Eaker Air Force Base (1942-1992) was a front-line United States Air Force base for over 40 years. However, some F-15E Strike Eagle units have begun painting nose art again, so reports of its demise is probably premature. The model is on a 1/72 scale with a 26" wingspan. The Southeast Asia War section of the Modern Flight Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/). In 1945 the U. S. Army Air Field was deactivated and the cemetery reverted to the City of Blytheville Arkansas. The Blytheville Air Force Base Exhibition, a part of the National Cold War Center, is a permanent exhibit that showcases the air base and the people that lived and worked there. BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. or the notorious F-105 "Cherry Girl," which positioned a full-frontal nude girl strategically over the refueling port on the nose. [1], During the Vietnam War the 97th Bomber Wing at Blytheville supported strike operations throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s. After World War II the C-47s were used in the Berlin Airlift, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. 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. 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. No photo description available. And in 1991, Eaker Air Force Base was on the top of the list. There were VIP transports (designated VC-47A/B) and there were SC-47s used as search and rescue aircraft. by Ryan Nix, Photos by Jamison Mosley. 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 ). Transferred from the 97th Bomb Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base, Ark., this aircraft was flown to the museum in November 1978. The current BAFB Exhibit is housed in the former B52 crew briefing building, and will continue to be an exhibit. Learn how your comment data is processed. Scrapped at Birmingham AL in 1997. 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. Description based on: Vol. May be an image of text that says 'David Pride 2000' No photo description available. Eaker Air Force Base was home to a group of Strategic Air Command B-52 bombers and more than 3,000 military personnel before closing in 1992. Link to the fact sheet on the museum's web page: www.hill.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5714, Link to the other B52s I remember: www.youtube.com/watch?v=leohcvmf8kM&feature=related. In 1942, at the graduation ceremony it was believed that women could not fly as well as men. An exploration of the base's history and its impact on the community. Photo from Facebook. The base was deactivated in 1945 at the end of World War II. Psychiatry and Psychology 1 Blytheville AFB was created in 1942 as a location for pilot training, originally named Blytheville Army Airfield. All the glass is shattered. Posted June 9th, 2014 by NFFF & filed under Uncategorized. BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. Holes in the roof create entryways for birds and rain. Looking for someone that served with you? Blytheville AFB: See Eaker AFB: Bolling AFB ACTIVE: Location: Washington, DC . The crew started to lose control of the plane and went to bail out. Blytheville Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base from 1942, until it closed in 1992. Military Photos; Military Reunion Stories; Military Service Map; Military Cadences; Military Jokes; Military Lingo; Great Military Web Pages; Recommended Military Books; Today in Military . Its' soft start" with hours on Friday's and Saturday from about 12:00pm to 4:00pm, will take some trip planning. 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. 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 . In July 1991, she was retired, and as one of the Secret Squirrel aircraft, was donated to the Pima Air and Space Museum immediately. Albums. Photo Credit: The National Cold War Center. When Vietnam ended and the USAF got back to peacetime, nose art once more disappeared. The B-52 is one of the few planes I remember Dad talking about during his career at Hill Air Force Base. The exhibits are impactful and tell the story of Base history. Arkansas had six Army airfields. The Library. 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 G models most noticeable feature was its 8-foot shorter tail, done to ease maintenance and to save weight. The 456th completed deployments to Anderson AB in Guam with this B-52G. Loved it. The G models were not equipped with the same robust electronic countermeasures suite as the Ds, nor did their crews have the same training. Coupled with the more regulation bound USAF of the 1950s, almost no B-36s or B-52s carried nose art, despite a larger "canvas" than the B-29 or B-17. It was renamed Eaker Air Force Base in 1988, in honor of General Ira Eaker, an aviation pioneer and second . Photographer unknown. 10 free downloads. Beechcraft AT-10, and Curtiss-Wright AT-9s. Published: Jan. 11, 2022 at 6:25 PM PST. Though it is referred to these names, the airport officially goes by Arkansas Aeroplex. Formerly the site of family housing for Eaker Air Force Base, Westminster Village is a non-profit community. Photos from Blytheville Eaker Air Force Base - KBYH on JetPhotos Photos Since then, there have been only 744 aircraft built by Boeing. 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. I saw this jet fly Oct 25 1972 at the Blytheville AFB air show. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. These women had proved their selves capable of flying aircraft such as the B25 and the B29. 1-2 hours. of conventional or nuclear bombs. Improve this listing. This would determine if the base could go on operating in the future, or if it was deemed unnecessary to continue service. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. Compared to hose style fueling systems, flying booms of KC135s are very unforgiving to errors. The United States no longer needed bombers and fuel-tankers to be on 24/7 alert. Posted to Facebook by William Travis. The KC135 Stratotanker, as most other notary aircraft, was born out of necessity. 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. The first of 12 model aircrafts that were once housed at the Blytheville Air Force Base (later Eaker Air Force Base) was delivered on Wednesday to the exhibition building. It is very possible the paint that is peeling on the walls is lead-based. On 16 January 1991, she was one of seven B-52s that would fly from Barksdale to fire cruise missiles at Saddam Hussein's Iraq on the first night of Operation Desert Storm. The majority of buildings have suffered the same fate. 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. I had a great time and intend to go again next year. Touch . I have been to the former base and tarmac many times in the 2010s for Sports Car Club of America events. I was stationed at Eaker from 89-91 in the comm building pictured. Eaker Air Force Base was located on 3,778 acres of land between the communities of Gosnell and Blytheville in Mississippi County. Would love hear your stories or your thoughts. A photo of my Mustang in the snow at Barker's Trailerpark in Blytheville Arkansas. Did you serve with BLYTHEVILLE AIR FORCE BASE? Blytheville air force base photos. Blytheville was the only two engine training base in Arkansas. machine guns in tail plus up to 43,000 lbs. Some commanders, such as General Charles Donnelly in USAFE (no relation to the author) reportedly considered making names and/or nose art on USAFE aircraft a requirement. Dental Clinic. The hospital is also a very large (plan wise) building, so it is very possible to get lost inside the building without a map. After extensive renovations, the "BAFB Exhibition", at the former Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base, is open for business. 2, no. 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 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. . Blytheville Air Force Base. Currently, the main tarmac is used as Blythevilles airport. This is not my photograph so it may not be used for commercial purposes. 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 . Transferred from the 97th Bomb Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base, Ark., this aircraft was flown to the museum in November 1978. The aircraft in question was tail number 61-0023. This is a photoshopped 1972 Suzuki Brochure that I have transposed my face over the riders face. 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. 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. The effect on the neighboring towns of Gosnell and Blytheville the closure had on were tremendous. 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. 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. At the height of the Cold War, Eaker Air Force Base was home to the 97th Bombardment Wing, the 42nd Air Division, the 97th Air Refueling Squadron, the 97th Supply Squadron, the 97th Organizational Maintenance Squadron, the 820th Medical Group, and many more. Thanks VetFriends. Nearly 750 were built before production ended in Oct. 26, 1962; 170 of these were B-52Ds. For the families, GI's, and community that was Blytheville AFB Sheila Russell Thurber. Blytheville, established as lumber mill town in the 1880s, has also served as a center for the cotton-growing industry, a Strategic Air Command (SAC) airbase and a gateway city for the Natural State. 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). However, two years later they proved him and everyone else wrong. Pilot Mike Bush, Co Pilot Larry J Houser, EWO Wayne Carver, Navagtor Doug "D.R" Kincannon, Gunner Jack Alexander. Stock photos, 360 images, vectors and videos. This VC-47D had been assigned to the 97th Bomb Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas. 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). They could go out of the facility to visit family, go to a movie or the BX, but the whole crew had to go everywhere together. B.R.A.C. In July 1963 the aircraft was stationed at Beale AFB, California, with the 456th Bombardment Wing (H). 6 'Cat And Mouse' UFO Chase Over Cannon AFB January 1976. Though, local organizations and legal entities constantly fight to preserve the base. See original furniture from the famous alert compound, pictures, uniforms & other memorabilia including a . The aircraft remained there until November when it was reassigned to the 320th Bombardment Wing (H) at Mather AFB, California. In June 1965, B-52s entered combat in Southeast Asia. The exhibit is on the old air base, which is now an FBO for the new steel and other corporations that fly in there, along with other airplane related functions. Capt. Microscopy, Atomic Force Pulmonary Ventilation Acoustic Impedance Tests. The aircraft was flown from Castle AFB to Hill AFB, Utah, in its final flight. It is a peculiarly shaped building, like the rest of the buildings on the base. The War Assets Administration officially closed down the installation in 1946, at which point control and responsibility for the land was transferred to the city of Blytheville. The accounting & financing building has a large and open floor plan. Electrical work and flood damage repair have begun. When Operation Linebacker and especially Linebacker II taxed the Southeast Asia-based B-52D fleet to the limit, President Richard Nixon authorized the G models to be deployed to Vietnam as well. Lots of good memories. The WASP program tasked select women with many key roles on airfields across the nation. In the Monett City Park is displayed the USAF Thunderbird F-4E Phantom II #3 Jet. Was stationed there from 1967 to 1970 with 97th AMS, the old A&E Squadron. After any major war, surplus equipment and property is sold to the general public and agencies. It was located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. 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 1942-1946, 1953-1992. This had the added benefit of giving the gunner an ejection seat, eliminating the need for a manual bailout system. Only ten B-52Gs survive today as museum pieces. Who knew that 41 years later I would have a new Mustang or even still be alive. Profile pictures. (photo courtesy of Delta) On Tuesday, June 2, 2020, Delta Air Lines . Pictures, photos and images from Blytheville, AR. As Soviet air defenses increased in numbers and lethality, the B-52 was switched from high-altitude attack to low-altitude penetration; the job of Hound Dog-equipped B-52s was to use the nuclear-tipped primitive cruise missiles to destroy SAM defenses, giving the follow-on B-52s equipped with gravity nuclear weapons a better chance at reaching their targets. [1] It was located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. The nine surviving jets are scattered from coast to coast most of them restored and on display. machine guns in tail plus up to 60,000+ lbs. In the bomb bay were ADM-20 Quail decoys. 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. Setting near the base is a memorial bench for Army Spc Christopher Stark killed in Afghanistan Feb 28 2011. 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. From its days as an Army Airfield until closing in 1992 as a major Strategic Air Command facility, the Blytheville Air Force Base told many stories. 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.". Airwomen were tasked with testing electronics of aircraft, testing aircraft by means of flights, and ferrying aircraft. Details on 57-6486 are sparse; it may have seen combat over Vietnam with another unit. I was stationed there from 1966-69. This does not include 149 civil aircraft impresses before delivery. 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. The B-52 has set numerous records in its many years of service. (Some joked that the ladies might just paint hunky guys on their aircraft!). Thousands of jobs were lost. [1] It was located 3 miles (4.8km) northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. In June 1972 General Brown assumed command of the 416th Bombardment Wing at Griffiss Air Force Base, N.Y. Vietnam War, 1961-1975. 3 talking about this. [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.