day at the Naval Air Facility are shown under the wing of A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 148613 as they discuss plans for a variety of project flight operations that will be conducted. The pilots are (l to r) LCdr. Dale A. Iversen, Lt. Jack Macidull, Lt. Denny Green and Cdr. Matt Moore. China Lake, 12 May 1972. Rocketeer photo.

VX-5 Vampires A-7C BuNo 156805, XE-03, taxiing with VX-5 A-7C BuNo 156779, XE-05, Armitage Field, China Lake, circa 1972. Photo courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

VX-5 Vampires A-7C Corsair II BuNo 156805, XE-03, Walleye FA, USS Kitty Hawk, 17 May 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Mountain Rescue Group members demonstrate the use of a Prussic sling during the Armed Forces Day Open House, hangar 2, China Lake, 19 May 1972. QF-9J Cougar drone BuNo 141652 in the background. Rocketeer photo.

FTM2 Fred Morin (at right) is shown adjusting the scanning mirror before a laser equipped Huey is sent aloft on a test run. Looking on is FTM2 Barry Ridenour. During night-time simulated air-sea search tests conducted here, packets of sea dye marker dropped into ponds have been readily visible to the helicopter crew, thanks to the laser beam scanner, China Lake, 26 May 1972. Rocketeer photo by PH2 G.L. Taylor.

An adjustment to the laser's scanning mirror circuitry (black box) is made by FTM2 Fred Morin, who is standing on the left side of the Huey in which this special test equipment package has been installed. The laser and laser beam scanner are packaged in the unit on top, while below it are the high voltage and control circuitry, China Lake, 26 May 1972. Rocketeer photo.

Dr. Robert Smith (L), Code 3051, and Tom Lajuanesse, Code 3024, set up the Carco Flight Simulation Table used for dynamic simulation of the AIM-9L Sidewinder seeker, China Lake, 02 June 1972. Rocketeer photo.

Former VT-25 Flying Tigers F-11A Tigers afire on the China Lake Aircraft Survivability Range, 07 June 1972. L-r in foreground F-11A BuNo 141835, 3L-633, BuNo 141841, 3L-6xx, BuNo 141842, 3L-627, and BuNo 141912, 3L-621. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Former NAF China Lake A-4A Skyhawk BuNo 137814, Switzer circle, China Lake, 08 June 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake CO Capt. R.E. McCall, (at left in both photos) recently presented the Vietnamese Armed Forces Honor Medal First Class to Lt. Joseph H. Killinger, (left), and a gold star in lieu of a second Air Medal to Lt. David R. Debenport (right) during an awards ceremony at Morning Quarters. Lt. Killinger was honored for service aboard the USS Midway while attached to VA-56 and Lt. Debenport received the Gold Star for a mission flown on April 22 while on duty in Vietnam, China Lake, 09 June 1972. Rocketeer photo.

Workmen from the Artko Corp. of Tucson, AZ, begin salvaging metal from wrecked aircraft bodies that have been collected in a storage area at the NWC, China Lake, 09 June 1972. Rocketeer photo by PH2 G.L. Taylor.

NAF China Lake CO Capt. R.E. McCall (at right) extends his congratulations to ADR-1 Larry Ellis after Larry became the first student member of the China Lake Navy Flying Club to solo in the club's new American Yankee Trainer, N9230L. Ready to carry out the tradition of cutting off the shirttail of a student who has soloed is Wesley Hobbs, his flight instructor. China Lake, 09 June 1972. Rocketeer photo.

NAF China Lake F-4J Phantom II BuNo 153812, AGILE missiles, 09 June 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 Vampires Lt. William Thomas poses by A-7C Corsair II BuNo 156770, XE-06, as he receives the traditional silver tankard for completing his 1,000th hour in the Corsair II from Vought Aeronautics rep. Arnold Vang, China Lake, 19 June 1972. Rocketeer photo.

Walleye II DL on an A-7 Corsair II, China Lake, 20 June 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NMC Pt. Mugu P-2A Orion BuNo 150529, NMC-36, LIR pod, China Lake, 23 June 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NMC Pt. Mugu P-2A Orion BuNo 150529, LIR pod, China Lake, 23 June 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-6A Intruder BuNo 149937, Harpoon missile, China Lake, 27 June 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

U.S. Army CH-47C Chinook s/n 68-15859, ALE-29A chaff dispenser, China Lake, 28 June 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

ALE-29A chaff dispenser, U.S. Army CH-47C Chinook s/n 68-15859, China Lake, 28 June 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 Vampires A-7B Corsair II BuNo 154366, XE-11, FAE HS ordnance, China Lake, 29 June 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake OV-10A Bronco BuNo 155446, GPU-2/A gun pod, China Lake, 29 June 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 Vampires TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 152862, XE-12, at NAS North Island, 1972. Tailhook Association collection via Doug Siegfried.

NAF China Lake A-7A Corsair II BuNo 152656, 1972. Photographer unknown.

NAF China Lake U-3A Blue Canoe s/n 58-2123 and NAF U-3A s/n 58-211 in the background at right, China Lake, circa 1972. Photographer unknown.

Vought Service Center personnel, BQM-34A drone s/n BQ-18230, Armitage Field, China Lake, circa 1972.

U.S. Army CH-47C Chinook s/n 68-15859, ALE-29A chaff dispenser, Graduation Level Red Tail project, China Lake, 05 July 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-7A Corsair II in flight, 13 July 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 Vampires Schedules Officer Lt. Fritz Herr has received orders to report to Royal Navy Squadron 809, Honington, England as the U.S. Navy's exchange officer. During his tour there he will fly the Buccaneer, a twin engine light attack jet, and the Hunter, a single engine fighter, China Lake, 14 July 1972. Rocketeer photo.

VX-5 Vampires A-4F Skyhawk BuNo 154177, XE-13, FAE ordnance, China Lake, 18 July 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152848, Nosey Shrike seeker nose with SNOOPY nose art, hangar 3, China Lake, 20 July 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

The China Lake Flying Club is holding a Fly-in this Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Naval Air Facility. Rides on the T-34B Mentor BuNo 140734, N8244E, and the American Yankee AA1-A, N9230L, will be offered for $3 to all military and civilian personnel with an Area A access on their station badge. Both Wesley Hobbs, aircraft instructor and Jim Bohannan, student pilot, (l-r) along with other Club members will be on-hand. China Lake, 21 July 1972. Rocketeer photo.

NAF China Lake TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 154332, ARBS, China Lake, 01 August 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Self contained position fixing and navigation system successfully tested by China Lake is about to be installed in the cargo space of NAF China Lake OV-10A Bronco BuNo 155446, China Lake, 11 August 1972. Rocketeer photo.

Ka-band antenna system and radiometer installed in the cargo space of NAF China Lake OV-10A Bronco BuNo 155446, China Lake, 11 August 1972. Rocketeer photo.

As Travis Cox, who just completed his first solo flight, steps down from the China Lake Navy Flying Club's American Yankee training aircraft (N9230L), his instructor, Wes Hobbs is there to congratulate him. China Lake, 01 September 1972. Rocketeer photo.

USMC CH-53 Sea Stallion, MAD-FAE drop, 01 September 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

F4U-4 Corsair BuNo 97259 in the markings of VX-5 Vampires CO Capt. "Tex" Birdwell XE-00, September 1972. Photographer unknown.

Aero Spacelines Super Guppy B-377SG, N1038V, arriving at China Lake, 06 September 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Unloading a wrecked USAF A-7D Corsair (probably 72-210 or 72-212) brought from Davis-Monthan for ballistics testing from Aero Spacelines Super Guppy B-377SG, N1038V, China Lake, 06 September 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Robert Williams and R.L. Brown, Track Branch of the Engineering Department's Ground Operations Division make adjustments to the telemeter system in the rocket sled used to test a DOT wayside power collection system on the SNORT Baker-4 track. China Lake, 08 September 1972. Rocketeer photo.

Three power rails transfer power through a collector arm to the test rocket sled that is being used in a series of high-speed tests for the DOT wayside power collection system on the SNORT Baker-4 track. China Lake, 08 September 1972. Rocketeer photo.

VMA-513 Flying Nightmares CO Maj. James Orr prepares to climb into the cockpit of AV-8A Harrier WF-13. VMA-513 is at China Lake to evaluate of weapons delivery systems on NWC's instrumented ranges, China Lake, 08 September 1972. Rocketeer photo.

NAF China Lake A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149655 taxis from the Hot Line with FAE ordnance, China Lake, 12 September 1972. NAF F-4B Phantom II BuNo 151435 at left and two A-7A Corsair IIs and five VMA-513 Flying Nightmares AV-8A Harriers at right. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VMA-513 Nightmares AV-8A Harrier BuNo 158394, WF-10, with landing gear in landing/take-off mode, China Lake, 22 September 1972.

Lt. Larry C. Wahl, left, and Lt. W.S. Orr, Jr., are the only two U.S. Navy officers who fly the Hawker Siddeley Harrier. Lt. Wahl is the public affairs officer and assistant administration officer and Lt. Orr is the landing signal officer and flight officer for the VMA-513 Flying Nightmares, China Lake, 22 September 1972. The USMC squadron will return to Beaufort, SC, where it is home-based, next week culminating one month of weapons evaluation tests at China Lake. Rocketeer photo by PH2 G.L. Taylor.

VX-5 Vampires A-6C Intruder BuNo 155688, XE-20, NAS Oceana, 27 September 1972. Photo by Stephen Miller, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

Bob Tremonte, in the cockpit, and his instructor, Wes Hobbs, plan a dual cross-country flight in T-34B Mentor BuNo 140734, N8244E. Tremonte, who recently soloed for the first time, must complete the dual cross-country flight as the second hurdle in his quest for a private pilot's license. China Lake, 29 September 1972. Rocketeer photo.

VX-5 Vampires TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152862, XE-12, Point Mugu, October 1972. Photo by H.R. Muir via C.T. Robbins.

VX-5 Vampires TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 152862, XE-12, NAS Point Mugu, October 1972. Photo from Paul Minert Collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

NAF China Lake A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149655, NAS Alameda, October 1972. Photo by Lionel Paul via W. Mutza.

AIM-95 AGILE missile seeker test, SNORT, China Lake, 13 October 1972. Photo from K. Staples.

AIM-95 AGILE missile seeker test, SNORT, China Lake, 13 October 1972. Photo from K. Staples.

NAF China Lake QT-33A Shooting Star drone BuNo 155948, China Lake, 20 October 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 Vampires A-7C Corsair II BuNo 156770, XE-06, October 1972. Photographer unknown.

During target acquisition tests that were carried out at the Airport Lake, Coso and Pinon range areas, an Army UH-1 Huey helicopter is shown in this view from the cockpit, China Lake, 27 October 1972. Rocketeer photo by Dan Yeats.

NAF China Lake A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 147781, LGB, China Lake, 01 November 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VMA-513 Flying Nightmares AV-8A Harrier BuNo 158391, WF-12, IR paint, China Lake, 10 November 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

F-4 Phantom II AIM-7 Sparrow missile flyover, China Lake, 10 November 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-6A Intruder BuNo 149937, Phoenix missile, China Lake, 21 November 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake F-86H Sabre drone s/n 52-2091 instrument panel before drone modifications, China Lake, 27 November 1972.

NAF China Lake U-3A Blue Canoe s/n 57-5891, China Lake, Air Pollution tests, 28 November 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 Vampires TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 152862, XE-12, Andrews AFB, 03 December 1972. Photo by J. Handelman, Stephen Miller collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

USAF T-38A Talon s/n 59-1603, China Lake, 06 December 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake U-3A Blue Canoe s/n 57-5891, San Francisco airport (SFO), December 1972. Photo by John Stewart.

VA-145 Swordsman A-6A Intruder NE-503, AGM-62 Walleye II ERDL, hangar 3, China Lake, 06 December 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VA-145 Swordsman A-6A Intruder, NE-503, AGM-62 Walleye II ERDL, Block 1A Multi-Purpose Display, NAF hangar 3, China Lake, 06 December 1972. Photo from Thomas Tye.

NAF China Lake QF-9J Cougar drone BuNo 141652, tufted AGILE missile, China Lake, 14 December 1972.

NAF China Lake QF-9J Cougar drone BuNo 141652, tufted AGILE missile, China Lake, 14 December 1972. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Members of Detachment One of the USAF's Cambridge Research Laboratories, AF Systems Command, prepare a balloon for tests held this week at G-Range in support of a joint service test operation, China Lake, 15 December 1972. Rocketeer photo by PHAN D.M. Jenereaux.

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