After any major war, surplus equipment and property is sold to the general public and agencies. The B-52 has set numerous records in its many years of service. Posted to Facebook by William Travis. 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. This view also shows how well 58-0183 is preserved, and the EVS bulges beneath the B-52's nose. Operated by the 97th Bombardment Wing based at Eaker AFB, Blytheville AR. 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). New in 1960. The population suffered as well. 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. 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". 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. Base Theater. Since then, there have been only 744 aircraft built by Boeing. Thanks to Dave Howell for posting this photo of Miss Piggy and her crew. The last model 61-0040, was produced in 1962. The walls are riddled with holes. 3 talking about this. In June 1965 B-52s entered combat in Southeast Asia. The USAF Thunderbirds flew the F-4E Phantom II from 1969 until Feb 1974 when they were retired due to the October 1973 fuel crisis. CENTCOM commander H. Norman Schwartzkopf demanded continual B-52 strikes-- eventually forty percent of all ordnance expended--and the results were devastating. Hopefully the site will become available again for us. This VC-47D had been assigned to the 97th Bomb Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas. 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 . Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. The WASP program tasked select women with many key roles on airfields across the nation. But, right before the first man could bail, the pilot had realized they had marginal control over the aircraft. Blytheville Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base from 1942, until it closed in 1992. 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. Blytheville Air Force Base (BAFB) Exhibition, Blytheville: See 8 reviews, articles, and 21 photos of Blytheville Air Force Base (BAFB) Exhibition, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 6 attractions in Blytheville. The exhibits are impactful and tell the story of Base history. The Cold War had come to and end. It is the USAFs main aerial fueling aircraft. Only ten B-52Gs survive today as museum pieces. of conventional or nuclear bombs. The original, one-of-a-kind model was created by P.J. Abandoned Arkansas had noticed while touring the base, the former base bank had been torn down the week prior to January 1st, 2022. This increased the B-52Gs range over earlier B-52s, though it also added considerable weightone reason why the tail was shortened; to help the heavy bomber get off the ground, the water-injection system already present was increased. The boom is controlled by an operator lying prone under the cargo deck of the aircraft. The B-52 has set numerous records in its many years of service. 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. I thanked my dad for my upbringing. Finally, again to save weight, the tail gunner position was eliminated in favor of a remote-controlled barbette, with the gunner moved forward to the crew compartment. An exploration of the base's history and its impact on the community. As a kid in nearby Jonesboro, our cub scout pack got to visit what was then Blytheville AFB. The current BAFB Exhibit is housed in the former B52 crew briefing building, and will continue to be an exhibit. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. Location. 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. The Strategic Air Command had reached the end of the road. It was good to see jets setting on the tarmac, even if they are only civilian jets. Airman First Class Monex Thomas of the Blytheville Air Force Base died in an aircraft training incident on August 1 1982. My first year I worked in Procurement which is to the far right edge in this photo, it is the last building on the left along Memorial Drive, the wide street going left to right. 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. However, two years later they proved him and everyone else wrong. 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. This area was developed pursuant to guidelines established by the Federal Housing Administration , and is laid out with . In July 1963 the aircraft was stationed at Beale AFB, California, with the 456th Bombardment Wing (H). 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 . Transferred from the 97th Bomb Wing at Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas, this aircraft was flown to the Museum in November 1978. If you wish to support our current and future work, please consider making a donation or purchasing one of our many books. I grew up on Army bases overseas. Armament: Four defensive .50-cal. 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. The group was awarded two Distinguish Unit Citations during WWII and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crises. Roof repairs began on February 19, 2022. The B-52G was also built from the start to deliver standoff nuclear weapons, beginning with the AGM-28 Hound Dog. [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. My 1972 Suzuki looked exactly like the one in the brochure. Blytheville AFB became fully operational when it was equipped with a wing of three squadrons of B-57 bomber on 19 July 1955. Jwt708 Well-Known Member. It was located 3 miles (5 km) northwest of central Blytheville, Arkansas. Though it is referred to these names, the airport officially goes by Arkansas Aeroplex. 10 free downloads. He served active duty March 21 1972 to March 20 1976. Details on 57-6486 are sparse; it may have seen combat over Vietnam with another unit. Mr. Gorbachev tore down that wall. . The 2nd Bombardment Wing (H) at Barksdale AFB acquired the plane a second time in February 1987. 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. About ten years ago a group of old 97 OMS troops made a trip to see the old place. 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. Located on the former Eaker Air Force Base (also known as Blytheville Air Force Base), a few blocks inside the west gate. Find Blytheville Air Force Base unit information, patches, operation history, veteran photos and more on TogetherWeServed.com. Donate to our causeCheck out our books! Leaving Little Rock as Arkansas only active base. BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. machine guns in tail plus up to 60,000+ lbs. There was no need for the Global Shield. Looking for someone that served with you? 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. Contributions to PAs Most Endangered List, National Register of Historic Places (Jan, 26th 2018). Available for both RF and RM licensing. Five feet of water was pumped out of the basement of the building. Nose art, while almost ubiquitous during World War II and Korea, largely disappeared in the 1950s. All photos (32) Top ways to experience nearby attractions. Photo by Democrat-Gazette file photo . The facility now operates as the Arkansas Aeroplex and Arkansas International Airport. It was around 1960 and I still recall vividly sitting in the cockpit of a B-52. As a result, the B-52Gs took heavy casualties in the first days of Operation Linebacker II in December 1972, losing 15 aircraft; it was decided to pull the Gs out of operations after the first week. 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. After 30 years and learning the computer and finding VetFriends, I went to my first reunion of the USS Navasota AO-106. 07-4637 photos; United States - US Air Force (USAF) Airline: United States - US Air Force (USAF) Reg: 07-4637 photos; Aircraft: Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules; Serial #: 382-5597; . In the bomb bay were ADM-20 Quail decoys. In June 1965, B-52s entered combat in Southeast Asia. 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. This has been an ongoing project for over a year. The pictures and history lesson accompanying are amazing. Places to visit . In selected cases, due to ground water table conditions, the moleholes were built fully aboveground, with the lower story earthen bermed for semi-hardening. No photo description available. In the early 1950s, the Strategic Air Command (SAC) approved a plan to convert the former airfield into an airbase, which officially opened in 1955 as Blytheville Air Force Base. 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 . 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. Pinterest. In June 1975 the aircraft was sent to the 97th Bombardment Wing (H) residing at Blytheville AFB, Arkansas. 766 th BS headquarters. My Heritage. The hospital is also a very large (plan wise) building, so it is very possible to get lost inside the building without a map. I completed USAF Technical School in Denver Co the end of June 1972 and received two weeks leave before reporting to my base and when I arrived home my old farm boss, USAAF Veteran Bill Morriss had a brand new Suzuki motorcycle in his garage. Owners of said buildings had big ambitions to renovate and repurpose the old buildings, but either plans never took off or money was tight. Home of 96th Bombardment Wing: 1953-1957; 11th . For the families, GI's, and community that was Blytheville AFB In December of 1992, the base officially closed. Airplane Photos & Aviation Photos - View, Search, or Upload Photos! Love Photoshop, a little bit of work and #3 does a flyby just for me 41 years later. 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. Transferred from the 97th Bomb Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base, Ark., this aircraft was flown to the museum in November 1978. The top attractions to visit in Blytheville are: Historic Greyhound Bus Depot Visitor Center; The Ritz Theatre; Delta Gateway Museum; Blytheville Air Force Base (BAFB) Exhibition; That Bookstore in Blytheville; See all attractions in Blytheville on Tripadvisor My father manufactured this and built a front wheel carrier for my motorcycle so I could mount the front wheel and removed the chain and allow the rear wheel to freely roll as we towed it down the road. This is a photoshopped 1972 Suzuki Brochure that I have transposed my face over the riders face. The B-52G entered service in February 1959, and eventually 193 would be built, making it the most produced B-52 variant. 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. Many DC-3 and C-47s are still in operation, nearing the end of their first half century of service and looking like they could go another half century. Veteran C. Young. Jun 18, 2016 - blytheville afb photos | Blytheville Air Force Base, Blytheville . When Vietnam ended and the USAF got back to peacetime, nose art once more disappeared. Eaker Air Force Base was originally named Blytheville Army Airfield when it was built in 1942. The accounting & financing building has a large and open floor plan. [5], For the civil use of this facility and airport information, see, Blytheville Air Force Base Strategic Air Command (SAC) Alert and Weapons Storage Areas Historic District, Last edited on 26 September 2022, at 16:47, U.S. National Register of Historic Places, AFCEC, "Eaker Air Force Base Community Relations Plan", "National Register of Historic Places: Weekly list", "National Register of Historic Places Registration: Blytheville Air Force Base Strategic Air Command (SAC) Alert and Weapons Storage Areas Historic District", "Arkansas Officials Seek Cold War Museum for Former Air Base", "Community Relations Plan for the Former Eaker Air Force Base Blytheville, Arkansas (July 2007}", Arkansas Northeastern College (formerly Mississippi County CC), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blytheville_Air_Force_Base&oldid=1112498994, Part of Strategic Air Command/Tactical Air Command, Continental Air Forces, 16 June 1945 21 March 1946, 25th Twin Engine Flying Training Group, 25 July 1942 29 February 1944, Army Air Force Pilot School, 3 May 1942 31 May 1945, 211th Army Air Force Base Unit, 1 May 1944 15 June 1945, 809th Army Air Force Base Unit, 16 June 1945 31 March 1946, 334th Army Air Force Base Unit, 1 April 1946 25 November 1946, 461st Bombardment Wing, 8 April 1956 1 April 1958, 4329th Air Base Squadron, 1 April 1958 1 July 1959, 97th Bombardment Wing, 1 July 1959 1 September 1991, This page was last edited on 26 September 2022, at 16:47. Ruth Eaker, General Eakers widow, signing autographs during the name change of the base in 1988. (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. For nearly 50 years, residents of Blytheville, Ark., proudly supported the Air Force base in their town. Movie Theater. 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. In 1988, the based was renamed to honor World War II General, Ira C. Eaker. These jets were flown from 1969 to Feb 1974 when they were retired due to the oil crisis. Scrapped at Birmingham AL in 1997. Club was demolished. After extensive renovations, the "BAFB Exhibition", at the former Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base, is open for business. Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa: majesticholidays.com, +12423231410, +13088411818, +14132671187, +13856680111, +12815278722 Bahamas hotels, vacation tour packages by majestic holidays As crew chiefs we had all spent many tours in the mole hole. Nearly 750 were built before production ended in Oct. 26, 1962; 170 of these were B-52Ds. Hill Aerospace Museum officially received the aircraft for static display on July 11, 1991. Military Photos; Military Reunion Stories; Military Service Map; Military Cadences; Military Jokes; Military Lingo; Great Military Web Pages; Recommended Military Books; Today in Military . Luckily, the nose art was removed first and donated to the nearby Pima Air and Space Museum. These windowless alert quarters were identical everywhere, with tunnel-like egress covered in corrugated steel. The 97th comm mustve been a very short lived entity as it was the 2101 CS / AFCC when I was there. Whether it be by the hand of the elements, or by deconstruction due to safety issues. 88 of the aircraft built are modified versions to serve specific purposes such as reconnaissance aircraft, and cargo carriers. 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. As I recall, crew members were typically on alert for 10 days of every month. 97th Bomb Wing has a long and honorable history. Currently, the wet carpet has molded over and over again. Here's a little blurb about the alert facilities themselves (aka "mole holes"): "The SAC alert crew quarters, like the SAC command post, were partially below ground structures. By October of the same year the aircraft was moved to Robins AFB, Georgia. Eaker Air Force Base (1942-1992) was a front-line United States Air Force base for over 40 years. No photo description available. A bomber crew from Blytheville were among the first shot down during Operation Linebacker II, a December 1972 mission targeting complexes in North Vietnam. The B52 Stratofortress was the answer to all the problems found in the Convair B36 Peacemaker and the B24. VetFriends.com helps reunite veterans from the Air Force daily. Buildings, schools, hospitals, hotels, restaurants, car . MEMORIES. 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 aircraft was set on course to Boeings headquarters in Wichita, Kansas. 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 . Mold and asbestos float through the air like dust that just got kicked up. View allAll Photos Tagged Blytheville Air Force Base. 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. [1] Then the airfield briefly became a processing center for the rapid demobilization of military personnel being discharged. 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. Blytheville Air Force Base (BAFB) Exhibition: BAFB Exhibition - Blytheville/Eaker AFB - See 9 traveler reviews, 32 candid photos, and great deals for Blytheville, AR, at Tripadvisor. The United States no longer needed bombers and fuel-tankers to be on 24/7 alert. The communication building of the 97th Bombardment Wing is in terrible condition as well. Housing for members of the military and their families was developed between 1957 and 1962 north and south . I also lived in the dorms that are pictured. 2023 Getty Images. Thanks VetFriends. 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. My other picture of "Valkyrie" was taken from the right side, but the other day I realized I had never posted the picture of the aircraft's nose art. See original furniture from the famous alert compound, pictures, uniforms & other memorabilia including a . 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. Lots of good memories. In 1990, Blythevilles population was 23,443. In June 1972 General Brown assumed command of the 416th Bombardment Wing at Griffiss Air Force Base, N.Y. Though, the program and its members were not considered truly military nor pilots until the 1970s. About Westminster Village . Description based on: Vol. Though it is currently in a rough shape as an Air Force Base it doesnt have to be that way. 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. As part of Operation Secret Squirrel, "Valkyrie" would be part of a record setting 34-hour bomb mission from Barksdale to Iraq and back again. Memphis Discovery Tour . In 2020, both Arkansas senators proposed a bill to designate the museum in Blytheville. View of the southern end of the former Blytheville AFB (Eaker AFB). The KC135 Stratotanker, as most other notary aircraft, was born out of necessity. In December 1972, after being repaired, it flew four additional missions over North Vietnam. 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. Eleven of these jets were flown from 1969 to Feb 1974 when they were retired due to the oil crisis. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Sara Robertson ([email protected]) 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 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. (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. 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. And the United States was about to enter war with Saddam Hussein. The airplane dismantler used most of the tarmac we were using and we havent been back since before covid. But it is well-worth the visit. Who knew that 41 years later I would have a new Mustang or even still be alive. Copyright 2009-document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) - Abandoned Atlas Foundation - [email protected] | Designed By Prairie Nation Creative, LLC - Disclaimer, Eaker Air Force Base (Click the Thumbnails to See Full Album), Extras (sirens, wildlife, monument, signs). The G models were not equipped with the same robust electronic countermeasures suite as the Ds, nor did their crews have the same training. BX and Cafeteria. This one is at the old (now closed) SAC base near Blytheville, Arkansas. Who knew that 41 years later I would have a new Mustang or even still be alive. . Holes in the roof create entryways for birds and rain. Eaker Air Force Base Historic District, Arkansas International Airport, and Blytheville Municipal Airport. If you served in Blytheville Air Force Base, Join TWS for free to reconnect with service friends. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. The base was deactivated in 1945 at the end of World War II. [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. Eaker Air Force Base was located on 3,778 acres of land between the communities of Gosnell and Blytheville in Mississippi County.

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