Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. The majority of buildings have suffered the same fate. Did you serve with BLYTHEVILLE AIR FORCE BASE? 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. I was stationed there from 1966-69. Airwomen were tasked with testing electronics of aircraft, testing aircraft by means of flights, and ferrying aircraft. 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. 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". . There was no need for the Global Shield. I hope they can save this base so that it doesnt get destroyed. by Ryan Nix, Photos by Jamison Mosley. 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. The communication building of the 97th Bombardment Wing is in terrible condition as well. Extensive efforts to offset the negative economic effects on the community of Blytheville were undertaken by local and federal officials, who cleaned up the site and then distributed the land to various organizations, including the Department of the Interior (DOI), the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 2, no. . 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). I only ask that you send older photos (probably sometime before 1970).and they can be of People, Places in Blytheville, and Things. Property is disposed of, and the government cleans up after itself. 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. A strong gust of wind has pushed the rear of the aircraft left then right. At Mildenhall. Looking for someone that served with you? Serial Number 61-0023 landed safely in Blytheville. In its prime, it housed over 3,000 service members, and a whole fleet of Strategic Air Command B52 BUFF Stratofortresses. 1942-1946, 1953-1992. On 7 July 1971 SACs last C-47 was transferred to the USS Alabama Monument Commission. This view also shows how well 58-0183 is preserved, and the EVS bulges beneath the B-52's nose. Posted June 9th, 2014 by NFFF & filed under Uncategorized. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Would love hear your stories or your thoughts. In June 1965 B-52s entered combat in Southeast Asia. The crew started to lose control of the plane and went to bail out. As the National Cold War Center develops, the first on-site exhibit depicts the history of the Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base. Blytheville herald-news Blytheville courier news (DLC)sn 89051348 The deactivation of the Eakers (Blytheville) Air Force Base in 1992 hit the community hard as in 2019 the population is about 15,000 while the population of Fayetteville exploded to near 90,000. I grew up on Army bases overseas. The program was comprised of just over 1100 women. In December 1972, after being repaired, it flew four additional missions over North Vietnam. If you can make it, even for an hour, we will be glad to have you! An exploration of the base's history and its impact on the community. Gym - Center of Wing's Athletic Activities. 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. Home of 96th Bombardment Wing: 1953-1957; 11th . In July 1963 the aircraft was stationed at Beale AFB, California, with the 456th Bombardment Wing (H). Blytheville Air Force Base was established in 1942 as a pilot training station. Ritz. "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. This has led to the current dilapidated state of some buildings. Granted today, the area has stayed well populated due to industrial jobs, but Blythevilles unemployment rate is four percent higher than the national average (pre-covid). 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. Airport information, from map to hotels to aeronautical information. The nine surviving jets are scattered from coast to coast most of them restored and on display. The exhibits are impactful and tell the story of Base history. 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. Opened in late 2020, the BAFB Exhibition features memorabilia, video and personal stories of the base from its 1942 beginnings until closure in 1992. Eleven of these jets were flown from 1969 to Feb 1974 when they were retired due to the oil crisis. The first of 12 model aircrafts that were once housed at the Blytheville Air Force Base (later Eaker Air Force Base) was delivered on Wednesday to the exhibition building. About ten years ago a group of old 97 OMS troops made a trip to see the old place. Today. 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. Community Profile: Blytheville, Ark., Spreads Its Wings after Air Force Base Closing. 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. 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. 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. Blytheville AFB became fully operational when it was equipped with a wing of three squadrons of B-57 bomber on 19 July 1955. Photo by Democrat-Gazette file photo . Charles Fisher would forever be known as Mr. 27 items. 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. 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.". 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. See original furniture from the famous alert compound, pictures, uniforms & other memorabilia including a . 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. Many times I stopped what I was doing and watched the full power, roaring and smoke trailing takeoffs. The 1980s saw something of a resurgence--oddly enough, mostly among Strategic Air Command units. 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. Most of the Gs ended their days sliced into pieces in the Arizona desert. My father was a pilot in SAC throughout his career (bombers and tankers); he and the other bomber and tanker crews spent a whole lot of time, away from their families, living in this bunker. Cover photos. Flickr photos, groups, and tags related to the "blythevilleairforcebase" Flickr tag. 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. On the evening in question, Bruce was working for a local radio station, performing tests on their transmitters. The United States no longer needed bombers and fuel-tankers to be on 24/7 alert. On January 23rd, 2022, it was announced that the former dorms would be demolished. Blytheville Eaker Air Force Base - KBYH, USA - Arkansas; By: Brady Brooks Photos | Profile | Contact; Old Movies. And in 1991, Eaker Air Force Base was on the top of the list. 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. Two B-52G bombers were readied to strike the Soviet Union with nuclear weapons if necessaryfor which the wing received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for its performance during the crisis. Thanks VetFriends. After World War II the C-47s were used in the Berlin Airlift, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. for another radio code that would tell him to turn around. Of the 3,778 acres the base is comprised of, two thirds of the land is abandoned. Sheila Russell Thurber. Whether it be by the hand of the elements, or by deconstruction due to safety issues. [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. 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 . . Thanks to Dave Howell for posting this photo of Miss Piggy and her crew. B52 for his quick thinking, response to a crisis, and heroic duties. The 17th Bombardment Wing (H) at Anderson AB was this aircraft's next duty station, arriving there in January 1973. These three 97th BW aircraft were stationed and flown out of Anderson AFB, Guam, as part of the 72nd Strategic Wing (Provisional). The nine surviving jets are scattered from coast to coast most of them restored and on display. As a CAP cadet 1966-1969 the lore of this base was discussed often. The rest I earned via my service to my country. If the alert force had not received that second "stand down" code, they would have taken off; and (as we saw it, back then) if that happened, very soon, we would have been in the midst of a nuclear war. I completed USAF Technical School in Denver Co the end of June 1972 and received two weeks leave before reporting to my base and when I arrived home my old farm boss, USAAF Veteran Bill Morriss had a brand new Suzuki motorcycle in his garage. After extensive renovations, the "BAFB Exhibition", at the former Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base, is open for business. Art flourished in some units (namely F-105 wings) and was banned in others. Select from premium Blytheville Air Force Base of the highest quality. The G models were not equipped with the same robust electronic countermeasures suite as the Ds, nor did their crews have the same training. The aircraft in question was tail number 61-0023. There were trainer versions designated TC-47 and reconnaissance versions designated RC-47. Of reinforced concrete and concrete-block construction, moleholes were of two-story height, with one story below ground. All photos (32) Top ways to experience nearby attractions. Donate to our causeCheck out our books! 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. Location of Service: Lackland Air Force Base, Texas; Williams Air Force Base, Arizona; Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio; Vietnam; Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas; Des Moines Air National . or the notorious F-105 "Cherry Girl," which positioned a full-frontal nude girl strategically over the refueling port on the nose. Building 1225, will be added to the collection of buildings as part of the future National Cold War Center. Eaker AFB was selected for closure under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round of 1991. Its' soft start" with hours on Friday's and Saturday from about 12:00pm to 4:00pm, will take some trip planning. 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. Eaker Air Force Base (1942-1992) was a front-line United States Air Force base for over 40 years. However, two years later they proved him and everyone else wrong. 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. Who knew that 41 years later I would have a new Mustang or even still be alive. BLYTHEVILLE ARMY AIRFIELD 1942. As crew chiefs we had all spent many tours in the mole hole. 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 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. Who knew that 41 years later I would have a new Mustang or even still be alive. The B-52 has set numerous records in its many years of service. 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). The G models most noticeable feature was its 8-foot shorter tail, done to ease maintenance and to save weight. In 1945 the U. S. Army Air Field was deactivated and the cemetery reverted to the City of Blytheville Arkansas. . 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. Description based on: Vol. It was good to see jets setting on the tarmac, even if they are only civilian jets. For more information, visit the website at www.nationalcoldwarcenter.com or call 870-532-2100. 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. No photo description available. Tiling soaked in stagnant water squishes under your feet, anything that could be rusted, is rusted. With the end of the war the base was closed, only to be reopened 15 July 1955 as a Strategic Air Command (SAC) base which was home to B-57 and B-52 . The National Cold War Center at the former Eaker Air Force Base in Blytheville announced Monday that it had received a $400,000 grant from the Division of Arkansas Heritage Cultural Institutions Trust Fund.A spokesperson said the money would be used to . Fill out the form and sign up to help us protect: By signing up, you are not committing to anything, you are simply subscribing to be notified of upcoming volunteer dates. Arkansas had six Army airfields. 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.