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Show By Jim Lovelady The Air Force's Space and Missile System Organization (SAMSO) has awarded special citations to five civilian firms for their roles in *he Athena ballistic missile research program at White Sands Missile Range. During the same ceremony Dec. 3, White Sands Missile Range received a bronze plaque commemorating the first 100 Athena missiles launched from range facilities. The awards, issued by the Air Force Systems Command in Washington, were presented during a "Century Day" lucheon held to commemorate the 100th Athena Launch. The affair was hosted by Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Leonard R. Sugerman. cheif of the service's Inland Range Field Office, WSMR. The plaque presented the Army marks the second time in less than a month that the Air Force has recognized White Sands Missile .Range for its role in the Athena program. On Oct. 6, General James Fer-guson, commander of the Air Force Systems Command, awarded an outstanding unit citation to WSMR in ceremonies at Holloman Air Force Base. Major General H. G. Davis-son, range commander, received both awards. Navy Captain Robert L. Dise, naval assistant with SAMSO's deputy for Reentry Systems, presented the Air Force Systems Command citations and plaques in recognition of the contractors "outstanding contributions to the success of the Athena program." The Navy officer also presented one individual award to Francis J. McKenna for his services as Athena project engineer. Mr. McKenna is a Department of the Army civilian employed by WSMR's National Range Operations. Colonel Sugerman handed out three individual awards to an Air Force officer and two civilian employes, while retired Colonel James R. Carter, former chief of the inland range office, presented the plaque which will be installed in the Range's Missile Park. Contracting firms recognized during the early afternoon ceremony included: Atlantic Research Corp., prime contrac-(Continued on Page 6) Special awards (Continued from Page 1) tor in tne Atnena program since 1964; Aerospace Corp., International Business Machines; Raytheon Service Co.; and Continental Electronics Manufac- ; taring Co. Receiving the awards were: -'' E. B. Newton, assistant general manager for ARC'S systems engineering and management division in Costa Mesa, '' W. D. Schutt, associate general manager for Aerospace 'Corp. reentry systems division San Bernardino, Calif.; R. Hendel, manager of IBM's ';, White Sands Missile Range op-", erations; J. Grabowski, Ray-* thoen president, from Burling-, ton, Mass; and R. E. Ramsey, '.''vice president for Continental ^Electronics Mfg., in Greenville Texas. Other individuals recognized during the luncheon were Luther D. Cramer, assistant project engineer and an Army employe; Air Force Captain L. C. Cox, an engineer in the Athena program, and O. A. Steele, an employe of the Inland Range Field Office. All were cited for personal contributions to the Athena program. The Athena ballistic missile research program was initiated in February 1964 under the direction of the Air Force Systems Command. Its purpose is to study re-entry phenomena and the interaction of various types of re-entry vehicles with re-entry environment. Described as highly economical, the program provides an inexpensive means of studying such as the Air Force Titan and Minuteman systems and the Navy's Polaris oroeram. The first Athena launch from the Army's launch complex near Green River, Utah, took place Feb. 10, 1964. The 100th or "Century Athena" as it has been dubbed, was successfully fired March 6, 1968. Since thenk another five have been fired from GreenRiver to White Sands Missile Range, some 400 nautical miles southeast in New Mexico. Fifty feet high, it is a four-stage system weighing 16,000 pounds. In the missile's flight to White Sands, it reaches altitudes up to 200 miles before descending for impact. The Air Force's Inland Range Field Office, responsible for the Athena program, has about 20 personnel. The five contractors cited during the "Century Day" luncheon maintain a personnel complement of about 170. White Sands Missile Range provides lauch facilities as well as safety and data gathering support for the five-year-old program. |
