Bill Porter, (Technical Director 1989-92), Gary Bailey (Aircraft Commander), Dick Bennet (Engineer Tech), and Gerry Herbster (co-pilot) on the flight line at China Lake by NWC China Lake UC-8A Buffalo BuNo 161546, Armitage Field, China Lake, circa 1981.

NWC China Lake UC-8A Buffalo BuNo 161546 on the runway at Armitage Field, China Lake, circa 1981.

NWC China Lake A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 159485 ARBS OATS, hangar 3, China Lake, 27 January 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NWC China Lake A-7E Corsair II BuNo 160857, hangar 3, China Lake, 27 January 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NWC China Lake NA-3B Skywarrior BuNo 142630, National Parachute Test Range markings, January 1981. Photographer unknown.

NWC China Lake A-7E Corsair II BuNo 160857 with a HARM instrumentation pod and a Mark 82 practice bomb mounted under its right wing. Official U.S. Navy by Clare Grounds.

China Lake personnel hoist a A-6A Intruder cockpit mock-up prior to the initiation of an ejection seat test, 05 February 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo from R.L. Lawson Collection.

Inverted ejection test from a A-6A Intruder cockpit mock-up, China Lake, circa 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo from R.L. Lawson Collection.

A-7B/E Corsair II ejection test from a cockpit mounted on a rocket test sled, SNORT, China Lake, 23 February 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo from R.L. Lawson Collection.

An instrumented dummy is ejected from an stationary LTV Aerospace A-7B/E Corsair II aircraft cockpit for ejection sequence and parachute system test, China Lake, 13 March 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo.

During daylight hours control tower personnel can spot burros on the runways and wave off pilots. At night they become virtually invisible. As these burros on a runway demonstrate, the potential for a burro/aircraft collision is extremely high and growing as the herds of burros increase, China Lake, 13 March 1981. Rocketeer photo by Griff Davies.

A CBU-78B Gator high-speed aircraft-delivered scatterable land mine, is being loaded onto an A-7 Corsair II just prior to ballistics testing. Data from these tests will be used to derive the ballistic parameters necessary for translational motion prediction, to predict or verify submunition impact patterns as a function of release condition, determine the weapon ballistic dispersion, and generate weapon delivery data to support the operational evaluation and Fleet Introduction, China Lake, 27 March 1981. Rocketeer photo.

While Capt. Stephenson looks on and listens Capt. Hollandsworth reads the orders assigning him to duty as Commanding Officer of VX-5, China Lake, 03 April 1981. Rocketeer photo by Don Cornelius.

VX-5 Vampires TA-7C Corsair II BuNo 154361, XE-08, location unknown, 21 April 1981. Photographer unknown.

VX-5 Vampires (top, l-r) AO2 Arthur R. Bozarth, AO3 Calvin T. Lowery, and ATAA Ron P. Hernandez, and (bottom, l-r) AT2 Thomas E. McNulty, AO3 Diosdada F. Miguel, and AA Michael M. Stalsberg prepare to load an AN/ARQ-41 Tactical Air Anti-Submarine warfare pod aboard an aircraft while on deployment with the USS Nimitz (CVN-61), 24 April 1981. Rocketeer photo.

VX-5 Vampires AH-1T Cobra fires a Sidewinder missile, China Lake, 23 April 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo.

AGM-84 SLAM test, Charlie Range, China Lake, 25 April 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo.

"Fortunately it's not difficult pulling against underpowered VX-5," is the message conveyed by the Code 61 personnel who expect to have the situation well in hand during the NWC "Olympic" Afternoon on Armed Forces Day (Saturday, May 9). Warming up for the tug-of-war event by pulling around VX-5 Vampires A-7 E Corsair II BuNo 160724 are (l.-r.) AZ3 Billie Taylor, ADAN Robin Price, PR2 Sharell Olvera, AE3 Doug Taylor, AE3 Chris Long, the Code 61 team leader, and AT2 Rob Ross, China Lake, 01 May 1981. Rocketeer photo.

This afternoon an unusual parade will take place down Sandquist Road to Lauritsen, and then down Lauritsen to Knox Road as the NWC China Lake Aircraft Department aircraft that will be on exhibit for Armed Forces Day will proceed at a stately 5 mile-per-hour pace to the Michelson Laboratory parking lot to for tomorrow's Armed Forces Day display. Front to back QF-86F Sabre drone s/n 56-2814, NWC-822, T-38A Talon, A-4 Skyhawk, A-4 Skyhawk, TA-7C Corsair II and A-6E Intruder. China Lake, 08 May 1981. Rocketeer photo.

NWC China Lake QF-86F Sabre FSAT drone s/n 56-2814, NWC-822, on exhibit in the Michelson Laboratory parking lot for Armed Forces Day, China Lake, 09 May 1981. Rocketeer photo.

AD2 Joseph Beachboard assists Lt. Stu Witt during the pre-flight check in a NWC China Lake Aircraft Department T-38A Talon. China Lake, 1981. 50th Anniversary poster from the 16 May 1996 Rocketeer.

VX-5 Vampires A-7E Corsair II BuNo 160722, XE-05, Tinker AFB, 10 May 1981. Photo by C.E. Stewart, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

Using the rate table, Bill Bailey, an electronics technician in the Engineering Department's Missile Support and Test Branch, performs a systems Verification test on the guidance and control section of a Sidewinder AIM-9M guided missile prior to assembly of the missile, China Lake, 15 May 1981. Rocketeer photo.

In preparation for either a captive carry or a firing test, two Sidewinder AIM-9M missiles are loaded on an Air Force F-16 Falcon. A letter granting unconditional release to production of the Sidewinder AIM-9M has been signed by the Secretary of the Navy, China Lake, 15 May 1981. Rocketeer photo.

E-1329 Bigeye missile attached to a sled immediately after a firing test with fins open, China Lake, 19 May 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo by J. Partin.

A SLUEFAE (Surface-Launched Unit, Fuel-Air Explosive) round heads for a target down range. The Army Mine Neutralizer Launcher is a self-propelled MLRS derived from the M752 Lance missile carrier and can carry a load of up to 30 SLUFAE rounds, China Lake, 22 May 1981. Rocketeer photo.

The 5-and 10-km. run, sponsored by the VX-5 Vampires brought in $201 that was presented by Lt. Gary Pritchard, director of the race, to Lt. Tom Frey (in cockpit of A-7E Corsair II BuNo 160722, XE-05), who is in charge of the Navy Relief Society fund drive being conducted by VX-5. During the first week of this annual fund-raising campaign, which concludes on June 1, the squadron raised more than $1,500, or half the total donated by VX-5 to Navy Relief in 1980, China Lake, 29 May 1981. Rocketeer photo.

NWC China Lake QF-86F Sabre drone s/n 55-3939, NWC-810, May 1981. Photographer unknown.

NWC China Lake TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 154332, Cdr. Mike McCarthy & Chuck Pierce, AWAPS pod, HARM seeker nose, June 1981. Photographer unknown.

NWC China Lake C-117D Skytrain BuNo 50821, Armitage Field, China Lake, June 1981. Photo by Sam Wyatt.

NWC China Lake QF-86F Sabre drone s/n 55-3939, NWC-810, Moffett Field, June 1981. Photo by Dave Brown.

A left side view of an 8-inch projectile assembled with fins open, mounted on a cart prior to firing, China Lake, 02 June 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NWC China Lake U-9D Aero Commander s/n 57-6184, location unknown, 10 June 1981. Photo from Naval Aviation Archives (NAVA) Collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

Capt. William B. Haff, NWC Commander flashes the "thumbs-up" sign signifying everything is AOK as he gets ready for his final solo flight in a military aircraft. Capt. Haff who was designated a naval aviator in 1952 enjoyed one last flight in a NWC China Lake T-38A Talon on the morning of 25 June 1981. Rocketeer photo.

An 8-inch extended-range guided projectile (ERGP) prototype propulsion section leaves a trail of smoke as it hurtles from an M-110 howitzer in a successful test at the Randsburg Wash Test range, 26 June 1981. Rocketeer photo.

VX-5 Vampires TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 152862, XE-12, in a lo-vis grey paint scheme Dobbins AFB, 27 June 1981. Photographer unknown.

USAF F-4G Wild Weasel s/n 69-0263, WW-263, takes off from one of the China Lake runways, 1981. Photo from Larry McCarley.

VX-5 Vampires A-7E Corsair II BuNo 159293, XE-08, location unknown, 1981. Photographer unknown.

A-7B/E Corsair II ejection test from a cockpit mounted on a rocket test sled, SNORT, China Lake, 08 July 1981. The model manufactured by Stencel Aero Engineering Corp. is being used to test safety features in the aircraft cockpit. Official U.S. Navy photo by B. Craddock.

ADAN Charles M. Melnarich, a Naval Reservist from NWC Support Unit 0176, makes a final adjustment on the mock-up of a AIM-9 Sidewinder missile as part of a feasibility study to assess compatibility of the missile with the HH-3A Sea King helicopter. These studies, performed at the request and under the auspices of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Nine (HC-9 Protectors) were conducted during the Naval Reservists' two weeks of active duty at NAS North Island in San Diego. 10 July 1981. Rocketeer photo.

It may not be pretty, but it sure works, according to AMS1 Edwin Timmons (at left) and AD1 Vernon D. Smith, both of Ridgecrest. Both men (Naval Reservists attached to NWC Support Unit 0176 are assembling an infrared exhaust suppressor for use on a HH-3A Sea King helicopter engine in preparation for testing the device. These studies, performed at the request and under the auspices of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Nine (HC-9 Protectors) were conducted during the Naval Reservists' two weeks of active duty at NAS North Island in San Diego. 10 July 1981. Rocketeer photo.

VX-5 Vampires A-6E Intruder BuNo 157014, XE-22, NAS Minneapolis, 19 July 1981. Photographer unknown.

Assault Breaker long-range anti tank weapon system, developed by Martin Marietta Corp. SNORT, China Lake, 28 July 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo

USAF F-4G Wild Weasel s/n 69-0263 in flight over one of the China Lake ranges, 01 Aug 1981 with (l-r) AGM-45 Shrike, Standard ARM missiles, ALQ-119 ECM pod, AGM-65 Maverick & AGM-88 Harm missile. Official U.S. Navy photo by G. Davies.

Michelson Laboratory lobby exhibit. The weapons displayed are (top to bottom) Shrike, Walleye, Sidewinder and Zuni missile, China Lake, 01 August 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo by C. Grounds.

This prefabricated 32-foot high Marine Corps portable air traffic control tower located in the gun butts area of Armitage Airfield serves as the Center's air traffic control tower while the permanent facility is being renovated and new equipment installed, China Lake, 21 August 1981. Rocketeer photo.

Close-up view of a Skipper II LGB mounted on the wing of an A-7 Corsair II with A-7E Corsair II BuNo 156734 at right, China Lake, 01 September 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo.

An A-7 Corsair II aircraft crew mounts a Skipper II laser guided bomb on the plane, China Lake, 01 September 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo.

AIM-9M Sidewinder missile sled test TP1354, SNORT, China Lake, 15 September 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 Vampires AV-8A Harrier BuNo 158706, XE-27, Harrier aircraft with an AGM-122 Sidearm missile mounted on the right wing, China Lake, 15 September 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo by Sam Wyatt.

VX-5 Vampires AV-8A Harrier BuNo 158706, XE-27, China Lake, circa September 1981. Photographer unknown.

VX-5 Vampires A-7C Corsair II BuNo 160722, NWC A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 160245, VX-5 A-6E Intruder BuNo 157014, XE-22, and an unknown AV-8C Harrier, 16 Sep 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo by D. Cornelius.

RAF S2B Buccaneer s/n XN976, performing touch and go operations during Test and Evaluation Squadron Five`s (VX-5 Vampires) airshow, China Lake, 16 September 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo by D. Cornelius.

Help was being sought by the Maturango Museum in identifying some old, inert missiles that have been placed on display outside the museum. According to Gordon Scallin, special projects coordinator for the Technical Information Department the missiles previously were stored near Stran Steel Building 1041, just west of Michelson Laboratory. There are five of them that are awaiting painting and identification. Shown examining one of the missiles (appears to be a Terrier) are Bob Tuck, museum director (kneeling, at left), Scallin, and Edna Laytart (at right), administrative assistant at the museum. China Lake, 18 September 1981. Rocketeer photo.

Side view of a CBU-78B Gator anti-tank weapon mounted on a stand during a disassembly test, 22 September 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo by R. Mann.

A-7B/E Corsair II ejection test from a cockpit mounted on a rocket test sled, SNORT, China Lake, 22 September 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo from R.L. Lawson Collection.

VX-5 Vampires AV-8C Harrier BuNo 159370, XE-26, China Lake, 24 September 1981. Photo by Kirk Minert.

USAF Lt. Doug DeWitt (right) museum curator and SSgt. Robert Kraus in the cockpit of the museums haunted B-29A Superfortress s/n 44-70064, Raz'n Hell which is a composite of three different B-29s: s/n 44-61535 - tail, s/n 44-84084 - wings, and s/n 44-70064 fuselage. As the bomber was pieced together mechanics say they have seen or felt something in the plane. Some saw a locked door open and close three time and inanimate objects that moved, while others felt a human presence looking over their shoulder and shadows that shouldn't be where they're seen.

USAF YF-16A Falcon s/n 75-0747 in-flight with AIM-9J Sidewinder missile, 05 October 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NWC China Lake YF-4J Phantom II BuNo 151473, China Lake, 9 October 1981. Photographer unknown.

Static firing of large rocket motors that are locked into position at an angle of 50 degrees is now possible in the High Hazard area of the NWC Range Department's Skytop facility. Cameras mounted on tall, sturdy poles adjacent to the test stand make it possible to obtain a good view of a Polaris second rocket motor's forward dome, which was the focal point of interest during this series of tests. Flash X-ray and real time dynamic X-ray equipment and techniques that were adapted for use on this series of tests made it possible for test engineers to "see" what was happening inside the rocket motor during testing. China Lake, 09 October 1981. Rocketeer photo.

A test parachutist waits for the signal from the jumpmaster (back to camera) before bailing out to simulate the emergency egress from a damaged or inoperative aircraft. Strapped on below the parachute is a Rigid Seat Surviva1 Kit that contains a life raft, auxiliary oxygen and survival kit. During the numerous Parachute Entanglement Avoidance Techniques (PEAT) program jumps, nearly all flight gear configurations and escape systems used in today's high performance Navy and Marine Corps aircraft were utilized. China Lake, 16 October 1981. Rocketeer photo.

An open house in conjunction with the local observance of the Navy's 206th birthday was held last Friday morning by VX-5 for the family members and friends of VX-5 personnel who seldom have the opportunity to visit Hangar 1 at Armitage Airfield. Especially interesting to visitors at the open house was the RAF S.2B Buccaneer that was on static display. RAF's 12th Squadron Flight Lt. Andy Hext responds to questions of two youngsters who are examining the cockpit. China Lake, 16 October 1981. Rocketeer photo by Don Cornelius.

VX-5 Vampires AH-1J Sea Cobra BuNo 159228, XE-10, Sidearm missile, China Lake, 16 October 1981. Photo from Wayne Mutza collection.

VX-5 Vampires AH-1J Sea Cobra BuNo 159228, XE-10, Sidearm missile, China Lake, 16 October 1981. DOD photo taken by Sam Wyatt.

VX-5 Vampires AH-1J Sea Cobra BuNo 159228, XE-10, Sidearm missile, China Lake, 16 October 1981. DOD photo taken by Sam Wyatt.

Harpoon Guidance Simulation Laboratory construction progress, China Lake, 08 October 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo by Sam Wyatt.

Aerial oblique view of the Range Control Center with Armitage Field, in the background, looking west, China Lake, 28 October 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo by M. Mallard.

Transfer by the Air Force of its A-7 aircraft from the Tactical Air Command to the National Guard has concluded a joint effort carried out here between Navy and Air Force personnel who were involved in working on software requirements of the A-7D/E aircraft for a period of eight years. The people who had a hand in this program during its final days are shown standing in front of the Air Force (A-7D s/n 69-200) and Navy (A-7E) versions of the Corsair II aircraft. They are (l-r) Jack Willbur and Bob Freedman, A-7E project engineer, and program manager; Mike Maxfield, Mark Jacobsen and Mike Renta, A-7D systems engineer; program manager, and programmer; Mary Wyatt, A-7D/E support; Charlie Hill, A-7E systems engineer; Richard Breisch and Ralph Rodieck, A-7D programmer and simulation operator; Kathy Moore, A-7D secretary; and Ann Soto, A-7E secretary. The Air Force has moved its A-7D software program to the Air National Guard facility in Tucson, AZ, where a software development laboratory is being built. China Lake, 30 October 1981. Rocketeer photo.

NWC China Lake A-7E Corsair II BuNo 160857, loaded with Mark 82 bombs over the Coso Bombing Range. Pilot is LCdr R. Kapernick, 01 November 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo by D. Cornelius.

NWC China Lake A-7E Corsair II BuNo 160857, Mk-82 bombs, LCdr R. Kapernick, over the Sierra Nevada, 01 Nov 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo.

On November 2nd F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 160785 "F-11" (meaning the 11th single seat F/A-18 to roll off the assembly line at McDonnell Aircraft Company's St. Louis plant) came to VX-5 accompanied by 8 officers and 30 enlisted personnel from the VX-4 Evaluators at the Pacific Missile Test Center, Point Mugu, and 11 McDonnell Aircraft Company technical representatives. F/A-18A BuNo 160787 (F-13) is scheduled to arrive from St. Louis within a couple of weeks; both of these aircraft will be at China Lake until the week of December 14, when they will head for PMTC. VX-5 Vampires qualified to fly the F/A-18A Hornet are (1- r) Lt. J.E. Sweeney. Lt. T.J. Ringler. LCdr. G.L. Hoewing. Cdr. R.L. McKinney, Capt. P.F. Hollandsworth, and Cdr. V.F. Jackson. VX-4 Maj. J.R. Sandberg is at the far right, and VX-4 Lt. K.K. Owen. is in the cockpit. China Lake, 02 November 1981. Rocketeer photo.

NWC China Lake C-117D Skytrain BuNo 50821, China Lake, November 1981. Photographer unknown.

NWC China Lake QF-86F Sabre drone s/n 56-2831, NWC-828, China Lake, November 1981. QF-86F Sabre s/n 55-3939, NWC-810, at right. Photo by C.R. Stewart.

AGM-122A Sidearm anti-radiation missile seeker modifications, circa 1981. Antenna feed bandwidth changes at left, sidearm receivers bandwidth changes, AIM-9C control fin actuator and new hemispherical radome. Official U.S. Navy photo.

AGM-122A Sidearm anti-radiation missile passes within lethal range of a target, China Lake, circa 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo.

AIM-7E Sparrow missile discrete vacuum circuitry seeker, circa 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo.

AIM-7F Sparrow missile solid state printed circuit board and conical slotted antenna seeker, circa 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo.

AIM-7M Sparrow missile monopulse and inverse processing technique seeker, circa 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo.

RIM-67B Standard Missile 2 extended range (SM2-ER), China Lake, circa 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NWC China Lake TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152848, Capt. Jon A. Gallinetti, USMC, and unknown plane captains, China Lake, circa 1981. Official U.S. Navy photo.

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