Changes

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 [une 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]].