Visiting Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene TX was a first for us! Ever since Steve was an Air Controlman in the Navy, planes excite him.
B-1 Bomber at entrance to Dyess Air Force Base Abilene TX
Welcome to Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene
Dyess Air Force Base Abilene TX
Entry gate to Dyess AFB America’s Lift and Strike Base
As we were driving to Aldi to shop for groceries with our friends Sandee and Mack, we noticed signs for the military base. Mack told us that as a veteran Steve would be admitted to any military base. We never knew that, but figured we had nothing to lose but a little time. So we drove to Dyess AFB and sure enough, all Steve needed to do was show is Veteran’s ID, and we were waived through. So cool!
Dyess Linear Air Park
From the sleek…
To the antique
The first thing we came upon was the section of the base known as the Dyess Linear Air Park. This area is dedicated to the military personnel who have proudly served in Strategic Air Command since its inception in 1946. The planes on display here are aircraft that had been assigned to Strategic Air Command. It’s a fitting tribute to its members as well as to the reality the mission of the Strategic Air Command is accomplished and the cold war is won. Quoting Colonel Johnny Griffin, Commander, 96th Wing on the dedication of the Dyess Linear Air Park: “With great honor and gratitude, we remember them and we remember Strategic Air Command on this day the third of June, nineteen hundred and ninety-two.”
This whale-like plane is a KC-135A is a swept wing, long range, high altitude, high speed airplane that is primarily a tanker, but may also be used as a cargo carrier or troop transport.
1947 EB-47E “Stratojet”
About the AFB
EB-57B “CANBERRA” was initially flown in 1949, It became the first foreign aircraft in regular USAF service since 1918.
A-26C “INVADER” heavily used throughout the European and Pacific theaters of WWII. and then in the Korean Conflict
Dyess AFB is home to the 7th Bomb Wing, which is the host unit. It is also home to the 317th Airlift Group. Combining these two groups on one base is an awesome combination of air power and air mobility.
F-15A “EAGLE”, an all weather fighter designed to gain and maintain supremacy
C-130 “HERCULES” cargo aircraft that first flew in 1954.
Dyess AFB directly employs over 5,093 personnel and has a total population of 14,470, including military dependents. The annual payroll of the installation is over $350 million!!!
B-21 Bomber
Dyess Air Force Base is named for this man – Lt. Col. William Edwin Dyess.
The B-21 is a sixth-generation, state of the art bomber, that recently came to Dyess Air Force Base. It has proven to be a big economic boost for the Abilene economy, bringing a lot of construction and a lot of people. At the same time keeping our nation safe from right there in Abilene Texas.
The Air Control Tower at Dyess AFB
When we returned to the RV Park and put away our groceries, I sat down at the computer to edit my photos. Suddenly I heard the loudest jets I’d ever heard. It was two of those B-21s flying overhead. Sorry, but they were way too fast to get photos of them in flight! Honestly I was surprised that our windows didn’t shatter. That’s how loud they were. They shook the entire RV!!!
Our Jeep duckies enjoyed watching the planes on the tarmac
Even if you are not a veteran or active member of the armed forces, you can still visit Dyess AFB. All you need to do is enter at the Visitors Gate and get permission Visitor passes can only be obtained at the Visitor Control Center which is located at the main gate.
