1976
1976 The first deployment to CONUS and USAREUR units of the XM65 Airborne TOW missile system, mounted on the AH-IQ/S aircraft, began this year.
1976 The U.S. Forestry Service selected the 2.75-Inch Rocket as a potential candidate for use in knocking down snow on mountains, destroying possible avalanches before they could cause damage.
1976 The NCO Club (Building 1500) was renovated, with new dining, patio, kitchen, and bar facilities being added.
1976 About 58 miles of railroad tracks were removed from RSA.
1976 The Flight Operations Division received the Aviation Accident Award of Honor for having flown 15,217 accident free hours for the period 1 July 72-30 June 75.
January 76 The Extended Range TOW missile went into production.
January 76 The Staff Chaplain became the custodian of the RSA Children's Center. It replaced the private preschool and kindergarten previously run by an association of military parents who could no longer continue their program.
16 January 76 The ILAW was redesignated as the VIPER.
29 January 76 The U.S. Army Materiel Development and Readiness Command (DARCOM), formerly AMC, approved the reorganization of MICOM, sanctioning the establishment of the Missile Research and Development Command (MIRADCOM) and the Missile Materiel Readiness Command (MIRCOM). However, DARCOM did not approve the organizational structure and Table of Distributions and Allowances (TDAs) for the reorganization until 25 August 76.
February 76 Fielding of the basic TOW to USAREUR was completed during this month.
10 February 76 A female MP was assigned to the Investigation Section for the first time. She would be trained as an MP Investigator.
23 February 76 The shuttle bus service providing transportation for military and civilian personnel on the installation began on this date.
26 February 76 On a dark night, a CLGP successfully intercepted a moving tank target while the target was being designated by a COBRA helicopter carrying the airborne target and fire control system.
March 76 The initial deployment of the TOW/COBRA system to USAREUR was accomplished under Project Hand-off.
March 76 After the Army decided to buy CHAPARRAL through a prime contractor rather than from the Navy, the Aeronutronic Division of Aeronutronic Ford received the first contract for the new missile.
March 76 The Cannon Launched Guided Projectile was renamed COPPERHEAD.
10 March 76 The Under Secretary of the Army gave the keynote speech at the dedication of MICOM's Advanced Simulation Center. This $40 million facility was a pioneer in the state of technology for nondestructive simulation of weapon system sensors, guidance and control components, and flight hardware. Initial planning for the center had started in early 1967.
10 March 76 The Secretary of the Army approved a PM charter for the CHAPARRAL/FAAR Systems Project Office. Concurrently, the CHAPARRAL/FAAR Management Office at MICOM was converted to a project office.
21 March 76 The International Logistics Directorate was established to place more emphasis on the management of the international logistics program.
2 April 76 MG George E. Turnmeyer cut the ribbon to the Religious Education Facilities of the Bicentennial Chapel (Building 376) on Goss Road. The new center provided classrooms for the religious schools, Children's Center, and the Deutsche Schule (German School).
4 April 76 The Bicentennial Chapel was officially dedicated.
21 May 76 The SAM-D Missile System was renamed the PATRIOT Air Defense Missile System. The name change marked the system's entry into full-scale development in February 76. It also reflected the Bicentennial theme.
June 76 The Maintenance PEACE SHIELD Office was established in the Directorate for Maintenance to assure effective management of the HAWK-Iran Program.
7 June 76 The PATRIOT Project Office moved off Redstone Arsenal to the Ballistic Missile Center Annex in Research Park, Huntsville, Alabama. The project office continued to report directly to DARCOM and receive support from MICOM in accordance with agreements.
July 76 RSA's Special Troops Dining Facility No. 3 won the Philip A. Connelly Award for Excellence in Food Service. Presented annually in two areas, the RSA entry won the top award in the larger dining unit category.
July 76 Ground clearing began on Vincent Road for a new arsenal shopping center which was supposed to include a new commissary, post exchange, theater, post office as well as bank and credit union offices.
1 July 76 The MICOM Information Office was redesignated the Public Affairs Office to comply with DARCOM guidance.
1 July 76 A significant milestone occurred when the HEL MTU shot down an MQM-61A drone. It caused sufficient damage to create a fuel fire and starve out the drone engine.
14 July 76 The General Support Rocket System (GSRS) Project Office was established on a provisional basis pending charter approval by DA. This new vehicle-mounted multirocket system would launch 8-inch-diameter rockets in selected, single rocket, or ripple fire modes. It would fill the Army's requirement for a rapid fire, nonnuclear, barrage fire weapon to neutralize or destroy enemy direct fire support and light materiel/personnel targets during surge engagements.
Read system chronology of the MLRS
2 August 76 The Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) Management Office was established to serve as the focal point for all missile ATE matters.
25 August 76 DARCOM approved the organizational structure and TDAs for splitting MICOM into two separate commands, one pertaining to research and development and the other to logistics.
September 76 The PLD Product Office was notified that its mission was being expanded to include the Lightweight Laser Designator (LWLD) and the Modular Universal Laser Equipment (MULE).
September 76 The last remaining U.S. Forces SERGEANT unit in Korea - the 3d Battalion/81st Field Artillery - which had lost its tactical mission on 1 August 76, was called back into service because of political developments.
18 September 76 The HEL MTU successfully engaged a QH-50D helicopter drone in preparation for upcoming tests.
23 September 76 The HEL MTU successfully engaged both drones in a dual helicopter "pop-up" scenario simulated with two QH-50s. The test was primarily conducted to determine the engagement timeline, a factor of interest to the user.
12 November 76 The Deputy Secretary of Defense approved the HELLFIRE Modular Missile System Decision Coordinating Paper No. 118, which designated HELLFIRE as the point target subsystem for the Advanced Attack Helicopter (AAH).
21 December 76 MICOM established the Readiness Intelligence Center to serve as the command focal point for collecting and evaluating information pertaining to all readiness aspects of deployed weapon systems or subsystems for which the command had logistical support responsibility. This new organization later formed the nucleus of the Missile Systems Readiness Directorate (MSRD).
31 December 76 Of all the MICOM missile systems involved in foreign military sales at this time, the TOW missile was used by the most foreign nations, the NIKE HERCULES had the greatest number of FMS cases, and HAWK sales had the highest total dollar value. As of this date, these three systems accounted for about 70 percent of MICOM's accepted FMS case workload. FMS sales at MICOM grew from $39 million in FY 1970 to $1.1 billion in FY 1975.
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