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As a CAP cadet 1966-1969 the lore of this base was discussed often. Usaf Academy, CO 80840-1307 Colorado Springs, CO 80919-3732 Warrensburg, MO 64093-9357 Powerplant: Two Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 Twin Wasp, 14-cylinder radial air-cooled engines, 1,200 horsepower each. action, the base has sat mostly dormant. Jun 18, 2016 - blytheville afb photos | Blytheville Air Force Base, Blytheville . The deactivation of the Eakers (Blytheville) Air Force Base in 1992 hit the community hard as in 2019 the population is about 15,000 while the population of Fayetteville exploded to near 90,000. About Westminster Village . Some commanders, such as General Charles Donnelly in USAFE (no relation to the author) reportedly considered making names and/or nose art on USAFE aircraft a requirement. Description based on: Vol. Transferred from the 97th Bomb Wing at Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas, this aircraft was flown to the Museum in November 1978. Photo Credit: The National Cold War Center. Thule is the only air force base with no aircraft and a tugboat. In 1988, the based was renamed to honor World War II General, Ira C. Eaker. When I arrived in July 1972, Blytheville Air Force Base's B-52s, KC-135s, pilots, navigators, electronic warfare officers, tail gunners and many . It was amazing. On January 10th, 1964, a B52H loaned to Boeing by the USAF was testing the structural integrity of, and new technology for the aircraft. The aircraft in question was tail number 61-0023. In June 1965, B-52s entered combat in Southeast Asia. In 1955 North Sawba Cemetery once again returned to government jurisdiction with the activation of Blytheville Air Force Base later renamed Eaker Air Force Base, until base closure December 1992. The majority of the bases housing is still in use, a few buildings are in use, and the tarmac is now the Arkansas Aeroplex. Honorable Discharged at the rank of E5 Staff Sgt. The base closed in December 1992 and has re-opened as a general aviation/commercial airport and industrial park known as the Arkansas Aeroplex. N503DN Delta Air Lines | Airbus A350-941 | Arkansas International Airport by M.J. Scanlon 17 . The Air Force needed a long-distance bomber that could travel all the way to the former U.S.S.R., drop a payload on a target and travel back without needing refueling. I completed USAF Technical School in Denver Co the end of June 1972 and received two weeks leave before reporting to my base and when I arrived home my old farm boss, USAAF Veteran Bill Morriss had a brand new Suzuki motorcycle in his garage. Ritz. [1], On 15 July 1955, the facility was reopened as Blytheville Air Force Base (AFB), when the 461st Bombardment Wing was moved from Hill Air Force Base in Utah. machine guns in tail plus up to 43,000+ lbs. In the post-Cold War era, the U.S. Air Force decided to shut down the Eaker Air Force Base in Blytheville, AR. The airport was developed from the closed Eaker Air Force Base (formerly Blytheville Air Force Base), after its closure by the U.S. Air Force in 1992. . Was stationed there from 1967 to 1970 with 97th AMS, the old A&E Squadron. The nine surviving jets are scattered from coast to coast most of them restored and on display. But it is well-worth the visit. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. There was no need for the Global Shield. . At the former Blytheville (Eaker) Air Force Base, now Arkansas International Airport, Delta Air Lines has stored many aircraft because of the downturn of passengers due to the 2020 Corona Virus. Would love hear your stories or your thoughts. Doors and numerous truckloads of metal were being hauled off the alert pad. The aircraft was flown from Castle AFB to Hill AFB, Utah, in its final flight. Eaker. In August 1991 this Stratofortress was dropped from the Air Force inventory and made available to the USAF Museum Program. Touch . As a kid in nearby Jonesboro, our cub scout pack got to visit what was then Blytheville AFB. All photos. Gym - Center of Wing's Athletic Activities. Best years of my life. The base's primary mission shifted to bomber training. Renamed Eaker Air Force Base in 1988 honoring Gen. Ira Eaker, the entire facility closed in 1992. The boom operators on KC-135s got a laugh over it, the pilots loved it, commanding officers were horrified and eventually ordered it removed. These three 97th BW aircraft were stationed and flown out of Anderson AFB, Guam, as part of the 72nd Strategic Wing (Provisional). Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. Nose Art: Boeing B-52G Stratofortress "Hoosier Hotshot", Nose Art: Boeing B-52G Stratofortress "Valkyrie", N915DN Delta Air Lines | McDonnell Douglas MD-90-30 | Arkansas International Airport, N502DN Delta Air Lines | Airbus A350-941 | Arkansas International Airport, 59-1514 Boeing KC-135E Stratotanker United States Air Force, N907DL Delta Air Lines | McDonnell Douglas MD-88 | Arkansas International Airport, www.hill.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5714, www.youtube.com/watch?v=leohcvmf8kM&feature=related, B-52G with an North American AGM-28 Hound Dog Missile, National Museum of the United States Air Force, Dayton, Ohio, Photoshopped image of Rick OKelley Age 20 on his 1972 Suzuki GT750J Le Mans, Post Card KC 135 refueling a B-52G from Blytheville AFB, Sign that set at the Main Gate at Blytheville Air Force Base, 1977477_10202915854723496_3494507586333601988_n, www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/facility/bomber_alert.htm, Blytheville Air Force Base exhibit at DGM, Rickie D O'Kelley Staff Sergeant 1975 - Age 22. We share a body likeness and dress and I had an orange helmet but most of the time I wore my Easy Rider Flag helmet. Published: Jan. 11, 2022 at 6:25 PM PST. Finally, again to save weight, the tail gunner position was eliminated in favor of a remote-controlled barbette, with the gunner moved forward to the crew compartment. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Desert Storm was the swan song for the B-52G. BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. During World War II, the site served as a training airfield as part of the 70,000 Pilot Training Program. On January 23rd, 2022, it was announced that the former dorms would be demolished. Lots of good memories. The US needed a long range aircraft able to refuel other long range aircraft. Known as Operation Secret Squirrel, this 34-hour mission was at the time the longest aerial mission ever flown, and was not surpassed until the strikes on Afghanistan in 2001. Far in the northeast corner of Arkansas, five miles west of the Mississippi River, the city of Blytheville remembers a prosperous past while hoping for a bright future. A B52 with a full nuclear payload, is the seventh most powerful country in the world.. "Valkyrie" shows one of Norse mythology's legendary "choosers of the slain" in full armor on horseback, with her shield a SAC emblem and carrying SAC's red lightning bolts in her other hand--which is pretty inventive. This increased the B-52Gs range over earlier B-52s, though it also added considerable weightone reason why the tail was shortened; to help the heavy bomber get off the ground, the water-injection system already present was increased. Blytheville Air Force Base was established in 1942 as a pilot training station. https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Eaker_Air_Force_Base, https://www.boeing.com/history/products/b-52-stratofortress.page, https://www.boeing.com/history/products/kc-135-stratotanker.page, https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1771/text?r=1&s=1, https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/bill-designating-national-cold-war-center-in-blytheville-introduced-in-senate, https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/107172/general-ira-c-eaker/, https://www.afcec.af.mil/Home/BRAC/Eaker.aspx, https://www.npr.org/2010/03/09/123773525/female-wwii-pilots-the-original-fly-girls. Its' soft start" with hours on Friday's and Saturday from about 12:00pm to 4:00pm, will take some trip planning. In June 1975 the aircraft was sent to the 97th Bombardment Wing (H) residing at Blytheville AFB, Arkansas. Hopefully the site will become available again for us. Many buildings are gone, and will continue to disappear. View allAll Photos Tagged Blytheville Air Force Base. This would determine if the base could go on operating in the future, or if it was deemed unnecessary to continue service. Businesses have come and go, but the wear and tear of Mother Nature and Father time have taken their toll on many buildings on base. Collect, curate and comment on your files. Everything from a static display of a B52 Stratofortress (which the Arkansas Aeroplex hopes to someday acquire), to letters from soldiers to their families overseas. Though, the program and its members were not considered truly military nor pilots until the 1970s. Old Movies. The 17th Bombardment Wing (H) at Anderson AB was this aircraft's next duty station, arriving there in January 1973. This Abandoned Air Force base is located three miles Northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. As part of Operation Secret Squirrel, "Valkyrie" would be part of a record setting 34-hour bomb mission from Barksdale to Iraq and back again. I hope they can save this base so that it doesnt get destroyed. This is not my photograph so it may not be used for commercial purposes. It was always fascinating to hear stories about how papers were left on desks and furniture left abandoned. . Ash worked from a photograph of the B-52 Blytheville plane. No photo description available. By October of the same year the aircraft was moved to Robins AFB, Georgia. The Blytheville Air Force Base Capehart Housing Historic District encompasses a large residential area built between 1957 and 1962 as part of a military housing program for service members stationed at the now-closed Blytheville Air Force Base in Blytheville, Arkansas. I single had a wonderful time on my motorcycle that summer when I arrived at Blytheville Air Force base and my motorcycle was a major reason for my fond memories of a carefree time in my youth. "Valkyrie" was known to the USAF as 58-0183, a B-52G Stratofortress. It was located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. Posted on Facebook by Michael Meagher, Photographer unknown. Armament: Four .50-cal. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. Club was demolished. There were VIP transports (designated VC-47A/B) and there were SC-47s used as search and rescue aircraft. When Vietnam ended and the USAF got back to peacetime, nose art once more disappeared. He arranged the trade of my old piece of crap Harley, arranged the financing so I could just get on my new motorcycle and drive away. Microscopy, Atomic Force Pulmonary Ventilation Acoustic Impedance Tests. Leaving Little Rock as Arkansas only active base. action specifically caters to closures and revitalization of U.S. military bases. Evans at Blytheville air show in 1980. Today. Engines: Eight P&W J57-P-43WB turbojets, 13,750 lbs thrust each w/ water injection, Weight: 168,445 lbs empty; 488,000 lbs max, Speed: 636 mph max at 20,800 ft; 523 mph cruise, Range: 4,100 miles w/10,000 lb bomb load; 7,976 miles ferry, Armament: Four .5 in machine guns; payload 50,000 lbs bombs & missiles. It boasted a vibrant downtown and it had an eclectic population due to the wide variety of people the base brought to the city. The exhibits are impactful and tell the story of Base history. Notice my Mustang has what appears to be a trailer hitch. Though it is referred to these names, the airport officially goes by Arkansas Aeroplex. Any monthly plan. Under the command of the 326th Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron, pilots would train in aircraft such as theBeechcraft AT-10, and Curtiss-Wright AT-9s. 2023 Getty Images. In June 1972 General Brown assumed command of the 416th Bombardment Wing at Griffiss Air Force Base, N.Y. Merged with: Blytheville herald-news (non-extant), to form: Blytheville courier news. Dave Howell, RN Bob Gilbert, Gunner Rick Watson, EW Chuck Kinkhead, N Can't remember, CP Kevin Rice. TWS is the largest online community of Veterans existing today and is a powerful Veteran locator. Jwt708 Well-Known Member. Over 1,000,000 pictures Communism had shriveled in the world. https://nuke.fas.org/guide/usa/bomber/kc-135.htm#:~:text=The%20KC%2D135%20can%20haul,transferable%20for%20global%20refueling%20missions. At 14 I was hopping buses and trains and hanging out with friends in surrounding towns. The B-52H, however, continues to serve without a replacement on the horizon; the USAF intends to keep it in service until at least 2025, by which time the newest Stratofortress would have been in service sixty years. The Air Force packed up and left. When the klaxon sounded, the aircrews scrambled to their aircraft, and got a radio code to start their engines; after the engines were running, they got another code that instructed them either to shut down, and go back to the alert facility (in which case it would be called a Coco alert), or to taxi (that would be a Bravo alert). Thanks to Dave Howell for posting this photo of Miss Piggy and her crew. Sheila Russell Thurber. On 7 July 1971 SACs last C-47 was transferred to the USS Alabama Monument Commission. VetFriends.com helps reunite veterans from the Air Force daily. In 2020, both Arkansas senators proposed a bill to designate the museum in Blytheville. 1942-1946, 1953-1992. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Hear those stories come to life from the soldiers who served at the BAFB Exhibition. In the years leading up to the reunification of Germany, the U.S. government sought out to begin a process that would eventually end in many bases like Eaker, to be closed. 1-2 hours. Had many good times there. At one point, sharkmouths were banned by 7th Air Force in Saigon as being "too warlike"--despite, of course, the "non-warlike" aircraft carrying tons of bombs and missiles. Electrical work and flood damage repair have begun. The Blytheville Air Force Base Alert Center and Alert Apron constructed as part of a national expansion of Strategic Air Command Facilities across the United States and its Territories, to help in creating a "program to safeguard nuclear deterrence" through the SAC Alert program. Certain buildings are worth saving. A total of 820 KC135s have been produced since 1956. Flickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "blythevilleairforcebase" Flickr tag. Transferred from the 97th Bomb Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base, Ark., this aircraft was flown to the museum in November 1978. The Library. Most of the Gs ended their days sliced into pieces in the Arizona desert. [1], The Blytheville Air Force Base Strategic Air Command (SAC) Alert and Weapons Storage Areas Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018. It was immediately assigned to the 72nd Bombardment Wing (Heavy) at Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico. Several C-47s were fitted with pontoons and redesignated C-47C. The airbase was phased out years ago, but Blytheville has emerged as a steel production center and agri-business is strong. This VC-47D had been assigned to the 97th Bomb Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas. BLYTHEVILLE AIR FORCE BASE EXHIBITION. Profile pictures. Blytheville AFB became fully operational when it was equipped with a wing of three squadrons of B-57 bomber on 19 July 1955. I was stationed at Blytheville AFB in the late 1950s when it was a new SAC base and the first B-52s arrived. Formerly the site of family housing for Eaker Air Force Base, Westminster Village is a non-profit community. In the Monett City Park is displayed the USAF Thunderbird F-4E Phantom II #3 Jet. The aircraft remained there until November when it was reassigned to the 320th Bombardment Wing (H) at Mather AFB, California. [3] Unfortunately, Eaker Air Force Base topped the Strategic Air Command's list of base closures in 1991 and with the Cold War coming to an end, the installation was officially chosen; in March 1992, the last aircraft left the base. The rest I earned via my service to my country. In December 1972, after being repaired, it flew four additional missions over North Vietnam. Since Eaker Air Force Base went under B.R.A.C. This one is at the old (now closed) SAC base near Blytheville, Arkansas. Was the first KC-135E conversion in 1982. The 62nd Bombardment Wing (H) at Fairchild AFB, Washington, took possession of this B-52G in September 1983 but the aircraft was transferred to the 93rd Bombardment Wing (H) at Castle AFB, California, the following February. Alas LRAFB was where we flew C119s to summer camp, but always hoped foe a fly in there. During the Korean War, when many USAF units were based in Japan and crews lived with their families, wives got to see up close the often risque nose art their husbands painted on their aircraft--and were not pleased with what they saw. [1] It was located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Arkansas Delegation Introduces Legislation to Designate Blytheville Air Force Base as National Cold War Center 2/7/2023 Washington - Today, Representatives Crawford, Hill, Westerman, and Womack, along with Senators Boozman and Cotton, introduced legislation to name the Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base located in . Nearly 750 were built before production ended in Oct. 26, 1962; 170 of these were B-52Ds. In the politically correct 2000s, nose art has been hidden in wheel-well doors or, in the case of the A-10, behind the integral ladder door, and often as not, simply does not exist. The exhibits are impactful and tell the story of Base history. Constructed on former agricultural land, the site was originally activated as the Blytheville Army Airfield in 1942. Housing for members of the military and their families was developed between 1957 and 1962 north and south . Eaker AFB was selected for closure under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round of 1991. MEMORIES. Summary of H.R.859 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): To authorize references to the museum located at Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base in Blytheville, Arkansas, as the "National Cold War Center". Link to the fact sheet on the museum's web page: www.hill.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5714, Link to the other B52s I remember: www.youtube.com/watch?v=leohcvmf8kM&feature=related. [2] In July 1959, the 97th Bombardment Wing subsequently assumed control of the base and brought with it the long-range B-52G bomber and the KC-135A Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft to support bomber operations. On the evening in question, Bruce was working for a local radio station, performing tests on their transmitters. Jun 18, 2016 - blytheville afb photos | Blytheville Air Force Base, Blytheville . After Eaker Air Force Base was B.R.A.C.d, multiple buildings on the base were put up for sale, but never put to use properly. Photos from Blytheville Eaker Air Force Base - KBYH on JetPhotos Photos (Some joked that the ladies might just paint hunky guys on their aircraft!). Who knew that 41 years later I would have a new Mustang or even still be alive. Owners of said buildings had big ambitions to renovate and repurpose the old buildings, but either plans never took off or money was tight. Select from premium Blytheville Air Force Base of the highest quality. The newer B-52Hs had turbofan powerplant, which was more fuel efficient, and START arms control treaties required the dismantling of the B-52G force after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. The B-52 had 8 engines but the two AGM-28 engines could also be used for take off and getting up to altitude. After 30 years and learning the computer and finding VetFriends, I went to my first reunion of the USS Navasota AO-106. Part of the reason was the USAF's adoption of "Combat Warrior," which was meant to instill a sense of history among its pilots and airmen, requiring the study of the USAF/USAAF historical record. Officers Club. This has led to the current dilapidated state of some buildings. But, right before the first man could bail, the pilot had realized they had marginal control over the aircraft. Building 1225, will be added to the collection of buildings as part of the future National Cold War Center. However, some F-15E Strike Eagle units have begun painting nose art again, so reports of its demise is probably premature. Ruth Eaker, General Eakers widow, signing autographs during the name change of the base in 1988. In 1988, the facility was renamed Eaker Air Force Base in honor of World War II General of the Eighth Air Force, Ira C. Eaker. Arkansas had six Army airfields. The population suffered as well. Thanks VetFriends. This Abandoned Air Force base is located three miles Northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. Coupled with the more regulation bound USAF of the 1950s, almost no B-36s or B-52s carried nose art, despite a larger "canvas" than the B-29 or B-17. Posted June 9th, 2014 by NFFF & filed under Uncategorized. (USAF Museum Official Website), Objects and images related to Blytheville Air Force Base, aka Eaker Air Force Base, The patch for the 340th Bomb Squadron assigned to the 97th Bomb Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base aka Eakers Air Force Base. The plane . It launched rescue missions from the base to Grenada in 1983 and in August 1990, the pilots of the 97th Bomber Wing began practicing for missions in the Middle East and eventually supported Operation Desert Storm. Blytheville Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base from 1942, until it closed in 1992. If was really not abandoned til 10 year ago becuae I went to preschool on the base then I got shut down because all of us got sick becuase the heat and air went out. The B-52 is one of the few planes I remember Dad talking about during his career at Hill Air Force Base. Art flourished in some units (namely F-105 wings) and was banned in others. It is the USAFs main aerial fueling aircraft. The commanding general of the U.S. Army Air Forces, Henry Arnold, went as far as saying that he doubted a woman could control a B17. The 456th completed deployments to Anderson AB in Guam with this B-52G.