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. My 1966 Ford Mustang was setting in the parking lot the day we watched this jet fly. Published: Jan. 11, 2022 at 6:25 PM PST. JetPhotos.com is the biggest database of aviation photographs with over 4 million screened photos online! 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. In its prime, it housed over 3,000 service members, and a whole fleet of Strategic Air Command B52 BUFF Stratofortresses. Some of the land has since been declared a National Historic Landmark. Airport information, from map to hotels to aeronautical information. It boasted a vibrant downtown and it had an eclectic population due to the wide variety of people the base brought to the city. Touch . In the Monett City Park is displayed the USAF Thunderbird F4 Phantom #3 Jet. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. The boom is controlled by an operator lying prone under the cargo deck of the aircraft. On a Bravo alert, while taxiing the aircraft, the pilot was waiting (and hoping!) The 1980s saw something of a resurgence--oddly enough, mostly among Strategic Air Command units. By October of the same year the aircraft was moved to Robins AFB, Georgia. The rest I earned via my service to my country. Housing for members of the military and their families was developed between 1957 and 1962 north and south . Buildings have collapsed in that time frame. There were trainer versions designated TC-47 and reconnaissance versions designated RC-47. Blytheville AFB was created in 1942 as a location for pilot training, originally named Blytheville Army Airfield. 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. or the notorious F-105 "Cherry Girl," which positioned a full-frontal nude girl strategically over the refueling port on the nose. Whether it be by the hand of the elements, or by deconstruction due to safety issues. Three crewmen died in the crash. 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. Since 1955, the B52 Stratofortress has been Americas go-to long-distance strategic bomber. Blytheville Air Force Base was established in 1942 as a pilot training station. The pictures and history lesson accompanying are amazing. Marker is at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Chestnut Drive, on the right when traveling east on Memorial Drive. NCO Club. Though it is referred to these names, the airport officially goes by Arkansas Aeroplex. This does not include 149 civil aircraft impresses before delivery. 27 items. The majority of buildings have suffered the same fate. 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 Southeast Asia War section of the Modern Flight Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/). During World War II, the site served as a training airfield as part of the 70,000 Pilot Training Program. Blytheville AFB: See Eaker AFB: Bolling AFB ACTIVE: Location: Washington, DC . 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. Ash worked from a photograph of the B-52 Blytheville plane. But, right before the first man could bail, the pilot had realized they had marginal control over the aircraft. The exhibits are impactful and tell the story of Base history. 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. 2, no. Jul 1999. The aircraft remained there until November when it was reassigned to the 320th Bombardment Wing (H) at Mather AFB, California. 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. Eaker. In the bomb bay were ADM-20 Quail decoys. Once more, however, the B-52G was called upon for the conventional role during Operation Desert Storm against Iraq in 1991. Reactivated as the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus AFB. Like the Arc Light strikes of Vietnam, Iraqi forces on the ground could not hear or see B-52s before they struck. As a kid in nearby Jonesboro, our cub scout pack got to visit what was then Blytheville AFB. 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. Its' soft start" with hours on Friday's and Saturday from about 12:00pm to 4:00pm, will take some trip planning. This area was developed pursuant to guidelines established by the Federal Housing Administration , and is laid out with . From an extreme case of having to be boarded up like a top secret quarantine, to simply being an old tool shed that never got used. Though it is currently in a rough shape as an Air Force Base it doesnt have to be that way. (For some reason, this "Hotshot" never got eyes.). The B-52G entered service in February 1959, and eventually 193 would be built, making it the most produced B-52 variant. "A B52 with a full nuclear payload, is the seventh most powerful country in the world.". Base Fire Station. Hear those stories come to life from the soldiers who served at the BAFB Exhibition. 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. Cover photos. 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 . Transferred from the 97th Bomb Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base, Ark., this aircraft was flown to the museum in November 1978. A bomber crew from Blytheville were among the first shot down during Operation Linebacker II, a December 1972 mission targeting complexes in North Vietnam. Veteran C. Young. It was also a B-52 that made the first airborne hydrogen bomb drop over Bikini Atoll on May 21, 1956. During its test flight, Boeing was performing tests to show the aircrafts resilience against low-altitude turbulence. 88 of the aircraft built are modified versions to serve specific purposes such as reconnaissance aircraft, and cargo carriers. Description based on: Vol. It is a peculiarly shaped building, like the rest of the buildings on the base. Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment 3. At 14 I was hopping buses and trains and hanging out with friends in surrounding towns. Jun 18, 2016 - blytheville afb photos | Blytheville Air Force Base, Blytheville . Five feet of water was pumped out of the basement of the building. Officers Club. 2023 Getty Images. 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. 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. At Mildenhall. The B-52 is one of the few planes I remember Dad talking about during his career at Hill Air Force Base. The G models most noticeable feature was its 8-foot shorter tail, done to ease maintenance and to save weight. These three 97th BW aircraft were stationed and flown out of Anderson AFB, Guam, as part of the 72nd Strategic Wing (Provisional). Thank you! As I recall, crew members were typically on alert for 10 days of every month. 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 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. N503DN Delta Air Lines | Airbus A350-941 | Arkansas International Airport by M.J. Scanlon 17 . The last model 61-0040, was produced in 1962. On January 23rd, 2022, it was announced that the former dorms would be demolished. In December 1972, after being repaired, it flew four additional missions over North Vietnam. I really hope some other people can find this service and get in touch with people like I did. 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". For the families, GI's, and community that was Blytheville AFB In 1942, at the graduation ceremony it was believed that women could not fly as well as men. . Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. Donate to our causeCheck out our books! During the weekend of February 21st, 2022, the former N.C.O. 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. [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. Due to the high amount of asbestos flying around in the air, and the safety concerns. Looking for someone that served with you? 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 aircraft on display saw extensive service in Southeast Asia and was severely damaged by an enemy surface-to-air missile on April 9, 1972. Full view. 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. Posted June 9th, 2014 by NFFF & filed under Uncategorized. In December 1972, after being repaired, it flew four additional missions over North Vietnam. 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. [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. [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. 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. 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. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. "Valkyrie" was known to the USAF as 58-0183, a B-52G Stratofortress. When the klaxon sounded, the aircrews scrambled to their aircraft, and got a radio code to start their engines; after the engines were running, they got another code that instructed them either to shut down, and go back to the alert facility (in which case it would be called a Coco alert), or to taxi (that would be a Bravo alert). Photographer unknown. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. 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. A photo of my Mustang in the snow at Barker's Trailerpark in Blytheville Arkansas. Transferred from the 97th Bomb Wing at Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas, this aircraft was flown to the Museum in November 1978. The base contributed greatly to the economic and . 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.". I was stationed at Eaker from 89-91 in the comm building pictured. The exhibits are impactful and tell the story of Base history. It was retired in July 1991 and donated to the Pima Air and Space Museum in Arizona. My job was to keep the alert aircraft supplied with the parts they needed to be mission ready. Many times I stopped what I was doing and watched the full power, roaring and smoke trailing takeoffs. Best years of my life. 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 . 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. Opened in late 2020, the BAFB Exhibition features memorabilia, video and personal stories of the base from its 1942 beginnings until closure in 1992. Armament: Four defensive .50-cal. Blytheville Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base from 1942, until it closed in 1992. About ten years ago a group of old 97 OMS troops made a trip to see the old place. MEMORIES. 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. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe . [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. 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. In June 1965 B-52s entered combat in Southeast Asia. Was stationed there from 1967 to 1970 with 97th AMS, the old A&E Squadron. 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. TWS is the largest online community of Veterans existing today and is a powerful Veteran locator. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. 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". Wing Headquarters. The National Cold War Center will be an entirely brand new building itself. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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. No photo description available. 4 items. The hospital is also a very large (plan wise) building, so it is very possible to get lost inside the building without a map. 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. 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. Movie Theater. "Valkyrie" would fly a few more missions during the war, the only time she would drop bombs in anger. I saw this jet in the Thunderbird performance at Blytheville Air Force base Oct 25 1972.. My USAF service had no connection to the Thunderbirds other than I saw this Thunderbird perform at Blytheville Air Force Base Oct 25 1972. CENTCOM commander H. Norman Schwartzkopf demanded continual B-52 strikes-- eventually forty percent of all ordnance expended--and the results were devastating. Eaker Air Force Base Historic District, Arkansas International Airport, and Blytheville Municipal Airport. Blytheville Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base from 1942, until it closed in 1992. Today. Microscopy, Atomic Force Pulmonary Ventilation Acoustic Impedance Tests. 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. All the glass is shattered. The B-52 had 8 engines but the two AGM-28 engines could also be used for take off and getting up to altitude. Watch. By August 1973, they had flown 126,615 combat sorties with seventeen B-52s lost to enemy action. The project mainly serves to save the best buildings and bring buildings in the worst shape down for safety purposes. Retired from service in December 2019, MD-88 N907DL is stored at the former Blytheville (Eaker) Air Force Base, now Arkansas International Airport, in Blytheville, Arkansas. . Ritz. [3] Six more men from the 97th were also lost in Vietnam, whose names are recognized on a memorial placard at the former base. The base was deactivated in 1945 at the end of World War II. It was located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. Leaving Little Rock as Arkansas only active base. The nine surviving jets are scattered from coast to coast most of them restored and on display. And in 1991, Eaker Air Force Base was on the top of the list. Collect, curate and comment on your files. 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 a CAP cadet 1966-1969 the lore of this base was discussed often. for another radio code that would tell him to turn around. 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). An exploration of the base's history and its impact on the community. 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. 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. The G models were not equipped with the same robust electronic countermeasures suite as the Ds, nor did their crews have the same training. 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. https://nuke.fas.org/guide/usa/bomber/kc-135.htm#:~:text=The%20KC%2D135%20can%20haul,transferable%20for%20global%20refueling%20missions. The Museums C-47 was manufactured by Douglas Aircraft, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and delivered to the USAAF on July 14, 1944. Pictures, photos and images from Blytheville, AR. Since then, there have been only 744 aircraft built by Boeing. I took this from the back seat of the P-51 Mustang Gunfighter. Of reinforced concrete and concrete-block construction, moleholes were of two-story height, with one story below ground. 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. Memphis Discovery Tour . 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. 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. - A Blytheville museum shining a light on Cold War history received funding supporting a planned primary exhibit. Because it was an Air Force base, the airport has room and facilities that are not available in many other complexes. Mr. Gorbachev tore down that wall. 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. It has the exact same problems as the hospital, though both buildings trade off on extremities. It was one of many air fields created in the country's interior during the war for this purpose. Eaker Air Force Base is located approximately 3 miles northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas, on Interstate 55 between St Louis and Memphis.