Changes

=== 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/>