Changes

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 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.

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/>

The first commanding officer of SAC was [[General]] [[George C. Kenny]], though he did not actually assume that command until [[October 15]], [[1946]].

The first commanding officer of SAC was [[General]] [[George C. Kenny]], though he did not actually assume that command until October 15, 1946.

On [[October 21]], [[1946]], SAC moved from Bolling Field to Andrews Field, now known as [[Andrews Air Force Base]], near [[Upper Marlboro]], [[Maryland]], where it would remain headquartered for another two years.<ref>Andrews AFB is now the host of the [[89th Airlift Wing]], [[Air Mobility Command]]. This wing includes, among other assets, the two [[VC-25A Presidential Transport]]s that typically fly under the call sign "[[Air Force One]]."</ref>

On October 21, 1946, SAC moved from Bolling Field to Andrews Field, now known as [[Andrews Air Force Base]], near [[Upper Marlboro]], [[Maryland]], where it would remain headquartered for another two years.<ref>Andrews AFB is now the host of the [[89th Airlift Wing]], [[Air Mobility Command]]. This wing includes, among other assets, the two [[VC-25A Presidential Transport]]s that typically fly under the call sign "[[Air Force One]]."</ref>

==== Mission of SAC ====

==== Mission of SAC ====

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/>

The Soviets were completely unprepared for these demonstrations of Western air power. Eleven months, 213,000 airlift flights, and 1.7 million tons of food and fuel later, the Soviets discontinued their blockade.<ref name=Nebraska1>Authors Unknown. "[http://www.nebraskastudies.org/0900/stories/0901_0121.html Gen. LeMay & Bomber Deterrence]" ''[http://www.nebraskastudies.org/ NebraskaStudies.org] 1950-1974.'' Retrieved July 29, 2007.</ref>

The Soviets were completely unprepared for these demonstrations of Western air power. Eleven months, 213,000 airlift flights, and 1.7 million tons of food and fuel later, the Soviets discontinued their blockade.<ref name=Nebraska1>Authors Unknown. "[http://www.nebraskastudies.org/0900/stories/0901_0121.html Gen. LeMay & Bomber Deterrence]" ''[http://www.nebraskastudies.org/ NebraskaStudies.org] 1950-1974.'' Retrieved July 29, 2007.</ref>

=== General Curtis LeMay ===

=== General Curtis LeMay ===

[[Image:Curtis LeMay.jpg|thumb|250px|right|General [[Curtis LeMay]], from the National Museum of the [[United States Air Force|USAF]]]]

[[Image:Curtis LeMay.jpg|thumb|250px|right|General [[Curtis LeMay]], from the National Museum of the [[United States Air Force|USAF]]]]

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 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/>

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 [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.)

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]].

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 of 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, 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 a MiG-25 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, 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 a MiG-25 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 Reagan Era ===

=== The Reagan Era ===

=== The End of SAC ===

=== The End of SAC ===

On [[June 1]], [[1992]], both SAC and the JSTPS were disbanded.<ref name=Broyhill/> The mission of nuclear deterrence is now the responsibility of the combined United States [[Strategic Command]], which oversees planning, targeting, and deployment of all three elements of the Nuclear Triad.

 

On June 1, 1992, both SAC and the JSTPS were disbanded.<ref name=Broyhill/> The mission of nuclear deterrence is now the responsibility of the combined United States [[Strategic Command]], which oversees planning, targeting, and deployment of all three elements of the Nuclear Triad.

== SAC Emblem ==

== SAC Emblem ==

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.