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. Any and all donations are appreciated. 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. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. Luckily, the nose art was removed first and donated to the nearby Pima Air and Space Museum. (photo courtesy of Delta) On Tuesday, June 2, 2020, Delta Air Lines . Its' soft start" with hours on Friday's and Saturday from about 12:00pm to 4:00pm, will take some trip planning. The program was comprised of just over 1100 women. Eaker Air Force Base in its entirety is a mix of private and federal property. During Eaker's height, Blytheville was roughly the same size as Jonesboro, Smith said. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. Americans did not have to fear every day of an imminent Soviet missile strike. 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. 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. Places to visit . 2023 Getty Images. Touch . Enter your email address to subscribe to Abandoned Arkansas and receive notifications of new posts by email. As a CAP cadet 1966-1969 the lore of this base was discussed often. It was immediately assigned to the 72nd Bombardment Wing (Heavy) at Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico. Military Photos; Military Reunion Stories; Military Service Map; Military Cadences; Military Jokes; Military Lingo; Great Military Web Pages; Recommended Military Books; Today in Military . Donate to our causeCheck out our books! The base closed in 1992, and unfortunately most of the residential units north of Daisy Drive are vacant and have since . Eaker Air Force Base was originally named Blytheville Army Airfield when it was built in 1942. Gosnell reported losing over half its students. At 14 I was hopping buses and trains and hanging out with friends in surrounding towns. Find Blytheville Air Force Base stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. By August 1973, they had flown 126,615 combat sorties with seventeen B-52s lost to enemy action. I thanked my dad for my upbringing. They also tended, in some cases, to be far more raunchy than even World War II or Korean nose art even dared--one popular one was to show a heavily pregnant Lucy Van Pelt from "Peanuts" screaming "Damn you, Charlie Brown!" By August 1973, they had flown 126,615 combat sorties with 17 B-52s lost to enemy action. 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. 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. 1942-1946, 1953-1992. Unit of Service: 311th Tactical Airlift Squadron; Air National Guard. It was located 3 miles (5 km) northwest of central Blytheville, Arkansas. Glad to see the alert pad will be saved. Nose art, while almost ubiquitous during World War II and Korea, largely disappeared in the 1950s. The accounting & financing building has a large and open floor plan. Psychiatry and Psychology 1 It boasted a vibrant downtown and it had an eclectic population due to the wide variety of people the base brought to the city. The majority of buildings have suffered the same fate. There was no need for the Global Shield. Nowadays, the base goes by a few names. All of these were under the Strategic Air Command. Alas LRAFB was where we flew C119s to summer camp, but always hoped foe a fly in there. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. 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. 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. Rick O'Kelley was drafted in Oct 1971 and enlisted in the USAF November 10 1971 on delayed enlistment. The G models were not equipped with the same robust electronic countermeasures suite as the Ds, nor did their crews have the same training. When I arrived in July 1972, Blytheville Air Force Base's B-52s, KC-135s, pilots, navigators, electronic warfare officers, tail gunners and many . Lots of good memories. 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. Honorable Discharged at the rank of E5 Staff Sgt. Blytheville Eaker Air Force Base - KBYH, USA - Arkansas; By: Brady Brooks Photos | Profile | Contact; Airplane Photos & Aviation Photos - View, Search, or Upload Photos! 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. 88 of the aircraft built are modified versions to serve specific purposes such as reconnaissance aircraft, and cargo carriers. Abandoned Arkansas had noticed while touring the base, the former base bank had been torn down the week prior to January 1st, 2022. Photo by Democrat-Gazette file photo . In the Monett City Park is displayed the USAF Thunderbird F4 Phantom #3 Jet. Improve this listing. 732 of the aircraft were specifically aerial tankers. On a Bravo alert, while taxiing the aircraft, the pilot was waiting (and hoping!) [1] Other aircraft stationed at Blytheville AFB included: KC-97 refueler, B-52G bomber, KC-135A tanker, T-33 jet fighter, and the T-37 traineramong others. Under the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 the United States government is obligated to consider utilization, procurement and disposal of government property. The US needed a long range aircraft able to refuel other long range aircraft. NCO Club. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe . This would determine if the base could go on operating in the future, or if it was deemed unnecessary to continue service. 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. Those dorms were pristine (almost new if I remember correctly) when they were abandoned. 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. Jul 1999. for another radio code that would tell him to turn around. https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Eaker_Air_Force_Base, https://www.boeing.com/history/products/b-52-stratofortress.page, https://www.boeing.com/history/products/kc-135-stratotanker.page, https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1771/text?r=1&s=1, https://www.boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/bill-designating-national-cold-war-center-in-blytheville-introduced-in-senate, https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/107172/general-ira-c-eaker/, https://www.afcec.af.mil/Home/BRAC/Eaker.aspx, https://www.npr.org/2010/03/09/123773525/female-wwii-pilots-the-original-fly-girls. 18 (Feb. 26, 1904). The nose art of the B-52 version is a faithful reproduction of the B-17 version--one of the many Varga Girls that decorated World War II-era aircraft. My first year I worked in Procurement which is to the far right edge in this photo, it is the last building on the left along Memorial Drive, the wide street going left to right. Doors and numerous truckloads of metal were being hauled off the alert pad. Reactivated as the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus AFB. A bomber crew from Blytheville were among the first shot down during Operation Linebacker II, a December 1972 mission targeting complexes in North Vietnam. The current BAFB Exhibit is housed in the former B52 crew briefing building, and will continue to be an exhibit. 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. 766 th BS headquarters. Altus AFB ACTIVE Need photos: Location: Altus, Oklahoma. In its prime, it housed over 3,000 service members, and a whole fleet of Strategic Air Command B52 BUFF Stratofortresses. The B-52G entered service in February 1959, and eventually 193 would be built, making it the most produced B-52 variant. The B-52 is one of the few planes I remember Dad talking about during his career at Hill Air Force Base. The base's primary mission shifted to bomber training. These jets were flown from 1969 to Feb 1974 when they were retired due to the oil crisis. Had many good times there. Links: Thule AFB . Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. 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. Details on 57-6486 are sparse; it may have seen combat over Vietnam with another unit. Known as Operation Secret Squirrel, this 34-hour mission was at the time the longest aerial mission ever flown, and was not surpassed until the strikes on Afghanistan in 2001. (Some joked that the ladies might just paint hunky guys on their aircraft!). 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. 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. 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. Once more, however, the B-52G was called upon for the conventional role during Operation Desert Storm against Iraq in 1991. BLYTHEVILLE ARMY AIRFIELD 1942. Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment 3. Charles Fisher would forever be known as Mr. 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 exhibits are impactful and tell the story of Base history. Today it is 14,011. 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. After 30 years and learning the computer and finding VetFriends, I went to my first reunion of the USS Navasota AO-106. Nearly 750 were built before production ended in the fall of 1962; 170 of these were B-52Ds. The KC135 Stratotanker, as most other notary aircraft, was born out of necessity. It has the exact same problems as the hospital, though both buildings trade off on extremities. Photo from Facebook. The B-52 had 8 engines but the two AGM-28 engines could also be used for take off and getting up to altitude. Located on the former Eaker Air Force Base (also known as Blytheville Air Force Base), a few blocks inside the west gate. NUMBER BUILT: Douglas built a total of 10,047 C-47s and derivatives. (KAIT) - Members of the United States Air Force in Little Rock and Louisiana landed aircraft on the Arkansas Aeroplex on the morning of . 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. 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. 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. 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. Transferred from the 97th Bomb Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base, Ark., this aircraft was flown to the museum in November 1978. During WWII, my Dad and his best friend, John Whittington, would go to the base (teenagers) and work. 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 . Love Photoshop, a little bit of work and #3 does a flyby just for me 41 years later. 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. of conventional or nuclear bombs. I had a great time and intend to go again next year. KC-135A - 61-0267 - 97th BW, Blytheville Air Force Base by Darren Currie 19 International Air Tattoo 1987 - RAF Fairford. Posted to Facebook by William Travis. The pictures and history lesson accompanying are amazing. Wing Headquarters. PIGGOTT, Ark., July 30 (UPI) An Air Force C130 transport plane crashed, and burned at dusk today in a pasture in this town in northeastern Arkansas, killing all six persons aboard. Like the Arc Light strikes of Vietnam, Iraqi forces on the ground could not hear or see B-52s before they struck. The local economy tankedand unemployment skyrocketed. Use code: FLICKR10, International Air Tattoo 1987 - RAF Fairford. 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 ). 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). 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 Air Force packed up and left. Like many B-52s, 58-0183 was shuttled around through several units--in this case, no less than eleven bomb wings. On January 23rd, 2022, it was announced that the former dorms would be demolished. While with the 97th Bomb Wing at Blytheville AFB, Arkansas, it received the name "Valkyrie" with appropriate nose art of a mail-clad female warrior on horseback; nose art made a renaissance in the USAF in the late 1980s, though not quite as risqu as that seen during World War II. Flickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "blythevilleairforcebase" Flickr tag. Tom Sylvester used to look up at the sky above Blytheville in the 1970s, watch the planes fly out of the nearby Air Force base and dream about being able to glide among the clouds. 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. 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". Available for both RF and RM licensing. I really hope some other people can find this service and get in touch with people like I did. In December of 1992, the base officially closed. Holes in the roof create entryways for birds and rain. Vietnam War, 1961-1975. An exploration of the base's history and its impact on the community. 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. What aRead more , Stationed there 1989-1992, loved the place and love the life long friends from there. Since then, there have been only 744 aircraft built by Boeing. 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. Yes we grew up overseas and only went to Department of Defense Schools but it was amazing. Club was demolished. But, right before the first man could bail, the pilot had realized they had marginal control over the aircraft. [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. 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. As the National Cold War Center develops, the first on-site exhibit depicts the history of the Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base. My family and I were stationed here from about 1964 until 1970. 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. "Valkyrie" was known to the USAF as 58-0183, a B-52G Stratofortress. There were VIP transports (designated VC-47A/B) and there were SC-47s used as search and rescue aircraft. 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. As I recall, crew members were typically on alert for 10 days of every month. As a kid in nearby Jonesboro, our cub scout pack got to visit what was then Blytheville AFB. In June 1972 General Brown assumed command of the 416th Bombardment Wing at Griffiss Air Force Base, N.Y. of conventional or nuclear bombs, Engines: Eight Pratt & Whitney J57s of 12,100 lbs. Learn how your comment data is processed. This is like the B-52Gs with the North American AGM-28 Nuclear Hound Dog Missiles assigned to my 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. 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. 58-0183 joined the USAF and the 4135th Strategic Wing, based at Eglin AFB, Florida; the 4135th oversaw several B-52 squadrons dispersed over the American Southeast to lessen their chance of being caught on the ground by a Soviet nuclear strike. The Southeast Asia War section of the Modern Flight Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/). Art flourished in some units (namely F-105 wings) and was banned in others. Assigned to Blytheville Air Force Base until deactivated in 1992. To differentiate ALCM-equpped B-52Gs from unmodified aircraft, a wing fairing was added solely for the benefit of Soviet reconnaissance satellites, in accordance with arms control treaties. Arkansas had six Army airfields. 1950's. Janet Austin - Duplessis. Eaker Air Force Base Historic District, Arkansas International Airport, and Blytheville Municipal Airport.