It was located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. 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. 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 . 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 . A strong gust of wind has pushed the rear of the aircraft left then right. Stock photos, 360 images, vectors and videos. A total of 820 KC135s have been produced since 1956. 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. 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. Nowadays, the base goes by a few names. 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 Transferred from the 97th Bomb Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base, Ark., this aircraft was flown to the museum in November 1978. The program was comprised of just over 1100 women. Remembering the War that Saved the World | The National Cold War Center Communism had shriveled in the world. Hear those stories come to life from the soldiers who served at the BAFB Exhibition. 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 At 14 I was hopping buses and trains and hanging out with friends in surrounding towns. 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. 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. machine guns in tail plus up to 43,000 lbs. 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. Would love hear your stories or your thoughts. 27 items. Some were torn down. of conventional or nuclear bombs, Engines: Eight Pratt & Whitney J57s of 12,100 lbs. 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. The B-52 has set numerous records in its many years of service. for another radio code that would tell him to turn around. Blytheville was the only Advanced training base in Arkansas. No photo description available. Though, the program and its members were not considered truly military nor pilots until the 1970s. Veteran C. Young. He served active duty March 21 1972 to March 20 1976. Of the 3,778 acres the base is comprised of, two thirds of the land is abandoned. Eaker Air Force Base was originally named Blytheville Army Airfield when it was built in 1942. By August 1973, they had flown 126,615 combat sorties with 17 B-52s lost to enemy action. 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 . Arkansas Aeroplex (Eaker Air Force Base, Blytheville Air Force Base 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). blythevilleairforcebase photos on Flickr | Flickr 1942-1946, 1953-1992. Gym - Center of Wing's Athletic Activities. Notice my Mustang has what appears to be a trailer hitch. 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. These three 97th BW aircraft were stationed and flown out of Anderson AFB, Guam, as part of the 72nd Strategic Wing (Provisional). The Ritz Theater from the outside circa. 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. 4 items. Strategic Air Command Bases Blytheville Air Force Base (BAFB) Exhibition, Blytheville: See 8 reviews, articles, and 21 photos of Blytheville Air Force Base (BAFB) Exhibition, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 6 attractions in Blytheville. Mto aronautique, METAR, TAF et VAC de 13Y Blytheville Air Force Base Capehart Housing Historic District During WWII, my Dad and his best friend, John Whittington, would go to the base (teenagers) and work. Club was demolished. The population suffered as well. This is like the B-52Gs with the North American AGM-28 Nuclear Hound Dog Missiles assigned to my base. 766 th BS headquarters. The Library. But it is well-worth the visit. The National Cold War Center will be an entirely brand new building itself. Buy None was a no notice operational exercise conducted in 1989. As the National Cold War Center develops, the first on-site exhibit depicts the history of the Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base. Delta's cities show its plight; Blytheville, Pine Bluff face future 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. Most of the Gs ended their days sliced into pieces in the Arizona desert. The B-52G is missing its missile pylon because these were removed and destroyed as a condition of he SALT treaty launcher reduction conditions. Nearly 750 were built before production ended in the fall of 1962; 170 of these were B-52Ds. 1-2 hours. Operated by the 97th Bombardment Wing based at Eaker AFB, Blytheville AR. N503DN Delta Air Lines | Airbus A350-941 | Arkansas International Airport by M.J. Scanlon 17 . 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). Today, "Valkyrie" still wears her 1991-era SIOP camouflage and a SAC badge on the nose; the nose art is on the port side. Blytheville, established as lumber mill town in the 1880s, has also served as a center for the cotton-growing industry, a Strategic Air Command (SAC) airbase and a gateway city for the Natural State. 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. Hopefully the site will become available again for us. 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. Airwomen were tasked with testing electronics of aircraft, testing aircraft by means of flights, and ferrying aircraft. Photos from Blytheville Eaker Air Force Base - KBYH on JetPhotos This is not my photograph so it may not be used for commercial purposes. Select from premium Blytheville Air Force Base of the highest quality. 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. majesticholidays.com Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa Located on the former Eaker Air Force Base (also known as Blytheville Air Force Base), a few blocks inside the west gate. Eleven of these jets were flown from 1969 to Feb 1974 when they were retired due to the oil crisis. A bomber crew from Blytheville were among the first shot down during Operation Linebacker II, a December 1972 mission targeting complexes in North Vietnam. 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. 97th Bomb Wing has a long and honorable history. About Us | Westminster Village Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. Wally's Photography | Old Blytheville Photos The B52 Stratofortress was the answer to all the problems found in the Convair B36 Peacemaker and the B24. Blytheville: Return to Prosperous Past? - AMP The KC135, along with the B52 is one of the only fixed wing aircraft with over fifty years of service. 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. Opened in late 2020, the BAFB Exhibition features memorabilia, video and personal stories of the base from its 1942 beginnings until closure in 1992. Group bringing new life to historic air base | News | jonesborosun.com On 7 July 1971 SACs last C-47 was transferred to the USS Alabama Monument Commission. Blytheville Air Force Base Capehart Housing - Gosnell, Arkansas - Wikimapia Five feet of water was pumped out of the basement of the building. Touch . Thank you! The Museums C-47 was manufactured by Douglas Aircraft, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and delivered to the USAAF on July 14, 1944. By October of the same year the aircraft was moved to Robins AFB, Georgia. The facility now operates as the Arkansas Aeroplex and Arkansas International Airport. Many times I stopped what I was doing and watched the full power, roaring and smoke trailing takeoffs. Recovery in Blytheville after Air Force Base Closing | St. Louis Fed Today it is 14,011. I was an army brat and a military wife along with an army civilian off and on over the years. Informacin detallada del sitio web y la empresa: majesticholidays.com, +12423231410, +13088411818, +14132671187, +13856680111, +12815278722 Bahamas hotels, vacation tour packages by majestic holidays 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. Luckily, the nose art was removed first and donated to the nearby Pima Air and Space Museum. Alas LRAFB was where we flew C119s to summer camp, but always hoped foe a fly in there. Blytheville AFB: See Eaker AFB: Bolling AFB ACTIVE: Location: Washington, DC . For the families, GI's, and community that was Blytheville AFB View of the southern end of the former Blytheville AFB (Eaker AFB). The process is called B.R.A.C.. [3] Unfortunately, Eaker Air Force Base topped the Strategic Air Command's list of base closures in 1991 and with the Cold War coming to an end, the installation was officially chosen; in March 1992, the last aircraft left the base. This area was developed pursuant to guidelines established by the Federal Housing Administration , and is laid out with . 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. Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment 3. Posted June 9th, 2014 by NFFF & filed under Uncategorized. At Mildenhall. My 1972 Suzuki looked exactly like the one in the brochure. Photo by Democrat-Gazette file photo . It was immediately assigned to the 72nd Bombardment Wing (Heavy) at Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico. Blytheville/Eaker AFB - Reviews, Photos - Tripadvisor 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. Military. 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. The walls are riddled with holes. This would determine if the base could go on operating in the future, or if it was deemed unnecessary to continue service. Scanned from 35mm Negative. 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. Electrical work and flood damage repair have begun. My family and I were stationed here from about 1964 until 1970. Louisiana was the aircraft's next stop when in May 1974 it was transferred to the 2nd Bombardment Group (H) at Barksdale AFB. 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. The boom is controlled by an operator lying prone under the cargo deck of the aircraft. [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. In December 1972, after being repaired, it flew four additional missions over North Vietnam. After a brief hiatus of less than a decade, the facility reopened as the Blytheville Air Force Base. I was stationed at Blytheville AFB in the late 1950s when it was a new SAC base and the first B-52s arrived. Transferred from the 97th Bomb Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base, Ark., this aircraft was flown to the museum in November 1978. The first model arrives at former Eaker Air Force Base - NEA Town Courier Find the perfect adversary concept stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. This Abandoned Air Force base is located three miles Northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. Photographer unknown.