As the Cold War ended, "Valkyrie" was assigned to her last duty station with the 2nd BW at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, but she would have one last mission. Eaker Air Force Base was located on 3,778 acres of land between the communities of Gosnell and Blytheville in Mississippi County. This would determine if the base could go on operating in the future, or if it was deemed unnecessary to continue service. The airfield was used as the Southeastern Training Command's flight training school, which closed in October 1945 after the Second World War ended. 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. 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. 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. However, some F-15E Strike Eagle units have begun painting nose art again, so reports of its demise is probably premature. PIGGOTT, Ark., July 30 (UPI) An Air Force C130 transport plane crashed, and burned at dusk today in a pasture in this town in northeastern Arkansas, killing all six persons aboard. 1950's. Janet Austin - Duplessis. As a kid in nearby Jonesboro, our cub scout pack got to visit what was then Blytheville AFB. The National Cold War Center will be an entirely brand new building itself. 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. Sheila Russell Thurber. Of the 3,778 acres the base is comprised of, two thirds of the land is abandoned. Thule is the only air force base with no aircraft and a tugboat. This one is at the old (now closed) SAC base near Blytheville, Arkansas. 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. 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!" On June 10, 1942, the U.S. Army opened an advanced pilot training school at Blytheville, Arkansas. I had a great time and intend to go again next year. For nearly 50 years, residents of Blytheville, Ark., proudly supported the Air Force base in their town. 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. In 1988, the based was renamed to honor World War II General, Ira C. Eaker. Blytheville Air Force Base. Today it is 14,011. Notice my Mustang has what appears to be a trailer hitch. Louisiana was the aircraft's next stop when in May 1974 it was transferred to the 2nd Bombardment Group (H) at Barksdale AFB. A total of 820 KC135s have been produced since 1956. Photo by Democrat-Gazette file photo . The KC135, along with the B52 is one of the only fixed wing aircraft with over fifty years of service. Scanned from 35mm Negative. Mr. Gorbachev tore down that wall. Save up to 30% when you upgrade to an image pack. The aircraft was flown from Castle AFB to Hill AFB, Utah, in its final flight. All photos. Flickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "blythevilleairforcebase" Flickr tag. Blytheville air force base photos. See All. NUMBER BUILT: Douglas built a total of 10,047 C-47s and derivatives. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. 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 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. . The B-52 Stratofortress force had always been intended to be supplemented by newer designs, allowing older types and eventually the B-52 itself to be retired. Blytheville Air Force Base, Blytheville . In 1988, the facility was renamed Eaker Air Force Base in honor of World War II General of the Eighth Air Force, Ira C. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. [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. 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. In 1990, Blythevilles population was 23,443. And this is a photo of the HULK 46 design that the . at the old Blytheville Air Force Base now called the Blytheville Aeroplex where the city is planning to invest $20 million . Find the perfect adversary concept stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. Military. The accounting & financing building has a large and open floor plan. Since then, there have been only 744 aircraft built by Boeing. The B52 Stratofortress was the answer to all the problems found in the Convair B36 Peacemaker and the B24. Would love hear your stories or your thoughts. I thanked my dad for my upbringing. 27 items. 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. May be an image of text that says 'David Pride 2000' No photo description available. [3] Six more men from the 97th were also lost in Vietnam, whose names are recognized on a memorial placard at the former base. These women had proved their selves capable of flying aircraft such as the B25 and the B29. Operated by the 97th Bombardment Wing based at Eaker AFB, Blytheville AR. New in 1960. Links: Thule AFB . I was stationed at Blytheville AFB in the late 1950s when it was a new SAC base and the first B-52s arrived. On a Bravo alert, while taxiing the aircraft, the pilot was waiting (and hoping!) Blytheville Air Force Base aka Eaker Air Force Base. action, the base has sat mostly dormant. About ten years ago a group of old 97 OMS troops made a trip to see the old place. Since Eaker Air Force Base went under B.R.A.C. It was located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. I only ask that you send older photos (probably sometime before 1970).and they can be of People, Places in Blytheville, and Things. Community Profile: Blytheville, Ark., Spreads Its Wings after Air Force Base Closing. Full view. On 7 July 1971 SACs last C-47 was transferred to the USS Alabama Monument Commission. The group was awarded two Distinguish Unit Citations during WWII and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crises. I hope they can save this base so that it doesnt get destroyed. The program was comprised of just over 1100 women. 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. Abandoned Arkansas had noticed while touring the base, the former base bank had been torn down the week prior to January 1st, 2022. As I recall, crew members were typically on alert for 10 days of every month. This is a photoshopped 1972 Suzuki Brochure that I have transposed my face over the riders face. No photo description available. The original, one-of-a-kind model was created by P.J. The National Cold War Center at the former Eaker Air Force Base in Blytheville announced Monday that it had received a $400,000 grant from the Division of Arkansas Heritage Cultural Institutions Trust Fund.A spokesperson said the money would be used to . This area was developed pursuant to guidelines established by the Federal Housing Administration , and is laid out with . The Air Force packed up and left. 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. It was also a B-52 that made the first airborne hydrogen bomb drop over Bikini Atoll on May 21, 1956. Eaker Air Force Base in its entirety is a mix of private and federal property. 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 . It was around 1960 and I still recall vividly sitting in the cockpit of a B-52. View of the southern end of the former Blytheville AFB (Eaker AFB). Like the Arc Light strikes of Vietnam, Iraqi forces on the ground could not hear or see B-52s before they struck. It was one of many air fields created in the country's interior during the war for this purpose. No photo description available. All of these were under the Strategic Air Command. Currently, there is a restoration program working to rebuild and reuse buildings that arent disappearing. Thanks to Dave Howell for posting this photo of Miss Piggy and her crew. On January 23rd, 2022, it was announced that the former dorms would be demolished. Old Movies. While the B-52Hs remained on nuclear alert standby, the G models were used in the conventional bombing role after the first few nights of cruise missile strikes; at first, this was done at low altitude, but switched to high altitude later onnot because of the threat of Iraqi air defenses, which had been badly degraded, but of the psychological effect. Best years of my life. 766 th BS headquarters. 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. Was stationed there from 1967 to 1970 with 97th AMS, the old A&E Squadron. N503DN Delta Air Lines | Airbus A350-941 | Arkansas International Airport by M.J. Scanlon 17 . The 456th completed deployments to Anderson AB in Guam with this B-52G. Use code: FLICKR10, International Air Tattoo 1987 - RAF Fairford. Though it is currently in a rough shape as an Air Force Base it doesnt have to be that way. A strong gust of wind has pushed the rear of the aircraft left then right. of conventional or nuclear bombs. The base closed in 1992, and unfortunately most of the residential units north of Daisy Drive are vacant and have since . [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. Eleven of these jets were flown from 1969 to Feb 1974 when they were retired due to the oil crisis. Located on the former Eaker Air Force Base (also known as Blytheville Air Force Base), a few blocks inside the west gate. A taxi way to the southern end of the apron joins the Blytheville Air Force Base Alert area to the main runway, which allows bombers and tankers with the quickest access to that . On the opening night of the war, a group of B-52s took off from Barksdale AFB, Louisiana and struck targets in Iraq with ALCMs, in a 34-hour nonstop round trip mission, a record that stood until 1996. 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. action specifically caters to closures and revitalization of U.S. military bases. Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa: majesticholidays.com, +12423231410, +13088411818, +14132671187, +13856680111, +12815278722 Bahamas hotels, vacation tour packages by majestic holidays Places to visit . Though, the program and its members were not considered truly military nor pilots until the 1970s. The B52 Stratofortress had solved every issue the Air Force ran into with earlier bombers. 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. [1] Then the airfield briefly became a processing center for the rapid demobilization of military personnel being discharged. My job was to keep the alert aircraft supplied with the parts they needed to be mission ready. This is like the B-52Gs with the North American AGM-28 Nuclear Hound Dog Missiles assigned to my base. In December 1972, after being repaired, it flew four additional missions over North Vietnam. The population suffered as well. It was immediately assigned to the 72nd Bombardment Wing (Heavy) at Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico. Airport information, from map to hotels to aeronautical information. This VC-47D had been assigned to the 97th Bomb Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas. "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. Usaf Academy, CO 80840-1307 Colorado Springs, CO 80919-3732 Warrensburg, MO 64093-9357 It was also a B-52 that made the first airborne hydrogen bomb drop over Bikini Atoll on May 21, 1956. My father was a pilot in SAC throughout his career (bombers and tankers); he and the other bomber and tanker crews spent a whole lot of time, away from their families, living in this bunker. Profile pictures. For more information, visit the website at www.nationalcoldwarcenter.com or call 870-532-2100. When I arrived in July 1972, Blytheville Air Force Base's B-52s, KC-135s, pilots, navigators, electronic warfare officers, tail gunners and many . if I remember correctly it was one of the rooms pictured (162). The G models most noticeable feature was its 8-foot shorter tail, done to ease maintenance and to save weight. [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. U.S. B.R.A.C. The B-52 had 8 engines but the two AGM-28 engines could also be used for take off and getting up to altitude. Many times I stopped what I was doing and watched the full power, roaring and smoke trailing takeoffs. In July 1963 the aircraft was stationed at Beale AFB, California, with the 456th Bombardment Wing (H). 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. (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. 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. In 1942, at the graduation ceremony it was believed that women could not fly as well as men. 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. Building 1225, will be added to the collection of buildings as part of the future National Cold War Center. 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. Buildings, schools, hospitals, hotels, restaurants, car . Posted to Facebook by William Travis. The airplane dismantler used most of the tarmac we were using and we havent been back since before covid. Note that the outrigger landing gear is off the ground: naturally, "Valkyrie" is empty of fuel, and so there is no wing droop. Once more, however, the B-52G was called upon for the conventional role during Operation Desert Storm against Iraq in 1991. The boom operators on KC-135s got a laugh over it, the pilots loved it, commanding officers were horrified and eventually ordered it removed. Did you serve with BLYTHEVILLE AIR FORCE BASE? The facility now operates as the Arkansas Aeroplex and Arkansas International Airport. The nine surviving jets are scattered from coast to coast most of them restored and on display. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. Eaker Air Force Base was originally named Blytheville Army Airfield when it was built in 1942. In 1945 the U. S. Army Air Field was deactivated and the cemetery reverted to the City of Blytheville Arkansas. The aircraft in question was tail number 61-0023. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe . The US needed a long range aircraft able to refuel other long range aircraft. 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 was stationed at 3 bases that closed during this BRAC (Eaker, George and Chanute) and took an early out at the same time (volunteer compensated RIF in 1992). If you wish to support our current and future work, please consider making a donation or purchasing one of our many books. Offering the freedom of maintenance-free independent living with the flexibility of an affordable rental program, Westminster Village enables you to remain close to the best of Blytheville near fishing at Big Lake, as well as convenient access to Memphis . Most of the Gs ended their days sliced into pieces in the Arizona desert. [1] It was located 3 miles (4.8km) northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. machine guns in tail plus up to 60,000+ lbs. The Future of Eaker Air Force Base and the National Cold War Center/BAFB Exhibition, https://abandonedar.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/YouCut_20220127_115729032.mp4. About Westminster Village . Transferred from the 97th Bomb Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base, Ark., this aircraft was flown to the museum in November 1978. 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. The base's primary mission shifted to bomber training. Assigned to Blytheville Air Force Base until deactivated in 1992. Honorable Discharged at the rank of E5 Staff Sgt. 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. (KAIT) - Members of the United States Air Force in Little Rock and Louisiana landed aircraft on the Arkansas Aeroplex on the morning of . Blytheville, Walnut Ridge, Grider, Newport, Stuttgart, and Adams Field. By August 1973, they had flown 126,615 combat sorties with 17 B-52s lost to enemy action. Currently, the main tarmac is used as Blythevilles airport. During World War II, the site served as a training airfield as part of the 70,000 Pilot Training Program. After any major war, surplus equipment and property is sold to the general public and agencies. Stock photos, 360 images, vectors and videos. The WASP program tasked select women with many key roles on airfields across the nation. The 97th comm mustve been a very short lived entity as it was the 2101 CS / AFCC when I was there. Tin Roof. Five feet of water was pumped out of the basement of the building. 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. 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. During Eaker's height, Blytheville was roughly the same size as Jonesboro, Smith said. This does not include 149 civil aircraft impresses before delivery. 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). The nose art trend continued through Operation Desert Storm--though some of the ladies were censored or temporarily taped over to avoid offending Saudi religious officials--but then began to disappear again during the 1990s. [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. Base Theater. "A B52 with a full nuclear payload, is the seventh most powerful country in the world.". Improve this listing. But it is well-worth the visit. Transferred from the 97th Bomb Wing at Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas, this aircraft was flown to the Museum in November 1978. Microscopy, Atomic Force Pulmonary Ventilation Acoustic Impedance Tests. Merged with: Blytheville herald-news (non-extant), to form: Blytheville courier news. 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. Blytheville was the only Advanced training base in 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. 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. B52 for his quick thinking, response to a crisis, and heroic duties. Of the 3,778 acres the base is comprised of, two thirds of the land is abandoned. Blytheville AFB became fully operational when it was equipped with a wing of three squadrons of B-57 bomber on 19 July 1955. There was no need for the Global Shield. Armament: Four defensive .50-cal. Today, "Valkyrie" still wears her 1991-era SIOP camouflage and a SAC badge on the nose; the nose art is on the port side. Granted today, the area has stayed well populated due to industrial jobs, but Blythevilles unemployment rate is four percent higher than the national average (pre-covid). Luckily, the nose art was removed first and donated to the nearby Pima Air and Space Museum. Buildings have collapsed in that time frame. In the Monett City Park is displayed the USAF Thunderbird F-4E Phantom II #3 Jet. BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. CENTCOM commander H. Norman Schwartzkopf demanded continual B-52 strikes-- eventually forty percent of all ordnance expended--and the results were devastating. 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". Arkansas had six Army airfields. Veteran C. Young. 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. BLYTHEVILLE ARMY AIRFIELD 1942. 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. These windowless alert quarters were identical everywhere, with tunnel-like egress covered in corrugated steel. Photo by Democrat-Gazette file photo . 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. Looking for someone that served with you? Hear those stories come to life from the soldiers who served at the BAFB Exhibition. Three crewmen died in the crash. 97th Bomb Wing has a long and honorable history. Building 1225 is currently registered on the National Register Of Historic Places and is quoted as being the crown jewel of the National Cold War Center campus. Though Phase Two of the project is underway (as of February 2022), there have been no announcements of when the museum will officially open. It is the USAFs main aerial fueling aircraft. I also lived in the dorms that are pictured. 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.