AFMETCAL hosts precision measurement workshop Published June 29, 2023 By The Air Force Metrology and Calibration Division HEATH, Ohio -- The Air Force Metrology and Calibration (AFMETCAL) Division hosted the 2023 Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory (PMEL) Worldwide Workshop (WWW) – the first since 2019 – in Heath, Ohio June 12-16, 2023. The workshop was attended by more than 200 military, civilian and contractor personnel representing the U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard, U.S. Space Force, U.S. Marine Corps, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and foreign military partners from Bahrain, Canada, Chile, Greece, Indonesia, Jordan, NATO, Oman, and Romania. The PMEL WWW has proven to be an excellent forum for the Air Force Metrology community to exchange technical information, promote innovative ideas, learn new technologies, and to stay abreast of current field issues. This year’s workshop offered participants 43 presentations on relevant topics, seven specialized breakout sessions, and a 10-station demonstration laboratory. Open discussion and Q&A periods were provided during each event. Arguably the most beneficial opportunity was the face-to-face interactions and information exchanges between AFMETCAL personnel, to include system engineers and equipment specialists, and our Air Force Metrology customers from all over the world. This interaction benefited all in many ways, but it predominantly opened two-way communications and promoted informal training and learning opportunities for all. Tours of the Air Force Primary Standards Laboratory (AFPSL) operated by AFMETCAL’s AFPSL contractor, The Bionetics Corporation, were offered to all attendees. AFPSL tours are a highlight of visits to AFMETCAL, especially for Metrology personnel as the AFPSL is the highest echelon calibration laboratory in the U.S. Air Force, with direct traceability to NIST or intrinsic standards. The PMEL WWW has traditionally been held every two years, but the COVID pandemic precluded having the event in 2021 or 2022. AFMETCAL hopes to get back on schedule with the next PMEL WWW in 2025.