97th FMS

The 97th Field Maintenance Squadron (97th FMS) was a vital support unit assigned to the 97th Bombardment Wing, primarily stationed at Blytheville Air Force Base (later Eaker AFB), Arkansas. Activated during the Cold War, the 97th FMS was responsible for the maintenance and repair of B-52 Stratofortress bombers and KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, ensuring the wing's readiness for strategic missions. The squadron played a crucial role in sustaining the wing’s operational capabilities during periods of heightened alert and routine operations. The 97th FMS was eventually inactivated as part of post-Cold War realignments and base closures in the early 1990s.