After any major war, surplus equipment and property is sold to the general public and agencies. 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. Buildings, schools, hospitals, hotels, restaurants, car . I grew up on Army bases overseas. - A Blytheville museum shining a light on Cold War history received funding supporting a planned primary exhibit. 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. 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. I was an army brat and a military wife along with an army civilian off and on over the years. 97th Bomb Wing has a long and honorable history. (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. And this is a photo of the HULK 46 design that the . Who knew that 41 years later I would have a new Mustang or even still be alive. Constructed on former agricultural land, the site was originally activated as the Blytheville Army Airfield in 1942. Eaker Air Force Base Historic District, Arkansas International Airport, and Blytheville Municipal Airport. 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. For more information, visit the website at www.nationalcoldwarcenter.com or call 870-532-2100. Transferred from the 97th Bomb Wing at Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas, this aircraft was flown to the Museum in November 1978. Was stationed there from 1967 to 1970 with 97th AMS, the old A&E Squadron. 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. Would love hear your stories or your thoughts. It seemed like every morning at 5:00 AM the flight line maintenance crews would fire up some of the airplanes engines. In June 1965 B-52s entered combat in Southeast Asia. But it is well-worth the visit. The B-52 had 8 engines but the two AGM-28 engines could also be used for take off and getting up to altitude. BLYTHEVILLE ARMY AIRFIELD 1942. Explore. The B-52G is missing its missile pylon because these were removed and destroyed as a condition of he SALT treaty launcher reduction conditions. Blytheville AFB: See Eaker AFB: Bolling AFB ACTIVE: Location: Washington, DC . It is very possible the paint that is peeling on the walls is lead-based. https://nuke.fas.org/guide/usa/bomber/kc-135.htm#:~:text=The%20KC%2D135%20can%20haul,transferable%20for%20global%20refueling%20missions. 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 . 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 Enter your email address to subscribe to Abandoned Arkansas and receive notifications of new posts by email. machine guns in tail plus up to 60,000+ lbs. 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. Blytheville Air Force Base, Blytheville . It is aRead more . Located on the former Eaker Air Force Base (also known as Blytheville Air Force Base), a few blocks inside the west gate. Memphis Discovery Tour . Use code: FLICKR10, International Air Tattoo 1987 - RAF Fairford. And the United States was about to enter war with Saddam Hussein. Many buildings are gone, and will continue to disappear. Base Theater. Washington, DCMay 26, 2020.Today, Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) joined Congressman Rick Crawford (AR-1), Congressman French Hill (AR-2), and Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-4) in announcing the introduction of legislation to name the Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base located in Blytheville, Arkansas the "National Cold War Center." The air force base was established in 1942 as a . The pictures and history lesson accompanying are amazing. Capt. Photo from Facebook. In the late 1980s, the government, under congress had begun inspections on Air Force Bases. The effect on the neighboring towns of Gosnell and Blytheville the closure had on were tremendous. 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. At Mildenhall. ", From: www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/facility/bomber_alert.htm. Like the Arc Light strikes of Vietnam, Iraqi forces on the ground could not hear or see B-52s before they struck. 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. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. The first DC-3s were ordered by the USAAF in 1941 under the designation C-47, but there was no way to predict that simple designation would become a legend, that over 10,000 would be built and that the plane would be listed by General Dwight Eisenhower as one of the four pieces of equipment most vital to our success in Africa and Europe. There were countless modifications to the C-47 fleet, some taking place at the factory and some in the field. If you served in Blytheville Air Force Base, Join TWS for free to reconnect with service friends. Published: Jan. 11, 2022 at 6:25 PM PST. (KAIT) - Members of the United States Air Force in Little Rock and Louisiana landed aircraft on the Arkansas Aeroplex on the morning of . It has the exact same problems as the hospital, though both buildings trade off on extremities. This B-52G-100-BW (S/N 58-0191), nicknamed "Bearin' Arms," was manufactured by Boeing Aircraft Corporation in Wichita, Kansas, and delivered to the USAF on October 16, 1959. In the post-Cold War era, the U.S. Air Force decided to shut down the Eaker Air Force Base in Blytheville, AR. The nine surviving jets are scattered from coast to coast most of them restored and on display. action, the base has sat mostly dormant. 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. 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. 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. machine guns in tail plus up to 43,000+ lbs. Opened in late 2020, the BAFB Exhibition features memorabilia, video and personal stories of the base from its 1942 beginnings until closure in 1992. 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. Art flourished in some units (namely F-105 wings) and was banned in others. On June 10, 1942, the U.S. Army opened an advanced pilot training school at Blytheville, Arkansas. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. 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. 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. This is not my photograph so it may not be used for commercial purposes. Eaker. Jwt708 Well-Known Member. Description based on: Vol. 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. Any and all donations are appreciated. The National Cold War Center will be an entirely brand new building itself. for another radio code that would tell him to turn around. 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). As the 97th Bomb Group it's B-17 were the first to drop bombs on the Germans in France in 1942. B52 for his quick thinking, response to a crisis, and heroic duties. Armament: Four defensive .50-cal. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. 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. I had only three duty assignments, I began my service at Blytheville right out of Tech School as the Supply Representative to Base Procurement, then most of my time I was a "NORS Controller" responsible for keeping the Alert Aircraft and Nuclear Missiles supplied with parts. 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. Pilot Mike Bush, Co Pilot Larry J Houser, EWO Wayne Carver, Navagtor Doug "D.R" Kincannon, Gunner Jack Alexander. . This one is at the old (now closed) SAC base near Blytheville, Arkansas. Save up to 30% when you upgrade to an image pack. Photo by Democrat-Gazette file photo . In June 1965, B-52s entered combat in Southeast Asia. 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. 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. The aircraft was set on course to Boeings headquarters in Wichita, Kansas. Veteran C. Young. The Southeast Asia War section of the Modern Flight Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/). On a Bravo alert, while taxiing the aircraft, the pilot was waiting (and hoping!) Some were torn down. 3 talking about this. In 1942, at the graduation ceremony it was believed that women could not fly as well as men. The airfield was used as the Southeastern Training Command's flight training school, which closed in October 1945 after the Second World War ended. 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.". The 17th Bombardment Wing (H) at Anderson AB was this aircraft's next duty station, arriving there in January 1973. There were trainer versions designated TC-47 and reconnaissance versions designated RC-47. c/n 18002/T0417. Profile pictures. This is a photoshopped 1972 Suzuki Brochure that I have transposed my face over the riders face. N503DN Delta Air Lines | Airbus A350-941 | Arkansas International Airport by M.J. Scanlon 17 . Mold and asbestos float through the air like dust that just got kicked up. 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). However, the B-58 was delayed, and in accordance with General Curtis LeMays prescient worries that the B-52 force would simply fall apart, Boeing began development of a new variant of the B-52, the B-52G. It was also a B-52 that made the first airborne hydrogen bomb drop over Bikini Atoll on May 21, 1956. 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. 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. Alas LRAFB was where we flew C119s to summer camp, but always hoped foe a fly in there. At one point, sharkmouths were banned by 7th Air Force in Saigon as being "too warlike"--despite, of course, the "non-warlike" aircraft carrying tons of bombs and missiles. 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. These women had proved their selves capable of flying aircraft such as the B25 and the B29. In selected cases, due to ground water table conditions, the moleholes were built fully aboveground, with the lower story earthen bermed for semi-hardening. 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. The rest I earned via my service to my country. Assigned to Blytheville Air Force Base until deactivated in 1992. The 97th deployed to Edwards AFB, California, while operating this aircraft. I was stationed at Eaker from 89-91 in the comm building pictured. [3] Unfortunately, Eaker Air Force Base topped the Strategic Air Command's list of base closures in 1991 and with the Cold War coming to an end, the installation was officially chosen; in March 1992, the last aircraft left the base. . (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. Base Fire Station. 3 items. 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. Due to the high amount of asbestos flying around in the air, and the safety concerns. 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. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe . B.R.A.C. The airbase was phased out years ago, but Blytheville has emerged as a steel production center and agri-business is strong. Blytheville had their own team. Reactivated as the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus AFB. Camo with white under belly North American AGM-28 Hound Dog Missile on display at the Global Power Museum at Barksdale Air Force Base. Once more, however, the B-52G was called upon for the conventional role during Operation Desert Storm against Iraq in 1991. Pinterest. In 2020, both Arkansas senators proposed a bill to designate the museum in Blytheville. 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 ). Some of the land has since been declared a National Historic Landmark.
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