As a former SAC-trained killer (retired in '91), this video is depressing. While none of the bases I served at closed, all had reduced roles. What were once thriving military communities are just gone. Sad, sad.
83-87 Minot...Carried piece of junk 60's (most of my tour) that would stovepipe and an M-16 (I rarely touched) with a tri-muzzle brake, both Vietnam era. Did missiles, back office and flight line, was Fire Team/Airborne Fire Team. Loved many of the foil packs at the LCF, couldn't get enough of the au gratin potatoes. Played enough pool, hearts and spades for a lifetime. Hated those stupid Peacekeepers, they were hot as hell in the summer and cold as sh*t in the winter and broke down constantly. They have one on display at the Warner Robins AF Museum.
Pease and Plattsburgh AFB. In one of the pictures at Pease AFB, three shields are present. One of them is of the 509th Bomb Wing. That very shield in the picture is on my living room wall.
Grew up in Utica NY and our neighborhood was in the landing pattern for Griffiss. The BUFFs and KC-135s became like white noise because they still were flying 24/7. Griffiss was the first SAC base to have the ALCM and they had four BUFFs at the ready line for scramble. The TAC 49th FIS was also assigned to Griffiss flying the F106 which was also a loud smoker. I was in the Civil Air Patrol as a cadet and we were able to occasionally go on KC135 refueling missions which were usually off the Atlantic seaboard. So cool. The BRAC devastated Rome, NY but actually if you visit the site today they’ve totally rejuvenated the base with all sort of public and private investment. The 12,000 foot runway was an alternate landing site for the space shuttle. Visiting Plattsburg was cool too with their FB111’s.
When we were in Oscoda, MI Pop would take us to Wurtsmith and we would sit at the end of a runway, while the B-52's would be taking off or landing. It was so exciting. While on vacation one time, in Harrisville, MI I was on the beach (Lake Huron) and I saw this dot over the lake. It got bigger and bigger and I finally recognized it as a B-52. It was coming right at me at a low altitude. As it flew overhead, I waved and I could see the pilot wave back, it was that low. I never worried about being nuked, because I knew how strong SAC was. What a time to be a kid.
i was lucky, Castle AFB was still working when i made a steel delivery there. i was just on the other side of a fence from the B-52’s these planes were wired up to start up at a monuments notice. there was one plane at the end of the runway idling. did not take off till one landed. then another sat in that spot idling for the hr i sat there. What a sight. as a American i was proud i had this chance to see these marvels in real life.
I was a Sac Trained Killer from 1966-1968...saw the base changed from Bunker Hill to Grissom.....been to Pease, Westover, Thule, Osan, and McGuire....I fixed things....got dirty...got out in late 69....thank you Mr Nixon.
I didn't see Pinecastle AFB / McCoy AFB mentioned. It was south of Orlando, FL In 1975 the base was turned over to the US Navy for support buildings and housing during the Naval Training Center (Orlando) years of operation, until the NTC was also shut down, leaving NTC Great Lakes as the only Naval Training Center. The flight facilities were turned over to McCoy Jetport, which became Orlando International Airport. the designation for Orlando International Airport is "MCO" to this day.
Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson Az. Home of the 390th Strategic Missile Wing. The first operational Titan 2 missile wing in the USAF. We had several underground missile silos surrounding the city during the Cold War. These missiles were designed to strike targets in Russia (if launched) and were a big part of SAC’s mission during the Cold War. DM was a SAC base until 1976.
@@Mr.SugarFoot spent an evening at the Airline Drive In theatre during a Westover alert. Watched , but could not hear, the Guns of Navarone on the screen as B52’s took off right over our heads 15 seconds apart, no noise abatement, fully loaded with nukes and fuel. I could still see the wheels turning on the landing gear as they were being retracted. Happiest days of my life.
My grandfather served until 1970 when the 99th BWH moved to Barksdale. My grandparents lived in Fairview just outside the Nothern Gate, I lived in East Longmeadow at the time.
@@dagger6467 my grandparents lived on Speight Arden near corner of elm..my uncle owned B&B Meat Market and Buckley Pharmacy by the library..we lived on Mellinger ln..our family lives in South Hadley by the college..I’m off 202 in line with runway 15…before we moved to the base we lived on Harkness/Gifford st..big yellow house at those lights
I worked at RADC/RomeLab at Griffiss AFB before the closure nice place. My dad served in SAC during Korea all over the place but particularly at several DEW line Radar bases above the Artic Circle
I was stationed at Griffiss AFB 78-80 and Plattsburg 81-83 as avionics tech. The scale of these bases was enormous, they were each like a midsize town with shopping, gyms, schools, hospitals and power plants, even golf courses! I’ve been back to both places and seen some other bases repurposed for industrial and residential. I really enjoyed my time in the USAF and learned things that I took with me into civilian life. Heading to Denver and will visit the Lowry AFB museum, I got my electronics training at Lowry.
In 1972, between tours in South East Asia, I was assigned to Matagorda Island Air Force Range, TX, which was a SAC "base". It was on an island about 8 miles or so out in the Gulf of Mexico off of Port O'Connor. It was used by B-52 and F-4 crews to hone their bombing skills before deploying to SEA. One of my jobs was to score the bomb drops. I have to say, the BUFF crews were amazing, they were spot on from 35000ft (as I recall) but the F-4's used to have trouble hitting the island in a dive from less than 10000ft. It was the only SAC base I was ever stationed on during my career.
Carswell of course became a Naval Joint Reserve Base. The base roads that had been named after lost SAC aircrew since the 1940’s were renamed after celebrated Navy personnel, but I think this is normal in these changeovers.
My dad was in ATC, but for a couple of years we were stationed at the SAC base in Amarillo Texas. Watching those b-52's take off during an alert was freaking awesome.
410th SPS K.I. Sawyer for 4.5 months. Was reassigned to USAFE due to an AFSC mismatch. The advantage of being a K9 handler on a base without dogs. The locals were generally good to us but one tried to blow up the POL tanks.
Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro North Carolina was a SAC base and a TAC base. It's still operating as a training base for the F15E Strike Eagles. The 916th Air Refueling Wing, a reserve unit, has recently been equipped with the KC46 Pegasus tanker that replaced the KC135s.
‘SAC trained killer’ here, also last of the Cold Warriors and last of the tailboard riders as a firefighter. Stationed at Wurtsmith ‘81 to mid-‘83 and Castle from ‘85 to ‘93. Got out on the early-out program. Once SAC was melded with TAC to make Air Combat Command (ACC), I knew it was time to leave. It was the saddest day for me as I took my uniform off for the last time. It meant that all my awards and decorations were no longer a visual record of my career, my rank at E5 didn’t matter to anyone but my DD214; I was no longer different from others. Now, what separates me and others is one of a few ball caps (and my desert cammo boonie hat) with hat pins that I wear almost daily. I meet other vets from the various services and that’s helpful. I was in Nashville, TN and Huntsville, AL and was essentially assaulted by everyone thanking me for my service. It’s appreciated but uncomfortable. Don’t thank me for my service as it was both an honor and a privilege to serve this, the greatest country ever devised by man.
Griffiss was my first duty assignment, and I wound up at McClellan a few years later. Went to Leadership school at Mather. Yeah, that was a long time ago.
I was on the KC-135 Lead the Force inspection team for four years from 1970 to 74. Each year, we did structural inspections on 32 high-time aircraft at 22 different SAC bases. I've been to all the bases in this video except Griffiss. I put many miles on my old Triumph TR6, which I still drive.
As a teenager I live in castle gardens outside the main gate of castle AFB. The dad retired I I watched for years as B-52s headed towards the Vietnam war. Eventually I would head towards that war. Lots of fond memories of Castle. LeMay kept the Russians awake at night. Too bad we don’t have leaders like that anymore.
I also served in the Strategic Air Command toward the end of the Vietnam war. I also served at Carswell AFB, now known as Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Ft. Worth. JJG
@@jaym8257 This video shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated. For a list of all base closures see the video link below: ua-cam.com/video/f-8NWqTI85k/v-deo.htmlsi=jMSSFZQllrgijGdI
2:06: Loring AFB West Gate. That was the BEST and most coveted post on base. It was where all the dependent wives and daughters entered the base. This was the #1 place for skycops to engage with women. I was stationed there from 1970-1971. I could tell you some wild stories about what happened there! ( The photo was taken AFTER I was there!)
As you were an SP and I a lowly navigator, exactly how did moose, a rather large mammal get on base? A base that housed some interesting weapons. And how did they get on the runway? Asking for a friend.
@@stuartdavis798 I cannot speak for the moose. I'd bet that large portions of the base were not fenced off, and the moose simply walked on base. Of course, we did have what we called "buffarillos" (a cross between a buffalo and a gorilla) that were known to hang out at the NCO club....
Guess it was just about the better known SAC bases - Bergstrom was a SAC base in the 50s and 60s before it changed over to TAC. The old alert pad is now the cargo ramp for the Austin Bergstrom International Airport - the only thing really left from the AFB is the reconditioned main runway and the 'donut' that was 12th AF HQ. I only knew it as a TAC base for the RF-4C fleet while I was growing up....but I do vaguely recall that I think they did keep the 'Peace is our Profession' statement on the water tank that was near the main gate while it was a TAC base. IDK my memory isn't what it once was
This video shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated. For a list of all base closures see the video link below: ua-cam.com/video/f-8NWqTI85k/v-deo.htmlsi=jMSSFZQllrgijGdI
I was an AF brat when my father was stationed there in 1965/1966 when the base was turned over to the US Navy. We lived on base housing. I loved my time there.
Yep....My Dad was stationed there,and I was born there!! AND, I served in SAC at Seymour Johnson. I would have stayed on AD for 30 years if they had left me in SAC....🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
I was stationed at Pease from October 65 till January 69. Fire protection specialist. With a 2 month TDY to Thule Greenland Febuary 1968 for a broken arrow nuke clean up.
Where is Clinton-Sherman, AFB, Oklahoma? I was stationed there, with the 4123rd, later the 70th BW, from 10/61-07/65. It was an old Navy base before and the closure in 1970.
@@Jerry-qt6lt This video shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated. For a list of all base closures see the video link below: ua-cam.com/video/f-8NWqTI85k/v-deo.htmlsi=jMSSFZQllrgijGdI
How about Amarillo AFB? Every armed forces day we would be bussed out to the base and google up close the birds that thundered over our homes day and night. October 1962 was particularly interesting. If I recall, it closed in 1967. I think you can still see the weapons bunkers from I- 40 east.
What about Rickenbacker AFB outside of Columbus, Ohio ???? it was a SAC Base in it's heyday, it's now called Rickenbacker International Airport and also serves as a Air National Guard base and home to KC-135s
There was also Glasgow in SE Montana. Only lasted a few years since there is Malmstrom MT, Minot ND, and Grand Forks ND all still active. Probably a poor choice to start with.
All SAC bases whether former or currently active are former SAC bases as SAC no longer exists. I had the misfortune of being stuck at Offutt for seven long years.
@@Eddie42023 I was stationed there from July 1985 to July 1992. I am from Oklahoma. Living in aksarbeN during that time meant I had to deal with “Go Big Red” constantly. I hate the Cornholers. And it is way too cold there for a large portion of the year. But I did meet my spousal unit there and our first child was born there so there were a couple of bright spots. Lol.
This video shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated. For a list of all base closures see the video link below: ua-cam.com/video/f-8NWqTI85k/v-deo.htmlsi=jMSSFZQllrgijGdI
when castle closed, it was rough. to look at anything beyond the chapel, it looks abandoned. there were a few businesses that started there afterwards...aviation challenge, allco manufacturing etc..nothing really held out though. bottom line, merced county was in such bad shape after the base closures that local businesses started pushing for a uc in merced. well, they got it finally. as usual merced county did piss poor planning for this and didn't build any infrastructure to support the uc so...rent is now 1400 (average) a month for studios and the sky is the limit on houses. both of the base housing complexes were made into gated communities and the rents there are extremely high. keeping in mind who lives here, migrants that work in the fields and working people, the struggle is real. right now there are 100,000 people plus living in merced city proper, and STILL nothing for their kids to do. meanwhile that borg cube they call a uc is destroying the very fabric of the county. so yeah... i really miss the base, the order it brought and the people that manned it.
@@rickforespring4834 Thank you for sharing this information. The community surrounding bases like Castle and Loring, are some of the ones that have never recovered. 😔
@@ColdWarFilms1947. Wasn’t a SAC Base, but Craig AFB in Selma, AL closed in 1977. Even though there’s ’some’ industry & state government on the Base, Selma’s never recovered from the closing; it’s a shell of its former self & getting worse each day.
That’s sad to read about Merced. I was base fire dept from ‘85 to ‘93. I loved going to the little mall with my now ex and just walking around, then stopping for lunch at Sweetwater (or Sweetriver) Saloon for cocktails and food. Not much at the mall, so just lunch and maybe a haircut at the hair salon. Miss those days. Oh, the reason it seemed that Merced and Atwater seemed to have a sense of order was that AFOSI would cruise the local neighborhoods and if you looked like you just didn’t belong or had arrived recently, you might have a sit down with OSI. A lot of problems were chased out of the area, especially gang members looking to expand to new territory.
Good thing BRAC shut down every single active duty flying bases in the Northeast!????Heaven forbid we keep bases near trouble spots and the Great Circle fought distance over the pole in favor of bases all through the South…..politics over defense…
Those were ATC bases, and not SAC Bases. For a list of all Continental bases closed since 1960, check out the video link below: ua-cam.com/video/f-8NWqTI85k/v-deo.htmlsi=DHD1qS97vcl-OMe0
When my father was there in 71-73 it was a TAC base. I believe it closed in 73 or 74. I think there is a drag strip there now. We went from Topeka to Whiteman AFB in Knob Noster Mo., actually got to tour a Minuteman Missile “hole” when I was 8. Dad also served as a launch officer at FE Warren in Wyoming from 64 to 69 before spending 18 months at Udon AFB in Bangkok Thailand. I’m very proud of his service.
You forgot former SAC bases in North Dakota Grand Forks AFB 319th Bomb Wing but still an active base but has a different mission of ISR. They base flies the Global Hawk mission under Air Combat Command along with Minot AFB still active and part of Air Force Global Strike Command and still flying the heavies the B-52H of the 5th Bomb Wing.
This video shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated. For a list of all base closures see the video link below: ua-cam.com/video/f-8NWqTI85k/v-deo.htmlsi=jMSSFZQllrgijGdI
@@marka8947 Me, too, ‘87-‘89. Loved it when the one alert tanker had a female crew member lying poolside. In fact, was Mather the only BUFF base with a pool at the alert facility?
I was there from 1974-80. Did several TDYs. I'm not sure if Mather had the only alert pool, but it was nice! Got tossed in it on my birthday and when I was short.
Too bad the picture of the alert pad is not actually Mather. It has a completely different configuration. Just look at the overhead in the photo before. That’s the correct alert pad. BTW… Mather is a thriving residential and business community now and an air cargo hub.
@@Iv198 My Bad! Your are correct. The Alert Area shown is NOT Mather. I must have mixed up the photos in editing, because I found the correct photo. I appreciate your bringing it to my attention. Thank you.
I was hoping to see my former base but it didn't come up. I guess you can't get them all but here are some a lot of people know. Glasgow AFB, MT (91st Bomb Wing); Minot AFB, ND; Grand Forks AFB, ND, Malstrom AFB, MT, Fairchild AFB, Washington;; Elmendorf, AFB, Alaska; Eielsen AFB, Alaska, Moody AFB, GA. Lots of other bases run by the Guard like the 126th ARW at O'Hare ARF, IL.
@@clyderokke5409 This video shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated. For a list of all base closures see the video link below: ua-cam.com/video/f-8NWqTI85k/v-deo.htmlsi=jMSSFZQllrgijGdI
@@tedrussell902 This video shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated. For a list of all base closures see the video link below: ua-cam.com/video/f-8NWqTI85k/v-deo.htmlsi=jMSSFZQllrgijGdI
This video shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated. For a list of all base closures see the video link below: ua-cam.com/video/f-8NWqTI85k/v-deo.htmlsi=jMSSFZQllrgijGdI
This video shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated. For a list of all base closures see the video link below: ua-cam.com/video/f-8NWqTI85k/v-deo.htmlsi=jMSSFZQllrgijGdI
This video shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated. For a list of all base closures see the video link below: ua-cam.com/video/f-8NWqTI85k/v-deo.htmlsi=jMSSFZQllrgijGdI
To all our Cold War Veterans, Thank You For Your Service.
As a former SAC-trained killer (retired in '91), this video is depressing. While none of the bases I served at closed, all had reduced roles. What were once thriving military communities are just gone. Sad, sad.
Agreed. My career was 1983-2012....and I also was "SAC-um-sized" in my first assignment as an ICBM crewmember.
83-87 Minot...Carried piece of junk 60's (most of my tour) that would stovepipe and an M-16 (I rarely touched) with a tri-muzzle brake, both Vietnam era. Did missiles, back office and flight line, was Fire Team/Airborne Fire Team. Loved many of the foil packs at the LCF, couldn't get enough of the au gratin potatoes. Played enough pool, hearts and spades for a lifetime. Hated those stupid Peacekeepers, they were hot as hell in the summer and cold as sh*t in the winter and broke down constantly. They have one on display at the Warner Robins AF Museum.
Pease and Plattsburgh AFB. In one of the pictures at Pease AFB, three shields are present. One of them is of the 509th Bomb Wing. That very shield in the picture is on my living room wall.
Grew up in Utica NY and our neighborhood was in the landing pattern for Griffiss. The BUFFs and KC-135s became like white noise because they still were flying 24/7. Griffiss was the first SAC base to have the ALCM and they had four BUFFs at the ready line for scramble. The TAC 49th FIS was also assigned to Griffiss flying the F106 which was also a loud smoker. I was in the Civil Air Patrol as a cadet and we were able to occasionally go on KC135 refueling missions which were usually off the Atlantic seaboard. So cool. The BRAC devastated Rome, NY but actually if you visit the site today they’ve totally rejuvenated the base with all sort of public and private investment. The 12,000 foot runway was an alternate landing site for the space shuttle. Visiting Plattsburg was cool too with their FB111’s.
@@chrishackett554 I remember the great Italian restaurants in Utica! And Rome, for that matter!
I was at WESTOVER 69-71 when it was in full B-52 mode. I will never forget.
I was raised in Chicopee Ma. I miss the sound of a B52 or a KC 135 flying over my house. The sound of freedom.
I was westover circa 1958
When we were in Oscoda, MI Pop would take us to Wurtsmith and we would sit at the end of a runway, while the B-52's would be taking off or landing. It was so exciting. While on vacation one time, in Harrisville, MI I was on the beach (Lake Huron) and I saw this dot over the lake. It got bigger and bigger and I finally recognized it as a B-52. It was coming right at me at a low altitude. As it flew overhead, I waved and I could see the pilot wave back, it was that low. I never worried about being nuked, because I knew how strong SAC was. What a time to be a kid.
Loved Wurtsmith..14 years stationed there..
i was lucky, Castle AFB was still working when i made a steel delivery there. i was just on the other side of a fence from the B-52’s
these planes were wired up to start up at a monuments notice. there was one plane at the end of the runway idling. did not take off till one landed. then another sat in that spot idling for the hr i sat there.
What a sight. as a American i was proud i had this chance to see these marvels in real life.
I loved living near Castle
I was a Sac Trained Killer from 1966-1968...saw the base changed from Bunker Hill to Grissom.....been to Pease, Westover, Thule, Osan, and McGuire....I fixed things....got dirty...got out in late 69....thank you Mr Nixon.
I didn't see Pinecastle AFB / McCoy AFB mentioned. It was south of Orlando, FL In 1975 the base was turned over to the US Navy for support buildings and housing during the Naval Training Center (Orlando) years of operation, until the NTC was also shut down, leaving NTC Great Lakes as the only Naval Training Center. The flight facilities were turned over to McCoy Jetport, which became Orlando International Airport. the designation for Orlando International Airport is "MCO" to this day.
@@ScottTaylor-t1w This video only shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated.
Once primary reason for closing McCoy was the over development around it. The '72 B-52 crash off base did not help its future.
Always wondered how Orlando got its MCO designation. Now I know. 👍🇺🇸
Amarillo AFB was a SAC base, closed in ‘69. Used for a while to repair helicopters damaged in Vietnam
Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson Az. Home of the 390th Strategic Missile Wing. The first operational Titan 2 missile wing in the USAF. We had several underground missile silos surrounding the city during the Cold War. These missiles were designed to strike targets in Russia (if launched) and were a big part of SAC’s mission during the Cold War. DM was a SAC base until 1976.
I got to dm in 75 and participated in the hand over to tac
We lived at Westover from 1981-1996! Now the base is just a reserve base with 4-6 (C-5 Ms)..in the 80s there were planes always coming and going!
@@Mr.SugarFoot spent an evening at the Airline Drive In theatre during a Westover alert. Watched , but could not hear, the Guns of Navarone on the screen as B52’s took off right over our heads 15 seconds apart, no noise abatement, fully loaded with nukes and fuel. I could still see the wheels turning on the landing gear as they were being retracted. Happiest days of my life.
My grandfather served until 1970 when the 99th BWH moved to Barksdale. My grandparents lived in Fairview just outside the Nothern Gate, I lived in East Longmeadow at the time.
@@dagger6467 my grandparents lived on Speight Arden near corner of elm..my uncle owned B&B Meat Market and Buckley Pharmacy by the library..we lived on Mellinger ln..our family lives in South Hadley by the college..I’m off 202 in line with runway 15…before we moved to the base we lived on Harkness/Gifford st..big yellow house at those lights
@@Mr.SugarFoot They lived on Boulay Circle then down to Pondview Drive by Bellamy Middle School. I went 1 year there.
@@dagger6467 I went to Bellamy for one year then to comp graduated in 85 and just went in the Air Force for four years
I worked at RADC/RomeLab at Griffiss AFB before the closure nice place. My dad served in SAC during Korea all over the place but particularly at several DEW line Radar bases above the Artic Circle
Loved to watch from perimeter road at Griffiss AFB as the 52s took off and landed.
Kinchloe AFB is now Chippewa County Airport with some business's . I was there 74-75 then to Griffiss AFB 75-77.
Been in/out of there a few times lately. Sister lives in Rudyard.
I was likewise at the Griff from 75-77. Kinchloe I visited a few years after it closed. A lot of it was being used as a medium security prison.
I was stationed at Griffiss AFB 78-80 and Plattsburg 81-83 as avionics tech. The scale of these bases was enormous, they were each like a midsize town with shopping, gyms, schools, hospitals and power plants, even golf courses! I’ve been back to both places and seen some other bases repurposed for industrial and residential. I really enjoyed my time in the USAF and learned things that I took with me into civilian life. Heading to Denver and will visit the Lowry AFB museum, I got my electronics training at Lowry.
96th SPS Dyess AFB '79 to 83'. Awesome experience! SAC was awesome.
In 1972, between tours in South East Asia, I was assigned to Matagorda Island Air Force Range, TX, which was a SAC "base". It was on an island about 8 miles or so out in the Gulf of Mexico off of Port O'Connor. It was used by B-52 and F-4 crews to hone their bombing skills before deploying to SEA. One of my jobs was to score the bomb drops. I have to say, the BUFF crews were amazing, they were spot on from 35000ft (as I recall) but the F-4's used to have trouble hitting the island in a dive from less than 10000ft. It was the only SAC base I was ever stationed on during my career.
Carswell of course became a Naval Joint Reserve Base. The base roads that had been named after lost SAC aircrew since the 1940’s were renamed after celebrated Navy personnel, but I think this is normal in these changeovers.
Served there from 1963 - 1966 B-52 Recovery team & 1970 to 1979, retiring as
B-52 Bomber Branch Chief.
I lived on Plattsburgh Air Force Base from 1970 to 1972. Lived in one of housing units to right of the main base gate in the picture.
Visited Griffiss a few times, many years ago.
My dad was in ATC, but for a couple of years we were stationed at the SAC base in Amarillo Texas. Watching those b-52's take off during an alert was freaking awesome.
410th SPS K.I. Sawyer for 4.5 months. Was reassigned to USAFE due to an AFSC mismatch. The advantage of being a K9 handler on a base without dogs. The locals were generally good to us but one tried to blow up the POL tanks.
I didn't see Burpelson AFB.
@@davidfifer4729 🤣🤣🤣
It lacked Purity of Essence......
Mandrake come over here the redcoats are coming
Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro North Carolina was a SAC base and a TAC base. It's still operating as a training base for the F15E Strike Eagles. The 916th Air Refueling Wing, a reserve unit, has recently been equipped with the KC46 Pegasus tanker that replaced the KC135s.
‘SAC trained killer’ here, also last of the Cold Warriors and last of the tailboard riders as a firefighter. Stationed at Wurtsmith ‘81 to mid-‘83 and Castle from ‘85 to ‘93. Got out on the early-out program. Once SAC was melded with TAC to make Air Combat Command (ACC), I knew it was time to leave. It was the saddest day for me as I took my uniform off for the last time. It meant that all my awards and decorations were no longer a visual record of my career, my rank at E5 didn’t matter to anyone but my DD214; I was no longer different from others.
Now, what separates me and others is one of a few ball caps (and my desert cammo boonie hat) with hat pins that I wear almost daily. I meet other vets from the various services and that’s helpful. I was in Nashville, TN and Huntsville, AL and was essentially assaulted by everyone thanking me for my service. It’s appreciated but uncomfortable. Don’t thank me for my service as it was both an honor and a privilege to serve this, the greatest country ever devised by man.
Loring AFB Caribou, Maine....1984 to 1987. 42CES 42nd Bomb wing 8th Air Force
Was stationed at Mather and the Griff, but spent some time at most of those bases half a lifetime ago!
Griffiss was my first duty assignment, and I wound up at McClellan a few years later. Went to Leadership school at Mather. Yeah, that was a long time ago.
Walker AFB, Roswell, New Mexico... B-29s, B-36s & B-52s closed 1968.
I was on the KC-135 Lead the Force inspection team for four years from 1970 to 74. Each year, we did structural inspections on 32 high-time aircraft at 22 different SAC bases. I've been to all the bases in this video except Griffiss. I put many miles on my old Triumph TR6, which I still drive.
As a teenager I live in castle gardens outside the main gate of castle AFB. The dad retired I I watched for years as B-52s headed towards the Vietnam war. Eventually I would head towards that war. Lots of fond memories of Castle. LeMay kept the Russians awake at night. Too bad we don’t have leaders like that anymore.
I also served in the Strategic Air Command toward the end of the Vietnam war. I also served at Carswell AFB, now known as Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Ft. Worth. JJG
What about Chennault AFB? When I was a wee little kid I remember the B 47s. I think it closed in about 1962.
@@jaym8257 This video shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated. For a list of all base closures see the video link below:
ua-cam.com/video/f-8NWqTI85k/v-deo.htmlsi=jMSSFZQllrgijGdI
2:06: Loring AFB West Gate. That was the BEST and most coveted post on base. It was where all the dependent wives and daughters entered the base. This was the #1 place for skycops to engage with women. I was stationed there from 1970-1971. I could tell you some wild stories about what happened there! ( The photo was taken AFTER I was there!)
As you were an SP and I a lowly navigator, exactly how did moose, a rather large mammal get on base? A base that housed some interesting weapons. And how did they get on the runway? Asking for a friend.
@@stuartdavis798 I cannot speak for the moose. I'd bet that large portions of the base were not fenced off, and the moose simply walked on base. Of course, we did have what we called "buffarillos" (a cross between a buffalo and a gorilla) that were known to hang out at the NCO club....
Currenty Biggs Field was a B36 SAC base in El Paso TX
I served at Biggs from 1957 to 1963 on B-47s, B52s and KC-135s. It was my first duty station after tech school in Amarillo.
@@alvincampbell8506 Jusy B36.
Larson AFB closed 1966, now Grant County International (Moses Lake, WA)
Guess it was just about the better known SAC bases - Bergstrom was a SAC base in the 50s and 60s before it changed over to TAC. The old alert pad is now the cargo ramp for the Austin Bergstrom International Airport - the only thing really left from the AFB is the reconditioned main runway and the 'donut' that was 12th AF HQ. I only knew it as a TAC base for the RF-4C fleet while I was growing up....but I do vaguely recall that I think they did keep the 'Peace is our Profession' statement on the water tank that was near the main gate while it was a TAC base. IDK my memory isn't what it once was
This video only shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated.
I was stationed at Loring AFB but spent time at Chanute and Wurtsmith
Eielson A.F.B, south of Fairbanks, AK. I grew up just outside of the base. I remember F4c’s stationed there.
I visited K I Sawyer in 1988. They had their annual open house to the public during the summer. It was fantastic !!!!
Westover AFB, Chicopee Ma. 99th Bombardment Wing, Heavy. Missed one boys.
This video only shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated.
Hey!!!!! Beale AFB WAS A SAC BASE. I PROUDLY SERVED THERE. THEY HAVE A DIFFERENT MISSION NOW. WAS NOT CLOSED!
Grand Forks 1972-1976, Nuclear Weapons Specialist. We had a missile and bomb wing, really did never sleep.
Kinchloe?
We were there from '73 -77.
This video shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated. For a list of all base closures see the video link below:
ua-cam.com/video/f-8NWqTI85k/v-deo.htmlsi=jMSSFZQllrgijGdI
Served there as B-52 Crew Chief and Alert Force Controller from 1966 to 1969.
Turner AFB, Albany, GA
I was an AF brat when my father was stationed there in 1965/1966 when the base was turned over to the US Navy. We lived on base housing. I loved my time there.
Yep....My Dad was stationed there,and I was born there!! AND, I served in SAC at Seymour Johnson. I would have stayed on AD for 30 years if they had left me in SAC....🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
I was stationed at Pease from October 65 till January 69. Fire protection specialist. With a 2 month TDY to Thule Greenland Febuary 1968 for a broken arrow nuke clean up.
These were all great places for dependents to grow up at. Fond memories from youth.
Where is Clinton-Sherman, AFB, Oklahoma? I was stationed there, with the 4123rd, later the 70th BW, from 10/61-07/65. It was an old Navy base before and the closure in 1970.
@@Jerry-qt6lt This video shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated. For a list of all base closures see the video link below:
ua-cam.com/video/f-8NWqTI85k/v-deo.htmlsi=jMSSFZQllrgijGdI
How about Amarillo AFB? Every armed forces day we would be bussed out to the base and google up close the birds that thundered over our homes day and night. October 1962 was particularly interesting. If I recall, it closed in 1967. I think you can still see the weapons bunkers from I- 40 east.
@@davidlewis3433 This video only shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated.
Not well known, but Ramey in Puerto Rico on the NW corner of the island.
What about Rickenbacker AFB outside of Columbus, Ohio ???? it was a SAC Base in it's heyday, it's now called Rickenbacker International Airport and also serves as a Air National Guard base and home to KC-135s
@@edward1963bg This video only shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated.
456th Bombardment Wing at Hill AFB, Utah. 1974-1976. Security Specialist.😊
Where is March AFB, 15th Air Force command in Riverside, Calif.?
@@Gumby56 March AFB was realigned under BRAC and never actually closed. Today, it is still a major Air Reserve Base.
Grand Forks 1959
Grand Forks still there. No nukes or bombers.
There was also Glasgow in SE Montana. Only lasted a few years since there is Malmstrom MT, Minot ND, and Grand Forks ND all still active. Probably a poor choice to start with.
All SAC bases whether former or currently active are former SAC bases as SAC no longer exists.
I had the misfortune of being stuck at Offutt for seven long years.
What's wrong with Offutt?
@@Eddie42023
I was stationed there from July 1985 to July 1992. I am from Oklahoma. Living in aksarbeN during that time meant I had to deal with “Go Big Red” constantly. I hate the Cornholers. And it is way too cold there for a large portion of the year.
But I did meet my spousal unit there and our first child was born there so there were a couple of bright spots. Lol.
How about Shilling AFB in Salina Ks, Malmstrom AFB in MT, and Hunter AFB in Savanna, GA, and Wendover AFB in Utah?
This video shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated. For a list of all base closures see the video link below:
ua-cam.com/video/f-8NWqTI85k/v-deo.htmlsi=jMSSFZQllrgijGdI
I was stationed or went to school at four of the bases and have visited many of the others. Was I some sort of bad luck charm?
when castle closed, it was rough. to look at anything beyond the chapel, it looks abandoned. there were a few businesses that started there afterwards...aviation challenge, allco manufacturing etc..nothing really held out though. bottom line, merced county was in such bad shape after the base closures that local businesses started pushing for a uc in merced. well, they got it finally. as usual merced county did piss poor planning for this and didn't build any infrastructure to support the uc so...rent is now 1400 (average) a month for studios and the sky is the limit on houses. both of the base housing complexes were made into gated communities and the rents there are extremely high. keeping in mind who lives here, migrants that work in the fields and working people, the struggle is real. right now there are 100,000 people plus living in merced city proper, and STILL nothing for their kids to do. meanwhile that borg cube they call a uc is destroying the very fabric of the county. so yeah... i really miss the base, the order it brought and the people that manned it.
@@rickforespring4834 Thank you for sharing this information. The community surrounding bases like Castle and Loring, are some of the ones that have never recovered. 😔
@@ColdWarFilms1947. Wasn’t a SAC Base, but Craig AFB in Selma, AL closed in 1977. Even though there’s ’some’ industry & state government on the Base, Selma’s never recovered from the closing; it’s a shell of its former self & getting worse each day.
That’s sad to read about Merced. I was base fire dept from ‘85 to ‘93. I loved going to the little mall with my now ex and just walking around, then stopping for lunch at Sweetwater (or Sweetriver) Saloon for cocktails and food. Not much at the mall, so just lunch and maybe a haircut at the hair salon. Miss those days.
Oh, the reason it seemed that Merced and Atwater seemed to have a sense of order was that AFOSI would cruise the local neighborhoods and if you looked like you just didn’t belong or had arrived recently, you might have a sit down with OSI. A lot of problems were chased out of the area, especially gang members looking to expand to new territory.
Good thing BRAC shut down every single active duty flying bases in the Northeast!????Heaven forbid we keep bases near trouble spots and the Great Circle fought distance over the pole in favor of bases all through the South…..politics over defense…
What about Chanute? And Lowry afb?
Those were ATC bases, and not SAC Bases. For a list of all Continental bases closed since 1960, check out the video link below:
ua-cam.com/video/f-8NWqTI85k/v-deo.htmlsi=DHD1qS97vcl-OMe0
This video also covers Chanute and Lowry:
ua-cam.com/video/ZjrX3LoGN2A/v-deo.htmlsi=a1OR6FiYk9Ugswat
@@ColdWarFilms1947 ok thanks, I went to Tech school at Chanute and Lowry
@@ColdWarFilms1947 for some reason I thought they were SAC during WWll.
SAC didn't exist until after WWII.
Was Mather the only SAC BUFF base with a pool at the alert facility?
Where is Forbes Air Force Base, Topeka, ks
@@peggyaldrine7701 This video only shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated.
When my father was there in 71-73 it was a TAC base. I believe it closed in 73 or 74. I think there is a drag strip there now. We went from Topeka to Whiteman AFB in Knob Noster Mo., actually got to tour a Minuteman Missile “hole” when I was 8. Dad also served as a launch officer at FE Warren in Wyoming from 64 to 69 before spending 18 months at Udon AFB in Bangkok Thailand. I’m very proud of his service.
You forgot former SAC bases in North Dakota Grand Forks AFB 319th Bomb Wing but still an active base but has a different mission of ISR. They base flies the Global Hawk mission under Air Combat Command along with Minot AFB still active and part of Air Force Global Strike Command and still flying the heavies the B-52H of the 5th Bomb Wing.
Grand forks is slated to get the Bones from Ellsworth here soon
This video shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated. For a list of all base closures see the video link below:
ua-cam.com/video/f-8NWqTI85k/v-deo.htmlsi=jMSSFZQllrgijGdI
This video only shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated.
I pulled a lot of alert duty at Mather.
@@marka8947 Me, too, ‘87-‘89. Loved it when the one alert tanker had a female crew member lying poolside. In fact, was Mather the only BUFF base with a pool at the alert facility?
I was there from 1974-80. Did several TDYs. I'm not sure if Mather had the only alert pool, but it was nice! Got tossed in it on my birthday and when I was short.
Too bad the picture of the alert pad is not actually Mather. It has a completely different configuration. Just look at the overhead in the photo before. That’s the correct alert pad. BTW… Mather is a thriving residential and business community now and an air cargo hub.
@@Iv198 My Bad! Your are correct. The Alert Area shown is NOT Mather. I must have mixed up the photos in editing, because I found the correct photo. I appreciate your bringing it to my attention. Thank you.
@@ColdWarFilms1947No worries. I’ve been working out on that pad for the last 12 years so I’m very familiar with it in its decommissioned state.
Plattsburgh FB-111A crew chief ‘74-‘75, including satellite alert at Grissom and K.I. Sawyer; Pease Aero Repair/crash recovery ‘78-‘80.
You're absolutely right 👍🏽
I was hoping to see my former base but it didn't come up. I guess you can't get them all but here are some a lot of people know. Glasgow AFB, MT (91st Bomb Wing); Minot AFB, ND; Grand Forks AFB, ND, Malstrom AFB, MT, Fairchild AFB, Washington;; Elmendorf, AFB, Alaska; Eielsen AFB, Alaska, Moody AFB, GA. Lots of other bases run by the Guard like the 126th ARW at O'Hare ARF, IL.
@@clyderokke5409 This video shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated. For a list of all base closures see the video link below:
ua-cam.com/video/f-8NWqTI85k/v-deo.htmlsi=jMSSFZQllrgijGdI
This video only shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated.
Blytheville,Arkansas
Yuk. 😝
You missed Columbus Air Force Base.
@@tedrussell902 This video shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated. For a list of all base closures see the video link below:
ua-cam.com/video/f-8NWqTI85k/v-deo.htmlsi=jMSSFZQllrgijGdI
@@tedrussell902 Columbus Air Force Base is still active. It is NOT closed.
@@ColdWarFilms1947 It is still open as a training base, but it is not a SAC base and has not been in decades.
What about Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base? My father was stationed there and flew KC-135’s, and coincidentally I was born there. 😂
This video shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated. For a list of all base closures see the video link below:
ua-cam.com/video/f-8NWqTI85k/v-deo.htmlsi=jMSSFZQllrgijGdI
You forgot Walker afb in Roswell NM
This video shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated. For a list of all base closures see the video link below:
ua-cam.com/video/f-8NWqTI85k/v-deo.htmlsi=jMSSFZQllrgijGdI
KC-135 C/C at “Sunny” K.I. in the late 80s
Lived at Offutt - 1962 - think about it
Goose Bay Labrador New Foundland.
Combined U.S.A.F.- S.A.C. & R.C.A.F..
Forgot HOMESTEAD IN MIAMI FL😊
This video shows SAC Bases that were closed immediately after the Cold War ended, and SAC was deactivated. For a list of all base closures see the video link below:
ua-cam.com/video/f-8NWqTI85k/v-deo.htmlsi=jMSSFZQllrgijGdI