3 items. Transferred from the 97th Bomb Wing at Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas, this aircraft was flown to the Museum in November 1978. As the National Cold War Center develops, the first on-site exhibit depicts the history of the Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base. 2023 Getty Images. Blytheville Air Force Base, Blytheville . Note that the outrigger landing gear is off the ground: naturally, "Valkyrie" is empty of fuel, and so there is no wing droop. Under the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 the United States government is obligated to consider utilization, procurement and disposal of government property. Hear those stories come to life from the soldiers who served at the BAFB Exhibition. 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. It was also a B-52 that made the first airborne hydrogen bomb drop over Bikini Atoll on May 21, 1956. Published: Jan. 11, 2022 at 6:25 PM PST. Reactivated as the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus AFB. (photo courtesy of Delta) On Tuesday, June 2, 2020, Delta Air Lines . Its' soft start" with hours on Friday's and Saturday from about 12:00pm to 4:00pm, will take some trip planning. Fighter units also rarely carried nose art or even a name, though they made up for it with very gaudy colors and flamboyant unit crests. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The Blytheville Air Force Base Exhibition, a part of the National Cold War Center, is a permanent exhibit that showcases the air base and the people that lived and worked there. Marker is at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Chestnut Drive, on the right when traveling east on Memorial Drive. Mr. Gorbachev tore down that wall. Glad to see the alert pad will be saved. It is a peculiarly shaped building, like the rest of the buildings on the base. Profile pictures. Though, due to high traffic in that area, the aircraft had to change its course and headed for Blytheville Air Force Base instead. . Holes in the roof create entryways for birds and rain. If you wish to support our current and future work, please consider making a donation or purchasing one of our many books. The Hound Dog was withdrawn in the 1970s and replaced with the AGM-69 SRAM, which could be carried in groups of 20 rather than just two of the huge Hound Dogs. Blytheville Eaker Air Force Base - KBYH, USA - Arkansas; By: Brady Brooks Photos | Profile | Contact; I think it is lost on most Americans that the first time a B-52 was used in actually live combat was in Vietnam and it was the only time a B-52 was lost to enemy fire. As crew chiefs we had all spent many tours in the mole hole. During the weekend of February 21st, 2022, the former N.C.O. I only ask that you send older photos (probably sometime before 1970).and they can be of People, Places in Blytheville, and Things. 2, no. BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. During WWII, my Dad and his best friend, John Whittington, would go to the base (teenagers) and work. Over 1,000,000 pictures of conventional or nuclear bombs. It was closed as a military base in 1992 at the end of the Cold War pursuant to BRAC action and now operates as Arkansas International Airport . After it became operational in 1955, the B-52 remained the main long-range heavy bomber of the U.S. Air Force during the Cold War, and it continues to be an important part of the USAF bomber force today. Timeline photos. Hopefully the site will become available again for us. action specifically caters to closures and revitalization of U.S. military bases. After extensive renovations, the "BAFB Exhibition", at the former Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base, is open for business. 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. Altus AFB ACTIVE Need photos: Location: Altus, Oklahoma. A photo of my Mustang in the snow at Barker's Trailerpark in Blytheville Arkansas. All of these were under the Strategic Air Command. Have history here? Thule is the only air force base with no aircraft and a tugboat. During its test flight, Boeing was performing tests to show the aircrafts resilience against low-altitude turbulence. Stock photos, 360 images, vectors and videos. The boom operators on KC-135s got a laugh over it, the pilots loved it, commanding officers were horrified and eventually ordered it removed. if I remember correctly it was one of the rooms pictured (162). 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 walls are riddled with holes. All the glass is shattered. 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.". The Ritz Theater from the outside circa. 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. 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. And the aeronautical weather for the pilots with current weather and short-term forecasts with METAR (METeorological Aerodrome Report, observation message of meteorological conditions for aviation) and TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast: short-term forecast message of meteorological conditions for aviation ). Details on 57-6486 are sparse; it may have seen combat over Vietnam with another unit. I saw this jet in the Thunderbird performance at Blytheville Air Force base Oct 25 1972.. My USAF service had no connection to the Thunderbirds other than I saw this Thunderbird perform at Blytheville Air Force Base Oct 25 1972. Military Photos; Military Reunion Stories; Military Service Map; Military Cadences; Military Jokes; Military Lingo; Great Military Web Pages; Recommended Military Books; Today in Military . It has the exact same problems as the hospital, though both buildings trade off on extremities. Almost immediately, this was proven to be a vain hope: the only aircraft able to replace the B-52 was, it seemed, another B-52. 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 . machine guns in tail plus up to 60,000+ lbs. Movie Theater. An exploration of the base's history and its impact on the community. My Heritage. CENTCOM commander H. Norman Schwartzkopf demanded continual B-52 strikes-- eventually forty percent of all ordnance expended--and the results were devastating. Tin Roof. 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. Formerly the site of family housing for Eaker Air Force Base, Westminster Village is a non-profit community. Posted on Facebook by Michael Meagher, Photographer unknown. My USAF service had no connection to the Thunderbirds other than Juliet and I saw this Thunderbird perform at Blytheville Air Force Base Oct 25 1972. [3] Six more men from the 97th were also lost in Vietnam, whose names are recognized on a memorial placard at the former base. As "Hoosier Hotshot," it flew first with the 97th BW at Blytheville AFB, Arkansas, then finished its career with the 93rd BW at Castle AFB, California. I saw this jet fly Oct 25 1972 at the Blytheville AFB air show. Below is my Blytheville Air Force Base token collection. On January 31st, 2022, the Arkansas Aeroplex officially announced that work had been started on restoring Building 1225. Since its organization on 21 March 1946, SAC had continuously used C-47s or Gooney Birds as they were usually called, for support and administrative purposes. 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. Psychiatry and Psychology 1 This is not my photograph so it may not be used for commercial purposes. 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. Community Profile: Blytheville, Ark., Spreads Its Wings after Air Force Base Closing. Ritz. In any case, out of a sense of history and because commanders were now favorable to the idea, nose art began to return, though the USAF was very careful to ensure any "painted ladies" to have nothing more risque than bikinis. The KC135, along with the B52 is one of the only fixed wing aircraft with over fifty years of service. [1] Other aircraft stationed at Blytheville AFB included: KC-97 refueler, B-52G bomber, KC-135A tanker, T-33 jet fighter, and the T-37 traineramong others. It seemed like every morning at 5:00 AM the flight line maintenance crews would fire up some of the airplanes engines. 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. Serial Number 61-0023 landed safely in Blytheville. Improve this listing. The Southeast Asia War Tour Boeing B-52D Stratofortress BUFF LF USAF Museum (9202) Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 3-10-2019. It was retired in July 1991 and donated to the Pima Air and Space Museum in Arizona. About Westminster Village . Explore. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. The nose art of the B-52 version is a faithful reproduction of the B-17 version--one of the many Varga Girls that decorated World War II-era aircraft. On June 10, 1942, the U.S. Army opened an advanced pilot training school at Blytheville, Arkansas. 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. In 1988, the based was renamed to honor World War II General, Ira C. Eaker. It was always fascinating to hear stories about how papers were left on desks and furniture left abandoned. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. Contributions to PAs Most Endangered List, National Register of Historic Places (Jan, 26th 2018). 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 . 1950's. Janet Austin - Duplessis. [1], The base closure cost the community over 700 civilian jobs, but half of these were recovered through the adaptive reuse of the former base, such as United States Post Office's utilization of the base in the late 1990s as an airport hub during the holidays, some of the base housing being converted by Westminster Village of the Mid-South for a retirement community, the construction of a $2.5 million sports complex by the local community, and the private investment of some $3 million for the creation of the Thunder Bayou Golf Course. 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 . Located on the former Eaker Air Force Base (also known as Blytheville Air Force Base), a few blocks inside the west gate. There were trainer versions designated TC-47 and reconnaissance versions designated RC-47. The B-47 Stratojet was slated to be replaced by a mix of both the heavy Stratofortress and the Convair B-58 Hustler high-speed medium bomber. The aircraft in question was tail number 61-0023. I had a great time and intend to go again next year. Home of 96th Bombardment Wing: 1953-1957; 11th . When Operation Linebacker and especially Linebacker II taxed the Southeast Asia-based B-52D fleet to the limit, President Richard Nixon authorized the G models to be deployed to Vietnam as well. The 97th deployed to Edwards AFB, California, while operating this aircraft. Blytheville Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base from 1942, until it closed in 1992. Find Blytheville Air Force Base unit information, patches, operation history, veteran photos and more on TogetherWeServed.com. Memphis Discovery Tour . Copyright 2009-document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) - Abandoned Atlas Foundation - board@AbandonedAtlas.com | Designed By Prairie Nation Creative, LLC - Disclaimer, Eaker Air Force Base (Click the Thumbnails to See Full Album), Extras (sirens, wildlife, monument, signs). 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. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. Abandoned Arkansas had noticed while touring the base, the former base bank had been torn down the week prior to January 1st, 2022. 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. The B-52G is missing its missile pylon because these were removed and destroyed as a condition of he SALT treaty launcher reduction conditions. The exhibit is on the old air base, which is now an FBO for the new steel and other corporations that fly in there, along with other airplane related functions. For the families, GI's, and community that was Blytheville AFB Five feet of water was pumped out of the basement of the building. Photo by Democrat-Gazette file photo . I'm fairly certain I saw this aircraft at an airshow at Malmstrom AFB in the 1980s, as the nose art is familiar, but it may be wishful thinking on my part. thrust each. Base Theater. And this is a photo of the HULK 46 design that the . Pilot Mike Bush, Co Pilot Larry J Houser, EWO Wayne Carver, Navagtor Doug "D.R" Kincannon, Gunner Jack Alexander. When 58-0183 got its nose art, it was assigned to the 97th Bomb Wing at Blytheville AFB, Arkansas, but it would carry its nose art into combat during the First Gulf War as part of the 2nd BW at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. Originally Blytheville Air Force Base, the base's official name was changed in 1988 to honor air pioneer and commander of the Mighty Eighth Air Force during World War II, Lieutenant General Ira C. Eaker. [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. But it is well-worth the visit. Honorable Discharged at the rank of E5 Staff Sgt. Photographs are from numerous people and I encourage you to send me your photos if you want to add to the Blytheville collection. Blytheville Air Force Base. These women had proved their selves capable of flying aircraft such as the B25 and the B29. What aRead more , Stationed there 1989-1992, loved the place and love the life long friends from there. About ten years ago a group of old 97 OMS troops made a trip to see the old place. Today it is 14,011. [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. [4], It is a 247 acres (100ha) historic district which included 23 contributing buildings, 33 contributing structures, two contributing sites, a contributing object, as well as two non-contributing buildings. Currently, there is a restoration program working to rebuild and reuse buildings that arent disappearing. (For some reason, this "Hotshot" never got eyes.). It was good to see jets setting on the tarmac, even if they are only civilian jets. The majority of the bases housing is still in use, a few buildings are in use, and the tarmac is now the Arkansas Aeroplex. The small gold Hap Arnold Wings that appear just below my name tag was a gift from the widow of a deceased WWII USAAF pilot. Currently, the wet carpet has molded over and over again. The majority of buildings have suffered the same fate. But it is well-worth the visit. Airmen from the 97th Bombardment Wing lost their lives and their photos appear on the lonely memorial at their abandoned base in Blytheville; Lt Col Keith R Heggen was in "Olive1", (now buried at Arlington Nat'l Cemetery) Lt Col Donald L Rissi, 1st LT Robert J Thomas and Msgt Walter L Ferguson were in "Charcoal 1" Major Bobby A Kirby, Capt Randall J Craddock, Capt George B Lockhart, Capt Ronald D Perry and 1st Lt Charles E Darr were in "Tan 3". During World War II, the site served as a training airfield as part of the 70,000 Pilot Training Program. Beechcraft AT-10, and Curtiss-Wright AT-9s. Today. Of reinforced concrete and concrete-block construction, moleholes were of two-story height, with one story below ground. I have been to the former base and tarmac many times in the 2010s for Sports Car Club of America events. There was no need for the Global Shield. My job was to keep the alert aircraft supplied with the parts they needed to be mission ready. I hope they can save this base so that it doesnt get destroyed. Blytheville was the only Advanced training base in Arkansas. Though, the program and its members were not considered truly military nor pilots until the 1970s. 97th Bomb Wing has a long and honorable history. No photo description available. 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. 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. The local economy tankedand unemployment skyrocketed. Capt R.D. 1942-1946, 1953-1992. 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. 6 'Cat And Mouse' UFO Chase Over Cannon AFB January 1976. The aircraft remained there until November when it was reassigned to the 320th Bombardment Wing (H) at Mather AFB, California. Air Base Group Headquarters. In December 1972, after being repaired, it flew four additional missions over North Vietnam. Description based on: Vol. B52 for his quick thinking, response to a crisis, and heroic duties. The accounting & financing building has a large and open floor plan. 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. Eaker Air Force Base in its entirety is a mix of private and federal property. On January 18, 1957, three B-52Bs completed the first non-stop round-the-world flight by jet aircraft, lasting 45 hours and 19 minutes and requiring only three aerial refuelings. Gosnell reported losing over half its students. https://nuke.fas.org/guide/usa/bomber/kc-135.htm#:~:text=The%20KC%2D135%20can%20haul,transferable%20for%20global%20refueling%20missions. Jun 18, 2016 - blytheville afb photos | Blytheville Air Force Base, Blytheville . 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 rest I earned via my service to my country. After extensive renovations, the "BAFB Exhibition", at the former Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base, is open for business. The airbase was phased out years ago, but Blytheville has emerged as a steel production center and agri-business is strong. Blytheville air force base photos. Links: Thule AFB . In June 1975 the aircraft was sent to the 97th Bombardment Wing (H) residing at Blytheville AFB, Arkansas. 18 (Feb. 26, 1904). 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. 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. Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas. On January 23rd, 2022, it was announced that the former dorms would be demolished. Tom Sylvester used to look up at the sky above Blytheville in the 1970s, watch the planes fly out of the nearby Air Force base and dream about being able to glide among the clouds. Constructed on former agricultural land, the site was originally activated as the Blytheville Army Airfield in 1942. 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. . The KC135 replaced the KC97, as the latter could not keep up with newer, larger and faster aircraft.