This week in history: May 3 - May 9

Published May 6, 2009
By John Murphy
436th AW historian

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- May 5, 1969: After 15 years of airlift service at Dover, the C-124 Globemaster II aircraft moved operations to Westover Air Force Base, Mass. In addition to the airframes, a 29,000 pound aircrew flight simulator also relocated to Westover. The simulator required a total of 11 pallets to safely complete the airlift.

May 3, 1991: The Chief of Staff of the Air Force terminated the non-commissioned officer rank of 'buck' sergeant (E-4). The new rank configuration realigned the responsibilities of the nco structure. Prior to this date, senior airmen completed training and joined the NCO ranks without a grade promotion requirement.

May 4, 2000: The 'I Love you' computer virus shutdown all of Dover's mail servers. Within one hour of the virus's first execution, base personnel e-mail accounts were flooded with numerous messages containing the virus. The 436th Communications Squadron terminated all base-wide Microsoft Outlook operations in order to control the infection. The virus contaminated a total of 14 work stations and 13 servers. Communications specialists expended 306 man-hours and restored e-mail service within 36 hours.