It is aRead more . Collect, curate and comment on your files. 732 of the aircraft were specifically aerial tankers. 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. Movie Theater. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. 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. Eaker AFB was selected for closure under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round of 1991. But it is well-worth the visit. Improve this listing. I hope they can save this base so that it doesnt get destroyed. 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. I took this from the back seat of the P-51 Mustang Gunfighter. 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. Was the first KC-135E conversion in 1982. In June 1965 B-52s entered combat in Southeast Asia. Nose art, while almost ubiquitous during World War II and Korea, largely disappeared in the 1950s. 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. On January 11th, during Agile Combat Employment training exercises performed by the U.S. Air Force at Eaker Air Force Base, work had begun on the restoration process of Building 1225. It was also a B-52 that made the first airborne hydrogen bomb drop over Bikini Atoll on May 21, 1956. By August 1973, they had flown 126,615 combat sorties with 17 B-52s lost to enemy action. This is not my photograph so it may not be used for commercial purposes. The population suffered as well. 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. . 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. Though, the program and its members were not considered truly military nor pilots until the 1970s. "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. 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!" 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). B.R.A.C. About ten years ago a group of old 97 OMS troops made a trip to see the old place. 1950's. Janet Austin - Duplessis. 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. 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. Property is disposed of, and the government cleans up after itself. Had many good times there. The boom operators on KC-135s got a laugh over it, the pilots loved it, commanding officers were horrified and eventually ordered it removed. 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 . 766 th BS headquarters. The crew started to lose control of the plane and went to bail out. The Museums C-47 was manufactured by Douglas Aircraft, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and delivered to the USAAF on July 14, 1944. And in 1991, Eaker Air Force Base was on the top of the list. During its test flight, Boeing was performing tests to show the aircrafts resilience against low-altitude turbulence. It seemed like every morning at 5:00 AM the flight line maintenance crews would fire up some of the airplanes engines. The 456th completed deployments to Anderson AB in Guam with this B-52G. There was no need for the Global Shield. 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. The KC135, along with the B52 is one of the only fixed wing aircraft with over fifty years of service. An exploration of the base's history and its impact on the community. Eaker Air Force Base was located on 3,778 acres of land between the communities of Gosnell and Blytheville in Mississippi County. The worst building on base is the hospital. 1942-1946, 1953-1992. Photo by Democrat-Gazette file photo . I was an army brat and a military wife along with an army civilian off and on over the years. 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. I grew up on Army bases overseas. . It was renamed Eaker Air Force Base in 1988, in honor of General Ira Eaker, an aviation pioneer and second . Buildings, schools, hospitals, hotels, restaurants, car . 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. Base Fire Station. The hospital is also a very large (plan wise) building, so it is very possible to get lost inside the building without a map. 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. If the alert force had not received that second "stand down" code, they would have taken off; and (as we saw it, back then) if that happened, very soon, we would have been in the midst of a nuclear war. In December of 1992, the base officially closed. 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. As a CAP cadet 1966-1969 the lore of this base was discussed often. It is a peculiarly shaped building, like the rest of the buildings on the base. A strong gust of wind has pushed the rear of the aircraft left then right. of conventional or nuclear bombs, www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=294. Constructed on former agricultural land, the site was originally activated as the Blytheville Army Airfield in 1942. This gallery is to showcase old photographs from Blytheville, Arkansas. Three crewmen died in the crash. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . - A Blytheville museum shining a light on Cold War history received funding supporting a planned primary exhibit. The base closed in December 1992 and has re-opened as a general aviation/commercial airport and industrial park known as the Arkansas Aeroplex. machine guns in tail plus up to 60,000+ lbs. 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". Tin Roof. Sheila Russell Thurber. Doors and numerous truckloads of metal were being hauled off the alert pad. Thule is the only air force base with no aircraft and a tugboat. The pictures and history lesson accompanying are amazing. 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. Airplane Photos & Aviation Photos - View, Search, or Upload Photos! (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); http://www.fi-aeroweb.com/Defense/KC-46-Tanker.html#:~:text=Compared%20to%20the%20KC%2D135,cargo%20and%20aeromedical%20evacuation%20capabilities.&text=The%20KC%2DX%20Program%2C%20the,current%20KC%2D135%20tanker%20fleet. 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. (Some joked that the ladies might just paint hunky guys on their aircraft!). JetPhotos.com is the biggest database of aviation photographs with over 4 million screened photos online! The Strategic Air Command had reached the end of the road. I was one of four Production Supervisors who coordinated the P-Check maintenance and retrofitting of existing 737-200's (42 aircraft) for MetroJet; this included all coach interiors and . 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 walls are riddled with holes. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. The 97th comm mustve been a very short lived entity as it was the 2101 CS / AFCC when I was there. 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 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. Currently, the main tarmac is used as Blythevilles airport. 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. Location. 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. (KAIT) - Members of the United States Air Force in Little Rock and Louisiana landed aircraft on the Arkansas Aeroplex on the morning of . Reactivated as the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus AFB. The KC135 Stratotanker, as most other notary aircraft, was born out of necessity. if I remember correctly it was one of the rooms pictured (162). Base Closure What happened to Blytheville, Arkansas? Hopefully the site will become available again for us. 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. VetFriends.com helps reunite veterans from the Air Force daily. 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. Several C-47s were fitted with pontoons and redesignated C-47C. Sign up and get notified about upcoming volunteer events! I thanked my dad for my upbringing. 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. Blytheville Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base from 1942, until it closed in 1992. Scanned from 35mm Negative. thrust each. The facility now operates as the Arkansas Aeroplex and Arkansas International Airport. Flickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "blythevilleairforcebase" Flickr tag. In 1942, at the graduation ceremony it was believed that women could not fly as well as men. New in 1960. 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. Blytheville Air Force Base. Two North American AGM-28 nuclear Hound Dog Missiles were carried under the wings of the B-52 while eight Quails were carried in the bomb bay. 1942-1946, 1953-1992. Once more, however, the B-52G was called upon for the conventional role during Operation Desert Storm against Iraq in 1991. 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. B52 for his quick thinking, response to a crisis, and heroic duties. 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. Usaf Academy, CO 80840-1307 Colorado Springs, CO 80919-3732 Warrensburg, MO 64093-9357 Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. Glad to see the alert pad will be saved. 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. Eaker Air Force Base was originally named Blytheville Army Airfield when it was built in 1942. Buildings have collapsed in that time frame. On Jan. 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. Formerly the site of family housing for Eaker Air Force Base, Westminster Village is a non-profit community. Microscopy, Atomic Force Pulmonary Ventilation Acoustic Impedance Tests. Electrical work and flood damage repair have begun. Notice my Mustang has what appears to be a trailer hitch. [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. 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. On the evening in question, Bruce was working for a local radio station, performing tests on their transmitters. Profile pictures. There was some concern that female aircrew--which were becoming far more common in the 1980s than in years previously--would object to the nose art, but no such objections materialized. The WASP program tasked select women with many key roles on airfields across the nation. No photo description available. Yes we grew up overseas and only went to Department of Defense Schools but it was amazing. Its' soft start" with hours on Friday's and Saturday from about 12:00pm to 4:00pm, will take some trip planning. Dave Howell, RN Bob Gilbert, Gunner Rick Watson, EW Chuck Kinkhead, N Can't remember, CP Kevin Rice. Vietnam saw a return of nose art (or, in the case of the F-105, "armpit art" as it was carried beneath the high wing), but while pilots and crews didn't have to worry about irate wives, they did have to worry about irate commanding officers, some of whom saw nose art as unprofessional and childish. The B52 Stratofortress was the answer to all the problems found in the Convair B36 Peacemaker and the B24. [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. 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. . Arkansas had six Army airfields. Airman First Class Monex Thomas of the Blytheville Air Force Base died in an aircraft training incident on August 1 1982. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. 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. All photos. Hear those stories come to life from the soldiers who served at the BAFB Exhibition. Mold and asbestos float through the air like dust that just got kicked up. In 2020, both Arkansas senators proposed a bill to designate the museum in Blytheville. 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 . When Vietnam ended and the USAF got back to peacetime, nose art once more disappeared. Nearly 750 were built before production ended in the fall of 1962; 170 of these were B-52Ds. The nine surviving jets are scattered from coast to coast most of them restored and on display. For the families, GI's, and community that was Blytheville AFB Places to visit . The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. Desert Storm was the swan song for the B-52G. Community Profile: Blytheville, Ark., Spreads Its Wings after Air Force Base Closing. After extensive renovations, the "BAFB Exhibition", at the former Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base, is open for business. The exhibits are impactful and tell the story of Base history. The 2nd Bombardment Wing (H) at Barksdale AFB acquired the plane a second time in February 1987. Altus AFB ACTIVE Need photos: Location: Altus, Oklahoma. Weekly Began in 1902; ceased in 1923. The majority of buildings have suffered the same fate. This does not include 149 civil aircraft impresses before delivery. Photos from Blytheville Eaker Air Force Base - KBYH on JetPhotos Photos KC-135A - 61-0267 - 97th BW, Blytheville Air Force Base by Darren Currie 19 International Air Tattoo 1987 - RAF Fairford. It boasted a vibrant downtown and it had an eclectic population due to the wide variety of people the base brought to the city. At Mildenhall. Evans at Blytheville air show in 1980. [3] Six more men from the 97th were also lost in Vietnam, whose names are recognized on a memorial placard at the former base. 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). The B-52 has set numerous records in its many years of service. Blytheville AFB became fully operational when it was equipped with a wing of three squadrons of B-57 bomber on 19 July 1955. These jets were flown from 1969 to Feb 1974 when they were retired due to the oil crisis. A total of 820 KC135s have been produced since 1956. Airwomen were tasked with testing electronics of aircraft, testing aircraft by means of flights, and ferrying aircraft. In July 1963 the aircraft was stationed at Beale AFB, California, with the 456th Bombardment Wing (H). Posted on Facebook by Michael Meagher, Photographer unknown. 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. Eaker Air Force Base was home to a group of Strategic Air Command B-52 bombers and more than 3,000 military personnel before closing in 1992. 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. In the late 1980s, the government, under congress had begun inspections on Air Force Bases. Posted June 9th, 2014 by NFFF & filed under Uncategorized. Two B-52G bombers were readied to strike the Soviet Union with nuclear weapons if necessaryfor which the wing received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for its performance during the crisis. There is a SAC Lapel Pin and two United States Air Force Lapel Pins that I have included in my display. Pilot Mike Bush, Co Pilot Larry J Houser, EWO Wayne Carver, Navagtor Doug "D.R" Kincannon, Gunner Jack Alexander. All the glass is shattered. 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 base closed in 1992, and unfortunately most of the residential units north of Daisy Drive are vacant and have since . 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. "Valkyrie" would fly a few more missions during the war, the only time she would drop bombs in anger. This one is at the old (now closed) SAC base near Blytheville, Arkansas. Whether it be by the hand of the elements, or by deconstruction due to safety issues. Any and all donations are appreciated. During the weekend of February 21st, 2022, the former N.C.O. As a kid in nearby Jonesboro, our cub scout pack got to visit what was then Blytheville AFB. Blytheville AFB experienced a great deal of activity throughout the Cold War era, when for instance, the 97th Bombardment Wing went on airborne alert on 22 October 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Thanks to Dave Howell for posting this photo of Miss Piggy and her crew. On June 10, 1942, the U.S. Army opened an advanced pilot training school at Blytheville, Arkansas. Of reinforced concrete and concrete-block construction, moleholes were of two-story height, with one story below ground. Roof repairs began on February 19, 2022. Below is my Blytheville Air Force Base token collection. I was stationed at Eaker from 89-91 in the comm building pictured. Communism had shriveled in the world. 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. 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. Capt. 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. And the United States was about to enter war with Saddam Hussein. for another radio code that would tell him to turn around. The current BAFB Exhibit is housed in the former B52 crew briefing building, and will continue to be an exhibit. 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. "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. I never earned Air Force Wings, the wings that appear in the photo are those of the Commemorative Air Force of which I am a member. Certain buildings are worth saving. 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. If you served in Blytheville Air Force Base, Join TWS for free to reconnect with service friends. Thank you! Dental Clinic. 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). 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 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. . BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. Armament: Four .50-cal. All photos (32) Top ways to experience nearby attractions. This Abandoned Air Force base is located three miles Northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. 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. On 7 July 1971 SACs last C-47 was transferred to the USS Alabama Monument Commission. During Eaker's height, Blytheville was roughly the same size as Jonesboro, Smith said. Owners of said buildings had big ambitions to renovate and repurpose the old buildings, but either plans never took off or money was tight. Military. This has been an ongoing project for over a year. [1] It was located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. I saw this jet fly Oct 25 1972 at the Blytheville AFB air show. In June 1972 General Brown assumed command of the 416th Bombardment Wing at Griffiss Air Force Base, N.Y. May be an image of text that says 'David Pride 2000' No photo description available. Photo from Facebook. My job was to keep the alert aircraft supplied with the parts they needed to be mission ready. My Heritage. 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. Club was demolished. 3 talking about this. On January 31st, 2022, the Arkansas Aeroplex officially announced that work had been started on restoring Building 1225. The B-52G entered service in February 1959, and eventually 193 would be built, making it the most produced B-52 variant. It was around 1960 and I still recall vividly sitting in the cockpit of a B-52. The B52 Stratofortress had solved every issue the Air Force ran into with earlier bombers. In December 1972, after being repaired, it flew four additional missions over North Vietnam. 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 . 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.