Future Port Authority Board Meets

The above photo is from a March 1995 On Target story.

It's been 17 years ago that Newark AFB learned of its closure, 45 years since the base's newspaper, On Target, was first published, and 48 years since the establishment of guidance and metrology operations 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 2009
Stimulus Task Force States Priorities. The Port Authority, fulfilling its community role as providing leadership in economic development, has facilitated and organized a task force to rank and prioritize the various projects sought under the federal stimulus bill. In concert with the Chamber a 21-member Task Force examined more than 300 projects. The Task Force later published its infrastructure priorities in a two-part list.


5 Years Ago - March 2005
At the invitation of the Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority, Ohio Governor Bob Taft visited the Central Ohio Aerospace and Technology Center and took part in a groundbreaking ceremony for The Boeing Company's new AWACS-ESM workload at Heath. Governor Taft's visit comes on the heels of the State of Ohio's very aggressive incentive package which helped attract Boeing's new investment in Heath. In his remarks, Governor Taft recognized Boeing for their large investment in Ohio. He recognized the Boeing workforce. He thanked the many people involved from the state, local, and federal levels to help attract this job creating project to Ohio. Over 50 business and public officials were on hand for the event.

Also in March 2005, "Through the Years" (a look back at the history of the Base) debuted as a feature article in the www.Onthebase.com website.


15 Years Ago - March 1995
Port Authority conducts first meeting of its future Board. Laying the ground work for a close working relationship, members of the Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority met with the Newark-Heath Air Force Base Reuse Commission. Reuse Commission members recommended a port authority to be the governing body for the facility as part of the overall reuse plan the commission had been working on since 1993.


20 Years Ago - March 1990
Cleaning Center meets EPA requirements. AGMC employees make things happen! In response to EPA mandates from 1988, to develop suitable substitutes for hazardous solvents such as Freon 113 and 1,1,1-Trichlorothane, the Metrology Center opened its first "Cleaning Center". The "Center" was unique because only biodegradable detergents and ultra-clean deionized water were used to perform precision cleaning. There were no Freon or other hazardous solvent used in the Center.


25 Years Ago - March 1985
Colonel Bushong ends 30-years in the Air Force. From a farm in Illinois, to arranging visits from Presidents to the position of vice-commander at AGMC, Col. Eugene Bushong concluded 30 years in the Air Force.


30 Years Ago - March 1980
Air Force Selects Boeing for Air Launched Cruise Missile. Boeing Aerospace Company was selected as the Air Force's prime contractor for the Air Launched Cruise Missile Program.


35 Years Ago - March 1975
During a Red Cross meeting at the Consolidated Open Mess where Lt. Gen. Edmund F. O’Conner was the principal speaker, a surprise guest showed up. It was funny lady of theater and movies Martha Raye. A member of Special Forces and veteran of 3 wars, Miss Raye was an honorary member of the Green Berets and a lieutenant colonel. In her remarks to the Red Cross Guests, she recounted numerous ways the Air Force had supported her in her mission for the wounded in Vietnam. Miss Raye died in 1994.


40 Years Ago - March 1970
AGMC was assigned the specialized repair activity (SRA) for a new inertial measurement system to be installed in the F-105 in an aircraft modification called Thunderstruck II. The modification was designed to increase navigational accuracy. With this repair being done in the early 70's it just shows that The Base was high tech before high tech was high tech.


45 Years Ago - March 1965
$2.5 Million construction began in building 4. The major construction area was the entire southwest corner of the building. This portion consisted of large platform, clean room areas, and calibration labs on the ground floor with a total of 34,500 square feet of new space. A second floor of administration offices was also constructed adding 50,000 square feet of new space. Also a new entrance was added on the south side of the building. .