| SAC Bases:
Kearney Air
Force Base |
|
| Location:
|
Kearney, Nebraska |
| Home of: |
27th Fighter Wing in 1947 |
| Status:
|
Closed in 1949 |
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Links: |
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Have been able to find out very little about this base. In 1947, it
was the home of the 27th Fighter Group, which flew F-51, F-82, and F-84.
It went to Korea in December 1950, where it flew the new F-84 Thunderstreak.
The base was closed in 1949, but reopened in 1951. One report states
It was redesignated Grenier Field in 1959, and Grenier AFS 1966, but Grenier
AFB was in Manchester, NH. New Boston AFS occupies a part of the
former Grenier bombing range, and preserves almost all of the land.)
Bill Norlin wrote,
"... I have been there. I heard hat SAC had up to 100 or more Twin-Mustangs
at one time and that it was the one place where '0' visibility takeoffs were
expected. Mustangs would often fly non-stop from there all the way to
Puerto Rico, Howard AFB in Panama, and then back to Kearny AFB. It is so
difficult to believe and I wish I could have seen it! I remember
visiting once and being amazed at the size of the hangars, [wooden!] and the
souvenirs the AFB left behind, including the link trainers. The evening I
visited was warm, spectacularly pleasant and peaceful, and I had the whole
place to myself. It is easily accessible from I-80 if you ever drive by."
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