Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) joined Arkansas Congressmen Rick Crawford, French Hill, Steve Womack and Bruce Westerman to introduce legislation that would designate the exhibit at Eaker Air Force Base in Blytheville as the National Cold War Center.
“We have a good story to tell. Blytheville played a vital role in America’s national security and helped safeguard the world against the threat of nuclear war. The community is dedicated to preserving this history. I’m proud to join the effort designating this exhibit as the National Cold War Center so we can pay tribute and share the experiences of men and women who served at Eaker Air Force Base,” Boozman said.
“Eaker Air Force Base played a key role in the defense of our nation during the Cold War—we ought to preserve its legacy and encourage the continued education of future generations. Our bill will officially recognize the museum in Blytheville as the nation’s National Cold War Center, which will help preserve this important history and be a boon to local tourism,” Cotton said.
“As a Cold War veteran, I can say it was a pivotal time in American history when the threats were tremendous but we were all united in defeating our enemies. I applaud those at the Blytheville Cold War Center who have kept alive this period and remind us of the threat that communism poses. Giving this historic military base Congressional recognition will ensure that the museum is able to continue to teach its visitors about the Cold War for generations to come,” Crawford said.
Opened in 1942 as a World War II advanced pilot training school, Eaker Air Force Base later became an alert center during the Cold War. After the fall of the Berlin Wall and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the base closed in 1992. It is America’s best-preserved Strategic Air Command Alert Aircrew Facility and Nuclear Weapons Storage Area.
In 2019, community leaders announced plans for an exhibit detailing the history of Blytheville’s role in our nation’s defense. Boozman first visited the center in 2021.