Blytheville Air Force Base aka Eaker Air Force Base. Links: Thule AFB . 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. The aircraft in question was tail number 61-0023. LIEUTENANT GENERAL BRUCE K. BROWN > Air Force > Biography Display - AF This Abandoned Air Force base is located three miles Northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. or the notorious F-105 "Cherry Girl," which positioned a full-frontal nude girl strategically over the refueling port on the nose. Yes we grew up overseas and only went to Department of Defense Schools but it was amazing. (photo courtesy of Delta) On Tuesday, June 2, 2020, Delta Air Lines . 07-4637 photos; United States - US Air Force (USAF) Airline: United States - US Air Force (USAF) Reg: 07-4637 photos; Aircraft: Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules; Serial #: 382-5597; . 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. I was stationed at this base in 1972-1976 and worked in the 97th Supply Squadron which is one of the large buildings located near the center of the photo. The 97th deployed to Edwards AFB, California, while operating this aircraft. The aircraft on display saw extensive service in Southeast Asia and was severely damaged by an enemy surface-to-air missile on April 9, 1972. Transferred from the 97th Bomb Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base, Ark., this aircraft was flown to the museum in November 1978. Thanks VetFriends. In its prime, it housed over 3,000 service members, and a whole fleet of Strategic Air Command B52 BUFF Stratofortresses. The worst building on base is the hospital. Jul 1999. View allAll Photos Tagged Blytheville Air Force Base. - A Blytheville museum shining a light on Cold War history received funding supporting a planned primary exhibit. The hospital has been tightly sealed up. It was located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. Arkansas World War II Army Airfields - Wikipedia To differentiate ALCM-equpped B-52Gs from unmodified aircraft, a wing fairing was added solely for the benefit of Soviet reconnaissance satellites, in accordance with arms control treaties. Currently, there is a restoration program working to rebuild and reuse buildings that arent disappearing. Arkansas Razorbacks. My Heritage. Had many good times there. While with the 97th Bomb Wing at Blytheville AFB, Arkansas, it received the name "Valkyrie" with appropriate nose art of a mail-clad female warrior on horseback; nose art made a renaissance in the USAF in the late 1980s, though not quite as risqu as that seen during World War II. The base closed in 1992, and unfortunately most of the residential units north of Daisy Drive are vacant and have since . 1950's. Janet Austin - Duplessis. THE 5 BEST Things to Do in Blytheville - 2023 (with Photos Blytheville Air Force Base Capehart Housing Historic District In 1972, all of the bombers were temporarily moved to Guam before being returned to Blytheville AFB, at which time the installation resumed normal functions. The nine surviving jets are scattered from coast to coast most of them restored and on display. action specifically caters to closures and revitalization of U.S. military bases. They also tended, in some cases, to be far more raunchy than even World War II or Korean nose art even dared--one popular one was to show a heavily pregnant Lucy Van Pelt from "Peanuts" screaming "Damn you, Charlie Brown!" of conventional or nuclear bombs, Engines: Eight Pratt & Whitney J57s of 12,100 lbs. A bomber crew from Blytheville were among the first shot down during Operation Linebacker II, a December 1972 mission targeting complexes in North Vietnam. Blytheville: Return to Prosperous Past? - AMP About Westminster Village . In December 1972, after being repaired, it flew four additional missions over North Vietnam. I don't have a clue who captured or created this image but this is it is an excellent computer generated image of a Pre-Vietnam War SAC Paint Scheme with a North American AGM-28 Hound Dog Missile. Love Photoshop, a little bit of work and #3 does a flyby just for me 41 years later. Looking Into the Past..blytheville Air Force Base and The Cold War Mr. Gorbachev tore down that wall. I was stationed at Blytheville AFB in the late 1950s when it was a new SAC base and the first B-52s arrived. The G models most noticeable feature was its 8-foot shorter tail, done to ease maintenance and to save weight. After extensive renovations, the "BAFB Exhibition", at the former Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base, is open for business. Suggest edits to improve what we show. The Air Force packed up and left. [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. These jets were flown from 1969 to Feb 1974 when they were retired due to the oil crisis. Any monthly plan. Jwt708 Well-Known Member. majesticholidays.com Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa Its' soft start" with hours on Friday's and Saturday from about 12:00pm to 4:00pm, will take some trip planning. There was no need for the Global Shield. The first model arrives at former Eaker Air Force Base - NEA Town Courier Because it was an Air Force base, the airport has room and facilities that are not available in many other complexes. Would love hear your stories or your thoughts. The first DC-3s were ordered by the USAAF in 1941 under the designation C-47, but there was no way to predict that simple designation would become a legend, that over 10,000 would be built and that the plane would be listed by General Dwight Eisenhower as one of the four pieces of equipment most vital to our success in Africa and Europe. There were countless modifications to the C-47 fleet, some taking place at the factory and some in the field. Constructed on former agricultural land, the site was originally activated as the Blytheville Army Airfield in 1942. Louisiana was the aircraft's next stop when in May 1974 it was transferred to the 2nd Bombardment Group (H) at Barksdale AFB. At the height of the Cold War, Eaker Air Force Base was home to the 97th Bombardment Wing, the 42nd Air Division, the 97th Air Refueling Squadron, the 97th Supply Squadron, the 97th Organizational Maintenance Squadron, the 820th Medical Group, and many more. Photographer unknown. From its days as an Army Airfield until closing in 1992 as a major Strategic Air Command facility, the Blytheville Air Force Base told many stories. This is like the B-52Gs with the North American AGM-28 Nuclear Hound Dog Missiles assigned to my base. 3 items. Base Closure What happened to Blytheville, Arkansas? KC-135A - 61-0267 - 97th BW, Blytheville Air Force Base by Darren Currie 19 International Air Tattoo 1987 - RAF Fairford. During Eaker's height, Blytheville was roughly the same size as Jonesboro, Smith said. Luckily, the nose art was removed first and donated to the nearby Pima Air and Space Museum. Military Photos; Military Reunion Stories; Military Service Map; Military Cadences; Military Jokes; Military Lingo; Great Military Web Pages; Recommended Military Books; Today in Military . . Blytheville, Walnut Ridge, Grider, Newport, Stuttgart, and Adams Field. Donate to our causeCheck out our books! On 7 July 1971 SACs last C-47 was transferred to the USS Alabama Monument Commission. . As Soviet air defenses increased in numbers and lethality, the B-52 was switched from high-altitude attack to low-altitude penetration; the job of Hound Dog-equipped B-52s was to use the nuclear-tipped primitive cruise missiles to destroy SAM defenses, giving the follow-on B-52s equipped with gravity nuclear weapons a better chance at reaching their targets. Dave Howell, RN Bob Gilbert, Gunner Rick Watson, EW Chuck Kinkhead, N Can't remember, CP Kevin Rice. Its' soft start" with hours on Friday's and Saturday from about 12:00pm to 4:00pm, will take some trip planning. Though, local organizations and legal entities constantly fight to preserve the base. Blytheville air force base photos. 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. BLYTHEVILLE AIR FORCE BASE EXHIBITION. The facility now operates as the Arkansas Aeroplex and Arkansas International Airport. Arkansas Aeroplex (Eaker Air Force Base, Blytheville Air Force Base B52 for his quick thinking, response to a crisis, and heroic duties. Property is disposed of, and the government cleans up after itself. 1942-1946, 1953-1992. National Cold War Center in Blytheville receives $400K grant from New in 1960. See original furniture from the famous alert compound, pictures, uniforms & other memorabilia including a . 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. Officials had hoped, after hearing rumors of the base's possible closure, that the name would endear the base among military leaders and be enough to incentivize its continued existence. Photographs are from numerous people and I encourage you to send me your photos if you want to add to the Blytheville collection. Arkansas Delegation Introduces Legislation to Designate Blytheville Air The Iron Curtain was torn down. This facility trained Army Air Cadets on Beechcraft AT-10 Wichita advanced trainer planes to learn to fly North American B-25 Mitchell bombers in all theaters of World War 2. Notable people who were stationed at the base durring this time include Carl Jr. and Frank . It was immediately assigned to the 72nd Bombardment Wing (Heavy) at Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico. I saw this jet fly Oct 25 1972 at the Blytheville AFB air show. Unit of Service: 311th Tactical Airlift Squadron; Air National Guard. This article was made possible by the help of Barrett Harrison, President of the Arkansas Aeroplex, Technical Sergeant Robert Charles, curator of the BAFB Exhibit, many Air Force veterans and the National Cold War Center. It has the exact same problems as the hospital, though both buildings trade off on extremities. "A B52 with a full nuclear payload, is the seventh most powerful country in the world.". 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. I only ask that you send older photos (probably sometime before 1970).and they can be of People, Places in Blytheville, and Things. Eleven of these jets were flown from 1969 to Feb 1974 when they were retired due to the oil crisis. Photo Gallery Air Base Group Headquarters. Recovery in Blytheville after Air Force Base Closing | St. Louis Fed Operated by the 97th Bombardment Wing based at Eaker AFB, Blytheville AR. 18 (Feb. 26, 1904). Blytheville Air Force Base photos on Flickr | Flickr N503DN Delta Air Lines | Airbus A350-941 | Arkansas International Airport by M.J. Scanlon 17 . Nowadays, the base goes by a few names. Serial Number 61-0023 landed safely in Blytheville. Looking for someone that served with you? The B52 Stratofortress had solved every issue the Air Force ran into with earlier bombers. Jun 18, 2016 - blytheville afb photos | Blytheville Air Force Base, Blytheville . The Blytheville Research Station - Arkansas Archeological Survey VetFriends.com helps reunite veterans from the Air Force daily. Cover photos. In June 1975 the aircraft was sent to the 97th Bombardment Wing (H) residing at Blytheville AFB, Arkansas. It is a peculiarly shaped building, like the rest of the buildings on the base. I was stationed there from 1966-69. All the glass is shattered. Buildings, schools, hospitals, hotels, restaurants, car . Setting near the base is a memorial bench for Army Spc Christopher Stark killed in Afghanistan Feb 28 2011. BLYTHEVILLE ARMY AIRFIELD 1942. In May 1962 the aircraft returned to the Boeing factory in Kansas for wing modification and strengthening to counteract the fatigue cracks occurring in the B-52 fleet. In July 1991, she was retired, and as one of the Secret Squirrel aircraft, was donated to the Pima Air and Space Museum immediately. It originally provided housing, school and community resources to the families of military personnel who were stationed at the adjacent Blytheville Air Force Base (which is now operated as Arkansas International Airport). Thousands of jobs were lost. For those wishing to explore BAFB history and its impact, the Blytheville Air Force Base Exhibition is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to tell "the story of the war that saved the world.". Many DC-3 and C-47s are still in operation, nearing the end of their first half century of service and looking like they could go another half century. 732 of the aircraft were specifically aerial tankers. View of the southern end of the former Blytheville AFB (Eaker AFB). When I arrived in July 1972, Blytheville Air Force Base's B-52s, KC-135s, pilots, navigators, electronic warfare officers, tail gunners and many . 27 items. The KC135 replaced the KC97, as the latter could not keep up with newer, larger and faster aircraft. Today it is 14,011. Blytheville Air Force Base? - vetfriends.com Blytheville warming up for Cold War museum at defunct Air Force base BX and Cafeteria. Photo from Facebook. As a CAP cadet 1966-1969 the lore of this base was discussed often. The last duty station for this aircraft was with a previous owner, the 93rd Bombardment Wing (H) at Castle AFB, where it arrived in December 1988. Airport information, from map to hotels to aeronautical information. 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. [1], During the Vietnam War the 97th Bomber Wing at Blytheville supported strike operations throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s. Of the 3,778 acres the base is comprised of, two thirds of the land is abandoned. Posted to Facebook by William Travis. It was located 3 miles (5 km) northwest of central 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. 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. But, right before the first man could bail, the pilot had realized they had marginal control over the aircraft. In December of 1992, the base officially closed. What aRead more , Stationed there 1989-1992, loved the place and love the life long friends from there. These windowless alert quarters were identical everywhere, with tunnel-like egress covered in corrugated steel. [5], For the civil use of this facility and airport information, see, Blytheville Air Force Base Strategic Air Command (SAC) Alert and Weapons Storage Areas Historic District, Last edited on 26 September 2022, at 16:47, U.S. National Register of Historic Places, AFCEC, "Eaker Air Force Base Community Relations Plan", "National Register of Historic Places: Weekly list", "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Blytheville Air Force Base Strategic Air Command (SAC) Alert and Weapons Storage Areas Historic District", "Arkansas Officials Seek Cold War Museum for Former Air Base", "Community Relations Plan for the Former Eaker Air Force Base Blytheville, Arkansas (July 2007}", Arkansas Northeastern College (formerly Mississippi County CC), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blytheville_Air_Force_Base&oldid=1112498994, Part of Strategic Air Command/Tactical Air Command, Continental Air Forces, 16 June 1945 21 March 1946, 25th Twin Engine Flying Training Group, 25 July 1942 29 February 1944, Army Air Force Pilot School, 3 May 1942 31 May 1945, 211th Army Air Force Base Unit, 1 May 1944 15 June 1945, 809th Army Air Force Base Unit, 16 June 1945 31 March 1946, 334th Army Air Force Base Unit, 1 April 1946 25 November 1946, 461st Bombardment Wing, 8 April 1956 1 April 1958, 4329th Air Base Squadron, 1 April 1958 1 July 1959, 97th Bombardment Wing, 1 July 1959 1 September 1991, This page was last edited on 26 September 2022, at 16:47. Marker is at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Chestnut Drive, on the right when traveling east on Memorial Drive. Nearly 750 were built before production ended in the fall of 1962; 170 of these were B-52Ds. The B-52 had 8 engines but the two AGM-28 engines could also be used for take off and getting up to altitude. It was also a B-52 that made the first airborne hydrogen bomb drop over Bikini Atoll on May 21, 1956. No photo description available. In 1942, at the graduation ceremony it was believed that women could not fly as well as men. 1-2 hours. Was the first KC-135E conversion in 1982. Deactivated at the close of the conflict, the base was reactivated in the 1950s as Blytheville Air Force Base and was renamed Eaker Air Force Base in 1988 . The facility now operates as the Arkansas Aeroplex and Arkansas International Airport. The incident over Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico on January 21, 1976, would not only stretch to a second night but was also witnessed by pure chance by a student journalist known only as "Bruce.". By August 1973, they had flown 126,615 combat sorties with seventeen B-52s lost to enemy action. During WWII, my Dad and his best friend, John Whittington, would go to the base (teenagers) and work. Branch of Service: Air Force. Movie Theater. The KC135 fuels other aircraft through an extendable boom on the aft of the aircraft. Was stationed there from 1967 to 1970 with 97th AMS, the old A&E Squadron. My first year I worked in Procurement which is to the far right edge in this photo, it is the last building on the left along Memorial Drive, the wide street going left to right. Jun 18, 2016 - blytheville afb photos | Blytheville Air Force Base, Blytheville . Nearly 750 were built before production ended in Oct. 26, 1962; 170 of these were B-52Ds. Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa: majesticholidays.com, +12423231410, +13088411818, +14132671187, +13856680111, +12815278722 Bahamas hotels, vacation tour packages by majestic holidays Save up to 30% when you upgrade to an image pack. It worked very well and it was how I towed my new 1972 Suzuki GT750J from my parent's home in Alma the 300 miles to Blytheville Air Force Base. Details on 57-6486 are sparse; it may have seen combat over Vietnam with another unit. Sheila Russell Thurber. Did you serve with BLYTHEVILLE AIR FORCE BASE? Blytheville was the only two engine training base in Arkansas. The Southeast Asia War Tour Boeing B-52D Stratofortress BUFF LF USAF Museum (9202) Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 3-10-2019. Have history here? B.R.A.C. In June 1972 General Brown assumed command of the 416th Bombardment Wing at Griffiss Air Force Base, N.Y. Blytheville, Arkansas was selected as a training location due to its proximity to the Mississippi River, where supplies could easily be shipped to and from the site. When Castle closed in 1995, 57-6486 was retired and sent to AMARG in Arizona; it was scrapped soon thereafter as part of the START arms reduction treaty. I took this from the back seat of the P-51 Mustang Gunfighter. Five feet of water was pumped out of the basement of the building. Merged with: Blytheville herald-news (non-extant), to form: Blytheville courier news. Gosnell appears right center of the photo.. Today it is the headquarters for the group that runs the old base for civilian use and the aircraft are: I was promoted to Staff Sergeant after 37 months of active duty plus 5 months delayed enlistment program. The first of 12 model aircrafts that were once housed at the Blytheville Air Force Base (later Eaker Air Force Base) was delivered on Wednesday to the exhibition building. Blytheville AFB: See Eaker AFB: Bolling AFB ACTIVE: Location: Washington, DC . Blytheville Air Force Base - Air Force Unit Directory - togetherweserved Blytheville Air Force Base | ELG Law Eaker Air Force Base - Encyclopedia of Arkansas Albums. As the National Cold War Center develops, the first on-site exhibit depicts the history of the Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base. The B-52G was also built from the start to deliver standoff nuclear weapons, beginning with the AGM-28 Hound Dog. Ruth Eaker, General Eakers widow, signing autographs during the name change of the base in 1988. NUMBER BUILT: Douglas built a total of 10,047 C-47s and derivatives. Eaker Abandoned Air Force Base | Over 800+ Photos | Arkansas My family and I were stationed here from about 1964 until 1970. Roof repairs began on February 19, 2022. (Some joked that the ladies might just paint hunky guys on their aircraft!). Find the perfect adversary concept stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. c/n 18002/T0417. In December 1972, after being repaired, it flew four additional missions over North Vietnam. Over 1,000,000 pictures Blytheville Air Force Base was established in 1942 as a pilot training station. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. Home of 96th Bombardment Wing: 1953-1957; 11th . Base Theater. This would determine if the base could go on operating in the future, or if it was deemed unnecessary to continue service. Fill out the form and sign up to help us protect: By signing up, you are not committing to anything, you are simply subscribing to be notified of upcoming volunteer dates. . 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. 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 Blytheville, Arkansas, the "National Cold War Center." The Eaker base opened in 1942 as a World War II advanced pilot training school, and later became an alert center during the Cold War. Best years of my life. Lots of good memories. ICYMI: Womack, Crawford, Hill, Westerman Introduce Bill to Designate Blytheville Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base from 1942, until it closed in 1992. ADM-20 Quail Decoy used to produce a fake B-52 signature on radar making a single B-52 appear to be as many as eight B-52s causing the Soviets to waste their SAMs chasing the Quails. 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".
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