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BLYTHEVILLE AIR FORCE BASE EXHIBITION. 1-2 hours. For more information, visit the website at www.nationalcoldwarcenter.com or call 870-532-2100. Dave Howell, RN Bob Gilbert, Gunner Rick Watson, EW Chuck Kinkhead, N Can't remember, CP Kevin Rice. 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. Use code: FLICKR10, International Air Tattoo 1987 - RAF Fairford. Because it was an Air Force base, the airport has room and facilities that are not available in many other complexes. Many buildings are gone, and will continue to disappear. 6 'Cat And Mouse' UFO Chase Over Cannon AFB January 1976. Movie Theater. Ash worked from a photograph of the B-52 Blytheville plane. The B-52H, however, continues to serve without a replacement on the horizon; the USAF intends to keep it in service until at least 2025, by which time the newest Stratofortress would have been in service sixty years. 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 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. In June 1965, B-52s entered combat in Southeast Asia. Hill Aerospace Museum officially received the aircraft for static display on July 11, 1991. On January 23rd, 2022, it was announced that the former dorms would be demolished. The Library. Thanks to Dave Howell for posting this photo of Miss Piggy and her crew. Eaker Air Force Base was originally named Blytheville Army Airfield when it was built in 1942. 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. Pinterest. Those dorms were pristine (almost new if I remember correctly) when they were abandoned. 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 . Marker is at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Chestnut Drive, on the right when traveling east on Memorial Drive. [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. "Valkyrie" would fly a few more missions during the war, the only time she would drop bombs in anger. Published: Jan. 11, 2022 at 6:25 PM PST. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. Glad to see the alert pad will be saved. 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 ). Camo with white under belly North American AGM-28 Hound Dog Missile on display at the Global Power Museum at Barksdale Air Force Base. Doors and numerous truckloads of metal were being hauled off the alert pad. Unbeknownst to the crew, over seventy percent of the vertical stabilizer and rudder assembly had been sheared off. 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 Formerly the site of family housing for Eaker Air Force Base, Westminster Village is a non-profit community. The nine surviving jets are scattered from coast to coast most of them restored and on display. In December 1972, after being repaired, it flew four additional missions over North Vietnam. [1], During the Vietnam War the 97th Bomber Wing at Blytheville supported strike operations throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s. The boom operators on KC-135s got a laugh over it, the pilots loved it, commanding officers were horrified and eventually ordered it removed. The B-52 has set numerous records in its many years of service. 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. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. Renamed Eaker Air Force Base in 1988 honoring Gen. Ira Eaker, the entire facility closed in 1992. This one is at the old (now closed) SAC base near Blytheville, Arkansas. 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. . The 2nd Bombardment Wing (H) at Barksdale AFB acquired the plane a second time in February 1987. The B-52 had 8 engines but the two AGM-28 engines could also be used for take off and getting up to altitude. Eleven of these jets were flown from 1969 to Feb 1974 when they were retired due to the oil crisis. 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. And in 1991, Eaker Air Force Base was on the top of the list. Nowadays, the base goes by a few names. Scanned from 35mm Negative. 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. Description based on: Vol. Jun 18, 2016 - blytheville afb photos | Blytheville Air Force Base, Blytheville . The Strategic Air Command had reached the end of the road. This is the alert facility, or "mole hole," where bomber and tanker aircraft crew in the Strategic Air Command (SAC; USAF) lived while they were pulling alert duty during the Cold War. It is planned to be its own exhibit within the system of buildings. The United States no longer needed bombers and fuel-tankers to be on 24/7 alert. This is a photoshopped 1972 Suzuki Brochure that I have transposed my face over the riders face. 88 of the aircraft built are modified versions to serve specific purposes such as reconnaissance aircraft, and cargo carriers. In 1988, the facility was renamed Eaker Air Force Base in honor of World War II General of the Eighth Air Force, Ira C. After 30 years and learning the computer and finding VetFriends, I went to my first reunion of the USS Navasota AO-106. Of reinforced concrete and concrete-block construction, moleholes were of two-story height, with one story below ground. The communication building of the 97th Bombardment Wing is in terrible condition as well. My job was to keep the alert aircraft supplied with the parts they needed to be mission ready. Blytheville Air Force Base. The KC135 fuels other aircraft through an extendable boom on the aft of the aircraft. Photo by Democrat-Gazette file photo . There are some items of interest in this photo of things that didn't appear on my uniform. Photo Credit: The National Cold War Center. 27 items. 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. 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 B52 Stratofortress was the answer to all the problems found in the Convair B36 Peacemaker and the B24. 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. 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 . The original, one-of-a-kind model was created by P.J. During the weekend of February 21st, 2022, the former N.C.O. [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. This Abandoned Air Force base is located three miles Northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. The B-52G was also built from the start to deliver standoff nuclear weapons, beginning with the AGM-28 Hound Dog. 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. Evans at Blytheville air show in 1980. 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. Armament: Four defensive .50-cal. 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 . Almost immediately, this was proven to be a vain hope: the only aircraft able to replace the B-52 was, it seemed, another B-52. 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. The aircraft remained there until November when it was reassigned to the 320th Bombardment Wing (H) at Mather AFB, California. Pictures, photos and images from Blytheville, AR. 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 December 1972, after being repaired, it flew four additional missions over North Vietnam. Lots of good memories. I have been to the former base and tarmac many times in the 2010s for Sports Car Club of America events. 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). Ruth Eaker, General Eakers widow, signing autographs during the name change of the base in 1988. This does not include 149 civil aircraft impresses before delivery. 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. 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. As a kid in nearby Jonesboro, our cub scout pack got to visit what was then Blytheville AFB. Blytheville, Walnut Ridge, Grider, Newport, Stuttgart, and Adams Field. action, the base has sat mostly dormant. Blytheville AFB became fully operational when it was equipped with a wing of three squadrons of B-57 bomber on 19 July 1955. Of the 3,778 acres the base is comprised of, two thirds of the land is abandoned. Luckily, the nose art was removed first and donated to the nearby Pima Air and Space Museum. Photos from Blytheville Eaker Air Force Base - KBYH on JetPhotos Photos The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. The airfield was used as the Southeastern Training Command's flight training school, which closed in October 1945 after the Second World War ended. 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. It is a peculiarly shaped building, like the rest of the buildings on the base. "Valkyrie" was known to the USAF as 58-0183, a B-52G Stratofortress. It was also a B-52 that made the first airborne hydrogen bomb drop over Bikini Atoll on May 21, 1956. . As crew chiefs we had all spent many tours in the mole hole. Blytheville Air Force Base, Blytheville . [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. Blytheville air force base photos. Sign up and get notified about upcoming volunteer events! Buy None was a no notice operational exercise conducted in 1989. The 1980s saw something of a resurgence--oddly enough, mostly among Strategic Air Command units. Albums. Blytheville Air Force Base was established in 1942 as a pilot training station. Pilot Mike Bush, Co Pilot Larry J Houser, EWO Wayne Carver, Navagtor Doug "D.R" Kincannon, Gunner Jack Alexander. It was renamed Eaker Air Force Base in 1988, in honor of General Ira Eaker, an aviation pioneer and second . In August 1991 this Stratofortress was dropped from the Air Force inventory and made available to the USAF Museum Program. 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. Blytheville herald-news Blytheville courier news (DLC)sn 89051348 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. at the old Blytheville Air Force Base now called the Blytheville Aeroplex where the city is planning to invest $20 million . 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. thrust each. The program was comprised of just over 1100 women. Had many good times there. After extensive renovations, the "BAFB Exhibition", at the former Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base, is open for business. No photo description available. 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. The nine surviving jets are scattered from coast to coast most of them restored and on display. The 456th completed deployments to Anderson AB in Guam with this B-52G. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. Blytheville Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base from 1942, until it closed in 1992. Though, due to high traffic in that area, the aircraft had to change its course and headed for Blytheville Air Force Base instead. Today. In June 1972 General Brown assumed command of the 416th Bombardment Wing at Griffiss Air Force Base, N.Y. Did you serve with BLYTHEVILLE AIR FORCE BASE? 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. Today, "Valkyrie" still wears her 1991-era SIOP camouflage and a SAC badge on the nose; the nose art is on the port side. machine guns in tail plus up to 43,000 lbs. 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. 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. 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. Blytheville Air Force Base aka Eaker Air Force Base. The Museums C-47 was manufactured by Douglas Aircraft, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and delivered to the USAAF on July 14, 1944. by Ryan Nix, Photos by Jamison Mosley. 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.". 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. 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. Fifteen B-52s were lost during the 1972 Linebacker II Christmas bombings and three of those B-52s originated from the 97th Bombardment Wing assigned to Blytheville Air Force Base; B 52G 58-0201 "Charcoal 1" went down on the 18th, B 52G 58-0198 "Olive 1" and B 52G 58-0169 "Tan 3" were shot down on the 21st. Location. See original furniture from the famous alert compound, pictures, uniforms & other memorabilia including a . Today it is 14,011. Americans did not have to fear every day of an imminent Soviet missile strike. 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. Available for both RF and RM licensing. 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 Blytheville, Arkansas, the "National Cold War Center." The Eaker base opened in 1942 as a World War II advanced pilot training school, and later became an alert center during the Cold War. Charles Fisher would forever be known as Mr. These jets were flown from 1969 to Feb 1974 when they were retired due to the oil crisis. Old Movies. 4 items. 1950's. Janet Austin - Duplessis. 732 of the aircraft were specifically aerial tankers. There was no need for the Global Shield. 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. Building 1225, will be added to the collection of buildings as part of the future National Cold War Center. Its' soft start" with hours on Friday's and Saturday from about 12:00pm to 4:00pm, will take some trip planning. Nearly 750 were built before production ended in Oct. 26, 1962; 170 of these were B-52Ds. Vietnam War, 1961-1975. Five feet of water was pumped out of the basement of the building. Some of the land has since been declared a National Historic Landmark. 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 base closed in 1992, and unfortunately most of the residential units north of Daisy Drive are vacant and have since .