1968
1968 The Arsenal Support Operations Directorate's Assistant for Communications underwent a RIF and reorganization because of Southern Bell Telephone Company's takeover of the RSA telephone system in keeping with DOD directives. A total of 51 employees were affected by this change.
1968 In the second quarter of this year, the Block II REDEYE was deployed within the Army. The initial fielding of the Block III REDEYE took place during the third quarter.
1968 The bowling alley, Building 3707, was completed at a cost of $30,000.
1968 At year's end, the remaining programs under Project Defender were transferred from ARPA to the newly created Army Ballistic Missile Defense Agency (ABMDA). MICOM-managed ARPA programs focused on three areas: strategic technology, advanced sensors, and overseas defense research (Project AGILE).
February 68 The Office, Secretary of Defense (OSD) officially instituted Selected Acquisition Reports (SARs) as a management tool. These were extensive reports covering missile system characteristics, budgets, schedules, and estimates to be furnished to the Chairman of the Senate Preparedness Investigating Subcommittee.
8 February 68 DA changed the name of the VULCAN/CHAPARRAL system to CHAPARRAL/ VULCAN. This rearrangement occurred because of the possible confusion between the acronyms V/C for the system and VC for Viet Cong.
14 February 68 The MICOM Research and Development Directorate received the first hardware from the Rocket-Propelled Grenade-7 (RPG-7), a Russian made antitank weapon system captured in Vietnam. The following day, AMC authorized the start of reverse engineering and the preparation of a suitable procurement package as a matter of urgency.
After the United States Army, Vietnam established a requirement on 18 April 68 for the LAW with a precision warhead in lieu of the XM194 (as the RPG-7 was known in the United States), AMC instructed MICOM to suspend all reverse engineering effort but continue the technical assessment of the Soviet system. On 22 April 68, MICOM stopped all work on the program, except that required to reduce data and provide analysis.
14 February 68 MICOM sold 45 buildings, containing 111 units of family housing located at Redstone Park, for $52,331. The high bidders were Pris-Row Investment Company, Inc., Anniston, Alabama; Bishop Company, Victoria, Texas; and Melvin Goldman, Aurora, Illinois.
15 February 68 The U.S. Army Missile Command Field Office, Japan was provisionally established. Its mission was to represent MICOM and designated PMs for implementing MOUs relating to Japanese co-production of designated U.S. Army missile systems and related control systems. The office became permanent effective 15 April 68.
March 68 The NATO Missile Firing Installation on Crete became operational for support of SERGEANT annual service practice firings.
March 68 The TOW/Helicopter (XM26) program was terminated.
1 March 68 Because of the favorable supply effectiveness results achieved in Vietnam, the Stovepipe system was adopted for support of HAWK systems deployed in Korea. This special supply support system became fully operational in Korea on this date. MICOM received the first requisition under this plan on 15 March.
31 March 68 By this date, the realignment of the HAWK Project Office to the MICOM-refined PM concept was basically completed.
April 68 The first overseas deployment of the SHERIDAN M551 vehicle containing the SHILLELAGH missile system was completed this month, when the last of 10 vehicles went to the 29th Infantry Brigade in Hawaii.
May 68 The prime contractor completed the delivery of SERGEANT missiles to Germany.
13 May 68 DA approved the agreement between MICOM and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Lodge 1858. This document governed working relationships between the command and the union.
5 June 68 Clara Fay Gay was the first woman ever admitted to a new equipment training (NET) course sponsored by MICOM.
28 June 68 The 95th Composite Service Company Calibration (Army) was activated at RSA and assigned to the Army Metrology and Calibration Center for operational and technical control. It provided secondary reference and secondary transfer calibration service for all test and measuring equipment used in depots, general support/direct support units, and as requested by tactical units.
July 68 AMC notified MICOM that all requirements for the REDSTONE missile system for research had been withdrawn. All directed actions to redistribute or dispose of remaining REDSTONE system property were completed in December 68.
26 July 68 AMC granted a conditional release for 10 LCSS initial support systems.
1 August 68 The Dental Surgeon, RSA was attached to the Post Surgeon for administrative and operational support.
1 September 68 The Post Surgeon General and Dental Surgeon activities were transferred to the U.S. Army Hospital, Redstone Arsenal. On this same date, the U.S. Army Hospital, Redstone Arsenal was discontinued as an AMC activity and transferred to the Continental Army Command (CONARC).
10 October 68 MICOM established the LCSS Product Office.
15 October 68 The Target Missiles Product Office was established.
15 October 68 MICOM discontinued the Land Combat and Air Defense Commodity Offices. They were replaced the following day with the Land Combat Weapons and Aircraft Weapons Commodity Offices, respectively.
12 November 68
The RSA-Huntsville Army Commanders Council began meeting on a quarterly basis. Members included the commanders of MICOM; SENTINEL System Command; SENTINEL Logistics Command (SENLOG); Army Engineering Division, Huntsville; and OMMCS. The council's purpose was to provide a means for resolving major problems, to facilitate the exchange of information, and to act on matters of mutual concern.
Excellence in Missilery:
Introduction,
1962,
1963,
1964,
1965,
1966,
1967,
1968,
1969,
1970,
1971,
1972,
1973,
1974,
1975,
1976,
1977,
1978,
1979
