VX-5 Vampires Officers and Chiefs pose by the CO's A-7E Corsair II, BuNo 160729, XE-01, and F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 162400, XE-33, on the west side of hangar 1, China Lake 1987/1988. Photo from Hayward (Dan) Dunn, CWO4 USN(Ret).

VX-5 Vampires A-6E Intruder BuNo 162182, XE-20, in-flight, AGM-88 HARM missile test, 14 January 1988. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 Vampires A-6E Intruder BuNo 162182, XE-20, MK-82 500lb bomb drop, 14 January 1988. Official U.S. Navy photo.

A USAF flat bed truck hauls the main fuselage of B-47B Stratojet s/n 51-2275 from the NWC Boneyard on its way to the March Field Air Museum, China Lake, 22 January 1988. Rocketeer photo by PHAN Cary Brady.

AME1 Manuel Duarte talks about ejection seat operations to personnel of the VX-5 Vampires AME Shop. Petty Officer Duarte is VX-5's Sailor of the Year for 1987. Listening to Petty Officer Duarte are AME2 Angel Vasquez, AME3 Tim Hartsack and AME2 Tim Pruitt. China Lake, 29 January 1988. Rocketeer photo by PHAN Cary Brady.

VX-5 Vampires AOC Phillip W. Calvert poses with practice bombs on a MER on A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 158180, Armitage Field, China Lake, 19 February 1988. Rocketeer photo.

Hugh McCoy from the Aerosystems Department does some preliminary checking on how air flow affects a ribbon parachute that was designed by using mathematical simulation on a computer. (Trying it out behind a car seemed a bit safer than an air drop for its initial test, McCoy says.) China Lake, 19 February 1988. Rocketeer photo by Code 64252.

VX-5 Vampires F/A-18D Hornet BuNo 163994, XE-37, in flight over Armitage Field, 28 February 1988. Official U.S. Navy photo.

AV-8B Harrier BuNo 162966, Night Attack, China Lake, 01 Mar 1988. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Aerosystems Department's Parachute Test Operations Branch Master Chief Hudson drops off the proposed space shuttle escape system's telescoping 12-foot pole at 200 knots airspeed. His "ride" down the pole lasted less than one second. Master Chief Hudson said the test, conducted out of a modified USAF C-141 Starlifter, was very successful. Edwards Air Force Base, 25 March 1988. Rocketeer photo.

NWC China Lake A-7E Corsair II BuNo 156883, NWC-709, location unknown, 26 March 1988. Photo by Peter Wilson, Paul Minert collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

RAF GR.1 Tornado s/n ZD716, Armitage Field, China Lake, March 1988. Photo by Larry McCarley.

VMFT-401 Snipers F-21A KFIR BuNo 999731, Armitage Field, China Lake, March 1988. Photo by L. McCarley.

Blue Angels F/A-18A Hornet #1, Armitage Field, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photo by Larry McCarley.

NWC China Lake QF-86F Sabre drone s/n 55-3878, NWC-885, Armitage Field, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photo by B. Niedermeier.

NWC China Lake QF-86F Sabre drone s/n 55-5058, NWC-891, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Captain J.A. Burt USN below the canopy rail. Photo by B. Niedermeier.

NWC China Lake QF-86F Sabre drone s/n 55-5069, NWC-897, Armitage Field, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photo by B. Niedermeier.

NWC China Lake QF-86F Sabre drone s/n 56-2855, NWC-883, Armitage Field, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photo by B. Niedermeier.

NWC China Lake QT-38A Talon s/n 59-1603, NWC-381, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photo by Bob Niedermeier.

Thornton Corporation T-38A Talon s/n 63-8171, FAA N638TC, AFD, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photo by Bob Niedermeier.

Top Gun F-16N Falcon s/n 88-0113, #47, Armitage Field, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photo ©Brian Lockett, Goleta Air & Space Museum.

NWC China Lake NA-3B Skywarrior BuNo 142630, Armitage Field, 16 April 1988. Photo from Giorgio Salerno Collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

NWC China Lake QF-4N Phantom II BuNo 150419, NWC-424, Armitage Field, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photo by Bob Niedermeier.

NWC China Lake QF-4N Phantom II BuNo 150456, NWC-411, Armitage Field, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photo by Bob Niedermeier.

NWC China Lake T-39D Sabreliner BuNo 150992, Armitage Field, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photographer unknown.

NWC China Lake QF-4N Phantom II BuNo 150993, NWC-407, Armitage Field, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photo by Bob Niedermeier.

NWC China Lake QF-4N Phantom II BuNo 150993, NWC-407, Armitage Field, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photo by Bob Niedermeier.

NWC China Lake QF-4N Phantom II drone BuNo 151000, NWC-411, Armitage Field, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photo by B. Niedermeier.

NWC China Lake QF-4N Phantom II drone BuNo 151406, NWC-414, Armitage Field, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photo by Bob Niedermeier.

Pacific Missile Test Center NF-4J Phantom II BuNo 151496, PMTC-91, next to NWC China Lake QT-38A Talon s/n 59-1603, NWC-381, NAF China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photo by Bob Niedermeier, Paul Minert collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

NWC China Lake TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152102, NWC-042, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photographer unknown.

VX-5 Vampires TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 152862, XE-12, Armitage Field, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photo by Vance Vasquez, Paul Minert Collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

NWC China Lake QF-4N Phantom II BuNo 152968, NWC-412, Armitage Field, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photo by Larry McCarley.

NWC China Lake QF-4N Phantom II BuNo 152968, NWC-412, Armitage Field, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photo by Bob Niedermeier, Paul Minert Collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

VX-5 Vampires TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152853, XE-13, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photo ©Brian Lockett, Goleta Air & Space Museum.

NWC China Lake A-6E Intruder BuNo 155698, NWC-605, Open House, Armitage Field, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photo by PMC Anthony D. Chong, Paul Minert Collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

NWC China Lake TA-7C Corsair II BuNo 156738, NWC-700, 16 April 1988, Armitage Field, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photo by Vance Vasquez, Paul Minert Collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

NWC China Lake A-4M Skyhawk BuNo 160264, NWC-044, Armitage Field, AFD, China Lake, 11 April 1988. Photo by Bob Niedermeier, Paul Minert Collection, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

VX-5 Vampires A-7C Corsair II BuNo 160724, XE-03, and TA-7C Corsair II BuNo 156746, XE-06, China Lake, 16 April 1988.  Photo ©Brian Lockett, Goleta Air & Space Museum.

NWC China Lake UC-8A Buffalo BuNo 161546, Armitage Field, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photo from Tailhook Association, courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

VX-5 Vampires A-6E Intruders BuNo 162190, XE-21, and BuNo 154170, XE-25, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photo ©Brian Lockett, Goleta Air & Space Museum.

VX-5 Vampires AH-1W Sea Cobra BuNo 162537, XE-44, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photo ©Brian Lockett, Goleta Air & Space Museum.

VX-5 Vampires AV-8B Harrier BuNo 162966, XE-11, Night Attack, China Lake, 16 April 1988. P. Martin photo.

VX-5 Vampires AV-8B Harrier BuNo 162966, XE-11, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photo ©Brian Lockett, Goleta Air & Space Museum.

NWC China Lake F/A-18C Hornet BuNo 163720, NWC-102, AFD, China Lake, 16 April 1988. DC-2 Skytrain in right background. Photo by Bob Niedermeier.

VX-5 Vampires F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 161528, XE-35, and F/A-18 Hornet BuNo 161523, XE-34, takeoff, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photo ©Brian Lockett, Goleta Air & Space Museum.

VX-5 Vampires formation fly-by, TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 152853, XE-13, A-7E Corsair II BuNo 160724, XE-03, TA-7C Corsair II BuNo 156746, XE-06, F/A-18A BuNo 161528, XE-35, F/A-18A BuNo 161523, XE-34, and A-6E Intruder BuNo 162190, XE-21, China Lake, 16 April 1988. Photo ©Brian Lockett, Goleta Air & Space Museum.

NWC China Lake NA-3B Skywarrior BuNo 142630, May 1988. Photographer unknown.

VX-5 Vampires TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 152862, XE-12, in flight over Apple Valley, 01 May 1988. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 Vampires formation fly-by, TA-4J Skyhawk BuNo 152853, XE-13, A-7E Corsair II BuNo 160724, XE-03, TA-7C Corsair II BuNo 156746, XE-06, F/A-18C BuNo 163432, XE-35, F/A-18C BuNo 163430, XE-34 and A-6E Intruder BuNo 162190, XE-21, China Lake, May 1988. Official U.S. Navy photo from Hayward (Dan) Dunn, CWO4 USN (Ret).

NWC China Lake QF-86F Sabre drone line, A-6E Intruder line and F/A-18 Hornet line, taken from beneath the wing of Cessna 172N Skyhawk, N1291F, China Lake, 1988. Photo by Jeff Wilson.

Reservists taking part in their two weeks of active duty training moved FSAT QF-4N Phantom II BuNo 150489, NWC-405, from Armitage Field to NWC's Aircraft Survivability Range. Because the hydraulic and electrical systems remained intact the Fuze and Sensors Department obtained its release to the Aircraft Battle Damage Repair Program. China Lake, 13 May 1988. Rocketeer photo by JOC Carolyn Dettling.

An artists conception of the Rockwell X-30 advanced technology demonstrator project for the National Aero-Space Plane (NASP) which is being supported by work at NWC China Lake, 13 May 1988. Rocketeer photo.

VX-5 Vampires CO Capt. Eric Vanderpoel, II, cuts into the 25,000 hour milestone cake. VX-5 recently received the 1987 LATWINGPAC Foreign Object Damage Award and the 1987 CNO Aviation Safety Award which came on the heels of recording 25,000 safe-flying hours over the past four-and-a-half years. China Lake, 01 July 1988. Rocketeer photo by PH3 Gaston.

Lt-Gen Edwin Godfrey, commanding general, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, was welcomed to NWC China Lake by Col. Roy Edwards, NWC Marine Corps Liaison Officer and Capt. Eric Vanderpoel, II, VX-5 Vampires CO. Joining General Godfrey for the visit was his wife, Jean. 01 July 1988. Rocketeer photo by PHAN Cary Brady.

USMC Maj. Willie Baines is in the cockpit of NWC China Lake AV-8B Harrier BuNo 162966, NWC-87, MAD Night Attack version of the AV-8B, China Lake, 08 July 1988. Rocketeer photo.

Cdr. Mike Morgan, deputy for operational effectiveness, flight test and evaluation, Aircraft Weapons Integration Department, boards an A-7E Corsair II for the final validation flight of the A-7E/WSSA software. Cdr. Morgan is Joined by the program's dedicated personnel (left to right, front row): Judy Roberts, Betty Johnson, Joe Law, Hermie Harris, Mary McConnell; (middle row) Lee Thomson Deonne Crecelius, Lavon Ostby, Woodie Chartier, Del Kellogg, Jim June; (top row) Cdr. Mike Morgan, Don Thrasher, Charlie Hill, Lowell McDonald, Lt. Jeff Mattox. (Not pictured: Tom Ingram and Marie McGlothlin). China Lake, 27 July 1988. Rocketeer photo by PHAN Cary Brady.

Col. Barry V. Banks, USMC, takes the unit colors from Col. Roy T. Edwards, USMC, and assumes command of the China Lake Marine Aviation Detachment (MAD.) The ceremony was held in the NWC Gym. China Lake, 29 July 1988. Rocketeer photo by PHAN Cary Brady.

NWC China Lake UC-8A Buffalo BuNo 161546, north side of hangar 1, China Lake, August 1988. Photographer unknown.

NWC China Lake AV-8B Harrier BuNo 161576, laser Maverick missile, over Trona, Argus & Searles Lake, 11 August 1988. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Naval Aircrew Common Escape System (NACES) test with T-45A Goshawk cockpit, SNORT, NWC China Lake, circa 1988. Naval Aviation News photo.

Naval Aircrew Common Escape System (NACES) three point drogue parachute keeps the seat into the wind, SNORT, NWC China Lake, circa 1988. Naval Aviation News photo.

Members of the Space Shuttle Crew Escape System Program team gather around the escape pole mounted in a C-141 Starlifter on loan from the Air Force. This team was responsible for the final round of escape system testing last week at NWC, 30 September 1988. Rocketeer photo by PHAN Cary Brady.

This color photo of NWC China Lake A-6E Intruder BuNo 157014, NWC-606, taken at sunrise over Searles Lake was shot by PH1 Bill Howe, NWC photo lab, and placed third in a Navy/Marlne Corps wide photo contest in the professional category.

NWC China Lake A-6E Intruder BuNo 157014, NWC-606, 1GTD Mk-82, over Ridgecrest, 01 October 1988. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Bob Reid, Gary Ozunas (Oz), and Bill Nevins work on the new engineering model of the NWC-developed Laser-Guided Training Round (LGTR). The new round will be affectionately known as "Mojave Blue". China Lake, 21 October 1988. Rocketeer photo.

NWC China Lake NWC TA-7C Corsair II BuNo 156738, NWC-700, inert Walleye I TV guided weapon and instrumentation pod with a fiber optic data link under the Skyray program, 27 October 1988. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NWC China Lake TA-7C Corsair II BuNo 156738, NWC-700, inert Walleye I TV guided weapon and instrumentation pod with a fiber optic data link under the Skyray program, 27 October 1988. The gold colored domes are clamshell doors. Photo courtesy A. Romano www.navarchives.com

NWC China Lake F/A-18C Hornet (Production Verification Aircraft) BuNo 162851, NWC-103, plane captain Jeff Wilson, China Lake, November 1988. Photo from Jeff Wilson.

NWC China Lake F/A-18C Hornet BuNo 162851, NWC-103, production verification aircraft, China Lake, November 1988. Photo by Jeff Wilson.

NWC China Lake F/A-18D Hornet BuNo 163434, NWC-111, Night Attack version, in-flight, 22 November 1988. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NWC China Lake F/A-18A Hornet BuNo 161362, NWC-101, firing Sidewinder AIM-9M missile, 12 December 1988. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VMA-542 Tigers AV-8B Harrier BuNo 162743, WH-09, releasing Snakeyes over a China Lake Range, circa 1988. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Jerry Senn in TA-4F Skyhawk BuNo 152102 before a Harm KNOZY flight over Ransburg Wash. The pilot was Capt. Valovich. NWC China Lake, circa 1988.