Dan Whittle, September 25, 2011, The Murfreesboro Post
At old Sewart Air Force Base
SMYRNA – History lives here. And living history unfurled with a dramatic military aircraft fly-over for the rededication of a huge monument that marked a milestone day from the old Sewart Air Force Base-era from 1942 to 1970.
More than 40 former Sewart-based Air Force men and women were honored at the “Sewart Monument Rededication” during the recent annual Smyrna Rotary Wings of Freedom Fish Fry. Crowd “oohs” and “aahs” echoed with patriotism as Smyrna resident and retired Air Force Master Sgt. Gene Hardeman was brought out of the audience to unveil the restored monument, put on permanent display in front of Smyrna Airport Administrative Offices.
“Master Sgt. Hardeman was present at the first dedication of the unveiling of the Sewart Monument on March 25, 1950,” said John Black, present-day Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport Authority Executive Director. “It’s our honor to have Mr. Hardeman unveil the plaque for us here today.
“The Wings of Freedom Fish Fry was established nine years ago around 9/11 by Smyrna Rotary Club members to annually honor “first responder” past and present citizens who put their lives on the line in service to American freedom.”
On behalf of the Airport Authority, the Smyrna Rotary Club and the citizens of the United States of America, we salute you, the veterans of Sewart Air Force Base as we rededicate this Sewart Monument,” Black said.
More than a few patriotic tears flowed when the designated bagpiper sounded the notes of “Amazing Grace” to honor those Sewart Air Base veterans, such as the late Steve Fitzhugh, who had the honor of serving as last Sewart Base commander when it was closed in 1970, and as the first executive director of Smyrna Airport when it was returned to local jurisdiction and development in 1991 from the Nashville Airport Authority.
“We want to honor those who served who are no longer with us, but watching over us, please rise,” instructed present-day airport Chairman Mike Woods as the notes of “Amazing Grace” floated over the ceremony attended by several hundred, including Tennessee Adjutant Gen. Max Haston.
“In the aftermath of World War II, the U.S. Military renamed several military establishments in honor of fallen heroes, such as Air Force Maj. Allan Sewart [of Murfreesboro], who died in a B-17 bombing mission over the Solomon Islands in WW II,” Black said. “He was the pilot who died when ditching the airplane alone, allowing other crew members to survive the crash. His heroism is displayed in each one of those who served at Sewart.”
“Sewart Air Base flourished in the 1940s and 1950s when thousands of Air Force personnel served here,” Black added. “And more than 6,000 citizen workers erected 200 buildings on this 3,325 acre air field to accommodate the training needs of the Army and Air Force,” Black traced back in history. “And it was done in six short months.
“Smyrna resident Edwin Smith was one of those citizens.”
Me and my little Ford tractor and scoop were used in moving the first dirt in construction of the air base,” the late Mr. Smith said in a 1989 newspaper interview.
Smyrna resident Ben Coop was one of those former Sewart Air Base airmen.
“More than 6,000 airmen, women and officers were stationed at any given time at old Sewart,” Coop said. “I was initially here in 1953 but returned in 1956, 1957, 1958 and in 1989, I married my beautiful sweetheart nurse, Jean, whom I met while stationed here. We left Sewart when stationed in Germany in 1960, but we always knew we [would] come back to Smyrna to live out our lives.”
“Most of the military air deployment techniques refined today in Afghanistan and Iraq were developed through extensive training techniques here at Sewart Air Force Base,” he said. “Many wings operated at Sewart, including the 76th Flying Training Wing, 314th Troop Carrier Wing, 839th Air Division and the 64th Troop Carrier Wing.
“Various types of aircraft that flew here included the B-17, C-82, B-24, CG-15 Glider (all used in the war against Germany and Japan),” Black added. “Helicopter squadrons flew the CH 21 Shawnee and the H-19 here in the Sewart-era. Today, a Tennessee Army National Guard Helicopter squadron exists here, flying Blackhawks and LaKota craft that have been used in service in Afghanistan and Iraq.
“78-year-old Jim Bailey of Smyrna served at Sewart from 1964 to 1970 when the base was closed permanently.