PMEL/METROLOGY Training

There is a back story to the “Official” USAF version describing the implementation of PMEL (Metrology) training at Lowry AFB, CO that’s not often been shared over the years. These stories come from recollections of those who were present and on-scene at the time of its inception and creation.

From Russia with Love?

In 1958 after returning from a friendly inspection of Russian military training facilities, General Doolittle recommended that a calibration course similar to one he saw in Russia would be of great benefit to the U.S.A. The Pentagon, through ATC HQ, asked for bids from ATC bases where a similar school could be established. Henry May, then assigned to the Photo school, drafted a course outline, syllabus and other documents that were submitted by Lowry for consideration. Lowry was awarded the course.

Creating Training

Ten

specialists

in

several

technical

specialties

were

selected

by

ATC

to

initiate

the

course.

MSgt.

Manweiler

was

the

NCOIC.

These

ten

men

were

sent

to

Gentile

Air

Depot

in

Dayton,

Ohio

where,

during

six

weeks

of

training,

they

were

introduced

to

the

theory

and

practical

application

of

basic

standards

of

precision

measurement, primarily of electronic instrumentation.

Given none was available, upon their return to Lowry their assignment was to write training material. Additional instructors were selected and assigned to the school where they were also trained. Lack of equipment and anticipated needs for space caused frequent changes to the proposed course starting date. The first class was finally held on 1 April 1959. For several months, until building 375A became available, the top floor of the Photo school, Building. 380, was home for the PMEL course. The original students selected for PMEL/Metrology training had to be first three graders and must have at least three years left on their current enlistments. Additional courses, time, and instructors were made available as the need for training in other technical phases was recognized by the Air Force. The course length eventually expanded to 35 weeks. The PMEL course was originally set up for AF personnel only. Not long after the course was established, other military branches recognized the importance of having men trained in this specialty. The Navy was the first to send men to Lowry. And then came selected military members of allied nations. One