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I just contacted Rob Roche at China Lake and made arrangements to visit there on Saturday 4 February if all goes well. I'll be taking lots of pictures and trying to record every serial and USA number I can find. However the Ontos, M103, and some other stuff will only be able to be seen with a powerful spoting scope according to Rob.
Mr. Kibby, since you are close by, maybe you would like to come along and we could finally meet, before I head off back to Ft Hood? I could show you the book I've put together for the museum here. Or maybe you could just visit Ft Irwin. Only bad thing is that the Irwin museum is closed on weekends. Come on a week day, and I can probably get you into the storage facility that holds the M2 Half Track and a Huey undergoing resto as well as going to the museum and around the post to the static displays. I'll take the day off and tell the powers that be I'm escorting an AFV News / VIP!!

- SFC_Jeff_Button

I just contacted Rob Roche at China Lake and made arrangements to visit there on Saturday 4 February if all goes well. I'll be taking lots of pictures and trying to record every serial and USA number I can find. However the Ontos, M103, and some other stuff will only be able to be seen with a powerful spoting scope according to Rob.
Mr. Kibby, since you are close by, maybe you would like to come along and we could finally meet, before I head off back to Ft Hood? I could show you the book I've put together for the museum here. Or maybe you could just visit Ft Irwin. Only bad thing is that the Irwin museum is closed on weekends. Come on a week day, and I can probably get you into the storage facility that holds the M2 Half Track and a Huey undergoing resto as well as going to the museum and around the post to the static displays. I'll take the day off and tell the powers that be I'm escorting an AFV News / VIP!!

Jeff,
Make it "Doug"...please!

That sounds mighty appealing....I've never met Rob either, though we've shared some pics for the Eaglehorse feature and stuff like that.
I've got some carryover vacation time I have to burn, and I could probably make it up for the previous Friday at Irwin (where I have been before and met with Neil Morrison, who was very generous). Haven't seen the "storage facility" though...could be cool! I had a chance to poke around many of the static displays, but not all.
I stayed in that post hotel and got a suite last time (Oct. 2003) Remind me the name and contact info for it. As I recall, I need a sponsor or somebody to get beyond the main gate.
I might try something like coming up the Thursday nite before and spending the night (chow on me) and then we're already there. Gotta' run this by she-who-must-be-obeyed of course, but see no problem offhand.
If they're back, maybe we can pop in on the returned Sqdn. and all...change of commands since I was there two years ago...I have a lot of stuff that might be of interest for everyone from Rgt. on down to see...I could bring it.
I wanted to get into that museum gift shop again, too!
Whaddaya' think?

Doug,
Rob gave me his phone number but its been busy for the last hour or so. He said that China Lakes museum mainly has jets, missles and such. He said there are two M59's and some trucks in a compound he may be able to get into. I did call Neil at the museum here and he said they'll pull out the Half Track and give you a ride while your here.
The post hotel is called The Landmark Inn, and their phone number is (760)386-4040. So you would be coming Thursday, 2 Feb?, about what time? Shoot me an e-mail when you get this at jeffrey.alan.button @ us.army.mil. I'll then give you my phone number to reach me here at the house. I should be here most of the day.

The Museum on base here is open on Saturdays....however all the armored stuff is out on various ranges where nobody can go drool over 'em. The Museum is basicaly the history of guided and unguided weapons development here. We invented the Sidwinder, big display on that history. We also developed the first guided munition used in WWII by the Navy. The "Bat".

A few wingy-thingys are outside as well. It's pretty easy to find, just ask at the front gate if I'm not available for the nickle tour.

Rob

Rgr...message sent to Jeff (note that we have Private Messaging on this forum so email is not necessary...or public displays of email if you prefer not to).

Whatever we do (if my reporting officer grants permission ) I'll be bringing plenty of camera!

Say Rob...either one of those fastbacks a Forumula S with the 271?

Cheers,
Doug

I'm jealous

I've been trying to get out there for 3 years.....

Don,
Wish you could come along as well! I've arranged for a Half Track ride with Neil at the museum as well as my version of the "nickel" tour of the post. There is also the Huey thats undergoing a slow restoration that a SFC Rodney Yano earned the CMH saving in SEA. He died from his actions but saved the bird and its crew. Obviously we'll visit the display pieces but I want to take Doug through the 1/11th motorpool as well, check out those OSV's and other OPFOR equipment. I'm going to try and get with range control to see if going out on the M203 range is feesible. There's an old tank sitting out there I'd like to see, but the chances are slim the RC will OK that.
Someday I'll make my way to Knox and I'll expect the tour from you there. After all, I'm from Ohio and thats not to far away.

Jeff

Deal!! Others can vouch for the fact I'm good for it....

Jeff...
I think I'm in for sure, will verify at work Monday and call. Don't think the wife will accompany....experience suggests that about 3-4 hours is her saturation point on this stuff.
I'll be looking into an early get-away from work on Thursday if do-able and getting up there that afternoon to avoid traffic as much as possible. Will confirm this tomorrow probably.

Outstanding! There aren't many places to eat on this post so we'll have some steaks on the grill here if you don't mind. Saturday will be Myself and my son Jeffrey going to China Lake. The wife and Morgan will attend his football game. I will be at work from 0830-1100 and 1330-1600, (I have a CSM meeting at lunch time). I am really looking forward to it. I will let Neil know you are coming once you call with confirmation.