Commanding Officers quarters under construction, China Lake, 1944. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NOTS Admin building under construction, China Lake, circa 1944. Rocketeer photo.

Lt. Jack Armitage (center) is pictured at officers dance with Lt(jg). Furrer on right and an unidentified woman on the left, 22 April 1944. Armitage Field is named in honor of Lt. Armitage. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Lt. Jack Armitage (2nd from right) is pictured at officers dance with Ltjg Furrer on his left, 22 April 1944. Lt. Armitage lost his life on 21 August when his SB2C crashed when the flight controls were damaged during a Tiny Tim rocket test. Armitage Field is named in honor of Lt. Jack Armitage.

Senior Officers, or Scientists, quarters under construction, China Lake, 1945. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Intersection of Lauritsen & Blandy, China Lake, 1945. Official U.S. Navy photo from China Lake Community Publication 128.

Original Burroughs High, China Lake, 1945. Official U.S. Navy photo from China Lake Community Publication 128.

O'Club in lower left, China Lake, 1945. Official U.S. Navy photo from China Lake Community Publication 128.

NOTS Exchange, circa1945. Photographer unknown.

The new O Club is at the end of the street and the Station Theater and Gym are on the right of The new O Club is at the end of the street and the Station Theater and Gym are on the right of Blandy Avenue, China Lake, 1945. Maturango Museum collection., China Lake, 1945. Maturango Museum collection.

Bennington Plaza, China Lake, early 1946. Front to back Gymnasium, Theater, O Club and BOQ. Maturango Museum collection.

Michelson Laboratory under construction, 1946. Maturango Museum collection.

Aerial view of Bennington Plaza from the back, possibly 27 October 1947, when the first Fiesta was set up in the Plaza in conjunction with Navy Day. Some of the arts and crafts booths may be seen between the gym on the left and the building in the center which may be the Teen Center called The Stall. At right is the back of the Station Theater with the tennis courts in the right foreground. Official U.S. Navy photo, courtesy of the Maturango Museum.

Overhead view as military and civilian China Lakers mingle on the new tennis courts behind the Station Theater, possibly 27 October 1947, when the first Fiesta was set up in the Plaza in conjunction with Navy Day. Official U.S. Navy photo, courtesy of the Maturango Museum.

Michelson Lab Main Machine Shop, China Lake, 26 January 1948. Note the HVAR on the table in the foreground. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Administration building, China Lake, 26 January 1948. LIFE photo by J.R. Eyerman.

RAdm. W. G. Switzer by the Administration Building, China Lake, 26 January 1948. LIFE photo by J.R. Eyerman.

Bank of America, Officer's and scientists club is located in background, China Lake, 26 January 1948. LIFE photo by J.R. Eyerman.

Chemistry Lab, China Lake, 26 January 1948. LIFE photo by J.R. Eyerman.

Head of Scientific Program Dr. L.T.E. Thompson, China Lake, 26 January 1948. LIFE photo by J.R. Eyerman.

Executive board meeting to discuss administrative problems of the base, China Lake, 26 January 1948. LIFE photo by J.R. Eyerman.

Housing, China Lake, 24 January 1948. LIFE photo by J.R. Eyerman.

Housing, China Lake, 24 January 1948. LIFE photo by J.R. Eyerman.

Boys playing with an old practice bomb, China Lake, 26 January 1948. LIFE photo by J.R. Eyerman.

Air conditioned church built from a Quonset hut serves all denominations, China Lake, 25 January 1948. LIFE photo by J.R. Eyerman.

Joint Navy and Civilian Recreations Council in Session, this group is made up of military officers, scientists, and administrators, China Lake, 26 January 1948. LIFE photo by J.R. Eyerman.

Construction of Hawthorne housing for China Lakers was well underway in May of 1948. Rocketeer photo.

Michelson Lab. dedication ceremony, China Lake, 08 May 1948. Rocketeer photo.

Dr. C. C. Lauritsen receiving the Medal for Merit from the Secretary of the Navy John Nicholas Brown during Michelson Laboratory's dedication ceremony, 08 May 1948. Rocketeer photo.

Rocket display, Michelson Laboratory, China Lake, 1948. 11.75-inch Tiny Tim in foreground; 5-inch Holy Moses, 5.0- and 3.5-inch aircraft rockets, and 2.25-inch subcaliber aircraft rocket (L-R) on stands in center; Mousetrap antisubmarine rocket in right background; and barrage rockets in launcher in right foreground. Official U.S. Navy photo, China Lake archives.

Dr. McLean, Michelson Lab., China Lake, circa March 1949. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Aerial view of Michelson Lab., China Lake, 03 November 1949. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Aircraft fire-control simulator, Michelson Laboratory, 1949; development of bomb directors and fire-control systems and technology (including IR, electro-optical, and radar) at China Lake lead to such programs as Sidewinder, Walleye, and FLIR systems.

NOTS North Gate, China Lake, circa 1950. Photo by Graham Westmorland, Desert Photo Services.

Mainside NOTS China Lake circa 1950. Artist unknown.

NOTS Phone System and operators, China Lake, 1951. Photographer unknown.

China Lake Infirmary, 1955. Photo from Jim Smith.

Memorial to Cdr. Albert John Fidler, Senior Medical Officer 1952-53, Infirmary, Mainside, China Lake, 1955. Photo from J. Smith.

B Mountain, China Lake, circa August 1956. Photo by Jerry Tiehel.

All Faith Chapel under construction, Mainside, China Lake, circa September 1956. Photo by Bob Griswold.

All Faith Chapel under construction, Mainside, China Lake, circa September 1956. Photo by Bob Griswold.

All Faith Chapel under construction, Mainside, China Lake, circa September 1956. Photo by Bob Griswold.

Barracks #2, NOTS China Lake, circa September 1956. Photo by Bob Griswold.

Battleship mural, base theatre, China Lake, 1956. Photo by Bob Griswold.

Base theatre lobby, China Lake, circa September 1956. Photo by Bob Griswold.

Inspection, barracks parking lot, China Lake, circa August 1956. Official U.S. Navy Photo.

All Faith Chapel, China Lake, August 1957. Photo by Bob Griswold.

All Faith Chapel windows, China Lake, circa August 1957. Photo by Bob Griswold.

Michelson Lab., China Lake, 1959. Photo from Jerry Willey.

Michelson Lab., China Lake, 1959. Photo from Jerry Willey.

Station Commander Capt. W. W. Hollister, accompanied by Lt. R. G. Pipkin, GMU-61 Technical Officer, Cdr. Selden N. May, GMU-61 Officer in Charge, and Lt. L. J. Previati, COMNOTS Administrative Aide, inspect the men of GMU-61 prior to the reading of orders disestablishing the unit and transferring its functions to NAF. China Lake, 26 June 1959. Rocketeer photo.

Capt. W. W. Hollister accepts on behalf of the Station a plaque presented by the men and officers of GMU-61 from Cdr. Selden N. May. China Lake, 26 June 1959. Rocketeer photo.

VX-5 Vampires barracks #4, Mainside, China Lake, November 1960. Still in pink paint from its days as the WAVES barracks. Photo from Tom Scott.

NOTS North Gate, China Lake, circa 1960. Photographer unknown.

Shopping Bag, Bennington Plaza, China Lake, circa 1960. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Flood damage at Michelson Lab. after 1.39 inches of rain dumped on the China Lake area, 01 September 1961. Rocketeer photo.

NOTS Admin building is in foreground, Michelson Laboratory is in background, China Lake, 1962. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Administration Building, China Lake, 1962. Photo from Jerry Willey.

NOTS housing, Ticonderoga Ave., China Lake, 1962. Photo from Jerry Willey.

VX-5 Vampires barracks #4 and NAF barracks #5, VX-5 Jay Hartman in the foreground, snowstorm, China Lake, 22 January 1962. Photo by Tom Scott.

EM Club, south side of barracks parking lot, snowstorm, China Lake, 22 January 1962. Photo by Tom Scott.

Paul Dros' '53 Ford, barracks parking lot after the snowstorm, 22 January 1962. Photo by Paul Dros.

VX-5 Vampires barracks #4 after the snowstorm, 22 January 1962. Photo by Paul Dros.

VX-5 Vampires Paul Dros and his flight gear next to barracks 4 prior to his flight operating the photo panel on the pull-up of the VAH-2 A-3B after lofting a shape over a China Lake range 05 September 1962. Photo from Paul Dros.

Approximately 25 Navy personnel pitched in with civilian firefighting crew to fight the CPO Club fire which gutted the club, China Lake, 19 October 1962. Rocketeer photo.

CPO Club fire aftermath, China Lake, October 1962. Photo by Paul Dros.

CPO Club fire aftermath, China Lake, October 1962. Photo by Paul Dros.

CPO Club fire aftermath, China Lake, October 1962. Photo by Paul Dros.

Charred remains of CPO Mess were sifted by board of investigation this week, seeking clues to fire's cause, China Lake, 26 October 1962. Rocketeer photo.

Aerial view of NOTS China Lake looking west down Blandy Ave., Bennington Plaza at left & All Faith Chapel at right, China Lake, 1962. Photo from Jerry Willey.

EM Club fire, China Lake, November 1962 - January 1963. Photo by Paul Dros.

VX-Vampires Paul Dros' 1963 Dodge which took its class at the Drag Strip in Inyokern, barracks area, 1963. Photo by Paul Dros.

Aerial view of Mainside, NOTS China Lake, 1963. Top of the photo is west. Photographer unknown.

AIRDEVRON 5 (VX-5) Vampires barracks #4, China Lake, March 1963. Photo from Rich Galope.

Barracks parking lot with snow on the Sierra Nevada mountains in the background, China Lake, April 1963. Photo by Rick Simonides.

View of Bennington Plaza from All Faith chapel, China Lake, 1963. Photo by Jerry Willey.

NOTS Commisarymen, China Lake, circa 1963. Photo from Jerry Willey.

Looking west down King St. from barracks 1 towards the chow hall, China Lake, circa 1963. Photo from Jerry Willey.

Sentry sidearms are turned over to Seaman Guard AA Richard E. Rauhaus, by Marine LCpl. Joseph G. Sudarich in a rehearsal for the official changing of the guard next Thursday at midnight, Marine sentries, here since 1945, depart next month, China Lake, 24 May 1963. Rocketeer photo.

The Presidential flag is raised over NOTS Headquarters, 07 June 1963. Naval Aviation News photo.

The Presidential limousine & President Kennedy, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo via the China Lake Museum.

Some of the kids on hand to greet JFK with their Welcome Mr. President sign, 07 June 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo via the China Lake Museum.

President Kennedy receiving model of Shrike from Capt. Charles Blenman. Looking on at right is Dr. William B. McLean, NOTS Technical Director, and Secretary of the Navy Fred Korth. At left is Adm. George Whelan Anderson, Jr., Chief of Naval Operations, 07 June 1963. Photo from JFK Presidential Library.

President Kennedy and Senator Claire Engel (D-Cal) (right) talk with Mark McLean (son of Technical Director Dr. William McLean) and with scouts Chip and Bing Blenman, twin sons of Capt. Charles Blenman. Between Chip and Mark is Rhea Blenman, and next to her is LaV Mclean, wife of the Technical Director. At left are CA Governor Edmund Brown and Adm. George Whelan Anderson, Jr., CNO, 07 June 1963. Photo from JFK Presidential Library.

Cube R, NAF barracks 3, China Lake, circa June 1963. Photo by Rick Simonides.

VX-5 Vampires barracks #4, China Lake, 29 June 1963. Photo from Rich Galope.

Changing watch procedures include inspection of sidearms. Seaman Guard Patrick M. Mcintosh, (left) checks condition of automatics, insuring that chambers are empty. Off-coming duty section (from left) includes D. S. Wilson, R. E. Rauhaus, M. L. Robertson, Richard A. Iremonger and Jack E. Willis, China Lake, 19 July 1963. Rocketeer photo.

The new dome like structure at the west end of Mike Lab is a "geodesic dome." The structure will be used by Code 40's Special Project Branch of Air-to-Air Weapons Div. to house a simulator to check out the pitch, yaw, and roll of high altitude probes, China Lake, 11 October 1963. Rocketeer photo.

NAF A-4 Skyhawk plane captain AA Roy Layfield tries to get a head start on the Thanksgiving dinner, but CS1 Harry Jones is a hard sell, China Lake, Thanksgiving 1963. Official U.S. Navy photo from the Rocketeer.

B Mountain, China Lake, circa 1964. Photo by Rick Simonides.

Entrance to NAF barracks 5, China Lake, circa July 1964. Photo by Rick Simonides.

NOTS China Lake from B Mountain, China Lake, 1964. Photo from Jerry Willey.

NOTS China Lake O-Club, China Lake, 1964. Photo from Jerry Willey.

Looking west down Blandy Ave. from the O-Club, China Lake, 1964. Photo from Jerry Willey.

NOTS China Lake Community Center, China Lake, 1964. Photo from Jerry Willey.

VX-5 Vampires barracks #4, China Lake, 1965. Photo by Tom Rose.

Larry Heppler's 'new' Plymouth parked next to John's '57 Olds, barracks parking lot, China Lake, March 1965. Photo by Larry Heppler.

NAF barracks 5 from the north west. Triple S facilities on the north end, MAA office and linen locker to the south and nine rooms per side on each floor on the south end, China Lake, March 1965. Photo by Rick Simonides.

EM Club, north side of barracks parking lot, China Lake, May 1965. Photo by G. Verver.

Roger Downing's Triumph Bonneville, barracks parking lot, China Lake, May 1965. EM Club in the background. Photo by G. Verver.

Barracks, China Lake, circa June 1965. Photo by Larry Heppler.

Retired NAF A-4A Skyhawk BuNo 137814, being hoisted into position for display in front of the Station's Weapon Demonstration building behind Mike Lab. where it will be loaded with inert weapons by the Air to Surface Weapons Div., China Lake, 9 July 1965. Official U.S. Navy photo, R. Summers collection.

Making every minute count while the waters last these young China Lakers get in their boating before the killjoys drain the lake, China Lake, 30 July 1965. Rocketeer photo by Randy Eady, Code 3061.

Killjoys from Public Works labor to un-clog drain at Groves and Richmond. "Lake" waters pour through the outlet under the watch of Amas Crowe, Jr. Freeing them at the other end are (l-r) John Mussler, Harold Phillips, Robert Guinn, Russell Halcomb and Elmer Davis, China Lake, 30 July 1965. Rocketeer photo by Randy Eady, Code 3061.

People plow along in spite of flood at Switzer Circle. Rocketeer office and Maturango Museum (center, back) stayed high and a little drier, China Lake, 30 July 1965. Rocketeer photo by PHAN Jerry Willey.

Radiating joy and tribulation, the area around the corner of Groves and Richmond Streets seemed to be the center of gathering after the record downpour Friday. China Lake, 30 July 1965. Rocketeer photo by Randy Eady, Code 3061.

John Castle's Buick, barracks parking lot, China Lake, September 1965. Photo by G. Verver.

VX-5 Vampires barracks #4, China Lake, September 1965. Photo by G. Verver.

Jerry Bethard's '63 Ford & my '57 Olds, barracks parking lot, September China Lake, 1965. Photo by G. Verver.

NAF ADJ Frank Boudreaux after inspection, China Lake, 30 July 1965. Photo by Rick Simonides.

NAF ADR Rich Simonides after inspection, China Lake, 30 July 1965. Photo by Rick Simonides.

L-r NAF ADR Rich Simonides and AO Curt Mossestad after inspection, China Lake, 30 July 1965. Photo by Rick Simonides.

Defense science seminar participants take a "break" in field tour schedule at weapons exhibit (A-4A Skyhawk BuNo 137814) behind Mike Lab - to hash over tour topics - while Dr. William G. McMillan, Seminar Chairman from UCLA, and Franklin H. Knemeyer, head of Weapons Development Dept., (l-r, foreground) evaluate tour. Group included 45 scientists from all U.S, China Lake, 03 September 1965. Rocketeer photo.

NOTS Shore Patrol (l-r) PH2 R.L. Hancock, AMS2 Virgil Guy, GMM3 W.J. Sackett, AQF3 A.J. Wolff, ADJ2 A.J. Frie, AQF2 G.J. Ayers, PO in charge ADR2 A.E. Edmundson, OinC LCdr. R.C. Clasen, Asst. PO in charge ATR2 E.R. Jernigan, AQF3 C.J. Mikkola, AK2 F.A. Dandan, ADJ2 D.E. McCain, ADJ3 S.E. Hough, BT2 E.L. Ames and ADJ3 F.K. Kahapea, China Lake, 1 October 1965. Rocketeer photo.

Weapon Demonstration Building behind Mike Lab., China Lake, 06 Oct 1965. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Retired NAF A-4A Skyhawk BuNo 137814 on display at the Weapon Demonstration Building behind Mike Lab. China Lake, 06 Oct 1965. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Completing the Safety Department's Driver Training Course this week are 11 enlisted men. At front drivotrainer units are Wesley H. Rhinehart, NAF, and William P. Bailey, VX-5. At back units (l-r) are Glen R. Willingham, NAF, Kenneth K. Klusmeyer, VX-5, LeRoy E. Abey, VX-5, Phillip K. Froker, NOTS, Bruce A. Boyer, VX-5. In background (l-r) are instructor David Garrison and students David E. Pfieffer, VX-5, Homer L. Vandervort, NOTS, Van A. Branham, NOTS, and Harold L. Saltkill, NAF. China Lake, 19 November 1965. Rocketeer photo.

Capt. Leon Grabowsky, NOTS Executive Officer, and Cdr. William J. Snyder, Assoc. Director of Supply, are the first to be served on new chinaware at the NOTS General Mess. Gleaming china has replaced the old compartment trays, imparting a home like dining atmosphere. China Lake, 26 November 1965. Rocketeer photo.

Admin. Building, China Lake, 08 July 1966. Rocketeer photo.

The NOTS General Mess galley staff show off their new "professional type" uniforms. The new uniform are the same style as those worn by chefs In the best restaurant, hotel and clubs, China Lake, 08 July 1966. Rocketeer photo.

After over 20 years of continous operation in the same location the Commissary store will move this weekend to the large Quonset Hut behind Bennington Plaze. Von's Super Market will take it's place and open around the 1st of September. China Lake, 15 July 1966. Rocketeer photo.

Civilian police replaced the Navy personnel at the NOTS main gate this week, China Lake, 29 July 1966. Rocketeer photo.

One of the first Christmas decorations seen on the Station is Santa and his reindeer located at the main gate, China Lake, 16 December 1966. Rocketeer photo.

NAF China Lake CO Capt. Rodney F. Schall and Mrs. William L. Reardon stand beside the plaque honoring former NAF XO Cdr. Mike Reardon at the dedication of Reardon Field, China Lake, 15 May 1967. Rocketeer photo.

Public Works men (l-r) Joe Paiement and Wilbur Beard remove the sign from above the Administration Building entrance and load it for a trip to the Sign Shop, where it will be repainted to read "U.S. Naval Weapons Center." China Lake, 01 July 1967. Rocketeer Photo by PH3 Jerry Willey.

NAF China Lake Rudy Falcone and his coupe, base housing, China Lake, July 1967. Photo Bob Puszcz.

NAF China Lake St Jean's '54/55 Vette, barracks parking lot, China Lake, July 1967. Photo R. Puszcz.

NOTS Boiler Plant, 13 December 1967. Official U.S. Navy photo

Barracks area, China Lake, 1968. Photo by John Stalcup.

NOTS North gate, China Lake, 1968. Photo by John Stalcup.

Chuck Sussman's 1962 VW in the barracks parking lot, 1968. Photo from Chuck Sussman.

Officers and men of NWC, NAF and VX-5 under the direction of NAF China Lake CO Capt. R.E. McCall paraded down the flag lined route to the accompaniment of the COMNAVAIRPAC band and the Burroughs High School band, 27 October 1970. Rocketeer photo.

Navy Day parade contingents from NAF China Lake and VX-5 Vampires approach the reviewing stand which was located at the entrance to the Blandy parking lot near SchoeffeI Field. The stand was used by NWC and community dignitaries including NWC Commander RAdm. Moran and NWC Technical Director H.G. Wilson, China Lake, 27 October 1970. Rocketeer photo.

NWC enlisted men who took home trophies at the recent NHRA drag races at Inyokern include (l-r): Don Ward and P.E. Johnson, E-MP Class winner with their 1963 Ford Falcon; John Stewart, 3rd place stock eliminator with 1971 Plymouth; Fred Prall, motorcycle eliminator with a 1971 Honda CL 350; John Bitner, street eliminator runner-up with 1964 Ford Falcon; and Ted Hartman, f-mp class winner with 1955 Chevrolet, China Lake, 30 April 1971. Rocketeer photo.

Barbara Lewis, Miss Ridgecrest-China Lake, stands ready to welcome visitors to the NWC Armed Forces Day Open House to be held tomorrow, May 8. Highlights of lhe day-long activities will be a flight demonstration at 9:55 a.m. at the Naval Air Facility featuring Navy and Marine Corps pilots, China Lake, 07 May 1971. Rocketeer photo by W. Fetthether.

VX-5 Vampires Phil Theriault & his '55 Ford by barracks 1, Mainside, China Lake, 1971. Photo by Vic Magee.

King Ave. looking west on the south side of VX-5 Vampires barracks 4, Mainside, China Lake, 1971. Photo by Vic Magee.

CPO Club across King Ave. from the barracks, Mainside, China Lake, 1971. Photo by Vic Magee.

Virginia Keyte, Miss Ridgecrest-China Lake, invites the public to the 1972 observance of Armed Forces Day on Saturday, May 13, to gain a better understanding of the Center's technical activities and mission. The schedule of events will include static displays and demonstrations in Michelson Laboratory and at the Naval Air Facility, where project flights also will be flown, China Lake, 28 April 1972. Rocketeer photo.

Three former old Hawthorne duplexes were moved Tuesday from their location on Princeton St. to Lone Pine and Bishop where they will be used by the Indians as a half-way house for alcoholics and as a medical-dental clinic, China Lake, 04 August 1972. Rocketeer photo by PH3 Ron Mills.

NOTS Technical Research Library, China Lake, circa 1973. Photographer unknown.

Michelson Lab. in the foreground with Armitage Field in the background, Admin. Building at right, China Lake, circa 1973. Photographer unknown.

USMC CH-53A Sea-Stallion BuNo 151693 by Mike Lab. after transport from the airfield. China Lake, 04 May 1973. Rocketeer photo.

Aiden Slaybaugh Demolition and Trucking Co. under a contract totalling $17,280 tear down and clear away 27 more old Hawthorne-type housing units located on Princeton and Ranger Sts. The job is scheduled for completion by mid-November, China Lake, 20 July 1973. Rocketeer photo.

A crane lowers the pre-stressed concrete planks that form the second deck of the new Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ) into place. The planks are pre-fabricated from tensioned cables and concrete prior to delivery to the job site. Masonry work on the second story of the first building will be resumed as soon as the second deck is in place. China Lake, 24 January 1975. Rocketeer photo by Ron Allen.

Inland Construction Co. workmen demolish the old Jolly Roger (EM Club) which closed its doors on March 20 in order to make way for the construction of a new Petty Officer andd Enlisted Mens Club. A movie hut in the early days of NOTS, the old building was converted in 1948 to the Station Chapel and was used for that purpose until 03 November 1957. China Lake, 11 July 1975. Rocketeer photo by Ron Allen

VX-5 Vampires barracks 4, circa 1975. Photo by Dale Chavez.

Crates containing refrigerators for each individual's room are being unloaded in BEQ complex No. 1 and single men from VX-5 Vampires will be moving in on Monday. The new BEQ interiors laid out according to a Navy-wide plan that calls for individual modules with a lounge that has four bedrooms leading from it. Each lounge will be equipped with a 17-in. color TV, while each separate room will have a 6.1 cubic ft. refrigerator as part of its furnishings. China Lake, 28 October 1975. Rocketeer photo by Ray Hocker

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