Jerry Reed (in center) observes as Jerry Wadley, an air operations specialist in the Range Department, demonstrates the operation of a plan view display - part of the Air Surveillance Center at NWC's new Range Control Center (RCC). At right is Larry Tsubakihara, head of the RCC Program Office. China Lake, 08 January 1982. Rocketeer photo by Don Cornelius.

NWC China Lake Aircraft Department QF-86F Sabre drone s/n 55-5114, NWC-838, China Lake, circa 1982. Photo Michel Klaver collection.

VX-5 Vampires A-7E Corsair II BuNo 160616, XE-04, on the ramp at NAS Lemoore, 24 January 1982. Photo by R. R. Leader, Paul Minert Collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

Donald Harris (at left) and John Owens received the NWC Technical Director Award for their contributions to the engineering development work that has gone into successful conversion of the F-4 Phantom aircraft to an all-altitude, full-scale aerial target. Harris is standing by a test stand used in the hangar to simulate a target drone control station from which the pilotless aircraft is flown. Owens is checking out the aircraft interface unit located in the nose of the aircraft. China Lake, 29 January 1982. Rocketeer photo.

VX-5 Vampires A-6E Intruder BuNo 157014, XE-22, location unknown, February 1982. Photographer unknown.

An AGM-45 Shrike air-to-surface missile is on display during the Center's anniversary celebration, China Lake, 09 February 1982. Official U.S. Navy photo by CPL Maechele.

Blue Angels TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 158722, China Lake, 12 February 1982. Rocketeer photo.

NWC China Lake QF-86F Sabre drone s/n 55-3935, NOLO flight over China Lake ranges, 26 February 1982. Official U.S. Navy photo.

AIM-9L Sidewinder tactical missile, circa 1982. Official U.S. Navy photo.

AIM-9 Sidewinder tactical missile mounted on a stand, China Lake, 04 March 1982. Official U.S. Navy photo by C. Grounds.

Steel girders, hoisted into place by a large crane outline the shape of the Weapons System Support Facility that is being built at the east end of Hangar 3. Most of the underground utilities were installed before workmen began the steel work, which is now about 70 percent complete. Steel decking will follow, and then the lightweight concrete floors for the five-story structure will be poured. Armitage Field, China Lake, 12 March 1982. Rocketeer photo by Jon Partin.

NWC China Lake TA-7C Corsair II BuNo 156738, NWC-700, China Lake, March 1982. Photo by T. Paskowski.

Dave Rosenthal takes a look at the rotor of the National Guard UH-1B Huey (s/n unknown) as AO1 Skip Colson stands by before they board for the flight to the Big Geysers area in CA, NWC China Lake, March 1982. Official U.S. Navy photo.

The ANG UH-1B helicopter sits beside the radar van at the Big Geysers geothermal field in northern California. Steam being vented from an adjoining well site as well as from other sites in the extensive field provides the atmospheric pollution whose possibly corrosive effect on the helo and the radar will be determined by the test. China Lake, 19 March 1982. Rocketeer photo by Gene Edwards.

Ohio ANG A-7D Corsair II s/n 72-0220, Exercise Gallant Eagle, China Lake, 01 April 1982. Official USAF photo by TSgt Rob Marshall.

Ohio ANG A-7D Corsair II s/n 72-0220 & bomb trailers, Exercise Gallant Eagle, China Lake, 01 April 1982. Official USAF photo by TSgt Rob Marshall.

Bombs prior to loading on A-7D Corsairs, Exercise Gallant Eagle, China Lake, 01 April 1982. Official USAF photo by TSgt Rob Marshall.

A-7D Corsair & bomb trailers, Exercise Gallant Eagle, China Lake, 01 April 1982. Official USAF photo by TSgt Rob Marshall.

Exercise Gallant Eagle Combat Communications Group compound, China Lake, 01 April 1982. Official USAF photo by TSgt Rob Marshall.

VX-5 Vampires A-7E Corsair II BuNo 160710, XE-09, NAS New Orleans, April 1982. USAF T-38A Talon s/n 60-1577 at left. Photo by R.E. Kling.

NWC SAR helicopter UH-1N Huey BuNo 158284, China Lake, 12 April 1982. Rocketeer photo.

NWC Capt. Lahr welcomes VAdm Robert F. Schoultz who arrived aboard VRC-30 CT-39E Sabreliner BuNo 158380, RW-380, for a day long visit, China Lake, 09 April 1982. Rocketeer photo by Don Cornelius.

ANG 103rd Tactical Control Squadron C-141A Starlifter loading equipment for Gallant Eagle-82, China Lake, 09 April 1982. Rocketeer photo by Don Cornelius.

ANG 103rd Tactical Control Squadron C-141A Starlifter loading Command & Reporting center equipment for Gallant Eagle-82, China Lake, 09 April 1982. Rocketeer photo by Don Cornelius.

Northrop contractor employees are converting F-4N Phantom II BuNo 151004 to a QF-4N FSAT, China Lake, 07 May 1982. Rocketeer photo.

Northrop contractor employees test the Aircraft Interface Unit on QF-4N Phantom II BuNo 151004, China Lake, 07 May 1982. Rocketeer photo.

Harlan Reep, head of the Target Operations Branch, sits in a modified link trainer (called the Universal Control Console) as he flies a QF-4 Phantom II drone aircraft from the drone control station on the ground at Armitage Airfield. Advances made possible by use of a microprocessor flight control system enables the remotely piloted aircraft to perform all of the same maneuvers that are possible with an on-board pilot. Armitage Field, China Lake, 07 May 1982. Rocketeer photo.

NWC China Lake C-117D Skytrain BuNo 50821 & VX-5 Vampires TF/A-18A BuNo 161360, XE-30, over EAFB, 20 May 1982. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 Vampires TF/A-18 Hornet BuNo 161360, XE-30, and A-6E Intruder BuNo 157014, XE-22, in-flight over the Mojave Desert between April and November 1982. Official U.S. Navy photo by PH2 Mahlon Miller.

Army-Navy-NASA experimental XV-15 N702NA at NWC China Lake, 21 May 1982. Rocketeer photo by Don Cornelius.

VX-5 Vampires A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 158426, XE-15, on the line next to VX-5 TA-7C Corsair II BuNo 154458, XE-07, Armitage Field, May 1982. Photo from Paul Minert Collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

NWC China Lake Aircraft Department YF-4J Phantom II BuNo 151473 on the ramp at an unknown location, 01 June 1982. Photo from Paul Minert Collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

Replacing the air conditioning unit on the building at the Lark ramp would have taken two cranes, a bulldozer to push the cranes up the steep road, and two days of work for all the personnel involved, so the Center's SAR helicopter (UH-1N Huey BuNo 158284) brought in the new unit instead. LCdr. Byron Dieckman coordinated the operation. The helicopter was flown by LCdr. Chip Lancaster, with Lt(jg). Brent Norman as co-pilot. Crewmen were AO3 John Schatz, AMS3 Mike Clenney, ADAN Chris Trindle, and SSgt. Bill Conners, who represented the U.S. Marine Corps. NWC China Lake, 04 June 1982 Rocketeer photo by Don Cornelius.

NWC China Lake Aircraft Department A-6E Intruder BuNo 155682 in-flight, circa June 1982. Photo from Paul Minert Collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

VX-5 Vampires A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 160264, XE-13, pilot John Bland, with a AGM-65E Laser Maverick on #4 coming over the USS Constellation ramp with the hook down and speed brakes out, 28 June 1982. Photo by R.L. Lawson via Tailhook Association.

VX-5 Vampires A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 160245, XE-16, USS Constellation, 28 June 1982. P/C AMH3 Gentry. Photo by R.L. Lawson.

VX-5 Vampires A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 160264, XE-13, pilot John Bland, with a AGM-65E Laser Maverick, USS Constellation, 28 June 1982. Photo by R.L. Lawson.

VX-5 Vampires A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 160245, XE-16, with a AGM-65E Laser Maverick, USS Constellation, 28 June 1982. Photo by R.L. Lawson via the Tailhook Association.

Trailing smoke, the Blue Angels flying A-4F Skyhawks bring their formation flying and precision maneuvers almost down to the deck for easier viewing by the Armed Forces Day air show spectators. NWC China Lake, 27 June 1982. Rocketeer photo.

"Fat Albert," the Lockheed KC-130F Hercules BuNo 149806 that is flown in support of the Blue Angels, looms in the background of the Armed Forces Day air show crowd, Armitage Field, NWC China Lake, 27 June 1982. Rocketeer photo.

NWC China Lake QF-86F Sabre drone s/n 56-2814, NWC-822, Armitage Field, hangar #3 in the background, Armed Forces Day, China Lake 27 June 1982. T-39D Sabreliner BuNo 150989 at left. Photo by Bob Shane.

NWC China Lake QF-86F Sabre drone s/n 56-2814, NWC-822, hangar 3 in the background and T-39 Sabreliner BuNo 150989 at left, Armed Forces Day, Armitage Field, China Lake 27 June 1982. Photo by Craig Kaston.

NWC China Lake C-131F Samaritan BuNo 141028, south side of hangar 1, Armed Forces Day, China Lake, 27 June 1982. Photographer unknown.

NWC China Lake NA-3B Skywarrior BuNo 142630, Armitage Field north side of hangar 3, plane captains are AD-1 H. Beadle & AD-3 J. Howard, Armed Forces Day, China Lake, 27 June 1982. Photo by Bob Shane.

NWC China Lake T-39D Sabreliner BuNo 150989, Armed Forces Day, Armitage Field, China Lake 27 June 1982.

NWC China Lake TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 152848, on the ramp next to NWC A-7E Corsair II BuNo 160565, NWC-710, Armed Forces Day, Armitage Field, China Lake, 27 June 1982. Photo from Paul Minert Collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

NWC China Lake Aircraft Department A-6E Intruder BuNo 155628 with an MER and Snakeyes, north side of hangar 3, Armed Forces Day, Armitage Field, China Lake, 27 June 1982. NWC QF-86F Sabre s/n 56-2814, NWC-822, at left. Photo from Paul Minert Collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

VX-5 Vampires AH-1J Sea Cobra BuNo 157799, XE-10, AGM-122 Sidearm missile, west side of hangar 2, Armed Forces Day, Armitage Field, China Lake, 27 June 1982. Flying Club T-34C Mentor BuNo 140919 and U-9D Aero Commander behind the Cobra. Photographer unknown.

NWC China Lake A-7E Corsair II BuNo 160565, NWC-710, Armed Forces Day, Armitage Field, China Lake, 27 June 1982. Photo from Paul Minert Collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

NWC China Lake C-117D Skytrain BuNo 50821, the last operational Navy Skytrain, leaves China Lake for the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, FL piloted by USMC LCol Scott Smith, 29 June 1982.

VX-5 Vampires A-7C Corsair II BuNo 156782, XE-07, on the ramp at an unknown location, circa 1982. Photo courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

VX-5 Vampires A-6E Intruder BuNo 157014, XE-22, on the ramp with a AGM-84 Harpoon missile, unknown location, circa 1982. Photo courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

VX-5 Vampires A-6E Intruder BuNo 159568, XE-21, in-flight with four AGM-84 Harpoons, circa 1982. Photo courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

Members of NWC Reserve Support Unit 0176 check out the electronics on QF-86F Sabre drone s/n 56-2814 in hangar 2, China Lake, 23 July 1982. H.E. Reep "The Grim Reeper" below the canopy rail. Rocketeer photo.

NWC China Lake Hot Line plane captain ADAN Maurino Mirador (kneeling at left) simulates the pushing of a switch on the control box for the Flight Line Electrical Distribution System. L-r standing are Public Works Department Machine Shop supervisor Joe Clavet, NWC Aircraft Department Aircraft Support Division Associate Head Maurice Hamm and Chief in charge of the Hot Line AMHC Robert Cummings, Armitage Field, NWC China Lake, 23 July 1982. Rocketeer photo by Don Cornelius.

NWC China Lake C-131F Samaritan BuNo 141028 revs up for its final flight from Armitage Field as it leaves for MASDC, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, crew members were pilots Gary Bailey & G. F. Herbster along with Mike O'Connell & Jill J. Ekblad, China Lake, 27 July 1982. Rocketeer photo.

NWC China Lake UH-1N Iroquois (Huey) BuNo 158284, China Lake SAR, and NWC C-117D Skytrain BuNo 50821, China Lake, August 1982. Photo by Bob Niedermeier.

VX-5 Vampires A-7E Corsair II BuNo 159300, XE-01, Buckley ANG, 14 August 1982. Photographer John Sheets.

Two unknown VX-5 Vampires F/A-18A Hornets and one VX-4 Evaluators F/A-18A Hornet being refueled by VA-52 Knightriders KA-6D Intruder BuNo 152911, NL-513, 18 August 1982. Official U. S. Navy photo from R.L. Lawson collection.

John Dancy, seated at the A-6 Intruder Navigation Work Station, "flies" the A-6 simulator while (at right) George Mills, an electronics engineer, is testing an interface to verify that the correct displays are being generated on the simulator graphics, hangar 3, Armitage Field, NWC China Lake, 27 August 1982. Rocketeer photo by PHAA Rebecca Carpenter.

VX-5 Vampires A-7E Corsair II BuNo 159271, XE-03, next to VX-5 C-1A Trader BuNo 136782, XE-00, east side of hangar 1, Armitage Field, China Lake, September 1982. Photo courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

VX-5 Vampires A-6E Intruder BuNo 157014, XE-22, taxiing at an unknown location, 21 September 1982. Photo from Paul Minert Collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

NWC China Lake UC-8A Buffalo BuNo 161546 at Field Aviation in Calgary after a major rework, circa September 1982.

NWC's DeHavilland UC-8A Buffalo BuNo 161546's gleaming blue and white exterior is representative of its complete overhaul, which has just been completed. The aircraft will serve as a platform for parachutists and will also be used for transporting personnel and cargo. Refurbishing the aircraft saved $13 million since a new Buffalo costs $14 million. Armitage Field, NWC China Lake, September 1982. Official U.S. Navy photo from Mike O'Connell.

NWC China Lake UC-8A Buffalo BuNo 161546, China Lake, September 1982. Aircrew personnel includes ADC O'Connell, AMS1 Christensen, AMHC Watts, Lt(jg) Wood & AMSC Virata. Official U.S. Navy photo from Mike O'Connell.

NWC China Lake Aircraft Department UC-8A Buffalo BuNo 161546, taxiing, Armitage Field, China Lake, circa 1982. photo courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

A flight deck crewman signals that VX-5 Vampires F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 161363, XE-31, is ready to be launched during flight operations aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), circa August-October 1982. In the foreground is the control room for the integrated catapult control system. Official U.S. Navy photo by PHAN Charles R. Solseth.

VX-5 Vampires F/A-18A Hornets BuNo 161520, XE-28, 161521, XE-29, 161522, XE-33, and 161523, XE-34, aboard the USS Constellation, 01 October 1982. VF-124 Gunfighters F-14A Tomcat NJ-402 on the forward cat. Photo from Naval Aviation Archives, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

VX-5 Vampires F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 161520, XE-28, on final for an arrested landing aboard the USS Constellation, October 1982. Photo from Naval Aviation Archives, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

VX-5 Vampires F/A-18A Hornets BuNo 161520, XE-28, 161521, XE-29, 161522, XE-33 & 161523, XE-34, aboard the USS Constellation, October 1982. VAQ-129 Vikings EA-6B Prowler BuNo 158650, NJ-910, in the foreground. Photo from Naval Aviation Archives, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

VX-5 Vampires F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 161522, XE-33, on the cat aboard the USS Constellation, October 1982. Photo from Naval Aviation Archives, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

VX-5 Vampires F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 161522, XE-33, on final for an arrested landing aboard the USS Constellation, October 1982. Photo from Naval Aviation Archives, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

VX-5 Vampires F/A-18A Hornets BuNo 161522, XE-33, and 161520, XE-28, aboard the USS Constellation, October 1982. Photo from Naval Aviation Archives, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

VX-5 Vampires F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 161523, XE-34, aboard the USS Constellation, October 1982. Photo from Naval Aviation Archives, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

VX-5 Vampires F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 161523, XE-34, on the cat aboard the USS Constellation, October 1982. Photo from Naval Aviation Archives, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 158169 Sidearm missile, China Lake, 01 October 1982.NWC China Lake A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 158169, Sidearm missile, China Lake, 01 October 1982. Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 158169, Sidearm missile, China Lake, 01 October 1982.NWC China Lake A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 158169, Sidearm missile, China Lake, 01 October 1982. Official U.S. Navy photo.

A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 158169, Sidearm missile, China Lake, 01 October 1982.NWC China Lake A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 158169, USMC Col. John T. Tyler, Sidearm missile, China Lake, 01 October 1982. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NWC China Lake A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 159485 on the ramp next to NWC A-6E Intruder BuNo 155628, NWC-602, Edwards AFB, October 1982. Photo by C.T. Robbins.

NWC parachutists PRAN Roger Wood & PR2 Patrick Rafferty head back to shore after successful tests of SEAWARS parachute harness connections, 22 October 1982. Rocketeer photo.

NWC China Lake Aircraft Department A-6E Intruder BuNo 155628, NWC-602, Open House at Edwards AFB, 23 October 1982. Photo from Ugo Gabbana Collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

NWC China Lake Aircraft Department A-6E Intruder BuNo 155628, NWC-602, alongside NWC QF-86F Sabre drone s/n 55-3846, NWC-824, Edwards AFB, 23 October 1982.

NWC China Lake QF-86F Sabre drone s/n 55-3846, NWC-824, Edwards AFB, 23 October 1982. Photo by Phil Juvet.

Cdr. J.P. Connell gets the traditional "wetting down" from a bottle of bubbly water in the hands of Nick Schneider (in background) as ADAN Roger Etienne, an F/ A-18 Hornet plane captain, stands by. Cdr. Connell had just flown the Center's first F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 161366 to China Lake from Point Mugu, where he took delivery of the aircraft from VX-4. China Lake, 29 October 1982. Rocketeer photo by PHAN Rebecca Carpenter.

NWC SAR UH-1N helicopter BuNo 158284 is being partially dismantled in -20 degree (with wind chill) weather so it can be airlifted off the summit of Mt. Whitney where it made a forced landing on 5 November 1982. Rocketeer photo by PH1 Martin Scott.

A radiometer (on tripod) measures the intensity of the fire as firefighters use a hand line to help extinguish a blaze on the Mini-Deck. The simulated aircraft on the replica of an aircraft carrier flight deck provide a realistic environment for fire and fire fighting equipment and agent research and tests. China Lake, 05 November 1982. Rocketeer photo.

NWC China Lake Capt. Lahr presents a Navy Commendation Medal to AO3 Timothy Hill for his part as the SAR helicopter crew chief during the successful rescue of a climber stranded on a precipitous ledge near Death Valley. China Lake, 12 November 1982. Rocketeer photo by PHI Benita Tetreault.

The crucial part of descending by hoist from a SAR helicopter to rescue a stranded climber was handled in outstanding fashion by AMS1 Michael A. Clenney, who exchanges salutes with NWC China Lake Capt. Lahr as he is presented the Navy Commendation Medal.. China Lake, 12 November 1982. Rocketeer photo by PHI Benita Tetreault.

NWC China Lake's radar at Laurel Mountain plays a vital role in monitoring of restricted airspace R-2508. It is one of 11 radars that eye the sky to help insure the safety of both military and civilian pilots and also can be used to assist with test work. China Lake, 19 November 1982. Rocketeer photo.

ACAN Sharon Hernandez looks over the shoulder of AC2 Karen Howard as Petty Officer Howard keeps track of an aircraft flying over the Naval Weapons Center. The air controllers' stations show radar tracks gathered from 11 radars that monitor restricted airspace R-2508. China Lake, 03 December 1982. Rocketeer photo by PH1 Benita Tetreault.

NWC China Lake UC-8A Buffalo BuNo 161546, between the line shack and hangar 2, China Lake, December 1982. Photographer unknown.

NWC A-6E Intruder BuNo 155628, NWC-602, unknown location, December 1982. Photo from Paul Minert Collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

NWC China Lake QT-38A Talon drone s/n 59-1600 in the China Lake bone yard, December 1982. Note the bullet holes in the vertical tail and the boat tail sitting on the ground. Photo by Ron Monroe.

VX-5 Vampires A-4M Skyhawk, BuNo 160245, XE-16, with USAF laser guided Maverick missiles, dated 01 January 1983. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NWC China Lake QT-38A Talon drone s/n 59-1603 on the ramp next to QF-86F Sabre s/n 55-5048, NWC-818, Armitage Field, China Lake, December 1982. Photo from Paul Minert Collection.

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