20 YEAR HISTORY OF NEWARK AFS

The above is photo is from November 1982.

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 - November 2006
Zack Space Tours The Base. 18th Congressional District Candidate Zack Space visited The Base for a tour accompanied by a reporter for ABC News. His visit culminated the latest part of the Port Authority's ongoing caucus strategy. His opponent, State Senator Joy Padgett, toured the Base in September. At the November 7 election, Space was victorious.


5 Years Ago - November 2002
Ribbon Cutting. Officials of Bionetics Corporation and Lockheed Martin cut the ribbon on the newly configured Calibration Procedures Department within Building 4. Bionetics and its contract partners, such as Lockheed Martin, hold the Air Force contract for calibration of test equipment worldwide.


10 Years Ago - November 1997
The retirement of Wally Horton saw Dave Cook appointed as the 2nd Executive Director of the Port Authority.


15 Years Ago - November 1992
Former Employee Honored at Ceremony. Former Newark AFB employee Chuck Skidmore was honored for his World War II service during a patriotic program held here at the Base. Skidmore was a glider pilot for the Army Air Force. He landed gliders in Normandy and the Netherlands during WWII. He retired from the Air Force in 1985 with total service time of 40 years.


20 Years Ago - November 1987
Shelton outstanding DE manager here. The Newark AFB nominee for the Outstanding Civil Engineering Manager of the Year was Jerry Shelton, roads and grounds maintenance foreman.


25 Years Ago - November 1982
AGMC Produced the first illustrated history in a book written by AGMC historian George "Skip" Bradley. The Book titled, "From Missile Base to Gold Watch" is composed of 178 pages with more than 250 photographs and written in narrative style. The book was produced because General Mitchell directed that each major AFLC organization produce a popular, pictorial history to perpetuate and renew its heritage and traditions. A copy of the book is available in the Newark Public library's second floor reference section.


30 Years Ago - November 1977
AGMC Receives Outstanding Unit Award. Gen. Michael Rogers, commander of Air Force Logistics Command, presented the Air Force Outstanding Unit Ward to the AGMC during his visit here. The award was given for exceptionally meritorious service of national or international significance. This was the second time the award was received here at AGMC. The previous time was in August of 1968.


35 Years Ago - November 1972
AGMC joined the institute of navigation. The institute of Navigation announced that AGMC was added to their role of corporate members. The purpose for affiliating with the institute was to further AGMC's technical interchange as well as to gain further recognition for the center, particularly among the scientific educational and industrial communities, as the focus of expertise for inertial navigation equipment maintenance within the Department of Defense.


40 Years Ago - November 1967
General Gerrity tours shops. General Thomas Gerrity paid his first official visit to Newark AFS since becoming commander of AFLC. While attending a luncheon on his visit, he extended congratulations to NAFS personnel for their accomplishments in support of MMII and other programs.


45 Years Ago - November 1962
The Heath Maintenance Annex was redesignated as Newark Air Force Station. The annex was redesignated an Air force station in accordance with its mission. The name was changed from Heath to Newark because there was no U.S. Post Office in Heath at the time nor was the community located on many road maps.