The technology capability assigned to AGMC by its parent Air
Force Logistics Command Headquarters in November 1959, represented the only
complete organic resource established within Air Force for depot level repair of
Inertial Navigation/Guidance Systems. Beginning in 1962 until government
operations ceased in 1996, for 34 years, the Center processed Inertial
Navigation Systems used by virtually every U.S. Air Force aircraft and inertial
guided missile to assure that it arrived on target, on time and on command.
Through inter-service agreements with the Navy and Army, the Center eventually
served as a resource for maintaining almost every major Inertial Navigation
System that existed within the United States Defense Department.
During the years of the “Cold War" and "Missile
Era" it became one of the most strategic Technology Centers of the
free world. It was the “Gold Watch" as one General put it and a showplace
for Inertial Navigation support, engineering and test technology.
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| Stillest Place on Earth |
Throughout the years it became an awesome experience and of
extra ordinary interest to visitors from all over the world who entered its
doors. The huge industrial expanse of its Bldg. 4, with its maze of exotic
industrial clean rooms, was an exciting experience for anyone. The work and
testing areas filled with the worlds most expensive blinking high tech
electronics equipment was a shock to most. But, employee technicians dressed in
sterile white caps, gowns and even shoe covers comparable to hospital operating
rooms was generally an exciting experience that was not soon forgotten by most.
And to top that off a visit by elevator four floors underground to tour
what was probably the most unique and precise laboratory known to exist
for testing and calibrating inertial instruments was usually the icing an the
cake.
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| Minuteman III in Clean Room 7 |
So it’s not too difficult for one to understand the
amazement and excitement of those who had the opportunity of visiting the
Technology Center for the first time. One couldn't begin to absorb all of the
"goings on” in one short visit, so they came back again and still again.
As the years passed the “Center of Excellence",
as it was named in 1968, became a depository for hands-on production experience.
The accumulation of engineering and scientific data that would assist developers
In design of new equipment and improvement in existing equipment, became readily
available. This led to the basis for establishment of a World-Wide forum by the
Center, such as the Joint Services Data Exchange Group for Navigation and
Control equipment that would encompass representatives throughout the Inertial
Navigation World-Wide community. The JSDE Group for Navigation and Control is
still active today and is an associate sponsor for our Web-Site.
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| Minuteman II Cleanroom Component Repair |
From its early beginning the Center attracted the very best in skilled technicians, engineers and management staff. The work it performed was always at the cutting edge of the aerospace scientific and Weapon System developments. Therefore, it stands to reason that its employees over 7,000 strong over the years were highly motivated and extremely creative. As a result the incentive programs for productivity improvement and for cost avoidance were superior. In fact, for many years best in its parent Command and on various occasions best in the Air Force as well as the Nation's history. As one former lady executive who served in many executive capacities, as well as the Centers Deputy Commander for a brief period before retiring, recently commented: "All that worked there can have a real sense of pride that their efforts helped maintain peace during the Cold War years and helped prevent a Third World War."
We have illustrated the following contents of our IG Systems Home Page in a variety resume of the production records accomplished during the 34 years of the Specialized Centers operation. Due to the variation of systems utilized among a number of different vehicles, as the military refers to as Weapon Systems, have been categorized in five different groups. The five major groups are: Missiles, Aircraft, Submarines, Jeeps and Displacement Gyros. These five categories of equipment represent the Inertial System users and represent the bulk of the production work carried on by the Directorate of Maintenance of the Centers organization. You will be able to eventually browse each of the five categories with the click of the respective ICON. The first category, Missiles, which represented the lions share of the Center workload in the early days, has been developed initially for your review. You will note when clicking on some of the remaining designated ICON's a "To be added" notice will appear. This is intended to notify the visitor that the category is still undergoing development and will be added to the Page upon completion. So keep browsing the site frequently and we'll do our darndest to expedite the remaining ICON categories.
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| Peacekeeper Sphere |
One remaining thought to be considered; the outstanding work performed and acknowledgment attained were the result of many. The Centers supporting organizations, the Service Engineering Staff and especially the "on-site" contractor personnel and the original manufacturing companies they represent all can be proud of the 34-year record they helped to achieve.
It has and will continue to be the objective of our Web Site to provide some refreshing memories for those who were involved. And, perhaps some informative and interesting information for those who were not.
The Missiles Page will include the Atlas, Titan, Minuteman I, II, III, Sram & Peacekeeper which is undergoing development.
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