A.V. SALUTES COMMANDER OF PLANT 42.Byline: Jim Skeen Daily News Staff Writer Lt. Col. Pete Drinkwater, commander of Air Force Plant 42, was honored Tuesday as a facilitator of alliances, a good neighbor and a gentleman. Civic and government representatives turned out to honor Drinkwater at a luncheon at the Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley Country Club. Drinkwater is stepping down as commander of Air Force Plant 42 on Thursday and is retiring after 21 years of military service. ``I feel like Jimmy Stewart at the end of `It's a Wonderful Life,' '' Drinkwater said of the accolades. Drinkwater, 45, the commander of Plant 42 for more than three years, is retiring to provide some stability for his family, including letting his oldest son stay in the same high school, rather than having to relocate with new duty assignments. ``You've been a good neighbor and a fine gentleman,'' said Roger Hemme of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, one of several organizations to present gifts and letters of appreciation to Drinkwater. John Bass, vice president of Lockheed Martin For the former company, see . Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is a leading multinational aerospace manufacturer and advanced technology company formed in 1995 by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta. ``Skunk skunk, name for several related New World mammals of the weasel family, characterized by their conspicuous black and white markings and use of a strong, highly offensive odor for defense. Works,'' credited Drinkwater for his efforts in bringing Plant 42's aerospace firms together to form an alliance to help land more business. ``It would not have gotten off the ground without Pete,'' Bass said. Among the gifts for Drinkwater were models of aircraft associated with Plant 42, including the B-1 and B-2 bombers and the F-117 stealth stealth Any military technology intended to make vehicles or missiles nearly invisible to enemy radar or other electronic detection. Research in antidetection technology began soon after radar was invented. fighter. There were also plaques from the cities of Lancaster and Palmdale and the California Highway Patrol highway patrol n. A state law enforcement organization whose police officers patrol the public highways. , and a U.S. flag from Rep. Howard ``Buck'' McKeon, R-Santa Clarita. Drinkwater began his tenure as commander of Plant 42 on July 15, 1993. As commander of Plant 42, Drinkwater oversees a production and flight test installation with about 9,000 workers - the second-largest center of employment in the Antelope Valley, behind Edwards Air Force Base Edwards Air Force Base, U.S. military installation, 301,000 acres (121,805 hectares), S Calif., NE of Lancaster; est. 1933. It is one of the largest air force bases in the United States and has the world's longest runway. . Drinkwater lives in Palmdale with his wife, Joanne, and their two sons, Adam, 15, and Nathan, 4. Drinkwater plans to stay in the Antelope Valley, possibly working as a teacher. A change of command ceremony for Plant 42 will be held Thursday. Drinkwater's replacement is Lt. Col. Robert M. Catlin, now assigned to Buckley Air National Guard Base in Aurora Aurora, cities, United States Aurora (ərôr`ə, ô–). 1 City (1990 pop. 222,103), Adams and Arapahoe counties, N central Colo., a growing suburb on the east side of Denver; inc. 1903. , Colo. CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO (color) Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford, left, and Lancaster Mayor Frank Roberts Frank Roberts may refer to:
Jeff Goldwater/Daily News |
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