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. . The facility now operates as the Arkansas Aeroplex and Arkansas International Airport. In 1955 North Sawba Cemetery once again returned to government jurisdiction with the activation of Blytheville Air Force Base later renamed Eaker Air Force Base, until base closure December 1992. Description based on: Vol. The Blytheville Air Force Base SAC alert area is located east of the southern end of the runway, situated at the center of the fenced area long the alert parking area. The B-52G entered service in February 1959, and eventually 193 would be built, making it the most produced B-52 variant. [1] Then the airfield briefly became a processing center for the rapid demobilization of military personnel being discharged. machine guns in tail plus up to 60,000+ lbs. I grew up on Army bases overseas. at the old Blytheville Air Force Base now called the Blytheville Aeroplex where the city is planning to invest $20 million . 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. Contributions to PAs Most Endangered List, National Register of Historic Places (Jan, 26th 2018). Nose art, while almost ubiquitous during World War II and Korea, largely disappeared in the 1950s. Photographer unknown. The hospital is also a very large (plan wise) building, so it is very possible to get lost inside the building without a map. The original, one-of-a-kind model was created by P.J. Serial Number 61-0023 landed safely in Blytheville. 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. I was stationed there from 1966-69. In June 1965, B-52s entered combat in Southeast Asia. During the weekend of February 21st, 2022, the former N.C.O. Location. About Westminster Village . 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 . The KC135, along with the B52 is one of the only fixed wing aircraft with over fifty years of service. I thanked my dad for my upbringing. 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 was the only two engine training base in Arkansas. Eleven of these jets were flown from 1969 to Feb 1974 when they were retired due to the oil crisis. 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. Home of 96th Bombardment Wing: 1953-1957; 11th . 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. I was stationed at Eaker from 89-91 in the comm building pictured. 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. 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. Since Eaker Air Force Base went under B.R.A.C. These windowless alert quarters were identical everywhere, with tunnel-like egress covered in corrugated steel. Did you serve with BLYTHEVILLE AIR FORCE BASE? But, right before the first man could bail, the pilot had realized they had marginal control over the aircraft. My family and I were stationed here from about 1964 until 1970. Touch . At 14 I was hopping buses and trains and hanging out with friends in surrounding towns. Though it is referred to these names, the airport officially goes by Arkansas Aeroplex. See All. In 1942, at the graduation ceremony it was believed that women could not fly as well as men. 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. My 1966 Ford Mustang was setting in the parking lot the day we watched this jet fly. A bomber crew from Blytheville were among the first shot down during Operation Linebacker II, a December 1972 mission targeting complexes in North Vietnam. Buildings, schools, hospitals, hotels, restaurants, car . Building 1225 is currently registered on the National Register Of Historic Places and is quoted as being the crown jewel of the National Cold War Center campus. Though Phase Two of the project is underway (as of February 2022), there have been no announcements of when the museum will officially open. Located on the former Eaker Air Force Base (also known as Blytheville Air Force Base), a few blocks inside the west gate. 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. 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). [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. Photo from Facebook. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Buildings have collapsed in that time frame. Mold and asbestos float through the air like dust that just got kicked up. It was one of many air fields created in the country's interior during the war for this purpose. School trips were to other countries LOL. All of these were under the Strategic Air Command. [1] It was located 3 miles (4.8km) northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. In December of 1992, the base officially closed. If was really not abandoned til 10 year ago becuae I went to preschool on the base then I got shut down because all of us got sick becuase the heat and air went out. 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. About ten years ago a group of old 97 OMS troops made a trip to see the old place. These three 97th BW aircraft were stationed and flown out of Anderson AFB, Guam, as part of the 72nd Strategic Wing (Provisional). Vietnam saw a return of nose art (or, in the case of the F-105, "armpit art" as it was carried beneath the high wing), but while pilots and crews didn't have to worry about irate wives, they did have to worry about irate commanding officers, some of whom saw nose art as unprofessional and childish. My 1972 Suzuki looked exactly like the one in the brochure. 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. machine guns in tail plus up to 43,000 lbs. Unit of Service: 311th Tactical Airlift Squadron; Air National Guard. The 97th comm mustve been a very short lived entity as it was the 2101 CS / AFCC when I was there. 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. Wing Headquarters. Constructed on former agricultural land, the site was originally activated as the Blytheville Army Airfield in 1942. Who knew that 41 years later I would have a new Mustang or even still be alive. Communism had shriveled in the world. 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. 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". Eaker. The last model 61-0040, was produced in 1962. Due to the high amount of asbestos flying around in the air, and the safety concerns. 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. The Iron Curtain was torn down. 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. 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. 1950's. Janet Austin - Duplessis. My 1966 Ford Mustang was setting in the parking lot the day we watched this jet fly. 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. 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. In December 1972, after being repaired, it flew four additional missions over North Vietnam. In June 1965 B-52s entered combat in Southeast Asia. Leaving Little Rock as Arkansas only active base. Fighter units also rarely carried nose art or even a name, though they made up for it with very gaudy colors and flamboyant unit crests. 97th Bomb Wing has a long and honorable history. Have history here? 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. Gym - Center of Wing's Athletic Activities. This area was developed pursuant to guidelines established by the Federal Housing Administration , and is laid out with . The KC135 fuels other aircraft through an extendable boom on the aft of the aircraft. Blytheville Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base from 1942, until it closed 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. - A Blytheville museum shining a light on Cold War history received funding supporting a planned primary exhibit. Usaf Academy, CO 80840-1307 Colorado Springs, CO 80919-3732 Warrensburg, MO 64093-9357 Officers Club. [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. Glad to see the alert pad will be saved. Buy None was a no notice operational exercise conducted in 1989. A strong gust of wind has pushed the rear of the aircraft left then right. After World War II the C-47s were used in the Berlin Airlift, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Find Blytheville Air Force Base stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. The walls are riddled with holes. After extensive renovations, the "BAFB Exhibition", at the former Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base, is open for business. 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. 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. or the notorious F-105 "Cherry Girl," which positioned a full-frontal nude girl strategically over the refueling port on the nose. Veteran C. Young. Though, due to high traffic in that area, the aircraft had to change its course and headed for Blytheville Air Force Base instead. The current BAFB Exhibit is housed in the former B52 crew briefing building, and will continue to be an exhibit. It is planned to be its own exhibit within the system of buildings. Blytheville air force base photos. 6 'Cat And Mouse' UFO Chase Over Cannon AFB January 1976. Eaker Air Force Base is located approximately 3 miles northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas, on Interstate 55 between St Louis and Memphis. Improve this listing. This does not include 149 civil aircraft impresses before delivery. As the National Cold War Center develops, the first on-site exhibit depicts the history of the Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base. It is a peculiarly shaped building, like the rest of the buildings on the base. Tiling soaked in stagnant water squishes under your feet, anything that could be rusted, is rusted. During Eaker's height, Blytheville was roughly the same size as Jonesboro, Smith said. Blytheville Air Force Base aka Eaker Air Force Base. 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. The B-52G was also built from the start to deliver standoff nuclear weapons, beginning with the AGM-28 Hound Dog. B.R.A.C. The aircraft in question was tail number 61-0023. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. All photos. Cover photos. It was located 3 miles (5 km) northwest of central Blytheville, Arkansas. Reactivated as the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus AFB. Though it is currently in a rough shape as an Air Force Base it doesnt have to be that way. Blytheville Air Force Base. In 1990, Blythevilles population was 23,443. In June 1975 the aircraft was sent to the 97th Bombardment Wing (H) residing at Blytheville AFB, Arkansas. Would love hear your stories or your thoughts. This has been an ongoing project for over a year. There were trainer versions designated TC-47 and reconnaissance versions designated RC-47. 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.
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