In 1948 the Army Air Corps was detached from the US Army to create the newly established United States Air Force. Ramey Air Force Base was assigned to the strategic wing of the newly established Air Force, the Strategic Air Command (SAC)

 

The 55^th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Medium Hq. and Hq. Sq. were established at Ramey AFB 1 November 1950. The 55^TH mission was to support active programs of the Strategic Air Command. Charting photography, electronic geodetic mapping/surveying and related reconnaissance functions. The RB-50′s were supported by the 55th Air Refueling Squadron KB-29’s

 

The first RB-50 arrived at Ramey 22 December 1950

 

The 55^th SRW was composed of the 338^th and the 343^rd Strategic Reconnaissance Squadrons

 

From 1950 to 1952 the 55^th SRS was part of the 2^nd Air Force. The 55th was identified by a “V” inside a square

 

Crew of the “Ramey Ramblers”

 

Crew of the “Cock N Bull”

 

338^th SRS RB-50 Crew

 

Charlie Area and FHA Housing seen top left of image

 

An assortment of B-50 variants by Charlie Aerea apron

 

In 1953 the 55^th was “reorganized” to the 15^th Air Force which was identified by a “V” inside a circle. These tail markings would be phased out by the end of 1953. Camera pods clearly seen on this image

 

RB-50 “Half Virgin” seen at RAF Mildenhall

 

Top image is graphic of RB-50 pictured below it

Aerial view of the Charlie Area Apron. Variety of B-50, C-82’s and fuel trucks. Maintenance Hangars seen top center

 

Specialized mission of the 55^th

ELINT (electronic intelligence) – Electronic and photographic targeting reconnaissance.

SHORAN (short range navigation) – Aerial mapping and geographic survey missions

WEATHER – These “weather” aircrafts would become famous gathering tropical depression data. Their main, little known, mission was to detect radioactive levels in the atmosphere. In other words detect Soviet atomic weapons detonations.

(The above images are not Ramey AFB)

 

The one and only RB-50 “Caribbean Queen”

 

Caribbean Queen returning home after 16 ELINT missions in Korea

 

Assigned to the 55^th SRS and also stationed at Ramey AFB was the 55^th Air Refueling Squadron operating probe and drogue KB-29M

 

KB-29 (above) refueling a B-50 (bellow) (ca. 1950) (not Ramey)

 

B-50, C-118, C-47, PBY CATALINA, HU-16 ALBATROSS AT RAMEY AIR FORCE BASE 1953

The 72^nd Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Heavy, was established at Ramey AFB during 1953. The 72^nd did not become operational until the last elements of the 55^TH SRW were absorbed by the newly established wing. The primary mission of the 72^nd SRW was global strategic reconnaissance

 

The 72^nd SRW was composed of the 60^th, 73rd and 301^st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadrons

 

The B-36 was the first “Intercontinental Deliver System” for the Strategic Air Command. It could reach into the Soviet Union from the Continental United States and fly back, stateside, without refueling

 

The first RB-36 arrived at Ramey AFB 31January 1953. Five other RB-36 arrived at Ramey on 5 March 1953 and were assigned to the 301^st SRS

 

The 72^nd SRS was identified by an “F” inside a Square. These markings would later be phased out

 

RB-36 coming over the Golf Course (above) 23 man crew (below). Notice “scheme” variation

 

Ten RB-36 and three maintenance “T-Hangars” can be seen at the beginning of Runway 8

 

The T-Hangars offered some respite from the elements to the maintenance crews

 

The RB-36 was a very high maintenance aircraft which required vast amount of maintenance manpower

 

During early 1955 the 72^nd SRW were performing Bombardment Operations in addition to Reconnaissance Missions

 

On 1 October 1955 the 72^nd SRW was re-designated a Bombardment Unit

 

“Every man a Tiger” patch seen on these B-36 airmen flight suits

 

Loading 20mm shells onto a B-36

 

B-36 off on a mission (above). Two B-36 seen at Charlie Area. Crash and Rescue building seen lower center image

 

B-36 seen at Alert Area with 72^nd Air Police Security detail

 

72^nd Air Police alongside M20 Armed Utility Vehicle

 

Also seen in the background, of the above image, are the maintenance T-Hangars located by Hangar Road towards Runway 8

 

Nice view of the 72^nd SRW shield

 

21 B-36 at the ready at Ramey Air Force Base

 

Notice tail and engine red markings

 

The squadron aircrafts would return individually to Ramey and rendezvous approaching the Base

 

Bottom image of Charlie Area is close up of above base image

 

Two HU-16 Albatross and “crash” fire trucks seen by Hangar 5

 

Referred to as “The Peacemaker” or “Aluminum Overcast” the B-36 was a massive aircraft. There will never be such an aircraft built, ever again

The B-52 gave SAC the capability of accomplishing its worldwide strategic mission; long range bombing capabilities, anytime, anywhere in the world. The B-52 “platform” will continue to be used way into the future

 

In 1958 Ramey AFB prepares for the arrival of the B-52 “Stratofortress”. The B-52 and will replace all the B-36 of the Strategic Air Command. This bird will be flown by generations yet to be born

 

Of the three squadrons that made up the 72^nd Bombardment Wing only the 60^th Bombardment Squadron will continue to be stationed at Ramey. The 73^rd BS is transferred to Seymour-Johnson AFB and the 301^st BS is transferred to Eglin AFB

 

In 1959 the 72^nd BW became part of the 8^th Air Force

 

The first B-52 (58-0168) arrived at Ramey AFB 14 August 1959. This first B-52 has been christened “La Fortaleza”. Seen here at Tinker AFB

 

KC-135 seen in the upper right hand and center side of image

 

B-52 coming over the golf course

 

Immediately upon touchdown each aircraft was parked and readied for maintenance recovery teams

 

The B-52 was also equipped with the nuclear ready AGM-28 Hound Dog cruise missile (above) and the GAM-72 Quail decoy missile (below)

 

Christmas at Ramey Air Force Base

 

Hangar 5 seen at the bottom right side of the bottom picture

 

Assortment of aircrafts seen in the ever present Charlie Area of Ramey AFB

 

Open House Armed Forces Day

Open House at Ramey AFB

Open House at Ramey AFB

This B-52 will bestow special honors for Ramey AFB

 

72^nd BW Commander, aircrew and maintenance team at Fairchild AFB before the start of “Fleet” competition

 

72ND BW 60th BS B-52 AND 915TH ARS KC-135 AT RAMEY AIR FORCE BASE 1968

 

Flight Line Alert Birds at the ready

 

Once a B-52 was loaded with nuclear ordinance it was assigned an AP for security

 

Taxi Runway. Control Tower can be seen thru left side of cockpit window

 

Camouflaged B-52 seen in the foreground

 

Island point to the left is Rincon. City seen at the bottom of wiper blade is Mayaguez

 

This image is displayed at the offices of the USAF ROTC detachment 756, Mayaguez Campus, University of Puerto Rico

 

B-52 coming in over the golf course

 

Home again. Alert Area and Alert Birds seen in the background

 

Coco Alert at Ramey AFB. Camouflaged B-52 on the left. Fash Silver/White B-52 seen to the right

 

B-52 Alert Crew seen by Alert Building Facility’s

 

Alert Building “ramps” clearly seen in this image

 

B-52 59-2578 seen at Ramey AFB

 

B-52 and KC-135’s at Alert Area Apron by Gate 1

 

Other bombers are built to carry out the missions of the Strategic Air Command. The B-52 will carry the bulk of the weight until the end of the Cold War and then some

 

13 Fighters seen center of image. The C-130’s might be WC-130’s that were stationed at Ramey along with the WB-47 of the 53rd WRS

The B-52 stood on Nuclear Alert at Ramey AFB from 1959 until 1972. SAC kept its adversaries at bay and assured the Cold War would never turn HOT. “Peace Thru Strength” stood true then as it does today and will do so in the future