We reported last month (DR, 09/12/05) that Warner Robins ALC in Georgia had garnered the “nobel prize of manufacturing,” the Shingo Prize. WRALC took home the gold Shingo—a first for any government facility, says Air Force Materiel Command—but AFMC’s two other ALCs took Shingo silver prizes, as well. Ogden ALC in Utah received two silvers, one for its F-16 Common Configuration Implementation Program and the second for its Commodities Branch Pylon Shop. Oklahoma City ALC in Oklahoma received a silver for refurbishing its maintenance program of the KC-135 tanker fleet. “The great people of AFMC have been working long and hard to apply lean principles to ensure our warfighters have everything they need, on time and on cost,” said Gen. Bruce Carlson, AFMC commander.
Celebrating 100 Years of Liquid-Fueled Rockets
March 11, 2026
March 16, 2026, marks 100 years since Dr. Robert H. Goddard launched the world’s first liquid-fueled rocket. Over the past century, new and ever more capable liquid-fueled rockets have literally propelled humanity into space. Why liquid-fueled rockets?