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. This is a photoshopped 1972 Suzuki Brochure that I have transposed my face over the riders face. KC-135A - 61-0267 - 97th BW, Blytheville Air Force Base by Darren Currie 19 International Air Tattoo 1987 - RAF Fairford. Airwomen were tasked with testing electronics of aircraft, testing aircraft by means of flights, and ferrying aircraft. The model is on a 1/72 scale with a 26" wingspan. Operated by the 97th Bombardment Wing based at Eaker AFB, Blytheville AR. On the evening in question, Bruce was working for a local radio station, performing tests on their transmitters. After 30 years and learning the computer and finding VetFriends, I went to my first reunion of the USS Navasota AO-106. 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. . On January 31st, 2022, the Arkansas Aeroplex officially announced that work had been started on restoring Building 1225. 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. The WASP program tasked select women with many key roles on airfields across the nation. Have history here? It is a peculiarly shaped building, like the rest of the buildings on the base. What aRead more , Stationed there 1989-1992, loved the place and love the life long friends from there. Thanks VetFriends. 27 items. [1], In 1988, the U.S. Air Force officially renamed Blytheville AFB to Eaker AFB in commemoration of World War II General Ira Eaker, the former commander of the 8th Air Force. In the late 1980s, the government, under congress had begun inspections on Air Force Bases. It is aRead more . 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. 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. Mr. Gorbachev tore down that wall. On June 10, 1942, the U.S. Army opened an advanced pilot training school at Blytheville, Arkansas. Reactivated as the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus AFB. 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. Buildings have collapsed in that time frame. Hear those stories come to life from the soldiers who served at the BAFB Exhibition. Photo Gallery. Ash. Eleven of these jets were flown from 1969 to Feb 1974 when they were retired due to the oil crisis. 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. Blytheville Eaker Air Force Base - KBYH, USA - Arkansas; By: Brady Brooks Photos | Profile | Contact; of conventional or nuclear bombs, Engines: Eight Pratt & Whitney J57s of 12,100 lbs. Photographs are from numerous people and I encourage you to send me your photos if you want to add to the Blytheville collection. 6 'Cat And Mouse' UFO Chase Over Cannon AFB January 1976. 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. Nowadays, the base goes by a few names. Beechcraft AT-10, and Curtiss-Wright AT-9s. It was renamed Eaker Air Force Base in 1988, in honor of General Ira Eaker, an aviation pioneer and second . My 1966 Ford Mustang was setting in the parking lot the day we watched this jet fly. At Mildenhall. Housing for members of the military and their families was developed between 1957 and 1962 north and south . Looking for someone that served with you? During the second World War, the United States needed more areas to train pilots, and launch aircraft to respond to the threat on the Eastern front. [2] In July 1959, the 97th Bombardment Wing subsequently assumed control of the base and brought with it the long-range B-52G bomber and the KC-135A Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft to support bomber operations. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. Transferred from the 97th Bomb Wing at Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas, this aircraft was flown to the Museum in November 1978. 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. This had the added benefit of giving the gunner an ejection seat, eliminating the need for a manual bailout system. In the bomb bay were ADM-20 Quail decoys. 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. 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. Desert Storm was the swan song for the B-52G. Of the 3,778 acres the base is comprised of, two thirds of the land is abandoned. The Air Force packed up and left. 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). Pinterest. 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. Sign up and get notified about upcoming volunteer events! Camo with white under belly North American AGM-28 Hound Dog Missile on display at the Global Power Museum at Barksdale Air Force Base. The newer B-52Hs had turbofan powerplant, which was more fuel efficient, and START arms control treaties required the dismantling of the B-52G force after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. 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. Roof repairs began on February 19, 2022. In December 1972, after being repaired, it flew four additional missions over North Vietnam. B.R.A.C. 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. Because it was an Air Force base, the airport has room and facilities that are not available in many other complexes. Did you serve with BLYTHEVILLE AIR FORCE BASE? Once more, however, the B-52G was called upon for the conventional role during Operation Desert Storm against Iraq in 1991. 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. "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. When Vietnam ended and the USAF got back to peacetime, nose art once more disappeared. 732 of the aircraft were specifically aerial tankers. In the post-Cold War era, the U.S. Air Force decided to shut down the Eaker Air Force Base in Blytheville, AR. TWS is the largest online community of Veterans existing today and is a powerful Veteran locator. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. The Blytheville Air Force Base Alert Center and Alert Apron constructed as part of a national expansion of Strategic Air Command Facilities across the United States and its Territories, to help in creating a "program to safeguard nuclear deterrence" through the SAC Alert program. 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. The majority of buildings have suffered the same fate. It was located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. The B-52G was to return to the nuclear delivery role through the 1970s and 1980s, with the SRAM itself replaced by the AGM-86 Air Launched Cruise Missile, a truly precise cruise missile. Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas. This has been an ongoing project for over a year. "Valkyrie" would fly a few more missions during the war, the only time she would drop bombs in anger. Psychiatry and Psychology 1 Whether it be by the hand of the elements, or by deconstruction due to safety issues. 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.". Armament: Four defensive .50-cal. Select from premium Blytheville Air Force Base of the highest quality. Tin Roof. After Eaker Air Force Base was B.R.A.C.d, multiple buildings on the base were put up for sale, but never put to use properly. thrust each. 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 . Blytheville AFB: See Eaker AFB: Bolling AFB ACTIVE: Location: Washington, DC . My family and I were stationed here from about 1964 until 1970. 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". This gallery is to showcase old photographs from Blytheville, Arkansas. The B52 Stratofortress had solved every issue the Air Force ran into with earlier bombers. I hope they can save this base so that it doesnt get destroyed. 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 . In the Monett City Park is displayed the USAF Thunderbird F4 Phantom #3 Jet. The boom operators on KC-135s got a laugh over it, the pilots loved it, commanding officers were horrified and eventually ordered it removed. Veteran C. Young. if I remember correctly it was one of the rooms pictured (162). Compared to hose style fueling systems, flying booms of KC135s are very unforgiving to errors. 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. About ten years ago a group of old 97 OMS troops made a trip to see the old place. After it became operational in 1955, the B-52 remained the main long-range heavy bomber of the US Air Force during the Cold War, and it continues to be an important part of the USAF bomber force today. Stock photos, 360 images, vectors and videos. The aircraft remained there until November when it was reassigned to the 320th Bombardment Wing (H) at Mather AFB, California. Though it is referred to these names, the airport officially goes by Arkansas Aeroplex. On January 23rd, 2022, it was announced that the former dorms would be demolished. Hopefully the site will become available again for us. As the National Cold War Center develops, the first on-site exhibit depicts the history of the Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base. 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. B52 for his quick thinking, response to a crisis, and heroic duties. The 62nd Bombardment Wing (H) at Fairchild AFB, Washington, took possession of this B-52G in September 1983 but the aircraft was transferred to the 93rd Bombardment Wing (H) at Castle AFB, California, the following February. 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. 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. 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 B52 Stratofortress was the answer to all the problems found in the Convair B36 Peacemaker and the B24. The effect on the neighboring towns of Gosnell and Blytheville the closure had on were tremendous. In the Monett City Park is displayed the USAF Thunderbird F-4E Phantom II #3 Jet. 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 . Movie Theater. Blytheville Air Force Base. On a Bravo alert, while taxiing the aircraft, the pilot was waiting (and hoping!) The group was awarded two Distinguish Unit Citations during WWII and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crises. 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 B-52 had 8 engines but the two AGM-28 engines could also be used for take off and getting up to altitude. Collect, curate and comment on your files. On 7 July 1971 SACs last C-47 was transferred to the USS Alabama Monument Commission. 1942-1946, 1953-1992. 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. U.S. Cover photos. For nearly 50 years, residents of Blytheville, Ark., proudly supported the Air Force base in their town. Our B-52s had the Vietnam War Camo paint while this appears to have the Pre-Vietnam War SAC paint which our bombers had before their Vietnam days. Posted June 9th, 2014 by NFFF & filed under Uncategorized. MEMORIES. for another radio code that would tell him to turn around. 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. Currently, the main tarmac is used as Blythevilles airport. 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. action specifically caters to closures and revitalization of U.S. military bases. 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. All of these were under the Strategic Air Command. 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.

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