What's Up!

The above photo is from February 1979 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 - February 2008
It was announced by the Port Authority that the Campus would go tobacco-free by May 31, 2008. The glass smoker huts were removed because they did not meet the Licking County Health Dept.'s compliance that went along with the statewide smoking ban passed by the voters.


5 Years Ago - February 2004
PORT AUTHORITY EXPANDS ITS EFFORTS OUTSIDE LICKING COUNTY At its monthly meeting, the Port Authority Board approved use of the authority's tax-exempt bond-issuing capacity for a $1.95 million bond issue in Fairfield County. The Family YMCA in Lancaster used the funds for capital improvements. National City bank is the bond holder and the Port Authority assumed no financial risk in the transaction. A similar deal was approved late in 2003 for a $9 million capital equipment purchase by Licking Memorial Hospital in Newark. The Port Authority has issued over $40 million in bonds over the last six years.


15 Years Ago - February 1994
Gen. Yates lauds AGMC workforce. In his opening remarks AFMC Commander General Ronald Yates praised the workforce at AGMC. Gen. Yates was visiting Newark AFB to meet with the AGMC workforce and the Base Reuse Commission. There must be a drawdown, the general explained, to match the manpower decline in recent years. Newark was selected for closure and transition to private industry partly because it was a highly industrial plant. It was not an easy decision, he said, but a necessary course of action.


25 Years Ago - February 1984
NAFS scheduler wins Ohio lottery. Mike Holtz, of the missile scheduling division won a share of a $3.6 million jackpot in the Ohio Lottery. Holtz purchased $15 worth of tickets at the Southgate Carryout. That purchased earned him $616,359 which he was to receive in 20 annual payments of $25,000.


30 Years Ago - February 1979
"What's up?" asked Lt. Col. John Gilg when he found his conference table tied to the ceiling. The action actually solved the problem of what to do with the 15-foot table while laying carpet in the Civil Engineering chief's office. Civil Engineers said the table was custom-built inside the office and has never been removed.


35 Years Ago - February 1974
AGMC gains new F-15 workload. AGMC gained a new workload with the assignment here of the displacement gyros for the F-15 advanced tactical fighter.


40 Years Ago - February 1969
Crocco gets Commendation before departing NAFS. Maj. Joseph Crocco, the military officer with the longest continuous service at NAFS, was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for the second time (first oak leaf cluster) at Commander's Call prior to his permanent reassignment. The major came here in June 1962 as one of the first military personnel stationed at the new installation and was present when the station was formally opened in Dec. 1962.