Dead Weight!

The above photo is from March 1989 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 - March 2008
Traffic safety awareness. The Port Authority deployed a "blitz" affect to raise awareness of traffic and parking lot safety. A speed trailer on loan from LCATS was stationed on the east side entrance to make drivers aware when they were exceeding the 25 MPH speed limit.


5 Years Ago - March 2004
New Ad unveiled. The Port Authority, now embracing use of the nickname "The Base" to refer to the Central Ohio Aerospace and Technology Center, placed an ad in a publication highlighting life in Licking County. The ad was in the annual progress edition of The Advocate and several sister publications in Licking County this month.


15 Years Ago - March 1994
Governor Voinovich visits Newark AFB. "I want you to know that if there's something I can do, as Governor of the State of Ohio, I'll do it." Ohio Governor George Voinovich spoke these words to Wally Horton to let him know that he would help the workloads stay at The Base after closure. Col. Renaud explained during the visit that the base and community were attempting to something unprecedented. "Nobody's privatized in place before" the Colonel said.


20 Years Ago - March 1989
Dead weight machine installed. It's nearly three stories high, costs $700,000 and helps Metrology meet the rigid Air Force requirements for support force standards in Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratories. It's the Dead Weight Force Machine, a part of metrology's sound, force and vibration laboratory. When in operation, the force machine put out known force from 200 to 100,000 pounds of force. It is five times more accurate than the toughest Air Force requirement dictates.


25 Years Ago - March 1984
PMEL's to receive first laser metrology capability. This was a major event because it was the first time that laser power meter metrology was transferred to PMEL. The power meters or used throughout the Air Force to measure the output of lasers used in laser target designs.


30 Years Ago - March 1979
Engineers teach electronics to talented Newark children. Engineers from the Directorate of Inertial Engineering held an electronics class for students from Miller Elementary School that were participating in the Talented Individuals Program. When class began, the students learned about electricity, components for the electronics kits, how to read instructions and safety. Eight, one hour classes were held. There were approximately 70 students from first through sixth grade.


35 Years Ago - March 1974
B-3500 Pay conversion begins. In an effort to reduce cost and improve service, the Air Force standardized civilian pay on an automated system using the Burroughs B-3500 computer. Newark AFS was selected to conduct the pilot program for AFLC.


40 Years Ago - March 1969
Air Force Okays new facilities in Bldg. 4. Two new facilities, completed under the current military construction program here, were okayed by the Air Force and accepted from the East Central Division of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command agency in charge of construction. The facilities were the new metrology lab and the automatic sprinkler system.