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On July 11, 1955, a Convair RB-36 Peacemaker, commanded by Maj. William W. Deyerle assigned to the 347th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, 99th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, lost a rudder approximately 30 miles from Denver, Colorado. The disabled RB-36 crew kept the airplane on an even flight path and decided the wide, long runway at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, was the best location to attempt a landing. The airplane was taking up to about 21,000 feet on the way to EAFB, and at approximately 6:30 p.m. two and a half hours after the rudder was lost, Deverle and Maj. William Thorstenson eased the 150-ton aircraft down for a landing. (Courtesy Photo)


A week in history July 9 - 15

On July 11, 1955, a Convair RB-36 Peacemaker, commanded by Maj. William W. Deyerle assigned to the 347th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, 99th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, lost a rudder approximately 30 miles from Denver, Colorado. The disabled RB-36 crew kept the airplane on an even flight path and decided the wide, long runway at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, was the best location to attempt a landing. The airplane was taking up to about 21,000 feet on the way to EAFB, and at approximately 6:30 p.m. two and a half hours after the rudder was lost, Deverle and Maj. William Thorstenson eased the 150-ton aircraft down for a landing. (Courtesy Photo)

Related Imagery
Following the end of Korean hostilities, 92nd Bombardment Wing Airmen participated in a three day exercise that marked the first time B-36 Peacemakers flew directly from the mainland to Japan and the first time a B-36 unit mass deployed to the “Far East.” This operation, named “Operation Big Stick,” was ordered by Strategic Air Command to test their emergency war plan and the long range capabilities of the B-36. (Courtesy Photo)
Following the end of Korean hostilities, 92nd Bombardment Wing Airmen participated in a three day exercise that marked the first time B-36 Peacemakers flew directly from the mainland to Japan and the first time a B-36 unit mass deployed to the “Far East.” . Operation Big Stick was significant in many ways. This operation began what would soon be a heavy bomber presence in this area. Notably, this was the first time that SAC, the nation's long-range striking force, rotated a B-36 wing to the Pacific Theater for an extended period of time for operational training. (Courtesy Photo)
Operation Big Stick was significant in many ways. This operation began what would soon be a heavy bomber presence in this area. Notably, this was the first time that SAC, the nation's long-range striking force, rotated a B-36 wing to the Pacific Theater for an extended period of time for operational training. The timing of the exercise also helped to reinforce the Korean armistice of July by demonstrating the U.S. determination to try every means possible to keep peace in the Far East, a true demonstration of Global Reach and Global Power. (Courtesy Photo)
On Aug. 15, 1929 the Spokane Sun God departed Felts Field and performed numerous mission firsts over the course of five days. Nick Mamer, also known as “Mr. Spokane Aviation,” and Art Walker, flew their Buhl CA-6 aircraft for approximately 120 hours. Their route took them from Spokane to San Francisco to New York and back to Spokane setting a world record for the longest non-stop flight of 7,200 lineal miles. From headwinds over Wyoming to bad weather over Pennsylvania, engine issues to forest fires; the pilots faced many obstacles during the course of their flight. However, despite all the obstacles, they successfully landed back at Felts Field at about 6 p.m. on Aug. 20, 1929. (Courtesy Photo)
B-17 Flying Fortresses from the 8th Air Force attacked ball bearing plants on the first of two raids on Schweinfurt, Germany, during World War II. During the mission, the 8th AF lost approximately 36 B-17s, including two from the 92nd Bomb Group. All 20 BG aircrew members survived being shot down and would later become prisoners of war. (Courtesy Photo)
B-17 Flying Fortresses from the 8th Air Force attacked ball bearing plants on the first of two raids on Schweinfurt, Germany, during World War II. During the mission, the 8th AF lost approximately 36 B-17s, including two from the 92nd Bomb Group. All 20 BG aircrew members survived being shot down and would later become prisoners of war. (Courtesy Photo)
Col. Paul W. Tibbets, Jr., pilot of the “Enola Gay,” waves from his cockpit before takeoff August 6, 1945. The B-29 Superfortress “Enola Gay” dropped the first atomic bomb dubbed “Little Boy” during the attack on Hiroshima, Japan, during World War II on August 6, 1945. The atomic weapon weighed nearly 9,500 pounds and its explosive yield was estimated to be around 15 kilotons, the equivalent of 15,000 tons of TNT (trinitrotoluene). (Courtesy Photo)
The B-29 Superfortress “Enola Gay” dropped the first atomic bomb, dubbed “Little Boy,” during the attack on Hiroshima, Japan, during World War II on August 6, 1945. On August 6, the same day as the bombing of Hiroshima, Maj. Richard Ira Bong, a former Lockhead P-38 Lightning pilot and Medal of Honor recipient was killed when the Lockhead P-80 Shooting Star he was piloting during a test flight exploded midflight. Fairchild AFB‘s “Bong Street,” was named in honor of him. (Courtesy Photo)
The B-29 Superfortress “Enola Gay” dropped the first atomic bomb, dubbed “Little Boy,” during the attack on Hiroshima, Japan, during World War II on August 6, 1945. On August 15, 1945, less than a week after the atomic bombings, Japan announced its surrender to the Allied Forces and then formally signed their surrender on September 2, 1945, aboard a U.S. Navy battleship, the USS Missouri (BB-63). (Courtesy Photo)
On August 6, the same day as the bombing of Hiroshima, Maj. Richard Ira Bong, a former Lockhead P-38 Lightning pilot and Medal of Honor recipient was killed when the Lockhead P-80 Shooting Star he was piloting during a test flight exploded midflight. Fairchild AFB‘s “Bong Street,” was named in honor of him. Bong was commonly referred to as America’s “Ace of Aces,” with a recorded 40 aerial victories while fighting in the Pacific Theatre of World War II, the most by any pilot in United States history. (Courtesy Photo)
A KC-135 Stratotanker rests on the ramp at Moron Air Base, Spain during Operation CHROME DOME. B-52 Stratofortresses flew routes near the Soviet Union border and were refueled by KC-135 Stratotankers to keep them on constant airborne alert. (Courtesy Photo)
Operation CHROME DOME was a Cold War effort by the U.S. to keep B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber aircraft armed with nuclear weapons and to remain on constant airborne alert. The bombers flew routes near the Soviet Union border and were refueled by KC-135 Stratotankers.