Released by the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division China Lake Public Affairs Office--

By Barbara Lupei

More than 60 people were impressed by Lt. Col. James “Hawk” Hawkins’ presentation March 10 at the NAWCWD Technical Library. Hawkins not only explained the history of the developmental test programs carried out on the AV-8B Harrier at China Lake, he also related that work to the warfighters flying the Harrier in Iraq today.

As a U.S. Marine Corps pilot, Hawkins couldn’t resist subjecting his audience to some good-natured Marines versus Navy ribbing, which added a lot of laughter to the program. The audience was so “wowed” by the targeting system videos; they elected to stay after the question and answer period to view one more film.

Hawkins’ presentation was the fourth in the series “Have I Got A Story For You!” provided by the library. The programs, which are unclassified and approved for public release, are being videotaped and transferred to DVD for checkout from the library. “The DVD’s have proved to be as popular as the programs,” said Sandy Bradley, library director. “They are a great knowledge-sharing tool for staff meetings, training opportunities, or just for individual interest.”

The first three presentations in the series include, “100 Wild Weasel Missions” by Bob Huntley, which focuses on the importance of the Shrike missile to his survival of 100 missions in the F-105 in Vietnam;
“Paleolithic China Lake,” in which Russ Kaldenberg discusses the arrival of the first humans in this area; and “From China Lake to Mars,” presented by Elsa Hennings, Bill Martin, John Gallon and Erik Bailey (JPL) on the collaboration between China Lake, JPL, and NASA on the entry, descent, and landing system of the Mars Exploration Rovers. To request any of the series, contact Barbara Lupei, 939-2313.

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Photo cutline: Lt. Col. James Hawkins accepts a certificate of appreciation and a poster from the Technical Library staff.