1973
1973 The M22 subsystems deployed to Vietnam were returned to CONUS. While in-country, the M22 had been successfully deployed against tanks and other targets. This subsystem was eventually replaced by the airborne TOW missile system.
1973 In keeping with DA guidance, MICOM established a Race Relations/Equal Opportunity Office in the Directorate for Personnel, Training, and Force Development (PT&FD) to achieve equal opportunity and improve "racial harmony" for military personnel.
1973 MICOM appointed its first full-time Federal Women's Program Coordinator to ensure that the careers of women were not impaired on the basis of sex.
1973 Retirement of the SERGEANT missile system began in the fourth quarter when the first unit was phased out in USAREUR. The plan approved by AMC and DA on 16 February 73 scheduled the system for complete phaseout by the end of FY 1975.
1973 After the Army permitted women to play in previously all-male military bands, RSA's 55th Army Band gained three women musicians.
January 73 The first FAAR unit was deployed overseas.
February 73 During this month, 18 buildings declared excess to the needs of RSA were sold to Bob Scofield of Arab, Alabama, for $2,084. Included in this transaction was the historic Lee Mansion located near the Tennessee River. The construction of the Lee home dated back to 1818, when the first two rooms were built by James Cooper, a local planter.
March 73 The DDT Plant operated for many years on RSA by Olin Mathieson Chemical Company was sold to the Bama Demolition Company, Inc., of Birmingham, Alabama, for $1,175.
1 March 73 The formal opening of the new multipurpose crafts shop was held on this date. The new 5400-square-foot, air conditioned, prefabricated metal structure provided craft activities such as leathercraft, ceramics, lapidary, painting, drawing, sketching, photography, electronics, wood carving, and other handicrafts.
19 March 73 The Tennessee River flooded, reaching a maximum elevation of 569.8 feet, about 2 feet above the previous all-time high recorded at RSA on 3 February 57. Cresting at 11 feet above flood stage, this was the worst Tennessee Valley flood in the history of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) dam system.The water on the arsenal did not recede below 560 feet until 24 March 73. Covering approximately 40 percent of the arsenal's 38,000 acres, the flood disrupted north-south traffic; closed gates; displaced about 1,000 personnel from normal work areas; and forced Thiokol Chemical Corporation to shut down operations. Some stranded shift workers had to be rescued by amphibious vehicles. Severe problems also occurred off post, where flood waters, washouts, and some downed bridges blocked major highway links to the installation.
31 March 73 After the CHAPARRAL/VULCAN Air Defense System under AMC Headquarters was terminated, management responsibility for VULCAN went to WECOM, while that for CHAPARRAL/FAAR was transferred to MICOM.
April 73 The name of the Halfway House was changed to the Redstone Arsenal Counseling Center. The inpatient treatment center was reorganized to allow all residents to continue normal duty and receive rehabilitation therapy in the evening.
April 73 With approval of DA and AMC, MICOM began distributing a limited phaseout plan for the HONEST JOHN that provided guidance for phaseout of active U.S. Army HONEST JOHN battalions and redistribution of assets to the U.S. National Guard.
May 73 A task force established in January 73 completed writing the development plan for the PERSHING II missile system.
3 May 73 AMC announced the reassignment and relocation of the 2.75-Inch Rocket System from the MUCOM to MICOM. The 2.75-Inch Project Office became operational at MICOM on 30 September 73.
1 June 73 A swimming pool, complete with bath house, was constructed adjacent to the NCO Open Mess and placed in operation on this date.
29 June 73 The railway operations of the RASA Equipment Pool Branch were discontinued after an economic analysis was completed.
July 73 AMC assigned MICOM overall program management for the Iranian Improved HAWK program.
5 July 73 MICOM established the Ground Laser Locater Designator (GLLD)/Airborne Laser Locator Designator (ALLD) Management Office (Provisional) to coordinate planning as well as to direct and control work and resources for these systems.
24 August 73 A Special Assistant for the Improved HAWK-Iran Program was established to manage MICOM foreign military sales (FMS) cases involved in the Iranian Improved HAWK Program. A MICOM Coordination Office was established in Teheran in July 74.
September 73 The first LANCE battalion deployed overseas - the 1st Battalion/333d Artillery - achieved initial operational capability (IOC).
1 September 73 The Army-Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) began operating the Clothing Sales Store as a test to determine if this method would result in savings to the government and improved service to authorized customers. The test operation was originally planned for 1 year, but a final decision on 9 May 75 returned this function to Army in-house control.
16 September 73 The Special Systems Management Office was established to manage the materiel formerly assigned to the LCSIMO and the ADSIMO, both of which were discontinued effective this date.
23 September 73 The 2.75-Inch Rocket System was transferred from the U.S. Army Armament Command (ARMCOM) at Picatinny Arsenal to MICOM.
October 73 RSA's energy conservation program began.
1 October 73 The U.S. Army Strategic Communications Command activity at RSA was redesignated as the U.S. Army Communications Command (USACC) Agency-Redstone.
16 October 73 The first civilian contract food service personnel were hired at RSA.
1 November 73 MG Vincent H. Ellis became MICOM's fifth commander, succeeding MG Edwin I. Donley, who retired. Ellis was the first MICOM Commander up to that time who had not had a previous tour at RSA.
7 December 73 MICOM established the Short Range Air Defense System (SHORADS) Management Office (Provisional) to handle the selection of a short range air defense system for the Army.
23 December 73
Ground was broken at RSA for the new 600-seat Bicentennial Chapel off Goss Road. Increasingly crowded conditions at the Post Chapel on Patton Road necessitated construction of a larger building. Portions of the old chapel would continue in use for religious services and as offices for some of the chaplains assigned to Redstone.
Excellence in Missilery:
Introduction,
1962,
1963,
1964,
1965,
1966,
1967,
1968,
1969,
1970,
1971,
1972,
1973,
1974,
1975,
1976,
1977,
1978,
1979
