Page 1 - Aerotech News and Review, April 15, 2022

Aerotech News
Aerotech News
Journal of Aerospace, Defense Industry and Veteran News
Unlocking the Past:
Joe Walker Middle School marks 50th anniversary
and Review
and Review
by Adam Bowles
Edwards AFB, Calif.
Local test pilots and school offi- cials honored the legacy of NASA Test Pilot Joe Walker during the “Joe Walker 50th Anniversary Celebra- tion” at Joe Walker Middle School in Lancaster Calif., April 2, 2022.
Walker’s career in aerospace was marked with two flights to space in the X-15 earning his astronaut wings, along with numerous other achieve- ments. Walker was not only an ac- claimed test pilot, but also an An- telope Valley community member coaching little league and actively involved in mentoring the next gen- eration.
Tragically, Walker lost his life when his F-104 collided with an XB- 70 in mid-air during a test mission. The photo mishap is still used today for lessons learned in the aerospace community.
As a pillar in both the aerospace and local community, the legacy of Joe Walker was established with the opening of Joe Walker Middle School in Lancaster, Calif., in 1972, six years after his death. The his- tory of Walker and the presence of the school in the community has had a lasting influence on the aerospace community; alumni from Joe Walker Middle School credit the heritage of the school as having a big influence in their careers.
Jessica Peterson, the 412 Opera-
See SCHOOL, Page 2
Air Force photograph by Adam Bowles
Family and friends of Joe Walker came together at Joe Walker Middle School to celebrate his lasting influence as a pillar in both aerospace and the local community, as well as the 50th anniversary of the school.
Far left: Workers pull the time capsule from its ‘hiding’ place at Joe Walker Middle School in Quartz Hill, Calif. The school opened April 1, 1972, and is marking its 50th anniversary. Left: Test pilot Joe Walker was killed on June 8, 1966, when his F-104N Starfighter chase aircraft collided with a North American XB-70 Valkyrie.
April 15, 2022 • Volume 37, Issue 7
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Air Force photograph by Adam Bowles
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