In the Monett City Park is displayed the USAF Thunderbird F-4E Phantom II #3 Jet. I was stationed at Eaker from 89-91 in the comm building pictured. He told me many stories about the German . 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. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. 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. 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. In 1990, Blythevilles population was 23,443. It was amazing. BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. The B-52 had 8 engines but the two AGM-28 engines could also be used for take off and getting up to altitude. I only ask that you send older photos (probably sometime before 1970).and they can be of People, Places in Blytheville, and Things. or the notorious F-105 "Cherry Girl," which positioned a full-frontal nude girl strategically over the refueling port on the nose. The US needed a long range aircraft able to refuel other long range aircraft. The base contributed greatly to the economic and . 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 . This has led to the current dilapidated state of some buildings. Blytheville Air Force Base Exhibition (BAFB) - Tripadvisor This view also shows how well 58-0183 is preserved, and the EVS bulges beneath the B-52's nose. Communism had shriveled in the world. I grew up on Army bases overseas. Hopefully the site will become available again for us. During World War II, the site served as a training airfield as part of the 70,000 Pilot Training Program. 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). Suggest edits to improve what we show. Airwomen were tasked with testing electronics of aircraft, testing aircraft by means of flights, and ferrying aircraft. Though it is referred to these names, the airport officially goes by Arkansas Aeroplex. Eleven of these jets were flown from 1969 to Feb 1974 when they were retired due to the oil crisis. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. 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. Photographer unknown. An uphill battle for Blytheville - arkansasonline.com . Once more, however, the B-52G was called upon for the conventional role during Operation Desert Storm against Iraq in 1991. Many times I stopped what I was doing and watched the full power, roaring and smoke trailing takeoffs. 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. "A B52 with a full nuclear payload, is the seventh most powerful country in the world.". It seemed like every morning at 5:00 AM the flight line maintenance crews would fire up some of the airplanes engines. "Valkyrie" would fly a few more missions during the war, the only time she would drop bombs in anger. Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas. The communication building of the 97th Bombardment Wing is in terrible condition as well. 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". [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. 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). Was the first KC-135E conversion in 1982. Airplane Boneyard at Arkansas International Airport in Blytheville machine guns in tail plus up to 43,000+ lbs. 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. machine guns in tail plus up to 60,000+ lbs. In June 1972 General Brown assumed command of the 416th Bombardment Wing at Griffiss Air Force Base, N.Y. Blytheville herald-news Blytheville courier news (DLC)sn 89051348 The KC135, along with the B52 is one of the only fixed wing aircraft with over fifty years of service. Looking for someone that served with you? Transferred from the 97th Bomb Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base, Ark., this aircraft was flown to the museum in November 1978. Though, local organizations and legal entities constantly fight to preserve the base. 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. Blytheville AFB: See Eaker AFB: Bolling AFB ACTIVE: Location: Washington, DC . The Iron Curtain was torn down. Who knew that 41 years later I would have a new Mustang or even still be alive. Of the 3,778 acres the base is comprised of, two thirds of the land is abandoned. There was no need for the Global Shield. 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. The B-52 has set numerous records in its many years of service. Airport information, from map to hotels to aeronautical information. Blytheville Air Force Base Capehart Housing - Gosnell, Arkansas - Wikimapia Use code: FLICKR10, International Air Tattoo 1987 - RAF Fairford. Rolls-Royce Offers Peek At The B-52's New Engines Undergoing Testing Blytheville Air Force Base Tokens | Coin Talk And this is a photo of the HULK 46 design that the . Cover photos. 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 Air Force packed up and left. 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. Several C-47s were fitted with pontoons and redesignated C-47C. Military Photos; Military Reunion Stories; Military Service Map; Military Cadences; Military Jokes; Military Lingo; Great Military Web Pages; Recommended Military Books; Today in Military . Only ten B-52Gs survive today as museum pieces. Eaker Abandoned Air Force Base | Over 800+ Photos | Arkansas of conventional or nuclear bombs, Engines: Eight Pratt & Whitney J57s of 12,100 lbs. The G models were not equipped with the same robust electronic countermeasures suite as the Ds, nor did their crews have the same training. Electrical work and flood damage repair have begun. 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. 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. Select from premium Blytheville Air Force Base of the highest quality. Gym - Center of Wing's Athletic Activities. (photo courtesy of Delta) On Tuesday, June 2, 2020, Delta Air Lines . An exploration of the base's history and its impact on the community. In June 1975 the aircraft was sent to the 97th Bombardment Wing (H) residing at Blytheville AFB, Arkansas. Photos from Blytheville Eaker Air Force Base - KBYH on JetPhotos Photos U.S. I hope they can save this base so that it doesnt get destroyed. I took this from the back seat of the P-51 Mustang Gunfighter. Location of Service: Lackland Air Force Base, Texas; Williams Air Force Base, Arizona; Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio; Vietnam; Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas; Des Moines Air National . Scrapped at Birmingham AL in 1997. The heavier steel fuel tanks of the tall-tail series were replaced by integral fuel tanks, in which the entire wing served as a tank. Property is disposed of, and the government cleans up after itself. Evans at Blytheville air show in 1980. Airplane Photos & Aviation Photos - View, Search, or Upload Photos! 27 items. The small gold Hap Arnold Wings that appear just below my name tag was a gift from the widow of a deceased WWII USAAF pilot. 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. The base closed in December 1992 and has re-opened as a general aviation/commercial airport and industrial park known as the Arkansas Aeroplex. Blytheville Air Force Base Archives - National Fallen Firefighters All of these were under the Strategic Air Command. The aircraft was flown from Castle AFB to Hill AFB, Utah, in its final flight. May be an image of text that says 'David Pride 2000' No photo description available. Would love hear your stories or your thoughts. Today, "Valkyrie" still wears her 1991-era SIOP camouflage and a SAC badge on the nose; the nose art is on the port side. Home of 96th Bombardment Wing: 1953-1957; 11th . Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa: majesticholidays.com, +12423231410, +13088411818, +14132671187, +13856680111, +12815278722 Bahamas hotels, vacation tour packages by majestic holidays Transferred from the 97th Bomb Wing at Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas, this aircraft was flown to the Museum in November 1978. Opened in late 2020, the BAFB Exhibition features memorabilia, video and personal stories of the base from its 1942 beginnings until closure in 1992. N503DN Delta Air Lines | Airbus A350-941 | Arkansas International Airport by M.J. Scanlon 17 . Of reinforced concrete and concrete-block construction, moleholes were of two-story height, with one story below ground. ", From: www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/facility/bomber_alert.htm. Collect, curate and comment on your files. 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. BLYTHEVILLE AFB HOSPITAL: Reunite With 4 Other Veterans - VetFriends Gosnell appears right center of the photo.. Today it is the headquarters for the group that runs the old base for civilian use and the aircraft are: I was promoted to Staff Sergeant after 37 months of active duty plus 5 months delayed enlistment program. It has the exact same problems as the hospital, though both buildings trade off on extremities. Military. The facility now operates as the Arkansas Aeroplex and Arkansas International Airport. blythevilleairforcebase photos on Flickr | Flickr 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. Arkansas Aeroplex (Eaker Air Force Base, Blytheville Air Force Base Links: Thule AFB . . And in 1991, Eaker Air Force Base was on the top of the list. Mississippi Counties - North Sawba Cemetery - ARGenWeb This one is at the old (now closed) SAC base near Blytheville, Arkansas. In 2020, both Arkansas senators proposed a bill to designate the museum in Blytheville. 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. . 1-2 hours. In July 1991, she was retired, and as one of the Secret Squirrel aircraft, was donated to the Pima Air and Space Museum immediately. 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. c/n 18002/T0417. The local economy tankedand unemployment skyrocketed. Eaker Air Force Base | Military Wiki | Fandom It was closed as a military base in 1992 at the end of the Cold War pursuant to BRAC action and now operates as Arkansas International Airport . Thule is the only air force base with no aircraft and a tugboat. As I recall, crew members were typically on alert for 10 days of every month. Photos from Blytheville Eaker Air Force Base - KBYH on JetPhotos "Valkyrie" was known to the USAF as 58-0183, a B-52G Stratofortress. https://nuke.fas.org/guide/usa/bomber/kc-135.htm#:~:text=The%20KC%2D135%20can%20haul,transferable%20for%20global%20refueling%20missions. Ruth Eaker, General Eakers widow, signing autographs during the name change of the base in 1988. The nine surviving jets are scattered from coast to coast most of them restored and on display. 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. 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. In December of 1992, the base officially closed. The project mainly serves to save the best buildings and bring buildings in the worst shape down for safety purposes. The airfield was used as the Southeastern Training Command's flight training school, which closed in October 1945 after the Second World War ended. All photos. Mold and asbestos float through the air like dust that just got kicked up. I really hope some other people can find this service and get in touch with people like I did. Sign up and get notified about upcoming volunteer events! Blytheville was the only Advanced training base in Arkansas. Owners of said buildings had big ambitions to renovate and repurpose the old buildings, but either plans never took off or money was tight. The aircraft was set on course to Boeings headquarters in Wichita, Kansas. The base's primary mission shifted to bomber training. The Blytheville Courier (Blytheville, Mississippi County, Ark.) 1902 It was located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. Base Theater. 732 of the aircraft were specifically aerial tankers. 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. The accounting & financing building has a large and open floor plan. Ritz. It was rolled out of Boeings Wichita plant. But it is well-worth the visit. Blytheville Air Force Base - Wikipedia Louisiana was the aircraft's next stop when in May 1974 it was transferred to the 2nd Bombardment Group (H) at Barksdale AFB. Contributions to PAs Most Endangered List, National Register of Historic Places (Jan, 26th 2018). Blytheville Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base from 1942, until it closed in 1992. Timeline photos. by Ryan Nix, Photos by Jamison Mosley. 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. 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. 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. At Mildenhall. Capt R.D. Who knew that 41 years later I would have a new Mustang or even still be alive. Building 1225, will be added to the collection of buildings as part of the future National Cold War Center. 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. 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. During the weekend of February 21st, 2022, the former N.C.O. Tin Roof. Armament: Four defensive .50-cal. Community Profile: Blytheville, Ark., Spreads Its Wings after Air Force Base Closing. Branch of Service: Air Force. Honorable Discharged at the rank of E5 Staff Sgt. [1] It was located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. The last model 61-0040, was produced in 1962. By August 1973, they had flown 126,615 combat sorties with seventeen B-52s lost to enemy action. Like many B-52s, 58-0183 was shuttled around through several units--in this case, no less than eleven bomb wings. 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. Best years of my life. 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. Photo Gallery. It was also a B-52 that made the first airborne hydrogen bomb drop over Bikini Atoll on May 21, 1956. 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. Save up to 30% when you upgrade to an image pack. In December 1972, after being repaired, it flew four additional missions over North Vietnam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Memphis Discovery Tour . All the glass is shattered. There was some concern that female aircrew--which were becoming far more common in the 1980s than in years previously--would object to the nose art, but no such objections materialized. It is very possible the paint that is peeling on the walls is lead-based. The Blytheville Research Station - Arkansas Archeological Survey (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. 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. 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 . 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. For more information, visit the website at www.nationalcoldwarcenter.com or call 870-532-2100. Arkansas Razorbacks. 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 Nearly 750 were built before production ended in Oct. 26, 1962; 170 of these were B-52Ds. 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. Most of the Gs ended their days sliced into pieces in the Arizona desert. H.R.859 - To authorize references to the museum located at Blytheville I was stationed there from 1966-69.
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