Blytheville Air Force Base
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. It was located 3 miles (4.8 km) northwest of Blytheville, Arkansas. The facility now operates as the Arkansas Aeroplex and Arkansas International Airport.
| 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 Eaker AFB | |
| Coordinates | 35°57′52″N 89°56′38″W |
| Type | Air Force Base |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Army Air Forces Eastern Flying Training Command (1942-1945)
Continental Air Forces (1945-1946)
Air Materiel Command (1946) |
| Site history | |
| Built | Blytheville Army Airfield - May 10, 1942; Blytheville Air Force Base - August 9, 1954 |
| In use | 1942–1946, 1953–1992 |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | 25th Two-Engine Flying Training Group (1942-1945)
461st Bombardment Wing (1956–1958) |