The exhibits are impactful and tell the story of Base history. After it became operational in 1955, the B-52 remained the main long-range heavy bomber of the US Air Force during the Cold War, and it continues to be an important part of the USAF bomber force today. Eaker Air Force Base is located approximately 3 miles northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas, on Interstate 55 between St Louis and Memphis. JetPhotos.com is the biggest database of aviation photographs with over 4 million screened photos online! The commanding general of the U.S. Army Air Forces, Henry Arnold, went as far as saying that he doubted a woman could control a B17. Opened in late 2020, the BAFB Exhibition features memorabilia, video and personal stories of the base from its 1942 beginnings until closure in 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). 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. 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. Property is disposed of, and the government cleans up after itself. [1], The Blytheville Air Force Base Strategic Air Command (SAC) Alert and Weapons Storage Areas Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018. He served active duty March 21 1972 to March 20 1976. Though, due to high traffic in that area, the aircraft had to change its course and headed for Blytheville Air Force Base instead. And the aeronautical weather for the pilots with current weather and short-term forecasts with METAR (METeorological Aerodrome Report, observation message of meteorological conditions for aviation) and TAF (Terminal Aerodrome Forecast: short-term forecast message of meteorological conditions for aviation ). if I remember correctly it was one of the rooms pictured (162). 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. Capt. 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. 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. 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. The pictures and history lesson accompanying are amazing. All the glass is shattered. Several C-47s were fitted with pontoons and redesignated C-47C. What aRead more , Stationed there 1989-1992, loved the place and love the life long friends from there. Evans was from Osceola AR. 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. All photos. Thank you! This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. While with the 97th Bomb Wing at Blytheville AFB, Arkansas, it received the name "Valkyrie" with appropriate nose art of a mail-clad female warrior on horseback; nose art made a renaissance in the USAF in the late 1980s, though not quite as risqu as that seen during World War II. 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. The Iron Curtain was torn down. Military Photos; Military Reunion Stories; Military Service Map; Military Cadences; Military Jokes; Military Lingo; Great Military Web Pages; Recommended Military Books; Today in Military . Certain buildings are worth saving. This is not my photograph so it may not be used for commercial purposes. The aircraft was flown from Castle AFB to Hill AFB, Utah, in its final flight. 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. About Westminster Village . Note that the outrigger landing gear is off the ground: naturally, "Valkyrie" is empty of fuel, and so there is no wing droop. Posted on Facebook by Michael Meagher, Photographer unknown. The effect on the neighboring towns of Gosnell and Blytheville the closure had on were tremendous. No photo description available. Photos from Blytheville Eaker Air Force Base - KBYH on JetPhotos Photos (KAIT) - Members of the United States Air Force in Little Rock and Louisiana landed aircraft on the Arkansas Aeroplex on the morning of . 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.". 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. Abandoned Arkansas had noticed while touring the base, the former base bank had been torn down the week prior to January 1st, 2022. NUMBER BUILT: Douglas built a total of 10,047 C-47s and derivatives. [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. Collect, curate and comment on your files. 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 USAF Thunderbirds flew the F-4E Phantom II from 1969 until Feb 1974 when they were retired due to the October 1973 fuel crisis. Blytheville air force base photos. These women had proved their selves capable of flying aircraft such as the B25 and the B29. 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. 07-4637 photos; United States - US Air Force (USAF) Airline: United States - US Air Force (USAF) Reg: 07-4637 photos; Aircraft: Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules; Serial #: 382-5597; . GitHub export from English Wikipedia. The B-52G is missing its missile pylon because these were removed and destroyed as a condition of he SALT treaty launcher reduction conditions. 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. 88 of the aircraft built are modified versions to serve specific purposes such as reconnaissance aircraft, and cargo carriers. Charles Fisher would forever be known as Mr. 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. Five feet of water was pumped out of the basement of the building. Weekly Began in 1902; ceased in 1923. However, two years later they proved him and everyone else wrong. - A Blytheville museum shining a light on Cold War history received funding supporting a planned primary exhibit. thrust each. Was the first KC-135E conversion in 1982. This Abandoned Air Force base is located three miles Northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. of conventional or nuclear bombs. 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. At Mildenhall. Blytheville Air Force Base. Full view. 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 took this from the back seat of the P-51 Mustang Gunfighter. Mold and asbestos float through the air like dust that just got kicked up. As I recall, crew members were typically on alert for 10 days of every month. for another radio code that would tell him to turn around. I had a great time and intend to go again next year. 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. Blytheville AFB experienced a great deal of activity throughout the Cold War era, when for instance, the 97th Bombardment Wing went on airborne alert on 22 October 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis. I have been to the former base and tarmac many times in the 2010s for Sports Car Club of America events. In July 1963 the aircraft was stationed at Beale AFB, California, with the 456th Bombardment Wing (H). Jun 18, 2016 - blytheville afb photos | Blytheville Air Force Base, Blytheville . Many buildings are gone, and will continue to disappear. There were VIP transports (designated VC-47A/B) and there were SC-47s used as search and rescue aircraft. Blytheville Air Force Base, Blytheville . On January 23rd, 2022, it was announced that the former dorms would be demolished. Who knew that 41 years later I would have a new Mustang or even still be alive. This has led to the current dilapidated state of some buildings. This area was developed pursuant to guidelines established by the Federal Housing Administration , and is laid out with . There were trainer versions designated TC-47 and reconnaissance versions designated RC-47. Home of 96th Bombardment Wing: 1953-1957; 11th . 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. Pilot Mike Bush, Co Pilot Larry J Houser, EWO Wayne Carver, Navagtor Doug "D.R" Kincannon, Gunner Jack Alexander. Airman First Class Monex Thomas of the Blytheville Air Force Base died in an aircraft training incident on August 1 1982. Base Closure What happened to Blytheville, Arkansas? BX and Cafeteria. 1950's. Janet Austin - Duplessis. 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. It was good to see jets setting on the tarmac, even if they are only civilian jets. While the B-52Hs remained on nuclear alert standby, the G models were used in the conventional bombing role after the first few nights of cruise missile strikes; at first, this was done at low altitude, but switched to high altitude later onnot because of the threat of Iraqi air defenses, which had been badly degraded, but of the psychological effect. Community Profile: Blytheville, Ark., Spreads Its Wings after Air Force Base Closing. In 1990, Blythevilles population was 23,443. Three crewmen died in the crash. B52 for his quick thinking, response to a crisis, and heroic duties. For nearly 50 years, residents of Blytheville, Ark., proudly supported the Air Force base in their town. It worked very well and it was how I towed my new 1972 Suzuki GT750J from my parent's home in Alma the 300 miles to Blytheville Air Force Base. And the United States was about to enter war with Saddam Hussein. A photo of my Mustang in the snow at Barker's Trailerpark in Blytheville Arkansas. The hospital is also a very large (plan wise) building, so it is very possible to get lost inside the building without a map. BLYTHEVILLE, Ark. 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 thanked my dad for my upbringing. 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. If you served in Blytheville Air Force Base, Join TWS for free to reconnect with service friends. Since its organization on 21 March 1946, SAC had continuously used C-47s or Gooney Birds as they were usually called, for support and administrative purposes. . The KC135, along with the B52 is one of the only fixed wing aircraft with over fifty years of service. In 1988, the based was renamed to honor World War II General, Ira C. Eaker. New in 1960. Armament: Four defensive .50-cal. There was no need for the Global Shield. All of these were under the Strategic Air Command. Stock photos, 360 images, vectors and videos. 97th Bomb Wing has a long and honorable history. The small gold Hap Arnold Wings that appear just below my name tag was a gift from the widow of a deceased WWII USAAF pilot. Honorable Discharged at the rank of E5 Staff Sgt. The National Cold War Center is planned to be the largest collection of history and information on the decades that made up the war in the world. Everything from a static display of a B52 Stratofortress (which the Arkansas Aeroplex hopes to someday acquire), to letters from soldiers to their families overseas. action specifically caters to closures and revitalization of U.S. military bases. (photo courtesy of Delta) On Tuesday, June 2, 2020, Delta Air Lines . Links: Thule AFB . 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. It was also a B-52 that made the first airborne hydrogen bomb drop over Bikini Atoll on May 21, 1956. 732 of the aircraft were specifically aerial tankers. 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. Doors and numerous truckloads of metal were being hauled off the alert pad. The airfield was used as the Southeastern Training Command's flight training school, which closed in October 1945 after the Second World War ended. Only ten B-52Gs survive today as museum pieces. Formerly the site of family housing for Eaker Air Force Base, Westminster Village is a non-profit community. Unbeknownst to the crew, over seventy percent of the vertical stabilizer and rudder assembly had been sheared off. 766 th BS headquarters. Buildings, schools, hospitals, hotels, restaurants, car . Communism had shriveled in the world. After extensive renovations, the "BAFB Exhibition", at the former Blytheville/Eaker Air Force Base, is open for business. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. When Castle closed in 1995, 57-6486 was retired and sent to AMARG in Arizona; it was scrapped soon thereafter as part of the START arms reduction treaty. Love Photoshop, a little bit of work and #3 does a flyby just for me 41 years later. This had the added benefit of giving the gunner an ejection seat, eliminating the need for a manual bailout system. 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. 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. 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. 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 . of conventional or nuclear bombs, Engines: Eight Pratt & Whitney J57s of 12,100 lbs. Nearly 750 were built before production ended in the fall of 1962; 170 of these were B-52Ds. In its prime, it housed over 3,000 service members, and a whole fleet of Strategic Air Command B52 BUFF Stratofortresses. [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. Photo from Facebook. "Valkyrie" would fly a few more missions during the war, the only time she would drop bombs in anger. Blytheville, Walnut Ridge, Grider, Newport, Stuttgart, and Adams Field. At 14 I was hopping buses and trains and hanging out with friends in surrounding towns. It is planned to be its own exhibit within the system of buildings. . During the weekend of February 21st, 2022, the former N.C.O. The KC135 replaced the KC97, as the latter could not keep up with newer, larger and faster aircraft. Air Base Group Headquarters. My Heritage. 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. The Ritz Theater from the outside circa. The accounting & financing building has a large and open floor plan. [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. Though, local organizations and legal entities constantly fight to preserve the base. BLYTHEVILLE ARMY AIRFIELD 1942. This facility trained Army Air Cadets on Beechcraft AT-10 Wichita advanced trainer planes to learn to fly North American B-25 Mitchell bombers in all theaters of World War 2. Notable people who were stationed at the base durring this time include Carl Jr. and Frank . [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. Find the perfect adversary concept stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. 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 . If you wish to support our current and future work, please consider making a donation or purchasing one of our many books. 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. As the 97th Bomb Group it's B-17 were the first to drop bombs on the Germans in France in 1942. We share a body likeness and dress and I had an orange helmet but most of the time I wore my Easy Rider Flag helmet. [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. Holes in the roof create entryways for birds and rain. Old Movies. In 1988, the facility was renamed Eaker Air Force Base in honor of World War II General of the Eighth Air Force, Ira C. Eaker. 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 are some items of interest in this photo of things that didn't appear on my uniform. Photo Gallery. Arkansas had six Army airfields. 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). The boom is controlled by an operator lying prone under the cargo deck of the aircraft. In the Monett City Park is displayed the USAF Thunderbird F-4E Phantom II #3 Jet. The 2nd Bombardment Wing (H) at Barksdale AFB acquired the plane a second time in February 1987. U.S. Since then, there have been only 744 aircraft built by Boeing. Dave Howell, RN Bob Gilbert, Gunner Rick Watson, EW Chuck Kinkhead, N Can't remember, CP Kevin Rice. This would determine if the base could go on operating in the future, or if it was deemed unnecessary to continue service. It was immediately assigned to the 72nd Bombardment Wing (Heavy) at Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico. 2, no. Blytheville Air Force Base aka Eaker Air Force Base. Hill Aerospace Museum officially received the aircraft for static display on July 11, 1991. Currently, the main tarmac is used as Blythevilles airport. by Ryan Nix, Photos by Jamison Mosley. These jets were flown from 1969 to Feb 1974 when they were retired due to the oil crisis. 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. Today it is 14,011. Operated by the 97th Bombardment Wing based at Eaker AFB, Blytheville AR. The nine surviving jets are scattered from coast to coast most of them restored and on display. MEMORIES. In June 1965 B-52s entered combat in Southeast Asia. The 456th completed deployments to Anderson AB in Guam with this B-52G. My 1966 Ford Mustang was setting in the parking lot the day we watched this jet fly. The Blytheville Air Force Base Alert Center and Alert Apron constructed as part of a national expansion of Strategic Air Command Facilities across the United States and its Territories, to help in creating a "program to safeguard nuclear deterrence" through the SAC Alert program. The 17th Bombardment Wing (H) at Anderson AB was this aircraft's next duty station, arriving there in January 1973. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. In the politically correct 2000s, nose art has been hidden in wheel-well doors or, in the case of the A-10, behind the integral ladder door, and often as not, simply does not exist. Places to visit . No photo description available. KC-135A - 61-0267 - 97th BW, Blytheville Air Force Base by Darren Currie 19 International Air Tattoo 1987 - RAF Fairford. 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. See original furniture from the famous alert compound, pictures, uniforms & other memorabilia including a . In the bomb bay were ADM-20 Quail decoys. 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. On 7 July 1971 SACs last C-47 was transferred to the USS Alabama Monument Commission. A strong gust of wind has pushed the rear of the aircraft left then right. 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. Would love hear your stories or your thoughts. 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. A B52 with a full nuclear payload, is the seventh most powerful country in the world.. Microscopy, Atomic Force Pulmonary Ventilation Acoustic Impedance Tests. Blytheville AFB became fully operational when it was equipped with a wing of three squadrons of B-57 bomber on 19 July 1955. 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. 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. It was located 3 miles (5 km) northwest of central Blytheville, Arkansas. Arkansas Razorbacks. It launched rescue missions from the base to Grenada in 1983 and in August 1990, the pilots of the 97th Bomber Wing began practicing for missions in the Middle East and eventually supported Operation Desert Storm. It boasted a vibrant downtown and it had an eclectic population due to the wide variety of people the base brought to the city. 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. The facility now operates as the Arkansas Aeroplex and Arkansas International Airport. 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. 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!" 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. Club was demolished. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . The worst building on base is the hospital. of conventional or nuclear bombs, www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=294. Building 1225, will be added to the collection of buildings as part of the future National Cold War Center. 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. Eaker AFB was selected for closure under the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round of 1991. As a kid in nearby Jonesboro, our cub scout pack got to visit what was then Blytheville AFB. 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. An exploration of the base's history and its impact on the community. Ash. Eleven of these jets were flown from 1969 to Feb 1974 when they were retired due to the oil crisis. Ritz. 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. 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 . "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. 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. 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. 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. Find Blytheville Air Force Base stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. Like many B-52s, 58-0183 was shuttled around through several units--in this case, no less than eleven bomb wings. 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. It was retired in July 1991 and donated to the Pima Air and Space Museum in Arizona. Gym - Center of Wing's Athletic Activities. Ash worked from a photograph of the B-52 Blytheville plane.