DMSP 50th Anniversary

Retired DMSP directors share memories at the Partnership Council meeting, Sept. 20. Panel Members (from left to right): Col. Norton James III, DMSP Director, 1995-1998; Col. Randy Odle, DMSP Director, 2000-2003; Col. Jeffery Quirk, DMSP Director, 1998-2000; Col. Thomas Haig, DMSP Director, 1961-1965; Maj. Gen. John Kulpa, DMSP Director, 1965-1968; Col. Joseph McGlinchey, Deputy for DMSP, 1978-1980; Col. John Wagner III, DMSP Director, 2003-2006; and Col. Stephen Pluntze, DMSG Commander, 2008-2010. (Photo by Jim Gordon)

50 Years of Space Weather Celebrated with Partnership Council, Gala

Published Oct. 3, 2012
By SMC Public Affairs

LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Space and Missile Systems Center celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Corona Defense Meteorological Satellite Program at Los Angeles AFB's Gordon Conference Center, Sept. 20.

A panel discussion composed of retired Defense Meteorological Satellite Program directors was featured at a Partnership Council meeting held during the day. Later that evening, the National Defense Industrial Association hosted a 50th Anniversary Gala at the Portofino hotel in Redondo Beach, Calif. The guest speakers were Lt. Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski, Space and Missile Systems Center commander, and Dr. Fred Lewis, Air Force Director of Weather. The evening also featured displays and videos highlighting the weather program.

The events provided an opportunity to applaud 50 years of success and look forward to the future of military satellite weather.