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. Enter your email address to subscribe to Abandoned Arkansas and receive notifications of new posts by email. [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. Contribute to chinapedia/wikipedia.en development by creating an account on GitHub. . The Blytheville Air Force Base Capehart Housing Historic District encompasses a large residential area built between 1957 and 1962 as part of a military housing program for service members stationed at the now-closed Blytheville Air Force Base in Blytheville, Arkansas. MEMORIES. New in 1960. KC-135A - 61-0267 - 97th BW, Blytheville Air Force Base by Darren Currie 19 International Air Tattoo 1987 - RAF Fairford. After a brief hiatus of less than a decade, the facility reopened as the Blytheville Air Force Base. Blytheville was the only two engine training base in Arkansas. 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. Alas LRAFB was where we flew C119s to summer camp, but always hoped foe a fly in there. Transferred from the 97th Bomb Wing at Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas, this aircraft was flown to the Museum in November 1978. On January 10th, 1964, a B52H loaned to Boeing by the USAF was testing the structural integrity of, and new technology for the aircraft. Since Eaker Air Force Base went under B.R.A.C. 3 talking about this. During the weekend of February 21st, 2022, the former N.C.O. Communism had shriveled in the world. The airplane dismantler used most of the tarmac we were using and we havent been back since before covid. at the old Blytheville Air Force Base now called the Blytheville Aeroplex where the city is planning to invest $20 million . I was stationed there from 1966-69. Have history here? All photos. An exploration of the base's history and its impact on the community. It was rolled out of Boeings Wichita plant. Posted June 9th, 2014 by NFFF & filed under Uncategorized. Certain buildings are worth saving. 2, no. 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. See original furniture from the famous alert compound, pictures, uniforms & other memorabilia including a . Several C-47s were fitted with pontoons and redesignated C-47C. And the United States was about to enter war with Saddam Hussein. The facility now operates as the Arkansas Aeroplex and Arkansas International Airport. Almost immediately, this was proven to be a vain hope: the only aircraft able to replace the B-52 was, it seemed, another B-52. Tin Roof. 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. In December 1972, after being repaired, it flew four additional missions over North Vietnam. Electrical work and flood damage repair have begun. Camo with white under belly North American AGM-28 Hound Dog Missile on display at the Global Power Museum at Barksdale Air Force Base. All the glass is shattered. 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. Whether it be by the hand of the elements, or by deconstruction due to safety issues. Buy None was a no notice operational exercise conducted in 1989. Dental Clinic. 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. CENTCOM commander H. Norman Schwartzkopf demanded continual B-52 strikes-- eventually forty percent of all ordnance expended--and the results were devastating. BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. Select from premium Blytheville Air Force Base of the highest quality. 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. 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. The base closed in December 1992 and has re-opened as a general aviation/commercial airport and industrial park known as the Arkansas Aeroplex. 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. 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. I also lived in the dorms that are pictured. There is a SAC Lapel Pin and two United States Air Force Lapel Pins that I have included in my display. [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. . When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Description based on: Vol. Opened in late 2020, the BAFB Exhibition features memorabilia, video and personal stories of the base from its 1942 beginnings until closure in 1992. 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. Officials had hoped, after hearing rumors of the base's possible closure, that the name would endear the base among military leaders and be enough to incentivize its continued existence. The B-52G was to return to the nuclear delivery role through the 1970s and 1980s, with the SRAM itself replaced by the AGM-86 Air Launched Cruise Missile, a truly precise cruise missile. Full view. Unbeknownst to the crew, over seventy percent of the vertical stabilizer and rudder assembly had been sheared off. The KC135 fuels other aircraft through an extendable boom on the aft of the aircraft. I took this from the back seat of the P-51 Mustang Gunfighter. As crew chiefs we had all spent many tours in the mole hole. About Westminster Village . [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. The original, one-of-a-kind model was created by P.J. The hospital has been tightly sealed up. But it is well-worth the visit. The B-52 had 8 engines but the two AGM-28 engines could also be used for take off and getting up to altitude. Eaker Air Force Base in its entirety is a mix of private and federal property. by Ryan Nix, Photos by Jamison Mosley. BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. The KC135, along with the B52 is one of the only fixed wing aircraft with over fifty years of service. The nine surviving jets are scattered from coast to coast most of them restored and on display. Donate to our causeCheck out our books! The 97th comm mustve been a very short lived entity as it was the 2101 CS / AFCC when I was there. Suggest edits to improve what we show. During WWII, my Dad and his best friend, John Whittington, would go to the base (teenagers) and work. U.S. The aircraft remained there until November when it was reassigned to the 320th Bombardment Wing (H) at Mather AFB, California. TWS is the largest online community of Veterans existing today and is a powerful Veteran locator. The 456th completed deployments to Anderson AB in Guam with this B-52G. After extensive renovations, the "BAFB Exhibition", at the former Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base, is open for business. The G models most noticeable feature was its 8-foot shorter tail, done to ease maintenance and to save weight. Though, due to high traffic in that area, the aircraft had to change its course and headed for Blytheville Air Force Base instead. 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" shows one of Norse mythology's legendary "choosers of the slain" in full armor on horseback, with her shield a SAC emblem and carrying SAC's red lightning bolts in her other hand--which is pretty inventive. The group was awarded two Distinguish Unit Citations during WWII and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crises. Luckily, the nose art was removed first and donated to the nearby Pima Air and Space Museum. Only ten B-52Gs survive today as museum pieces. 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. I never earned Air Force Wings, the wings that appear in the photo are those of the Commemorative Air Force of which I am a member. action specifically caters to closures and revitalization of U.S. military bases. Lots of good memories. 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. After it became operational in 1955, the B-52 remained the main long-range heavy bomber of the U.S. Air Force during the Cold War, and it continues to be an important part of the USAF bomber force today. Gosnell reported losing over half its students. The walls are riddled with holes. Flickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "blythevilleairforcebase" Flickr tag. The Air Force packed up and left. 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. I was one of four Production Supervisors who coordinated the P-Check maintenance and retrofitting of existing 737-200's (42 aircraft) for MetroJet; this included all coach interiors and . As a CAP cadet 1966-1969 the lore of this base was discussed often. Was stationed there from 1967 to 1970 with 97th AMS, the old A&E Squadron. N503DN Delta Air Lines | Airbus A350-941 | Arkansas International Airport by M.J. Scanlon 17 . Hopefully the site will become available again for us. Of the 3,778 acres the base is comprised of, two thirds of the land is abandoned. 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. Officers Club. Though, local organizations and legal entities constantly fight to preserve the base. The majority of the bases housing is still in use, a few buildings are in use, and the tarmac is now the Arkansas Aeroplex. Base Theater. 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. I thanked my dad for my upbringing. The B-52G was also built from the start to deliver standoff nuclear weapons, beginning with the AGM-28 Hound Dog. Evans at Blytheville air show in 1980. Constructed on former agricultural land, the site was originally activated as the Blytheville Army Airfield in 1942. The Iron Curtain was torn down. A total of 820 KC135s have been produced since 1956. Blytheville, Walnut Ridge, Grider, Newport, Stuttgart, and Adams Field. 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. Collect, curate and comment on your files. And this is a photo of the HULK 46 design that the . Photo Gallery. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. Ruth Eaker, General Eakers widow, signing autographs during the name change of the base in 1988. In the late 1980s, the government, under congress had begun inspections on Air Force Bases. As a kid in nearby Jonesboro, our cub scout pack got to visit what was then Blytheville AFB. Compared to hose style fueling systems, flying booms of KC135s are very unforgiving to errors. In the early 1950s, the Strategic Air Command (SAC) approved a plan to convert the former airfield into an airbase, which officially opened in 1955 as Blytheville Air Force Base. I think it is lost on most Americans that the first time a B-52 was used in actually live combat was in Vietnam and it was the only time a B-52 was lost to enemy fire. Blytheville AFB: See Eaker AFB: Bolling AFB ACTIVE: Location: Washington, DC . . Profile pictures. Three crewmen died in the crash. Details on 57-6486 are sparse; it may have seen combat over Vietnam with another unit. This is not my photograph so it may not be used for commercial purposes. 10 free downloads. The alert force aircraft remained parked just outside this facility (on a ramp, over to the left); there were armed airmen patrolling the ramp at all times. 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. 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 . Usaf Academy, CO 80840-1307 Colorado Springs, CO 80919-3732 Warrensburg, MO 64093-9357 I was an army brat and a military wife along with an army civilian off and on over the years. 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. The KC135 Stratotanker, as most other notary aircraft, was born out of necessity. Photo Credit: The National Cold War Center. I was stationed at Eaker from 89-91 in the comm building pictured. Mr. Gorbachev tore down that wall. 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. 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. 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. The current BAFB Exhibit is housed in the former B52 crew briefing building, and will continue to be an exhibit. The local economy tankedand unemployment skyrocketed. The G models were not equipped with the same robust electronic countermeasures suite as the Ds, nor did their crews have the same training. 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). Find Blytheville Air Force Base unit information, patches, operation history, veteran photos and more on TogetherWeServed.com. 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. [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. Jun 18, 2016 - blytheville afb photos | Blytheville Air Force Base, Blytheville . Location. Of the 3,778 acres the base is comprised of, two thirds of the land is abandoned. Part of the reason was the USAF's adoption of "Combat Warrior," which was meant to instill a sense of history among its pilots and airmen, requiring the study of the USAF/USAAF historical record. 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. Due to the high amount of asbestos flying around in the air, and the safety concerns. Who knew that 41 years later I would have a new Mustang or even still be alive. Save up to 30% when you upgrade to an image pack. 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". 1942-1946, 1953-1992. 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). Airman First Class Monex Thomas of the Blytheville Air Force Base died in an aircraft training incident on August 1 1982. Below is my Blytheville Air Force Base token collection. The 1980s saw something of a resurgence--oddly enough, mostly among Strategic Air Command units. thrust each. Today the base is mostly in a decrepit state of disrepair. By that time, the B-52G had already been tested in combat, with mixed results. 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. (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. On January 23rd, 2022, it was announced that the former dorms would be demolished. Notice my Mustang has what appears to be a trailer hitch. Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas. This VC-47D had been assigned to the 97th Bomb Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas. In 1942, at the graduation ceremony it was believed that women could not fly as well as men. Albums. Mold and asbestos float through the air like dust that just got kicked up. I hope they can save this base so that it doesnt get destroyed. 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!" This Abandoned Air Force base is located three miles Northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. Looking for someone that served with you? At 14 I was hopping buses and trains and hanging out with friends in surrounding towns. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. No photo description available. In 2020, both Arkansas senators proposed a bill to designate the museum in Blytheville. 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. Tiling soaked in stagnant water squishes under your feet, anything that could be rusted, is rusted. Five feet of water was pumped out of the basement of the building. The project mainly serves to save the best buildings and bring buildings in the worst shape down for safety purposes. 4 items. Sign up and get notified about upcoming volunteer events! Today. Its' soft start" with hours on Friday's and Saturday from about 12:00pm to 4:00pm, will take some trip planning. But, right before the first man could bail, the pilot had realized they had marginal control over the aircraft. for another radio code that would tell him to turn around. Gym - Center of Wing's Athletic Activities. 97th Bomb Wing has a long and honorable history. 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. [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.