Last B-52 Leaves Mather Air Force Base

The last B-52 departs Mather Air Force Base, California in 1989 ending 30 years of the bomber presence in the skies over Sacramento. The ceremony also marked the inactivation of the 320th Bomb Wing.

[@tippersteffi1]

Lots of memories here....I was in the 441st from 1984-86 and 1986-87 I was the wing DOT...I retired in 2000 with 29+ years...it was a great time in my life

[@sgtrock2821]

Got stationed there from 86-92. 453rd FTS. What a blast. PCS'd from F.E. Warren AFB, WY. Talk about going from hell to heaven. It was 25 degrees, early October in Cheyenne when I left. After 2 weeks at home I flew to Sactown. 80 degrees in Sac when I got off the plane. The difference in morale from F.E.W. AFB and Mather was like night and day. Folsom Lake, Frisco, Tahoe, Reno, Sana Cruz... Loved it. Met my wife there.

[@frankgreco6513]

I was assigned to the 323rd Security Police Squadron from 1979 to 1983. Left as a Staff Sergeant. Great times, wonderful memories!

[@ImonYeraz]

lots of good memories at Mather AFB Strategic Air Command 1974 -1977. Hello to all Filipino-American that served there, sana buhay pa kayo! ;-)

[@punisher2112]

I was at Mather 1986-1989. I worked in the AR shop in FMS. I was at this ceremony and I remember how loud it was--no ear defenders or plugs! No wonder that all of those years working on the BUFF, I have over 10% hearing loss!

[@DocThanatos]

I'm Ssgt Frank (Skip) Johnson I was stationed at Mather, from 1981 to 1987 with the 323 FMS, Jet Shop Flight line truck, served under shop chief Tsgt Don ( Turk ) Wiedman. This was the best time in my Air Force career which I think about alot. I hope everyone I knew during my tour there are all well and enjoying retirement ! Guys like Turk, James ( Bee ) Bryant, Tommy O'connel, Ron Ware, Jack Mitchell, Billy Hahn, Jeff Chambers, Bob ( SGT Rock ) Lyons and everyone else. Thanks for the memories.

[@CANDIDATEROBERTMUSE]

I was stationed their 1976 to 1977 as a SAC Security Police Officer. Most officers were returning from Thailand, Korea, and Vietnam. 3swings 24 hours off 3 graves and 3 days off. Security officers during the summer had it hard when the runway reached 120 degrees.To honor those that served as a Security Police Officer, the aircraft flight officers were respectful and understood our mission. We did enjoy arresting a new airman or officer as they attempted unlawful entry when lost at access.

[@sparky42]

Hi Bob , I was on " D " flight with Tsgt Stackhouse then . Hooked up again with a bunch of the guys because of this video ! There are at least 10 of us on Facebook . Dave Turner ,Greg Stoffel , Lee Sexton , Mark Gastman and others !

[@fasslerj]

@@sparky42 Yup, I was a SPECADS tower operator within the AAPA and WSA then (Control 3 and Control 4). I was there 1980 to 1983 and really thought I had the best job in the 320th SPS! I was up in the tower and no one bothered me there hehe...Worked on C and D flight 6 days on and 3 days off with the 24 hr break in between. Loved my job and I was from Sacramento so I always had something to do with friends on my off days. Yeah, I miss it sometimes! Thanks for your great posts and for your service! Then SSgt Jeff Fassler (SMSgt, USAF Retired)

[@wembleygaming1895]

I grew up on Mather. One of the last families to leave in 93.

[@wildwoodwinterchild]

So many years ago, now...late 1960's...when B-52's were a stronghold at Mather. Spent about three or so years there, married to a Nav-Bomb trainee...

[@sparky42]

I remember Mather well .It wasn't a crap hole at all .I was a cop ( sp ) there in 1975 , 1976. I remember going to the " tippin-in' club. Lived off base in the mar-rita apts. right outside the main gate. had lots a good times at the bomber alert area and the B ramp. W.S.A. also. I was a much younger man then for sure, but still glad I joined the Air Force .No where in the world can you obtain the experience you will get in the military ...as you were!

[@zabercrombie24]

Damn BRAC ! Took so many good base's away including my favorite base I grew up next to Richard-Gebaur AFB.

[@phantomf4g304]

Zach you nailed it. We got hit 3X in Sacramento, Mather, McClellan and the Army Depot.

[@kurtb8474]

I was a SAC cop at Mather in the 80s. I got out in '87. There was always some kind of scuttlebutt about Mather closing from Rumor Control. I was even approached by a KFBK reporter at the gas station outside the main gate in '86. I just told him to go to CBPO. When I heard about this ceremony, I was a little surprised.

[@chrischapman8000]

I will visit is this Mather in 1982 with my cousin Col Edwin Hodges who serve there for many years. He showed me around the place with so much pride and it was a fascinating tour. I remember asking him why three b-52s with KC135 behind them. He explained to me that they ready to go and a moments notice and to be re-fueled off to take off. I asked him how long you been doing that he replied since 1968. That amazed me being are young Englishman I've only 22 years. All the energy and work carried out add this Air Force Base it saddens me to see the state of the place now

[@calcmandan]

I grew up in Carmichael. The family house is perched on the bluff along the American River and a relatively high view overlooking Rancho Cordova. I would sit on the upstairs balcony for hours on end watching the b52's do their pattern flights on the weekends. My parents had a honking set of binoculars and it never failed to amaze me by their size. Cut to 25 years later, my house is just outside Mather Field Airport and now it's UPS and FedEx planes that come in and the annual air show. Within a year I'll have my license to fly and will base my aircraft there.

[@wildwoodwinterchild]

calcmandan ...it was always a worry...so many came and went from Mather. Housing was fairly decent, many wives there and we had some wonderful friends. Good days, they were.

[@wmharmer]

I had left in 1977, as a Sac Cop, where my hometown was Rancho Cordova. I hated the 9 days on, 3 days off schedule we had to cope with. Three swings, three mids, three days and three days off and one of those days was a training day. I never had a chance to see the outside world. Just trying to catch up on sleep. Hated it....

[@TheCatcher013]

My dad was stationed here. I grew up going to Mather and seeing the Blackhawks. My dad finally retired in 2023. SSG A. Corrales. He was one of the last original “phantoms”

[@417flop]

I miss driving to the end of Happy Lane and watching the B52's takeoff

[@phantomf4g304]

I still do on occasion even to watch the big commercial jets.

[@eddiegomes4374]

I was stationed at Mather from 75 to 78 and was Crew Cheif on a.c 194. Which won a bombing competition but due to mechanical issues apon landing, didnt get the chance to fly to England for the Blue Steel bombing competition. So proud to have served at Mather

[@sparky42]

Hi Eddie , I was an SP at Mather . 320th SPS then . Probably checked your line badge a time or two on the A or B ramps

[@scottbowen6514]

I was assigned to Mather briefly in 1991, when it was in process of shutting down, the 323rd Security Police Squadron.

[@joecastillo7638]

Eddie, I remember you. I was in the 320th SPS. Mather was a great place. If I remember right you knew one of my fellow cops, Chris Reed. He looked like an old man and had a deep voice. Good times there

[@wmharmer]

Hi ya Sparky. A1C Miller. Yes, It is I. I have done a memory dump about the people I worked with there. I can not hold it all in. I am still here, just west of Rancho Cordova in the Rosemont area. I have owned a home here for coming on 17 years. Fully retired now. I was in England when this place shut down. I wish I could have been there to turn off the lights. The housing area in Cape Heart was ransacked by everyone who wanted frig's and stoves, to include A/C's What a ghost town that was.

[@rst4u1999]

The best days of my life!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hospital squad 323 FTW

[@Jbalangue]

I remember Mather AFB. I used to live in base housing with Billy Williams on Anders 1984 -1986. Lots of memories.

[@phantomf4g304]

Now in 2020 base housing is all civilian neighborhood now. Because of that, they're trying to push out our local drag strip thanks to the City of Rancho Cordova money grabbers.

[@phantomf4g304]

And the alert pad is now a skid pad for local law enforcement training.

[@sirbader1]

@@phantomf4g304 I was just out on Alert Rd yesterday, photographing some Great Horned Owls.

[@nordan00]

The almost mighty 441st BMS, ‘86-‘89, the first of two bases I closed down! Half a lifetime ago!

[@troyposas4732]

I was in the 5th grade when I grew up over night. I lived on Clendenin right off by 1 mile or shorter from the runway at mather .we were in the new neighborhood in a new area called Rosemont. I witnessed a B-52 from Castle Airforce Base doing touch n goes of the left runway. I noticed number 2 B-52 not gaining air and I knew something wasn't right. It banked left.. after looking like it was coming straight to our play ground. Well as it banked left .I kept watching..recess was going on but..I was on bathroom brake. I saw it all. As the 52 banked left..it disappear then the ground rumbled and windows shook. My teacher got up to yell at me for standing between the door and outside. As I was frozen in shock my teacher ushered me back inside and i pointed to the black smoke..he said "oh my god" I knew at that point .something bad just happened. Is there anyone on here who was there that day?or witnessed it. ?? It's hard to find stuff being so long ago. Reason being..my step dad..SSGT JOHN R BURNS he was with the 126th medical unit. He was on the news with his copter..landing at the site on the news.id like to find that.

[@46ace]

320th MMS ('79-'83? WSA/IMF) here; thanks for posting! Watching that "last" buff climb out today; still brought a tear and many Grand memories!

[@mikechevreaux7607]

Watch, "By Dawn's Early Light," Where The B-52 Is a Hero.

[@Minutemman]

It was a sad day when Mather AFB was no longer running. Although I was not around when it happened it would still be cool to see millitary aircraft over sacramento. But now the california capitol airshow is held there every year so that's a perk.

[@sirbader1]

Beale's U2s and T38s come by all the time. Even saw a Navy P-8 Poseidon the other day.

[@Minutemman]

@@sirbader1 Yeah I see them all the time, they are very cool to watch doing their touch and goes off and on.

[@nordan00]

A great base! Went through UNT/EWOT there in ‘86-‘87, then got assigned to the Buff squadron (441st BMS) from ‘87 til closure in ‘89. I designed our squadron’s final T-shirt (pictured above)! Then, it was off to Griffiss in upstate NY to freeze my ass off in the winters! Quite a change weather wise!

[@dpjones101]

Sad Day. I was in the 940th AFRES.

[@jamesmolkenbuhr956]

I live just up the street towards US50 in former military housing right on Mather Field Road. All you see there now are Civilian and United Parcel Service planes

[@templarwd]

Ahh, the memories ! I was somewhere in that pass in review, I've been back there and there's virtually nothing left.

[@phantomf4g304]

You should see it now. It's impressive, new and updated in many areas and home to many civilian businesses as well as UPS and other freight companies.

[@sirbader1]

@@phantomf4g304 Mostly state agencies, I'd say.

[@dewbiewa]

323 CES Carpenter Shop 77-81 A lifetime ago but never forget the sound of Buffs or Tweet screaming overhead.

[@kurtb8474]

@OsanBlackCat5RS Yup, I was a SAC cop there from '83 to '87. Craphole? Not so much. The location wasn't bad. My problems were with the heavy politics that went on in our unit. I've probably seen this BUFF many times. But then, so many have served as SAC cops there over the years. I was just one of hundreds.

[@woodysinvestigations4960]

That’s sad I remember being there and watching

[@phantomf4g304]

I grew up on that base. Sad to see the BUFF go. As a kid I'd sit on the roof of my parents house in College Greens and watch the 320th and 940th alert practices. I watched the Thunderbirds, Blue Angles practices before air shows. Always the T43's and T37's from the 323rd navigator training wing. My parents house was perfect for this and on final approach to McClellan AFB (ALCS) so we got an air show every day. East was Mather, straight north was McClellan. From there we could see everything from the old RC121 Connie, to F4, FB111, A10 and F105. Now for the funniest part. The business I work for now moved in to a building on the old McClellan base. (now a business park and we're in a converted hanger)Our dock is literally 45 feet from the tarmac and 200 feet from the tower. Nothing better than to be surrounded by aviation all day every day!

[@sirbader1]

I grew up on American River Dr. My school, St Ignatius, lined up with the runway at McClellan, but Mather's air traffic only crossed north of the river when they had airshows.

[@phantomf4g304]

@@sirbader1 LOL you were right on the other side of the American River from me bro! I went to St. Philomene and CB.

[@sirbader1]

@@phantomf4g304 Ah ok, what years? I was at SI from 90-98, but I know my bud Eli transfered to St Philomines, I knew a bunch of people at CB. I suppose I would've gone to Jesuit, had SI not kicked me out in 8th grade. 🤣

[@phantomf4g304]

@@sirbader1 I was at STP from 74-78. Most of my friends either went to Sac or Johnson depending on what side of Watt Ave they were on. You're many years my junior.

[@MCW1955]

Used to work in Rancho Cordova in the early 80s. Would take our chairs out to the parking lot and watch the B52s roar overhead. Now it's all Newsom's bums and junkies..Sad.

[@sirbader1]

Legends, all of you.

[@chwilliams5]

1982-1983 AMS fire control shop. Missing SAC

[@randywilson944]

I was there when this happened.

[@clouya]

Was anyone stationed with James O Hansel at this base?

[@Bluenose352]

It looked as if he waved a little after takeoff. It's sad that it's now down to two air bases housing B-52s.

[@jasonlieu5379]

This is absolutely devastating to watch please don't die people bringing them to die this is the last flight being that this is 89 that plane has been chopped up to scrap a long time ago glad the images are still there 😪

[@aubreyrierson4005]

And no one in formation has hearing protection

[@richanderson2175]

Was an instructor in the 450th and 455FTS from Jan 86 to Sept 90. Great base (politics sucked though). It's funny how a few idiot senior leaders can ruin a great place.

[@CrazyPetez]

A happy day, the Cold War was ending, and a sad say, the end of an era at Mather.

[@sparky42]

@wmharmer Harmer , hey man it's me A1C Miller . you were in the armory . I was on your flight with stackhouse and rackley . I was friends with donald price , I know you know him . Me and steve Mills lived at Mar Rita . Not far from your homestead . Do I have the right man ? Get back to me please.

[@sirbader1]

Click on reply to his comment so he sees it.

[@fixedgearforlife]

Where was the final destination of this BUFF? The Boneyard or another BW?

[@phantomf4g304]

I believe that they went to SD after this.

[@wildwoodwinterchild]

WHERE are the B-52's now? Or has the government 'outdated' them?

[@wildwoodwinterchild]

Capt777harris ...we are on the brink of yet another war...the government has shut down so many bases....and what IS the mode of protection, now? (so removed from that life, and it would seem that our 'protection' from the likes of ISIS is shabby, or scant at the very least...

[@wildwoodwinterchild]

Elizabeth Isgro-Martin dependent at...Ramey AFB...P.R., and haven't checked, but will assume that the government has closed that down, also. Seems 'they' think that it's enough to have 'bodies' of men available here and there rather than to continue to keep bases open that are off-USA proper...I am way removed from that life, now, but still believe that the best protectors ARE feet ON the ground...not simply in the air.

[@wildwoodwinterchild]

...as this goes forward, I'd appreciate being 'on your list' for thoughts concerning Isis....Beth

[@wildwoodwinterchild]

Did this ever get posted?

[@Bluenose352]

As far as B-52s, they're located at two bases. With certain squadrons dispersed throughout the world. There are B-1s at various bases as well. B-2s at one base With a few B-2s at a couole of other bases.

[@amurican35]

Dipped his wing to the base. I miss that sound. The air force blanket of safety is gone. Thanks Bill. We saved a lot of money. Right? 16 trill in the hole and no jobs.