Blytheville Air Force Base

Eaker Air Force Base
Blytheville Air Force Base
Blytheville Army Airfield
  
Part of Strategic Air Command/Tactical Air Command
Blytheville, Arkansas
The former base's control tower
Eaker AFB is located in Arkansas
Eaker AFB
Eaker AFB
Eaker AFB is located in the United States
Eaker AFB
Eaker AFB
Coordinates35°57′52″N 89°56′38″W / 35.96444°N 89.94389°W / 35.96444; -89.94389
TypeAir Force Base
Site information
Controlled byArmy Air Forces Eastern Flying Training Command (1942-1945)

Continental Air Forces (1945-1946) Air Materiel Command (1946)
Tactical Air Command (1954–1958)

Strategic Air Command (1959–1991)
Site history
BuiltBlytheville Army Airfield - May 10, 1942; Blytheville Air Force Base - August 9, 1954
In use1942–1946, 1953–1992
Garrison information
Occupants25th Two-Engine Flying Training Group (1942-1945)

461st Bombardment Wing (1956–1958)

97th Bombardment Wing (1959–1991)

Blytheville Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base that operated under the Tactical Air Command and Strategic Air Command from 1954 until its closure in 1992. The facility originally served as a B-25 pilot training school during WW2. For the majority of its operation, the base served as a home for SAC's B-52 ground alert program. 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.[1] It was located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. The facility now operates as the Arkansas Aeroplex and Arkansas International Airport.