STORIES FROM THE PAST
50 years ago
While the primary mission of the Naval Air Facility and the Air Force and civilian contractors based there, concerns the development and testing of parachute gear, a great deal more goes on at the place.
The NAF also has its “fleet support” duties. They consist of making certain facilities available to naval aircraft aside elsewhere. The Valley’s superb flying weather makes it a fine place to “shoot” landings and to practice air-toground and air-to air gunnery.
One of the runways at NAF is fully equipped with a simulated aircraft carrier flight deck equipped with a “mirror” landing system and arresting gear.
40 years ago
Seven victories in eight 1977 football games mean little to the Imperial Tigers if they can’t overcome the Needles Mustangs in Chaparral League action Friday night.
The regular season concludes with the Tigers of Steve Evangelist visiting the Mustangs. The winner of the clash will snare the CL varsity championship.
Needles will have a Homecoming Game crowd awaiting the Tigers. The last time Imperial played in Needles the Mustangs came away with an upset 26-0 triumph.
Defensive may be the name of Friday’s clash. Imperial has not surrendered a point in three league games, Needles allowing one touchdown in three battles.
CL fans expect both Imperial and Needles to be in the SCIF Class A Playoffs. Needles have a 2-0-1 league mark, Imperial winning three in a row.
30 years ago
World War I veteran Blaine Smith, 90, can still fit into the goatskin dress shoes he bought to go with his G.I. uniform when he entered the U.S. Army back in 1918. But Smith does not get much chance to wear the uniform and shoes as he is one of fewer than half a dozen World War I veterans still alive in Imperial Valley.
“Can you believe there are people around today who don’t even know there was a World War I?” Smith asked.
That is why the Brawley resident was proud to wear his uniform while riding on the Disabled American Veterans float last week in Brawley’s Cattle Call Parade. And he will wear part of it again today during the Veteran’s Day ceremonies at Evergreen Cemetery, El Centro.