War and Peace in the Nuclear Age; A Bigger Bang for the Buck; 103; Strategy for Peace 1946-1962 (Part 1 of 2)

While the evidence of war was still fresh the United States assigned a special team of civilians to conduct a Strategic Bombing Survey systematically and impartially reviewed the results of Applied strategic rays results. The destruction of the enemy's capacity to wage war were carefully documented into many volumes. The survey team concluded that air power was decisive in its strategic role at the end of a devastating war. They looked into the future and saw a new and forceful way to keep the peace. The best way to win a war they decided is to prevent it from occurring. They stated that prevention of war would not be furthered by neglect of strength or a lack of foresight on our part. Those will contemplate evil and aggression would find encouragement in such neglect. The United States they said must have the will and the strength to be a force for peace a force for peace. We had a signature to the charter of the United Nations. Certainly

man and nations would disagree but here at last was an opportunity for reason to triumph over grief. Each decision and action could result in victory for all the world since World War Two Americans continue to give generously in the guise of peace and freedom. Technical machinery and we know that nations must produce great aggression whenever it threatens. We have created a posture of strength as a vital part of our strategy for the will and the spring force. From the very first days of the Cold War the men and the mission of the Strategic Air Command contributed a vital element of this great you know national resolve dedicated to their profession of maintaining peace. They have lived in a

state of constant readiness to defend our nation and the free world since 1946. The Strategic Air Command. I believe the story of this is their story told in their work. Sure I thought of getting out in 1946. My friends kept asking why stay in the service. I want some I know we weren't forty six a big idea to be a professional force. Sure we had some airplanes but we weren't to bases. And those of us a stadium we were veterans who are experienced. Average age 22 maybe 23 fresh from a school of hard knocks they call combat. Yes we have a lot of experience. Otherwise it was yesterday's experience my job was to train for today and tomorrow. One hundred and one be

29 secs maximum happened not exactly like in 2000 playmates we used a stadium where one to one hundred and one aircraft may not seem too impressive by today's standards but SAC was making effective use of its man its planes and its support equipment for leaders of Strategic Air Command. We're forever looking ahead into the future. Every briefing and every mission was planned to meet the challenges we might be facing tomorrow with the rest of the free world the United States pursued a policy of peace. But Americans were beginning to hear about a new kind of struggle. The Cold War it happened so they cut off the city of everyone completely docs could not stop on every time. We would not have been a little cool for he looked like the only peace that was too good. But we wanted more than peace we wanted peace and freedom. So

cooler by just what I don't know could be licked. So we did. And we beat us. Obama with a job for the military or transport service matching those boys they carry only for health and while things look bad for a time I was I was inside were standing by around the world to make sure I didn't get any worse. Although sac carried no food during the Berlin Airlift it did carry a convincing amount of deterrence although no psych has worked for him to achieve the maximum combat effectiveness. The idea was to be fully prepared for any emergency with whatever equipment it possessed. After all you can't defend a nation with airplanes on the drawing board for the number of men you would like to have in the future. Of course the

command was growing a bit but every day its challenge was growing too. Rotating in squadrons to overseas bases provided one answer to the problem of long range missions. New answers were created. One airplane in particular was a very big answer indeed. We waited a long time for the six the peacemaker. We called it. Yeah it was decided no let's do its own testing with this. Work out the bugs but you might say we wrote our own book of instructions void how to maintain it. Believe me gen engines were glad teamwork from a lot of maintenance man. They have planes. Commissioned by the parameter of the United States an analogy like that that I remember we wound up one of those missions but coming in the

conventional we started dropping eggs. On it. That same year stack received its first big friendly bomb and greatly resembling the early being 29. But even he figured many improves and better performance at higher around the new and increased ring worm. Although aerial refueling had been denied in the past as a stunt. Zak wasn't playing because I want to develop the technique for its medium range bomber while getting new techniques and

required a lot of trial and error will and then one day the hard work became routine. On him like the second we called him that morning looked like the beginning of any other one back in around the world. That's just where we were at around the world nine ninety four hours and it's done. It was an assassin for many years to work between amateurs and professionals. SAC received a special invitation. Some.

Began to get very patient. Some of them some started back. You're Yes it was rough in Korea but with Saxony turquoise and position around the world the action didn't spread any further than Korean marines who gallantly fought for career advice for the brunt of the conflict. On the sea. The United States Navy supported our troops and blockaded the coastlines of the South. Tactical air power control of the skies over the battlefield striking

wherever and whenever. The Strategic Command fulfilled a twofold mission in Korea. First in an amazing demonstration of its mobility and flexibility it quickly deployed to the Far East and eliminate conventional weapons to a variety of vital strategic targets. Secondly it stood guard were a forceful reminder that aggression elsewhere would be strictly off limits. In 1951 SAC was still. And with the forty seven coming into the inventory faster than ever. Here with the airplane of the day. Faster than most fighters of the day with radar equipment that could point to target so that just over. When the plane began to appear and get you home again. They gave say 97 may not be a stray mind of your bombing but it sure

does the job when it comes to aerial refueling. Way. Easier now bringing it up because Max that stuff from 51 sacks received several new bases in England and North Africa. Take it from a Michael buster like me. Rotating a bomb wing from stateside to merry old England takes quite a bit of logistics. SAC really packs for a trip even special Flyaway kits with all the tools and spare parts needed to support him for several months delivering feeding in processing. This calls for paperwork but you know sac. They've been planning ahead for this kind of operation like everything else. Customs inspection even currency exchange sack had it down to a smooth routine. At home sac faced a very serious challenge its mission was extremely demanding and living conditions were less than adequate. But civilian

industry making tempting offers to its highly skilled and highly trained personnel retention became a major concern as in the past. Its men above all else. Its appeals for family housing were heated. Families which once lived as far as 40 miles from their base on base housing at places they could afford. The mission of deterrence grows more difficult and complex with each passing year but stuck by its man. And they have stayed with the command. We received our first B-52 was in 1955. This plane would replace to be 36 minutes faster. A plane like the B-52 in the Terrence business or even number one with the best.

Nine years at the back seven of one and one of the 29 was able to launch more than one. Modern aircraft on short notice. It's been 30 sec says the 47 B-52 was roaming the skies globally for nine years I got training for the real thing for the sole purpose of preventing a. Great scene and it was around a while and. What was the one I want to. Call it a little reminder. You're like. Yes I'm right only just you know that people know that when it comes to any good the world with the world's most powerful weapon the fact still the best of them. And with the arrival of the KC 135 SAG years and of course now the revealing takes place at the bombers altitude of the bomber there's.

As always its leaders were thinking and planning ahead anticipating needs techniques and tactics. In 1957 America focused its talent and its money on missiles. Although it wouldn't happen overnight. The nation was determined to get these complex weapons systems into sex inventory. For hours an increasing number of take off within 15 minutes. Is what we have missed most. Because a bombing continues after it takes off.

It can't be called back. We can get the bomb threat. We can fly. Of course. We may be halfway to target. As far as we know that's where specifically. The pressure is on. The Strategic Air Command First of

all. The great and. Important that we even be together for short periods closer together. This was. You know we read Columbus and. This was a reflex reflex home. 1957 the new pieces provided sack with a greater dispersal of its forces period to please a lot of eggs and a lot of baskets complicates things for the other guy and gives confidence to friends. July a bit the egg Lebanon was the only threat to request the Lebanese government the United States no soldiers or Marines into the capital.

The threat was ended quickly by decisive action. I Squadron at a point that no not in sunny Lebanon we moved into Goose Bay Labrador an advance position for a tank of gas cores. We waited it out for three weeks three weeks later another crisis is out of the history. In 1958 I was one of those secretaries assigned to the first message of the United California. The Atlas missile was our baby and we trained day and night in the classroom on the launch pad. Learned every system and every piece of every system but most of all we learned to be a team. That only one morning in 1959. We began the final countdown for graduation day. This is the headquarters of the Strategic Air Command at Offutt Air Force Base near

Omaha Nebraska. Three stories underground is the famous command post an ever changing marvel of man and equipment. Rapid computers around the clock providing facts from which men can make decisions concerning target planning dispersal penetration weapon assignment and a myriad of other problems inherent in the new situations of day by day challenge. Communications are backed up by more communications single sideband radio short order a system enabling sac to contact any one of its aircraft anywhere in the world. Communications are vital. Second Connect with its entire force at all times. And just as important they permit instant contact with the president of the United States. The only man who can authorize the use of Sachs force. Since the advent of missiles sac is stressed the need of a mixed force both missiles

and bombers. Only such a force can grant us the flexibility we require. In a period of crisis. Question of the manned bomber force could be launched on airborne only providing a show of force and indicating to any enemy the gravity.