AFRL Family Day

AFRL employees put on a sword fighting demonstration for family members. Before the action, the employees gave a class about the history of the sword and techniques used during combat. The crowd cheered when the "actors" put down their metal swords and fired up their light sabers to fight Aug. 5. (Air Force photo by Kenji Thuloweit)

AFRL Family Day

The main feature of the AFRL family day was the luncheon where family members and AFRL staff were treated to a live BATES rocket test. The Ballistic Test in an Evaluation System, which is a standard procedure to test a rocket propellant in a motor casing, burned 15-pounds of propellant in a custom made rocket engine in about five seconds. The BATES test was one in a series and was scheduled specifically for the AFRL family day so spouses and children could see what the AFRL is all about. After lunch, family members broke down into three groups to go on tours of different AFRL facilities, Aug. 5. (Air Force photo by Kenji Thuloweit)

AFRL's family day makes learning a blast

Published Aug. 9, 2010
By Kenji Thuloweit
95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The Air Force Research Laboratory at Edwards took a break from rocket and fuel testing to open its doors to family members and friends, Aug. 5.

The AFRL Family Day event featured everything from science experiments to a sword and light-saber fighting demonstration, both put on by AFRL employees.

Edwards Fire Department brought out two engines and its fire prevention training mobile home, which is used to teach residents how to prevent fires in the home.

Other displays and activities included face-painting, a paintball range, bottle rockets and a military working dog demonstration.

However, the main feature of the day was the luncheon where family members and AFRL staff were treated to a live Ballistic Test in an Evaluation System rocket test.

The BATES test, which is a standard procedure to test a rocket propellant in a motor casing, burned 15-pounds of propellant in a custom made rocket engine in approximately five seconds.

The BATES test was one in a series and was scheduled specifically for the AFRL family day so spouses and children could see what the AFRL is all about.

"Our employees do a lot of great testing on a day to day basis, both with national and Air Force implications," said Lt. Col. Michael Platt, AFRL Detachment 7 site commander. "This firing of a test rocket here today is a great oppurtunity for AFRL families to see what their relatives are doing and the important mission they have when they come to work everyday."

After lunch, the group received a tour of different AFRL facilities such as the rocket test stands and laboratories.