Historical Markers and War Memorials in Edwards AFB, California
Bakersfield is the county seat for Kern County
Edwards AFB is in Kern County
Kern County(336) ► ADJACENT TO KERN COUNTY Inyo County(133) ► Kings County(8) ► Los Angeles County(1886) ► San Bernardino County(327) ► San Luis Obispo County(103) ► Santa Barbara County(137) ► Tulare County(86) ► Ventura County(175) ►
Touch name on this list to highlight map location. Touch blue arrow, or on map, to go there.
On Rosamond Boulevard, 4.8 miles east of West Gate, on the left when traveling east.
Called a “natural airdrome,” the Rogers Dry Lakebed and surrounding airspace, known as the Air Force Flight Test Center, has been and continues to be the optimum location for “first flights” and validation of high-performance and experimental . . . — — Map (db m152144) HM
On Rosamond Boulevard, 0.1 miles north of Popson Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
On Oct. 2, 1942, a Bell XP-59A Aircraft powered by Twin General Electric Type 1-A Engines introduced Jet Flight to America. This new age began here at Edwards Air Force Base as the XP-59A lifted from Rogers Dry Lake with Bell Test Pilot Robert M. . . . — — Map (db m115090) HM
Near Rosamond Boulevard, on the left when traveling east. Reported permanently removed.
The first prototye B-52 took to the air on 15 April 1952. Nearly 750 B-52’s were eventually built, of which 170 were –Ds. Records set by B-52s included the world’s first non-stop round-the-world flight by a jet aircraft and the first hydrogen bomb . . . — — Map (db m115099) HM
Near South Lancaster Boulevard, 0.4 miles west of 120th Street East, on the right when traveling west.
Branch Pond was constructed in the late
1960's as a fish pond. In the early 70's
the pond was often used by the Survival
School for pilot training programs.
The pond is now a recreational fishing
resource. The pond is filled with . . . — — Map (db m207945) HM
Near South Rosamond Boulevard, on the left when traveling north.
Originally developed as a private venture to meet a USAF requirement for a twin jet utility trainer, the prototype T-39 made its first flight on 16 September 1958. In all, 143 T-39A’s and six T-39B’s were built for the USAF. Another 62 T-39’s were . . . — — Map (db m115101) HM
Near South Lancaster Boulevard, 0.4 miles west of 120th Street East, on the right when traveling west.
Home of the Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards
Air Force Base provides the premier aerospace research, development, test and evaluation and support
for the United States and its allies. More aviation
records have been set at Edwards than . . . — — Map (db m207942) HM
On Rosamond Boulevard, 10 miles east of California Route 14, on the right when traveling east.
Originally developed from the McDonnell XF-88 penetration fighter, the F-101 was designed as a long-range bomber escort for the Strategic Air Command. The prototype made its first flight at Edwards AFB in September 1954. When high-speed, . . . — — Map (db m115497) HM
On Rosamond Boulevard, 10 miles east of California Route 14, on the right when traveling east.
The first XF-104 made its initial flight here at Edwards AFB in February 1954. In May 1958, a YF-104A set a world speed record of 1,404.19 mph over Edwards, and in December 1959, an F-104C set a world altitude record of 103, 395 feet here. The . . . — — Map (db m115470) HM
Near Rosamond Boulevard, 10 miles east of California Route 14, on the right when traveling east.
The YF-105 completed its maiden flight at Edwards AFB in October 1955, easily exceeding Mach One, even though it was powered by a J57 engine - much less powerful than its projected power plant, the J75. The D-model “Thud” added water injection to . . . — — Map (db m115494) HM
On Rosamond Boulevard, 10 miles east of California Route 14, on the right when traveling east.
The F-106 Delta Dart had a long and illustrious career at Edwards AFB. The prototype A-model made its first flight here on 26 Dec 56. On 15 Dec 59, Col Joe Rogers piloted as F-106 A to a world speed record of 1,525.695 mph (Mach 2.41) here. In Apr . . . — — Map (db m115495) HM
Near Rosamond Boulevard, 0.2 miles west of Lancaster Boulevard, on the left when traveling east.
The F-111A was the world’s first production variable-sweep wing fighter. It completed its maiden flight on 21 December 1964, at Carswell AFB, Texas. The aircraft could exceed twice the speed of sound (Mach 2) by sweeping its wings rearward while in . . . — — Map (db m115102) HM
Near Popson Avenue near Wolfe Avenue, on the left when traveling west.
When first flown at Edwards AFB on January 20, 1974, the YF-16 was the most advance fighter in the world. The F-16B is a combat-capable two-seat version of the production F-16A. To date, over 4,000 F-16s have been manufactured worldwide and 122 B . . . — — Map (db m115097) HM
For the Digital Fly-By-Wire project, NASA technicians replaced cables and push rods in this F-8 Crusader with an electronic flight-control system coupled to a digital computer. The computer interpreted the pilot's control inputs and transmitted . . . — — Map (db m128305) HM
On Lilly Avenue at Walker Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Lilly Avenue.
This research aircraft was the first airplane to fly using a digital fly-by-wire electronics flight-control system with no mechanical backup system. The initial system utilized components from the Apollo spacecraft guidance and control system. . . . — — Map (db m128306) HM
On Lilly Avenue, on the left when traveling south.
Marker 1: This research aircraft was the first airplanes to demonstrate the transonic performance capabilities of a supercritical wing. This airplane demonstrated a drag-rise Mach number of 0.96 at cruise lifting conditions. The resulting . . . — — Map (db m121503) HM
Near South Rosamond Boulevard, on the left when traveling north.
The Republic YF-84F prototype (a modified F-84E straight-wing officially designated YF-96A) completed its hour-long first flight at Edwards in June 1950. The first flight of the revised F-model prototype, with its distinctly deeper fuselage profile, . . . — — Map (db m115103) HM
On Popson Avenue near Wolfe Avenue, on the left when traveling west.
The F-86, the Nation’s first swept-wing jet fighter, made its initial flight at what is now Edwards AFB on October 1, 1947. The first production model flew on May 20, 1948 and on September 15, 1948 an F-86A streaked to a world-record 670.9 mph. . . . — — Map (db m115092) HM
On Hospital Road/Jones Road, 3.3 miles east of Lancaster Boulevard.
The Bell X-1 was loaded into its B-29 launch aircraft from this pit on October 14, 1947. Captain Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager piloted the airplane to Mach 1.06 (700 mph). — — Map (db m115115) HM
Near Lilly Avenue, on the left when traveling south.
This Highly Maneuverable Aircraft Technology demonstrator, the second of two built, was designed to test technologies that would improve the maneuverability of future U.S. fighters. NASA, the Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory, and Rockwell . . . — — Map (db m128311) HM
On Lilly Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
Flown 37 times by NASA's Flight Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base, California.
First flight December 22, 1966. Final flight July 17, 1970.
Maximum speed and altitude records for lifting bodies held by the HL-10: Mach 1.86 (1228 MPH) . . . — — Map (db m139901) HM
On Popson Avenue at Airman’s Way, in the median on Popson Avenue.
During her extraordinary 40-year flying career, aviation pioneer Jacqueline "Jackie" Cochran established more speed, altitude and distance records than any other pilot, male or female, in aviation history. While flying a USAF F-86A Sabre here at . . . — — Map (db m115116) HM
Near Popson Avenue near Wolfe Avenue, on the left when traveling west.
The United States Air Force has always relied upon the application of leading-edge technologies to fulfill its mission of airpower projection. From the XP-59 of 1942 to the B-2, C-17, and F-22 of today, the Flight Test Center has been essential to . . . — — Map (db m115095) HM
On Lilly Avenue at Walker Avenue, on the left when traveling south on Lilly Avenue.
NASA Dryden operated a fleet of F-104 Starfighters between 1956 and 1994. These were used as chase aircraft, for pilot training and proficiency, and to practice X-15 approaches and landings. They were also configured to carry flight-test fixtures . . . — — Map (db m128308) HM
On Rosamond Blvd, 4.8 miles east of West Gate, on the left when traveling east.
The SR-71 is long-range Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft that was operated by the U.S. Air Force from 1964 to 1998. It was developed as a “black” project of the Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance aircraft in the 1960s by Lockheed and its “Skunk . . . — — Map (db m207916) HM
On Lilly Avenue at Walker Avenue, on the left when traveling south on Lilly Avenue.
Marker 1: The SR-71 Blackbird served NASA as a high-speed, high-altitude research aircraft capable of attaining altitudes above 85,000 feet with a cruising speed up to Mach 3.32 (2,193 mph). To enable it to withstand high temperatures . . . — — Map (db m128309) HM
Near South Rosamond Boulevard, on the left when traveling north.
The Meteor was Britain’s first operational jet aircraft and the only operational Allied jet to see service in World War II. The prototype, designated G.41, completed its first flight in March 1943 under the power of two de Havilland H-1 turbojets. . . . — — Map (db m115104) HM
On Rosamond Boulevard, 4.8 miles east of West Gate, on the left when traveling east.
This vehicle served much of its life at the
NASA Dryden Flight Research Center
at Edwards AFB in support of
the Space Shuttle Program.
On Loan from the National Museum of the United States Air Force. — — Map (db m223302) HM
On Lilly Avenue at Walker Avenue, on the left when traveling south on Lilly Avenue.
In 1993 Dryden acquired the NF-15B, a two-seat jet fighter that had undergone significant modifications including the addition of canards and a pair of thrust-vectoring nozzles. Dryden engineers used the aircraft as a test bed for research on . . . — — Map (db m128310) HM
On Rosamond Boulevard, 4.8 miles east of West Gate, on the left when traveling east.
The Phantom II, first flown in May 1958, was developed as a fleet defense interceptor for the U.S. Navy. After entering Navy service in 1961, the USAF evaluated it at Edwards AFB to fill a fighter-bomber requirement. In 1963 production F-4Cs began . . . — — Map (db m115105) HM
Near Rosamond Boulevard, on the left when traveling east.
Thor was the free world’s first operational intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM). It was 65 feet long, 8 feet in diameter and weighed 105,000 pounds. Douglas Aircraft was the prime contractor. The missile utilized a single stage North . . . — — Map (db m115106) HM
On Rosamond Boulevard, 4.8 miles east of West Gate, on the left when traveling east.
The Piper PA-48 Enforcer is a turboprop-powered light close air support/ground attack aircraft. It was an ultimate development of the original World War II North American P-51 Mustang. The Enforcer concept was originally created by Cavalier . . . — — Map (db m128315) HM
On Wolfe Avenue west of Muroc Drive, on the left when traveling west.
First flight — June, 1963.
Last flight — December, 1971.
On 6 December 1963, major Robert W. Smith
set an unofficial world altitude record
of 120,800 feet from a ground takeoff.
Plaque presented by: Class 72B
USAF Test Pilot . . . — — Map (db m139929) HM
Near Mercury Boulevard, 2.5 miles east of Rocket Site Road.
Leading the vision and evolution of Air Force rocket propulsion
technology from its earliest days, the Rocket Site's men and
women and their unique research, development, and test facilities
have provided the discoveries, developments, and . . . — — Map (db m153378) HM
On Rosamond Boulevard at Yeager Boulevard, on the right when traveling south on Rosamond Boulevard.
On October 14, 1947 42,000 feet above this
monument, Captain Chuck Yeager, USAF, piloting a Bell X-1 rocket airplane named Glamorous Glennis, became the first person to exceed Mach 1. With this flight, the era of supersonic aviation was born. . . . — — Map (db m115088) HM
Near Rosamond Blvd near Lancaster Boulevard, on the left when traveling east.
The T-28B was originally developed as a U.S. Navy basic trainer and completed its maiden flight on 6 April 1953. Nearly 500 were built. Early models of the Trojan were tested at Edwards beginning shortly after the plane’s first flight in 1949. A . . . — — Map (db m115107) HM
Near Rosamond Boulevard near Lancaster Boulevard, on the left when traveling east.
The two-seat T-33 was developed from the single-seat F-80 fighter by lengthening the fuselage slightly more than three feet to accommodate a second cockpit. It was originally designated TF-80C and made its first flight in March 1948. It quickly . . . — — Map (db m115108) HM
On Rosamond Boulevard, 10 miles east of California Route 14, on the right when traveling east.
The F-102 was developed from the Convair XF-92 delta wing research aircraft of the late 1940s and the prototype made its initial flight in October 1953 at Edwards AFB. It became operational with the Air Defense Command in 1956. At the peak of . . . — — Map (db m115469) HM
On Rosamond Boulevard at North Muroc Drive, on the right when traveling north on Rosamond Boulevard.
Main Plaque:
The medal of honor is the highest U.S. military decoration awarded to individuals who, while serving in the U.S. armed services, have distinguished themselves by conspicuous gallantry and courage at the risk of life, above . . . — — Map (db m115091) WM
Near Rosamond Boulevard, on the left when traveling east.
The Beech C-45 was the Army Air Force version of the Beech Aircraft Corporation’s Model B-18S commercial transport. The popular “Beech 18” also appeared as the AT-7 and AT-11 bombing and navigation trainers (Navy designation SNB-1/SNB-2), and the . . . — — Map (db m115110) HM
On Lilly Avenue at Walker Avenue, on the left when traveling south on Lilly Avenue.
Researchers flew the X-29 to explore the use of advanced composite materials in aircraft construction, variable-camber wing surfaces, forward-swept wings with a thin supercritical airfoil, close-coupled canards, and digital fly-by-wire controls. The . . . — — Map (db m128307) HM
On Rosamond Boulevard, 4.8 miles east of West Gate, on the left when traveling east.
Fairchild Republic Company’s two-place night/adverse weather A-10 began flight tests at Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB in May 1979. It was converted by Fairchild from one of six pre-production single place A-10s built in 1975. It . . . — — Map (db m115111) HM
Near Rosamond Boulevard near Lancaster Boulevard, on the left when traveling east.
The Corsair II was designed to meet a 1963 Navy requirement for a light attack plane to replace the A-4. The Navy’s A-7A made its first flight in September 1965. Two months later, the Air Force settled on the A-7 as a low-cost way to provide . . . — — Map (db m115113) HM
On Rosamond Boulevard, 10 miles east of California Route 14, on the right when traveling east.
Two built by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) as Advanced Medium STOL Transport (AMST) with Short Take Off and Landing ability.
First flight 26 Aug 1975, landing at Edwards AFB. Pioneered supercritical wing on large aircraft; advanced airlift state . . . — — Map (db m115466) HM
On Rosamond Boulevard, 10 miles east of California Route 14, on the right when traveling east.
The F-100 was the USAF’s first operational aircraft capable of flying faster than the speed of sound (760 mph) in level flight. The prototype YF-100A made its initial flight on 25 May 1953 and the first production aircraft was completed in October . . . — — Map (db m115496) HM
On Rosamond Boulevard east of West Gate, on the left when traveling east.
In February 1980, General Dynamics made a proposal for an
F-16 with a radically-modified wing shape. The project was known
as SCAMP (Supersonic Cruise and Maneuvering Program). The
delta wing was to be of a cranked-arrow shape with a total . . . — — Map (db m242294) HM
