Jul 1999. It was one of many air fields created in the country's interior during the war for this purpose. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. 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. 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. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. These jets were flown from 1969 to Feb 1974 when they were retired due to the oil crisis. Another part was that the men who had flown in Vietnam and chafed under the official frowning upon of nose art were now the ones in charge. 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. 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. May be an image of text that says 'David Pride 2000' No photo description available. Ritz. 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 . Vietnam War, 1961-1975. In 1990, Blythevilles population was 23,443. 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. (For some reason, this "Hotshot" never got eyes.). The aircraft in question was tail number 61-0023. Who knew that 41 years later I would have a new Mustang or even still be alive. This is not my photograph so it may not be used for commercial purposes. Unit of Service: 311th Tactical Airlift Squadron; Air National Guard. The last model 61-0040, was produced in 1962. The pictures and history lesson accompanying are amazing. 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 United States no longer needed bombers and fuel-tankers to be on 24/7 alert. 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. Though, the program and its members were not considered truly military nor pilots until the 1970s. Today it is 14,011. Owners of said buildings had big ambitions to renovate and repurpose the old buildings, but either plans never took off or money was tight. Blytheville was the only Advanced training base in Arkansas. The Iron Curtain was torn down. 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. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. My father manufactured this and built a front wheel carrier for my motorcycle so I could mount the front wheel and removed the chain and allow the rear wheel to freely roll as we towed it down the road. The National Cold War Center will be an entirely brand new building itself. Some of the land has since been declared a National Historic Landmark. Hear those stories come to life from the soldiers who served at the BAFB Exhibition. It was also a B-52 that made the first airborne hydrogen bomb drop over Bikini Atoll on May 21, 1956. Buildings, schools, hospitals, hotels, restaurants, car . For the families, GI's, and community that was Blytheville AFB As the 97th Bomb Group it's B-17 were the first to drop bombs on the Germans in France in 1942. Base Fire Station. Albums. 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. . As a CAP cadet 1966-1969 the lore of this base was discussed often. The hospital is also a very large (plan wise) building, so it is very possible to get lost inside the building without a map. 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.". 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. The KC135 fuels other aircraft through an extendable boom on the aft of the aircraft. The 456th completed deployments to Anderson AB in Guam with this B-52G. Formerly the site of family housing for Eaker Air Force Base, Westminster Village is a non-profit community. On 7 July 1971 SACs last C-47 was transferred to the USS Alabama Monument Commission. At Mildenhall. In order to give the property on which the base was located back to the local authorities, the USAF hired a cultural resource management firm to conduct a survey of the archeological sites on the base property (Cande and Lafferty 1991). Alas LRAFB was where we flew C119s to summer camp, but always hoped foe a fly in there. During the Korean War, when many USAF units were based in Japan and crews lived with their families, wives got to see up close the often risque nose art their husbands painted on their aircraft--and were not pleased with what they saw. Improve this listing. MEMORIES. 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. In July 1963 the aircraft was stationed at Beale AFB, California, with the 456th Bombardment Wing (H). Enter your email address to subscribe to Abandoned Arkansas and receive notifications of new posts by email. "Valkyrie" was known to the USAF as 58-0183, a B-52G Stratofortress. The effect on the neighboring towns of Gosnell and Blytheville the closure had on were tremendous. By October of the same year the aircraft was moved to Robins AFB, Georgia. Blytheville AFB: See Eaker AFB: Bolling AFB ACTIVE: Location: Washington, DC . The KC135 Stratotanker, as most other notary aircraft, was born out of necessity. VetFriends.com helps reunite veterans from the Air Force daily. Copyright 2009-document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) - Abandoned Atlas Foundation - board@AbandonedAtlas.com | Designed By Prairie Nation Creative, LLC - Disclaimer, Eaker Air Force Base (Click the Thumbnails to See Full Album), Extras (sirens, wildlife, monument, signs). Evans at Blytheville air show in 1980. Currently, there is a restoration program working to rebuild and reuse buildings that arent disappearing. 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. Thanks to Dave Howell for posting this photo of Miss Piggy and her crew. Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe . In 1945 the U. S. Army Air Field was deactivated and the cemetery reverted to the City of Blytheville Arkansas. What aRead more , Stationed there 1989-1992, loved the place and love the life long friends from there. . Jun 18, 2016 - blytheville afb photos | Blytheville Air Force Base, Blytheville . Dental Clinic. Evans was from Osceola AR. The aircraft was set on course to Boeings headquarters in Wichita, Kansas. BLYTHEVILLE ARMY AIRFIELD 1942. Sign up and get notified about upcoming volunteer events! 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. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. Eaker Air Force Base was originally named Blytheville Army Airfield when it was built in 1942. In the bomb bay were ADM-20 Quail decoys. It is planned to be its own exhibit within the system of buildings. CENTCOM commander H. Norman Schwartzkopf demanded continual B-52 strikes-- eventually forty percent of all ordnance expended--and the results were devastating. He told me many stories about the German . Honorable Discharged at the rank of E5 Staff Sgt. Blytheville air force base photos. Desert Storm was the swan song for the B-52G. My Heritage. Though it is referred to these names, the airport officially goes by Arkansas Aeroplex. The airfield was used as the Southeastern Training Command's flight training school, which closed in October 1945 after the Second World War ended. 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. Altus AFB ACTIVE Need photos: Location: Altus, Oklahoma. Like many B-52s, 58-0183 was shuttled around through several units--in this case, no less than eleven bomb wings. of conventional or nuclear bombs, Engines: Eight Pratt & Whitney J57s of 12,100 lbs. Though, due to high traffic in that area, the aircraft had to change its course and headed for Blytheville Air Force Base instead. These three 97th BW aircraft were stationed and flown out of Anderson AFB, Guam, as part of the 72nd Strategic Wing (Provisional). Lots of good memories. Find the perfect adversary concept stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. Description based on: Vol. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Sara Robertson (Sara.Robertson2@mail.house.gov) Arkansas Delegation Introduces Legislation to Designate Blytheville Air Force Base as National Cold War Center 2/7/2023 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 . I only ask that you send older photos (probably sometime before 1970).and they can be of People, Places in Blytheville, and Things. Capt. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . [1] It was located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. Ash worked from a photograph of the B-52 Blytheville plane. 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. However, some F-15E Strike Eagle units have begun painting nose art again, so reports of its demise is probably premature. Powerplant: Two Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 Twin Wasp, 14-cylinder radial air-cooled engines, 1,200 horsepower each. Most of the Gs ended their days sliced into pieces in the Arizona desert. In selected cases, due to ground water table conditions, the moleholes were built fully aboveground, with the lower story earthen bermed for semi-hardening. 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 In December 1972, after being repaired, it flew four additional missions over North Vietnam. A photo of my Mustang in the snow at Barker's Trailerpark in Blytheville Arkansas. In 2020, both Arkansas senators proposed a bill to designate the museum in Blytheville. I also lived in the dorms that are pictured. The airplane dismantler used most of the tarmac we were using and we havent been back since before covid. During WWII, my Dad and his best friend, John Whittington, would go to the base (teenagers) and work. 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 . The Hound Dog was withdrawn in the 1970s and replaced with the AGM-69 SRAM, which could be carried in groups of 20 rather than just two of the huge Hound Dogs. Select from premium Blytheville Air Force Base of the highest quality. As a kid in nearby Jonesboro, our cub scout pack got to visit what was then Blytheville AFB. The exhibits are impactful and tell the story of Base history. I don't have a clue who captured or created this image but this is it is an excellent computer generated image of a Pre-Vietnam War SAC Paint Scheme with a North American AGM-28 Hound Dog Missile. "Hoosier Hotshot" was originally applied to a B-17G Flying Fortress of the 91st Bomb Group during World War II, but when SAC began applying nose art to their B-52s, a 97th Bomb Wing B-52G crew reproduced the nose art on 57-6486 as a tribute to the original. However, two years later they proved him and everyone else wrong. Memphis Discovery Tour . Mold and asbestos float through the air like dust that just got kicked up. BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. 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. - A Blytheville museum shining a light on Cold War history received funding supporting a planned primary exhibit. Buildings have collapsed in that time frame. Dave Howell, RN Bob Gilbert, Gunner Rick Watson, EW Chuck Kinkhead, N Can't remember, CP Kevin Rice. Photo from Facebook. An exploration of the base's history and its impact on the community. All the glass is shattered. It was good to see jets setting on the tarmac, even if they are only civilian jets. c/n 18002/T0417. When 58-0183 got its nose art, it was assigned to the 97th Bomb Wing at Blytheville AFB, Arkansas, but it would carry its nose art into combat during the First Gulf War as part of the 2nd BW at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. Armament: Four .50-cal. A strong gust of wind has pushed the rear of the aircraft left then right. 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. Certain buildings are worth saving. Electrical work and flood damage repair have begun. 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. 88 of the aircraft built are modified versions to serve specific purposes such as reconnaissance aircraft, and cargo carriers. No photo description available. I saw this jet fly Oct 25 1972 at the Blytheville AFB air show. 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. 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. On January 31st, 2022, the Arkansas Aeroplex officially announced that work had been started on restoring Building 1225. It was immediately assigned to the 72nd Bombardment Wing (Heavy) at Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico. https://nuke.fas.org/guide/usa/bomber/kc-135.htm#:~:text=The%20KC%2D135%20can%20haul,transferable%20for%20global%20refueling%20missions. In December 1972, after being repaired, it flew four additional missions over North Vietnam. [2] In July 1959, the 97th Bombardment Wing subsequently assumed control of the base and brought with it the long-range B-52G bomber and the KC-135A Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft to support bomber operations. After World War II the C-47s were used in the Berlin Airlift, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. 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. 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. Property is disposed of, and the government cleans up after itself. In 1988, the facility was renamed Eaker Air Force Base in honor of World War II General of the Eighth Air Force, Ira C. After any major war, surplus equipment and property is sold to the general public and agencies. On June 10, 1942, the U.S. Army opened an advanced pilot training school at Blytheville, Arkansas. As crew chiefs we had all spent many tours in the mole hole. Base Theater. for another radio code that would tell him to turn around. Collect, curate and comment on your files. The nine surviving jets are scattered from coast to coast most of them restored and on display. The communication building of the 97th Bombardment Wing is in terrible condition as well. 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. Eaker Air Force Base was located on 3,778 acres of land between the communities of Gosnell and Blytheville in Mississippi County. On a Bravo alert, while taxiing the aircraft, the pilot was waiting (and hoping!) The 97th deployed to Edwards AFB, California, while operating this aircraft. The base was deactivated in 1945 at the end of World War II. Camo with white under belly North American AGM-28 Hound Dog Missile on display at the Global Power Museum at Barksdale Air Force Base. Rick O'Kelley was drafted in Oct 1971 and enlisted in the USAF November 10 1971 on delayed enlistment. 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. Explore. 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 It was rolled out of Boeings Wichita plant. 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. 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. In December 1972, after being repaired, it flew four additional missions over North Vietnam. 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). The project mainly serves to save the best buildings and bring buildings in the worst shape down for safety purposes. 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.