By Renee Hatcher
NAWCWD Public Affairs

NAWCWD recently told about 130 of its retirees that the look of the work force as well as the facilities around China Lake may be changing but the traditional values of can-do spirit and innovation that they helped shape are still alive and well.

“Working here is not like working any place else,” said Don Cooper, head of the NAWCWD Retired Activities Office (RAO), and organizer of the event. “For many of us, this place was more than a job; it was our home, it was our life.”

The NAWCWD RAO hosted the 16th annual retiree appreciation day on Sept. 26. Cooper said 90 percent of the retirees were from the local area, with some coming from Los Angeles, and a few from as far away as Nevada.

“The look of our work force is changing,” said Scott O’Neil, NAWCWD executive director. “But we will remain capability focused as we rebuild the work force of the future.”

This year, NAWCWD hired more than 130 employees through the Engineer and Scientist Development Program (ESDP).

“We continue to share the knowledge you left behind with these young ESDPs,” said Rear Adm. David Dunaway, NAWCWD commander. “I appreciate what you have done for us and I hope we are serving your legacy well.”

Several NAWCWD employees gave updates on what’s currently happening at China Lake from Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) activities to the latest programs supporting the warfighter.

Ruth Hogan, director of the Weapons and Armament Center Implementation Team, gave an update on construction projects in the works since the signing of the 2005 BRAC business plan earlier this year. So far, five contracts have been awarded worth $130 million. The most recent was a $55 million contract signed Sept. 24 for the state-of-the-art Weapons and Armament Technology Center that will be larger than the local Home Depot building.

“I’m extremely proud of the work going on at China Lake,” Hogan said. “We’re building for the future.”

Capt. Mark Storch, NAWCWD vice commander, gave an overview of China Lake, highlighting the energy conservation initiatives underway including the new photo voltaic parking structures at Michelson Lab. When completed, the planned solar projects around the station will save up to $500,000 a year. He also reminded those in attendance about the temporary closure of the main gate during October to install a tire shredder barrier system.

Art Hickle, deputy manager of the Spike Project, assured the retirees that hands-on work is still being done at China Lake.

“Spike is one of the cutting edge projects that is drawing the younger engineers out here,” Hickle said. “We are following the China Lake tradition of rewarding their hard work with responsibility.”

Howard McCauley and a few ESDPs from the Emergent Weapons Concepts Office, talked about some of the latest programs at NAWCWD supporting the warfighter.

“Today was very interesting; I really enjoyed hearing about the current projects going on,” said Eugene Copeland, who retired in 1992 after 25 years at China Lake. “The young engineers may look different today but their work is good.”

Photo by Joy Lewis
About 130 former China Lake employees attend the 16th annual retiree appreciation day on Sept. 26.