Contains notes and research (Little Rock AFB, Arkansas) By Mike Flinn of the AIR FORCE Team.

Contains notes and research (Fort Smith, AR) by Bradley McRee of the Joint Issues Team.

AF48 Community Meeting - Fort Smith Air National Guard Station - 188th Fighter Wing - Arkansas Delegation Meeting with Chairman Principi, May 17, 2005

Disregard Restriction of Header and Footer: Army Installations and State Action Papers - Arkansas

Transcript of an oral interview with Al Heigel. When Heigel finished high school in June, 1944, he joined the Navy at Little Rock, Arkansas and went for boot training at San Diego. He was assigned as a radar operator and reported aboard the USS Independence (CVL-22) at Pearl Harbor. Heigel describes the light carrier and its construction and features. He also speaks of the time the Independence was hit by a torpedo off Tarawa in 1943. Heigel then describes events off Okinawa: watching the USS Franklin (CV-13) being bombed off Okinawa; locating and shooting down kamikazes; describing battle stations; aircraft water landings; being in a typhoon, etc. After the war ended, the Independence served as a troop transport taking GIs back home to the US. He describes bunks in the hangar deck and arriving in Portland, Oregon. As the Independence was being prepared for the Bikini Atoll atomic tests, Heigel got off becuase he had the requisite amount of points allowing him to be discharged. He then entered the lumber business, married and raised family.

Transcript of an oral interview with Al Heigel. When Heigel finished high school in June, 1944, he joined the Navy at Little Rock, Arkansas and went for boot training at San Diego. He was assigned as a radar operator and reported aboard the USS Independence (CVL-22) at Pearl Harbor. Heigel describes the light carrier and its construction and features. He also speaks of the time the Independence was hit by a torpedo off Tarawa in 1943. Heigel then describes events off Okinawa: watching the USS Franklin (CV-13) being bombed off Okinawa; locating and shooting down kamikazes; describing battle stations; aircraft water landings; being in a typhoon, etc. After the war ended, the Independence served as a troop transport taking GIs back home to the US. He describes bunks in the hangar deck and arriving in Portland, Oregon. As the Independence was being prepared for the Bikini Atoll atomic tests, Heigel got off becuase he had the requisite amount of points allowing him to be discharged. He then entered the lumber business, married and raised family.

Final Cobra Run - Army RC Transformation Arkadelphia AR

Final Cobra Run - Army RC Transformation Camden AR

Final Cobra Run - Army RC Transformation El Dorado AR

Final Cobra Run - Army RC Transformation Ft. Chaffee AR.

Final Cobra Run - Army RC Transformation Hot Springs AR.

Final Cobra Run - Army RC Transformation Jonesboro AZ

Final Cobra Run - Army RC Transformation Northwest Arkansas

Final Cobra Run 81Z - Fort Smith. Contians 15 Cobra Files pertaining to realigning Ft. Smith.

Contains info on location, size, history, missions, major units/tenants, and population.

Letter from Brenda Galelard to BRAC Commission dtd 2 Sep 05 regarding the 188th FW at Ft. Smith, AK.

Faxed Letter from Ben and Barbara Hardcastle dtd 27 Aug 2005, commenting on the final deliberations.

Community Input - Executive Correspondence - Letter from John Boozman to the Commission and the 188th Fighter Wing Presentation

Base Input - Presentation Little Rock AFB Installation

Base Input - Visit to Little Rock AFB, AR Briefing Files on CD -

State Input - 188th Fighter Wing Fort Smith, Arkansas Folder and Presentation - Regional Hearing - San Antonio

Executive Correspondence – Letter dtd 08/13/2005 to Chairman Principi from Harold Hockett, Lt Col. UASF (Retired) expressing his support for the DOD’s recommendation to create a Naval Integrated Weapons and Armaments RDAT&E Center at China Lake.

Letter from Brenda Gabbard to the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) regarding Fort Smith. She offers reasons why the base should not be closed.

Executive Correspondence – Courtesy cards received on 08/08/05 from Representative John Boozman (3rd, AR) thanking BRAC Commission staff members Ken Small, Dierdre Walsh, Jennifer Meyer, Colleen Turner, Brad McCree, and Christine Hill for meeting with him and the 188th at the BRAC Commission.