blytheville air force base photos

The 2nd Bombardment Wing (H) at Barksdale AFB acquired the plane a second time in February 1987. 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. 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. Since Eaker Air Force Base went under B.R.A.C. 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). 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 . Improve this listing. Any monthly plan. It is a peculiarly shaped building, like the rest of the buildings on the base. Best years of my life. 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. Blytheville Air Force Base aka Eaker Air Force Base. There were trainer versions designated TC-47 and reconnaissance versions designated RC-47. 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. 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). 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. 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. 4 items. This VC-47D had been assigned to the 97th Bomb Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas. Base Theater. About ten years ago a group of old 97 OMS troops made a trip to see the old place. But it is well-worth the visit. Thanks to Dave Howell for posting this photo of Miss Piggy and her crew. 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. The United States no longer needed bombers and fuel-tankers to be on 24/7 alert. It seemed like every morning at 5:00 AM the flight line maintenance crews would fire up some of the airplanes engines. The original, one-of-a-kind model was created by P.J. In June 1965 B-52s entered combat in Southeast Asia. Transferred from the 97th Bomb Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base, Ark., this aircraft was flown to the museum in November 1978. This view also shows how well 58-0183 is preserved, and the EVS bulges beneath the B-52's nose. Eaker Air Force Base Historic District, Arkansas International Airport, and Blytheville Municipal Airport. if I remember correctly it was one of the rooms pictured (162). I was stationed at Eaker from 89-91 in the comm building pictured. 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. These women had proved their selves capable of flying aircraft such as the B25 and the B29. After any major war, surplus equipment and property is sold to the general public and agencies. It worked very well and it was how I towed my new 1972 Suzuki GT750J from my parent's home in Alma the 300 miles to Blytheville Air Force Base. Gosnell reported losing over half its students. Use code: FLICKR10, International Air Tattoo 1987 - RAF Fairford. The Strategic Air Command had reached the end of the road. Blytheville AFB was created in 1942 as a location for pilot training, originally named Blytheville Army Airfield. Blytheville Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base from 1942, until it closed in 1992. [1], The base closure cost the community over 700 civilian jobs, but half of these were recovered through the adaptive reuse of the former base, such as United States Post Office's utilization of the base in the late 1990s as an airport hub during the holidays, some of the base housing being converted by Westminster Village of the Mid-South for a retirement community, the construction of a $2.5 million sports complex by the local community, and the private investment of some $3 million for the creation of the Thunder Bayou Golf Course. 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 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. Home of 96th Bombardment Wing: 1953-1957; 11th . Tiling soaked in stagnant water squishes under your feet, anything that could be rusted, is rusted. [1] It was located 3 miles (4.8km) northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. [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. My last 8 months of service I was the NCOIC of the Repair Cycle Unit "DIFM Control", KC-135A - 61-0267 - 97th BW, Blytheville Air Force Base, N503DN Delta Air Lines | Airbus A350-941 | Arkansas International Airport. In December 1972, after being repaired, it flew four additional missions over North Vietnam. The exhibits are impactful and tell the story of Base history. See All. Blytheville herald-news Blytheville courier news (DLC)sn 89051348 The base's primary mission shifted to bomber training. (For some reason, this "Hotshot" never got eyes.). After World War II the C-47s were used in the Berlin Airlift, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Nearly 750 were built before production ended in the fall of 1962; 170 of these were B-52Ds. Base Closure What happened to Blytheville, Arkansas? It is planned to be its own exhibit within the system of buildings. These windowless alert quarters were identical everywhere, with tunnel-like egress covered in corrugated steel. Mold and asbestos float through the air like dust that just got kicked up. 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. This is a photoshopped 1972 Suzuki Brochure that I have transposed my face over the riders face. 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. Thank you! 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. . However, two years later they proved him and everyone else wrong. I hope they can save this base so that it doesnt get destroyed. Posted to Facebook by William Travis. Altus AFB ACTIVE Need photos: Location: Altus, Oklahoma. Dave Howell, RN Bob Gilbert, Gunner Rick Watson, EW Chuck Kinkhead, N Can't remember, CP Kevin Rice. "Valkyrie" was known to the USAF as 58-0183, a B-52G Stratofortress. Only ten B-52Gs survive today as museum pieces. Posted June 9th, 2014 by NFFF & filed under Uncategorized. 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. And the aeronautical weather for the pilots with current weather and short-term forecasts with METAR (METeorological Aerodrome Report, observation message of meteorological conditions for aviation) and TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast: short-term forecast message of meteorological conditions for aviation ). 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. Luckily, the nose art was removed first and donated to the nearby Pima Air and Space Museum. 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. Places to visit . Nowadays, the base goes by a few names. It was immediately assigned to the 72nd Bombardment Wing (Heavy) at Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico. Eaker Air Force Base was located on 3,778 acres of land between the communities of Gosnell and Blytheville in Mississippi County. Opened in late 2020, the BAFB Exhibition features memorabilia, video and personal stories of the base from its 1942 beginnings until closure in 1992. These jets were flown from 1969 to Feb 1974 when they were retired due to the oil crisis. Photo Credit: The National Cold War Center. This article was made possible by the help of Barrett Harrison, President of the Arkansas Aeroplex, Technical Sergeant Robert Charles, curator of the BAFB Exhibit, many Air Force veterans and the National Cold War Center. The 97th deployed to Edwards AFB, California, while operating this aircraft. 3 talking about this. If you can make it, even for an hour, we will be glad to have you! Airplane Photos & Aviation Photos - View, Search, or Upload Photos! The program was comprised of just over 1100 women. During the weekend of February 21st, 2022, the former N.C.O. Microscopy, Atomic Force Pulmonary Ventilation Acoustic Impedance Tests. The airplane dismantler used most of the tarmac we were using and we havent been back since before covid. If you served in Blytheville Air Force Base, Join TWS for free to reconnect with service friends. My family and I were stationed here from about 1964 until 1970. Certain buildings are worth saving. 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. 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). Holes in the roof create entryways for birds and rain. I had a great time and intend to go again next year. Ruth Eaker, General Eakers widow, signing autographs during the name change of the base in 1988. It was around 1960 and I still recall vividly sitting in the cockpit of a B-52. . When I arrived in July 1972, Blytheville Air Force Base's B-52s, KC-135s, pilots, navigators, electronic warfare officers, tail gunners and many . Today it is 14,011. Full view. But, right before the first man could bail, the pilot had realized they had marginal control over the aircraft. Like the Arc Light strikes of Vietnam, Iraqi forces on the ground could not hear or see B-52s before they struck. Find Blytheville Air Force Base unit information, patches, operation history, veteran photos and more on TogetherWeServed.com. Memphis Discovery Tour . (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. 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. 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. Loved it. New in 1960. It was rolled out of Boeings Wichita plant. Beechcraft AT-10, and Curtiss-Wright AT-9s. View allAll Photos Tagged Blytheville Air Force Base. 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. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Find Blytheville Air Force Base stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. action, the base has sat mostly dormant. I saw this jet fly Oct 25 1972 at the Blytheville AFB air show. Eaker. An exploration of the base's history and its impact on the community. The aircraft was flown from Castle AFB to Hill AFB, Utah, in its final flight. 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. Though it is currently in a rough shape as an Air Force Base it doesnt have to be that way. These three 97th BW aircraft were stationed and flown out of Anderson AFB, Guam, as part of the 72nd Strategic Wing (Provisional). Dental Clinic. https://nuke.fas.org/guide/usa/bomber/kc-135.htm#:~:text=The%20KC%2D135%20can%20haul,transferable%20for%20global%20refueling%20missions. 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. Compared to hose style fueling systems, flying booms of KC135s are very unforgiving to errors. [1] It was located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. The B-52 has set numerous records in its many years of service. Sheila Russell Thurber. Airport information, from map to hotels to aeronautical information. This is not my photograph so it may not be used for commercial purposes. By August 1973, they had flown 126,615 combat sorties with 17 B-52s lost to enemy action. 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. Usaf Academy, CO 80840-1307 Colorado Springs, CO 80919-3732 Warrensburg, MO 64093-9357 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. 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. I single had a wonderful time on my motorcycle that summer when I arrived at Blytheville Air Force base and my motorcycle was a major reason for my fond memories of a carefree time in my youth. The boom operators on KC-135s got a laugh over it, the pilots loved it, commanding officers were horrified and eventually ordered it removed. Art flourished in some units (namely F-105 wings) and was banned in others. The deactivation of the Eakers (Blytheville) Air Force Base in 1992 hit the community hard as in 2019 the population is about 15,000 while the population of Fayetteville exploded to near 90,000. Leaving Little Rock as Arkansas only active base. Renamed Eaker Air Force Base in 1988 honoring Gen. Ira Eaker, the entire facility closed in 1992. When Castle closed in 1995, 57-6486 was retired and sent to AMARG in Arizona; it was scrapped soon thereafter as part of the START arms reduction treaty. 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. Eaker Air Force Base was originally named Blytheville Army Airfield when it was built in 1942. It was retired in July 1991 and donated to the Pima Air and Space Museum in Arizona. My 1972 Suzuki looked exactly like the one in the brochure. 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 . As the 97th Bomb Group it's B-17 were the first to drop bombs on the Germans in France in 1942. Mr. Gorbachev tore down that wall. The effect on the neighboring towns of Gosnell and Blytheville the closure had on were tremendous. Constructed on former agricultural land, the site was originally activated as the Blytheville Army Airfield in 1942.

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