Sidewinder Celebration Nov. 1-3 at China Lake

From the 1950s over the Straits of Formosa to the present day, Sidewinder missiles hung from combat aircraft have been key weapons in the battle for freedom. On Nov, 1-3, 50 years of Sidewinder people and technology will be celebrated at China Lake, Calif. The opening of a new Sidewinder exhibit at the Naval Museum of Armament and Technology, a forum featuring pilots who used Sidewinder in combat and two special evening events in Ridgecrest highlight the weekend.

All events take place on the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake or in Ridgecrest.

Three days of celebrating Sidewinder, and the people behind the missile, opens at 9 a.m. Nov. 1 with a Sidewinder Forum in the Station Theater. This forum features technical leaders from the early days of Sidewinder discussing the challenges and the people behind the solutions.

That afternoon, starting at 2:30 p.m. the Sidewinder Shooter Forum will be held in the Theater. The panel includes former astronaut and original Sidewinder test pilot, Wally Schirra and Maj. (Ret) Mike Chien, who, as a Nationalist Chinese Air Force pilot, took part in the first combat use of Sidewinder.

Friday evening in the Ridgecrest Kerr-McGee Center, the City of Ridgecrest and the Ridgecrest Chamber of Commerce co-host a reception honoring Sidewinder and the people behind the missile. Speakers include Dr. Karen Higgins, executive director of the Naval Air Systems Command Weapons Division and Chuck Anderson of The Rayethon Company, prime contractor for the newest Sidewinder, AIM-9X.

The Museum of Armament and Technology opens from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, limited areas of Michelson Laboratory will open for tours. Visitors will view weapons and technology displays in the main lobby, visit the machine shop and Integrated Battle Space Arena facility. Outside the laboratory, visitors will find aircraft and weapons on static display.

Additionally, historic videos will be screened in Michelson Laboratory Room 1000D throughout the day.

At the Station Theater a newly created Sidewinder history video will be screened along with “Secret City” the history of China Lake.

The Navy’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department and local non-profit organizations are sponsoring food booths at Solar Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m..

Dinner at the Kerr-McGee Center, hosted by Rear Admiral Mike Bachmann, NAVAIR Weapons Division Commander and Dr. Higgins starts at 5:30 p.m. with a social hour. Vice Admiral Joe Dyer, commander of NAVAIR is the featured speaker, discussing “Sidewinder and National Security.”

Sunday features the China Lake Retiree Picnic starting at noon in Solar Park.

Admission to all events at China Lake, except the picnic, is free.

The public is invited to participate in all Sidewinder 50th events, however due to security requirements, attendees without normal base access need to acquire a badge prior to the events. Special badges will be required for all attendees of the Friday reception and Saturday banquet. For information on the Sidewinder 50th Celebration and how to acquire a badge to attend, call 760-939-2002, email [email protected], or visit the website http://www.nawcwd.navy.mil/~sw50/.

NAVAIR provides advanced warfare technology through the efforts of a seamless, integrated, worldwide network of aviation technology experts. From professional training to carrier launch; from sensor data to precision targeting; from weapons development to successful deployment; from real-time communication to aircraft recovery NAVAIR ensures the American warfighter will . . . Reign Supreme – Return in Glory.

For more information about the Naval Air Systems Command, go to www.navair.navy.mil.

Sidewinder 50th Anniversary Celebration
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday: (November 1)

8:00AM- 5:00PM---U.S. Naval Museum of Armament and Technology (open to public) Sidewinder Exhibit—Comprehensive special exhibit of the evolution of Sidewinder with hardware and dynamic displays along with the people who made it happen. Static Aircraft and Selected Weapon Displays

8:00AM--Golf Tournament--China Lake Golf Course: 6:30 AM—Registration,

9:00-1130AM--Sidewinder Technical Legacy Forum—NAWS Theater (event open to public)
The "Sidewinder Technical Legacy Forum" Friday morning at the Station Theater. Robert Hillyer, former technical director at China Lake (1977-1982) will be the chairman. Participants on the panel will include a representative cross section (G&C, Fuze, Warhead, Propulsion) of technical leaders from the early days of Sidewinder, as well as a representative from Germany. Members of this panel include Dr. Thomas Amlie, Dr. Walter LaBerge, both former China Lake technical directors who played key roles in Sidewinder, Ray Miller (Propulsion), Rod McClung (test) and Bud Sewell (warhead).

2:30-4:30PM—Sidewinder Shooters’ Forum—NAWS Theater (event open to public) The "Sidewinder Shooters' Forum", on Friday in the Station Theater. This forum will be moderated by RDML (select) D. J. Venlet, currently the NAVAIR Air to Air Program Manager, and RADM (retired) Fred Lewis. We have lined up an interesting slate of operators to discuss their personal experiences, including Maj (retired) Mike Chien of the Taiwanese Air Force who was involved in the first combat use of Sidewinder over the Straits of Formosa in 1958. Also on the panel will be Capt (retired) Ron McKeown who has two MIG kills with Sidewinder in Vietnam and was the first commanding officer of Top Gun. Walter Schirra and Glenn Tierney some of the first test pilots for Sidewinder here at China Lake will participate on the panel. An Air Force Shooter will sit on the panel.

6 - 10 PM--City Reception @ Kerr McGee:--Dr. Higgins co-host with Chamber/City Representatives. (open to public, advance tickets required) The evening will feature Sidewinder History talks, dancing, entertainment and a tasting buffet with an international flair. Dress will be cocktail party appropriate and Blues for Military. A special auction of the first three numbered prints (#1, #2, #3) of Larry Zabel’s “Sidewinder over Wild Horse Mesa” painting commissioned by the China Lake Museum Foundation.
Speakers: Dr. Higgins—Sidewinder Missile History; RDML (select) Venlet—Combat experience (US 2, Libya 0); Chuck Anderson (Raytheon)—Sidewinder now and future; VADM Mike Bowman (retired) (DRS Inc)—Sidewider/Spike

Saturday (November 2)

Blandy Avenue Restricted to shuttle and event traffic.

9AM -4PM—Michelsen Lab Open House (open to public) Front part of Mich Lab through IBAR and Prototype Shop. Current WD Weapons and Product Displays. Guided Tours through Machine Shop (Sidewinder Built here). Outside Static Displays--Weapons and Aircraft. Historical videos showing in 1000D.

9AM – 4PM--Theater open for Historical Videos (open to public); Secret City, Sidewinder video.

8AM- 5PM--Museum Open All Day with Static displays (open to public)

10AM – 3PM--Solar Park Food Booths/Wreck Center (open to public); Navy Band; Air Demo/Fly-by (TBD); Industry Exhibits—UAVs, other products.

5:30 - 11PM—Salute to Sidewinder Dinner @ Kerr McGee Center (open to public, advance tickets required)—The evening will feature a full dinner, special memorabilia gifts including a signed copy of Liz Babcock’s Book on Sidewinder, and distinguished speakers. RDML Bachmann and Dr. Higgins co-host. Dress—semi formal, Military—Blues. Speakers: VADM Joe Dyer—“Sidewinder impact on National Security”
Also, “What Sidewinder Means to me,” featuring Tom Amlie, Glenn Tierney, Walter LaBerge, Walter Schirra, Mike Hall, and Burrell Hays

Sunday (November 3)

10AM – 4PM---Museum open with static displays (open to public)

Noon—China Lake Retiree Picnic @ Solar Park (open to public-tickets required to eat)