5,000 Attend Open House

The above photo is from September 1984 On Target.

It's been 16 years ago that Newark AFB learned of its pending closure, 43 years since the base's newspaper, On Target, was first published, and over 45 years since the establishment of a guidance and metrology operation in Heath. From a complete collection of On Target newspapers and other archives, the Port Authority's Bill Wright creates a month-by-month look at The Base through the years.

One Year Ago - September 2008
Virtual Center now a reality. After two years of discussion and work through a public-private partnership, the Boeing Virtual Manufacturing Center became a reality with an opening ceremony. The audience included Boeing executives, and federal, state and local officials donning the 3-D glasses as the new high-tech tool made its public debut.


5 Years Ago - September 2004
Biketoberfest Brings Communities Together. Heath, Newark, and Granville joined efforts to organize a one-day bicycle event called Biketoberfest (now known as the Tri-City Bike Ride). Bike enthusiasts and, even, the casual biker could enjoy taking part in the activities presented at four different locations in the three communities, including a stopover at The Base sponsored by the Heath Recreation and Fitness Center.


10 Years Ago - September 1999
The NAFB retirees held a reunion here on the Base. The event drew a smaller crowd than was expected, but still over 300 people attended. Overall, everyone attending was happy and the event was considered a success.


15 Years Ago - September 1994
Fourteen months after the BRAC announcement to close Newark, privatization in place was moving forward. "We are on schedule," AGMC transition team member Ray Clodfelter said. "That includes awarding contracts for our workloads to private contractors no later than Oct.1, 1995 and transfer to take place Sept. 30, 1996.


20 Years Ago - September 1989
General Hansen says goodbye. Paying his farewell visit to Newark AFB, General Alfred Hansen, commander of Air Force Logistics Command, spoke to the AGMC workforce and community leaders. The general thanked the base workforce for their support during his tour as commander, and urged continued efforts to make quality a way of life at AFLC.


25 Years Ago - September 1984
5000 attend Open House. The largest crowd to visit Open House in 18 years came when NAFS combined efforts with the Licking County Airport. One of the big attractions at NAFS was the Blackhawk helicopter displayed in front of building 2 drawing spectators for a close-up view.


30 Years Ago - September 1979
Sept.14th saw an overnight rainfall of more than five inches causing Ramp Creek to flow over its banks and several trees to be torn from the banks causing flooding in the NAFS parking lots and surrounding farm fields.


35 Years Ago - September 1974
T-33A Jet Joins Missile at main gate. The loan deactivated Minuteman missile displayed near the main gate had company arrive. A T-33A jet aircraft was put on display next to the missile monument. The date of arrival, Sept. 18th, marked the 27th anniversary of the Air Force as a separate operating service. Demilitarized and prepared for display by the Naval Air Reserve Training Detachment at nearby Rickenbacker AFB, the T-33A jet trainer was airlifted by an Army CH-47 "Chinook" helicopter from Rickenbacker to Newark AFS. The T-33A is currently on display at the Heath-Newark Airport.