blytheville air force base photos

Five feet of water was pumped out of the basement of the building. BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. See original furniture from the famous alert compound, pictures, uniforms & other memorabilia including a . The B52 Stratofortress was the answer to all the problems found in the Convair B36 Peacemaker and the B24. 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 base was deactivated in 1945 at the end of World War II. My family and I were stationed here from about 1964 until 1970. The model is on a 1/72 scale with a 26" wingspan. It was located 3 miles (5 km) northwest of central Blytheville, Arkansas. 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. My job was to keep the alert aircraft supplied with the parts they needed to be mission ready. if I remember correctly it was one of the rooms pictured (162). Officers Club. B52 for his quick thinking, response to a crisis, and heroic duties. 58-0183 joined the USAF and the 4135th Strategic Wing, based at Eglin AFB, Florida; the 4135th oversaw several B-52 squadrons dispersed over the American Southeast to lessen their chance of being caught on the ground by a Soviet nuclear strike. However, two years later they proved him and everyone else wrong. Retired from service in December 2019, MD-88 N907DL is stored at the former Blytheville (Eaker) Air Force Base, now Arkansas International Airport, in Blytheville, Arkansas. Buildings, schools, hospitals, hotels, restaurants, car . or the notorious F-105 "Cherry Girl," which positioned a full-frontal nude girl strategically over the refueling port on the nose. As the National Cold War Center develops, the first on-site exhibit depicts the history of the Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base. The airplane dismantler used most of the tarmac we were using and we havent been back since before covid. A B52 with a full nuclear payload, is the seventh most powerful country in the world.. Several C-47s were fitted with pontoons and redesignated C-47C. In the late 1980s, the government, under congress had begun inspections on Air Force Bases. If you wish to support our current and future work, please consider making a donation or purchasing one of our many books. In 1945 the U. S. Army Air Field was deactivated and the cemetery reverted to the City of Blytheville Arkansas. Weekly Began in 1902; ceased in 1923. Base Closure What happened to Blytheville, Arkansas? No photo description available. The rest I earned via my service to my country. 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. 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. 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 . The War Assets Administration officially closed down the installation in 1946, at which point control and responsibility for the land was transferred to the city of Blytheville. Below is my Blytheville Air Force Base token collection. During World War II, the site served as a training airfield as part of the 70,000 Pilot Training Program. 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. Pictures, photos and images from Blytheville, AR. Ash worked from a photograph of the B-52 Blytheville 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. [1], During the Vietnam War the 97th Bomber Wing at Blytheville supported strike operations throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s. Louisiana was the aircraft's next stop when in May 1974 it was transferred to the 2nd Bombardment Group (H) at Barksdale AFB. Over 1,000,000 pictures Upon his return to the United States in November 1970, General Brown was assigned as vice commander of the 97th Bombardment Wing at Blytheville Air Force Base, Ark., and took command of the wing in July 1971. The G models were not equipped with the same robust electronic countermeasures suite as the Ds, nor did their crews have the same training. Photo Gallery. The population suffered as well. The B-52G was to return to the nuclear delivery role through the 1970s and 1980s, with the SRAM itself replaced by the AGM-86 Air Launched Cruise Missile, a truly precise cruise missile. Photos from Blytheville Eaker Air Force Base - KBYH on JetPhotos Photos machine guns in tail plus up to 43,000+ lbs. I only ask that you send older photos (probably sometime before 1970).and they can be of People, Places in Blytheville, and Things. 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. The alert force aircraft remained parked just outside this facility (on a ramp, over to the left); there were armed airmen patrolling the ramp at all times. Leaving Little Rock as Arkansas only active base. "Hoosier Hotshot" was originally applied to a B-17G Flying Fortress of the 91st Bomb Group during World War II, but when SAC began applying nose art to their B-52s, a 97th Bomb Wing B-52G crew reproduced the nose art on 57-6486 as a tribute to the original. Select from premium Blytheville Air Force Base of the highest quality. 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. I have been to the former base and tarmac many times in the 2010s for Sports Car Club of America events. Renamed Eaker Air Force Base in 1988 honoring Gen. Ira Eaker, the entire facility closed in 1992. In 1942, at the graduation ceremony it was believed that women could not fly as well as men. 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 . No photo description available. The National Cold War Center is planned to be the largest collection of history and information on the decades that made up the war in the world. In 2020, both Arkansas senators proposed a bill to designate the museum in Blytheville. After any major war, surplus equipment and property is sold to the general public and agencies. Cover photos. On 16 January 1991, she was one of seven B-52s that would fly from Barksdale to fire cruise missiles at Saddam Hussein's Iraq on the first night of Operation Desert Storm. I really hope some other people can find this service and get in touch with people like I did. The crew started to lose control of the plane and went to bail out. 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. Have history here? machine guns in tail plus up to 43,000 lbs. Setting near the base is a memorial bench for Army Spc Christopher Stark killed in Afghanistan Feb 28 2011. In June 1965 B-52s entered combat in Southeast Asia. [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. Arkansas Razorbacks. KC-135A - 61-0267 - 97th BW, Blytheville Air Force Base by Darren Currie 19 International Air Tattoo 1987 - RAF Fairford. Marker is at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Chestnut Drive, on the right when traveling east on Memorial Drive. 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. Extensive efforts to offset the negative economic effects on the community of Blytheville were undertaken by local and federal officials, who cleaned up the site and then distributed the land to various organizations, including the Department of the Interior (DOI), the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Southeast Asia War Tour Boeing B-52D Stratofortress BUFF LF USAF Museum (9202) Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 3-10-2019. This Abandoned Air Force base is located three miles Northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. Holes in the roof create entryways for birds and rain. Electrical work and flood damage repair have begun. Unbeknownst to the crew, over seventy percent of the vertical stabilizer and rudder assembly had been sheared off. In July 1991, she was retired, and as one of the Secret Squirrel aircraft, was donated to the Pima Air and Space Museum immediately. During WWII, my Dad and his best friend, John Whittington, would go to the base (teenagers) and work. 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. Currently, the main tarmac is used as Blythevilles airport. Eleven of these jets were flown from 1969 to Feb 1974 when they were retired due to the oil crisis. 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. Tin Roof. 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. The B-52G entered service in February 1959, and eventually 193 would be built, making it the most produced B-52 variant. Blytheville was the only two engine training base in Arkansas. The majority of the bases housing is still in use, a few buildings are in use, and the tarmac is now the Arkansas Aeroplex. Sign up and get notified about upcoming volunteer events! Love Photoshop, a little bit of work and #3 does a flyby just for me 41 years later. 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. Old Movies. Evans at Blytheville air show in 1980. I thanked my dad for my upbringing. Many buildings are gone, and will continue to disappear. c/n 18002/T0417. Jun 18, 2016 - blytheville afb photos | Blytheville Air Force Base, Blytheville . Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. thrust each. Today. [1], In 1988, the U.S. Air Force officially renamed Blytheville AFB to Eaker AFB in commemoration of World War II General Ira Eaker, the former commander of the 8th Air Force. 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. Was the first KC-135E conversion in 1982. Due to the high amount of asbestos flying around in the air, and the safety concerns. The exhibits are impactful and tell the story of Base history. . [1] It was located 3 miles (4.8km) northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. In the Monett City Park is displayed the USAF Thunderbird F4 Phantom #3 Jet. Hear those stories come to life from the soldiers who served at the BAFB Exhibition. My last 8 months of service I was the NCOIC of the Repair Cycle Unit "DIFM Control", KC-135A - 61-0267 - 97th BW, Blytheville Air Force Base, N503DN Delta Air Lines | Airbus A350-941 | Arkansas International Airport. By that time, the B-52G had already been tested in combat, with mixed results. U.S. In December 1972, after being repaired, it flew four additional missions over North Vietnam. During the weekend of February 21st, 2022, the former N.C.O. Currently, the wet carpet has molded over and over again. The heavier steel fuel tanks of the tall-tail series were replaced by integral fuel tanks, in which the entire wing served as a tank. Veteran C. Young. Photo Credit: The National Cold War Center. The local economy tankedand unemployment skyrocketed. Eaker Air Force Base was complete with swimming pools, tennis courts, a grocery store, a dental office, a nine hole golf course, a theater, multiple clubs, visitation centers, a gym, and on-base housing for military families. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. Suggest edits to improve what we show. 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. This VC-47D had been assigned to the 97th Bomb Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas. Gym - Center of Wing's Athletic Activities. However, some F-15E Strike Eagle units have begun painting nose art again, so reports of its demise is probably premature. Links: Thule AFB . Notice my Mustang has what appears to be a trailer hitch. With the end of the war the base was closed, only to be reopened 15 July 1955 as a Strategic Air Command (SAC) base which was home to B-57 and B-52 . for another radio code that would tell him to turn around. For nearly 50 years, residents of Blytheville, Ark., proudly supported the Air Force base in their town. All photos. Home of 96th Bombardment Wing: 1953-1957; 11th . The B-52G was also built from the start to deliver standoff nuclear weapons, beginning with the AGM-28 Hound Dog. Tiling soaked in stagnant water squishes under your feet, anything that could be rusted, is rusted. . A total of 820 KC135s have been produced since 1956. Location. Blytheville Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base from 1942, until it closed in 1992. 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. Eaker Air Force Base was located on 3,778 acres of land between the communities of Gosnell and Blytheville in Mississippi County. During the second World War, the United States needed more areas to train pilots, and launch aircraft to respond to the threat on the Eastern front. Improve this listing. 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. I also lived in the dorms that are pictured. The accounting & financing building has a large and open floor plan. On the evening in question, Bruce was working for a local radio station, performing tests on their transmitters. The B-52 is one of the few planes I remember Dad talking about during his career at Hill Air Force Base. 1942-1946, 1953-1992. But it is well-worth the visit. A strong gust of wind has pushed the rear of the aircraft left then right. By August 1973, they had flown 126,615 combat sorties with seventeen B-52s lost to enemy action. Movie Theater. [1] It was located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. Opened in late 2020, the BAFB Exhibition features memorabilia, video and personal stories of the base from its 1942 beginnings until closure in 1992. 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. Contributions to PAs Most Endangered List, National Register of Historic Places (Jan, 26th 2018). Because it was an Air Force base, the airport has room and facilities that are not available in many other complexes. 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. The B-52 had 8 engines but the two AGM-28 engines could also be used for take off and getting up to altitude. MEMORIES. Description based on: Vol. But, right before the first man could bail, the pilot had realized they had marginal control over the aircraft. Assigned to Blytheville Air Force Base until deactivated in 1992. 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. Posted on Facebook by Michael Meagher, Photographer unknown. If you can make it, even for an hour, we will be glad to have you! Its' soft start" with hours on Friday's and Saturday from about 12:00pm to 4:00pm, will take some trip planning. Of the 3,778 acres the base is comprised of, two thirds of the land is abandoned. Nearly 750 were built before production ended in the fall of 1962; 170 of these were B-52Ds. NUMBER BUILT: Douglas built a total of 10,047 C-47s and derivatives.

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