After a brief hiatus of less than a decade, the facility reopened as the Blytheville Air Force Base. BLYTHEVILLE ARMY AIRFIELD 1942. Thanks to Dave Howell for posting this photo of Miss Piggy and her crew. Flickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "blythevilleairforcebase" Flickr tag. The B-52 had 8 engines but the two AGM-28 engines could also be used for take off and getting up to altitude. This Abandoned Air Force base is located three miles Northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. Many buildings are gone, and will continue to disappear. 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. Nowadays, the base goes by a few names. View of the southern end of the former Blytheville AFB (Eaker AFB). 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. 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 . Base Closure What happened to Blytheville, Arkansas? Like the Arc Light strikes of Vietnam, Iraqi forces on the ground could not hear or see B-52s before they struck. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. JetPhotos.com is the biggest database of aviation photographs with over 4 million screened photos online! The boom operators on KC-135s got a laugh over it, the pilots loved it, commanding officers were horrified and eventually ordered it removed. 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. Those dorms were pristine (almost new if I remember correctly) when they were abandoned. There are some items of interest in this photo of things that didn't appear on my uniform. 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. In the bomb bay were ADM-20 Quail decoys. In its prime, it housed over 3,000 service members, and a whole fleet of Strategic Air Command B52 BUFF Stratofortresses. Honorable Discharged at the rank of E5 Staff Sgt. Reactivated as the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus AFB. The G models most noticeable feature was its 8-foot shorter tail, done to ease maintenance and to save weight. Thule is the only air force base with no aircraft and a tugboat. Holes in the roof create entryways for birds and rain. Was the first KC-135E conversion in 1982. 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. Property is disposed of, and the government cleans up after itself. No photo description available. I really hope some other people can find this service and get in touch with people like I did. I was stationed at Blytheville AFB in the late 1950s when it was a new SAC base and the first B-52s arrived. By October of the same year the aircraft was moved to Robins AFB, Georgia. This VC-47D had been assigned to the 97th Bomb Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas. From its days as an Army Airfield until closing in 1992 as a major Strategic Air Command facility, the Blytheville Air Force Base told many stories. Engines: Eight P&W J57-P-43WB turbojets, 13,750 lbs thrust each w/ water injection, Weight: 168,445 lbs empty; 488,000 lbs max, Speed: 636 mph max at 20,800 ft; 523 mph cruise, Range: 4,100 miles w/10,000 lb bomb load; 7,976 miles ferry, Armament: Four .5 in machine guns; payload 50,000 lbs bombs & missiles. The G models were not equipped with the same robust electronic countermeasures suite as the Ds, nor did their crews have the same training. 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. 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. On January 23rd, 2022, it was announced that the former dorms would be demolished. For those wishing to explore BAFB history and its impact, the Blytheville Air Force Base Exhibition is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to tell "the story of the war that saved the world.". Whether it be by the hand of the elements, or by deconstruction due to safety issues. About Westminster Village . 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 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. 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. 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. [1] It was located 3 miles (4.8km) northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. Photographs are from numerous people and I encourage you to send me your photos if you want to add to the Blytheville collection. Transferred from the 97th Bomb Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base, Ark., this aircraft was flown to the museum in November 1978. But it is well-worth the visit. 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. Photos from Blytheville Eaker Air Force Base - KBYH on JetPhotos Photos 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. Blytheville Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base from 1942, until it closed in 1992. Donate to our causeCheck out our books! My family and I were stationed here from about 1964 until 1970. My job was to keep the alert aircraft supplied with the parts they needed to be mission ready. The last duty station for this aircraft was with a previous owner, the 93rd Bombardment Wing (H) at Castle AFB, where it arrived in December 1988. 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. Airport information, from map to hotels to aeronautical information. or the notorious F-105 "Cherry Girl," which positioned a full-frontal nude girl strategically over the refueling port on the nose. Blytheville was the only Advanced training base in Arkansas. Blytheville was the only two engine training base in Arkansas. If you can make it, even for an hour, we will be glad to have you! In 1990, Blythevilles population was 23,443. Tiling soaked in stagnant water squishes under your feet, anything that could be rusted, is rusted. 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. This area was developed pursuant to guidelines established by the Federal Housing Administration , and is laid out with . The 17th Bombardment Wing (H) at Anderson AB was this aircraft's next duty station, arriving there in January 1973. This is like the B-52Gs with the North American AGM-28 Nuclear Hound Dog Missiles assigned to my base. Below is my Blytheville Air Force Base token collection. (KAIT) - Members of the United States Air Force in Little Rock and Louisiana landed aircraft on the Arkansas Aeroplex on the morning of . Eaker Air Force Base was originally named Blytheville Army Airfield when it was built in 1942. Serial Number 61-0023 landed safely in Blytheville. The KC135 fuels other aircraft through an extendable boom on the aft of the aircraft. Any monthly plan. This would determine if the base could go on operating in the future, or if it was deemed unnecessary to continue service. of conventional or nuclear bombs. . Three crewmen died in the crash. In the years leading up to the reunification of Germany, the U.S. government sought out to begin a process that would eventually end in many bases like Eaker, to be closed. In June 1975 the aircraft was sent to the 97th Bombardment Wing (H) residing at Blytheville AFB, Arkansas. The aircraft was flown from Castle AFB to Hill AFB, Utah, in its final flight. There were VIP transports (designated VC-47A/B) and there were SC-47s used as search and rescue aircraft. The current BAFB Exhibit is housed in the former B52 crew briefing building, and will continue to be an exhibit. 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 hospital has been tightly sealed up. 97th Bomb Wing has a long and honorable history. BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. Base Theater. (Some joked that the ladies might just paint hunky guys on their aircraft!). The National Cold War Center will be an entirely brand new building itself. BX and Cafeteria. Though, the program and its members were not considered truly military nor pilots until the 1970s. If you wish to support our current and future work, please consider making a donation or purchasing one of our many books. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Air Base Group Headquarters. 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 . 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 boom is controlled by an operator lying prone under the cargo deck of the aircraft. Have history here? Who knew that 41 years later I would have a new Mustang or even still be alive. 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 . 326th Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron; 21 July 1942-30 April 1944 2111th Army Air Forces Base Unit; 1 May 1944-16 June 1945 Became Blytheville Air Force Base / Eaker Air Force Base (1951-1992) Now: Arkansas International Airport (IATA: BYH, ICAO: KBYH, FAA LID: BYH) (1992-Present) Newport Army Air Field, 6 miles northeast of Newport In June 1972 General Brown assumed command of the 416th Bombardment Wing at Griffiss Air Force Base, N.Y. The nine surviving jets are scattered from coast to coast most of them restored and on display. There was no need for the Global Shield. The process is called B.R.A.C.. The 97th deployed to Edwards AFB, California, while operating this aircraft. I only ask that you send older photos (probably sometime before 1970).and they can be of People, Places in Blytheville, and Things. Movie Theater. It was amazing. The Museums C-47 was manufactured by Douglas Aircraft, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and delivered to the USAAF on July 14, 1944. Blytheville, established as lumber mill town in the 1880s, has also served as a center for the cotton-growing industry, a Strategic Air Command (SAC) airbase and a gateway city for the Natural State. And this is a photo of the HULK 46 design that the . It was good to see jets setting on the tarmac, even if they are only civilian jets. 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. 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 . Posted on Facebook by Michael Meagher, Photographer unknown. 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. It boasted a vibrant downtown and it had an eclectic population due to the wide variety of people the base brought to the city. [1], During the Vietnam War the 97th Bomber Wing at Blytheville supported strike operations throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s. Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas. 6 'Cat And Mouse' UFO Chase Over Cannon AFB January 1976. 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 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. 2, no. Some of the land has since been declared a National Historic Landmark. As a kid in nearby Jonesboro, our cub scout pack got to visit what was then Blytheville AFB. 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. 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; . Photo Gallery. Assigned to Blytheville Air Force Base until deactivated in 1992. Photo by Democrat-Gazette file photo . 1942-1946, 1953-1992. Because it was an Air Force base, the airport has room and facilities that are not available in many other complexes. The incident over Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico on January 21, 1976, would not only stretch to a second night but was also witnessed by pure chance by a student journalist known only as "Bruce.". Beechcraft AT-10, and Curtiss-Wright AT-9s. 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. The Blytheville Air Force Base SAC alert area is located east of the southern end of the runway, situated at the center of the fenced area long the alert parking area. The local economy tankedand unemployment skyrocketed. N503DN Delta Air Lines | Airbus A350-941 | Arkansas International Airport by M.J. Scanlon 17 . 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. Dave Howell, RN Bob Gilbert, Gunner Rick Watson, EW Chuck Kinkhead, N Can't remember, CP Kevin Rice. thrust each. Due to the high amount of asbestos flying around in the air, and the safety concerns. After extensive renovations, the "BAFB Exhibition", at the former Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base, is open for business. I thanked my dad for my upbringing. While with the 97th Bomb Wing at Blytheville AFB, Arkansas, it received the name "Valkyrie" with appropriate nose art of a mail-clad female warrior on horseback; nose art made a renaissance in the USAF in the late 1980s, though not quite as risqu as that seen during World War II. [1] Then the airfield briefly became a processing center for the rapid demobilization of military personnel being discharged. TWS is the largest online community of Veterans existing today and is a powerful Veteran locator. NUMBER BUILT: Douglas built a total of 10,047 C-47s and derivatives. Armament: Four defensive .50-cal. The exhibit is on the old air base, which is now an FBO for the new steel and other corporations that fly in there, along with other airplane related functions. As a CAP cadet 1966-1969 the lore of this base was discussed often. Currently, there is a restoration program working to rebuild and reuse buildings that arent disappearing. During its test flight, Boeing was performing tests to show the aircrafts resilience against low-altitude turbulence. This is not my photograph so it may not be used for commercial purposes. Description based on: Vol. The rest I earned via my service to my country. Arkansas Razorbacks. In order to understand why Eaker Air Force Base closed, one has to dive into foreign, political, and socioeconomic issues of the late 1980s and early 1990s. I had a great time and intend to go again next year. By August 1973, they had flown 126,615 combat sorties with 17 B-52s lost to enemy action. Many times I stopped what I was doing and watched the full power, roaring and smoke trailing takeoffs. The hospital is also a very large (plan wise) building, so it is very possible to get lost inside the building without a map. It was one of many air fields created in the country's interior during the war for this purpose. For nearly 50 years, residents of Blytheville, Ark., proudly supported the Air Force base in their town. Blytheville Air Force Base. I also lived in the dorms that are pictured. Transferred from the 97th Bomb Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base, Ark., this aircraft was flown to the museum in November 1978. (photo courtesy of Delta) On Tuesday, June 2, 2020, Delta Air Lines . 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. The base's primary mission shifted to bomber training. During the weekend of February 21st, 2022, the former N.C.O. 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. The aircraft remained there until November when it was reassigned to the 320th Bombardment Wing (H) at Mather AFB, California. Collect, curate and comment on your files. What aRead more , Stationed there 1989-1992, loved the place and love the life long friends from there. . The Library. 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. In July 1991, she was retired, and as one of the Secret Squirrel aircraft, was donated to the Pima Air and Space Museum immediately. At Mildenhall. A B52 with a full nuclear payload, is the seventh most powerful country in the world.. This view also shows how well 58-0183 is preserved, and the EVS bulges beneath the B-52's nose. It is the USAFs main aerial fueling aircraft. Setting near the base is a memorial bench for Army Spc Christopher Stark killed in Afghanistan Feb 28 2011. The group was awarded two Distinguish Unit Citations during WWII and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crises. The crew started to lose control of the plane and went to bail out. 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 . Photo from Facebook. Usaf Academy, CO 80840-1307 Colorado Springs, CO 80919-3732 Warrensburg, MO 64093-9357 Currently, the wet carpet has molded over and over again. 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. 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!" I was an army brat and a military wife along with an army civilian off and on over the years. Blytheville Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base from 1942, until it closed in 1992. Since Eaker Air Force Base went under B.R.A.C. The United States no longer needed bombers and fuel-tankers to be on 24/7 alert. 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. Marker is at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Chestnut Drive, on the right when traveling east on Memorial Drive. Club was demolished. Though, due to high traffic in that area, the aircraft had to change its course and headed for Blytheville Air Force Base instead. After any major war, surplus equipment and property is sold to the general public and agencies. Memphis Discovery Tour . In selected cases, due to ground water table conditions, the moleholes were built fully aboveground, with the lower story earthen bermed for semi-hardening. Dental Clinic. 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. "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. Posted June 9th, 2014 by NFFF & filed under Uncategorized. Ash. 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. of conventional or nuclear bombs, Engines: Eight Pratt & Whitney J57s of 12,100 lbs. Today it is 14,011. [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. It was rolled out of Boeings Wichita plant. 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 Southeast Asia War section of the Modern Flight Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/). 766 th BS headquarters. Tin Roof. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. Officials had hoped, after hearing rumors of the base's possible closure, that the name would endear the base among military leaders and be enough to incentivize its continued existence. 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. . A photo of my Mustang in the snow at Barker's Trailerpark in Blytheville Arkansas. There were trainer versions designated TC-47 and reconnaissance versions designated RC-47. The aircraft was set on course to Boeings headquarters in Wichita, Kansas. 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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