This week in AFLCMC history Published Jan. 4, 2022 By Air Force Life Cycle Management Center History Office In this edition of Heritage Hangar, you'll learn about old and new airplanes and tidbits of what happened this week many years ago. 27 Dec 1925 (USAF/AFLCMC) Mining tycoon and philanthropist, Daniel Guggenheim, set up a $2.5 million fund to promote aeronautics and speed up the development of American aviation. Guggenheim’s grants funded aeronautical research at numerous American universities. In 1929, he established the Guggenheim Medal, which recognized individuals who made notable technological contributions to the advancement of aviation; Orville Wright won the first Guggenheim Medal. His investment in aviation was largely connected to his son Harry’s enthusiasm, who trained to become a pilot as the U.S. began its slide into World War I in 1917. 28 Dec 1973 (Digital Directorate) The Electronic Systems Division exercised the production option for seven AN/TPN-19 Landing Control Central (LCC) systems. These seven systems were in addition to the two procured earlier in June. The objective behind the AN/TPN-19 LCC system was to provide a modern, reliable, and transportable Radar Approach Control (RAPCON) facility to perform effectively under conditions of heavy precipitation and high traffic density in support of world wide tactical operations supporting all types of fixed-wing and V/STOL aircraft. The AN/TPN-19 included an Airport Surveillance Radar (ASR), a Precision Approach Radar (PAR), and an Operations Shelter (OPS) in which both the ASR and PAR could be deployed autonomously. 29 Dec 1988 (Fighter & Advanced Aircraft Directorate) The USAF’s 4th Tactical Fighter Wing at Seymour Johnson AFB, NC, received its first operational F-15E Strike Eagle. The F-15E was a radical departure from earlier, air superiority models of the F-15. The Strike Eagle was a dual-role fighter capable of engaging enemy aircraft and surface targets simultaneously, without escorting fighters or support jamming. It was developed from an F-15B (S/N 71-0291) as a dual role fighter designed for both air superiority and air-to-ground missions. Unlike the F-15A and F-15C single-place aircraft, the E model carries a pilot and a weapon systems officer. The F-15E, which first flew on Dec. 11, 1986, was used extensively in the Persian Gulf during Operations Desert Shield and Storm with great success. 30 Dec 1964 (Mobility and Training Aircraft Directorate) The U.S. Air Force accepted the last KC-135 Stratotanker from Boeing (s/n 64-14840). Nearly sixty years later, over half of the KC-135s are still in service. Built as an aerial refueling tanker to support the U.S. Air Force fleet of B-52 bombers, the initial order for 24 tankers was soon increased to 250, and, eventually, 732 KC-135As as well as 81 other KC-135 variants. This unique asset enhances the Air Force's capability to accomplish its primary mission of global reach. It also provides aerial refueling support to Navy, Marine Corps and allied nation aircraft. 31 Dec 1991 (AFLCMC) Gen Ronald W. Yates and Charles C. McDonald signed AFMC’s Integrated Weapon System Management (IWSM) Process Development Roadmap II. The purpose of the “roadmap” was to “assure all participants in the AFMC IWSM process development effort have a common understanding of the objectives, approach to be followed, and their responsibilities in completing this effort.” AFLCMC antecedent, the Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC) would be, of course, be at the center of the IWSM process, facilitating system development, testing, acquisition, and sustainment functions with its counterparts in the laboratories, testing and sustainment centers within the new command. 01 Jan 1960 (Digital Directorate / C3I & Networks Directorate) The Electronic Systems Center (ESC) became operational with the arrival of Maj Gen Clyde H. Mitchell to Hanscom Field, MA. Initially, ESC consisted of a command section (CC/CV/XO, etc.), a directorate for systems integration, a directorate for logistical support, and a directorate for procurement and production. Additionally there were 13 System Program Offices (SPOs), three of which ESC had executive management responsibility; all of the SPO chiefs reported directly to the Maj Gen Mitchell. Also, within the headquarters was comptroller’s office, an office of management services, a civil engineering office, and an office of information. 02 Jan 1962 (Fighter & Advanced Aircraft Directorate) Air Force Headquarters redirects the F-110 program and increases the number of aircraft to be procured from 500 to 714, plus 179 RF-110 aircraft. Weeks later, on 24 January 1962, USAF Cols Gordon Graham and George Laven took possession of the first F-110A Spectre at the McDonnel Douglas plant in St. Louis, MO. Shortly thereafter, the F-110 was re-designated as the F-4 Phantom II. The Phantom II would remain in service to the Air Force for 42 years, the last one being retired on 20 December 2004. 03 Jan 1972 (Digital Directorate) The Electronic Systems Division (ESD) awarded a contract to the Hughes Aircraft Company, Fullerton, CA, for the hardware and computer program modifications required for the Tactical Air Control System (TACS)/Tactical Air Defense System (TADS) Interface (though a number of other contractors such as International Telephone & Telegraph, Westinghouse, and Motorola, among others, were also involved in the project). Interoperability between the systems would allow for more effective coordination of tactical air operations. After the software changes were made and the hardware was delivered or modified, they were exercised through a Tactical Simulation Evaluation Facility (TSEF). 04 Jan 1918 (WPAFB) Construction on Building 1 (Area A, WPAFB) was completed and occupied as operations began at Fairfield Aviation General Supply Depot. The impetus for the Fairfield Aviation General Supply Depot was America’s entry into World War I. The War Department began establishing training posts across the U.S. The Depot was constructed adjacent to Wilbur Wright Field and provided the latter (along with Scott and Chanute Fields, IL, and Selfridge Field, MI) logistical support; it supplied the aviation schools with all manner of supply, from aircraft parts to uniforms. This mission and responsibilities substantially expanded in the decade that followed. The Depot would eventually become part of Patterson Field (which also absorbed Wilbur Wright Field) until its inactivation in 1946. 05 Jan 1968 (Digital Directorate / C3I & Networks Directorate) The Electronic Systems Division (ESD) announced the selection of International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation to install replacement electronic data processing (EDP) equipment at HQ Air Force Logistics Command, five Air Materiel Areas (AMAs), and the Nuclear Ordnance Logistics Support Systems (NOLSS) in San Antonio, TX. The intent was to create an interconnected logistics system to replace the various decentralized logistics systems existing across the Air Force, which was called the Advanced Logistics Systems (ALS) and entailed replacing 103 computer different systems. This new equipment—IBM 370/168 (right) and IBM 360/40 computers—would be able to operate a minimum of 21 hours a day, seven days a week, providing immediate access to stored data. 06 Jan 1979 (Fighter & Advanced Aircraft Directorate) The 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill AFB, Utah, received the first General Dynamics F–16 Fighting Falcon, delivered to the Air Force in August of 1978. This delivery was four years after it was announced that the Air Force had chosen the F-16 in the Light Weight Fighter demonstration and validation program competition, which began in April 1972. The multi-role, strike and air-superiority fighter gained authorization for full-production in October 1977, with assembly lines also opening in Belgium and The Netherlands in spring of 1978. 07 Jan 1966 (ISR & SOF Directorate) The first Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird was delivered to 4200th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Beale AFB, CA. The SR-71 performed critical, long-range, high-altitude (85,000 ft) strategic intelligence/surveillance/reconnaissance missions throughout the its service life during the Cold War. What is more, the Blackbird was the fastest aircraft in the world, clocking in at a record-setting 2,193.167 miles per hour. Ultimately, however, the implosion of the Soviet Union (1989-1991) brought an end to the Cold War, reductions in defense spending, and, as a result, the (first) retirement of the Air Force’s SR-71 fleet in 1990. 08 Jan 1944 (Fighter & Advanced Aircraft Directorate) Delivered in only 143 days from the start of the design process, the prototype Lockheed XP-80 Shooting Star, nicknamed “Lulu Belle,” made its first flight at Muroc Dry Lake (Edwards AFB), CA with test pilot Milo Burcham at the controls. The P-80 was the first U.S. fighter to exceed 500 miles per hour in level flight. A handful of P-80s were deployed to the European theater in the last days of World War II, the conflict ended before they entered operational service. Nevertheless, it would be the first U.S. jet fighter to see combat; they were deployed to the Korean peninsula in 1950, squaring off against Soviet-built MiG-15 fighters jets. 09 Jan 1992 (Fighters & Advanced Aircraft Directorate) The Aeronautical System Division’s F-15 System Program Office (SPO), under the direction of Brig Gen James S. Childress (left), won the 1991 General Bernard A. Schriever Award in the Air Force Systems Command’s (AFSC) major program category. The award was given based on the SPO creating an Integrated Weapons System Management Office that improved communication capabilities between its geographically separated offices at WPAFB, OH, and Warner-Robins Air Logistics Center, GA, as well as the performance of its “Desert Eagle” team, which improved numerous aspects of F-15 support during Operation Desert Storm. 100 Years Ago This Week in AFLCMC History: 1921 in Review Just as senior leadership now and a century ago passed on their good wishes for the holidays, organizational leaders like Engineering Division commander Maj Thurman Bane annually offered up a review-style summary of the past year’s challenges and successes. He had plenty to recall for the year because his organization was responsible for most of the work now done by AFLCMC, AFRL, AFTC, and AFIT. They had 1600 people and $5 million in appropriations, to do those jobs. Major Bane was unusually circumspect in his review, hinting at his frustration with a parsimonious Congress and a hostile aircraft industry, both of which would’ve been happy to see the Engineering Division disbanded. He concluded: “it is believed that a careful analysis of our accomplishments during the past year will force any reasonable man to the conclusion that the work that we have done in the Engineering Division has been worth while.” -- The CO-1, the first American designed and built aircraft composed entirely of duraluminum. Isaac Laddon designed this in-house (like the GAX/GA-1). First flight will be in 1922. - The W-1A 18-cylinder, 700hp engine, designed and built in-house. With a glut of WWI vintage 400hp Liberty engines, Congress insisted the Air Service exhaust its supplies of those before investing in new engines, thus stymying new power plant technologies, as well as more powerful aircraft. -The radio controlled “Radio Dog” that served as tech demo for both guided munitions and command and control systems. Other radio work included improving communications from aircraft to the ground and figuring out how to keep the internal spark of on-board radio sets from exploding the Air Service’s hydrogen balloons. -The Loening PW-2A monoplane, developed and built by former Air Service engineer Grover Loening, scrutinized & tested by McCook Field engineers, and recently approved for production. -Finally, Maj Bane thanked his Contract Section for being “most satisfactory, although they have been seriously handicapped by the stringency of current procurement regulations.”