In the high-stakes arena of the 1960s Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in an insatiable race for supersonic dominance. On its centennial, Kelly Field did play a very major role in this race, particularly with the B-58 Hustler bomber that sealed America’s lead in the supersonic speed contest.
Based at Kelly Field, the B-58 Hustler was something of a marvel for its time. It was the first American bomber to break Mach 2, reaching 1,584 mph, twice the speed of sound. This was in 1961 during a series of record-breaking flights from Edwards Air Force Base, California. Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Richard Weir, the plane’s navigator, has been honored for his contributions to the historic flights during a June 7, 2017, ceremony.
Though impressive in and of itself, the record-setting flight of the B-58 was part of something much greater than just a show for speed; it showcased, as never before, the first-strike capability of the United States. This aircraft had to penetrate Soviet airspace quickly to deliver its payload before enemy interceptor aircraft. The B-58 never dropped a nuclear bomb in combat, but its speed and payload capacity were key deterrents during the Cold War.
The setup for the speed run was meticulous. Measuring instruments were installed under the supervision of the French Aéronautique, a certification board; and the installation had to comply with arms treaties and other regulations. Weir recalled that there was much red tape, but acknowledged that it was necessary to take back the supersonic speed record from the Soviets.
While smaller fighter jets had already broken Mach 2, it was another thing for the B-58, which could do it with heavy bombs. However, the operational life of the B-58 was fairly short. With the advent of missile-based nuclear payloads and the multi-role capabilities of the B-52 Stratofortress, the B-58 was retired in 1970 after a mere decade of service.
Kelly Field’s role extended beyond the record-setting flight. The base provided essential maintenance and support for the B-58 fleet. Retired Maj. Gen. Lew Curtis, who worked on the B-58s during the 1960s, emphasized how demanding maintenance-wise the aircraft were. “Those crafts kept you on your toes,” he said. “They needed a lot of love.”
Despite its short service life, the B-58 Hustler has remained a strong symbol of American ingenuity and dedication in the heat of the Cold War. Former pilots and Air Force personnel attended a June 7 ceremony in dedication to the entire crew of the record-setting flight. Curtis, before his death, insisted that the names of all the crew members be printed on that plane, reflecting what the team did as part of a collective effort of fraternity.
An event that may put some additional focus on Kelly Field’s notable contributions to the history of military aviation this November is the centennial celebration featuring an air show and open house. As attendees assemble to view all the action left in the legacy of the B-58 Hustler, they will be reminded of the great accomplishments and of the talented and dedicated people who made them all possible.