December 29, 2012

In 1988, the name of the Blytheville Air Force Base was officially changed to Eaker Air Force Base. The renaming of the 3,778-acre military facility was intended to honor air pioneer and commander of the Mighty Eighth Air Force during World War II, Lieutenant General Ira C. Eaker. The base contributed greatly to the economic and intellectual growth of the primarily agricultural county until it closed in 1992. Eaker is shown here during World War II.