Under the watchful eye of CWO3 William Pilkington (right) VX-5 Vampires Ordnance Shop AO2 Michael Carver and AO2 Gregory Tedder load a Skipper II missile on an FA/18A Hornet, Armitage Field, China Lake, 11 January 1985. Rocketeer photo by PH2 Dennis Mugglin.

NWC China Lake Aircraft Department QF-4N Phantom II drone BuNo 152235, NWC-421, unknown location, circa 1985. Photo from Paul Minert Collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

VX-5 Vampires A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 158426, XE-15, on the line next an OV-10A Bronco, location unknown, January 1985. Photo from Paul Minert collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

VX-5 Vampires AV-8B Harrier BuNo 161576, XE-10, 20 January 1985. The AV-8B at right is probably BuNo 161579, XE-11. Photo from Paul Minert Collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

VX-5 Vampires Line Division Officer Lt. Bill Larimore discusses the A-7E Corsair II (BuNo 160616, XE-04) with students from Faller Elementary School, hangar 1, Armitage Field, China Lake, 08 Feb 1985. Rocketeer photo by PHAN Greg Hogan.

An F-20 Tigershark fires an AIM-7F Sparrow missile at an MQM-74C target at a distance of thirteen miles in the skies over NWC China Lake, 27 February 1985. Official U.S. Navy photo, Robert L. Lawson collection.

AMEAN Kevin Sylve, AME2 Chriss Marcus and AMEAN Mitch Presley use a crane to return an ejection seat to NWC China Lake A-6E Intruder BuNo 155592, NWC-602, as AME-3 Jon Lea waits in the A-6, China Lake, 01 March 1985. Rocketeer photo.

Posing in front of NWC China Lake QF-86F Sabre drone s/n 55-5056, NWC-844, are Al Tentilucci, Michael Schmitt, William Muhkhausen, Rose Mingone & Maurise Hamm at Armitage Field for the aircraft maintenance service contract conference, China Lake, 08 March 1985. Rocketeer photo by PH2 Rick Moore.

NWC China Lake QH-50A DASH helicopter drone s/n DS-1399 on display at a Open House, China Lake, 12 March 1985. Official U.S. Navy photo by Sgt. Gruart.

NWC's Reserve Support Unit 0176 change a wheel assembly on Former VAQ-33 Firebirds A-1E Skyraider BuNo 135188 so it be moved out of the Salt Wells area to start a process of renovation, China Lake, 22 March 1985. Rocketeer photo by PH2 Rick Moore.

Using an old armored personnel carrier NWC's Reserve Support Unit 0176 move A-4A Skyhawk BuNo 137818 out of the Salt Wells area to start a process of renovation, China Lake, 22 March 1985. Rocketeer photo by PH2 Rick Moore.

These QH-50 DASH helicopters are waiting to be reassembled and renovated for use as drone targets which will operate near the G-1 Range, China Lake, 29 March 1985. Rocketeer photo.

With eight QH-50 DASH drone helicopters loaded on three semis support personnel headed to Florida earlier this year to provide targets for the USMC. Dan Zielke (left), Tracy Gulley, Gordon Zurn, Joe Chesney, Richard McGlade and Robert Whishman stand near two of the QH-50s and the mobile control vehicle, China Lake, 29 March 1985. Rocketeer photo.

Dan Zielke (right) and Tracy Gulley inspect one of the QH-50 drone helicopter targets before pulling it out of the workshop, China Lake, 29 March 1985. Rocketeer photo by PH2 Rick Moore.

NWC China Lake F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 162396 in-flight with two AGM-84 Harpoon missiles, April 1985. Photo courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

NWC China Lake F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 162396 in-flight with two AGM-84 Harpoon missiles, April 1985. Photo courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

The Space Shuttle booster Drop Test Vehicle rests on the desert floor after a successful test, China Lake, 05 April 1985. Rocketeer photo.

The Space Shuttle booster Drop Test Vehicle is being dug out after the drogue chute failed on a recent test, China Lake, 05 April 1984. Rocketeer photo.

NWC China Lake QF-4B Phantom II BuNo 149452, NWC-404, China Lake, 13 April 1985. Photo from Duncan Curtis.

Hugh McCoy prepares a model of the Hi Speed Sled (HISS) for testing at SNORT, China Lake, 19 April 1985. Rocketeer photo.

NWC China Lake QF-86F Sabre drone BuNo 57-6351, NWC-842, being readied for a NOLO mission in early 1985. Photo Rfrom Duncan Curtis.

NWC China Lake QF-86F Sabre drone BuNo 56-2849, NWC-864, China Lake, Apr/May 1985. Photo by John Freeman.

USAF B-47E Stratojet s/n 52-0166, Armitage Field, China Lake, April/May 1985. Photo Ron Cheshire via Duncan Curtis.

USAF B-47E Stratojet s/n 52-0166, Armitage Field, China Lake, Apr/May 1985. Photo John Freeman.

XF4D-1 Skyray BuNo 124587, Armitage Field Gate display, China Lake, circa 1985. Photo from Duncan Curtis.

F11F-1F Tiger BuNo 138647 on display at Armitage Field, China Lake, circa 1985. Photo from Duncan Curtis.

VMFAT-101 Sharpshooters F-4J Phantom BuNo 157269, SH-11, and two others prepare to takeoff, Armitage Field, China Lake, April-May 1985. Photo by John Freeman.

Engineer Dwight Weathersbee displays an AGM-123A Skipper II low-level, laser-guided bomb, China Lake, 01 May 1985. Official U.S. Navy photo.

AGM-123A Skipper II low-level laser-guided bomb mounted on the wing pylon of a NWC China Lake A-7 Corsair II, China Lake, 01 May 1985. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 Vampires OV-10A Bronco BuNo 155465, XE-70, Capt. Roger Flower, Cdr. Niel Nelson & plane captain J. Clark, Armitage Field, China Lake, 1985. Photo from C. Burin.

VX-5 Vampires OV-10A Bronco BuNo 155465, XE-70, Capt. Roger Flower & Cdr. Niel Nelson, Armitage Field, China Lake, 1985. Photo from C. Burin. Cdr. Nelson was an A-6 Intruder pilot who was flying a "Skipper" OPEVAL flight when the missile came off inadvertently. Flower & Nelson were on their way out to look for it in the OV-10 - it was found it on a ranch near Owens Lake.

NWC China Lake QF-86H Sabre drone s/n 53-1351, China Lake, May 1985. Photographer unknown.

VX-5 Vampires A-7E Corsair II BuNo 160616, XE-04, 18 May 1985. Photo by D. Remington, Mike Wilson collection.

NWC China Lake QF-4B Phantom II BuNo 149452, NWC-404, China Lake, circa 1985. Photo from Duncan Curtis.

NWC China Lake QF-4B Phantom II BuNo 149452 FSAT in-flight above NWC on a test flight before undergoing technical evaluation at PMTC, Pt. Mugu, 31 May 1985. Rocketeer photo.

Dick Wright ponders the next maneuver of the Full Scale Aerial Target (FSAT) drone that he is actually flying from the target control system in the Range Control Center. So far, 32 QF-86H Sabre jets, eight QT-38A Talons, and 63 QF-86F Sabre jets have been converted and delivered, with a contract ongoing for another 41 QF-86F aircraft by the China Lake FSAT program. In addition, the first QF-4 Phantom has been completed and is now undergoing technical evaluation at PMTC, Point Mugu. China Lake, 31 May 1985. Rocketeer photo.

Members of the Lincoln Club of Santa Barbara toured the center recently including the airfield where they inspected the cockpit of an F/A-18A Hornet, hangar 3, Armitage Field, China Lake, 31 May 1985. Rocketeer photo by PH2 Rick Moore.

VX-5 Vampires A-7E Corsair II BuNo 160616, XE-04, China Lake, June 1985. Photo by C.T. Robbins.

VX-5 Vampires F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 161958, XE-32, June 1985, location unknown. Photographer unknown.

NWC China Lake UC-8A Buffalo BuNo 161546, Boeing Field, Seattle, WA, 22 June 1985. Photographer unknown.

Henderson Zeno, AIMD jet mech, works on a F-86 Sabre J-47 jet engine in the Power Plant Shop, China Lake, 19 July 1985. Rocketeer photo.

Enlisted personnel who were either frocked or promoted on July 17 are joined by their officers as they pose in front of NWC China Lake A-7C Corsair II BuNo 156785, NWC-707, Armitage Field, China Lake, 26 July 1985. Rocketeer photo by PH2 Rick Moore.

VF-51 Screaming Eagles & VF-111 Sundowners F-14A Tomcats, F-5E Tiger II's and an F-5F Tiger II after a training session over the China Lake Electronic Warfare Range, 01 August 1985. Official U.S. Navy photo by Cdr. David Baranak.

Pete Chibes, Jr., Keith Manley, Guy Puckett, A.J. Waid, Mike Karczewski & Cleave Warren get the Hi Speed Sled (HISS) ready for a test, SNORT, China Lake, 02 August 1985. Rocketeer photo.

NWC China Lake SAR helicopter crewman hangs on the skid of UH-1N Huey BuNo 158284 looking towards a ledge where an injured climber awaits rescue, 09 October 1985. Rocketeer photo.

VX-5 Vampires AT1 Doug Cross re-enacts his reenlistment in the cockpit of VX-5 TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 152862, XE-12, with LCdr. Len Fox as the photographer refused to be an in-flight wing-walker, Armitage Field, China Lake, 23 August 1985. Rocketeer photo.

The engines of each of the Center's A-7E Corsair II aircraft were carefully inspected after the Navy flight restricted a number of these aircraft because of faulty turbine blades that caused engine failures and subsequent crashes, China Lake, 23 August 1985. Rocketeer photo by PH2 Rick Moore.

This low backscatter mast is used to support targets for the horizontal radars of the Junction Ranch Radar Cross Section Range, 23 August 1985. Rocketeer photo.

Range Manager Hans Pieper makes an adjustment to the calibration plate on the target area of the look-down facility, China Lake, 23 August 1985. Rocketeer photo.

LCdr. Mark Lucchesi conducts a pre-flight walk-around of NWC China Lake A-6E Intruder BuNo 159569, NWC-601. The concentrated effort of maintenance, quality assurance work centers and air crews ensured China Lake's safe flying record, recognized for more than 24,000 hours of Class A mishap-free operations. Armitage Field, China Lake, 13 September 1985. Rocketeer photo.

NWC China Lake personnel recently returned from a detachment onboard the USS Enterprise where a new program for the A-6E Intruder E-230 onboard computer received extensive testing. LCdr. Steve Enewold (l) and Capt. George Van Tine, USMC, prepare to fly one of China Lake's A-6E Intruders which is next to VA-95 Green Lizards A-6E Intruder BuNo 151801, NH-517, for more testing of the E-230. China Lake, 13 September 1985. Official U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Jack Ceckler.

PR3 Ken Klapak and PR1 Bill Leuallen exit NWC China Lake UC-8A Buffalo BuNo 161546 above the parachute drop zone on the Center's inner range area, China Lake, 20 September 1985. Rocketeer photo.

We Built Sidewinder Mural in Michelson Lab. engineering wing, 02 October 1985. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Robert Juarez, Jack Bates and Arthur Clayson received Technical Director Awards from Burrell Hays for their work on the AV-8B Harrier GAU-12/U 25mm cannon and the associated PGU-20 API round, China Lake, 04 October 1985. Rocketeer photo by PH2 Rick Moore.

VX-5 Vampires Projects Branch Head LCdr. Ed Bryant (right) conducts F/A-18 Hornet cockpit orientation for visiting RAF officers last week. From the left, are: Wing Cdr. Tony Eley, Air Commander Bill Maish, Group Capt. Brian Johnson, and Wing Cdr. Ron Elder, China Lake, 04 October 1985. Rocketeer photo.

NWC China Lake Aircraft Department A-6E Intruder BuNo 155682, NWC-602, unknown location, 07 October 1985. Photo by Flightleader, Paul Minert Collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

NWC China Lake A-6E Intruder BuNo 155682, NWC-602, unknown location, 07 October 1985. Photo from Paul Minert Collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

VX-5 Vampires OV-10A Bronco BuNo 155465, XE-70, NAS North Island, 11 October 1985. Photo by B. Trombecky.

Aircraft display in the parking lot in front of the main entrance to Mike Lab for the Navy's 210th birthday celebration. Top to bottom: VX-5 Vampires OV-10A Bronco 155465, XE-70, NWC China Lake QF-86F Sabre s/n 55-5099, NWC-871, NWC China Lake A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 158169, NWC-046, A-7 Corsair II, NWC China Lake A-6E Intruder BuNo 159312, NWC-604, & F/A-18 Hornet. Hawk launcher to the left of the displays was modified to carry the tail control Sparrow missile.

Booths, exhibits and aircraft including a F/A-18A Hornet, NWC China Lake A-6E Intruder BuNo 159312, NWC-604, NWC China Lake A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 158169, NWC-046 and QF-86F Sabre drone s/n 55-5099, NWC-871 attracted visitors to Michelson Lab's parking lot during NWC's observance of the U.S. Navy's Birthday celebration on Saturday, 19 October 1985. Rocketeer photo.

Gary Bailey, Harlan Reep, Mike Youngblood and (kneeling) Barry Thompson, Mike Coraggio and Bill Lavender pose in front of NWC China Lake T-39D Sabreliner BuNo 150992 after a series of test missions at White Sands to test infrared augmenters for an Army missile, China Lake, 01 November 1985. Rocketeer photo.

Members of the FSAT Office pose on front of NWC China Lake QF-4B Phantom II drone BuNo 152303, NWC-407, after the successful completion of the technical evaluation, Armitage Field, China Lake, 01 November 1985. Rocketeer photo.

Sec. of the Navy John Lehman chats with VX-5 Vampires CO Capt. Marty Phillips next to VX-5 Vampires F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 161522, XE-33, last Friday afternoon, Armitage Field, China Lake, 01 November 1985. Rocketeer photo by PH3 Greg Hogan.

NWC China Lake NA-3B Skywarrior BuNo 142630 at NARF Alameda where the wing skin was peeled back revealing cracks in the wing spar caps, 15 November 1985. Rocketeer photo.

Air Force volunteers prepare to remove a wing from B-29A Superfortress s/n 42-65281 so it can be flown to Travis AFB with rest of the bomber in two USAF C-5A Galaxy's, China Lake, 15 November 1985. Rocketeer photo by PH2 Rick Moore.

NWC China Lake Cdr. Ron Miller shows a model of an A-4 Skyhawk where the body and the tail section of the plane separated before the plane became a fireball. He and Maj. Tom White ejected safely from the burning Skyhawk (TA-4J BuNo 152848, NWC-041) on 06 November. China Lake, 15 November 1985. Rocketeer photo by PH2 Rick Moore.

The front half of the fuselage of B-29A Superfortress s/n 42-65281 is loaded into a USAF C-5A Galaxy for transport to Travis AFB, China Lake, 22 November 1985. Rocketeer photo by PH2 Rick Moore.

Aircrew Survival Equipmentmen PR2 Mark Wessel (left) and PR3 Daniel Adams are repacking a parachute they've had out for a scheduled periodic check, China Lake, 29 November 1985. Rocketeer photo by PH2 Rick Moore.

Volunteers from Ellsworth AFB and members of the SD National Guard work to load one of the radial engines from B-29A Superfortress s/n 44-87779 onto a flatbed truck for transport to the South Dakota Air and Space Museum, China Lake, 06 December 1985. Photo by Steve Boster.

The forward fuselage from B-29A Superfortress s/n 44-87779 has been loaded onto a flatbed truck for transport to the South Dakota Air and Space Museum, China Lake, 06 December 1985. Photo by Steve Boster.

VA-22 Redcocks Lt. Don Canin does a pre-flight check of a HARM missile on his A-7E Corsair II prior to the 2nd fleet firing of the HARM at China Lake, 13 December 1985. Rocketeer photo by Steve Boster.

NWC China Lake YF-4J Phantom II BuNo 151473, in-flight ejection seat test, China Lake, 16 December 1985. Official U.S. Navy photo from R. L. Lawson Collection.

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