4,000TH MINUTEMAN MARKS FIVE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY

The above is photo is from December 1967.

It's been more than 10 years ago that Newark AFB learned of its pending closure, more than 40 years since the base's newspaper, On Target, was first published, and 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 created a month-by-month look at The Base through the years.

One Year Ago - December 2006
Future Roadway Pondered. The latest version of plans for the third phase of COATC roadway improvements were subjected to review by on-Base tenants and website visitors for the first time. The plans are part of a connection of under-construction James Parkway extension, the Kaiser Drive extension completed in 2005, and Irving Wick Drive. Construction of some phase of the plans could begin in 2008.


5 Years Ago - December 2002
BAE Systems Arrives. BAE SYSTEMS North America completed its acquisition of Condor Pacific Industries in a deal first announced October 22, 2002. CPI provides the engineering for inertial guidance systems work at The Base. BAE Systems, formed from a merger of British Aerospace and Marconi Systems, is a top aerospace and defense industry company with 22,000 U.S. employees. BAE Systems became Atlantic Inertial Systems after acquisition by J.F. Lehman & Company in mid 2007.


15 Years Ago - December 1992
Suggester of the Year Buddy Bleichroth. Saving the Air Force a one-time acquisition cost of $88,695 earned Buddy Bleichroth the 1992 Suggester-of-the Year Award at the AGMC. Buddy's suggestion focused on parameter tags. These tags were essential to documenting parameters such as gyro bias, accelerometer bias, and symmetry limits which are constant within that unit. With this suggestion, the need to buy an engraver and construct space to house it was not needed.


20 Years Ago - December 1987
AGMC commander, challenges met. I believe it will be remembered as a most successful year for AGMC and the Air Force. You have done your jobs well and the results are evident in the readiness of our forces around the world. None of this success has been easy; they have all been challenging, but you proved again that you care about what is important and care enough to do something about it! That's what makes Newark AFB a great place to work. Lloyd R. Powell Colonel, USAF Commander


25 Years Ago - December 1982
Laser Calibration Trailer takes to the road. A new high energy laser calibration trailer outfitted by personnel of Metrology's Laser/Infrared Standards Laboratory takes to the road to perform high energy laser calibration upon request. The new trailer's first trip was to Wright-Patterson AFB to calibrate a calorimeter which is used in conjunction with a 10 kilowatt carbon dioxide laser. Metrology was able to take the trailer literally anywhere in the nation, especially places where there was a need to calibrate laser equipment which was too heavy to transport easily to Newark AFS.


30 Years Ago - December 1977
Sgt. Ronald L. Bolen was nominated for the Air Force Outstanding Civil Engineering Noncommissioned Officer of the year award. Sgt. Bolen was selected for his efforts in installation of the system seven power management system, designed to monitor NAFS peak electrical loads. The system automatically adjusts usage, saving considerable amounts in monthly electric bills.


35 Years Ago - December 1972
Nurse Turner honored at retirement ceremony. "In recognition of the great personal concern with which she rendered professional care." Nurse Virginia Turner was presented the AFLC Significant Achievement award at ceremonies in honor of her retirement. Nurse Turner's personal concern for NAFS employees began in June 1962 when she single handedly was assigned the task of establishing a medical facility for the installation and at the same time to render professional care to the more than 800 employees. "I started with a hundred aspirin and a chair," she reflected, but added that she had much support from personnel in Supply and other organizations to beg, borrow, and scrounge equipment and supplies.


40 Years Ago - December 1967
The 4000th MMI inertial guidance system was scheduled to leave Newark AFS maintenance shops December 13th. Five years ago the first MMI system was shipped from here on December 13th, the day the installation was formally opened.


45 Years Ago - December 1962
"This facility represents an entirely new field of effort in aerospace logistics." From an address by Gen. Mark Bradley, Jr., given at Newark Air Force Station opening day ceremonies, December 13th, 1962. Official dedication of Newark AFS and the 2802d Inertial Guidance and Calibration Group was on December 13th 1962.