Community marks 50 years since tragic crash

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Victor J. Caputo
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Representatives from McConnell AFB, the city of Wichita, Kansas and the state government held a memorial service on Jan. 16 to mark 50 years since a KC-135A Stratotanker crashed shortly after takeoff.

The plane crashed into a residential neighborhood near Piatt Street and 21st Street in northern Wichita, causing 30 deaths and the total destruction of the aircraft and several houses.

"Like every relationship, there are good times and memories, and also times of sorrow and pain," said Col. Joel Jackson, 22nd Air Refueling Wing Commander. "It's with sorrow that we remember this time, but with great fondness that we look at the continued relationship between McConnell and Wichita."

Family members of the deceased, first responders and other people who were at the scene of the crash spoke to a crowd of local dignitaries and area residents.

Col. Mark S. Larson, 931st Air Refueling Group commander, attended the event with other members of McConnell leadership.  The importance of McConnell's participation was not lost on him.

"On this day, the Air Force lost seven crew members; thats a tragedy and something we need to remember," he said.  "It's also important for us to come out and demonstrate our support for the community, because they support us all the time."

All seven crew members onboard the aircraft died in the crash and 23 more people perished in the ensuing explosion and fire, including a McConnell Airman who was at home with his family, Airman 2nd Class Albert Bolden.

"[He] is a reminder to us that the people on base weren't some transient group of folks passing through," said Daniel Williams, 22nd ARW historian. "Just like today, we're a part of the surrounding community. That tragedy was felt not only in terms of military loss, but also in the heart of the community."

The site of the crash was later dedicated as a park in memory of the lives lost that day, and a small memorial was also dedicated on McConnell.

The KC-135 was assigned to Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base, Oklahoma, and was at McConnell to aid in B-52 Stratofortress upgrades being developed by Boeing. The primary aircraft flown out of McConnell at the time was the F-105 Thunderchief. KC-135s were not assigned to the base until April 1971.