Changes

== History ==

== History ==

=== Roots ===

=== Roots ===

The Strategic Air Command traces its roots to the [[Continental Air Forces]], consisting of the First, Second, Third, and Fourth numbered Air Forces during [[World War II]] and the days of the [[United States Army Air Forces]].<ref name=Broyhill>Broyhill, Marvin T., site adm. [http://www.strategic-air-command.com/home.htm Strategic-Air-Command.com]. 1998-2007. Retrieved July 28, 2007. Mr. Broyhill is a veteran of SAC, formerly assigned to the 380th Bombardment Wing, Plattsburgh AFB, [[New York]]. He regularly solicits contributions to his site from other SAC veterans like himself.</ref> The mission of the Continental Air Forces was homeland defense, and at the time of its creation in December of 1944, this mission was largely a reactive one, not the pro-active mission that SAC would have.

The Strategic Air Command traces its roots to the [[Continental Air Forces]], consisting of the First, Second, Third, and Fourth numbered Air Forces during [[World War II]] and the days of the [[United States Army Air Forces]].<ref name=Broyhill>Broyhill, Marvin T., site adm. [http://www.strategic-air-command.com/home.htm Strategic-Air-Command.com]. 1998-2007. Retrieved July 28, 2007. Mr. Broyhill is a veteran of SAC, formerly assigned to the 380th Bombardment Wing, Plattsburgh AFB, [[New York]]. He regularly solicits contributions to his site from other SAC veterans like himself.</ref> The mission of the Continental Air Forces was homeland defense, and at the time of its creation in December 1944, this mission was largely a reactive one, not the pro-active mission that SAC would have.

The CAF's headquarters was at Bolling Field (the future [[Bolling Air Force Base]]), which lies a few minutes' drive from downtown [[Washington, DC]].<ref name=Broyhill/>

The CAF's headquarters was at Bolling Field (the future [[Bolling Air Force Base]]), which lies a few minutes' drive from downtown [[Washington, DC]].<ref name=Broyhill/>

=== Foundation of SAC ===

=== Foundation of SAC ===

The surrender of [[Germany]] in May 1945, and that of [[Japan]] in August of 1945, precipitated a tremendous [[reduction in force]]s in all the branches of the service. In the immediate aftermath of victory, most politicians calculated that the massive land, sea, and air forces that the United States had built were no longer necessary. Large quantities of aircraft--including [[B-29 Superfortress]] bombers, some factory-new--were flown to the States (then consisting of the original forty-eight States) and melted down to their original aluminum, if they were not destroyed on site in the Pacific theater.

The surrender of [[Germany]] in May 1945, and that of [[Japan]] in August 1945, precipitated a tremendous [[reduction in force]]s in all the branches of the service. In the immediate aftermath of victory, most politicians calculated that the massive land, sea, and air forces that the United States had built were no longer necessary. Large quantities of aircraft—including [[B-29 Superfortress]] bombers, some factory-new—were flown to the States (then consisting of the original forty-eight States) and melted down to their original aluminum, if they were not destroyed on site in the Pacific theater.

On March 21, 1946, the Army Air Forces underwent a drastic reorganization. Continental Air Forces changed their name to Strategic Air Command. At the same time the Army Air Forces gained to other air commands: the [[Tactical Air Command]] and the [[Air Defense Command]]. SAC inherited CAF's original Bolling Field headquarters and most of CAF's air, ground, personnel, and other assets.<ref name=Broyhill/>

On March 21, 1946, the Army Air Forces underwent a drastic reorganization. Continental Air Forces changed their name to Strategic Air Command. At the same time the Army Air Forces gained to other air commands: the [[Tactical Air Command]] and the [[Air Defense Command]]. SAC inherited CAF's original Bolling Field headquarters and most of CAF's air, ground, personnel, and other assets.<ref name=Broyhill/>

On [[September 16, 1947]] the Army Air Forces gained a separate identity as the present [[United States Air Force]]. The uniforms, insignia, and facility names all changed, but command structure, organization, and operations remained the same.<ref name=Broyhill/>

On [[September 16, 1947]] the Army Air Forces gained a separate identity as the present [[United States Air Force]]. The uniforms, insignia, and facility names all changed, but command structure, organization, and operations remained the same.<ref name=Broyhill/>

SAC began to expand in July of 1947, with the addition of seven more groups. Only two of these received any air assets; the other five were established only on paper. Four of these latter five were deactivated by September of 1948; only the 306th Bombardment Group survived. It moved to MacDill AFB in August of 1948 and received a complement of B-29 bombers.<ref name=Broyhill/>

SAC began to expand in July 1947, with the addition of seven more groups. Only two of these received any air assets; the other five were established only on paper. Four of these latter five were deactivated by September 1948; only the 306th Bombardment Group survived. It moved to MacDill AFB in August 1948 and received a complement of B-29 bombers.<ref name=Broyhill/>

=== The Cold War Begins ===

=== The Cold War Begins ===

The actions of the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics|Soviet Union]] in 1948 were probably the one single event that saved SAC from total oblivion. On June 22, 1948, the Soviets imposed the infamous blockade of [[Berlin]]. In response, SAC dispatched several bombardment groups to Europe to prepare to go to war with the Soviet Union. That war never began. [[Lieutenant General]] [[Curtis LeMay]], then the commander of the Air Force in Europe, saw an opportunity to demonstrate American air power by ''resupplying Berlin from the air''--without using direct military force to lift the siege. He selected an officer having direct experience in aerial supply operations and placed him in command of what became the [[Berlin Airlift]].<ref name=Broyhill/> Beginning on July 1, 1948, hundreds of [[C-54]] cargo planes began dropping foodstuffs and other supplies into the besieged city.

The actions of the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics|Soviet Union]] in 1948 were probably the one single event that saved SAC from total oblivion. On June 22, 1948, the Soviets imposed the infamous blockade of [[Berlin]]. In response, SAC dispatched several bombardment groups to Europe to prepare to go to war with the Soviet Union. That war never began. [[Lieutenant General]] [[Curtis LeMay]], then the commander of the Air Force in Europe, saw an opportunity to demonstrate American air power by ''resupplying Berlin from the air''—without using direct military force to lift the siege. He selected an officer having direct experience in aerial supply operations and placed him in command of what became the [[Berlin Airlift]].<ref name=Broyhill/> Beginning on July 1, 1948, hundreds of [[C-54]] cargo planes began dropping foodstuffs and other supplies into the besieged city.

On July 22, 1948, SAC staged another incredible show of force by flying three Superfortresses around the world.<ref name=Broyhill/>

On July 22, 1948, SAC staged another incredible show of force by flying three Superfortresses around the world.<ref name=Broyhill/>

On October 19, 1948, General LeMay was placed in charge of SAC, a post he would hold for ten years. At once he set out to make SAC a combat-ready force that could deliver devastating blows to any point in the world.<ref name=Broyhill/>

On October 19, 1948, General LeMay was placed in charge of SAC, a post he would hold for ten years. At once he set out to make SAC a combat-ready force that could deliver devastating blows to any point in the world.<ref name=Broyhill/>

This process began in November of 1948 with the relocation of SAC from Andrews to [[Offutt Air Force Base]], near [[Omaha]], [[Nebraska]]. Offutt was and is centrally located, and at the time it had one of the few runways long enough to land a fully loaded B-29.<ref name=Broyhill/>

This process began in November 1948 with the relocation of SAC from Andrews to [[Offutt Air Force Base]], near [[Omaha]], [[Nebraska]]. Offutt was and is centrally located, and at the time it had one of the few runways long enough to land a fully loaded B-29.<ref name=Broyhill/>

Once again the Soviet Union showed its hand, this time by successfully detonating an atomic bomb in 1949. In response, the United States began developing a stockpile of nuclear devices, and building more planes to carry them. The largest of these was the [[B-36 Peacemaker]], with its six turboprop engines and four extreme-outboard jet engines.

Once again the Soviet Union showed its hand, this time by successfully detonating an atomic bomb in 1949. In response, the United States began developing a stockpile of nuclear devices, and building more planes to carry them. The largest of these was the [[B-36 Peacemaker]], with its six turboprop engines and four extreme-outboard jet engines.

LeMay, who earned his fourth star on June 1, 1953<ref name=Broyhill/>, never stopped pressing for the development of faster and longer-range bombers. He introduced the first all-jet bomber, the [[B-47 Stratojet]], which was of more limited range than the Peacemaker, but much faster and requiring a far smaller crew. In 1955 he introduced the [[B-52 Stratofortress]], an eight-jet long-range bomber. LeMay introduced the [[KC-135 Stratotanker]], an all-jet tanker able to carry out [[air refueling]] of bombers to extend their range. (In 1957, three B-52s flew around the world, non-stop, using those tankers to keep them in the air.<ref name=Zianet>Authors Unknown. "[http://www.zianet.com/jpage/airforce/history/majcoms/sac.html Strategic Air Command (SAC)]." Retrieved July 29, 2007</ref>) LeMay retained the concept of fighter escort for bombers for a number of years, but eventually realized that no fighter could ever keep up with a long-range bomber. (He also might have concluded that intercepting a bomber still allows its crew to detonate its load--and even a mid-air nuclear detonation would be devastating to those on the ground below it.)

LeMay, who earned his fourth star on June 1, 1953,<ref name=Broyhill/> never stopped pressing for the development of faster and longer-range bombers. He introduced the first all-jet bomber, the [[B-47 Stratojet]], which was of more limited range than the Peacemaker, but much faster and requiring a far smaller crew. In 1955 he introduced the [[B-52 Stratofortress]], an eight-jet long-range bomber. LeMay introduced the [[KC-135 Stratotanker]], an all-jet tanker able to carry out [[air refueling]] of bombers to extend their range. (In 1957, three B-52s flew around the world, non-stop, using those tankers to keep them in the air.<ref name=Zianet>Authors Unknown. "[http://www.zianet.com/jpage/airforce/history/majcoms/sac.html Strategic Air Command (SAC)]." Retrieved July 29, 2007</ref>) LeMay retained the concept of fighter escort for bombers for a number of years, but eventually realized that no fighter could ever keep up with a long-range bomber. (He also might have concluded that intercepting a bomber still allows its crew to detonate its load—and even a mid-air nuclear detonation would be devastating to those on the ground below it.)

General LeMay did not consider [[mutually assured destruction]] a real possibility during his tenure. He quite reasonably observed that the Soviet Union could not deliver nuclear devices as quickly or at such great range as SAC could. This was true enough while he held the command but no longer true in an era of [[intercontinental ballistic missiles]].

General LeMay did not consider [[mutually assured destruction]] a real possibility during his tenure. He quite reasonably observed that the Soviet Union could not deliver nuclear devices as quickly or at such great range as SAC could. This was true enough while he held the command but no longer true in an era of [[intercontinental ballistic missiles]].

=== The Missile Age ===

=== The Missile Age ===

General LeMay laid down his command in July of 1957 to accept an appointment as Vice-Chief of Staff for the Air Force. (He became Chief of Staff in July of 1961.) Before he left SAC, he laid the foundation for the land-based ICBM force that SAC would control almost since their invention.<ref name=GlobalSec>Pike, John, site adm. "[http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/agency/sac.htm Strategic Air Command]." ''[http://www.globalsecurity.org/ GlobalSecurity.org]'', 2007. Retrieved July 31, 2007.</ref>

General LeMay laid down his command in July 1957 to accept an appointment as Vice-Chief of Staff for the Air Force. (He became Chief of Staff in July 1961.) Before he left SAC, he laid the foundation for the land-based ICBM force that SAC would control almost since their invention.<ref name=GlobalSec>Pike, John, site adm. "[http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/agency/sac.htm Strategic Air Command]." ''[http://www.globalsecurity.org/ GlobalSecurity.org]'', 2007. Retrieved July 31, 2007.</ref>

During General LeMay's tenure, the motto of SAC had been, "War is our profession; peace is our product." In 1958, after LeMay left SAC, the motto was changed to "Peace is our profession."

During General LeMay's tenure, the motto of SAC had been, "War is our profession; peace is our product." In 1958, after LeMay left SAC, the motto was changed to "Peace is our profession."

In 1960, the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff (JSTPS) was formed and tasked with developing a single, uniform war-response plan for the use of nuclear weapons in mass retaliation. SAC headquarters hosted this agency during its lifetime. Beginning in that year, a significant proportion of SAC's assets were placed on permanent ground alert, with orders to be ready to launch in 15 minutes or less.<ref name=Zianet/>

In 1960, the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff (JSTPS) was formed and tasked with developing a single, uniform war-response plan for the use of nuclear weapons in mass retaliation. SAC headquarters hosted this agency during its lifetime. Beginning in that year, a significant proportion of SAC's assets were placed on permanent ground alert, with orders to be ready to launch in 15 minutes or less.<ref name=Zianet/>

In 1961, SAC instituted the first airborne command post, named [[Looking Glass]] after the famous [[Lewis Carroll]] novel. Looking Glass took this name because it could mirror all the functions of the ground-based command post at Offutt AFB even if an enemy managed to destroy the base itself.<ref name=GlobalSec/><ref name=Zianet/> From that year to 1991, SAC would always have at least one aircraft flying a Looking Glass mission.

In 1961, SAC instituted the first airborne command post, named [[Looking Glass]] after the famous [[Lewis Carroll]] novel. Looking Glass took this name because it could mirror all the functions of the ground-based command post at Offutt AFB even if an enemy managed to destroy the base itself.<ref name=Zianet/><ref name=GlobalSec/> From that year to 1991, SAC would always have at least one aircraft flying a Looking Glass mission.

In October of 1963 came the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]], in which the Soviet Union placed missiles in [[Cuba]], targeted at several of America's largest cities. This was probably the closest that SAC came to having to fire a shot in anger.<ref name=Broyhill/> Following the successful resolution of this crisis, SAC established the Post-Attack Command and Control System to support Looking Glass with several other planes carrying "personnel, cargo, and intelligence platforms."<ref name=GlobalSec/> At the same time, the first [[National Airborne Emergency Command Post]] was established at Andrews AFB. The NAECP, an aircraft and crew that can mirror the functions of the [[White House]] Situation Room, remains today.

In October 1963 came the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]], in which the Soviet Union placed missiles in [[Cuba]], targeted at several of America's largest cities. This was probably the closest that SAC came to having to fire a shot in anger.<ref name=Broyhill/> Following the successful resolution of this crisis, SAC established the Post-Attack Command and Control System to support Looking Glass with several other planes carrying "personnel, cargo, and intelligence platforms."<ref name=GlobalSec/> At the same time, the first [[National Airborne Emergency Command Post]] was established at Andrews AFB. The NAECP, an aircraft and crew that can mirror the functions of the [[White House]] Situation Room, remains today.

In 1964, the United States began full-scale military operations in [[Vietnam]]. B-52's from SAC participated in this by dropping large quantities of conventional bombs on enemy strongholds in the [[jungle]], a procedure called [[carpet bombing]].<ref name=GlobalSec/>

In 1964, the United States began full-scale military operations in [[Vietnam]]. B-52's from SAC participated in this by dropping large quantities of conventional bombs on enemy strongholds in the [[jungle]], a procedure called [[carpet bombing]].<ref name=GlobalSec/>

In the late 1960s came the first experiments in [[anti-ballistic missile]] technology. But deployment of these "anti-missiles" became politically infeasible, and in 1972, President [[Richard Nixon]] negotiated a [[treaty]] with the Soviets that neither side would deploy anti-missiles against the other's incoming missiles. The prospect of mutual assured destruction would remain.

In the late 1960s came the first experiments in [[anti-ballistic missile]] technology. But deployment of these "anti-missiles" became politically infeasible, and in 1972, President [[Richard Nixon]] negotiated a [[treaty]] with the Soviets that neither side would deploy anti-missiles against the other's incoming missiles. The prospect of mutual assured destruction would remain.

SAC's involvement in Vietnam climaxed with [[Operation Linebacker II]] in December of 1972. SAC's successes with this operation are credited with forcing the North Vietnamese to resume peace negotiations.<ref name=Zianet/>

SAC's involvement in Vietnam climaxed with [[Operation Linebacker II]] in December 1972. SAC's successes with this operation are credited with forcing the North Vietnamese to resume peace negotiations.<ref name=Zianet/>

SAC had planned to acquire a new long-range bomber, the [[B-70 Valkyrie]], capable of carrying far heavier loads. However, persistent rumors arose that the Soviets were developing a rocket fighter-interceptor that would easily destroy the B-70 before it got close to target.<ref name=Belenko>Barron, John. ''MiG Pilot: The Final Escape of Lt. Belenko''. New York: Avon Books. 1981. ISBN 0380538687</ref> For that reason, and because of budgetary and political constraints, [[United States Congress|Congress]] cancelled the B-70 bomber. (The Soviets ''did'' produce a high-speed, high-altitude interceptor, the [[MiG-25]] Foxbat. But only when [[Lieutenant]] [[Viktor Belenko]] escaped with his MiG-25 on September 6, 1976 and thus allowed American analysts to examine one first-hand did the Americans realize that, while the MiG-25 would have been a devastating interceptor, it would have been useless as a fighter.<ref name=Belenko/>)

SAC had planned to acquire a new long-range bomber, the [[B-70 Valkyrie]], capable of carrying far heavier loads. However, persistent rumors arose that the Soviets were developing a rocket fighter-interceptor that would easily destroy the B-70 before it got close to target.<ref name=Belenko>Barron, John. ''MiG Pilot: The Final Escape of Lt. Belenko''. New York: Avon Books. 1981. ISBN 0380538687</ref> For that reason, and because of budgetary and political constraints, [[United States Congress|Congress]] cancelled the B-70 bomber. (The Soviets ''did'' produce a high-speed, high-altitude interceptor, the [[MiG-25]] Foxbat. But only when [[Lieutenant]] [[Viktor Belenko]] escaped with his MiG-25 on September 6, 1976 and thus allowed American analysts to examine one first-hand did the Americans realize that, while the MiG-25 would have been a devastating interceptor, it would have been useless as a fighter.<ref name=Belenko/>)

The arms of SAC are displayed on a shield. The [[Heraldry|heraldric]] description is: Azure two clouds blanc shaded azure-gris, the one issuing from sinister chief and the other from dexter base, a cubit arm in armor in bend, issuing from sinister, the hand grasping a branch of olive vert and three lightning flashes gules. That is, on a blue field, two white-and-blue-gray-shaded clouds, one entering from the upper left-hand corner (as the holder of the shield might face the ''viewer'', instead of the viewer looking at the shield itself) and the other from the bottom right, and an armored and extended-and-bent forearm, entering from the left, the hand holding a green olive branch and three red lightning flashes.

The arms of SAC are displayed on a shield. The [[Heraldry|heraldric]] description is: Azure two clouds blanc shaded azure-gris, the one issuing from sinister chief and the other from dexter base, a cubit arm in armor in bend, issuing from sinister, the hand grasping a branch of olive vert and three lightning flashes gules. That is, on a blue field, two white-and-blue-gray-shaded clouds, one entering from the upper left-hand corner (as the holder of the shield might face the ''viewer'', instead of the viewer looking at the shield itself) and the other from the bottom right, and an armored and extended-and-bent forearm, entering from the left, the hand holding a green olive branch and three red lightning flashes.

The blue field represents the sky, which was SAC's theater of operations. The clouds signify SAC's ability to strike in all kinds of weather. The armored hand represents power; the lightning, speed; and the olive branch, peace--the thing that SAC tried to keep by being ever-ready to fight war on a devastating scale.

The blue field represents the sky, which was SAC's theater of operations. The clouds signify SAC's ability to strike in all kinds of weather. The armored hand represents power; the lightning, speed; and the olive branch, peace—the thing that SAC tried to keep by being ever-ready to fight war on a devastating scale.

== SAC in popular culture ==

== SAC in popular culture ==

The second film illustrates the B-52 bomber and KC-135 tanker and also contains a few brief sequences showing Titan missiles. It also contains an early sequence in which Rock Hudson's character demonstrates the tight [[positive control]] that SAC always maintained on its nuclear arsenal, with its authentication codes and required checking and crosschecking at every level of command, from SAC headquarters to the cockpit of every nuclear-armed bomber. This is an obvious counter-message to the unflattering inferences that General LeMay (then Air Force Chief of Staff) knew that two upcoming films would encourage viewers to draw:

The second film illustrates the B-52 bomber and KC-135 tanker and also contains a few brief sequences showing Titan missiles. It also contains an early sequence in which Rock Hudson's character demonstrates the tight [[positive control]] that SAC always maintained on its nuclear arsenal, with its authentication codes and required checking and crosschecking at every level of command, from SAC headquarters to the cockpit of every nuclear-armed bomber. This is an obvious counter-message to the unflattering inferences that General LeMay (then Air Force Chief of Staff) knew that two upcoming films would encourage viewers to draw:

#In ''[[Dr. Strangelove]]'', a SAC wing commander launches a totally unauthorized attack on the Soviet Union on nothing but his own personal authority, using a war plan that precluded any interdiction from the [[President of the United States|President]]. Unless the rogue wing can be recalled, a Soviet-built "doomsday system" will set off multiple thermonuclear detonations--automatically, and not subject to interdiction by anyone.<ref>''Dr. Strangelove, Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb''. Directed by [[Stanley Kubrick]]. With [[Peter Sellers]], [[George C. Scott]], [[Sterling Hayden]], and [[Slim Pickens]]. [[Hawk Films]], 1964. Because most of the characters' names carry connotations of mature themes, this film is cited without an outside link.</ref>

#In ''[[Dr. Strangelove]]'', a SAC wing commander launches a totally unauthorized attack on the Soviet Union on nothing but his own personal authority, using a war plan that precluded any interdiction from the [[President of the United States|President]]. Unless the rogue wing can be recalled, a Soviet-built "doomsday system" will set off multiple thermonuclear detonations—automatically, and not subject to interdiction by anyone.<ref>''Dr. Strangelove, Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb''. Directed by [[Stanley Kubrick]]. With [[Peter Sellers]], [[George C. Scott]], [[Sterling Hayden]], and [[Slim Pickens]]. [[Hawk Films]], 1964. Because most of the characters' names carry connotations of mature themes, this film is cited without an outside link.</ref>

#In ''[[Fail-Safe]]'', a false-positive missile-launch registration leads an airborne alert squadron of bombers to pass their "fail-safe points." Their crews then refuse to heed repeated and fervid appeals to turn back--and the President resorts to a ''very'' drastic action to ensure that the incineration of [[Moscow]] does not lead to all-out, full-scale, unlimited war.<ref>''[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058083/ Fail-Safe]''. Directed by [[Sidney Lumet]]. With [[Dan O'Herlihy]], [[Walter Matthau]], [[Ed Binns]], and [[Henry Fonda]]. [[Columbia Pictures]], 1964. Retrieved July 31, 2007, from the [http://www.imdb.com/ Internet Movie Database].</ref>

#In ''[[Fail-Safe]]'', a false-positive missile-launch registration leads an airborne alert squadron of bombers to pass their "fail-safe points." Their crews then refuse to heed repeated and fervid appeals to turn back—and the President resorts to a ''very'' drastic action to ensure that the incineration of [[Moscow]] does not lead to all-out, full-scale, unlimited war.<ref>''[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058083/ Fail-Safe]''. Directed by [[Sidney Lumet]]. With [[Dan O'Herlihy]], [[Walter Matthau]], [[Ed Binns]], and [[Henry Fonda]]. [[Columbia Pictures]], 1964. Retrieved July 31, 2007, from the [http://www.imdb.com/ Internet Movie Database].</ref>

No one has yet adduced any hard evidence that either scenario could possibly have played out during the Cold War era. However, Broyhill<ref name=Broyhill/> maintains that any of a number of human beings at SAC could have yielded to panic during the Cuban Crisis and for years afterward--and speaks with high praise of everyone in SAC because this did not happen.

No one has yet adduced any hard evidence that either scenario could possibly have played out during the Cold War era. However, Broyhill<ref name=Broyhill/> maintains that any of a number of human beings at SAC could have yielded to panic during the Cuban Crisis and for years afterward—and speaks with high praise of everyone in SAC because this did not happen.

===SAC Major Military Base: A Likely [[Nuclear target structures|Nuclear Target Structure]]===

===SAC Major Military Base: A Likely [[Nuclear target structures|Nuclear Target Structure]]===

SAC formerly being a major [[United States Armed Forces]] military base with [[nuclear weapon]] capabilities made it one of the [[Nuclear_target_structures#Primary_Targets|primary targets]] among the world's major [[nuclear target structures]] in a possible [[nuclear war]]<ref>[http://www.nti.org/country-profiles/united-states/nuclear/ ''Nuclear Country Profile''], [[Washington, DC]]: Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), Last updated: May, 2014. Accessed January 15, 2015</ref>. SAC formerly being a "[[first strike]]" [[nuclear war]] target was mostly due to [[missile]] silos, [[bomber]] bases, and command and control (C2) centers. The enemy must neutralize these [[asset]]s immediately to prevent or minimize American nuclear or other military retaliation.

SAC formerly being a major [[United States Armed Forces]] military base with [[nuclear weapon]] capabilities made it one of the [[Nuclear target structures#Primary Targets|primary targets]] among the world's major [[nuclear target structures]] in a possible [[nuclear war]].<ref>[http://www.nti.org/country-profiles/united-states/nuclear/ ''Nuclear Country Profile''], [[Washington, DC]]: Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), Last updated: May, 2014. Accessed January 15, 2015</ref> SAC formerly being a "[[first strike]]" [[nuclear war]] target was mostly due to [[missile]] silos, [[bomber]] bases, and command and control (C2) centers. The enemy must neutralize these [[asset]]s immediately to prevent or minimize American nuclear or other military retaliation.

== Relevant Lists ==

== Relevant Lists ==

{{reflist|2}}

{{reflist|2}}

== External Links ==

== External links ==

* [http://www.sacmuseum.org/ Strategic Air Command Museum] (official site)

* [http://www.sacmuseum.org/ Strategic Air Command Museum] (official site)

[[Category:Cold War]]

[[Category:Cold War]]

[[Category:United States Air Force]]

[[Category:United States Air Force]]

[[Category : Nuclear Target Structures]]

[[Category:Nuclear Target Structures]]