NAF China Lake NA-1G Skyraider BuNo 132598, Rockeye ordnance, China Lake, 07 January 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Moray is loaded at San Clemente Island airfield for trip to Wilson Cove for first saltwater tests, SCI, 14 January 1966. Rocketeer photo.

VX-5 Vampires A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 152015, XE-6, serves as the backdrop for RAdm. Dornin's visit, China Lake, 1966 January 1966. Rocketeer photo. Flanking VX-5 CO Cdr. Donald Loranger are RAdm. M.E. Dornin, Commander, OPTEV (1) and Capt. W.S. Mailliard, USNR, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from State's Sixth Congressional District. They are joined by Capt. Richard Gustafson, USMC, Conventional Weapons Delivery Officer, and Lt. Lee Thornburgh, Avionics and Weapons Officer (r).

VX-5 Vampires A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 145127, XE-9, on the ramp next to a VMFA-314 Phantom II, January 1966. Photo by Dick Hill via The Tailhook Association.

Upon completion of Firebee instruction, 17 members of NAF's Target Aircraft Department hold graduation ceremonies in Hangar 2. In the background is 12 flight veteran Firebee "Green Hornet", 28 January 1966. LCdr. Jack Miner, Target Aircraft Maintenance Officer, and William Trumble, Ryan rep and head teacher, shake on success of (standing, l-r) Bill Ruml AA; Bob Traver, PO3; Dave Parker, ATRAN; Jerry Hollingsworth, RMSA; Dave Abbott; Joe McKinnis AT1; Ora Baker; Pete Savell, AT1; Don Hansen, AMH2; Jack Kirkpatrick; Art Hinkley; Jim Bartels (instructor). Kneeling (l-r) are Jay French, ATR2; Ken Kuhl, ATN3; Bill Schultz, ADJ1; Dave Roberts, AD3; Ron Forbes, AA; Dan Ryan; John Klomfas, ATR2. Rocketeer photo.

Ryan XV-5B ("fan-in-wing" VTOL research aircraft) s/n 62-4505 at Armitage Field, China Lake, 03 February 1966. Official USN photo by Jerry Willey.

Ryan XV-5B ("fan-in-wing" VTOL research aircraft) s/n 62-4505 at Armitage Field, China Lake, 03 February 1966. Official USN photo by Jerry Willey.

Ryan XV-5B ("fan-in-wing" VTOL research aircraft) s/n 62-4505 at Armitage Field, China Lake, 03 February 1966. Official USN photo by Jerry Willey.

USAF CH-21 Shawnee s/n 53-4389, VTOL project, China Lake golf course, 03 February 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo.

U.S. Army UH-1A Huey s/n 57-609x, VTOL project, China Lake golf course, 03 February 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Ryan XV-5B ("fan-in-wing" VTOL research aircraft) s/n 62-4505 on the golf course, China Lake, 3 February 1966. Official USN photo by Jerry Willey.

Tandem cockpit of XV-5A s/n 62-4505 showing louvers of nose fans used in vertical flight and hovering. Craft flew in from Edwards AFB, refueled at NAF between tests on golf course driving range, China Lake, 03 February 1966. Rocketeer photo by Jerry Willey

Servicing XV-5A s/n 62-4505 took place at NAF between tests over the driving range. Jet powered V/ STOL plane took off from hard runway in conventional style. Landing gear on this model is non-retractable, China Lake, 03 February 1966. Rocketeer photo by Jerry Willey.

Tri-service XC-142A s/n 62-5922, VTOL project at China Lake for "measurement" by infrared telemetry, 03 February 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Firebeetle heads out for demonstration of its remote controlled maneuverability in NAF's Exclusion Area, China Lake, 11 February 1966. Rocketeer photo by Jerry Willey.

Capt. J.I. Hardy, ComNOTS, shows difficulty of maneuvering jouncing Firebeetle over rough ground from seat in front of TV monitor. Standing are (l-r) VAdm. Paul D. Stroop (ret.), Lee Dinapoli of Ryan Aircraft, and Dr. William B. McLean, NOTS Technical Director, China Lake, 11 February 1966. Rocketeer photo by Jerry Willey.

NAF China Lake NA-4E Skyhawk BuNo 148613, TRISAT RIV, p/c G. Verver in the cockpit, China Lake, 14 February 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Redeye is examined by Brig. Gen. E. I. Meuller who watched General Dynamics' Don Wohlfert (r) fire three rounds at G-2 Range, February 15 1966. In probably its last demonstration test at NOTS, three Q2C prop drones were shattered; the first, at 2,500 feet by a warhead, the second, at 400 feet by In unarmed round, and the third at a steep 4,500-odd feet by another warhead. Rocketeer photo by Jerry Willey, PHAN.

Remains of H-3 helicopter drone, hit by Redeye missile, China Lake, 18 February 1966. Rocketeer photo.

Deneye I anti-tank mine, China Lake, 09 March 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake TF-10B Skyknight BuNo 124630, A-4E Skyhawk nose, China Lake, 10 March 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Number 1 LTV YA-7A Corsair II BuNo 152580, Condor missile, China Lake, 11 March 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake Drill Team champs are scanned by Capt. John I. Hardy, ComNOTS, at ADMAT Personnel Inspection Friday, 04 March 1966. Rocketeer photo.

VW-3 WC-121N Warning Star BuNo 141323, PW-3, and crew at China Lake, March 1965. Official U.S. Navy Photo via Robert Cann.

Tiara, Rubber Ball Grenade at NOTS China Lake, 14 March 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo 1118341 by R. Allen.

VAdm. Tom F. Connolly, Commander NavAirPac, gets farewell handshake from Capt. John I. Hardy, ComNOTS, following visit to the Station on 22 March 1966. Rocketeer photo.

Com NOTS Capt. & Mrs. John I. Hardy, Dr. Wm. B. McLean, Tech. Dir., and Capt. R. R. Yount, NAF CO, greet CNO Adm. David L. McDonald & Mrs. McDonald. China Lake, 28 March 1966. Rocketeer photo.

CNO aide Cdr. Thomas Bigley leads way to plane following visit to NOTS, China Lake, 28 March 1966. CNO Adm. David L. McDonald & Mrs. McDonald are accompanied by Capt. John I. Hardy, NOTS CO, Rocketeer photo.

NAF China Lake F-8E Crusader BuNo 150284, Rockeye II, A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 148437 at left, VF-161 Chargers F-4B Phantom BuNo 151487, NL-203, at right, China Lake, 30 March 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake F-8E Crusader BuNo 150284, Rockeye II separation, China Lake, 30 March 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-4B Skyhawk BuNo 142787, Briteye parachute flares, China Lake, 01 April 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo.

AOD physicist Ron Erickson & Carol Burge with the A-4 Skyhawk cockpit section on the roof of NAF China Lake hangar 3, 22 April 1966. A TV monitor in the cockpit shows target pictures etc. from a camera mounted in the hangar 3 lab. and was used to determine the process of visual target acquisition. Rocketeer photo by Jerry Willey.

Tartar missile looks like new after refurbishing by Code 3026 sailors after it impacted on G-1 Range, China Lake, 6 May 1966. Rocketeer photo by Jerry Williams.

NAF China Lake A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 147680, SHRIKE missile, pilot Lt. Ed Luetschwager, China Lake, circa 1966. Photo from Marlene Luetschwager.

NAF China Lake A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 147680, SHRIKE missile close-up, China Lake, circa 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake A-4B Skyhawk BuNo 142787 and A-4B BuNo 142777, China Lake, circa 1966. Photographer unknown.

NAF China Lake A-4B Skyhawk BuNo 142787, Briteye drop, in-flight, China Lake, 13 May 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo.

A Mk-4 gun pod with preloaded 20mm ammo is rolled under a VX-5 A-4 Skyhawk for centerline attachment. NAF China Lake, 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo from the 20 May 1966 Rocketeer via Bob Puszcz.

VX-5 Vampires Ordie Scott Burns demonstrating Mk-4 boresighting technique to an unknown Marine, Armitage Field, 1966. Photo from Dave Woolsey.

NAF China Lake NA-4E Skyhawk BuNo 148613, SHRIKE missile on the taxiway, pilot is USMC Capt. Bob Peterson, China Lake, 18 May 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo.

USAF 331st FIS F-104A Starfighter s/n 56-0824, China Lake, 20 May 1966. Rocketeer photo.

Rocket sled 820 mph test of the A-7 Corsair II ejection seat, SNORT, China Lake, 20 May 1966. Rocketeer photo.

NAF A-4B Skyhawk BuNo 144947, China Lake, 20 May 1966. Rocketeer photo.

USAF 331st FIS F-104A Starfighter, crab side hangar 3, China Lake, 20 May 1966. Photo by G. Verver.

Pictured in front of A-4A Skyhawk BuNo 137814 are MajGen B.J. Pochyla, USA, paid a visit to NOTS last Tuesday accompanied by his technical director and was briefed on the NOTS operation by Capt. John I. Hardy. Rocketeer photo.

NAF's Jerome E. Rafalski, disguised as Skeeter the green faced clown from Venus, adds a new twist with an antennae bearing helmet. Skeeter will be at the NAF Target Dept. Red Bird Circus Display on Armed Forces Day, China Lake, 20 May 1966. Rocketeer photo.

NAF China Lake F-8 Crusader line F-8D BuNo 147047 & 147049, F-8E 150284 and unknown, Hot Line, China Lake, July 1966. Photo by G. Verver.

NAF China Lake A-4 Skyhawk line, A-4E BuNo 148613 in the foreground, Hot Line, China Lake, July 1966. Photo by G. Verver.

NAF China Lake A-4B Skyhawk BuNo 142777, ZUNI 5" FFAR rockets, hangar 3, China Lake, AFD, 21 May 1966. Photo G. Verver.

A-4B Skyhawk BuNo 142777 with 5.0 " ZUNI FFAR pods and a centerline MER with Snakeyes, Armed Forces Day, Armitage Field, hangar 3, China Lake, 21 May 1966. Rocketeer photo by PHAN Jerry Willey.

NAF China Lake F-8E Crusader BuNo 150284, p/c Mike Steuermann, hangar 3, China Lake, AFB, 21 May 1966. Photo G. Verver.

NAF China Lake F-8E Crusader BuNo 150284 with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, Armed Forces Day, Armitage Field, hangar 3, China Lake, 21 May 1966. Rocketeer photo by PHAN Jerry Willey.

NAF China Lake F-4B Phantom II BuNo 151435, p/c's Robinson & Albers, hangar 3, China Lake, AFB, 21 May 1966. Photo G. Verver.

Murray Junior High band plays under the nose of VW-4 WC-121N Warning Star BuNo 141323 (MH-3), Armed Forces Day, Armitage Field, hangar 3, China Lake, 21 May 1966. Rocketeer photo.

Sierra Sam, typical dummy used in ejection seat tests, Armed Forces Day, Armitage Field, China Lake, 21 May 1966. Rocketeer photo by PHAN Jerry Willey.

A-4 Skyhawk cockpit used for ejection seat tests, SNORT demo, Armed Forces Day, China Lake, 21 May 1966. Rocketeer photo by PHAN Jerry Willey.

Left front view of VX-5 Vampires A-4C Skyhawk BuNo 145127, XE-9, taxiing at Quonset Pt., 21 May 1966. Photo by R.W. Harrison.

NAF China Lake C-131F Samaritan BuNo 141028 & C-117D Skytrain BuNo 17156, north side of hangar 3, Armitage Field, China Lake, circa June 1965. Photo from G. Verver collection.

C-54B Skymaster BuNo 50858 & three CA Navy League Councils, China Lake, 03 June 1966. Rocketeer photo.

The four men from the 331st FIS (Webb AFB) responsible for flying the Sidewinder tests are, (l to r) LCol. Pat Green, Project Officer, Maj. Wesley Brown, Detachment CO, and pilots Maj. Kenneth Reed and Capt. William Malloy, China Lake, 10 June 1966. Rocketeer photo by Jerry Willey.

These 16 men from the 331st FIS (Webb AFB) are responsible for maintenance during the Sidewinder tests, China Lake, 10 June 1966. Rocketeer photo by Jerry Willey.

USAF F-104A Starfighter s/n 56-0858 from the 331st FIS (Webb AFB), one of the aircraft used for the Sidewinder tests, China Lake, 10 June 1966. Rocketeer photo by Jerry Willey.

NAF CO Capt. R. R. Yount presents the Navy Commendation Medal for heroic action to LCdr. Ernie Mares, 10 June 1966. Rocketeer photo.

NAF CO Capt. R. R. Yount presents the Navy and Marine Corps Lifesaving Merits Medal to AN Rudolph Chavez, 10 June 1966. Rocketeer photo.

NAF Personnel undergo inspection by NAF CO Capt. R. R. Yount following the awards presentation, 10 June 1966. Rocketeer photo.

The NAF Drill Team undergoes inspection by NAF CO Capt. R. R. Yount following the awards presentation, 10 June 1966. Rocketeer photo.

NAF F-4B Phantom BuNo 151435 & brand new, sporty, 1966 Ford Mustang that will go to the winning Navy Relief ticket. The girls are (l to r) Linda Welch, Jan Williams and Jimmie Jo McDonald, China Lake, 17 June 1966. Rocketeer photo.

The newly formed six man NAF Rifle Team, China Lake, 17 June 1966. Standing (l to r) Stanley W. Menual, AA; Auren J. Frie, ADJ1, and Leandro M. Cunningham, ADJ 1. Kneeling (l to r) Donald L. Anding, ADJ3; Clifton C. Witts, AKC and Clarence J. Zacharias, CWO, the team captain. Rocketeer photo.

Members of the VX-5 Vampires team who made a clean sweep of NOTS intramural volleyball this spring, China Lake, 17 June 1966. (l-r, standing) Joseph L. Bramman, PN3; Lt. Don Merritt (player coach); E.L. Rinck, AEC; and Lt. William Turay. Kneeling (l-r) are Henry Myers, AZ2; Ponciano Vistro, YNC; and Ens. James Mehrman. Others were LCdr. George E. Russell; Joseph E. Hurley, ADJ1; Arthur E. Edmundson, ADR2, and Joseph Perez, AD2.  Rocketeer photo.

NAF China Lake C-117D Skytrain BuNo 50826 and members of the Naval Reserve Intelligence Division 11-1 from San Diego, China Lake, 03 June 1966. Rocketeer photo.

Five-pulse solid propellant rocket motor fires successfully at Lockheed Propulsion Company's Redlands, CA proving ground in a test conducted for NOTS, 24 June 1966. Rocketeer photo.

In a plastic version of glass cockpit for submersible, Dr. W. B. McLean, NOTS Technical Director, and Ron Cohn, a Junior Professional mechanical engineer, are ready to make a demonstration dive in the station swimming Pool. Assisting l-r are Bob Flood and Al McKinley. China Lake, 24 June 1966. Rocketeer photo.

VX-5 Vampires Ordies, (l-r) R.C. East, Chief Clark, Knopp, Birge on wing, Scott Burns, Simpson, Acord, Murphey and Smokey, in front of VX-5 A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 150080, XE-23. Armitage Field, China Lake, 1966. Photo from Dave Woolsey.

Tiger resting in the VX-5 Vampires Ordnance Shack, Armitage Field, China Lake, 1966. Photo from Dave Woolsey.

VX-5 Vampires Ordnance truck, AO3 Dave Woolsey and Tiger, Armitage Field, China Lake, 1966. Photo from Dave Woolsey.

NAF China Lake TF-10B Skyknight BuNo 125807 with the XR-45 Multimode radar installed in the nose. NAF China Lake, 01 July 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake's Vincent J. Gibbs, ATN2 was the 1st NOTS man to receive the new Variable Re-enlistment Bonus, in this case $7,236, China Lake, 08 July 1966. Rocketeer photo.

This is the control tower located at Special Test Range Charlie and it's situated in the geometric center of the Range, China Lake, 08 July 1966. Rocketeer photo.

Inside the control tower located at Special Test Range Charlie, China Lake, 08 July 1966. Rocketeer photo.

This bombing test at C range was against a concrete wall, China Lake, 08 July 1966. Rocketeer photo.

An unknown VX-5 Vampires A-4E Skyhawk makes a run over the COSO Range bridge to evaluate certain instruments, 08 July 1966. Rocketeer photo.

VX-5 Vampires A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149657, XE-2, turns a target tank into a cloud of dust on Coso Range, China Lake, 08 July 1966. Rocketeer photo.

Although it's all business, this control station at Coso Peak offers one of the most beautiful views to behold, China Lake, 08 July 1966. Rocketeer photo.

It may not look like much, but to those who have been here for awhile this 20 x 40 foot Quonset is a palace, China Lake, 08 July 1966. Rocketeer photo.

Coso Range SAM target site, China Lake, 08 July 1966. Rocketeer photo.

NAF China Lake HM-2 John Brockwell, July Bluejacket of the month, checks oil level in China Lake Flying Club Cessna 150F N8714S he trains in as a student pilot, Inyokern, 15 July 1966. Rocketeer photo.

NAF China Lake TF-10B Skyknight BuNo 124630, p/c Jimmie Upton, pilot E. Mares and Adm. Tom Connolly, Hot Line, 22 July 1966. Photo from E. Mares.

NAF China Lake TF-10B Skyknight BuNo 124630 with A-4E Skyhawk nose in-flight with SHRIKE missile. Pilot E. Mares and Adm. Tom Connolly, 22 July 1966. Photo from E. Mares.

MLU-32/B99 Briteye operational sequence, 26 July 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake F-8E Crusader BuNo 150284, Bigeye, China Lake, 27 July 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo.

NAF China Lake F-8E Crusader BuNo 150284 & p/c Bill Loisate on the wash rack, China Lake, ca. July 1966. Photo G. Verver.

NAF China Lake F-8E Crusader BuNo 150284 & p/c Terry Dufresne on the wash rack, China Lake, ca. July 1966. Photo G. Verver.

NAF China Lake SP-2E Neptune BuNo 128333, east side of hangar 1, China Lake, July 1966. Photo G. Verver.

NAF China Lake CH-19E BuNo 130258, west side of the ramp, China Lake, July 1966. photo G. Verver.

NAF China Lake NA-1G Skyraider BuNo 132598 with unknown ordnance and DT-28B Trojan drone controller, east side of the Line shack, China Lake, July 1966. Photo by G. Verver.

NAF China Lake C-131F Samaritan BuNo 141028, north side of hangar 3, China Lake, July 1966. Photo by G. Verver.

Overlooking the runways, west from main line shack, China Lake, July 1966. Photo G. Verver.

VX-5 Vampires A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 151987, XE-4, China Lake, August 1966. Photo from Naval Aviation News.

NAF China Lake A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149969, Walleyes, So. side of hangar 3, China Lake, 05 August  1966. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Mk-24 magnesium flare, China Lake, 05 August 1966. Rocketeer photo.

Capt. T.J. Guinan, CO of U.S. Naval Schools Command, Mare Island, inspects display of Tartar missile recovered from downrange mud after a thrust evaluation test at NOTS China Lake, 26 August 1966. Rocketeer photo.

After more than six months as plane captain on VX-5 Vampires F-4B Phantom II BuNo 150440, XE-13, AN Larry D. Schuetz finally got a ride, China Lake, 26 August 1966. Rocketeer photo.

VX-5 Vampires F-4B Phantom II BuNo 150440, XE-13, as AN Larry D. Schuetz, left, and Cdr. J.J. Breun go over some of the statistics of the flight, China Lake, 26 August 1966. Rocketeer photo.

58 military personnel and 16 civilian engineers are responsible for the overall maintenance and performance of the NAF China Lake  target aircraft. There are 15 QF-9G/J jet fighter targets, six Firebees and six support aircraft assigned to the department, China Lake, 02 September 1966. F-9G Cougar BuNo 128134, 7L-132, in the foreground. Target Department photo by PH1 Jerry Williams and PH1 David Hobbs.

This brand new Firebee is preparing to join its sisters in the Target Department. This is how it looks right out of the box. Performing the un-crating chore are AN W.D. Ruml, left, and ATN3 G.M. Berg, China Lake, 02 September 1966. QF-9J Cougar BuNo 141223 in the background. Target Department photo by PH1 Jerry Williams and PH1 David Hobbs.

ATN2 John H. Klomfas runs through the Firebee "check out" list prior to acceptance for the test, China Lake, 02 September 1966. Target Department photo by PH1 Jerry Williams and PH1 David Hobbs.

KDA Firebee launches from Armitage Field, China Lake, 02 September 1966. Target Department photos by PH1 Jerry Williams and PH1 David Hobbs.

Last minute details are discussed during a staff meeting. CCW from Cdr. F.W. Bustard, center, are Ernie Loyall, Ryan Representative, Gordon Zurn, Engineer; ATC G.A. Glenzer; H.L. Myers Engineer; and ADJC R.A. Oliver, China Lake, 02 September 1966. Target Department photo by PH1 Jerry Williams and PH1 David Hobbs.

Cdr. F.W. Bustard, left, tracks the Firebee's flight as it is recorded on the chart in front of him. ATN3 K.C. Kuhl, 2nd from left, and Engineer Gordon F. Zurn, right, keep records of the flight for use in further tests. Ernie Loyall, Ryan Representative, center, looks on as ATN2 R.E. Hollingworth does the actual "flying" during the test, China Lake, 02 September 1966. Target Department photo by PH1 Jerry Williams and PH1 David Hobbs.

NAF China Lake C-117D Skytrain BuNo 50804 and the NAF China Lake Tailhookers, September 1966. Front row l-r: Marty Manger, CO Bob Yount, unknown, XO Mike Reardon, Gary Moore, Dick Carr & Jack Anderson. Back row l-r: Norm Nash, Dick Thomas, Bob Moore, Knobby Walsh, Jake Robcke, Atlee Clapp, Frank Pesenti, Ernie Mares, Jerry Rogers. Photo from E. Mares.

Raven S50 N12005 about half inflated still takes several people to keep it on the ground. In about five minutes it will be ready for take-off with Briteye flares, China Lake, 23 September 1966. Rocketeer photo by PH1 David Hobbs.

Last minute equipment checks are made just prior to the flight, China Lake, 23 September 1966. Rocketeer photo by PH-1 David Hobbs. (l-r) Vern Burklund, Branch Head, Ward Renh, Hal Dauer, Bob Willard, Bill Shephard, Dick Zinke and an unidentified contractor from Fairchild Hiller. Pilot Jimmie Craig is in the gondola.

The first of several flight is about 15 seconds under way. The Raven S50 is so safe that pilot Jimmie M. Craig doesn't need a parachute. On this particular test, Craig dropped the Briteye flare from approximately 5,000 feet & landed about three miles from the point of take-off, China Lake, 23 September 1966. Rocketeer photo by PH1 David Hobbs.

NAF China Lake A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 149969, SHRIKE seeker & telemetry pod (MULE), China Lake, 30 September 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Capt. Rodney F. Schall, new CO of NAF China Lake, addresses crew & guests at change of command ceremonies. L-r Cdr W.L. Reardon, NAF XO; Capt. John I. Hardy, ComNOTS; Capt. Robert R. Yount, outgoing CO, and Sr. Chaplain Cdr P.P. Romantum, China Lake, 07 October 1966. Rocketeer photo.

Capt. W.B. Muncie, VX-5 Vampires new CO, speaks at change-of-command ceremonies Wednesday, Oct. 12, as Cdr. Donald Loranger (r) listens to comments. Honored guest was Adm. Marshall E. Dornan (seated), Commander, OPTEVFOR. Rocketeer photo by PH-2 Gerald Burgess.

NAF China Lake A-4B Skyhawk BuNo 142777, HWT Mk-24 flares, China Lake, 19 Oct 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo.

AIM-9 Sidewinders quad-mounted on the prototype U.S. Army XM548E1 Chaparral, B-4 range, China Lake, 21 October 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Public Works crew pours concrete forms filled with elaborate reinforcing steelwork to make the double walls of an experimental explosive storage bay on K-2 Range, 28 October 1966. Rocketeer photo.

The finished bay is "loaded" with a 2,000 pound ball of "composition B" explosive by Code 30 scientists, 28 October 1966. Rocketeer photo.

The effects of the heavy explosion on the test bay, China Lake, 28 October 1966. Rocketeer photo.

RAdm. M.E. Dornin, ComOpTevFor, at left was a passenger in a VA-125 TA-4F Skyhawk piloted by VX-5 Cdr. D. Loranger. The flight originated from VX-5 and included an aerial tour of the Randsburg Wash area and the Coso target range, China Lake, 12 October 1966. Rocketeer photo.

Pictured in front of A-4A Skyhawk BuNo 137814 are RAdm. F.H. Michaelis, Director, Air, Surface and Electronics Warfare Division (OP-72), who recently paid a visit to NOTS while making a tour of several West Coast Installations. With RAdm. Michaelis, left, is Capt. Atlee Clapp, Staff Assistant to ComNOTS, China Lake, 04 November 1966. Rocketeer photo by Jerry Willey.

Alongside NAF China Lake F-8E Crusade BuNo 150284 NAF Operations Duty Officer LT Richard P. Karr assists LIFE reporting team in lining up pictures to be used in a forthcoming issue of LIFE magazine under the feature tagline "Close-Up." NAF Ordies stand around principals of the action. From left are LIFE reporter John Riley, Dr. McLean and LIFE photographer Bill Ray. China Lake, 07-11 November 1966. Rocketeer photo by PH1 David Hobbs.

As LIFE photographer Bill Ray shoots Dr. McLean with NAF Ordies installing AIM-9 Sidewinder on NAF China Lake F-8E Crusader BuNo 150284, the form of Navy-scientist teamwork emerges. China Lake, 07-11 November 1966. Rocketeer photo by PH1 David Hobbs.

NOTS Director Dr. William McLean (L) working on model of deep-diving vehicle - Project Deep View, China Lake, November 1966. LIFE photo by Bill Ray.

NOTS Director Dr. William McLean & AIM-9M Sidewinder missile, China Lake, 07-11 November 1966. LIFE photo by Bill Ray.

Blue Angels crowd at Armitage Field, China Lake, 25 November 1966. Rocketeer photo.

Blue Angels (L-r) with their F-11A Tiger are: LCdr Jack Cougar, USN, No.8; Lt. Norm Gandia, USN, No. 6; Capt. Fred Craig, USMC, No. 2; Cdr. Bob Aumack, USN, No. 1; Lt. Clarence "Red" Hubbard, USN, No. 3; Lt. Frank Mezzadri, USN, No. 4 and Lt. Dave Rottger, China Lake, 25 November 1966. Rocketeer photo by M. R. Reida, SA.

NAF China Lake NA-4C Skyhawk BuNo 145063, Misteye, China Lake, 01 December 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Hard at work at VX-5 are (l-r) Daniel W. and Frank J. Barrett, twin brothers from Hicksville, NY. AN Frank Barrett, the older, is a qualified F-4 Phantom II P/C. AA Dan Barrett is a qualified P/C for the A-7A Corsair II, which VX-5 expects to receive next month, China Lake, 02 December 1966. Rocketeer photo.

NAF China Lake crash crew. Front row, l-r, L.E. Davis, C.D. Lattoon, W.L. Baldwin, and J.A. Ayers. Back row, l-r, W.H. Brett, S.J. Shefler, J.N. Carr, T.K. Phillips and G.M. Peck, China Lake, 02 December 1966. Rocketeer photo by Jerry Willey.

Two fire fighters assigned to the crash crew are putting a handline on a Cardox truck. These lines can dispense 650 pounds of C02 per minute and the truck holds two tons of C02, China Lake, 02 December 1966. Rocketeer photo by Jerry Willey.

NAF China Lake Cougar drone line, HC-34A Sea Horse BuNo 145676 & DT-28B Trojans BuNo's 137667 & 138355, Armitage Field ramp west of hangar 2, 19 December 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Unknown C-130 Hercules landing on runway 21, Armitage Field, China Lake, 19 December 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Air traffic control tower interior, Armitage Field, China Lake, 19 December 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo.

Armitage Field Tacan tower, China Lake, 19 December 1966. Official U.S. Navy photo.

VX-5 Vampires CO Capt. W.B. Muncie takes delivery of the new A-7A Corsair II BuNo 152674 from USMC Major R.A. Gustafson, China Lake, 20 December 1966. The new A-7A is the second received on the west coast. A-4E Skyhawk BuNo 151988, XE-5, in the background. Rocketeer photo.