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These OOBs are adapted from Strategic Air Command: People, Aircraft, and Missiles - Second Edition By Norman Polmar and Timothy M. Laur; which in turn was plagiarized from the official SAC 40th Anniversary history published in 1988, with slight updates to bring it up to 1990.~
Tactical Aircraft
(148 B-29, 85 P-51, 31 F-2, 15 C-54) About 30 of the B-29s were configured to carry nuclear weapons.
Aircraft Units
6 x Very Heavy Bomb Groups with 30 x B-29s
3 x Very Heavy Bomb Groups with no aircraft assigned
1 x Fighter Group with 75 x P-51s
1 x Fighter Group with no aircraft assigned
1 x Reconnaissance Wing with F-2s
1 x Reconnaissance Squadron with F-13s
1 x Air Transport Unit with 10 x C-54s
Active Bases
18 in the continental limits of the United States (CONUS)
Tactical Aircraft
713 (319 B-29, 230 P-51, 120 P-80, 9 C-54, and 35 F-2, F-9, F-13, and FB-17)
Aircraft Units
11 x Very Heavy Bomb Groups with 30 x B-29s
5 x Very Heavy Bomb Groups without aircraft
3 x Fighter Groups with 75 x P-51s
2 x Fighter Groups with 75 x P-80s
1 x Reconnaissance Group with 12 x F-9s
1 x Reconnaissance Group without aircraft
1 x Reconnaissance Squadron with 24 x F-13s
1 x Air Transport Unit with 10 x C-54s
Aircraft Units
1 x Heavy Bomb Group with 18 x B-36s
1 x Heavy Bomb Group without aircraft
5 x Medium Bomb Groups with 45 x B-29s
6 x Medium Bomb Groups with 30 x B-29s
1 x Medium Bomb Group with 45 x B-29s and B-50s
1 x Fighter Group with 75 x F-51s
1 x Fighter Group with 75 x F-82s
2 x Strategic Reconnaisance Groups with 12 x RB-17s and RB-29s
2 x Strategic Reconnaisance Squadrons with 12 x RB-17s and RB-29s
1 x Strategic Support Unit with 10 x C-54s
2 x Medium Air Refuelling Squadrons with authorized strength of 20 x KB-29s in process of equipping.
Active Bases
21 CONUS bases
Things of Note in the Command's History:
* 20 February: First B-50, an A model, delivered to 43d BW at Davis Monthan AFB.
* 18 June: First Air Refuelling Squadrons, the 43d and 509th are activicated at Davis-Monthan AFB, and Roswell AFB. They begin receiving their aircraft in late 1948.
* 26 June: First B-36, an A model, delivered to 7th BG at Carswell AFB.
* 19 October: Curtis E. LeMay becomes CINCSAC.
* 9 November: SAC HQ moved from Andrews AFB, Maryland to Offut AFB, Nebraska.
Aircraft Units
1 x Heavy Bomb Group with 18 x B-36s
2 x Heavy Bomb Groups with authorized strength of 18 x B-36s in process of equipping.
3 x Medium Bomb Groups with 45 x B-29s
5 x Medium Bomb Groups with 30 x B-29s
3 x Medium Bomb Groups with 45 x B-29s and B-50s
1 x Fighter Group with 75 x F-86s
1 x Fighter Group with 75 x F-82s
1 x Strategic Reconnaisance Group with 48 x RB-29s, RB-17s and C-82s.
1 x Strategic Reconnaisance Group with 36 x RB-29s
1 x Strategic Reconnaisance Group with 18 x RB-29s
2 x Strategic Support Squadrons with 12 x C-54s and YC-97s
2 x Air Refueling Squadrons with 20 x KB-29s
2 x Air Refuelling Squadrons with 20 x KB-29s authorized; partially equipped
2 x Air Refuelling Squadrons with no aircraft assigned.
Active Bases
17 CONUS bases
Things of Note in the Command's History:
* October: Spot promotion system initiated after October bombing competition by General LeMay.
Aircraft Units
Two Heavy Bomb Groups (18 UE) with B-36s
Two Heavy Reconnaissance Groups, one (18 UE) with RB-36s, and one (22 UE) converting from B-29s to RB-36s
12 Medium Bomb Groups, (45 UE), four with B-50s, seven with B-29s, and one with B-29s and B-50s
Two Medium Strategic Reconnaissance Groups, one (36 UE) with RB-45s and one (45 UE), with RB-29s, RB-50s, and C-82s
One RB-29 Reconnaissance Squadron (12 UE) on temporary duty with Far East Air Forces
Three Fighter Groups (75 UE), two fully equipped with F-84s and one partially equipped with F-84s
Three Strategic Support Squadrons (12 UE), one with C-97s, one with C-124s, and one partially equipped with C-124s
12 Medium Air Refueling Squadrons (eight 20 UE and four 12 UE), four fully equipped with KB-29s, five in process of equipping with KB-29s, and three with no aircraft assigned
Active Bases
19 CONUS bases and one overseas (Puerto Rico)
First RB-45, a C model, delivered to 91st SRW at Barksdale AFB, LA on 26 August.
Tactical Units
Three Heavy Bomb Wings (30 UE), two with B-36s and one in process of converting from B-29s to B-36s
19 Medium Bomb Wings (45 UE), 12 with or equipping with B-29s (including two TOY with FEAF), four with B-50s, one with both B-29s and B-50s, one with B-47s and one converting from B-29s to B-47s
Two Heavy Reconnaissance Wings (30 UE) with RB-36s
Four Medium Reconnaissance Wings, one (45 UE) with RB-50s, RB-29s, and C-82s, one (45 UE) with B/RB-45s, and two (36 UE) with or equipping with RB-29s
One RB-29 Reconnaissance Squadron (12 UE) TDY with FEAF
Three Fighter Escort Wings (75 UE) being equipped with F-84Gs
16 Medium Air Refueling Squadrons (13 20 UE and three 12 UE), ten with KB-29s, two partially equipped with KC-97s, and four without aircraft assigned
Three Strategic Support Squadrons (12 UE) with C-124s
Active Bases
22 in CONUS and 11 overseas (North Africa, Puerto Rico, and United Kingdom)
Organization
Korean War. Throughout 1951, the 98th and 307th Bomb Wings remained in the Far East under the operational control of the FEAF Bomber Command. Their B-29s were engaged primarily in attacking bridges, marshalling yards, supply and troop camps, and various other targets. The 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron also remained in the Far East and supported the FEAF Bomber Command effort with photographic and surveillance missions. In June, the 27th Fighter-Escort Wing began training its replacements from other major air commands and by the end of August it had returned to Berg-strom, leaving its F-84Es in the Far East. Upon returning to Bergstrom, the 27th began making preparations to receive the F-84G Thunderjet fighters (first aircraft delivered on 23 September), which were equipped for inflight refueling. No additional SAC fighter wings were called upon to serve in Korea.
Events of Note:
23 October: First B-47 delivered to 306th BW at MacDill AFB.
First KC-97. The 306th Air Refueling Squadron, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, was the first unit to begin equipping with the KC-97 tanker. Its first aircraft, a KC-97E, was delivered on 14 July. Outfitted with a flying boom and loaded with fuel tanks, the four-engine, propeller-driven KC-97 could fly fast enough to match the minimum speed of the B-47. It transformed the B-47 into an intercontinental bomber. Each KC-97 squadron was authorized 20 aircraft. Serial number of first KC-97 was 51-183.
First B-36 flight to England. On 16 January, the first B-36s arrived in England. Six B-36Ds of the 7th Bomb Wing, Carswell Air Force Base, Texas, landed at Lakenheath RAF Station, England, having staged through Limestone Air Force Base, Maine. The flight returned to Carswell on 20 January.
First B-36 flight to French Morocco. On 3 December 1951, the first B-36s arrived in French Morocco. Six B-36s of the llth Bomb Wing landed at Sidi Slimane, French Morocco, having flown nonstop from Carswell Air Force Base, Texas. The flight returned on 6 December.
Tactical Units
3 x Heavy Bomb Wings with 30 x B-36s
1 x Heavy Bomb Wing being equipped with B-36s
1 x Heavy Bomb Wing without aircraft
2 x Heavy Strategic Reconnaisance Wings with 30 x RB-36s
2 x Heavy Strategic Reconnaisance Wings in process of equipping with RB-36s
21 Medium Bomb Wings, eleven (45 UE); five with B-50s, two with B-29s, and four equipping with B-47s, and ten (30 UE), nine with and one equipping with B-29s (includes two TDY with FEAF)
Five Medium Strategic Reconnaissance Wings, three (45 UE), one with RB-50s and C-82s, one with RB-45s, and one to be equipped with RB-47s, and two (30 UE) with B/RB-29s
One squadron (10 UE) of RB-29s TDY with FEAF
Four Strategic Fighter Wings (75 UE) with F-84s
Three Strategic Support Squadrons (12 UE) with C-124s
19 Medium Air Refueling Squadrons (20 UE), ten with KB-29s, six with KC-97s, and three in process of equipping with KC-97s
Active Bases
26 in CONUS and 10 overseas (Puerto Rico, North Africa, and United Kingdom)
Tactical Units
6 x Heavy Bomb Wings with 30 x B-36s
4 x Heavy Strategic Reconnaissance Wings with 30 x RB-36s
22 Medium Bomb Wings, 17 45 UE, seven with and six in process of equipping with B-47s, three equipped with B-50s, and one with B-29s, and five 30 UE with B-29s (includes two TDY with FEAF)
Five Medium Strategic Reconnaissance Wings, four 45 UE, one equipped with RB-50s, two partially equipped with YRB-47s, and one partially equipped with RB-47s, and one (30 UE) partially equipped with RB-29s
One RB-29 Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (10 UE) TDY with FEAF
Six Strategic Fighter Wings (75 UE), five with F-84s and one with no aircraft
28 Medium Air Refueling Squadrons (20 UE), 20 equipped or equipping with KC-97s and eight equipped or equipping with KB-29s
Four Strategic Support Squadrons (12 UE) with C-124s
Active Bases
29 CONUS bases and 10 overseas (North Africa, Puerto Rico, and United Kingdom)
Organization
20 January: SAC's four Fighter Escort Wings were redesignated Strategic Fighter Wings in recognition of their development of an atomic capability.
First B-47 wing deployment. From 22 January through 20 February, the 306th Bomb Wing, the first B-47 wing, was subjected to an exhaustive exercise, Sky Try, in which the B-47 was tested under simulated combat conditions.
Shortly after completion of Sky Try, SAC decided the 306th was ready for a 90-day rotational training mission to England. B-29 and B-50 wings had been rotating there since 1948. The 306th's deployment originated at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, and involved equal flights of 15 B-47s on 3, 4, and 5 June. The B-47s staged through Limestone Air Force Base, Maine, where they remained overnight before going on the next day. They landed at Fair-ford RAF Station on the 4th, 5th, and 6th of June. The B-47 record of five hours and 38 minutes over the 3,120 mile route from Limestone to Fairford, established by Colonel Michael N. W. McCoy, 306th Wing Commander, on a 6 April indoctrination flight was broken nine times before the deployment was over. The best time was recorded by the last B-47 to land on 6 June. It completed the trip in five hours and 22 minutes, averaging about 575 miles per hour. The 306th Air Refueling Squadron's KC-97s, crammed with support personnel and equipment, deployed on the same dates as the B-47s. They stopped overnight at Ernest Harmon Air Force Base, Newfoundland, and then flew on to Mildenhall RAF Station.
When the 90-day rotation was over, the 305th Bomb Wing, SAC's second B-47 wing, was ready to begin rotational training. As the 305th arrived in England—the bombers went to Brize Norton and the tankers to Mildenhall— the 306th began returning home. The return flight was nonstop, with the 306th Air Refueling Squadron's tankers providing one inflight refueling for the bombers shortly after leaving England. By the time the 305th's tour was over the 22d Wing had completed the transition to B-47s and was ready to rotate. The policy of maintaining at least one B-47 wing in England at all times would continue until early 1958.
RB-45s to FEAF. On 1 December, SAC's last four RB-45s, which had been assigned to a detachment of the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Yokota Air Base, Japan, were transferred to FEAF.
Operation Big Stick. In August and September, the 92d Bomb Wing made the first mass B-36 flight to the Far East, visiting bases in Japan, Okinawa, and Guam. Nicknamed Operation Big Stick this 30-day exercise came shortly after the termination of hostilities in Korea and demonstrated the U.S. determination to use every means possible to maintain peace in the Far East.
Tactical Units
Six Heavy Bomb Wings (30 UE) with B-36s
Four Heavy Strategic Reconnaissance Wings (30 UE) with RB-36s
24 Medium Bomb Wings (45 UE), 17 with B-47s, two with YRB-47s, two with B/RB-50s, and three equipping with B-47s
Four Medium Reconnaissance Wings (45 UE) with RB-47s
Six Strategic Fighter Wings (75 UE), four with F-84Fs, one with F-84Gs, and one converting from F-84Gs to F-84Fs, (the F-84F, a swept-wing fighter, was produced after the F-84G, a straight-wing model)
32 Medium Air Refueling Squadrons (20 UE), 28 with KC-97s and four with KB-29s
Four Strategic Support Squadrons (12 UE) with C-124s
Active Bases
30 in the CONUS and 11 overseas (Puerto Rico, North Africa, and United Kingdom)
Organization
With the acquisition of additional B-47s and KC-97s, SAC operations increased tremendously. Approximately 142,000 air refueling hookups were effected during the year. Operational training flights were conducted throughout the world, with more than 3,400 individual transatlantic and transpacific crossings being made by various types of aircraft.
Nonstop B-47 Flight to Japan. On 21 June, Major General Walter C. Sweeney, Jr., Fifteenth Air Force Commander, led a flight of three 22d Bomb Wing B-47s on a nonstop flight from March Air Force Base, California, to Yokota Air Base, Japan, a distance of 6,700 miles in less than fifteen hours. This flight, supported by two inflight refuelings by KC-97s, was the longest point-to-point, nonstop B-47 flight to that date. It marked the first appearance of the B-47 in the Far East.
First B-36 wing rotation to Guam. On 15 and 16 October, the 92d Bomb Wing, A B-36 unit stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, deployed to Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, for a 90-day rotational training assignment. This was the first time an entire B-36 wing had been deployed to an oversea base.
RB-36 Wings Given Bombardment Mission. Effective 16 June, SAC's four RB-36 equipped heavy strategic reconnaissance wings were given a primary mission of bombing. They retained limited reconnaissance as a secondary mission.
Tactical Units
11 Heavy Bomb Wings, nine (30 UE) with B/RB-36s, and two (45 UE), one equipped and one equipping with B-52s
27 Medium Bombardment Wings (45 UE), 22 with B-47s and five equipping with B-47s
Five Medium Reconnaissance Wings (45 UE) with RB-47s
39 Medium Air Refueling Squadrons (20 UE), 33 with KC-97s, two equipping with KC-97s, four with KB-29s
Six Strategic Fighter Wings (75 UE) with F-84Fs
One Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Fighter (75 UE), equipping with RF-84Fs and RF-84Ks
One Light Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron without aircraft assigned
Four Strategic Support Squadrons (12 UE) with C-124s
Active Bases
37 CONUS and 14 oversea bases (in Puerto Rico, North Africa, United Kingdom, and Guam)
Organization
Redesignation of RB-36 strategic reconnaissance wings. Effective 1 October, SAC's four heavy strategic reconnaissance wings were redesignated heavy bombardment wings in recognition of the conversion of the RB-36 from a reconnaissance to a bomber aircraft. They retained "latent" reconnaissance capability.
Operations
Rotational training. SAC's mobility and flexibility were demonstrated by the rotation of entire combat wings, air refueling squadrons, and smaller units to various overseas bases for periods of time ranging from a few days to three months. Entire B-47 wings and KC-97 air refueling squadrons were periodically rotated to the North African bases of Benguerir and Sidi Slimane. Other B-47 wings, some with and others without air refueling squadrons were rotated to England, using such bases as Lakenheath, Upper Heyford, Fairford, Mildenhall, and Brize Norton. In early May, the 27th Strategic Fighter Wing deployed to Sturgate for a 90-day tour, marking the first time since 1951 that a fighter wing had been deployed to Great Britain.
To support these mass flights of B-47s and F-84s across the Atlantic, KC-97 squadrons were maintained on a rotational basis at such places as Goose Air Base, Labrador, Ernest Harmon Air Force Base, Newfoundland, and Thule Air Base, Greenland. At the same time, B-36 wings were deploying to Nouas-seur Air Base, French Morocco; Burtonwood and Upper Heyford RAF Stations in the United Kingdom; and Anderson Air Force Base, Guam. The Alaskan bases, Elmendorf and Eielson, were also busy supporting KC-97, B-47, and F-84 aircraft.
First B-52 delivered. The 93d Bomb Wing, located at Castle Air Force Base California, was the first wing to be equipped with the B-52 Strato-fortress On 29 June, Brigadier General William E. Eubank, Jr., the wing commander, flew the first aircraft (a "B" model, serial number 52-8711 ) from the Boeing factory at Seattle, Washington, to Castle. Powered by eight turbojet engines, the B-52B had a gross takeoff weight of around 420,000 pounds and a maximum speed of 650 mph. It could fly above 50,000 feet. While it had an unrefueled range of 6,000 miles (substantially less than later models) its actual range was unlimited since it could be refueled in the air. Most of the B-52Bs produced were assigned to the 93d Bomb Wing during the period from June 1955 to March 1956. Last B-50. On 20 October, the last B-50 ("D" model serial number 49-330) assigned to the 97th Bomb Wing, Biggs Air Force Base, Texas, was phased out of the SAC force.
Missiles
Throughout the early 1950s, the Strategic Air Command became more and more involved in the development of missiles as a means of increasing its long-range striking power. The actual development and testing of missiles remained in the hands of contractors and the Air Research and Development Command, but SAC maintained close liaison with the various programs by presenting its requirements, offering technical assistance, and attending various meetings, conferences, and field tests.
By 1955, the Snark, a subsonic intercontinental missile (ICM), and the Rascal, an air-to-ground missile designed to be launched from a bomber, had undergone tests.
After President Dwight D. Eisenhower had placed the highest national priority on the development of missiles, Headquarters USAF accelerated the development of the Snark as well as the Navaho, another intercontinental missile, and the Atlas, an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Furthermore, in November, Headquarters USAF directed SAC to work closely with the Air Research and Development Command in establishing an "initial operational capability" for ICBMs, after which they would be turned over to SAC for operational use.
Tactical Units
11 Heavy Bomb Wings, seven (30 UE) equipped with B/RB-36S, one (45 UE) with B-52s, and three (45 UE) in process of equipping with B-52s
28 Medium Bomb Wings (45 UE), 27 with B-47s and one, the last wing to be equipped with B-47s, in the final stages of equipping
Five Medium Strategic Reconnaissance Wings (45 UE) with RB-47s
One Light Strategic Reconnaissance Wing being equipped with RB-57s
Five Strategic Fighter Wings (75 UE) with F-84Fs
One Strategic Reconnaissance Fighter Wing (75 UE) being equipped with RF-84s
40 Medium Air Refueling Squadrons (20 UE), 36 with KC-97s and four with KB-29s
Four Strategic Support Squadrons (12 UE) with C-124s
Active Bases
36 in the CONUS and 19 overseas (in Puerto Rico, North Africa, United Kingdom, and Guam)
Operations
B-52 conversion program. By the end of March, the 93d Bomb Wing, located at Castle Air Force Base, California, was fully equipped with 30 B-52s (it was later reorganized to operate 45 B-52s). Shortly thereafter, the 93d's 4017th Combat Crew Training Squadron, which had been activated on 8 January 1955, began training crews to man additional B-52 wings. The 42d Bomb Wing, Loring Air Force Base, Maine, was the second wing to be equipped with B-52s, with the first aircraft being delivered in June. The 42d was the first B-36 unit to convert to B-52s as the 93d had been a B-47 outfit prior to conversion. The 99th Wing, Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts, the third B-52 wing, began receiving aircraft in December.
The Suez Crisis. In reacting to the Suez Crisis from mid-November to mid-December, KC-97 tankers were concentrated into tanker task forces at key bases in the northern part of the United States and overseas at Greenland, Newfoundland, and Labrador, on rotational training assignments. The oversea rotational training force consisted of one B-47 wing in England, one B-47 wing in North Africa, and one B-36 wing in Guam.
Quick Kick B-52 flight. On 24 and 25 November, in an operation called Quick Kick, four B-52s of the 93d Bomb Wing joined four B-52s of the 42d Bomb Wing for a nonstop flight around the perimeter of North America. The most publicized individual flight was that of a 93d Bomb Wing B-52 piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Marcus L. Hill, Jr. Colonel Hill's flight, which originated at Castle and terminated at Baltimore, Maryland, covered approximately 13,500 nautical miles in 31 hours and 30 minutes. The flight demonstrated both the value and the limitations of the KC-97 tanker. Without the four inflight refuelings, the flight would have been impossible; but, according to Colonel Hill, flying time could have been reduced by at least three hours by using the KC-135, an all-jet tanker that was being developed by the Boeing Airplane Company.
Power House and Road Block. Within a two-week period ending on 11 December, SAC executed the largest and most complex B-47 and KC-97 exercise to date. In two related exercises, called Power House and Road Block, more than 1,000 B-47s and KC-97s flew gigantic simulated combat missions over North America and the Arctic. The KC-97s participating in these exercises were furnished by the strategically positioned tanker forces that had been formed in mid-November.
Last B-47 delivered. On 24 October, the last production-line B-47, an "E" model, serial number 53-6244, was delivered to the 40th Bomb Wing, Schilling Air Force Base, Kansas.
Last KC-97 delivered. On 16 November, the last production-line KC-97, a "G" model, serial number 53-3816, was delivered to the 98th Air Refueling Squadron, Lincoln Air Force Base, Nebraska.
First RB-57 delivered. On 31 May, the first RB-57 (a "D" model, serial number 53-3973), the reconnaissance version of the British-designed B-57 Canberra light bomber, was delivered to the 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Turner Air Force Base, Georgia. The 4080th had received a B-57 ("C" model serial number 53-3842) for a trainer on 1 May.
Bombing and Reconnaissance Competition
The competition grew along with SAC, and in 1956, the largest one to date was held with 42 wings participating in a combined bombing, navigation, and reconnaissance meet. It was held from 24 through 30 August, with Lock-bourne Air Force Base, Ohio, hosting 27 B-47 and five RB-47 wings and Loring Air Force Base, Maine, serving as the staging base for eight B/RB-36 and two B-52 wings. Each participant sent two crews. For the first time, jet reconnaissance aircraft (RB-47s) competed against bombers in bombing and navigation and, at the same time, competed against each other in the reconnaissance competition, the fifth in this series of meets. The B-36s of Second Air Force's llth Bomb Wing won the Fairchild Trophy by beating out the B-47s, which had snared the trophy in 1955, and the newly-assigned B-52s that were competing in the event for the first time. Eighth Air Force's 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing won the P. T. Cullen Award.
First competition. Nicknamed Operation Left Hook, the first and only SAC fighter competition was held from 25 October to 14 November. Five strategic fighter wings competed, with each wing entering 36 F-84s. Although the requirement for all wings was the same, only one wing at a time flew in the competition, which was staged out of Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The top wing in the competition, Second Air Force's 506th Strategic Fighter Wing, won the newly-established Auton Trophy. This trophy was named for Brigadier General Jesse Auton, a former SAC Deputy Director of Operations for fighters, who was killed in a B-25 crash at Offutt on 30 March 1952. Planned as an annual rotational trophy, such as the Fairchild and P. T. Cullen awards, the Auton Trophy was awarded only once because SAC disposed of its fighter wings in 1957.
Missiles
In March, Headquarters USAF gave SAC and the Air Research and Development Command responsibility for developing an initial operational capability with the Thor and assigned SAC the responsibility for deploying this missile to England and bringing it to a combat ready status after which it would be turned over to the Royal Air Force.
In July, Headquarters SAC announced that it was entering the planning phase of its missile program and that it was primarily interested in the Thor, Navaho, and Snark subsonic intercontinental missiles, and Titan and Atlas intercontinental ballistic missiles. Other missiles being developed for possible use by SAC included Goose, Rascal, and Quail. Carried aboard a B-47, the Rascal was a supersonic guided missile that was designed to penetrate enemy target defenses from a distance and make its carrier less vulnerable to the enemy defense system.
Through the early 1950s, all branches of service were involved in developing various types of missiles for military use. As these systems evolved through competition, there were changes in strategic concepts and different views on how the systems should be used and which branch of service should control them. On 26 November, Secretary of Defense Wilson issued a memo, which was designed to "improve the effectiveness of our overall military establishment, to avoid unnecessary duplication of activities and functions and to utilize most effectively the funds made available by the people through Congress."
The Air Force assigned intercontinental ballistic missiles. While Secretary Wilson treated several areas of responsibility in his directive, he was concerned primarily with clarifying the roles of the Army, Navy, and Air Force in regard to the development and use of various types of missiles. He gave USAF sole responsibility for operational employment of land-based intermediate range ballistic missiles and reconfirmed the earlier assignment to USAF of sole responsibility for operational employment of intercontinental ballistic missiles. Since the missiles being developed in these categories at that time were for strategic bombing purposes, SAC was assured a primary role in USAF's future missile program. At the same time, Secretary Wilson gave the Army responsibility for using land-based surface-to-air defensive missiles and surface-to-surface tactical missiles with ranges less than 200 miles. The Navy was given similar responsibility for ship-based intermediate range ballistic missiles.
Aircraft Units
11 Heavy Bomb Wings, four (30 UE) with B/RB-36s, five (45 UE) with B-52s, and two (one 45 UE and one 30 UE) equipping with B-52s
One Heavy Strategic Wing (15 UE) without aircraft assigned
28 Medium Bomb Wings (45 UE) with B-47s
Four Medium Strategic Reconnaissance Wings (45 UE) with RB-47s
One Light Strategic Reconnaissance Wing with RB-57s and U-2s
35 Medium Air Refueling Squadrons (20 UE) with KC-97s
Five Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons (20 UE), one with and four equipping with KC-135s
Four Strategic Support Squadrons (12 UE) with C-124s
Missile Unit
One Strategic Missile Squadron (ICM-Snark) without missiles
Active Bases
38 CONUS and 30 overseas (Puerto Rico, United Kingdom, North Africa, Guam, Spain, Greenland, Newfoundland, and Labrador)
Organization
Sixteenth Air Force assigned to SAC. On 1 July, SAC assumed jurisdiction over the Sixteenth Air Force in Spain. Since its activation on 15 July 1956 at Torrejon Air Base, near Madrid, Headquarters Sixteenth Air Force had operated as a special organization under the direct control of Headquarters USAF. Its primary responsibility had been to monitor the construction of Spanish bases to be used by SAC bombers. In addition to Torrejon, the Sixteenth controlled three other bases in Spain. Concurrent with its assignment to SAC, the Sixteenth assumed command jurisdiction over the Fifth Air Division and its bases in French Morocco. It was not fully capable of taking over control of SAC operations in North Africa at this time. Second Air Force retained this responsibility throughout 1957.
First B-47s to Spain. On 23 and 24 July, the 40th Bomb Wing, which was on 90-day rotation in the United Kingdom, sent 15 B-47s to Zaragoza Air Base, Spain, for a short exercise.
Acquisition of NEAC Bases. The United States Air Force's base requirements in Newfoundland, Greenland, and Labrador were intensified in 1950 after the outbreak of the Korean war. The Joint Chiefs of Staff established the Northeast Air Command (NEAC), with headquarters at Pepperrell Air Force Base, Newfoundland, and gave it a twofold responsibility: to defend, in cooperation with ADC, the northeast approaches to the United States and to develop bases and support facilities to support SAC units deploying through or staging out of them. In the gigantic simulated combat mission associated with the Suez crisis in late 1956, four of these bases supported large tanker task forces. The success of the exercise strengthened Headquarters USAF's earlier decision that the bases no longer required close supervision by a major air command in the immediate area. Accordingly, NEAC was discontinued on 1 April, and its resources were reassigned to ADC and SAC. ADC received two bases and SAC received six. SAC, in turn, immediately placed its six bases under the jurisdiction of Eighth Air Force.
Relocation of headquarters SAC. In January, Headquarters SAC completed its move into the newly-built Control Center. This nine million dollar facility (subsequent additions raised the value far beyond this initial cost) actually consisted of two interconnected structures: an administration building, consisting of three stories above ground and a basement, and an underground three-story command post. Access from one facility to the other was provided by a tunnel. The underground facility, which was designed to be safe from anything but a direct hit by a high yield nuclear weapon, housed the Control Room and related communications equipment and computers designed to maintain close contact with SAC forces throughout the world. Giant panels of maps and boards were used to depict the exact disposition and operational status of the entire force. Prior to this move, which commenced in December 1956, Headquarters SAC had operated out of several buildings that had housed the Glenn L. Martin bomber plant in World War II.
Operations
One-Third ground alert. By 1957, the Soviet Union was showing progress in developing intercontinental ballistic missiles. In order to provide an effective and immediate retaliatory strike force, SAC devised the ground alert concept whereby it would maintain approximately one-third of its aircraft on ground alert, with weapons loaded and crews standing by for immediate takeoff. SAC's combat wings were neither manned nor organized to support this new concept. In order to determine what was needed to develop and maintain a one-third alert force, SAC conducted three extensive tests. The first test was conducted by the 38th Air Division (two B-47 wings and two KC-97 air refueling squadrons) at Hunter Air Force Base, Georgia, from November 1956 through March 1957. Nicknamed Operation Try Out, this test proved the concept to be feasible, but it pinpointed numerous areas where changes would be required to make it practical. In order to perfect these areas, SAC conducted two additional tests, Operation Watch Tower by the 825th Air Division (two B-47 wings, and one KC-97 air refueling squadron) at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, from April to November, and Operation Fresh Approach by the 9th Bomb Wing, a B-47 wing complete with one KC-97 air refueling squadron, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, in September.
Convinced that the concept would work, although there still remained many organizational and operational details to be worked out, General Power directed that ground alert operations commence at several CONUS and overseas bases on 1 October.
Reflex Action. In July, Reflex Action commenced with four Second Air Force wings sending five B-47s each to Sidi Slimane Air Base, French Morocco. This new system of operation was based on the premise that a few crews and aircraft on ground alert at overseas bases would be more effective than maintaining entire wings at these bases on 90-day rotational training assignments. If successful, SAC planned to replace the 90-day wing rotational program at all overseas bases with Reflex Action, with aircraft and crews being frequently rotated from bases in the United States. On 1 October, the Reflex bombers at Sidi Slimane were placed on ground alert along with those aircraft at CONUS bases.
B-47 record flight from Guam to French Morocco. On 14 August, a 321st Bomb Wing B-47 under the command of Brigadier General James V. Ed-mundson, SAC Deputy Director of Operations, made a record nonstop flight from Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, to Sidi Slimane Air Base, French Morocco, a distance of 11,450 miles in 22 hours and 50 minutes. The flight required four refuelings by KC-97 tankers.
B-47 equipping program completed. In February, the 100th Bomb Wing, Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire, was fully equipped with B-47s. The 100th Bomb Wing, the famous "Bloody Hundredth" of World War II, was the 29th and last SAC wing to be equipped with B-47s (one of these wings, the 93d, had converted to B-52s in 1955).
First KC-135. The first KC-135 (serial number 55-3127) all-jet tanker was delivered to the 93d Air Refueling Squadron, Castle Air Force Base, California, on 28 June. Jet tankers drastically reduced the time involved in air refueling operations. With a KC-97, the bomber had to slow down and descend to lower altitudes than normal to effect the hookup. With a KC-135, the refueling rendezvous could be conducted at the bomber's normal speed and altitude. It was estimated that the total flying time on the B-52 around-the-world flight, Operation Power Flite, could have been cut by five to six hours if KC-135s had been available.
By the end of the year, two additional air refueling squadrons, the 42d at Loring Air Force Base, Maine, and the 99th at Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts, had commenced receiving KC-135s.
First U-2. On 11 June, the first U-2 (serial number 56-6696), was delivered to the 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.
Operation Power Flite, B-52 around-the-world flight and sixth Mackay Trophy. From 16 to 18 January, three B-52Bs of the 93d Bomb Wing made a nonstop, round-the-world flight. The flight was under the command of Major General Archie J. Old, Jr., Fifteenth Air Force Commander. General Old rode aboard the lead plane, Lucky Lady III, serial number 53-0394, which was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel James H. Morris. Colonel Morris had served as copilot on the Lucky Lady II flight in 1949.
Five aircraft, including two spares, started the trip from Castle Air Force Base, California. One bomber, unable to take on fuel at the first inflight refueling rendezvous with KC-97s, landed at Goose Air Base, Labrador; while the second spare continued on with the main flight until after receiving the second KC-97 inflight refueling over Casablanca, French Morocco, at which time it left the flight and landed at Brize Norton RAF Station, England, according to plan. With the aid of three more KC-97 inflight refuelings, the Lucky Lady III and its two companions completed the trip without incident.
The only deviation from the plan occurred at the end of the trip. The flight plan called for the lead aircraft to land at March Air Force Base, California, and the other two to land at their home base. Because of fog at Castle, however, all three bombers landed at March, after having completed the 24,325-mile flight in 45 hours and 19 minutes, less than one-half the time required on the Lucky Lady II flight.
General LeMay was on hand to personally congratulate the crews and to present each with the Distinguished Flying Cross. General LeMay said the flight was a "demonstration of SAC's capabilities to strike any target on the face of the earth."
Subsequently, the National Aeronautic Association recognized Operation Power Flite as the outstanding flight of 1957 and named the 93d Bomb Wing as recipient of the Mackay Trophy.
Beginning of B-47 Phase Out Program. On 14 October 1957, the first RB-47E type aircraft (serial number 51-5272), was sent to the storage facility at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. The aircraft was assigned to the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio. It was inactivated on 8 November 1957. With inactivation of the 91st, the number of wings equipped with B-47 type aircraft was reduced to 32—28 bomb wings and four strategic reconnaissance wings.
Strategic Fighter Force. Because of technological advances, changes in tactics, and the programmed phase out of the slow-moving B-36, SAC's strategic fighter wings were no longer required for escort duty. One wing was transferred to TAC on 1 April, three were transferred to TAC on 1 July, and two were inactivated on 1 July.
Phase out of KB-29s. SAC also disposed of its KB-29 tankers, which had been used primarily to support F-84s. On 25 November, the last two KB-29Ps (serial numbers 44-83956 and 44-84075) assigned to the 27th Air Refueling Squadron, Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas, were transferred to the USAF aircraft storage facility at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona.
KC-135 world record flights by General LeMay. On 11 and 12 November, General Curtis E. LeMay, Vice of Chief of Staff, piloting a KC-135 (serial number 55-3126), established an official world record nonstop, nonrefueled flight of 6,322.85 miles from Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts, to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Total flying time was 13 hours, 2 minutes and 51 seconds. By flying around the hump of Brazil, he added approximately 1,000 miles to the direct airline distance from Westover to Buenos Aires.
On the return flight of 13 November, General LeMay flew a more direct route, 5,204 miles, and established a world course speed record from Buenos Aires to Washington, D.C., averaging 471.451 mph in 11 hours, 3 minutes, 57.38 seconds. The LeMay flights were part of Operation Long Legs, the nickname for the U.S. Air Force's participation in Argentina's Annual Aeronautics Week.
B-52 nonstop flight. In another phase of Operation Long Legs that was conducted on 16 and 17 November, six B-52s of the 42d Bomb Wing flew a 10,600 mile nonstop, round-trip flight from Homestead Air Force Base, Florida, to Buenos Aires and back to Plattsburgh Air Force Base, New York. This flight was made possible by three inflight refuelings, two by KC-97s and one by a KC-135.
Bombing and Reconnaissance Competition
Once again, the bombing and reconnaissance competitions were combined and held from 30 October through 6 November. Pinecastle Air Force Base, Florida, was the staging base for 28 B-47 and five RB-47 wings, while Cars-well Air Force Base, Texas, provided the same services for five B-36 and five B-52 wings. After an absence of several years, the Royal Air Force entered the competition with two Vulcan and two Valiant aircraft and crews.
With exception of the crew and wing navigation awards, which were won by a B-36 wing, the B-47 units won all the major events in which they were pitted against B-36 units. The Fairchild Trophy was won by the 321st Bomb Wing, a Second Air Force unit. The 321st also won the McCoy Trophy, a one-time award for the best B-47 wing. This trophy was named after Colonel Michael N. W. McCoy, who was serving as 321st Wing Commander at the time of his death in a B-47 aircraft accident on 9 October 1957. This accident also took the life of Group Captain John Woodroffe, commander of the Royal Air Force contingent that was in the United States for the SAC Bombing Competition.
Eighth Air Force's 26th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing won the P. T. Cullen Award.
Missiles
Snark program. In March, Headquarters USAF selected Presque Isle Air Force Base, Maine, as the first Snark base. In May, Headquarters USAF selected Patrick AFB, Florida, as the Snark training and testing site. Effective 15 December, SAC activated the 556th Strategic Missile Squadron at Patrick AFB. In July, Headquarters USAF cancelled the air-breathing Navaho missile in order to concentrate upon higher priority ballistic missiles.
Aircraft Units
11 Heavy Bomb Wings, nine (six 45 UE and three 30 UE) equipped or equipping with B-52s, and two (30 UE) phasing out their B/RB-36s
Three Heavy Strategic Wings (15 UE), two equipped and one partially equipped with B-52s, and 11 without aircraft in various stages of development
28 Medium Bomb Wing (45 UE) with B-47s Three Medium Strategic Reconnaissance Wings (45 UE) with RB-47s
One Combat Crew Training Wing (90 UE) with B/RB-47s
34 Medium Air Refueling Squadrons (20 UE) with KC-97s
One KC-97 Combat Crew Training Wing (40 UE)
14 Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons (eight 20 UE and six 10 UE), seven fully equipped and one partially equipped with KC-135s and six with no aircraft
Four Strategic Support Squadrons (12 UE), three with C-124s and one without aircraft
One Light Strategic Reconnaissance Wing with RB-57s and U-2s
Two Fighter Interceptor Squadrons (24 UE) with F-86s (these squadrons were located in Spain)
Missile Units
Three Atlas D squadrons (one three UE, one six UE, and one nine UE), and one Snark squadron (no UE), none equipped with missiles
Budget and Financial Status (FY 58, as of 30 June 1958)
Operations and Maintenance
$560,539,000, includes supplies, communications, ci-vilian pay, minor equipment purchased, and aviation petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL)
Assets
$12,092,568,000, includes real property, inventories, equipment, and weapon systems
Operating Expenses
$1,316,350,000, includes O&M listed above, military pay, military family housing, troop subsistence, and procurement of equipment
Active Bases
39 in CONUS and 25 overseas (United Kingdom, Spain, French Morocco, Guam, Greenland, Labrador, Newfoundland, and Puerto Rico)
Organization
Reorganization to support the One-third Alert. The reorganization of tactical wings and air base groups to support the one-third ground alert concept was completed at 11 bases in the latter part of the year. The new organizational structure evolved out of the extensive service tests (Try Out, Watch Tower, and Fresh Approach) conducted in 1956 and 1957. It differed appreciably from the old structure that had been in effect since 1951. Since ground alert emphasized combat-ready aircraft and combat-ready crews, a deputy commander for maintenance and a deputy commander for operations were authorized to assist the wing commander, replacing the directorate system that had been in operation since 1951. Within each B-47 wing, a fourth bomb squadron was activated since alert operations logically fell into a fourcycle arrangement: ground alert duty, flight planning, flying, and a day off.
In order to bring similar functions under a single control, organizational maintenance squadrons were organized to replace periodic maintenance squadrons and to absorb all maintenance functions previously performed by the tactical squadrons. Air base groups were redesignated combat support groups in an attempt to more closely relate support functions to the ground alert requirement. Tactical hospitals were inactivated and USAF hospitals were discontinued. Medical functions were consolidated into medical groups, which were assigned directly to the wing commanders on single wing bases and to air division headquarters on double wing bases. Undoubtedly, the centralization of maintenance was the most important element of the reorganization. The 42d Bomb Wing's experience in Head Start I also substantiated the need for centralized maintenance in support of an airborne alert.
The reorganization started at two bases, Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, and Lincoln Air Force Base, Nebraska, on 1 September. Beginning on 1 October, one base in each of the three numbered air forces would be reorganized on the first of each month.
The reorganization also applied to the B-52 wings, except for the activation of a fourth tactical squadron.
Organization of strategic wings. While the ground alert force was rapidly approaching its one-third objective, SAC was taking other actions to insure a survivable and responsive bomber force. During the expansion of the early and mid-1950s, bases had become overcrowded, with some of them supporting as many as 90 B-47s and 40 KC-97s. The first B-52 wings were also extremely large, composed of 45 bombers and 15 or 20 KC-135s, all situated on one base. As the Soviet missile threat became more pronounced and warning time became less, SAC bases presented increasingly attractive targets. Several KC-97 squadrons were separated from their parent B-47 wings and relocated to northern bases. The B-47 dispersal program was a long-range one and would be effected primarily through the phase out of wings in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
With the B-52 force, which was still growing, dispersal became an active program in 1958. Basically, the B-52 dispersal program called for the larger B-52 wings already in existence to be broken up into three equal-sized wings of 15 aircraft each, with two of them being relocated, normally to bases of other commands. In essence, each dispersed B-52 squadron became a strategic wing. This principle would also be followed in organizing and equipping the remainder of the B-52 force. The entire force was established at 42 squadrons by Headquarters USAF in 1958. Ideally, each B-52 wing would have one air refueling squadron of 10 or 15 aircraft.
By the end of 1958, SAC had activated 14 strategic wings, but only three had aircraft assigned. The others were in various stages of development, with some having only a headquarters and one officer and one airman authorized.
5th Air Division inactivated. On 15 January, Headquarters 5th Air Division was inactivated and the responsibility for directing operations in North Africa was transferred from Second Air Force to Sixteenth Air Force.
Fighter interceptor squadrons assigned to SAC. On 5 July and 1 September, SAC acquired the 497th and the 431st Fighter Interceptor Squadrons from the Air Defense Command and the US Air Forces in Europe, respectively. Located in Spain, these two squadrons were equipped with F-86 fighters.
Operations
The Lebanon Crisis. In mid-July, the President of Lebanon, fearful of Soviet-sponsored intervention, asked the United States for help. President Eisenhower took action by sending ground, naval, and air forces to the area. He also ordered SAC to place its bomber forces on alert. Generation of additional ground alert forces (SAC was already in the process of building up its ground alert forces to the one-third level) began immediately. Within a few hours, over 1,100 aircraft were poised and ready for takeoff. A full show-of-force was maintained for several days. When it became clear that the Russians did not intend to invade Lebanon, the alert forces were gradually phased down.
Taiwan Crisis. Inspired by Russia's actions in the Middle East, the Chinese Communists began a heavy artillery bombardment of the islands of Quemoy and Matsu, off the China coast. Again the U.S. took swift action by ordering the Seventh Fleet to the Formosa Strait. In support of the U.S. position of protecting Taiwan, SAC increased the strength of its ground alert forces at Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, and alerted several bomb wings for possible contingency operations in the Pacific. Since the Commander-in-Chief of Pacific Command did not anticipate having to use the SAC forces, they soon returned to their normal configuration.
One-Third Alert and expanded combat crew training. With adoption of the one-third alert concept, additional combat ready crews were required. On 15 May and 15 June, SAC converted the 70th and 90th Strategic Reconnaissance Wings' primary missions from reconnaissance to B-47 crew training to supplement the flow of crews from the Air Training Command's 3520th Combat Crew Training Wing, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas.
On 1 July, SAC assumed responsibility for all B-47 and KC-97 combat crew training from the Air Training Command: the 3520th was transferred to SAC and redesignated the 4347th Combat Crew Training Wing and the 4397th Air Refueling Wing was organized at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, assigned to SAC, and given the job of training KC-97 crews.
Termination of B-47 rotational training. The success of the ground alert program and Reflex Action prompted SAC to discontinue the 90-day rotational training program that had characterized B-47 operations since 1953. The 100th Bomb Wing, the last B-47 wing to become combat ready, was the last B-47 wing to perform the 90-day rotational assignment. This assignment was conducted at Brize Norton RAF Station, United Kingdom, from early January to early April. Upon departure of the 100th, B-47 Reflex operations began at Brize Norton. Reflex had already commenced in early January at Greenham Common and Fairford.
Airborne alert test. From 15 September through 15 December, the 42d Bomb Wing, Loring Air Force Base, Maine, successfully conducted a B-52 airborne alert test, nicknamed Head Start I.
Operation Top Sail KC-135 Record Flights. On 27 and 29 June, two KC-135s of the 99th Air Refueling Squadron broke the existing speed records in flights from New York to London and return. The actual official records were established by the lead aircraft, "Alfa" (serial number 56-3630), which was piloted by Major Burl B. Davenport, were as follows: New York to London— five hours, 29 minutes, and 14.64 seconds; London to New York—five hours, 53 minutes, and 12.77 seconds (the record-making flights originated at West-over Air Force Base, Massachusetts). A third KC-135, also scheduled to participate in the flight, crashed on takeoff at Westover. Among the fifteen casualties were Brigadier General Donald W. Saunders, 57th Air Division Commander, and Lieutenant Colonel George M. Broutsas, 99th Air Refueling Squadron Commander.
KC-135 weight lifting record. On 24 September, another KC-135 of the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts, piloted by Captain William H. Howell, captured the official world weight-lifting record by lifting a payload of 78,089.5 lbs. to an altitude of 2,000 meters (approximately one and one-quarter mile). This broke the old record of 44,214 lbs. airlifted by a Russian TU-104A jet transport on 6 September. The KC-135 carried a load of nails, concrete block, and steel plate.
KC-135 record flight Operation Jet Stream. On 7 and 8 April, a KC-135 (serial number 56-3601 ) of the 93d Air Refueling Squadron, Castle Air Force Base, California, established two official world records: distance in a straight line without refueling, 10,229.3 miles, Tokyo to Lajes, Azores; speed, 492.262 mph, Tokyo to Washington, D.C., in 13 hours, 45 minutes and 46.5 seconds. The KC-135 was piloted by Brigadier General William E. Eubank, Jr., 93d Bomb Wing Commander.
KC-135 world record flight. On 17 September, Captain Charles E. Gibbs, flying a KC-135 of the 92d Air Refueling Squadron, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, established four world records: distance in a closed circuit without refueling, 3,125.56 statute miles; speed for 2,000 kilometers, 589.278 mph, closed circuit with 2,204.6, 4,409.2, 11,023, and 22,046 Ib. payloads; speed for 5,000 kilometers, 587.136 mph, closed circuit; and speed for 5,000 kilometers, 587.136 mph, closed circuit, with 2,204.6, 4,409.2, 11,023, and 22,046 Ib. payloads.
B-52 world record flights. On 26 September, two B-52Ds of the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, established world speed records over two different routes: speed for 10,000 kilometers in a closed circuit without payloads, 560.705 mph, Lieutenant Colonel Victor L. Sandacz, pilot; speed for 5,000 kilometers in a closed circuit without payload, 597.675 mph, Captain Cholett Griswold, pilot.
Cheney Award. On 28 April, a 341st Bomb Wing B-47 took off from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, on a training flight. The B-47 carried a three-man crew and a navigator-instructor. Approximately three hours out of Dyess, there was an explosion in one of the engines and the aircraft commander gave the proper order to bail out. He and the navigator parachuted to safety. As 1 st Lieutenant James E. Obenauf, the copilot, prepared to leave the plane through the escape hatch (his ejection seat had failed to work), he noticed Major Joseph Maxwell, the instructor-navigator, was unconscious. Unable to revive Major Maxwell, Lieutenant Obenauf stayed with the crippled aircraft, which was in danger of burning. From the back-seat position, he flew the B-47 back to Dyess and successfully landed it. For this heroic act, Lieutenant Obenauf received the Cheney Award and Distinguished Flying Cross.
Bombing Competition
The tenth competition was held from 13 through 18 October, with RB/B-47s and the Royal Air Force's Valiants staging out of March Air Force Base, California, and the B-52s and the B-36s staging out of Castle Air Force Base, California. SAC participants included four crews from each of 38 bomb wings (two B-36, 26 B-47, and 10 B-52) and one RB-47 strategic reconnaissance wing. The Royal Air Force sent eight crews. Once again the competition was dominated by B-47 wings which won the first three places in combined bombing and navigation. The Fairchild Trophy went to Second Air Force's 306th Bomb Wing.
SAC participation in RAF competition. For the first time, SAC participated in the RAF Bombing Competition, held from 14 through 20 May. SAC's representative was the 92d Bomb Wing, which deployed six B-52s and crews, including two alternate aircraft and crews, to Brize Norton RAF Station. The 92d won five of the six awards for which it was eligible to compete.
Missiles
Missile launches. Total missiles and space systems launched during the year from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California: SAC—0; Other Agencies—1.
1st Missile Division assigned to SAC. Air Force's strategic missiles were developed to the point where they could start the transition from the research and development to the operational stage. As part of this transition, the 1st Missile Division, located at Cooke Air Force Base (renamed Vandenberg in October), California, was transferred from Air Research and Development Command to SAC. The transfer was effected on 1 January, and Major General David Wade assumed command of the division the following day. Included in the transfer was the 704th Strategic Missile Wing, which had been activated as USAF's first missile wing on 1 July 1957. The 704th had a dual mission of training missile crews for other units and attaining an operational capability with the Atlas ICBM. It had one Atlas D squadron, the 576th Strategic Missile Squadron assigned. Activated on 1 April, the 576th had a dual responsibility of maintaining an Atlas D alert force and providing training for other SAC Atlas units.
SAC MIKE established. On 1 January, the Office of Assistant CINCSAC (SAC MIKE) was organized at Inglewood, California. Designed to serve as an extension of Headquarters SAC, this office was responsible for working closely with the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division and providing SAC with the latest techniques and information on ballistic missiles and related programs.
Atlas and Titan Wings activated. The first Atlas wing was activated at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, on 1 February under the designation of 4320th Strategic Missile Wing. In an inactivation and activation transaction on 23 February, the designation was changed to 706th Strategic Missile Wing (ICBM Atlas). Later in the year, two Atlas D squadrons were activated and assigned to the 706th. On 25 September, the first Titan unit, the 703d Strategic Missile Wing (ICBM-Titan) was activated at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado. Both missile wings were assigned to the 1st Missile Division.
Thor program. Under an early 1958 agreement, the United States and the United Kingdom shared responsibility for the Thor missile program. The United Kingdom agreed to build four bases and to man four Thor squadrons, while the United States agreed to furnish the missiles and provide training for the RAF crews. Effective 20 February, the 705th Strategic Missile Wing (IRBM-Thor) was activated at Lakenheath RAF Station and assigned to the 7th Air Division. Shortly thereafter, the 705th moved to South Ruislip where it merged with Headquarters 7th Air Division. It was responsible for monitoring the Thor program and for providing technical assistance to the four RAF squadrons. Thor training for RAF crews began at Vandenberg in August. This training was provided by the 392d Missile Training Squadron which was activated at Vandenberg on 15 September 1957.
First Snark launched. On 27 June, at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, the 556th Strategic Missile Squadron launched its first Snark missile.
First missile launched from Vandenberg. On 16 December, the first missile, a Thor, was launched from Vandenberg by a crew of the 1st Missile Division backed up by contractor personnel. This was officially credited as an Air Research and Development Command launch.
Jupiter program. SAC was also responsible for training Italian and Turkish crews in the operation of the U.S. Army-developed Jupiter, another intermediate range ballistic missile. In 1958, three SAC Jupiter squadrons were activated at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, to handle this responsibility.
Rascal cancelled. On 29 November, Headquarters USAF cancelled the Rascal air-to-surface missile which was designed to be carried aboard modified B-47s (designated DB-47s). The entire SAC program was to have been concentrated in one squadron of the 321st Bomb Wing, McCoy Air Force Base, Florida. The Rascal was cancelled in deference to the Hound Dog and Quail, which were showing more promise of being effective weapon systems.
Goose cancelled. On 12 December, the Goose missile development program was terminated. Designed to simulate a B-52 or a B-47 on radar screens, the Goose was a turbojet subsonic decoy missile that was programmed to be launched from the United States. It was dropped in favor of the Snark, which carried a nuclear weapon.
"Peace Is Our Profession" adopted as SAC slogan. In late 1957, as part of a reenlistment program, a 50-foot Christmas tree was erected in front of the Headquarters SAC administration building. Unit commanders could light one of the bulbs by reenlisting a given number of first-team airmen. A status board was maintained nearby to reflect the names of those commanders who met the quota. A painter was called upon to affix a sign to the board reflecting the theme of the reenlistment drive—Maintaining Peace is Our Profession-but he found insufficient room to accommodate all these words. Lieutenant Colonel Edward Martin and Chief Warrant Officer Ben Kohot, project officers for the Tree of Peace program, decided to omit the word "Maintaining." While visiting Headquarters SAC, Colonel Charles T. Van Vliet, Eighth Air Force Director of Information, saw the sign, liked it, and took the idea back to Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts. Subsequently, "Peace is Our Profession" appeared on a large sign at Westover's main entrance.
Aircraft Units
12 Heavy Bomb Wings, six 45 UE, five with B-52s and one with no aircraft, two 30 UE with B-52s, and four 15 UE withB-52s
10 Heavy Strategic Wings (15 UE), nine equipped and one partially equipped with B-52s, and 12 without aircraft.
27 Medium Bomb Wings (26 45 UE and one 30 UE), 26 with B-47s, one reduced to one officer and one airman manning status and its aircraft used to equip two superstrength B-47 wings with 70 aircraft each
Three Medium Strategic Reconnaissance Wings (45 UE) with RB-47s
24 Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons, ten 20 UE, eight fully and two partially equipped with KC-135s, one 15 UE fully equipped, and 13 10 UE, 11 fully and one partially equipped with KC-135s, and one without aircraft
33 Medium Air Refueling Squadrons (20 UE) with KC-97s
One Light Strategic Reconnaissance Wing with RB-57s and U-2s
One B-47 Combat Crew Training Wing (90 UE)
One KC-97 Combat Crew Training Wing (45 UE)
Three Strategic Support Squadrons (16 UE) with C-124s
Two Fighter Interceptor Squadrons (24 UE) with F-86s and located in Spain
Budget and Financial Status (FY 59, as of 30 June 1959)
Operations and Maintenance
$650,652,000, includes supplies, communications, civilian pay, minor equipment purchased, and aviation petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL).
Assets
$14,152,248,000, includes real property, inventories, equipment, and weapon systems.
Operating Expenses
$1,617,130,000, includes O&M listed above, military pay, military family housing, troop subsistence, and procurement of equipment.
Missiles
6 Atlas D, 13 Snark, 5 Thor, 1 Hound Dog
Missile Units
Four Atlas D Squadrons, two 6 UE, one with and one without missiles, and two 9 UE without missiles, and one Snark wing (30 UE), partially equipped
Active Bases
40 in CONUS; 25 overseas (United Kingdom, Spain, French Morocco, Guam, Greenland, Newfoundland, and Puerto Rico)
Organization
Numbered Air Force realignment. Effective 1 January, SAC realigned several bases and units between the Second and Eighth Air Forces. One base and its assigned units were transferred from the Eighth to the Fifteenth Air Force. Basically, this realignment placed the Eighth Air Force in control of forces in the Eastern section of the United States and Second Air Force in command of forces in the Central section. The Fifteenth's area of responsibility remained in the Western section of the country.
Dispersed air divisions. Prior to 1959, the air division headquarters was normally located on a double-wing base. In addition to the headquarters element, each air division consisted of two combat wings, a combat support group, and a medical facility. In a few cases, air division headquarters were located on single-wing bases, but in these cases, too, all elements of the air division were located on the same base.
With tremendous expansion accompanying the dispersal program, SAC found it necessary to expand the supervisory role of the air division headquarters, to increase the personnel assigned from approximately 17 to 25, and to activate new ones. Specifically, the air division's responsibility was extended to organizations that were located on bases other than the one that supported the headquarters element. As initiated on 1 January, the concept was first applied to those air divisions that were situated on single wing bases, but it was subsequently applied to those on double wing bases. In the last six months of 1959, six new air division headquarters were activated. The number of wings assigned to these air divisions varied from three to five.
Operations
Airborne alert. Based upon satisfactory results in 1958, SAC continued to test airborne alert in 1959. As General Power testified before Congress in February: "We in the Strategic Air Command have developed a system known as airborne alert where we maintain airplanes in the air 24 hours a day, loaded with bombs, on station, ready to go to the target. ... I feel strongly that we must get on with this airborne alert. . . . We must impress Mr. Khrushchev that we have it, and that he cannot strike this country with impunity."
Low level training. In November, SAC and the Federal Aviation Agency jointly announced the establishment of seven special air routes over which SAC bombers would fly low-level training missions. Each corridor was to be approximately 20 miles wide and up to 500 miles long. Improved Soviet air defenses at high altitude had prompted SAC to concentrate on bombing at low altitudes, where detection was more difficult.
Last B-36 retired. On 12 February, SAC's last B-36 bomber, a "J" model (serial number 52-2827) which had been assigned to the 95th Bomb Wing at Biggs Air Force Base, Texas, was flown to Amon Carter Field, Fort Worth, Texas, to be placed on display as a permanent memorial. With the departure of this B-36, SAC had an all jet bomber force.
First B-52G. The first B-52G (serial number 57-6478) was delivered to the 5th Bomb Wing at Travis Air Force Base, California, on 13 February.
The B-52G, which would subsequently become the most widely used B-52 in SAC, contained several refined features over previous models. The addition of fuel tanks in the wings and permanently affixed fuel tanks under the wings increased the unrefueled range of this bomber to approximately 10,000 miles as compared to 6,000 miles for the earlier models. The bomber was also originally designed to carry two nuclear-armed Hound Dog air-to-surface missiles, thereby increasing its bombing capacity.
Delivery of first Hound Dog. Powered by a single turbojet engine, the 43-foot long Hound Dog could be launched from a B-52 when the bomber was over 500 miles away from the target. Two Hound Dogs could be carried under the wings of the B-52G and on modified earlier model Stratofortresses. The B-52H, which was scheduled for delivery to SAC in 1961, was also designed to carry two Hound Dogs.
On 21 December, the first Hound Dog was assigned to SAC. On 23 December, this missile was delivered to the 4135th Strategic Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, the unit responsible for supporting Category III Hound Dog tests in coordination with ARDC's Air Proving Ground Center.
First missile wing to a numbered Air Force. The first missile wing was assigned to a numbered air force 1 January, when the 702d Strategic Missile Wing (ICM-Snark) was activated at Presque Isle Air Force Base, Maine, and assigned to the Eighth Air Force. On 27 May, the first Snark missile was delivered to the 702d, and on 16 July, the 556th Strategic Missile Squadron, which had been stationed at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida, conducting test launches, and under the direct control of SAC, was inactivated instead of moving to Presque Isle as planned. The 702d was unique because it had no subordinate squadrons. All operational and maintenance functions associated with the Snark were handled by the deputy commander for missiles.
Designated a surface-to-surface intercontinental missile, the Snark was a small, turbojet-powered pilotless aircraft. Unlike the Atlas and Titan, the Snark was non-ballistic with a subsonic cruising speed. It was designed to deliver a nuclear warhead on a target approximately 5,000 miles away from the launch site.
ICBM units assigned to Fifteenth Air Force. The assignment of ICBM units to numbered air forces continued on 15 January. At that time, the 703d Strategic Missile Wing (ICBM-Titan), located at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado, and the 706th Strategic Missile Wing (ICBM-Atlas), located at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, were transferred from the 1st Missile Division to Fifteenth Air Force. Francis E. Warren was also transferred to the Fifteenth. Lowry belonged to the Air Training Command and the 703d was a tenant there. On 1 February, the 395th Missile Training Squadron was activated at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, to provide training for crews to man the other Titan units to be activated in SAC.
First Atlas launch. On 9 September, a crew of the 576th Strategic Missile Squadron, which was assigned to the 1st Missile Division, launched the first Atlas missile, a "D" model, from Vandenberg. The shot traveled approximately 4,300 miles at 16,000 mph. General Power declared the Atlas to be operational. Designed to deliver a nuclear warhead approximately 5,500 nautical miles, the Atlas D was powered by a cluster of liquid propellant rocket engines, burning liquid oxygen and RP-1, a kerosene-like fuel. It was approximately 75 feet long and 10 feet in diameter. The first Atlas D was placed on alert at Vandenberg on 31 October.
Last Atlas D Squadron activated; first missile unit assigned to Second Air Force. SAC's fourth and last Atlas D unit was activated at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, and assigned to the Second Air Force on 15 August.
Thor program. On 16 April, an RAF crew launched its first Thor from Vandenberg as part of the training program. By the end of the year, three squadrons of Thor IRBMs had been turned over to the Royal Air Force and were operational in the United Kingdom.
Last edited by MKSheppard on Sun Apr 06, 2025 11:16 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Aircraft Units
12 Heavy Bomb Wings, three 45 UE, two 30 UE, and seven 15 UE, with B-52s
22 Heavy Strategic Wings (15 UE), 16 with B-52s, six without aircraft
25 Medium Bomb Wings, 24 (23 45 UE and one 30 UE), with B-47s (includes two super strength wings with 70 aircraft each) ; one had been reduced to one officer and one airman manning status to provide resources for the two 70 aircraft wings, and one (36 UE), equipping with B-58s
Two Medium Strategic Reconnaissance Wings (45 UE) with RB-47s
30 Medium Air Refueling Squadrons (20 UE) with KC-97s
One B-47 Combat Crew Training Wing (90 UE)
One KC-97 Combat Crew Training Wing (40 UE)
29 Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons, 12 20 UE, one 15 UE, and 16 10 UE, with KC-135s
One Light Strategic Wing with U-2s
Three Strategic Support Squadrons ( 16 UE) with C-124s
Missiles
30 Snark, 12 Atlas, 93 Quail, 54 Hound Dog
Missile Units
Four Atlas D Squadrons, two 6 UE fully equipped and two 9 UE without missiles; three Atlas E Squadrons (9 UE) without missiles
Three Titan I Squadrons (9 UE) without missiles
One Strategic Missile Wing (30 UE) equipped with Snark missiles
Active Bases
46 in CONUS; 20 overseas (Puerto Rico, United Kingdom, Spain, French Morocco, Labrador, Newfoundland, Guam, and Canada)
Organization
JSTPS established. While SAC still controlled most of the country's nuclear strength in 1960, substantial additional striking power was being provided by ballistic missile submarines and nuclear-armed missile and air units of tactical forces deployed in forward areas. This proliferation of nuclear strength brought with it the need for closer coordination of target planning among the services. Consequently, on 16 August, Secretary of Defense Thomas S. Gates, Jr., publicly announced the creation of the Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff (JSTPS).
Composed of representatives of all services, the JSTPS was charged with the task of preparing and maintaining a National Strategic Target List and a Single Integrated Operational Plan (SIOP) which would commit specific weapon systems to the various targets to be attacked in the event of war. In order to fully use the strategic planning experience and facilities available in SAC, Secretary Gates directed the Commander in Chief of SAC to be the Director of JSTPS and that the staff be collocated with Headquarters SAC at Offutt. On 18 August, Secretary Gates named Rear Admiral (subsequently promoted to Vice Admiral) Edward N. Parker to become Deputy Director of JSTPS.
Fighter Interceptor Squadrons transferred. Effective 1 July, the 431st and the 497th Fighter Interceptor Squadrons, which were equipped with F-86s and located in Spain, were transferred to USAFE.
Operations
July: "Looking Glass" Airborne command post trial operations begun.
1 August: First 12 B-58s delivered at Carswell AFB.
B-52 record flight. On 14 December, a B-52G of the 5th Bomb Wing, Travis Air Force Base, California, completed an official record-breaking flight of 10,078.84 miles without refueling in 19 hours and 44 minutes. The aircraft, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel T. R. Grissom, flew a closed-circuit course from Edwards Air Force Base, California, to El Paso, Texas, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, Ernest Harmon Air Force Base, Newfoundland, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Philip, South Dakota, and back to Edwards.
Quail missile. On 27 February, the first Quail missile to be assigned to a SAC unit was delivered to the 4135th Strategic Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The 4135th, working closely with Air Research and Development Command's Air Proving Ground Center at Eglin, was responsible for supporting Category III tests of the Quail.
Designated an air decoy missile, the Quail was carried in the bomb bay of a B-52 to be launched while en route to the target. Powered by a single turbojet engine, it could fly at approximately the same altitude and speed of a B-52. The "blip" it created on a radar screen was similar to the one produced by a B-52. The B-52G was built to carry four Quail missiles in addition to its normal bomb load.
First Hound Dog launch. On 29 February, as part of its Hound Dog Category III testing responsibilities, a B-52G crew of the 4135th Strategic Wing accomplished the first SAC launch of a Hound Dog missile.
In Operation Blue Nose, conducted on 12 April, a B-52G crew of the 4135th Strategic Wing successfully launched a "Hound Dog" missile as the climax of its 20 and one-half hour captive flight to the North Pole and back.
The crew completed extensive tests of both the B-52G and the Hound Dog's guidance system in temperatures as low as 75 degrees below zero.
First Quail launch. On 8 June, a B-52G crew of the 4135th Strategic Wing accomplished the first SAC launch of a Quail missile as part of the Category III Test Program.
Airborne command post test. On 1 July, SAC began testing an airborne command post at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Beginning that day and extending throughout the year, one of five specially modified KC-135s of the 34th Air Refueling Squadron was placed on ground alert and periodically tested to determine its ability to take off within 15 minutes. Once airborne, the KC-135's primary mission was to serve as an alternate command post, one that could assume control over the SAC combat force in the event an enemy attack destroyed the underground facility at Offutt and the other command posts collocated with the numbered air force headquarters. On each flight, the KC-135 was manned by a SAC general officer and a team of controllers and communications experts.
One-Third alert achieved. In May, SAC reached its goal of maintaining one-third of its bombers and tankers on 15-minute ground alert.
B-47 dispersal. On 9 June, SAC began testing a B-47 dispersal program, whereby B-47 aircraft could, in times of crises, be deployed to civilian airfields and non-SAC military bases. This was another means of strengthening reaction capability and insuring a survivable force.
Transfer of last RB-57. On 22 April, SAC's last RB-57 ("C" model serial number 53-3839), which had been assigned to the 4080th Strategic Wing at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, was transferred to Headquarters Command, Boiling Air Force Base, Washington, D.C.
Short order. In March, a new single sideband HF radio communications system began operations. Called "Short Order," the new system consisted of four stations: one at Headquarters SAC and the others at the three numbered air force headquarters in the CONUS. Its primary function was to provide a means of exercising "Positive Control," over SAC bombers which had launched and were en route to their targets. Under "Positive Control" procedures, SAC could launch its bombers and have them fly to a designated point outside enemy territory. Upon reaching this point, the bombers would automatically return to their home bases unless they received orders, "the Go-Code," to proceed to their targets.
Mobile Minuteman test. To determine the feasibility of deploying Minute-man ICBMs on mobile railroad car launchers, SAC conducted a series of tests from 20 June to 27 August. Operating out of Hill Air Force Base, Utah, the modified test train traveled across various railroad routes in the Western and Central sections of the United States to study such factors as the ability of the nation's railroads to support mobile missile trains, problems of communication and control, problems of vibration and their probable effect on sensitive missiles and launch equipment as well as the human factors involved in this operation. Six trial runs were projected, but only four were needed to realize all test objectives.
Thor deployment completed. On 22 April, the fourth and final Thor squadron, which had been trained at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, was accepted by the Royal Air Force, thus completing the deployment of this intermediate range ballistic missile to the United Kingdom. On 1 April, the 705th Strategic Missile Wing, which had been located at South Ruislip in the United Kingdom, was discontinued.
* 18 March: First Snark placed on alert at Presque Isle AFB.
Titan I squadrons activated. Three Titan I squadrons were activated in 1960, with two being assigned to the 703d Strategic Missile Wing, Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado, and one to the 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota.
Atlas E squadrons activated. Three Atlas E squadrons were activated in 1960, with one being assigned to the 706th Strategic Missile Wing, Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, one to the 92d Bomb Wing, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, and one to the 21st Air Division, Forbes Air Force Base, Kansas.
Minuteman training squadron activated. On 1 July, the 394th Missile Training Squadron was activated at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, to provide combat crew training for the Minuteman squadrons scheduled to be activated in SAC.
1961
Resources
Personnel
280,582 (37,555 officers, 216,148 airmen, and 26,879 civilians)
Aircraft Units
14 Heavy Bomb Wings (two 45 UE, three 30 UE, and nine 15 UE) all with B-52s except one 15 UE wing
22 Heavy Strategic Wings(15 UE), 21 equipped with B-52s and one with no aircraft
21 Medium Bomb Wings, 19 (45 UE) equipped with B-47s and two (40 UE), one equipped and one partially equipped with B-58s
One B-47 Combat Crew Training Wing (90 UE)
One Medium Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (45 UE) with RB-47s
31 Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons (12 20 UE, two 15 UE, and 17 10 UE) all with KC-135s except two 10 UE units
29 Medium Air Refueling Squadrons (20 UE) with KC-97s
One KC-97 Combat Crew Training Wing (40 UE)
One Light Strategic Reconnaissance Wing with U-2s
Missiles
230 Hound Dog, 397 Quail, 30 Atlas D, 32 Atlas E, l Titan I
Missile Units
Four Atlas D Squadrons (two 6 UE and two 9 UE), all equipped
Three Atlas E Squadrons (9 UE each), all equipped
Six Atlas F Squadrons (12 UE each) with no missiles assigned
Six Titan I Squadrons (9 UE each) with no missiles assigned
One Minuteman Squadron (50 UE) without missiles assigned
Active Bases
46 in CONUS; 16 overseas (Puerto Rico, United Kingdom, French Morocco, Spain, Newfoundland, Labrador, Canada, Guam)
Organization
Redesignation of 1st Missile Division. Effective 21 July, Headquarters 1st Missile Division, located at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, was re-designated Headquarters 1st Strategic Aerospace Division. Redesignation was in consonance with a Headquarters USAF policy that the term "aerospace" could be injected into or substituted for "air" in the names of those organizations significantly engaged in aerospace operations or support thereof. In order to qualify for the new designation, an organization was required to be involved in the operations or support of two or more of the following: air systems, ballistic missile systems, and space vehicle systems.
Strategic support squadrons discontinued. SAC's three strategic support squadrons transferred their C-124 aircraft and airlift functions to the Military Air Transport Service and the Air Force Logistics Command and were discontinued in March and June.
Operations
In a nationwide defense budget speech of 28 March, President John F. Kennedy requested an increase in funds to strengthen and protect the strategic deterrent force and to strengthen the ability to wage limited war.
Fifty percent ground alert. He called for one-half of SAC's B-52s and B-47s to be placed on 15-minute ground alert. He also directed an accelerated B-47 phase out program in order "to provide promptly the trained crews required for the expanded ground alert." The 50 percent ground alert posture by both bombers and tankers was attained in July.
Skybolt. President Kennedy further recommended additional funds for the Skybolt, an air-launched ballistic missile that was being developed to replace the Hound Dog. He observed that successful development and production of the Skybolt would extend the life of SAC's heavy bombers into the missile age. Congress subsequently approved the additional funds for Skybolt.
* B-70 Valkrie program cancelled by President Kennedy.
* 9 May: First B-52H delivered to 379th BW at Wurtsmith AFB.
Berlin Crisis and B-47 phase out. On 25 July, with the U.S. and Russia seemingly headed for a showdown on the Berlin question, President Kennedy delayed his previously directed accelerated B-47 phase out program in order to improve the national defense posture. Six bomb wings and six air refueling squadrons were affected.
3 February: "Looking Glass" Airborne Command Post continous operations begun.
Airborne alert. On 18 January 1961, SAC publicly announced that B-52 heavy bombers were conducting airborne alert training. General Power declared that the indoctrination phase of airborne alert training had been completed and all combat ready B-52 bomber crews were participating in airborne alert training missions under realistic conditions. A number of B-52s would be in the air at all times. Approximately 24 bases were involved in the program because of the dispersal of heavy bomber units. More than 6,000 sorties during the previous two years had proved the feasibility of keeping a segment of the SAC bomber fleet in the air at all times.
SAC designated single manager for KC-135s. In November, Headquarters USAF established the SAC KC-135 program at 32 squadrons (each 20 UE) or a total authorized strength of 640 aircraft. At the same time, Headquarters USAF designated SAC as the single manager of all KC-135 air refueling operations and as such would provide support for all fighter aircraft assigned to the Tactical Air Command and other major commands.
BMEWS becomes operational. On 1 February, the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System (BMEWS) site at Thule Air Base, Greenland, became operational. Subsequently, BMEWS sites began operations at Clear, Alaska, and Fylingdales in the United Kingdom. Operated by the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD), BMEWS provided a means of detecting and warning SAC of an impending intercontinental ballistic missile attack in sufficient time to allow aircraft to be launched before the missiles reached U.S. bases. It also provided SAC with valuable time in which to prepare its own missile force for launch.
Bombing Competition
Following the basic ground rules established in 1960, each numbered air force held a preliminary contest to determine who would participate in the SAC-wide competition, which was held at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, from 16 through 22 September. Participants included 12 bomb wings (six B-52 and six B-47) and 12 air refueling squadrons (six KC-135s and six KC-97s). The two B-58 wings were too deeply in training to participate in the competition. Each KC-97 squadron sent four crews to team as pairs in accomplishing refueling (two tankers to one receiver) of both B-47s and B-52s; the other units entered two crews each. The 4137th Strategic Wing, a B-52 unit of the Eighth Air Force, received the Fairchild Trophy for having the highest score in the combined categories of alert exercise, bombing, navigation, electronic countermeasures, air refueling, pilot techniques, and munitions loading. The 915th Air Refueling Squadron, a KC-135 unit of the Eighth Air Force, won the Saunders Trophy.
Missiles
Missile launches. Total missiles and space systems launched during the year from Vandenberg Air Force Base and the U.S. Naval Missile Facility, Point Arguello, California. All SAC launches were from Vandenberg: Launched by: SAC—2: Other Agencies—38.
SAC MIKE discontinued. Effective 1 July 1961, the Office of Assistant CINCSAC (SAC MIKE) was discontinued. Replaced by a smaller office, SAC Representative (Aerospace), SAC MIKE had been gradually phased down and its duties appropriated by the Headquarters SAC staff. Functions of the new office included providing SAC representation to configuration control boards, advising respective BSD program offices and providing information to Headquarters SAC staff agencies on technical knowledge and understanding of the design and operational aspects of strategic missile systems.
Snark phased out. In his special defense budget message of 28 March, President Kennedy directed that the Snark missile be phased out as it was "obsolete and of marginal military value. . . ." On 25 June, less than four months after it had been declared operational, the 702d Strategic Missile Wing was inactivated at Presque Isle Air Force Base, Maine.
Mobile Minuteman cancelled. President Kennedy also deferred further action on the development of the Mobile Minuteman concept in favor of additional hardened Minuteman sites, and on 7 December, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara cancelled the entire Mobile Minuteman program. Titan II program cut. In his 28 March speech, President Kennedy also announced that two Titan II squadrons that had been programmed for SAC would be cancelled.
Atlas D program completed. On 30 March, the Atlas D program was completed when the fourth squadron, which was located at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, was fully equipped and its last three sites at Arlington and Mead, Nebraska, and Missouri Valley, Iowa, were turned over to SAC.
First Minuteman wing activated. Effective 15 July, SAC's first Minuteman wing, the 341st Strategic Missile Wing, was activated at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, and on 1 December, the 10th Strategic Missile Squadron was activated and assigned to this wing.
First Titan I launch from Vandenberg. On 3 May, an Air Force Systems Command crew launched the first Titan I from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Previous launches, some successful and others unsuccessful, had been made by Air Force Systems Command from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Atlas E Program Completed. SAC accepted its entire Atlas E force, three squadrons, from the Air Force Systems Command in 1961. The 566th Strategic Missile Squadron, located at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, was the last one to be accepted—on 20 November. The other Atlas E squadrons were located at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington and Forbes Air Force Base, Kansas.
The Future of SAC Secretary McNamara. On 11 December, less than a year after he became Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara issued a prophetic statement on the future of the Strategic Air Command:
The introduction of ballistic missiles is already exerting a major impact on the size, composition, and deployment of the manned bomber force, and this impact will become greater in the years ahead. As the number of ... ballistic missiles increases, requirements for strategic aircraft will be gradually reduced. Simultaneously, the growing enemy missile capability will make grounded aircraft more vulnerable to sudden attack, and further readiness measures will have to be taken to increase the survivabil-ity rate of the strategic bomber force.
1962
Resources
Personnel
282,723 (38,542 officers, 217,650 airmen, 26,531 civilians) [Highest number of personnel in SAC history.]
Aircraft Units
11 Heavy Bomb Wings (one 45 UE, two 30 UE, and eight 15 UE) with B-52s
22 Heavy Strategic Wings (15 UE) with B-52s
Three Heavy Strategic Aerospace Wings (one 45 UE and two 15 UE) with B-52s
17 Medium Bomb Wings, 15 (45 UE) with B-47s and two (40 UE) with B-58s
Three Medium Strategic Aerospace Wings (45 UE) with B-47s
One Medium Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (45 UE) with RB-47s
One B-47 Combat Crew Training Wing (45 UE)
Four Support Squadrons (9 UE) partially equipped with EB-47Ls
33 Heavy Tanker Squadrons (12 20 UE, 13 15 UE, and eight 10 UE) with KC-135s
24 Medium Tanker Squadrons (20 UE) with KC-97s
One Light Strategic Reconnaissance Wing with U-2s
Missiles
30 Atlas D, 32 Atlas E, 80 Atlas F, 62 Titan I, 20 Minuteman, 547 Hound Dog, and 436 Quail
Missile Units
Four Atlas D Squadrons (two 9 UE and two six UE, including the Vandenberg squadron which had all three models of Atlas missiles assigned) fully equipped
Three Atlas E Squadrons (9 UE) fully equipped
Six Atlas F Squadrons (12 UE) fully equipped
Six Titan I Squadrons (9 UE) fully equipped
Six Titan II Squadrons (9 UE) with no missiles assigned
Eight Minuteman Squadrons (50 UE) one of which was partially equipped
Active Bases
43 CONUS; 14 overseas (Puerto Rico, United Kingdom, French Morocco, Spain, Labrador, Newfoundland, Canada, Guam)
Organization
In line with the Headquarters USAF policy to use the term "aerospace" in the official title of organizations employing two or more air, ballistic missile, or space systems, SAC began redesignating those air divisions and bomb wings that directed the operations of both aircraft and ballistic missile units. The first redesignations were effected on 15 February, at which time four air divisions (the 17th, 18th, 21st, and 821st) became "strategic aerospace divisions" and the 92d Bombardment Wing, Heavy, became the 92d Strategic Aerospace Wing. Subsequently, the term was applied to other air divisions and bomb wings.
Operations
Cuban Missile Crisis. The Russian buildup of offensive missiles in Cuba began influencing SAC operations several days before President Kennedy revealed the exact nature of the threat to the American people. In response to a Joint Chiefs of Staff directive, a SAC U-2 reconnaissance plane, piloted by Major Richard S. Heyser, flew over Cuba on 14 October and obtained the first photographs of Soviet intermediate range ballistic missiles being installed there. Further evidence of the missile buildup was gathered during the following days as the high altitude air surveillance mission assigned to the 4080th Strategic Wing, the U-2 unit, was greatly intensified by the President.
On 22 October, President Kennedy announced the arms quarantine against shipments destined for Cuba and demanded the removal of missiles already situated there. On the same day SAC further intensified its readiness posture: Battle staffs were placed on 24-hour alert duty, leaves were cancelled, and personnel recalled to duty. B-47s were dispersed to several widely separated and pre-selected civilian and military airfields, additional bombers and tankers were placed on ground alert, and the B-52 airborne alert indoctrination program was immediately expanded into an actual airborne alert involving 24-hour flights and immediate replacement of every aircraft that landed. The ICBM force, numbering some 200 operational missiles, was brought into alert configuration.
On 25 October, with the arms quarantine in effect, SAC RB-47s and KC-97s joined other forces in the gigantic sea-search for Soviet ships bound for Cuba. On 27 October, an RB-47 of the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, which was engaged in this sea-search mission, crashed on takeoff at Kindley Air Force Base, Bermuda. All four crew members were killed. On the same day, Major Rudolph Anderson, Jr., a member of the 4080th Strategic Wing, was killed when his U-2 aircraft was shot down by an anti-aircraft missile while performing a reconnaissance mission over Cuba. The Distinguished Service Medal was awarded posthumously to Major Anderson.
The first major break in the crisis came on 28 October. The Soviet Union agreed to remove offensive missiles from Cuba, subject to verification by the United Nations. Throughout the next few days, SAC aircraft maintained close aerial surveillance while the missiles were dismantled, loaded on ships, and sent back through the quarantine to Russia.
On 20 November, when the Soviet leadership agreed to remove medium bombers from Cuba, the quarantine was lifted and SAC began shifting back to normal operations. Medium bombers returned to their home bases, the ground alert force dropped back to the normal 50 percent standard, and routine B-52 airborne alert indoctrination flights began once more.
While visiting Homestead Air Force Base, Florida, on 26 November, President Kennedy presented the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award to the 4080th Strategic Wing for its vital reconnaissance missions over Cuba.
On 7 December, President Kennedy visited Headquarters SAC, toured the underground command post and presented General Power with a unique plaque citing SAC's extraordinary role and safety record in the Cuban crisis. The citation read: "For outstanding record in flight safety during airborne alert in the Cuban emergency, 22 Oct—21 Nov 62."
26 October: Last B-52, a H model, delivered to 4136th Strategic Wing at Minot AFB.
26 October: Last three B-58s delivered to 305th Bomb Wing, Bunker Hill AFB.
* With the delivery of the last B-52 and the last B-58, for the first time since 1946 there was no bomber being produced or developed for the Strategic Air Command.
Follow-on Bomber. On 30 October, Secretary of Defense McNamara requested the Air Force "consider an alternative bombing system" as a follow-on to the B-52, something that could serve as an airborne missile launching platform for the period beyond 1970.
21 December: Skybolt ALBM cancelled by PM Macmillian and President Kennedy in joint statment.
Expansion of the Post Attack Command Control System. SAC's Post Attack Command Control System (PACCS) was expanded to include three auxiliary airborne command posts and four support squadrons. In April, auxiliary airborne command posts were established at those three bases that supported numbered air force headquarters—Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana; Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts; and March Air Force Base, California. These auxiliary airborne command posts were modified to carry communications equipment in much the same manner as the Looking Glass aircraft, the SAC airborne command post that had been in continuous operation since February 1961. On 20 July, as a further extension of PACCS, SAC organized support squadrons at four strategic locations—Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho; Lincoln Air Force Base, Nebraska; Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio; and Plattsburgh Air Force Base, New York. These units were later equipped with EB-47L aircraft, B-47s modified with communications equipment, and redesignated Post Attack Command Control Squadrons.
Titan I Operational. On 20 January, the first Titan I launch to be conducted by a SAC crew was accomplished at Vandenberg. On 20 April and 10 May, the first two Titan I squadrons became operational at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado, both being assigned to the 703d Strategic Missile Wing.
Atlas F Operational. SAC's six Atlas F squadrons became operational between September and December 1962. The first squadron, the 550th Strategic Missile Squadron at Schilling Air Force Base, Kansas, became operational on 9 September. The last squadron to be accepted was the 556th Strategic Missile Squadron, located at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, New York, the only ICBM base east of the Mississippi River. It became operational on 20 December.
First Minuteman I Launch by SAC. On 28 September, the first Minuteman I to be launched by a SAC crew was accomplished at Vandenberg.
First Minuteman I Operational. The Minuteman program proceeded on schedule, with the first two Minuteman flights of 10 missiles each becoming operational at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, in November. Addition of these 20 operational Minuteman missiles brought the total SAC ICBM force to 200.
Minuteman Educational Program. Under Minuteman alert conditions, combat crews were subjected to long hours of duty in remote, isolated underground launch control centers. The atmosphere was not conducive to developing and maintaining high morale. This was especially true since there was from four to eight hours in each 24 hour tour that was spare time, time during which individual crew members did not have to perform functions directly associated with maintaining the alert missiles.
In order to improve morale by detracting from the boredom associated with the inactivity of crew members and at the same time to attract and retain qualified officers for missile crews, SAC initiated a graduate college program for its Minuteman crews. The school began at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, in November 1962. It was operated by the Air Force Institute of Technology.
Last Jupiter Squadron Deployed to Turkey. On 25 May, the 866th Technical Training Squadron was inactivated at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama. Inactivation of this Jupiter training squadron had been made possible by the deployment of the third Jupiter squadron to Turkey in late 1961.
Aircraft Units
32 Heavy Bomb Wings (29 15 UE and three 30 UE) with B-52s
Six Heavy Strategic Aerospace Wings (five 15 UE and one 30 UE) with B-52s
Ten Medium Bomb Wings (45 UE) and two Medium Strategic Aerospace Wings (45 UE) with B-47s
One Medium Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (30 UE) with RB-47s
Four Support Squadrons (three 10 UE and one 6 UE) with EB-47Ls
Two Medium Bomb Wings (40 UE) with B-58s
41 Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons (12 10 UE, 11 with KC-135s and one with no aircraft assigned; 23 15 UE, 21 with KC-135s, one partially equipped, and one with no aircraft assigned; and six 20 UE equipped with KC-135s)
Fourteen Medium Air Refueling Squadrons (20 UE) with KC-97s
One Light Strategic Reconnaissance Wing with U-2s
Missiles
28 Atlas D, 33 Atlas E, 79 Atlas F, 63 Titan I, 56 Titan II, 372 Minuteman, 593 Hound Dog, 492 Quail
Missile Units
Four Atlas D Squadrons (two 9 UE and two 6 UE, including the Vandenberg squadron with all three types of Atlas missiles assigned) fully equipped
Three Atlas E Squadrons (9 UE) fully equipped
Six Atlas F Squadrons (12 UE) fully equipped
Six Titan I Squadrons (9 UE) fully equipped
Six Titan II Squadrons (9 UE) fully equipped
Thirteen Minuteman Squadrons (50 UE), six fully equipped, two partially equipped, and five with no missiles assigned
Active Bases
43 CONUS; 10 overseas (Puerto Rico, United Kingdom, Spain, Guam, Labrador, Newfoundland, and Canada).
Organization
When the B-52 dispersal began in the late 1950s, the new units created to support this program were named strategic wings and given four-digit designations (e.g., 4137th Strategic Wing). Under the USAF organization and lineage system, these four-digit units fell into the MAJCOM (major air command controlled) category and their lineage (histories, awards, and battle honors) ended with their discontinuation and could never be revived. By contrast, AFCON (Headquarters USAF controlled) units, which were readily distinguishable by having one, two, or three-digit designations, could go through a series of inactivations and activations and still retain their lineage.
In order to retain the lineage of the combat units and to perpetuate the lineage of many currently inactive units with World War II records, Headquarters SAC received authority from Headquarters USAF to discontinue its strategic wings that were equipped with combat aircraft and to activate AFCON units, most of which were inactive at the time.
The reorganization process, which extended from 1 January through 1 September, was applied to 22 B-52 strategic wings, three air refueling wings, and the 4321st Strategic Wing at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. These units were discontinued and two and three-digit AFCON units were activated. In most cases, the bombardment squadrons that had been assigned to the strategic wings were inactivated and bombardment squadrons that had previously been assigned to the newly-activated wings were activated. While these actions were almost tantamount to redesignations, they were not official redesignations. Therefore, the records, awards and achievements of the strategic wings could not be inherited by the bomb wings.
Numbered air force realignment. On 1 July, SAC reorganized its three numbered air forces in the United States. This realignment was effected primarily to correct an imbalance in the assignment of missiles. Due to restrictive geological factors in the Eastern part of the United States, the Eighth Air Force's role in the SAC ICBM program had been limited to one squadron of Atlas F missiles at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, New York. With additional B-47 and KC-97 units of the Eighth Air Force scheduled to be inactivated in the following years, the imbalance of forces among the three numbered air forces would be accentuated.
Completely disregarding whatever influence geographical factors may have had upon a numbered air force's area of responsibility, SAC directed that its three numbered air forces be realigned on 1 July, an action which overnight plunged the Eighth Air Force into an operational ICBM environment in the Midwestern and Rocky Mountain regions of the United States. From the Fifteenth, the Eighth acquired a tenant Titan I wing at Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado, and Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, with an operational Atlas wing. With the acquisition of F. E. Warren, a Minuteman wing was activated there. From the Second Air Force, the Eighth acquired a Titan II wing, which would begin receiving missiles shortly thereafter at McCon-nell Air Force Base, Kansas, and Whiteman Air Base, Missouri, together with its embryonic Minuteman wing.
Operations
B-58 Record Flight. On 16 October, in Operation Greased Lightning, a B-58 (serial number 61-2059) of the 305th Bomb Wing, Bunker Hill Air Force Base, Indiana, set an official world speed record in flying 8,028 miles from Tokyo to London in an elapsed time of eight hours, 35 minutes, and 20.4 seconds, averaging about 938 mph. This supersonic Hustler, piloted by Major Sidney J. Kubesch, took off from Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, and flew over Japan, Alaska, Northern Canada, Greenland, Iceland, and London before landing at Greenham Common RAF Station. Five inflight refuelings were provided by KC-135s. The aircraft also established speed records from Tokyo to Anchorage, Alaska—three hours, nine minutes, and 41.8 seconds, averaging 1,093.44 mph—and Anchorage to London—five hours, 24 minutes, and 54 seconds, averaging 826.91 mph.
SAC support of TAC. Operating under the single manager tanker concept, SAC KC-135s flew over 1,000 sorties in support of routine Tactical Air Command fighter training in 1963. In addition, more than 250 tankers were used to support various overseas deployments of TAC fighters. The largest movement of fighters was conducted as part of Operation Big Lift in October. Directed by Secretary of Defense McNamara, Operation Big Lift involved flying an entire armored division, some 15,000 men, from the United States to Europe and to have them ready to participate in NATO maneuvers within five days. A composite strike force of 115 aircraft accompanied this move to provide close air support for the exercise. Inflight refueling for 71 TAC fighter and reconnaissance aircraft assigned to this composite strike force was provided by approximately 50 KC-135s staging out of Loring and Dow Air Force Bases, Maine.
Medium aircraft phase out. During 1963, SAC continued to undergo transition from a manned aircraft force to a mixed aircraft and missile force. As intercontinental ballistic missiles became more numerous, the B-47s were phased out. By the end of December, only 12 B-47 wings, two of which were outfitted with highly sophisticated electronic countermeasures (ECM) equipment, remained in the combat inventory. Six B-47 wings were disposed of during the year. At the same time seven medium air refueling squadrons phased out their KC-97s and were either inactivated or equipped with KC-135s.
With the reduction of medium bombers, SAC began realigning its overseas Reflex forces. In July, B-47 Reflex operations ceased at the French Moroccan bases of Nouasseur, Benguerir, and Sidi Slimane and were thereafter concentrated at the three Spanish bases of Moron, Torrejon, and Zaragoza and in the United Kingdom at Brize Norton, Fairford, Greenham Common, and Upper Heyford. Medium bomber Reflex operations continued at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, while Air Mail operations, a variation of Reflex, continued at Anderson Air Force Base, Guam.
With the rapidly diminishing KC-97 force, fewer overseas support bases were required and SAC withdrew its tankers from Kindley Air Force Base, Bermuda, and Churchill, Cold Lake, and Frobisher Royal Canadian Air Force Stations, Canada. Ground alert forces of KC-97s remained at Namao Royal Canadian Air Force Station, Canada; Goose Air Base, Labrador; Ernest Harmon Air Force Base, Newfoundland; and Sondrestrom Air Base, Greenland.
Bombing Competition
Not held due to increased operational commitments and cost reduction programs.
Disposition of Fairchild and Sounders Trophies. General Power decided to award the Fairchild and Saunders Trophies to the bomb wing and air refueling squadron with the best overall combat capability record for Fiscal Year 1963. A special board of officers, composed of the deputy commanders of the Second, Eighth, and Fifteenth Air Forces, reviewed the records and selected the winners—Second Air Force's 2d Bomb Wing won the Fairchild Trophy and the Second's 46th Air Refueling Squadron won the Saunders Trophy.
Missiles
Missile launches. Total missiles and space systems launched during the year from Vandenberg Air Force Base and the U.S. Naval Missile Facility, Point Arguello, California. All SAC launches were from Vandenberg: Launched by: SAC—45; Other Agencies—71.
Titan II operational. On 23 September, for the first time, a SAC crew launched a Titan II from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. The entire Titan II force of six squadrons began operating in 1963. The first was the 570th Strategic Missile Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. It was accepted by SAC on 8 June. The 374th Strategic Missile Squadron, located at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, was the last one to become operational. It was accepted on 31 December.
Weighing over 150 tons, the Titan II used storable propellants, could be launched directly from the silo, and employed an all-inertial guidance system. It could carry a heavier payload over a longer distance than any other SAC ICBM.
Minuteman Squadron operational. On 28 February, the first Minuteman squadron, the 10th Strategic Missile Squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, became operational. Five additional squadrons became operational by the end of the year.
On 1 February 1963, the 392d Missile Training Squadron, was inactivated at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Since 1958, it had served as a training and launch support squadron for the Royal Air Force and Thor missile force. The 392d had lost its primary mission in August 1962 when the United Kingdom discontinued its IRBM Thor force and, consequently, cancelled its combat training launches at Vandenberg.
Phase Out of the Thor. SAC responsibilities for the Thor program in the United Kingdom ended on 20 December, at which time the system was completely phased out by the Royal Air Force.
Minuteman Educational Program Expanded. Inaugurated at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, in November 1962, the Minuteman Educational Program soon proved successful. In 1963, it was expanded to include the Minuteman crews at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, and Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. The schools at these bases were operated by state universities under contract with the Air Force Institute of Technology.
Organization of Combat Crew Training Squadron at Vandenberg. On 15 May, the 4315th Student Squadron was redesignated the 4315th Combat Crew Training Squadron at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Since its organization on 1 May 1958, the 4315th Student Squadron had served as a holding unit for personnel receiving operational readiness training at Vandenberg. Concurrently with this redesignation, the 4315th Combat Crew Training Squadron absorbed the crew training functions previously performed by Vandenberg's three ICBM squadrons—the 576th (Atlas), 394th (Mmuteman) and 395th (Titan). These three squadrons then became primarily responsible for operating the launch facilities at Vandenberg and supporting the missiles launched from there.
Aircraft Units
32 Heavy Bomb Wings (29 15 UE and three 30 UE) and six Heavy Strategic Aerospace Wings (five 15 UE and one 30 UE) with B-52s
Four Medium Bomb Wings (45 UE) and four Medium Strategic Aerospace Wings (45 UE) with B-47s
Two Medium Bomb Wings (40 UE) with B-58s
One Medium Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (30 UE) with RB-47s
Two Post Attack Command Control Squadrons (one 10 UE and one 12 UE) with EB-47Ls
44 Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons (five 20 UE, 27 15 UE, 12 10 UE) with EC/KC-135s
Nine Medium Air Refueling Squadrons (20 UE) with KC-97s
One Light Strategic Reconnaissance Wing with U-2s
Missiles
13 Atlas D, 30 Atlas E, 75 Atlas F, 56 Titan I, 59 Titan II, 142 Minuteman A, 556 Minuteman B, 566 Hound Dog, 477 Quail
Missile Units
Three Atlas E. Squadrons (9 UE) equipped
Six Atlas F Squadrons (12 UE) equipped
One Atlas D Squadron (the 576th at Vandenberg, which was no longer operational)
Six Titan I Squadrons (9 UE) equipped
Six Titan II Squadrons (9 UE) equipped
16 Minuteman Squadrons (50 UE), 14 equipped
The 341st SMW's three squadrons were equipped with 142 Minuteman A and eight Minuteman B. The other 11 squadrons were equipped with Minuteman B
Active Bases
43 CONUS; eight overseas (Puerto Rico, Spain, United Kingdom, Guam, Labrador, and Newfoundland)
Budget and Financial Status (FY 64 as of 30 June 1964)
Operations and Maintenance
$737,370,000, includes supplies, communications, ci-vilian pay, minor equipment purchased, and aviation petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL)
Assets
$21,084,000,000, includes real property, inventories, equipment, and weapon systems
Operating Expenses
$2,033,000,000, includes O&M listed above, military pay, military family housing, troop subsistence, and procurement of equipment
Operations
Development of SR-71. On 24 July, President Johnson announced the successful development of a new manned aircraft, the SR-71, which would be produced for the Strategic Air Command shortly after flight testing in early 1965. According to the President, "the SR-71 aircraft reconnaissance system is the most advanced in the world."
B-47 phase out. In line with Secretary of Defense McNamara's objective to dispose of all B-47s and KC-97s by the end of Fiscal Year 1966, four medium bomb wings and five medium air refueling squadrons disposed of their aircraft in 1964.
Reflex operations declined along with the phase out of B-47s and KC-97s. In April and May B-47s stopped Reflexing to Fairford and Greenham Common RAF Stations in England, and Zaragoza Air Base in Spain. The composition of the ground alert force at Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, changed in April when B-47s were replaced by B-52s. At the end of the year, only five bases continued to support B-47 Reflex forces. They were Moron and Torrejon Air Bases, Spain, Brize Norton and Upper Heyford RAF Stations, United Kingdom, and Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.
In June, Sondrestrom Air Base, Greenland, and Namao RCAF Station, Canada, ceased to support KC-97 operations. In October, the Reflex force at Goose Air Base, Labrador, was switched from KC-97s to KC-135s. At the end of the year, Ernest Harmon Air Force Base, Newfoundland, was the only overseas base still supporting KC-97s.
ICBM alert force equals bomber alert force. On 21 April, the number of ICBMs on alert equaled the number of bombers on ground alert. From that day on, the ICBM alert force would outnumber the bomber alert force.
Future of the manned bomber. In 1964, with the B-47 force gradually committed to the storage facility at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, and the B-52 production having been completed since 1962, there was still no firm plan for a replacement bomber. According to Secretary of Defense Mc-Namara, "various options are open for replacing the B-52s in the seventies, if a replacement requirement exists at that time. In case supersonic speed and high altitude are needed for the future strategic bomber, the experience gained from three different Mach 3 planes, currently in the research and development stage, will be available—the XB-70, the A-11, and the SR-71."
"In case low-level penetration capabilities turn out to be the key to future bomber effectiveness, the lessons being learned from the F-lll, for example, will be applicable. ... the fiscal year 1965 budget includes funds for a special study on an Advanced Manned Strategic Aircraft (AMSA), a long-range, low altitude penetrator to serve as an airborne missile platform."
SA C tankers first used to support combat operations. On 9 June, SAC tankers were used for the first time to support combat operations in Southeast Asia. Four KC-135s, operating out of Clark Air Base in the Philippines and nicknamed Yankee Team Tanker Task Force, refueled eight F-100 fighters on their way to strike communist-backed Pathet Lao anti-aircraft emplacements on the Plain of Jars in northern Laos. The tankers loitered over southern Laos until the strike was over. They then refueled two of the fighters before returning to Clark. They remained at Clark until mid-June when the Joint Chiefs of Staff directed them to return to Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, where they rejoined the main body of a larger tanker task force supporting routine Tactical Air Command deployments.
On 5 August, the Joint Chiefs of Staff reestablished the Yankee Team Tanker Task Force at Clark. Consisting of eight KC-135s and renamed Foreign Legion on 3 September, this force began supporting Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) fighters engaged in combat on 28 September.
Alaska earthquake. On 28 March, Headquarters USAF directed SAC to undertake a special aerial reconnaissance mission of the Alaska earthquake which had occurred on the previous evening. Two B-58s of the 43d Bomb Wing, Carswell Air Force Base, Texas, were given a priority assignment to conduct low-level photography over the quake area. Within two hours after being notified, the two aircraft had their special camera pods loaded and were on their way. Approximately 14 1/2 hours after receiving the assignment, these aircraft had completed it, having flown a round trip flight of 5,751 miles, and the processed photographs of the quake were available in Washington, D.C. On the same day, SAC sent three U-2s and two RB-47s to photograph the area from high altitudes; and on the following day, two more 43d Bomb Wing B-58s flew the low-level mission again.
The Daedalian Trophy. With its 1964 aircraft accident rate being the lowest in USAF, the Strategic Air Command was named recipient of the Daedalian Trophy.
Bombing Competition
Not held due to continued emphasis upon cost reduction and increased SAC tanker support for TAC activities in Southeast Asia.
Disposition of Fairchild and Saunders Trophies. Continuing the program established in 1963, the Fairchild Trophy was awarded to the Second Air Force's 70th Bomb Wing and the Saunders Trophy was awarded to the Eighth Air Force's 42d Air Refueling Squadron on the basis of their overall operational records for FY 1964.
Missiles
Missile launches. Total missiles and space systems launched during the year from Vandenberg Air Force Base. Included for the first six months of the year are those launches emanating from the U.S. Naval Missile Facility, Point Arguello, California. Effective 1 July, this 19,000 acre facility was transferred to SAC and became part of Vandenberg Air Force Base: Launched by: SAC—69; Other Agencies—50.
Phase out of Atlas D missiles. In 1964, the SAC ICBM program reflected the Department of Defense's 1961 decision to place major reliance upon solid-fueled (Minuteman) rather than liquid-fueled or first generation missiles with the phasing out of first generation missiles beginning. The phase out of Atlas D missiles started on 1 May, with the removal of the first missile from alert status at Vandenberg; it was concluded on 1 October, when the last missile of the 549th Strategic Missile Squadron, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, was removed from alert. Three Atlas D squadrons were inactivated, while the fourth, the one at Vandenberg, remained active to support the Atlas E and Atlas F programs.
Atlas E and F and Titan I phase out. On 19 November, Secretary of Defense McNamara announced that all remaining first generation missiles, Atlas E and F and Titan I, would be phased out by the end of June 1965. The decision to phase out these missiles, some of which had been operational for less than two years, was indicative of the rapid technological advances being made in the missile field, particularly in the Minuteman and Polaris programs.
Redesignation of Vandenberg units. On 1 February, the 394th and 395th Missile Training Squadrons, Minuteman and Titan, respectively, were redesig-nated Strategic Missile Squadrons.
Minuteman ripple launch. On 29 February, two Minuteman missiles were launched in the "ripple" fashion, that is, a single launch crew of the 10th Strategic Missile Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, gave both commands to launch. These successful launches, which occurred within less than 20 minutes of each other, were conducted at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
Aircraft Units
32 Heavy Bomb Wings (29 15 UE and three 30 UE) and six Heavy Strategic Aerospace Wings (five 15 UE and one 30 UE) with B-52s; this included two 15 UE Heavy Bomb Wings that were in early stages of phasing out their B-52B aircraft
Two Medium Bomb Wings (45 UE), one with B-47s, and three Medium Strategic Aerospace Wings, one with B-47s; the other units, one Medium Bomb Wing and two Strategic Aerospace Wings, had retired their aircraft as part of the accelerated B-47 phase out program
Two Medium Bomb Wings (40 UE) with B-58s
44 Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons (three 20 UE, 29 15 UE, 12 10 UE) with EC/KC-135s
Five Medium Air Refueling Squadrons (20 UE) without aircraft assigned
Four Reconnaissance Wings, one equipped with RB-47s, one with U-2s, one with RC-135s, and one without aircraft assigned
Missiles
59 Titan II, 821 Minuteman, 542 Hound Dogs, and 465 Quail
Missile Units
Six Titan II Squadrons (9 UE) fully equipped
19 Minuteman Squadrons (50 UE), 16 fully equipped and three partially equipped
Active Bases
40 CONUS; seven overseas (Puerto Rico, Spain, Newfoundland, Labrador, and Guam)
Budget and Financial Status (FY 65, as of 30 June 1965)
Operations and Maintenance
$740,594,000, includes supplies, communications, civilian pay, minor equipment purchased, and aviation petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL)
Assets
$20,578,200,000, includes real property, inventories, equipment, and weapon systems
Operating Expenses
$1,987,124,000, includes O&M listed above, military pay, military family housing, troop subsistence, and procurement of equipment
Organization
Inactivation of 7th Air Division. Effective 30 June, Headquarters 7th Air Division, located at High Wycombe Air Station, was discontinued. Inactivation was effected approximately 90 days after B-47 Reflex operations had ceased at Brize Norton and Upper Heyford RAF Stations, the last two United Kingdom bases to support B-47s.
Operations
KC-135 and B-52 operations in Vietnam War. In January, the 4252d Strategic Wing was activated at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. Its mission at first was to provide KC-135 air refueling for the Pacific Air Forces' fighter-bombers engaged in air operations over South and North Vietnam. Later in the year, the 4252d began refueling B-52s that were carrying out bombing missions against Viet Cong bases in South Vietnam.
First B-52 Arc Light bombing mission. The first B-52 bombing mission was carried out on 18 June. On this mission, 27 B-52F bombers of the 7th and 320th Bomb Wings based at Guam were used to attack a Viet Cong jungle redoubt with conventional 750- and 1,000-pound bombs. In some circles, this first raid was regarded as a fiasco. Few, if any, Viet Cong were killed. Furthermore, two B-52s were lost in a mid-air collision on way to the target. The press, well indoctrinated in the nuclear bombing role of the B-52 and in the SAC strategic deterrence theory, regarded the use of B-52s against the Viet Cong as something closely akin to "swatting flies with a sledgehammer."
From June through December, the 7th, 320th, and 454th Bomb Wings, rotating crews and aircraft to the Pacific area, completed over 100 missions to South Vietnam. These B-52Fs were used primarily in saturation bombing of Viet Cong base areas, but later in the year, they were used in direct tactical support of the Marine Corps' Operation Harvest Moon and the First Cavalry Division's fight in the la Drang Valley.
"Big Belly" modification program. Throughout 1965, the SAC bombers committed to the Vietnam conflict were B-52F models. Each bomber's maximum bomb load was 51 750-pound bombs (27 internal and 24 external). In December, a "Big Belly" modification program was started to increase the B-52D's internal capacity to carry 500-pound bombs from 27 to 84 or its capacity to carry 750-pounders from 27 to 42. In addition, the B-52D could still carry 24 500-pound or 750-pound bombs externally. The maximum bomb load would be about 30 tons.
During the last six months of 1965, SAC KC-135s flew over 4,000 sorties in direct support of PACAF operations.
B-47 and KC-97 phase out accelerated. In early October, Headquarters USAF initiated Project Fast Fly, which directed that SAC's remaining five B-47 wings and six KC-97 air refueling squadrons be phased out approximately six months ahead of the previously-established deadline of June 1966. By the end of the year, three wings had disposed of their aircraft. Two wings, the 9th and 100th, retained their aircraft and ground alert requirements until 31 December, after which they began disposing of their aircraft.
Phase out of last KC-97 s. On 10 November, the last KC-97 was removed from ground alert. It belonged to the 9th Air Refueling Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Disposition of all KC-97s was completed on 21 December, when the last two aircraft, serial number 53-0282 of the 100th Air Refueling Squadron, Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire, and one, serial number unknown, of the 384th Air Refueling Squadron, Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts, were flown to the storage facility at Davis-Mon-than Air Force Base, Arizona.
B-52 phase out. SAC's two B-52B squadrons were also earmarked for accelerated phase out in early 1966. The B-52B phase out program had actually begun in March 1965 when SAC began retiring those aircraft that had reached the end of their service life; that is, they had reached a specific number of flying hours under certain conditions of structural stress.
On 8 March, the first B-52B (serial number 52-8714) to be retired under this program was transferred from the 22d Bomb Wing, March Air Force Base, California, to Chanute Air Force Base, Illinois, to be used for instruction purposes by the Air Training Command. On 29 September, the first B-52 to be assigned to SAC, ("B" model serial number 52-8711), was transferred from the 22d Bomb Wing (it had been transferred from the 93d Bomb Wing to the 22d in early 1956) to the Aerospace Museum, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.
Last KC-135 delivered. On 12 January, the last KC-135 (serial number 64-14840) to be assigned to SAC was delivered to the 380th Air Refueling Squadron, Plattsburgh Air Force Base, New York.
B-47 Reflex terminated in Spain. On 31 March, B-47 Reflex operations ended at Moron and Torrejon Air Bases, Spain.
B-58 and B-52 phase out. On 8 December, Secretary of Defense Mc-Namara announced another aircraft phase out program that would further reduce the Strategic Air Command's bomber force. Basically, this program called for the retirement of all B-58s and the older B-52s (C, D, E, and F models) by the end of June 1971. This reduction would be accompanied by additional base closures and unit relocations.
The FB-111 selected for assignment to SAC. On 10 December, Secretary of Defense McNamara somewhat softened the impact of his 8 December phase out announcement by announcing that 210 FB-llls would be purchased at a cost of $1.7 billion and assigned to SAC as replacements for the older model B-52s and the B-58s. The new bomber was a modified version of the F-lll fighter which was originally designated TFX.
PACCS force converted to all KC-135. On 25 March, SAC's Post Attack Command Control System (PACCS) force was reorganized. The 4363d and the 4364th Post Attack Command Control Squadrons, located at Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio, and Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, respectively, were discontinued. Their radio-relay missions were absorbed by EC-135As that were assigned to air refueling squadrons at Lockbourne and Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. Thereafter, the PACCS force became an all KC-135 system with EC-135s performing the Looking Glass and auxiliary airborne command posts' missions.
SAC Automated Command Control System (SACCS). On 1 March, the Strategic Air Command accepted the SAC Automated Command Control System (SACCS) from the Air Force Systems Command. Refined under the direction of the SACCS Management Group, which was established in Headquarters SAC, SACCS, or 465L as it was often called, provided means of complementing the numerous systems of voice transmission in operation throughout SAC with printed messages, which could be transmitted to and printed out by any or all SAC command posts in North America. SACCS also embodied data processing and data display subsystems. The data processing subsystem was composed of computers which stored information on the status of the aircraft and missile forces, while the data display subsystem provided a means for visually displaying this force status information to commanders and key national officials.
Spot promotions terminated. On 28 December, General John P. McConnell, USAF Chief of Staff, terminated the SAC Spot Promotion Program, which had been started by General LeMay in December 1949. General McConnell directed that all crew members who held these spot promotions would revert to their normal grades on 30 June 1966.
Bombing Competition
After being cancelled for three years, the fourteenth SAC Bombing Competition was held from 12 through 18 September. New ground rules, more compatible with the ones for the original competition than with those for recent years, were issued to the participants, which included one aircraft and one crew from each of 44 bomb wings, two B-58, five B-47, and 37 B-52. This was the last competition for the B-47s. All aircraft staged out of Fair-child Air Force Base, Washington. The 454th Bomb Wing, a B-52F unit of the Second Air Force, won the Fairchild Trophy.
Air refueling squadrons did not participate in this competition, but the Saunders Trophy, which was normally awarded to the best tanker unit in the meet, was awarded to the 922d Air Refueling Squadron, Eighth Air Force. This award was based upon the past year's performance.
Missiles
Missile launches. Total missiles and space systems launched during the year from Vandenberg Air Force Base: Launched by: SAC—50; Other Agencies— 51.
Atlas E and F and Titan I phase out completed. In line with Secretary of Defense McNamara's 19 November 1964 directive, all first generation missiles were removed from alert during the period from 4 January through 12 April. By 20 April, all missiles had been shipped to storage facilities for later use as launch vehicles in various research and development programs. With the phase out completed, the missile squadrons, three Atlas E, six Atlas F, and Six Titan I, were inactivated.
Minuteman I program completed. SAC completed its Minuteman I program on 15 June, when the sixteenth squadron, the 400th Strategic Missile Squadron, became operational at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. The operational Minuteman I force actually consisted of two types of missiles, the "A" and "B" models. The slightly larger Minuteman B's second stage motor chamber was made of titanium while the Minuteman A's chamber was made of steel. The Minuteman A was assigned only to the three squadrons of the 341st Strategic Missile Wing, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana.
Minuteman II program started. Three Minuteman II squadrons were activated and assigned to the 321st Strategic Missile Wing, Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. These squadrons were partially equipped by the end of the year. The Minuteman II, appreciably longer than the Minuteman I models, was outfitted with a more powerful second-stage engine and possessed a greater range than the Minuteman I. It also possessed a more accurate reentry vehicle and penetration aids to protect it from antiballistic missiles.
Operational base launch. On 1 March, a crew of the 44th Strategic Missile Wing launched a Minuteman I from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. To preclude overflight accidents, Headquarters SAC limited the missile's flight to about seven seconds or a range of only two miles. Nicknamed Project Long Life, this successful firing demonstrated that a SAC missile crew could launch a Minuteman from an operational site.
Aircraft Units
29 Heavy Bomb Wings (25 15 UE and four 30 UE) and six Heavy Strategic Aerospace Wings (five 15 UE and one 30 UE) with B-52s
43 Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons (five 20 UE, 28 15 UE and ten 10 UE) with KC-135s
Two Medium Bomb Wings (40 UE) with B-58s
Four Reconnaissance Wings, one equipped with RB-47s, one with U-2s, one with RC-135s, and one partially equipped with SR-71s
Missile Units
Six Titan II Squadrons (9 UE) fully equipped
20 Minuteman Squadrons, 19 fully equipped and one partially equipped
Active Bases
35 CONUS; three overseas (Puerto Rico, Guam, and Labrador)
Budget and Financial Status (FY 66, as of 30 June 1966)
Operations and Maintenance
$392,912,000, includes supplies, communications, civilian pay, and minor equipment purchased
Assets
$18,477,079,000, includes real property, inventories, equipment, and weapon systems
Operating Expenses
$1,591,457,000, includes O&M listed above, military pay, family housing, troop subsistence, and aviation petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL)
Organization
Sixteenth Air Force transferred. With B-47 Reflex operations having ceased there in late March 1965, the Spanish base complex became less important to SAC operations. On 15 April, Headquarters Sixteenth Air Force and Moron, Torrejon, and Zaragoza Air Bases were transferred from SAC to USAFE. SAC remained as a tenant at Torrejon, with its support functions being carried out by the 3970th Strategic Wing. On 25 June, the 3970th was discontinued and its personnel and functions were absorbed by the 98th Strategic Wing, one of those units preserved through redesignation after the B-47 phase out was completed.
Operations
Southeast Asia. SAC continued conventional bombing missions in Southeast Asia with B-52 and KC-135 inflight refueling. As in 1965, the SAC bombers concentrated upon area bombing of Viet Cong base camps, with the primary objective being to keep the enemy from building up large forces in the jungle sanctuaries. At the same time, B-52s began to be used in direct support of ground troops who were in contact with the enemy.
Although the B-52s were used primarily against targets in South Vietnam, they were also used to bomb the approaches to the Mu Gia Pass in North Vietnam on 12 and 26 April. The objective here was to stop the infiltration of enemy troops who, after leaving the Mu Gia Pass, crossed over into Laos and made their way down the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
By late June, after one year of participating in the war, the B-52s were dropping approximately 8,000 tons of bombs each month. Missions were flown in all types of weather, night and day. In 1966, over 5,000 B-52 sorties released bombs over target. General William C. Westmoreland, Commander of the U.S. Forces in Vietnam, said, ". . . we know, from talking to many prisoners and defectors, that the enemy troops fear B-52s, tactical air, artillery and armor, in that order."
Throughout 1966, the B-52s continued to operate from Anderson Air Force Base, Guam. Normally two B-52 wings with augmentée aircraft and crews from other wings were maintained there for that purpose. While committed to the conflict, these B-52 wings were assigned to the 3d Air Division's 4133d Bomb Wing, Provisional, which was organized on 1 February. Normally each wing remained in combat for about six months. After being replaced by a wing from the CONUS, it returned home.
With the deployment of the 28th and 484th Bomb Wings to Guam in April, the B-52D bomber, modified with the Big Belly to carry more bombs, replaced the B-52F as the SAC bomber in the Vietnam conflict.
In June, SAC activated the 4258th Strategic Wing at U Tapao Airfield, Thailand, and gave it responsibility for satisfying some of the growing demand for inflight refueling. The majority of the KC-135s assigned to the 4258th and the 4252d Strategic Wings came from air refueling squadrons that were deployed to the area at the same time their parent B-52 wings deployed to Guam. These tanker forces were also augmented with aircraft and crews from other air refueling squadrons.
Retirement of Last B-47s. In the first half of 1966, Project Fast Fly, the accelerated phase out of all SAC B-47, KC-97, and B-52B aircraft, was completed. On 11 February, SAC's last two B-47 bombers (B-47E serial number 53-2286, assigned to the 100th Bomb Wing, Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire, and B-47E serial number 53-6235, assigned to the 9th Strategic Aerospace Wing, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho) were transferred to the storage facility at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. There were still RB-47s assigned to the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing.)
Disposition of Units. All Fast Fly units were either redesignated and reorganized to support other type aircraft or inactivated before the end of June. Because of their illustrious records, the five medium bomb wings were retained in SAC: two became B-52 units, two became strategic reconnaissance wings, and one was moved to Spain. SAC's last five KC-97 air refueling squadrons were inactivated. Of the two B-52B wings that were phased out (all B-52B aircraft had been sent to storage by the end of June), one was inactivated and the other was equipped with B-52D aircraft from a less illustrious wing that was inactivated.
First SR-71. On 7 January, SAC's reconnaissance force received the first SR-71, a "B" model trainer (serial number 61-7957), assigned to the 4200th Strategic Wing at Beale Air Force Base, California. Capable of flying three times the speed of sound (Mach 3) at altitudes over 80,000 feet, the SR-71 could carry a variety of photographic, radar, and infrared sensors. Manned by a pilot and reconnaissance systems officer, the SR-71 could survey an area of 60,000 square miles in one hour.
B-52 Crash Palomares, Spain. On 17 January, a B-52 collided with a KC-135 tanker during a high altitude refueling operation and both aircraft crashed near Palomares, Spain. There were four survivors and seven fatalities. Some radioactive material was released when two weapons underwent non-nuclear TNT-type explosions on impact. Cleanup work began immediately and involved removing approximately 1,400 tons of slightly contaminated soil and vegetation to the U.S. for disposal. Simultaneously, an exhaustive land and sea search was started to locate a nuclear weapon that had been lost. It was finally located on 15 March by a submersible about five miles from the shore and approximately 2,500 feet under water. Following several unsuccessful attempts to retrieve the weapon, during which time it became dislodged and slipped deeper and deeper into the water, it was recovered intact by a U.S. Navy recovery force on 7 April.
Bombing Competition
Fifteenth Competition. SAC's fifteenth bombing competition was held from 2 through 8 October, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. Participants included one crew from each of 35 B-52 wings and two B-58 wings and three RAF crews flying Vulcan bombers.
Armed with the motto "Not to Win is a Very Bad Thing," which was provided by their commander, Lieutenant General David Wade, Eighth Air Force wings completely dominated the competition. They captured the first four places in the overall competition for the Fairchild Trophy. The 19th Bomb Wing, a B-52 unit, won the trophy.
Saunders Trophy. In line with the procedure followed in previous years when air refueling squadrons did not participate in the competition, the Saunders Trophy was awarded to the unit with the best record in the previous fiscal year. The 1966 winner was Second Air Force's 906th Air Refueling Squadron.
Missiles
Missile Launches. Total missiles and space systems launched during the year from Vandenberg Air Force Base: Launched by: SAC—55; Other Agencies—68.
Minuteman Salvo Launch. On 24 February, combat crews of the 341st Strategic Missile Wing launched simultaneously two Minuteman "A" missiles from test silos at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. This salvo launch successfully demonstrated the multiple countdown and launch techniques that might be used at operational sites under actual combat conditions.
Activation of Final Minuteman Squadron. On 1 April, the 564th Strategic Missile Squadron, SAC's 20th and last Minuteman squadron was activated at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, and assigned to the 341st Strategic Missile Wing. The 341st already operated three squadrons of Minuteman I missiles. The fourth squadron was scheduled to become operational with Mintueman II missiles in early 1967.
Force Modernization Program. Force Modernization entailed the replacement of Minuteman I, "A" and "B" series, missiles with Minuteman II or "F" series missiles. Scheduled to apply to the entire Minuteman I force, the modernization program began at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, on 7 May, when the first flight of ten Minuteman I, "B" series, missiles were removed from their silos.
In order to prepare for the emplacement of Minuteman II missiles, it was necessary to completely retrofit the original missile launchers, control facilities, and other ground equipment. The Modernized Minuteman missile systems were not identical to the Minuteman II systems installed at Grand Forks and in the fourth squadron at Malmstrom. The force modernization program included modifying the missile's underground launching site to accept the advanced Minuteman II and renovation of the launch control center and related ground support equipment to accommodate the more sophisticated missile.
Minuteman II Operational. On 25 April, the first Minuteman II squadron, the 447th Strategic Missile Squadron, became operational at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota. Two additional 321st Wing squadrons had become operational at Grand Forks by 22 November.
Inactivation of Last Atlas Squadron. On 2 April, the 576th Strategic Missile Squadron (ICBM Atlas) which had been located at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, since 1 April 1958, was inactivated.
Aircraft Units
28 Heavy Bomb Wings (24 15 UE and four 30 UE) and five 15 UE Heavy Strategic Aerospace Wings with B-52s
2 x Medium Bomb Wings with 39 x B-58s
42 Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons (four 20 UE, 31 15 UE, and seven 10 UE) with KC-135s
Three Strategic Reconnaissance Wings (one equipped with U-2s, one with RC-135s, and one partially equipped with SR-71s)
Two Strategic Reconnaissance Squadrons with RC-135s
Missiles
63 Titan II, 973 Minuteman, 477 Hound Dog, and 448 Quail
Missile Units
Six Titan II Squadrons (9 UE) fully equipped
20 Minuteman Squadrons (50 UE), 19 fully equipped and one converting from Minuteman I to Minuteman II missiles
Active Bases
32 CONUS; three overseas (Puerto Rico, Guam, and Labrador)
Operations
During 1967 B-52s flew approximately 9,700 effective bombing sorties in Vietnam, almost twice the number flown in 1966. Most of this bombing effort was to support U.S. ground troops in contact with the enemy. A great deal of attention was also devoted to enemy troop concentrations and supply lines in the Ashau Valley, around Dak To near the Cambodian border, and in and around the Demilitarized Zone. In September, the majority of the targets struck by the B-52s was in the Demilitarized Zone. On 6 May, SAC flew its 10,000th B-52 sortie in Southeast Asia. Until that time, more than 190,000 tons of bombs had been dropped in less than two years of combat operations.
"Big Belly" modifications completed. Throughout the year, only B-52D bombers outfitted with the "Big Belly" modification were used in SEA (on 13 September, the last B-52D was modified to carry the increased bomb load). During the year, the following wings served as cadre units and, augmented by bombers and crews from other wings, were responsible for carrying out the conventional bombing effort: 306th, 91st, 22d, 454th, 461st, and 99th.
B-52 operations from Thailand. In early April, part of this B-52 force began operating out of U Tapao Airfield, Thailand. Staging out of this base, the bombers could complete their missions without KC-135 inflight refueling which was required when operating from Guam. This saved both time and money. The 4258th Strategic Wing, which had been functioning strictly as a tanker organization since June 1966, assumed control of the bomber operations from U Tapao.
B-52 accidents in Southeast Asia. In July SAC lost three B-52Ds as the result of accidents in Southeast Asia. On 7 July, two B-52s collided in the air and crashed in the South China Sea. Among the six casualties was Major General William J. Crumm, Commander of the 3d Air Division. On 8 July, another bomber crashed and was destroyed while attempting an emergency landing at Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam. Five of the six crew members were killed.
KC-135 Operations in Southeast Asia. During 1967, SAC KC-135s operating out of Kadena, U Tapao, and other Western Pacific bases flew over 22,000 sorties while dispensing over 1.1 million pounds of fuel in support of B-52s and fighters of the Pacific Air Forces.
KC-135 Refueling and Ninth Mackay Trophy. On 31 May, a KC-135 crew of the 902d Air Refueling Squadron (Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base, Oklahoma) was involved in a complex and spectacular air refueling operation over the Gulf of Tonkin. This mission started out as a routine inflight refueling to two F-104s, but before it was over it involved saving six fuel-starved, carrier-based U.S. Navy aircraft (two KA-3 tankers, two F-8 fighters, and two F-4 fighters). At one point in this intricate operation, the KC-135 was refueling a KA-3 tanker which in turn was refueling an F-8. While the KA-3 was partially loaded with fuel that could be dispensed to other aircraft, it could not transfer this fuel to its own tanks. After satisfying everybody's fuel requirements, the KC-135's own fuel supply was so low that it had to land at an alternate base.
The Mackay Trophy for 1967, symbolic of the most meritorious flight of the year, was awarded to Major John H. Casteel and his three-man crew for this life-saving mission. This marked the ninth time SAC personnel received this award.
SR-71 and the sonic boom. In July, SAC began making supersonic SR-71 training flights across the United States, after having warned residents of the corridors over which these flights were scheduled to expect sonic booms. Because the SR-71 normally operated at about 80,000 feet altitude, its sonic boom at that level resembled distant thunder and the impact was far less than that generated by the lower-flying supersonic B-58. However, when the SR-71 descended to around 30,000 feet for a refueling rendezvous with the KC-135, its sonic boom became more pronounced, particularly during descent and climb back to higher altitude. It was for this reason that refueling patterns were established over sparsely populated areas.
Last RB-47. On 29 December, SAC's last B-47 type aircraft was flown to the storage facility at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. This was an RB-47H reconnaissance aircraft (serial number 53-4296) of the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The last B-47 bomber aircraft had been retired on 11 February 1966.
B-52 phase out. In pursuance of Secretary of Defense McNamara's 1964 and 1965 decisions to eliminate a major part of the SAC bomber force by the end of FY 1971, three B-52 squadrons were inactivated in the first half of the year. However, the inactivation of these squadrons did not result in the immediate retirement of their "D" and "E" model aircraft. The "D" aircraft, which had been modified for conventional bombing, were used to bolster the resources of those SAC wings committed to the Southeast Asia conflict. Excess "E" model aircraft were designated nonoperational active (NOA) aircraft, that is, actively stored with operational units, maintained in a serviceable condition, and periodically flown. No additional crews or maintenance personnel were authorized for these aircraft. The only aircraft retired were a few "E" and "F" models that had reached the end of operational life by accumulating a specified number of flying hours under conditions of structural stress.
Maintaining a deterrent force. While the war in Southeast Asia was demanding more and more B-52 and KC-135 support, the primary mission of SAC remained one of deterring a nuclear attack upon the United States. Toward this objective, SAC continued to maintain about 40 percent of the bomber force and nearly 100 percent of the ICBM force on alert. A small number of bombers continued to fly daily alert indoctrination missions.
Bombing Competition
Scheduled to be held in October, the bombing competition was cancelled in August, because of "current operational commitments and overriding training requirements." Neither the Fairchild Trophy nor the Saunders Trophy was awarded in 1967.
RAF Bombing Competition. From 13 through 15 March, SAC participated in the RAF Bombing Competition. Each numbered air force sent one B-52 and crew to compete in this event at RAF Station Marham. Participants represented the 449th Bomb Wing, Second Air Force; 19th Bomb Wing, Eighth Air Force; and 93d Bomb Wing, Fifteenth Air Force. The overall SAC showing in this competition was disappointing; not one trophy was brought home.
Missiles
Missile launches. Total missiles and space systems launched during the year from Vandenberg Air Force Base: Launched by: SAC—38; Other Agencies—75.
First missile competition. With the ICBM force having become fairly stabilized, conditions were favorable to hold missile competitions similar to bombing competitions. Planning for the first missile competition began in mid-1966 and it was finally held from 3 through 7 April at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Participants included two combat crews and one target alignment team from each of the six Minuteman and three Titan wings. Crews were tested in missile procedure trainers, while the alignment crews were tested in the launch facilities.
The 351st Strategic Missile Wing, Eighth Air Force's lone Minuteman unit, made a clean sweep of the competition by winning all the Minuteman class awards and the Blanchard Trophy, which was awarded to the best wing in the competition. Established especially for the missile competition, this trophy was named in honor of General William H. Blanchard, who died on 31 May 1966 while serving as USAF Vice Chief of Staff. The recipient retained custody of the trophy until the next competition. The 381st Strategic Missile Wing, the Eighth Air Force's only Titan unit, won the Best Titan Wing award.
Minuteman force modernization. On 21 April, the 564th Strategic Missile Squadron, SAC's 20th Minuteman squadron, became operational at Malm-strom Air Force Base, Montana. It was equipped with Minuteman II or "F" series missiles, while its three sister squadrons, all assigned to the 341st Wing, were equipped with Minuteman I, "A" and "B" series, missiles. In December, the 341st entered the Force Modernization program, the conversion of its three older squadrons from Minuteman I to Minuteman II.
The Force Modernization program was completed at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, where the 351st Strategic Missile Wing had become fully modernized and operational with Minuteman IIs on 3 October.
Aircraft Units
23 Heavy Bomb Wings ( 19 15 UE and four 30 UE) and four 15 UE Heavy Strategic Aerospace Wings with B-52s
2 x Medium Bomb Wings with 39 x B-58s
41 Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons (four 20 UE, 33 15 (UE, and four 10 UE) with KC-135s
Three Strategic Reconnaissance Wings (one with U-2s, one with RC-135s, and one with SR-71s)
Two Strategic Reconnaissance Squadrons with RC-135s
Missiles
59 Titan II, 967 Minuteman, 312 Hound Dog, and 445 Quail
Missile Units
6 x Titan II Squadrons with 9 missiles.
20 Minuteman Squadrons (50 UE), 19 fully equipped and one in process of converting from Minuteman I "A" and "B" series to Minuteman II or "F" series missiles
Active Bases
28 CONUS; three overseas (Puerto Rico, Guam, and Labrador)
Organization
FB-111 Group Organized. Effective 2 July, the 340th Bombardment Group, Medium, was organized at Carswell Air Force Base, Texas. Assigned to the 19th Air Division of Second Air Force, the 340th was scheduled to be the first SAC unit to receive FB-111 aircraft. The 340th's primary mission was to train combat crews in the operation of the new bomber. Upon completion of their training, the crews would be assigned to an operational FB-111 wing.
Operations
* 22 January: A B-52G with four nuclear devices aboard crashed and burned at Thule, Greenland. Cleanup operations of the radioactive material from the crash was completed by 13 September.
B-52 Phase Out. Although six B-52 squadrons (accounting for an authorization of 90 bombers) were inactivated during the year, there was only a slight decrease in the number of B-52s assigned to SAC. The Department of Defense and Headquarters USAF continued to allow SAC to retain the serviceable "E" and "F" model aircraft from these inactivated units and to assign them to active units. Only those B-52s that had exceeded their service life criteria were retired.
Dispersal Program. The dispersal program, which had been effectively used by B-47s in the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, was revived and expanded in early 1968 to include B-52s and KC-135s. The objective of this program was to provide a means of dispersing the aircraft force over a large number of bases, both military installations and civilian airfields, during periods of increased tension or international crisis. By providing additional bases to which the aircraft could be dispersed, the enemy's targeting problem was compounded, and more bombers could become airborne within a given time period.
Aircraft Units
20 Heavy Bomb Wings ( 16 15 UE and four 30 UE) and four Heavy Strategic Aerospace Wings (15 UE) with B-52s
Two 39 UE Medium Bomb Wings in process of phasing out their B-58s
One 30 UE Medium Bomb Wing with no aircraft assigned and making preparations for equipping with FB-111As
One Medium Bomb Group ( 15 UE), the FB-111 Training unit, with three FB-111As assigned
39 Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons (3115 UE, seven 20 UE, and one 10 UE) with KC-135s
Three Strategic Reconnaissance Wings (one with SR-71s, one with RC-135s, one with U-2s)
Two Strategic Reconnaissance Squadrons with RC-135s
Missiles
1,005 Minuteman, 60 Titan II, 349 Hound Dog, and 430 Quail
Missile Units
Six Titan II Squadrons (9 UE) fully equipped
20 Minuteman Squadrons (50 UE), 10 equipped with Minuteman I "B" series missiles and 10 with Minuteman II "F" series missiles
Active Bases
25 CONUS; three overseas (Puerto Rico, Guam, and Labrador)
Satellite basing. On 20 February, SAC began testing a new satellite basing program at Homestead Air Force Base, Florida, a Tactical Air Command installation. In this test, B-52s and KC-135s of the 72d Bomb Wing, Ramey Air Force Base, Puerto Rico, were relocated to Homestead and placed on ground alert. The test was successfully completed on 20 May, and on 1 July several additional bases were brought into the satellite program. The program was designed to help counter an increasing sea-launched ballistic missile threat.
By placing small cells of bombers and tankers on satellite bases, SAC was able to increase simultaneously the number of targets a potential enemy must reckon with and at the same time reduce the time required to get the entire alert force off the ground. Satellite basing was, in effect, a continuation of the dispersal program of the late 1950s and early 1960s, wherein large B-52 wings of 45 aircraft were divided up into small wings of 15 aircraft each and relocated to other bases. Other than the difference in the size of the force, the primary distinction between the two programs was that in the latter one the entire force was maintained on continuous ground alert. A small detachment of maintenance and support personnel was also relocated from the main operating base to the satellite base. Crews rotated to and from the site.
* 19 March: FB-111 program reduced to just four operational squadrons of 60 aircraft plus replacements in FY 69 and FY70 budgets.
* 19 March: Advanced Manned Strategic Aircraft (AMSA) announced, with preliminary funding for design work.
* 8 October: First FB-111A delivered to SAC at Carswell AFB. First new bomber SAC had recieved sice 1 August 1960, when the first B-58 had been delivered.
* 12 February: Last Minuteman I Series "A" missiles removed from their launch facilities at Malmstrom AFB.
Aircraft Units
20 Heavy Bomb Wings ( 16 15 UE and four 30 UE) and four Heavy Strategic Aerospace Wings (15 UE), all with B-52s with exception of one strategic aerospace wing which was in the final stages of transferring its B-52s and making preparations to be equipped with FB-111As
One Medium Bomb Wing (30 UE) in early stages of equipping with FB-111As
One Medium Bomb Group (15 UE), the FB-111 training unit, with FB-111As
40 Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons (five 20 UE, 33 15 UE, and two 10 UE) with KC-135s
Three Strategic Reconnaissance Wings (one with U-2s, one with SR-71s, one with RC-135s)
Two Strategic Reconnaissance Squadrons with RC-135s
Three Airborne Command Control Squadrons with EC-135s
Missiles
982 Minuteman, 57 Titan II, 345 Hound Dog, and 430 Quail
Missile Units
Six Titan II Squadrons (9 UE) fully equipped
20 Minuteman Squadrons (50 UE), eight equipped with Minuteman I "B" series missiles, ten with Minuteman II "F" series missiles, one with Minuteman III "G" series missiles, and one in process of converting from Minuteman I "B" series to Minuteman III "G" series missiles
Active Bases
26 CONUS; three overseas (Puerto Rico, Guam, and Labrador)
Budget and Financial Status (FY 70, as of 30 June 1970)
Operations and Maintenance
$401,594,000, includes supplies, communications, civilian pay, and minor equipment purchased
Assets
$14,124,148,000, includes real property, inventories, equipment, and weapon systems
Operating Expenses
$1,676,454,000, includes O&M listed above, military pay, family housing, troop subsistence, and aviation petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL)
Organization
As part of a Headquarters USAF-directed manpower reduction program (Project 703), which was announced in August 1969, SAC reduced its numbered air forces in the CONUS from three to two and effected a major realignment of combat forces.
Closure of Headquarters Eighth Air Force. Headquarters Eighth Air Force ceased operations at Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts, on 31 March. At that time, all Eighth Air Force Bases and units were transferred to SAC's two other numbered air forces, the Second and Fifteenth.
With the closure of Headquarters Eighth Air Force, SAC was left only two numbered air forces in the CONUS for the first time since late 1949 when the Second Air Force was assigned.
Numbered Air Force Realignment. Under the realignment, the Second Air Force became an all manned aircraft command, consisting of B-52, FB-111, and KC-135 units; while the Fifteenth Air Force became responsible for all combat ICBM units, the entire strategic reconnaissance force, and a few B-52 and KC-135 units.
Movement of Eighth Air Force. The Eighth Air Force was not inactivated as originally announced. It was preserved by transferring the numerical designation to Guam. Effective 1 April, Headquarters Eighth Air Force moved without personnel and equipment to Anderson Air Force Base, Guam. Concurrently, Headquarters 3d Air Division, which had been at Anderson since 1954, was inactivated and its personnel and functions were absorbed by Headquarters Eighth Air Force.
PACCS Reorganized. On 1 April, SAC reorganized its Post Attack Command Control System (PACCS) and moved some of its EC-135s out of Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, and March Air Force Base, California. In this reorganization, all EC-13 5s were assigned to the 2d, 3d, and 4th Airborne Command and Control Squadrons, which were activated at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, Grissom Air Force Base, Indiana, and Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. The basic function of PACCS remained unchanged. Airborne command post aircraft (Looking Glass) continued to remain airborne at all times in the vicinity of Offutt. Auxiliary airborne command post and relay aircraft remained on round-the-clock ground alert.
Operations
Southeast Asia operations. Arc Light B-52 bombing operations in Southeast Asia declined during the year. Emphasis continued to be placed on harassment and disruption of enemy operations. SAC bombers continued to hit enemy supply dumps, base areas, and troop concentrations, as well as infiltration networks supplying the enemy forces. From November 1969 through April 1970, B-52s flew interdiction missions against targets in Laos in support of Commando Hunt III. In April and May, B-52 Arc Light missions were flown in support of ground operations in Cambodia.
SAC KC-135 tanker operations in Southeast Asia also continued at a steady pace, although the totals were under those of the previous years. SAC support of tactical aircraft continued to account for the largest part of this activity.
Retirement of last B-58. On 16 January, the B-58 retirement program was completed when the last two Hustlers (serial numbers 55-662 and 61-0278) were flown to the storage facility at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. Both aircraft had been assigned to the 305th Bomb Wing, Grissom Air Force
Base, Indiana. At Davis-Monthan, these aircraft joined 82 other Hustlers, including eight TB-58s, that had been retired since 3 November 1969. The two aircraft that had been responsible for record-breaking flights in 1962-and 1963 escaped retirement to Davis-Monthan and were placed in museums: 59-2458, the aircraft flown in the 1962 round-trip flight from Los Angeles to New York to Los Angeles, went to the Air Force Museum, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio; while 61-2059, the one flown in the 1963 flight from Tokyo to London, went to the SAC Aerospace Museum, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.
Retention of units. Since both B-58 wings had histories extending back through World War II, they were retained in the Strategic Air Command. The 305th Bombardment Wing became the 305th Air Refueling Wing and remained at Grissom Air Force Base, Indiana. Effective 1 April, the 43d Bombardment Wing was redesignated the 43d Strategic Wing and replaced the 3960th Strategic Wing at Anderson Air Force Base, Guam. At the same time, two other illustrious units that had been inactive since 1965 were activated as strategic wings in the western Pacific. The 307th Strategic Wing replaced the 4258th Strategic Wing at U Tapao Airfield, Thailand, and the 376th Strategic Wing replaced the 4252d Strategic Wing at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa.
B-1 development contract. On 5 June, Secretary of the Air Force Robert C. Seamans, Jr., announced the two winners in the competition to receive the B-l development contracts: North American Rockwell for the airframe and General Electric for the engines.
At that time, the B-l was scheduled to be ready for flight testing in mid-1974, with production go-ahead, if authorized, to take place some time thereafter. The North American Rockwell contract called for the production of seven prototype airframes, five for flight tests, one for static tests, and one for fatigue tests. Subsequently, in February 1971, the number of aircraft scheduled to be built for flight tests was reduced to three in conjunction with a new concept to test more intensely and on an individual basis the airframe and engine before testing the completely developed aircraft.
P. T. Cullen Award. In 1970, Headquarters SAC revived the Brigadier General Paul T. Cullen Memorial Reconnaissance Trophy, which had been inactive since 1957 when it was given to the 26th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing for winning the SAC Reconnaissance Competition. It was revived as an annual rotating award to be presented to the reconnaissance unit that contributed most to the photographic and signal intelligence efforts of SAC. An ad hoc committee convened by the Headquarters SAC Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations selected the 82d Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron as the 1970 winner.
Benjamin D. Foulais Memorial Trophy (Daedalian Trophy). The 1970 Benjamin D. Foulois Memorial Trophy was awarded to SAC as the major air command with the most effective aircraft accident prevention program. After the death of Major General Benjamin D. Foulois in April 1967, the Order of the Daedalians renamed its annual rotating trophy to commemorate the many contributions that General Foulois had made to aviation and flight safety.
Bombing Competition
The 1970 Bombing Competition, which was held from 15 through 20 November, was unique in several aspects. For the first time since 1960, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, was not used as the staging base. Instead, McCoy Air Force Base, Florida, served as the host for all bombers. The tanker units staged out of their home bases. The second unique feature was that FB-llls participated for the first time. Also, tanker squadrons were included for the first time since 1961.
Competitors included one aircraft and crew from 23 B-52 wings and 28 KC-135 squadrons, two FB-llls and crews of the 340th Bomb Group, and three RAF crews with their Vulcan bombers. Nonparticipating SAC units included 12 KC-135 squadrons that were involved in Southeast Asia support or other assignments; the 96th Strategic Aerospace Wing, which was serving as a B-52 cadre unit in Southeast Asia; and the 509th Bomb Wing, which was in the process of equipping with FB-111s.
The Fairchild Trophy, which for many years had been awarded solely on the basis of bombing, was awarded to the B-52 wing and its assigned KC-135 air refueling squadron that had the highest combined points in the areas of bombing and navigation. It went to the 93d Bomb Wing, a B-52F unit of the Second Air Force.
The Saunders Trophy, previously given for air refueling and navigation, was given to the tanker crew with the most points for the navigation mission. Second Air Force's llth Air Refueling Squadron was the recipient.
The Bombing Trophy, given for the best bomber crew in the area of bombing only, was awarded to one of the FB-111 crews of the 340th Bomb Group, also a Second Air Force unit.
The Navigation Trophy, denoting the best bomber or tanker crew in navigation, was won by the 5th Bomb Wing, a B-52H unit of the Fifteenth Air Force.
Mathis Trophy. The 5th Bomb Wing also won the Mathis Trophy, awarded to the bomber crew with the best score in the combined areas of bombing and navigation. Established by Headquarters SAC and given for the first time in the 1970 competition, this new trophy was named for 1st Lieutenant Jack W. Mathis, a World War II B-17 bombardier, who received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his bravery over Vegesack, Germany, on 18 March 1943. At the time of this action, Lieutenant Mathis was serving with the 303d Bomb Group of Eighth Air Force.
RAF bombing competition. In May 1970, four B-52 aircraft and crews from the 2d, 310th, 320th, and 379th Bomb Wings participated in the Royal Air Force Strike Command Bombing and Navigation Competition. These wings were selected to represent SAC on the basis of their standings in the 1969 SAC Bombing Competition. They were the two top B-52H and the two top B-52G wings in this meet.
Flying out of RAF Station Marham, a SAC team composed of crews and aircraft from the 319th, 320th, and 379th Bomb Wings won the Blue Steel Trophy, an inter-air force award for the best combined score in bombing and navigation.
Missiles
Missile launches. Total missiles and space systems launched during the year from Vandenberg Air Force Base: Launched by: SAC—44; Other Agencies— 41.
Force modernization. On 12 January the Minuteman Force Modernization program was continued at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, when Flight H of the 741st Strategic Missile Squadron (91st Strategic Missile Wing) was turned over to the contractor to be modified.
In this phase of Force Modernization, Minuteman I "B" series missiles were replaced with Minuteman III "G" series missiles. As in the earlier conversion programs, the launch facilities, ground support systems, and the launch control facilities required modification in order to accommodate the Minuteman III.
Minuteman III employed an improved third stage booster, carried more penetration aids to counter antiballistic missile defense systems, and could carry the Mark 12 Multiple Independently targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) with three separate nuclear warheads.
First Minuteman III accepted by SAC. On 19 June, SAC accepted the first flight of 10 Minuteman III missiles at Minot. These missiles were assigned to the 741st Strategic Missile Squadron.
On 30 December, the 741st Strategic Missile Squadron was fully equipped with 50 Minuteman Ills. In the meantime, the second squadron of the 91st Strategic Missile Wing had entered the Force Modernization program.
Missile Competition
The Third Missile Combat Competition was held from 28 April to 5 May at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Three Titan II and six Minuteman wings competed, with each wing being represented by two missile combat crews and one maintenance team. Each combat crew participated in three individual exercises in a missile procedures trainer, and each maintenance team participated in four exercises.
The 44th Strategic Missile Wing, a Minuteman unit from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, had the highest combined score in operations and maintenance and was awarded the Blanchard Trophy as well as the award for the Best Minuteman Wing. The 390th Strategic Missile Wing, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, won the award for the Best Titan Wing.
Tactical Aircraft
1,126 (412 B-52, 648 EC/KC-135, and 66 FB-111)
Aircraft Units
19 Heavy Bomb Wings (15 15 UE, two 30 UE, one 25 UE, and one 22 UE) and three Strategic Aerospace Wings (two 15 UE and one 20 UE), one Strategic Wing (15 UE) with B-52s
38 Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons (ten 20 UE, 27 15 UE, and one 10 UE) with KC-135s
One Medium Bomb Wing (30 UE) and one Strategic Aerospace Wing (36 UE) with FB-111As
Three Strategic Reconnaissance Wings (one with U-2s, one with SR-71s, one with RC-135s)
Two Strategic Reconnaissance Squadrons with RC-135s
Three Airborne Command and Control Squadrons with EC-135s
Missile Units
Six Titan II Squadrons (9 UE) fully equipped
20 Minuteman Squadrons (50 UE), 10 equipped with Minuteman II "F" series missiles, six with Minuteman I "B" series missiles, three with Minuteman III "G" series missiles, and one in process of converting from Minuteman I "B" series to Minuteman III "G" series missiles
Active Bases
28 CONUS and two overseas (Guam and Labrador)
Budget and Financial Status (FY 71, as of 30 June 1971)
Operations and Maintenance
$441,698,000, includes supplies, communications, civilian pay, and minor equipment purchased
Assets
$15,181,610,000, includes real property, inventories, equipment, and weapon systems
Operating Expenses
$1,717,122,000, includes O&M listed above, military pay, family housing, troop subsistence, and aviation petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL)
Operations
Southeast Asia operations. On 18 June, SAC B-52s began their seventh year of conventional bombing in the Southeast Asia conflict. Throughout the year, the B-52s were used both in close bombing support of forces engaged in combat and in destroying roads and supply lines leading southward from North Vietnam along the Demilitarized Zone and the Laotian border. SAC's KC-135 tanker crews continued to provide inflight refueling for all types of tactical fighters engaged in the conflict. The KC-135s played an important airlift role by carrying men and equipment to and from Southeast Asia.
Delivery of last FB-111. On 30 June, SAC received its last FB-111 (serial number 68-291), which was assigned to the 340th Bomb Group, Carswell Air Force Base, Texas.
By early September, the 340th had transferred its FB-111s to the two operational wings—the 509th at Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire, and the 380th at Pittsburgh Air Force Base, New York. Upon transfer of these aircraft the 340th's 4007th Combat Crew Training Squadron, which had been responsible for training FB-111 crews, ceased operations at Carswell and moved to Plattsburgh. Effective 31 December, the 340th Bomb Group was inactivated.
B-52 phase out. In 1971, SAC retired all "C" and several "F" model B-52s to the storage facility at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. SAC's last B-52C, serial number 53-402, which had been assigned to the 22d Bomb Wing, March Air Force Base, California, was retired on 29 September. The 93d Bomb Wing, Castle Air Force Base, California, continued to operate B-52Fs.
Last C-47. On 7 July, SAC's last C-47 was transferred to the USS Alabama Monument Commission. This VC-47D had been assigned to the 97th Bomb Wing, Blytheville Air Force Base, Arkansas. Since its organization on 21 March 1946, SAC had continuously used C-47s, or "Gooney Birds" as they were usually called, for support and administrative purposes.
SR-71 record flight and Tenth Mackay Trophy. On 26 April, an SR-71 aircraft of the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Beale Air Force Base, California, made a record-breaking 15,000-mile nonstop flight in ten and one-half hours, attaining speeds at times in excess of Mach 3 and at altitudes of over 80,000 feet. The flight, which began and ended at Beale, was made possible by several inflight refuelings by KC-135s. For this outstanding flight, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas B. Estes, aircraft commander, and Major Dewain C. Vick, reconnaissance systems officer, were named recipient of the Mackay Trophy for 1971.
P. T. Cullen Award. The P. T. Cullen Award, given annually to the unit that contributed most to the SAC photographic and signal reconnaissance mission, was awarded to the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing for 1971.
Bombing Competition
The eighteenth Bombing Competition was held from 12 through 17 December at McCoy Air Force Base, Florida. SAC participants included one aircraft and crew from each of 54 units: 22 B-52, 30 KC-135, and two FB-111. Three RAF crews and their Vulcan aircraft also participated. All major awards went to Second Air Force units. These awards and their recipients were as follows:
Fairchild Trophy, for the bomb wing and collocated tanker squadron with the best combined score in bombing and navigation, awarded to the 449th Bomb Wing, a B-52H unit.
Mathis Trophy, awarded to the best bomber crew in the combined areas of bombing and navigation, 17th Bomb Wing, a B-52H unit, and the Saunders Trophy, awarded to the best tanker crew, llth Air Refueling Squadron.
Bombing Trophy, awarded to the best bomber crew in the area of bombing, 17th Bomb Wing. The Navigation Trophy, awarded to the best bomber or tanker crew in navigation, 93d Bomb Wing, a B-52F unit.
RAF Bombing Competition. From 17 to 24 April, SAC again participated in the Royal Air Force Strike Command's Bombing and Navigation Competition. SAC participants included one aircraft and crew from four B-52 units (2d, 320th, 379th, and 410th Bomb Wings), one KC-135 unit (llth Air Refueling Squadron) and one RC-135 unit (55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing). The 340th Bomb Group and the 509th Bomb Wing each sent one FB-111 and crew to participate in a demonstration capacity. The 410th Bomb Wing, a B-52H unit, won the Blue Steel Trophy, an inter-air force award that was given this year to the crew with the best combined score in bombing and navigation.
Missiles
Total missile and Space Systems launched during the year from Vandenberg Air Force Base: Launched by: SAC—43; Other agencies—41.
SAC's Minuteman Force Modernization Program continued throughout 1971. On 13 December, SAC accepted the last flight (Flight 0 of the 742d Strategic Missile Squadron) of Minuteman III "G" series missiles at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. With acceptance of this flight, the 91st Strategic Missile Wing became the first wing to be equipped with the new MIRV-carrying missile.
The 321st Strategic Missile Wing, Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, became the second wing to enter the Minuteman III force modernization program. Its first Minuteman III "G" series missile was postured on 24 December. In another phase of Force Modernization, Minuteman II "F" series missiles were replacing Minuteman I "B" series missiles in the 44th Strategic Missile Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota.
First Minuteman HI operational launch. On 24 March, a missile crew of the 91st Strategic Missile Wing conducted the first operational test of Minute-man III by successfully launching a missile from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
Missile Competition
The fourth Missile Combat Competition was held from 20 to 28 April at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Competitors included two combat crews and one maintenance team from each of the nine strategic missile wings. The 351st Strategic Missile Wing, a Minuteman unit from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, had the highest combined score in operations and maintenance and was awarded the Blanchard Trophy as well as the Best Minuteman Wing award. The 308th Strategic Missile Wing, Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, was named Best Titan Wing.
Aircraft Units
22 Heavy Bomb Wings (17 15 UE, two 30 UE, one 25 UE, one 22 UE, and 20 UE) and one Strategic Wing (15 UE) with B-52s
38 Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons (ten 20 UE, 27 15 UE, and one 10 UE) with KC-135s
Two Medium Bomb Wings (one 30 UE and one 36 UE) with FB-111As
Three Strategic Reconnaissance Wings (one with U-2s, one with SR-71s, one with RC-135s)
Two Strategic Reconnaissance Squadrons with RC-135s
Three Airborne Command and Control Squadrons with EC-135s
Missile Units
Six Titan II Squadrons (9 UE) fully equipped
20 Minuteman Squadrons (50 UE), nine equipped with Minuteman II "F" series missiles, five with Minuteman III "G" series missiles, three with Minuteman I "B" series missiles, one converting from Minuteman I "B" series to Minuteman III "G" series missiles, one converting from Minuteman I "B" series to Minuteman II "F" series missiles, and one converting from Minuteman II "F" series to Minuteman III "G" series missiles
Active Bases
30 CONUS and two overseas (Guam and Labrador)
Budget and Financial Status (FY 72, as of 30 June 1972)
Operations and Maintenance
$468,972,000, includes supplies, communications, ci-vilian pay, and minor equipment purchased
Assets
$15,324,145,260, includes real property, inventories, equipment, and weapon systems
Operating Expenses
$1,946,362,000, includes O&M listed above, military pay, family housing, troop subsistence, and aviation petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL)
Organization
In order to control effectively the additional B-52 and KC-135 aircraft and crews deployed to counteract the North Vietnamese offensive of early 1972, SAC created several new Eighth Air Force units. Completed on 1 July 1972, this expansion included activating provisional units (air divisions, air refueling squadrons, bomb squadrons, and consolidated maintenance wings) at seven Western Pacific and Southeast Asia bases.
Operations
Southeast Asia operations. By early April, the North Vietnamese had launched a strong three-pronged attack against the South Vietnamese, striking specifically at Quang Tri, Kontum, and An Loc. As the offensive intensified, SAC sent additional B-52s and KC-135s to several Western Pacific and Southeast Asia bases. Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, which had not supported the B-52 bombing mission since late 1970, rejoined U Tapao Airfield, Thailand, as a B-52 launch base. U Tapao and Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, continued to support KC-135s engaged in refueling B-52s and tactical aircraft. By mid-year, as the demand for tactical aircraft support grew, tankers were also operating out of Clark Air Base, Philippines, and the three Thailand bases of Don Muang, Korat, and Takhli. Although successful in the early months, the North Vietnamese offensive was soon repelled as the B-52 incessantly bombed enemy troop positions and supply concentrations in all three areas of the attack.
Linebacker II. In mid-December, after the North Vietnamese had terminated peace negotiations in Paris, President Nixon ordered the bombing of military targets in the Hanoi and Haiphong areas of North Vietnam in an effort to bring the North Vietnamese back to the peace table. Nicknamed Linebacker II and covering an 11-day period from 18 through 29 December—there was a 24-hour pause in the bombing on Christmas—the B-52s flew over 700 sorties against 24 target complexes, including rail yards, shipyards, communications facilities, power plants, railway bridges, MIG aircraft bases, air defense radars, and missile sites. All together, U.S. bombers, including tactical and Navy aircraft as well as B-52s, dropped 20,370 tons of bombs in this 11-day attack, with the B-52s accounting for over 15,000 tons.
In this attack on Haiphong and Hanoi, the B-52s encountered what has been described as one of the most heavily defended areas of the world, characterized by heavy concentrations of surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), MIG fighter aircraft, and anti-aircraft gun emplacements. The anti-aircraft and MIG fighters did not pose a formidable threat to the penetrating B-52s, but the SAMs did. In this 11-day war, over 1,000 missiles were fired at the B-52s and fifteen B-52s were shot down by SAMs.
Of the 92 crew members aboard these bombers, 26 were recovered by rescue teams, 33 bailed out over North Vietnam and were captured, 29 were listed as missing, and four perished in a bomber that crash landed. By 28 December, the North Vietnamese air defenses had been practically neutralized, and on the last two days of Linebacker II, the B-52s were able to fly over Hanoi and Haiphong without suffering any damage. On 30 December, North Vietnam announced that it was ready to resume peace negotiations.
While the bombing against North Vietnam was carried out by B-52s and tactical and Navy aircraft, the campaign would surely have been less effective, more costly, and appreciably prolonged without KC-135 tankers. From 18 through 29 December, the SAC tankers flew more than 1,300 sorties and provided inflight refueling for B-52s as well as tactical fighter and attack aircraft.
The Collier Trophy. The Collier Trophy, presented annually by the National Aeronautic Association for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, was awarded jointly to the Eighth Air Force, the Pacific Air Force's Seventh Air Force, and the Navy's Task Force 77 for their combined efforts in the 11 -day air campaign against North Vietnam.
First SRAM. On 4 March, the first operational Short Range Attack Missile (SRAM) was delivered to a SAC unit—the 42d Bomb Wing, Loring Air Force Base, Maine.
Designated the AGM-69A, the SRAM measures 14 feet in length and 18 inches in diameter and weighs approximately 2,230 pounds. Powered by a solid-propellant rocket motor and armed with a nuclear warhead, it can be launched from a bomber prior to reaching the target to increase the bomber's ability to attack heavily defended targets.
Each B-52G and H model aircraft could carry up to 20 of these missiles on wing pylons and on a rotary launcher in the bomb bay, while the FB-111 could carry as many as six missiles, two internally and four externally on wing pylons. All B-52G and H units and two FB-111 wings were to be equipped with the new missile.
On 15 June, a B-52G crew of the 42d Bomb Wing successfully launched the first operational SRAM over the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
P. T. Cullen Award. The 100th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing was selected as the unit that contributed most to the SAC photographic and signal intelligence mission in 1972. For this significant accomplishment, it received the P. T. Cullen Award.
Bombing Competition
Due to the heavy B-52 support of bombing operations in Southeast Asia, the 1972 SAC Bombing and Navigation Competition was cancelled.
RAF Bombing Competition. For the Royal Air Force Strike Command Bombing and Navigation Competition, conducted from 14 through 20 May, SAC entered four B-52 bombers and crews representing the 2d, 17th, 28th, and 449th Bomb Wings. The 28th Bomb Wing, a B-52G unit, won the Blue Steel Trophy, which was given to the crew with the highest combined score in bombing and navigation.
Missiles
Missile launches. Total missile and space systems launched during the year from Vandenberg Air Force Base: Launched by: SAC—21 ; Other Agencies— 44.
Force modernization. SAC's Minuteman Force Modernization Program, replacing older model missiles with new ones, continued at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, and Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, throughout 1972. At Grand Forks, the 321st Strategic Missile Wing was converting from Minuteman II "F" series missiles to Minuteman III "G" series missiles, while at Ellsworth, the 44th Strategic Missile Wing was replacing its Minuteman I "B" series missiles with Minuteman II "F" series missiles.
Command data buffer. In November, the 90th Strategic Missile Wing, Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, entered the Force Modernization Program when it started removing its Minuteman I "B" series missiles and making the sites ready for the new MIRV-carrying Minuteman III "G" series missiles. As part of the 90th's conversion program, a new retargeting system was to be installed. Called Command Data Buffer, the new system would enable crews in launch control centers to retarget rapidly through electrical means the Minuteman III missiles. It would replace a time-consuming procedure that required maintenance personnel to physically insert a new target tape into each missile.
Missile Competition
SAC's fifth Missile Competition was held at Vandenberg Air Force Base from 6 through 14 April. In order to broaden participation and further increase interest in the meet, each wing sent four crews instead of two as in previous years. For the first time since the competition began in 1967, a Titan unit, the 381st Strategic Missile Wing, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, had the highest combined score in operations and maintenance and won the Blanchard Trophy. The 381st was also named the Best Titan Wing, while the 351st Strategic Missile Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, won the Best Minuteman Wing award.
Tactical Aircraft
1,163 (422 B-52, 670 EC/KC-135, 71 FB-111), includes SAC aircraft undergoing maintenance and modification work at Air Force Logistics Command facilities; previously, these aircraft were not considered as being assigned to SAC
Aircraft Units
22 Heavy Bomb Wings (18 15 UE, two 30 UE, one 22 UE, one 20 UE) and one Strategic Wing (15 UE) all with B-52s except two 15 UE bomb wings which had transferred their aircraft to other SAC wings in preparation for inactivation as part of the programs to close McCoy Air Force Base, Florida, and to transfer Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts, to the Air Force Reserve
38 Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons (Nine 20 UE and 29 15 UE) with KC-135s
Two Medium Bomb Wings (one 30 UE and one 36 UE) with FB-111As
Three Strategic Reconnaissance Wings (one U-2, one SR-71, one RC-135)
Two Strategic Reconnaissance Squadrons with RC-135s
Three Airborne Command and Control Squadrons with EC-135s
Missile Units
Six Titan II Squadrons (9 UE) fully equipped
20 Minuteman Squadrons (50 UE), ten equipped with Minuteman II "F" series missiles, seven with Minute-man III "G" series missiles, two with Minuteman I "B" series missiles, and one converting from Minute-man I "B" series to Minuteman III "G" series missiles
Active Bases
30 CONUS and one overseas (Guam).
Budget and Financial Status (FY 73, as of 30 June 1973)
Operations and Maintenance
$509,873,000, includes supplies, communications, civilian pay, and minor equipment purchased
Assets
$16,088,315,000, includes real property, inventories, equipment, and weapon systems
Operating Expenses
$2,194,824,000, includes O&M listed above, military pay, family housing, troop subsistence, and aviation petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL)
Organization
Air Force and Air Division Realignments. By 1 July, the Second and Fifteenth Air Forces had completed a major unit realignment program. This program entailed giving the air divisions diversified missions with a variety of weapon systems rather than allowing them to specialize in one weapon system. It also included placing some ICBM units—one Minuteman and two Titan wings—under the Second Air Force rather than having all missile units concentrated in the Fifteenth Air Force as had been the case since the numbered air force realignment of early 1970. The numbered air force realignment was effected in a series of reassignment actions extending from 15 February through 1 July.
Operations
Southeast Asia Operations. Following the B-52 Linebacker II bombing of targets in North Vietnam during December 1972, North Vietnam resumed the stalled Paris peace negotiations on 8 January. While the talks continued, B-52s pounded logistics targets in North Vietnam south of the 20 degree parallel. The B-52 bombing over North Vietnam ended on 15 January, and on 27 January, an agreement ending the war in Vietnam was signed in Paris. On that same day, B-52s flew their final mission of the war over targets in South Vietnam. Bombing of targets in Laos continued with a halt scheduled for 22 February as part of a peace agreement reached by the Laotian government. Because of enemy cease-fire violations, however, B-52s struck again on 23 February at the request of the Laotian government. Similar violations brought the bombers back briefly on 15, 16, and 17 April. Following the February halt to bombing in Laos, the B-52s struck only targets in Cambodia. Rebel Cambodians and North Vietnamese/Viet Cong forces advancing on Phnom Penh were repeatedly bombed by B-52s. Logistics targets located throughout Cambodia were also hit heavily in an effort to stem the enemy's drive. The bombers also struck gun positions and troop emplacements along road and river supply routes to enable needed supplies to reach the defenders of Phnom Penh.
End of SAC bombing in Southeast Asia. On 15 August, when all U.S. bombing of targets in Cambodia ceased, SAC B-52s terminated more than eight years of conventional bombing operations in Southeast Asia.
Benjamin D. Foulois Memorial Trophy (Daedalian Trophy). The 1973 Benjamin D. Foulois Memorial Trophy, also known as the Daedalian Trophy, was awarded to SAC as the major air command with the most effective aircraft accident prevention program.
P. T. Cullen Award. The P. T. Cullen Award, presented annually to the Strategic reconnaissance unit contributing most to the SAC photographic and signal intelligence effort, was won by the 6th Strategic Wing.
Bombing Competition
In the spring of 1973, preliminary plans were made to renew the SAC Bombing and Navigation Competition. It was to be held at Carswell Air Force Base, Texas. In early June, however, Major General George H. McKee, SAC Chief of Staff, announced that the competition would not be held. Once again, as in 1972, operational commitments in Southeast Asia forced cancellation of the meet.
RAF Bombing Competition. In the 1973 Royal Air Force Strike Command Bombing and Navigation Competition, held from 29 April through 5 May, SAC's entries were from the 5th, 17th, 319th, and 410th Bomb Wings. In the competition for the Blue Steel Trophy, awarded to the top crew in the meet, the SAC wings placed second, seventh, eighth, and ninth. For SAC, it was the poorest showing since the 1967 meet.
Missiles
Total missiles and space systems launched during the year from Vandenberg Air Force Base: Launched by: SAC—13; Other Agencies—31.
Force modernization. The force modernization program continued throughout 1973 in the 90th Strategic Missile Wing, Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. On 20 June, SAC accepted the first flight (Flight P of the 400th Strategic Missile Squadron) of Minuteman III missiles, and on 21 November, the entire squadron became operational when the last flight (Flight S) was accepted. In the meantime, the second squadron of the 90th Wing had entered the force modernization program.
The 1973 SAC Missile Competition was the sixth to be held. Six Minute-man wings and three Titan wings each entered four combat crews and a composite maintenance team. The main competition took place during the period from 26 April to 4 May at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. However, since Vandenberg no longer had Minuteman I launch facilities in operation, a portion of the competition was held at Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, from 9 through 13 April. This action was taken to accommodate the 90th Strategic Missile Wing, which was still operating Minuteman Is.
The 90th Strategic Missile Wing won the Blanchard Trophy, the award given to the best wing in the combined areas of operations and maintenance. The 90th also won the best Minuteman Wing award, while the 381st Strategic Missile Wing, the 1972 winner of the Blanchard Trophy, won the Best Titan Wing award.
Aircraft Units
20 Heavy Bomb Wings (17 14 UE, one 17 UE, one 28 UE, one 33 UE) and one Strategic Wing (14 UE) with B-52s
38 Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons (nine 20 UE and 29 15 UE) with KC-135s
Two Medium Bomb Wings (one 30 UE and one 36 UE) with FB-111 As
Three Strategic Reconnaissance Wings (one U-2, one SR-71, one RC-135)
Two Strategic Reconnaissance Squadrons with RC-135s
Three Airborne Command and Control Squadrons with EC-135s
Missile Units
Six Titan II Squadrons (9 UE) fully equipped
20 Minuteman Squadrons (50 UE), ten equipped with Minuteman II "F" series missiles, nine equipped with Minuteman III "G" series missiles, and one in final stages of converting from Minuteman I "B" series to Minuteman III "G" series missiles
Active Bases
28 CONUS and one overseas (Guam)
Budget and Financial Status (FY 74, as of 30 June 1974)
Operation and Maintenance
$534,010,000, includes supplies, communications, civilian pay, and minor equipment purchased
Assets
$17,715,494,760, includes real property, inventories, equipment, and weapon systems
Operating Expenses
$2,338,711,000, includes O&M listed above, military pay, family housing, troop subsistence, and aviation petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL)
Operations
SR-71 record flights. In September, an SR-71 aircraft of the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Beale Air Force Base, California, made two world record speed flights. On 1 September, the aircraft flew from New York to London in one hour, 55 minutes, and 32 seconds, averaging 1,810.9 miles per hour. The old record, set by an RAF Phantom F-4K in 1969, was four hours, 46 minutes, and 57.6 seconds. The SR-71 was flown by Major James B. Sullivan, pilot, and Major Noel F. Widdifield, reconnaissance systems officer.
On 13 September, the same SR-71 aircraft, flown by Captain Harold B. Adams, pilot, and Major William C. Machorek, Jr., reconnaissance systems officer, established a world speed record in a flight from London to Los Angeles. This flight took three hours, 47 minutes, and 39 seconds at an average speed of 1,487.81 miles per hour.
P. T. Cullen Award. The P. T. Cullen Award, presented each year to the reconnaissance unit that contributed most to the overall SAC photographic and signal intelligence effort, was won by the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing.
First B-1 flight. The B-l bomber, which was being developed by Rockwell International Corporation was flight tested on 23 December, when Charles C. Bock, Rockwell's chief test pilot, flew the new aircraft for the first time. It took off from the B-l assembly facility at Palmdale, California, and landed almost one and one-half hours later at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
Bombing Competition
Having been canceled since 1971 due to operational commitments in Southeast Asia, the SAC Bombing Competition was renewed in 1974. Conducted from 10 through 16 November, the 1974 meet was the first one ever held at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, and the first one in which the Tactical Air Command participated. SAC participants included 20 B-52 wings, two FB-111 wings and 27 air refueling squadrons, with each participant entering one aircraft and crew. Tactical Air Command entered two F-l 1 Is and the Royal Air Force sent four Vulcan bombers. The major unit awards and their recipients were:
Fairchild Trophy, for the bomb wing and assigned tanker unit with the best combined score in bomber and tanker activity, 380th Bomb Wing, FB-lll/KC-135.
Mathis Trophy, best bomber crew in bombing and celestial navigation, RAF, Vulcan.
Saunders Trophy, best tanker crew, 911th Air Refueling Squadron of the 68th Bomb Wing.
Bombing Trophy, best bomber unit in high and low bombing, 380th Bomb Wing, FB-111.
Navigation Trophy, best unit in navigation (FB-11 Is, and F-l 1 Is, did not compete), RAF Vulcan.
William J. Crumm Linebacker Memorial Trophy Awarded for First Time, William J. Crumm Linebacker Memorial Trophy, best B-52 crew in high bombing, 92d Bomb Wing. This trophy was named in honor of Major General William J. Crumm, former Commander of the 3d Air Division, who was killed while on a combat mission in a 1967 B-52 crash in the South China Sea. Donated to SAC by Boeing Aerospace Company, the trophy was first presented in the 1974 meet in memory of the B-52 crew members killed in action during Linebacker II, the December 1972 bombing of Hanoi and Haiphong, North Vietnam.
Missiles
Total missiles and space systems launched during the year from Vandenberg Air Force Base: Launched by: SAC—14; Other Agencies—35.
Force modernization program. The force modernization program continued throughout 1974 in the 90th Strategic Missile Wing, Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming. On 3 September, the last Minuteman I was taken off alert, and by the end of December 1974, only two flights of the 320th Strategic Missile Squadron remained to be converted to Minuteman III.
Missile Competition
Conducted at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, from 25 April through 3 May, the 1974 Missile Competition was an exacting and hard-fought contest. The 321st Strategic Missile Wing, Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, competing under the slogan "Eat 'Em Up," came from eighth place on 26 April to first place on the final day to win the Blanchard Perpetual Trophy as the best missile wing in SAC. The 321st also won the award for Best Minuteman Wing, while the 390th Strategic Missile Wing, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, a close second for the Blanchard Trophy, won the award for the Best Titan II Wing.
Aircraft Units
19 Heavy Bomb Wings (one 33 UE, one 28 UE, two 18 UE, one 17 UE, three 16 UE, 11 14 UE) and one Strategic Wing (14 UE) with B-52s
36 Heavy Air Refueling Squadron (one 22 UE, eight 20 UE, one 19 UE, three 18 UE, two 16 UE, 19 15 UE, one 14 UE, one 13 UE) with KC-135s
Two Medium Bomb Wings (one 36 UE and one 30 (UE) with FB-111As
Three Strategic Reconnaissance Wings (one U-2, one SR-71, one RC-135)
Two Strategic Reconnaissance Squadrons with RC-135s
Three Airborne Command and Control Squadrons, two with EC-135s and one with E-4s
Missiles
1,010 Minuteman, 57 Titan II, 308 Hound Dog, 355 Quail, and 1,451 SRAM
Missile Units
Six Titan II squadrons (9 UE) fully equipped
20 Minuteman Squadrons (50 UE), nine equipped with Minuteman II "F" series missiles and 11 with Minuteman III "G" series
Active Bases
28 CONUS and one overseas (Guam)
Budget and Financial Status (FY 75 as of 30 June 1975)
Operation and Maintenance
$582,050,000, includes supplies, communications, civilian pay, and minor equipment purchased
Assets
$18,234,032,783, includes real property, inventories, equipment, and weapon systems
Operating Expenses
$2,558,099,158, includes O&M listed above, military pay, family housing, troop subsistence, and aviation petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL)
Personnel
First Navigator to Command Flying Unit. On 16 February, Brigadier General Eugene D. Scott became the first navigator in the USAF to command an operational flying unit, assuming command of the 47th Air Division, Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. Only pilots were authorized to command flying units prior to 18 December 1974, when President Ford signed a law removing Congressional restrictions on command.
Organization
Movement of Headquarters Eighth Air Force, inactivation of Headquarters Second Air Force. Effective 1 January 1975, Headquarters Eighth Air Force moved without personnel and equipment from Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, to Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, where it absorbed the functions and personnel of Headquarters Second Air Force, which was inactivated. Headquarters Eighth Air Force had been located at Anderson since 1 April 1970, when it moved there from Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts, in order to direct SAC combat operations in Southeast Asia.
At the time of this action, Headquarters USAF planned to move Headquarters Eighth Air Force to Barksdale and to inactivate Headquarters Second Air Force as soon as SAC operations in Southeast Asia had subsided.
Activation of Headquarters 3d Air Division. Concurrent with the above actions, Headquarters 3d Air Division, which had been inactivated at Anderson on 1 April 1970, was activated at that base and absorbed the personnel and functions of Headquarters Eighth Air Force.
Transfer of KC-135s to air reserve forces. In July 1974, Secretary of Defense Schlesinger directed SAC to transfer 128 KC-135 tankers to the air reserve forces in order to equip 16 eight UE units. Three units of the Air Force Reserve and 13 units of the Air National Guard would be involved in this program, which would extend over a four-year period. In the event of wartime mobilization, SAC would have control of these squadrons.
Tanker aircraft transferred. The transfer of aircraft actually began on 18 April 1975, when the 301st Air Refueling Squadron, Rickenbacker Air Force Base, Ohio, transferred the first KC-135, serial number 57-1507, to the 160th Air Refueling Group, also located at Rickenbacker. The 160th began operating on an eight UE basis on 1 July 1975. The second unit, the 157th Air Refueling Group, Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire, entered the program on 1 October. Thus, by the end of December, a 16 UE element had been withdrawn from SAC to support these two units.
While these actions were taking place, SAC had inactivated two 15 UE air refueling squadrons: the 922d at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, on 30 September as part of the phase out of SAC activities at that base, and the 301st at Rickenbacker on 31 December as part of the Air Reserve Forces program. Redistribution of the 14 UE element remaining after these squadrons were inactivated was scattered among several units. This action along with other aircraft authorization realignments created eight different categories of squadrons, each with a distinct UE.
ACCS transferred to SAC. Effective 1 November 1975, Headquarters USAF transferred the 1st Airborne Command and Control Squadron (ACCS) located at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, from Headquarters Command to SAC. Concurrent with this action, SAC acquired the E-4, a modified Boeing 747. The 1st ACCS had three E-4s, outfitted with EC-135 type communications equipment, to serve as the National Emergency Airborne Command Post. A fourth E-4 was at the Boeing plant in Seattle, where it was being outfitted with advanced type communications equipment.
PACCS reorganization. In a separate action to consolidate resources, SAC reorganized its Post Attack Command Control System (PACCS). Effective 31 December, the 3d Airborne Command and Control Squadron was inactivated at Grissom Air Force Base, Indiana, after its functions had been assumed by the 70th Air Refueling Squadron at Grissom and the 2d Airborne Command and Control Squadron at Offutt.
Operations
Operation New Life. During the final evacuations from Cambodia and Vietnam, SAC flew tanker and reconnaissance sorties in support of the American withdrawal. Accompanying the final Americans were thousands of refugees fleeing the communist takeover of their homeland. From 23 April to 16 August, Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, became a temporary haven for the refugees. Practically everyone on Anderson assisted in Operation New Life, which processed about 110,000 refugees on their way to the U.S. and other countries.
Spaatz Trophy awarded. In appreciation of the outstanding support given its fighters over the years by SAC tankers, the Tactical Air Command donated a new trophy to SAC on 4 September 1975. Named "The General Carl 'Tooey' Spaatz Award" in memory of the first USAF Chief of Staff and a pioneer in the development of inflight refueling, the award would go on an annual rotating basis to the best air refueling unit. On 4 October, the trophy was presented for the first time to the 11th Air Refueling Squadron, Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma.
First SAC refueling of B-1. On 21 April, SAC conducted its first inflight refueling of the B-l. The crew, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Fred C. Hartstein, came from the 1st Combat Evaluation Group, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, while the KC-135 tanker was furnished by the 22d Air Refueling Squadron, March Air Force Base, California. Previously, on 10 April, an Air Force Systems Command KC-135 and crew had conducted the first inflight refueling of the new bomber.
First SAC pilot flies B-1. On 19 September, Major George W. Larson, who was assigned to the 4200th Test and Evaluation Squadron, Edwards Air Force Base, California, became the first SAC pilot to fly the B-l. Accompanied by Charles C. Boch and Richard Abrams of Rockwell International Corporation, Major Larson handled the aircraft controls for approximately one-third of the 6 1/2 -hour flight.
P. T. Cullen Award. The P. T. Cullen Award, presented annually to the reconnaissance unit contributing most to the overall SAC photographic and signal intelligence effort, was won by the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing.
Missiles
Total missiles and space systems launched during the year from Vandenberg Air Force Base: Launched by: SAC—14; Other Agencies—33.
Force modernization program completed. The force modernization program, a nine-year effort to replace all Minuteman Is with either Minuteman IIs or Minuteman IIIs was completed in 1975. The program within the 90th Strategic Missile Wing, Francis E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, was completed on 21 January, about three weeks ahead of schedule. On that date, the Boeing Aerospace Company, the contractor responsible for remodeling the launch facilities, turned over to SAC the last flight of ten Minuteman III missiles (Flight Juliet of the 320th Strategic Missile Squadron).
A related program involved replacing 50 Minuteman II missiles of the 341st Strategic Missile Wing, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana, with a like number of Minuteman IIIs. This conversion began on 20 January, with Ogden Air Logistics Center handling the missile swap on an individual site basis, and was completed on 11 July when the 50th site of the 564th Strategic Missile Squadron was returned to SAC. This action brought the SAC Minuteman force up to a 450-Minuteman II/550-Minuteman III configuration.
As with previous meets, the 1975 SAC Missile Competition was held at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, from 24 April through 2 May.
In addition to entering combat crews and maintenance teams, each wing sent a security police team. These security police teams competed in exercises to evaluate their reaction to normal and emergency situations endemic to their bases, written tests, and ability with the M-16 rifle.
The 1975 competition was also significant in that women participated for the first time. Sergeant Jo A. Williamson served on the 321st Strategic Missile Wing's electronics laboratory maintenance team, while Airman First Class Jeanine A. Sousley was a member of the 308th Strategic Missile Wing's reentry vehicle maintenance team.
The 381st Strategic Missile Wing, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, compiling the highest score in operations, maintenance, and security police exercises, received the Blanchard Perpetual Trophy. In duplicating its 1972 performance, the 381st became the first Titan II unit to win the top award for the second time. The 381st also won awards for Best Titan Wing and Best Missile Operations. Other major unit awards and their recipients were: Best Minuteman Wing, 44th Strategic Missile Wing, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota; Best Missile Maintenance, 308th Strategic Missile Wing, Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas; and Best Missile Security Police, 321st Strategic Missile Wing, Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota.
Aircraft Units
18 Heavy Bomb Wings (one 33 UE, one 28 UE, two 18 UE, one 17 UE, three 16 UE, ten 14 UE), one Strategic Wing (14 UE) with B-52s
2 Medium Bomb Wing (one 36 UE, one 30 UE) with FB-lllAs
35 Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons (four 20 UE, three 19 UE, three 18 UE, one 17 UE, two 16 UE, twelve 15 UE, nine 14 UE, one 13 UE) with KC-135s
2 Strategic Reconnaissance Wings (one with U-2s and SR-71s, one with RC-135s)
1 Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron with RC-135s
3 Airborne Command and Control Squadrons (two with EC-135s, one with E-4s)
Missiles
1,094 Minuteman (including missiles in depot modification), 58 Titan II, 288 Hound Dog, 355 Quail, 1,431 SRAM
Missile Units
6 Titan II Squadrons (9 UE) fully equipped
20 Minuteman Squadrons (50 UE), 9 with Minuteman IIF series missiles, 11 with Minuteman IIIG series
Active Bases
26 CONUS and 1 on Guam
Budget and Financial Status (FY 76 as of 30 June 1976)
Operations and Maintenance
$670,545,354, includes supplies, communications, civilian pay, minor equipment purchased
Assets
$18,262,117,573, includes real property, inventories, equipment, and weapon systems
Operating Expenses
$2,541,093,542, includes O&M listed above, military pay, family housing, troop subsistence, and aviation petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL)
New Fiscal Year In accordance with the Congressional Budget and Impound-Procedure Beganment Act of 1974 (PL 93-44), a new fiscal year from 1 October through 30 September was established, replacing the 1 July through 30 June fiscal year. A three-month transitional period called FY 7T was provided in the act to bridge the gap between 1 July and 30 September 1976.
(FY 7T as of 30 September 1976)
Operations and Maintenance
$171,254,080, includes supplies, communications, civilian pay, minor equipment purchased
Assets
$18,262,117,573, includes real property, inventories, equipment, and weapon systems
Operating Expenses
$612,906,264, includes O&M listed above, military pay, family housing, troop subsistence, and aviation petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL)
Organization
SAC's 30th Anniversary. On 21 March, the Strategic Air Command observed its 30th anniversary. In connection with this event, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld flew in a B-52H from Offutt AFB, Nebraska, to White-man AFB, Missouri, where he toured Minuteman II missile facilities prior to returning to Washington, D.C.
Reorganization Under Tri-Deputy Concept. Effective 1 July, SAC reorganized its wing/base structure under the tri-deputy concept. In accordance with this reorganization, directed by Headquarters USAF, a deputy commander for resources was created and placed under the wing commander on a coequal status with the existing deputy commander for operations and deputy commander for maintenance. The newly organized deputy commander for resources received the functions of comptroller, procurement, supply, and transportation from the combat support group, thereby enabling the base commander to become more deeply involved in people programs. Concurrently, the supply and transportation squadrons were transferred from the combat support group to the wing.
Realignment of Communications Function. In accordance with Headquarters USAF policy of creating a single manager for all Air Force communications, the Air Force Communications Service (AFCS) assumed command and management responsibility for all SAC communications systems and functions. SAC retained operational control over its communications. The arrangement was facilitated by the creation of Headquarters Strategic Communications Area (SACCA), an Air Force Communications Service unit at Offutt AFB. The commander of SACCA also served as the director of communications-electronics of Headquarters SAC's deputy chief of staff/operations. Within the command, S AC's communications groups and squadrons were transferred to the AFCS.
Operations
SR-71 Record Flights. In July, three crews of the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Beale AFB, California, set seven speed and altitude records with the SR-71. On 27 July, Major Adolphus H. Bledsoe, Jr., pilot, and Major John T. Fuller, reconnaissance systems officer, flew the Blackbird at a speed of 2,092.29 miles per hour over a 621.4-mile (1,000-km) course in the vicinity of Edwards AFB, California. In this flight, they set three closed circuit records: 1) world absolute speed; 2) world jet speed with 2,200 Ib (1,000 kg) payload; and 3) world jet speed without payload.
The record-breaking flights continued on 28 July with four additional records being established. Captain Eldon W. Joersz, pilot, and Major George T. Morgan, RSO, flew their SR-71 at a speed of 2,193.64 miles per hour, setting two records: world absolute and jet speed over a 9-to-15-mile (15-to-25-km) straight course. Finally, Captain Robert C. Helt, pilot, and Major Lang A. Elliot, RSO, flew a Blackbird to a height of 85,069 feet over the test range at Edwards AFB and established both world absolute and jet records for altitude in horizontal flight.
B-l Development. On 2 December, Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld authorized the Air Force to proceed with production of the B-l bomber. In September, however, Congress restricted funding of the B-l to $87 million per month through February 1977. This action, in effect, left the B-l production decision up to Jimmy Carter, who would become president on 20 January 1977.
Air Launched Cruise Missile Tested. On 5 March, the Air Launched Cruise Missile, which was being developed by Boeing for use by SAC, was successfully test launched from a B-52G at the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. The ALCM, as it was popularly referred to, was designed to carry a nuclear warhead into enemy defenses.
Last SAC Aircraft Left Southeast Asia. In February 1964, a U-2 had been the first SAC aircraft deployed to Southeast Asia. On 22 March 1976, a U-2 departed U-Tapao Airfield, Thailand, to become the last SAC aircraft to leave Southeast Asia.
SAC Participated in Red Flag. On 29 November 1975, the Tactical Air Command unveiled a complex of simulated enemy facilities on the Nellis AFB Nevada Desert Test Ranges to provide realistic combat training in exercises known as Red Flag. SAC was invited to participate in the April 1976 exercise, Red Flag IV. SAC flew numerous B-52 and FB-111 sorties, beginning with three 7th Bomb Wing B-52Ds on 12 April.
Spaatz Trophy. The 41st Air Refueling Squadron, Griffiss AFB, New York, was selected as the best air refueling unit in SAC for 1976.
P. T. Cullen Trophy. The 306th Strategic Wing, Ramstein AB, Germany, was selected for the 1976 award for being the reconnaissance unit contributing most to the photographic and signals intelligence efforts of SAC.
Omaha Trophy. The 449th Bomb Wing, Kincheloe AFB, Michigan, was selected the outstanding wing in SAC for 1976.
Drones Transferred to Tactical Air Command. On 1 July, the SAC drone reconnaissance program, which had been in the 100th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, was transferred to the Tactical Air Command (TAC). The drones, built by Teledyne Ryan Aeronautical Division of Teledyne, Inc., were small, unmanned, remotely piloted, jet-powered vehicles that were launched from DC-130 aircraft. After completing their reconnaissance missions, they were retrieved in mid-air by CH-3 helicopters. All SAC drone assets, including several AQM-34 remotely piloted vehicles (RPV), six DC-130 launch aircraft, and seven CH-3 recovery helicopters, were transferred.
Bombing Competition
Twentieth Competition. The 1976 SAC Bombing Competition was revised, being divided into three phases. The first phase, held in July and August, was an in-unit competition with participants including all mission-ready bomber and tanker crews except B-52 crews of the 43d Strategic Wing, Andersen AFB, Guam, and KC-135 crews of the 376th Strategic Wing, Kadena AB, Japan. The top three bomber and/or tanker crews plus one "wild card" crew from each unit then progressed to the semifinal round that was held from 27 through 30 September. The Royal Air Force also entered four Vulcan crews and aircraft in the semifinal phase. In the final round, held on 4-5 October, each SAC and RAF unit entered its two top crews.
Throughout the competition, SAC units operated out of their home bases, while the RAF contingent staged out of Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. Barksdale also served as the competition headquarters for giving awards. The major awards and their recipients were: Fairchild Trophy, 380th Bomb Wing, FB-111/ KC-135; Mathis Trophy, 7th Bomb Wing, B-52; Saunders Trophy, 92d Bomb Wing, KC-135; Crumm Trophy, 7th Bomb Wing, B-52; and the Bombing Trophy, 7th Bomb Wing, B-52.
RAF Bombing Competition. In the 1976 RAF Bombing Competition, held from 5-14 April at RAF Station Marham, SAC participants included one B-52G crew and aircraft from the 2d, 92d, 97th, and 320th Bomb Wings. The 320th Bomb Wing won the Blue Steel Trophy, awarded to the crew with the highest combined score in bombing and navigation, and the Camrose Trophy, for the crew with the best score in bombing. This marked the first time a SAC unit won the Camrose Trophy.
Barrentine Trophy Created. Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, became the permanent home for the SAC Munitions Loading Competition for the next decade. SAC established the Chief Master Sergeant Wilbur R. Barrentine Memorial Munitions Loading Trophy for the wing with the best munitions competition team in SAC. In the competition, held from 27 September through 6 October, the 7th Bomb Wing, Carswell AFB, Texas, was the first winner of the trophy. The presentation of the trophy was made at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, during the Bombing Competition awards ceremonies on 6-7 October. The other major awards given were: Best Munitions Load Crew, 7th Bomb Wing; Best Security Police Team, 97the Bomb Wing, Blytheville AFB, Arkansas; Best Crew Chief, 379th Bomb Wing, Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan; Best Combined Load Crew, 379th Bomb Wing.
Missiles
Missile Launches. Total missiles and space systems launched during the year from Vandenberg AFB: SAC—15; other agencies —26.
New Titan II Guidance System. A replacement for the Titan II ICBM Inertial Guidance System (IGS), the Universal Space Guidance System (USGS), proved its reliability by guiding the flight of a Titan HIC space booster on 27 June 1976 at Vandenberg AFB, California.
Missile Competition
Ninth Competition. Following the precedent established in the 1975 meet in which security police teams were added as participants, the 1976 SAC Missile Competition was further expanded to include communications, engineering, and vehicle support teams. As in the past, Vandenberg AFB was the site of the meet, held 20-30 April. The 341st Strategic Missile Wing (Minuteman) at Malmstrom AFB, Montana, took the bulk of the major awards, including the Blanchard Perpetual Trophy for the highest combined score in all exercises, Best Minuteman Wing, Best Missile Operations, Best Missile Maintenance, Best Missile Communications, and Best Missile Civil Engineering. The 381st Strategic Missile Wing, McConnell AFB, Kansas, was judged the Best Titan Wing, while the 351st Strategic Missile Wing, Whiteman AFB, Missouri, won the Best Vehicle Support Team, and the Best Security Police Team award went to the 321st Strategic Missile Wing, Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota.
Aircraft Units
17 Heavy Bomb Wings (one 33 UE, one 30 UE, one 28 UE, one 20 UE, three 17 UE, ten 14 UE), one Strategic Wing (14 UE) with B-52s
2 Medium Bomb Wing (one 36 UE, one 30 UE) with FB-lllAs
34 Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons (one 25 UE, one 20 UE, seven 19 UE, two 16 UE, nine 15 UE, six 14 UE, three 13 UE, three 12 UE, two 10 UE) with KC-135s
2 Strategic Reconnaissance Wings (one with U-2s and SR-71s, one with RC-135s)
1 Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron with RC-135s
3 Airborne Command and Control Squadrons (two with EC-135s, one with E-4s)
Missiles
1,162 Minuteman (including missiles in depot modification), 57 Titan II, 249 Hound Dog, 354 Quail, 1,415 SRAM
Missile Units
6 Titan II Squadrons (9 UE) fully equipped
20 Minuteman Squadrons (50 UE), .9 with Minuteman IIF series missiles, 11 with Minuteman IIIG series
Active Bases
25 CONUS and 1 on Guam
Budget and Financial Status (FY 77 as of 30 June 1977)
Operation and Maintenance
$658,204,983, includes supplies, communications, civilian pay, minor equipment purchased
Assets
$17,804,995,267, includes real property, inventories, equipment, and weapon systems
Operating Expenses
$2,412,063,735, includes O&M listed above, military pay, troop subsistence, and aviation petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL)
Military Family Housing
$64,226,232, includes O&M expenses (Military Family Housing Defense Appropriation) in support of housing units
Organization
Reorganization of Minuteman Security Police Functions. Effective 1 October, Headquarters SAC reorganized security police functions at the six Minuteman bases. The reorganization improved efficiency by dividing the existing squadrons into smaller and more manageable units. It was accomplished by activating eight new missile security squadrons —one each at four installations and two each at two installations that supported the largest Minuteman wings.
Operations
President Carter Flew on E-4A. On 11 February, President Jimmy Carter flew in an E-4A National Emergency Airborne Command Post (NEACP) of the 1 st Airborne Command and Control Squadron from Andrews AFB, Maryland, to Robins AFB, Georgia. This marked the first time a U.S. president flew in an E-4A.
President Carter Stopped Action on Selecting a New Tanker. On 19 February, President Carter stopped action to select an Advanced Tanker/Cargo Aircraft (ATCA) being considered for use by SAC.
President Carter Dropped the B-l in Favor of the Cruise Missile. On 30 June, President Carter announced in a nationwide television address that the B-l bomber would not be produced. He stated:
This has been one of the most difficult decisions that I have made since I have been in office. Within the last few months I've done my best to assess all the factors involved in production of the B-l bomber. My decision is that we should not continue with deployment of the B-l, and I am directing that we discontinue plans for production of this weapons system. The secretary of defense agrees that this is a preferable decision. . . . The existing testing and development now underway on the B-l should continue to provide us with the needed technical base in the unlikely event that more cost-effective alternative systems should run into difficulty. . . . In the meantime, we should begin development of cruise missiles using air-launched platforms such as our B-52s, modernized as necessary. Cancellation of B-l Explained by Secretary of Defense Brown. On 1 July, Secretary of Defense Harold Brown, at a Pentagon press conference, stated: My recommendation to the president, and his decision not to proceed with production of the B-l, were based on the conclusion that aircraft carrying modern cruise missiles will better assure the effectiveness of the bomber component of U.S. strategic power in the 1980s. Both the B-l and the cruise missile offer high assurance of survivability and penetration. But the president and I are convinced that the cruise missile will provide more certainty for our defense. Advanced Tanker/Cargo Aircraft Development. In July, Secretary of Defense Brown approved acquisition of a force of between 12 and 20 Advanced Tanker Cargo Aircraft instead of 91 as approved by President Ford in January. On 19 December, the secretary selected McDonnell-Douglas to provide 20 DC-10-type aircraft for the ATCA role.
Spaatz Trophy. The 306th Strategic Wing, Ramstein AB, Germany, was selected as the best air refueling unit in SAC for 1977.
P. T. Cullen Trophy. The 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Beale AFB, California, was selected for the 1977 award for being the reconnaissance unit contributing most to S AC's photographic and signals intelligence efforts.
Omaha Trophy. The 42d Bomb Wing, Loring AFB, Maine, was selected the outstanding wing in SAC for 1977.
Bombing Competition
Twenty-first Competition. The 1977 SAC Bombing Competition resembled the competition in 1976. For SAC units, the competition again was divided into three phases, with the first phase an in-unit competition held from 1 June through 31 August. Four bomber crews and two tanker crews from each unit competed in the second phase held from 13 through 16 September. From this phase, 18 bomb wings (the 93d Bombardment Wing, Castle AFB, California, and the 43d Strategic Wing, Andersen AFB, Guam, did not participate) and 24 tanker units (909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena AB, Japan, did not compete) entered two crews each in the final meet, conducted from 21 through 23 September. Competing with the SAC bomber crews were two Royal Air Force Vulcan crews and two Tactical Air Command F-lll crews.
The major awards and their recipients were:
Fairchild Trophy, best combined bomber and tanker scores in bombing and navigation. 380th Bomb Wing, FB-lll/KC-135.
Mathis Trophy, best bombing unit, 509th Bomb Wing, FB-111.
Saunders Trophy, best tanker unit, 384th Air Refueling Wing, KC-135.
Crumm Trophy, best B-52 unit in high-altitude bombing, 7th Bomb Wing.
Meyer Trophy, top FB-111 unit in low-level bombing and electronic coun-termeasures activity, 509th Bomb Wing.
Navigation Trophy, best KC-135 unit in celestial navigation, 380th Bomb Wing.
Bombing Trophy, 380th Bomb Wing, FB-111.
The Doolittle Trophy Presented for the First Time. The Doolittle trophy, donated by Rockwell International Corporation, was named in honor of Lieutenant General James H. Doolittle, leader of the Army Air Forces' low-level bombing raid over Japan on 18 April 1942 and former commander of the 8th Air Force. The trophy was awarded to the numbered air force whose B-52 unit compiled the best overall results in low-level bombing during the competition. The Eighth Air Force was the first recipient of the Doolittle Trophy, with its 379th Bomb Wing compiling the best score.
RAF Bombing Competition. In sharp contrast to their performance in the 1976 RAF Bombing Competition, SAC crews did not fare well in the 1977 meet. The 5th, 319th, 410th, and 449th represented SAC, with each sending one B-52H aircraft and crew to RAF Station Marham for the 9-17 May competition.
In this meet, the ground equipment associated with the radar bomb scoring sites malfunctioned, and it was necessary to tabulate scoring by using vertical bombing photography from the aircraft. The B-52H bombers were not adequately equipped to conduct this type of photography, and they failed to retain the Blue Steel or the Camrose Trophy. The 449th Bomb Wing came in second for the former award, while a SAC team composed of crews from the 5th, 410th, and 449th Bomb Wings placed fifth in the Comrose competition. Munitions Loading Competition. The annual competition was held at the same location as last year, Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, from 13 through 20 September. The winner of the Barrentine Memorial Munitions Loading Trophy for the wing with the best munitions competition team in SAC was the 93d Bomb Wing, Castle AFB, California. The other major awards given were:
Best Munitions Load Crew, 7th Bomb Wing, Carswell AFB, Texas
Best Security Police Team, 379th Bomb Wing, Wurtsmith AFB, Michigan
Best Crew Chief, 5th Bomb Wing, Minot AFB, North Dakota
Best Combined Load Crew, 319th Bomb Wing, Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota
Missiles
Missile Launches. Total missiles and space systems launched during the year from Vandenberg AFB: SAC—12; other agencies —20.
Minuteman Crew Reduction. Between 1 October 1977 and 31 March 1978, SAC reduced the Minuteman crew force by approximately 600, saving an estimated $14 million annually. The reduction was achieved by shortening the Minuteman alert tour from 36 to 24 hours and permitting one crew member to sleep while inside the Launch Control Center (LCC). Circuitry modifications to the LCC's launch enable control group panel eliminated the remote possibility of an unauthorized launch by a single crew member.
Missile Competition
Tenth Competition. Between 25 April and 6 May, the competition was held at Vandenberg AFB, California. The 351st Strategic Missile Wing, Whiteman AFB, Missouri, captured the Blanchard Perpetual Trophy, having compiled the highest combined score for all exercises as well as trophies for Best Minute-man Wing, Best Missile Operations, and Best Missile Civil Engineering. Other major awards and their recipients were:
Best Titan Wing, 390th Strategic Missile Wing, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona
Best Missile Maintenance, 341st Strategic Missile Wing, Malmstrom AFB, Montana
Best Missile Security Police, 91st Strategic Missile Wing, Minot AFB, North Dakota
Best Missile Communications, 44th Strategic Missile Wing, Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota
Best Missile Vehicle Operator, Francis E. Warren AFB, Wyoming
Aircraft Units
18 Heavy Bomb Wings (one 33 UE, one 30 UE, one 28 UE, one 20 UE, three 17 UE, eleven 14 UE) with B-52s
2 Medium Bomb Wing (one 34 UE, one 26 UE) with FB-lllAs
34 Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons (one 25 UE, five 19 UE, one 16 UE, nine 15 UE, six 14 UE, five 13 UE, one 12 UE, one 10 UE, five 9 UE) with KC-135s
2 Strategic Reconnaissance Wings (one with U-2s and SR-71s, one with RC-135s)
1 Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron with RC-135s
3 Airborne Command and Control Squadrons (two with EC-135s, one with E-4s)
Missiles
1,180 Minuteman (including missiles in depot modification), 57 Titan II, 1,408 SRAM
Missile Units
6 Titan II Squadrons (9 UE) fully equipped
20 Minuteman Squadrons (50 UE), nine with Minuteman IIF series missiles, 11 with Minuteman IIIG series
Active Bases
25 CONUS and 1 on Guam
Budget and Financial Status (FY 78 as of 30 September 1978)
Operation and Maintenance
$645,985,086, includes supplies, communications, civilian pay, minor equipment purchased
Assets
$17,522,065,313, includes real property, inventories, equipment, and weapon systems
Operating Expenses
$2,397,381,283, includes O&M listed above, military pay, troop subsistence, and aviation petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL)
Military Family Housing
$82,416,277, includes O&M expenses (Military Family Housing Defense Appropriation) in support of housing units
Organization
Headquarters 7th Air Division Activated in Germany. Headquarters 7th Air Division was activated at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, on 1 July. This improved command and control of SAC's growing tanker, bomber, and reconnaissance activities in Europe and strengthened liaison with U.S. and allied commands in the area. Concurrently, the 306th Strategic Wing was assigned to 7th Air Division, moving without personnel and equipment from Ramstein to RAF Mildenhall, U.K., and the 922d Strategic Squadron was activated at Hellenikon AB, Greece. On 1 August, the 34th Strategic Squadron was activated at Zaragoza AB, Spain. The Hellenikon and Zaragoza squadrons, which replaced detachments of the 306th Strategic Wing, were assigned to the 306th. A final action in the 1978 expansion of SAC activities in the European area, was the activation of the llth Strategic Group at RAF Fairford on 15 November and its assignment to the 7th Air Division.
Operations
Retirement of Older B-52 Bombers and Hound Dog and Quail Missiles. During 1978, SAC disposed of 68 older B-52 D/F bomber variants, with approximately 60 being sent to storage at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, and the remainder being redistributed for various training and display purposes. All AGM-28 Hound Dog and ADM-20 Quail missiles also were retired.
Red Flag/Maple Flag. By the end of 1978, all SAC B-52 and FB-111 wings were participating in Tactical Air Command's Red Flag Exercises on the Nellis AFB, Nevada, ranges. The concept was so successful that it was expanded to include the use of Canadian ranges near Cold Lake. The first SAC B-52 sorties on the Canadian ranges —nicknamed Maple Flag—occurred on 27 April 1978.
Transfer of Last KC-135 to Air Reserve Forces. On 16 September, SAC completed the program to transfer 128 KC-135s to the Air Reserve Forces. On this date, the 128th tanker (KC-135A, Serial Number 57-1438) was transferred from the 7th Bomb Wing, Carswell AFB, Texas, to the 931st Air Refueling Group, an Air Force Reserve unit at Grissom AFB, Indiana.
First Female Officers On Aircraft Alert Duty. On 23 March, Captain Sandra M. Scott became the first female pilot to perform alert duty in SAC. She was assigned to the 904th Air Refueling Squadron, a KC-135 unit at Mather AFB, California. On 27 April, two KC-135 crew members shared the distinction of being the first female navigators to perform SAC alert duties, Captain Elizabeth A. Koch, 22d Air Refueling Squadron, March AFB, California, and First Lieutenant Ramona L. S. Roybal, 916th Air Refueling Squadron, Travis AFB, California.
Spaatz Trophy. The 912th Air Refueling Squadron, Robins AFB, Georgia, was selected as the best air refueling unit in SAC for the period January-to-September 1978. Beginning this year, the award will be presented on a fiscal-year basis.
P. T. Cullen Trophy. The 6th Strategic Wing, Eielson AFB, Alaska, was selected for the 1978 award for its contribution to SAC's photographic and signals intelligence efforts.
Omaha Trophy. The 319th Bomb Wing, Grand Forks AFB, Georgia, was selected the outstanding wing in SAC for 1978.
Bombing Competition
Twenty-second Competition. In the 30 years since its inception, the SAC bombing competition (officially called the SAC Bombing and Navigation Competition) had changed appreciably. For many years, the competitors gathered at one or two bases where all missions were flown. More recently, participants operated from their home bases and gathered at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, for the awards ceremony. Barksdale was a logical site for the competition headquarters since it was the home of the 1st Combat Evaluation Group, the competition's official scoring unit. Also, Barksdale normally supported the Royal Air Force Vulcan bombers when they participated.
The Fairchild Trophy, first awarded in 1951, remained the top award in 1978, but nine additional major trophies were presented in recognition of unit and crew performances. In the final phase, held on 18 and 19 October, SAC participants included one aircraft and crew from 18 B-52/FB-111 wings (the 43d Strategic Wing, Andersen AFB, Guam, and the 93d Bomb Wing, Castle AFB, California, did not compete) and 25 KC-135 tanker units (909th Air Refueling Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, did not compete, and on those bases where two air refueling squadrons were stationed, only one squadron was represented). Also, one RAF Vulcan crew, two Tactical Air Command F-lll crews, eight Air National Guard KC-135 crews, and two Air Force Reserve KC-135 crews competed. From 23 through 25 October, a competition symposium was held at Barksdale and attended by all crews participating in the final phase. Major awards presented at the symposium were as follows:
Fairchild Trophy, SAC wing compiling most points in bomber and tanker activity, 380th Bomb Wing, FB-lll/KC-135
Mathis Trophy, top bomber unit in combined high- and low-level bombing, 509th Bomb Wing, FB-111
Saunders Trophy, top tanker unit, 28th Bomb Wing, KC-135
Crumm Trophy, B-52/Vulcan unit compiling most points in high altitude bombing, 28th Bomb Wing, B-52
Meyer Trophy, top F/FB-111 in low-level bombing and electronic counter-measures activity, 380th Bomb Wing, FB-111
Doolittle Trophy, numbered air force whose B-52 units achieved highest combined average score for low-level bombing, Eighth Air Force.
Navigation Trophy, tanker unit compiling most points in navigation, 924th Air Refueling Squadron, KC-135
Bombing Trophy, bomber crew with most points in high and low bombing, 509th Bomb Wing, FB-111
The General Russell E. Dougherty Short Range Attack Missile (SRAM) Awarded for First Time. The Dougherty trophy, donated by the Boeing Aerospace Company, was named for General Russell E. Dougherty, former comman-der-in-chief of SAC, and was given to the B-52/FB-111 unit with the best score in simulated SRAM launching. The 319th Bomb Wing, a B-52 unit, was the first winner.
The Major James F. Bartsch Electronic Warfare Trophy Awarded for First Time. This new trophy was donated by the Association of Old Crows, an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to furthering the advancement of electronic warfare. It was named for Major James F. Bartsch, a 410th Bomb Wing electronic warfare officer, who was killed in a B-52 accident on 2 April 1977. The award is for the B-52 unit compiling the most points in electronic countermeasures activity. The first recipient was the 92d Bomb Wing.
Munitions Loading Competition. This year's Munitions Loading Competition was held at Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, from 15 through 22 August. The 43d Strategic Wing, Andersen AFB, Guam, won the Barrentine Trophy for the Best Munitions Competition Team. The other major award winners were:
Best Security Police Team, 44th Strategic Missile Wing, Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota
Best Munitions Load Crew, 43d Strategic Wing Best Crew Chief, 416th Bomb Wing, Griffiss AFB, New York Best Combined Load Crew, 43d Strategic Wing
RAF Bombing Competition. Three SAC B-52G units (the 2d, 92d, and 279th Bomb Wings) participated in the Royal Air Force Strike Command Bombing Competition held at RAF Station, Marham, from 26 June through 3 July. SAC units did not win any major trophies.
Missiles
Missile Launches. Total missiles and space systems launched during the year from Vandenberg AFB: SAC—10; other agencies —22.
Titan II Mishap - McConnell AFB. On 24 August 1978, a nitrogen tetroxide oxidizer that leaked from a Stage I booster disabled Launch Complex 533-7 of the 381st Strategic Missile Wing, McConnell AFB, Kansas. The escaped oxidizer also severely damaged the ICBM housed within the complex and caused two fatalities. During the mishap SAC temporarily evacuated civilians residing nearby.
Minuteman Motor Maintenance. In July 1978, Ogden Air Logistics Center, Utah, began the phased depot maintenance of Minuteman motors. This step was to eliminate several age-related anomalies that afflicted Minuteman ICBM motors. During the first portion of phased maintenance, Aerojet Corporation, the program's contractor, reconditioned Minuteman II, Stage II motors at an estimated cost of $200 million. At a later date, Aerojet received other Minute-man motors for reconditioning, giving priority to the oldest.
Women on Titan II Crews. On 18 August 1978, Airman First Class Tina M. Ponzer, assigned to the 381st Strategic Missile Wing, McConnell AFB, Kansas, became the first enlisted female to perform a Titan II alert. On 16 September, First Lieutenant Patricia M. Fornes, also with the 381st Wing, was the first female officer to pull Titan II alert.
Universal Space Guidance System (USGS) Installations. In February 1978, the first operational Universal Space Guidance System was installed at Launch Complex 373-6 of the 308th Strategic Missile Wing, Little Rock AFB, Arkansas. Installation of operational USGS sets at Little Rock began at the end of March. In late 1978, SAC also was installing the USGS at the 390th Strategic Missile Wing, Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona.
17 Heavy Bomb Wings (one 33 UE, one 30 UE, one 28 UE, three 17 UE, ten 14 UE), one Strategic Wing (14 UE) with B-52s
2 Medium Bomb Wing (one 34 UE, one 26 UE) with FB-111As
33 Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons (one 25 UE, six 19 UE, three 16 UE, eight 15 UE, four 14 UE, five 13 UE, one 12 UE, two 10 UE, three 9 UE) with KC-135s
2 Strategic Reconnaissance Wings (one with U-2s and SR-71s, one with RC-135s)
1 Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron with RC-135s
3 Airborne Command and Control Squadrons (two with EC-135s, one with E-4s)
Missiles
1,170 Minuteman (including missiles in depot modification), 57 Titan II, 1,396 SRAM, 10 Thor Boosters
Missile Units
6 Titan II Squadrons (9 UE) fully equipped
20 Minuteman Squadrons (50 UE), 9 with Minuteman IIF series missiles and 11 with Minuteman IIIG series
Active Bases
25 CONUS, 1 in Guam, and 2 in Greenland
Organization
SAC and the Aerospace Defense Command Reorganization. After several years of planning, Headquarters USAF directed that the Aerospace Defense Command (ADCOM) be reorganized and the management of its resources be divided among the Tactical Air Command, Air Force Communications Service, and Strategic Air Command. Under the reorganization, SAC acquired resource management responsibilities for ACCOM's space surveillance and missile warning systems. The North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) retained operational control over these systems. SAC began assuming its new responsibilities on 1 October when it acquired Peterson AFB, Colorado, and several units located there. The transfer actions were completed on 1 December, at which time SAC received the space surveillance and missile warning system units and several installations and small sites throughout the United States and at various overseas locations. In addition to Peterson, SAC acquired Thule and Sondrestrom ABs in Greenland and Clear AFS in Alaska. The forces that SAC inherited may be divided into five functional categories: intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) warning, submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) warning, space surveillance sensor, communications, and support. Included among the assets transferred were the modified Thor missiles that ADCOM's 10th Aerospace Defense Squadron used to launch satellites for the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) at Vandenberg AFB, California. Prior to the transfer, the 10th was inactivated and its Thor missiles, personnel, and functions were absorbed by SAC's 394th ICBM Test Maintenance Squadron, also located at Vandenberg. On-orbit command and control of the DMSP satellites were already under SAC's 4000th Aerospace Applications Group, located at Offutt AFB, Nebraska.
Operations
First B-52 Contingency Deployment to an Overseas Forward Operating Base. Although B-52's flew in contingency exercises in support of Korea in March 1977 and in support of NATO in Europe in September 1978, these missions were done from permanent bases in U.S. territory. The first post-Southeast Asia B-52 contingency deployment to an overseas forward operating base occurred in May 1979. Three B-52Ds from the 96th Bomb Wing, Dyess AFB, Texas, deployed to RAF Upper Heyford, United Kingdom, from 9 to 23 May to participate in Exercises Flintlock and Dawn Patrol.
Global Shield '79. From 8 to 16 July SAC exercised for the first time every phase of its role in the Single Integrated Operational Plan (SIOP) short of nuclear warfare. This exercise, one of the most comprehensive in SAC history, featured participation by the command's active forces and SAC-gained Air Force Reserve units. Hundreds of bombers, tankers, and missiles were put on alert with the aircraft dispersing to preselected bases supported by ground teams and flying sorties over radar bomb-scoring sites.
Adverse weather conditions hindered the operation, including Hurricane Bob, which menaced exercise bases in Louisiana and Mississippi.
General Richard H. Ellis, CINCSAC, called the exercise "well planned" and "an extremely valuable training experience for the aircrews, missile crews, and support personnel who participated in it."
12 June: President Carter approves full scale engineering development for Missile-X (MX).
Refurbishment of Titan II Launch Complex at McConnell AFB. On 13 March, General Lew Allen, Jr., USAF chief of staff, approved project PACER DOWN, the restoration of Titan II Launch Complex 533-7 which was damaged in 1978. This launch complex and the ICBM that it contained were severely corroded through exposure to nitrogen tetroxide and its chemical derivatives. Restoration of the launch complex would cost an estimated $13 to $14 million, that of the ICBM, $5 million.
Global Shield ICBM Launch. On 10 July 1979, SAC launched two Minute-man III ICBMs from Vandenberg AFB, California, during exercise Global Shield, a comprehensive exercise of SAC's nuclear forces. One of these Global Shield missions, Glory Trip 40GM, was the last Phase I Minuteman III flight test.
Titan II Guidance System. In early December 1979, SAC completed installation of the Titan II Universal Space Guidance System (USGS) at the 381st Strategic Missile Wing and the 390th Strategic Missile Wing, completing deployment of the USGS throughout the Titan II fleet.
Last edited by MKSheppard on Sun Apr 06, 2025 11:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Aircraft Units
1 x Heavy Bomb Wing with 33 x B-52s
1 x Heavy Bomb Wing with 28 x B-52s
2 x Heavy Bomb Wings with 18 x B-52s
1 x Heavy Bomb Wing with 17 x B-52s
3 x Heavy Bomb Wings with 16 x B-52s
10 x Heavy Bomb Wings with 14 x B-52s
1 x Strategic Wing with 14 x B-52s
1 x Medium Bomb Wing with 36 x FB-111As
1 x Medium Bomb Wing with 30 x FB-111As
4 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 20 x KC-135s
3 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 19 x KC-135s
3 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 18 x KC-135s
1 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadron with 17 x KC-135s
2 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 16 x KC-135s
12 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 15 x KC-135s
9 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 14 x KC-135s
1 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadron with 13 x KC-135s
1 x Strategic Reconnaissance Wing with U-2s and SR-71s.
1 x Strategic Reconnaissance Wing with RC-135s.
1 x Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron with RC-135s.
2 x Airborne Command and Control Squadrons with EC-135s
1 x Airborne Command and Control Squadron with E-4s
Missiles
1,094 Minuteman (including missiles in depot modification), 58 Titan II, 288 Hound Dog, 355 Quail, 1,431 SRAM
Missile Units
6 x Titan II Squadrons with 9 Missiles.
9 x Minuteman IIF Squadrons with 50 Missiles.
11 x Minuteman IIIG Squadrons with 50 Missiles.
Active Bases
25 CONUS and 1 in Guam, 2 in Greenland
Things of Note in the Command:
* The General Curtis E. LeMay Bombing Trophy is awarded for the first time. Donated by Norden Systems, Inc, and was to be given to the bomber crew which compiled the most points in high and low-level bombing. It replaces the Bombing Trophy.
* 18-19 September: A Titan II accident occurs at Little Rock AFB, which results in an explosion which destroys the launch complex, it's assigned ICBM, and kills one airman.
Aircraft Units
1 x Heavy Bomb Wing with 33 x B-52s
1 x Heavy Bomb Wing with 30 x B-52s
1 x Heavy Bomb Wing with 28 x B-52s
1 x Heavy Bomb Wing with 20 x B-52s
3 x Heavy Bomb Wing with 17 x B-52s
10 x Heavy Bomb Wings with 14 x B-52s
1 x Strategic Wing with 14 x B-52s
1 x Medium Bomb Wing with 36 x FB-111As
1 x Medium Bomb Wing with 26 x FB-111As
1 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadron with 25 x KC-135s
6 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 19 x KC-135s
1 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadron with 18 x KC-135s
3 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 16 x KC-135s
8 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 15 x KC-135s
4 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 14 x KC-135s
5 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 13 x KC-135s
1 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadron with 12 x KC-135s
2 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 10 x KC-135s
1 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadron with 9 x KC-135s
1 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadron with 6 x KC-10As
1 x Strategic Reconnaissance Wing with U-2s, SR-71s, and TR-1s.
1 x Strategic Reconnaissance Wing with RC-135s.
1 x Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron with RC-135s.
2 x Airborne Command and Control Squadrons with EC-135s
1 x Airborne Command and Control Squadron with E-4s
Missiles
1,164 Minuteman (including missiles in depot modification), 56 Titan II, 1,374 SRAM, 14 ALCM
Missile Units
6 Titan II Squadrons with 9 Missiles.
9 x Minuteman IIF Squadrons with 50 Missiles.
11 x Minuteman IIIG Squadrons with 50 Missiles.
Active Bases
25 CONUS and 1 in Guam, 2 in Greenland
Things of Note in the Command:
* 2 October: President Reagan announced that 100 B-1s will be built as soon as possible; and endorsed the ATB, ALCM, and MX programs.
* 11 January: First two ALCMs delivered to 416th BW at Griffis AFB.
* 15 August: First B-52G modified to carry ALCM and equipped with OAS delivered.
* March: Australian government agrees to basing rights for B-52s.
* 5 May: First B-52 arrives in Australia.
* 22 June: First Operational B-52 Sortie from Australia.
* 17 March: First KC-10A Delivered to SAC via Barksdale AFB.
* 15 September: First TR-1 delivered to 9th SRW at Beale AFB.
Aircraft Units
1 x Heavy Bomb Wing with 30 x B-52s
3 x Heavy Bomb Wings with 19 x B-52s
5 x Heavy Bomb Wings with 16 x B-52s
5 x Heavy Bomb Wings with 13 x B-52s
1 x Strategic Wing with 14 x B-52s
1 x Medium Bomb Wing with 32 x FB-111As
1 x Medium Bomb Wing with 24 x FB-111As
1 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadron with 25 x KC-135s
6 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 19 x KC-135s
5 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 16 x KC-135s
8 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 15 x KC-135s
3 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 14 x KC-135s
5 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 13 x KC-135s
1 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadron with 12 x KC-135s
2 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 10 x KC-135s
1 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadron with 9 x KC-135s
1 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadron with 7 x KC-10s
1 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadron with 3 x KC-10s
1 x Strategic Reconnaissance Wing with U-2s, SR-71s and TR-1s
1 x Strategic Reconnaissance Wing with RC-135s
1 x Reconnaissance Wing with TR-1s
1 x Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron with RC-135s
2 x Airborne Command and Control Squadrons with EC-135s
1 x Airborne Command and Control Squadron with E-4s
Missiles
1,153 Minuteman, 53 Titan II, 1,332 SRAM, 288 ALCM
Missile Units
4 x Titan II Squadrons with 9 Missiles.
1 x Titan II Squadrons with 8 Missiles.
1 x Titan II Squadrons with 7 Missiles.
9 x Minuteman IIF Squadrons with 50 Missiles.
11 x Minuteman IIIG Squadrons with 50 Missiles.
Active Bases
25 CONUS and 1 in Guam, 2 in Greenland
Things of Note in the Command:
* 20 January: Initial production contract for the B-1B signed with Rockwell; Flight testing of B-1As #2 and #4 resumed.
* 10 June: First all female crew mission (KC-135 refuelling mission) in SAC.
* 22 June: First KC-135R rolled out.
* August: Operation Rivet Cap - the Titan II Deactivication program, begun.
Aircraft Units
2 x Heavy Bomb Wings with 20 x B-52s
3 x Heavy Bomb Wings with 19 x B-52s
6 x Heavy Bomb Wings with 16 x B-52s
1 x Heavy Bomb Wing with 14 x B-52s
2 x Heavy Bomb Wings with 10 x B-52s
1 x Strategic Wing with 14 x B-52s
1 x Medium Bomb Wing with 32 x FB-111As
1 x Medium Bomb Wing with 24 x FB-111As
1 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadron with 25 x KC-135s
1 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadron with 24 x KC-135s
5 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 19 x KC-135s
4 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 16 x KC-135s
6 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 15 x KC-135s
4 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 14 x KC-135s
8 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 13 x KC-135s
2 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 10 x KC-135s
1 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadron with 9 x KC-135s
2 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 9 x KC-10s
1 x Strategic Reconnaissance Wing with U-2s, SR-71s, and TR-1s,
1 x Strategic Reconnaissance Wing with RC-135s
1 x Reconnaissance Wing with TR-1s
1 x Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron with RC-135s
2 x Airborne Command and Control Squadrons with EC-135s
1 x Airborne Command and Control Squadron with E-4s
Missiles
1,149 Minuteman, 43 Titan II, 1,327 SRAM, 736 ALCM
Missile Units
4 x Titan II Squadrons with 9 Missiles.
1 x Titan II Squadron with 8 Missiles.
9 x Minuteman IIF Squadrons with 50 Missiles.
11 x Minuteman IIIG Squadrons with 50 Missiles.
Active Bases
24 CONUS and 1 in Guam
Things of Note in the Command's History:
* 31 January: Dyess AFB selected to be the first B-1B base.
* 18 June: First Peacekeeper test Flight.
* October-November: First Spanish B-52 deployment.
* 1 October: Last B-52D retired from operations.
* 6 October: Limited IOC for Harpoons on B-52Gs achieved with the 42d BW.
Aircraft Units
1 x Heavy Bomb Wing with 23 x B-52s
2 x Heavy Bomb Wings with 20 x B-52s
2 x Heavy Bomb Wings with 19 x B-52s
1 x Heavy Bomb Wing with 18 B-52s
4 x Heavy Bomb Wings with 16 x B-52s
1 x Heavy Bomb Wing with 14 x B-52s
3 x Heavy Bomb Wings with 10 x B-52s
1 x Strategic Wing with 14 x B-52s
1 x Medium Bomb Wing with 32 x FB-111As
1 x Medium Bomb Wing with 24 x FB-111As
1 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadron with 25 x KC-135s
4 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 19 x KC-135s
6 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 16 x KC-135s
6 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 15 x KC-135s
6 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 14 x KC-135s
6 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 13 x KC-135s
2 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 10 x KC-135s
2 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 9 x KC-135s
1 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadron with 14 x KC-10s
1 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadron with 13 x KC-10s
1 x Strategic Reconnaissance Wing with U-2s, SR-71s, and TR-1s,
1 x Strategic Reconnaissance Wing with RC-135s
1 x Reconnaissance Wing with TR-1s
1 x Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron with RC-135s
2 x Airborne Command and Control Squadrons with EC-135s
1 x Airborne Command and Control Squadron with E-4s
Missiles
1,140 Minuteman, 31 Titan II, 1,309 SRAM, 1,209 ALCM
Missile Units
4 x Titan II Squadrons with 9 Missiles.
2 x Titan II Squadrons with 8 Missiles.
1 x Titan II Squadrons with 4 Missiles.
9 x Minuteman IIF Squadrons with 50 Missiles.
11 x Minuteman IIIG Squadrons with 50 Missiles.
Active Bases
24 CONUS and 1 in Guam
Things of Note in the Command's History:
* 20 June: First KC-135R delivered to SAC.
* 4 September: First B-1B Rollout.
* 18 October: First B-1B Flight.
Aircraft Units
1 Heavy Bomb Wing with 2 x B-1Bs
1 x Heavy Bomb Wing with 33 x B-52s
2 x Heavy Bomb Wings with 20 x B-52s
2 x Heavy Bomb Wings with 19 x B-52s
1 x Heavy Bomb Wing with 18 x B-52s
3 x Heavy Bomb Wings with 16 x B-52s
2 x Heavy Bomb Wings with 14 x B-52s
1 x Heavy Bomb Wing with 12 x B-52s
1 x Strategic Wing with 14 x B-52s
1 x Medium Bomb Wing with 32 x FB-111As
1 x Medium Bomb Wing with 24 x FB-111As
1 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadron with 25 x KC-135s
3 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 19 x KC-135s
5 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 16 x KC-135s
6 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 15 x KC-135s
6 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 14 x KC-135s
9 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 13 x KC-135s
2 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 12 x KC-135s
2 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadrons with 11 x KC-135s
1 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadron with 19 x KC-10s
1 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadron with 16 x KC-10s
1 x Heavy Air Refueling Squadron with 3 x KC-10s
1 x Strategic Reconnaissance Wing with U-2s, SR-71s, and TR-1s.
1 x Strategic Reconnaissance Wing with RC-135s
1 x Reconnaissance Wing with TR-1s
1 x Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron with RC-135s
2 x Airborne Command and Control Squadrons with EC-135s
1 x Airborne Command and Control Squadron with E-4s
Missiles
1,140 Minuteman, 21 Titan II, 1,309 SRAM, 1,271 ALCM
Missile Units
1 x Titan II Squadron with 8 Missiles.
1 x Titan II Squadron with 7 Missiles.
1 x Titan II Squadron with 6 Missiles.
9 x Minuteman IIF Squadrons with 50 Missiles.
11 x Minuteman IIIG Squadrons with 50 Missiles.
Active Bases
24 CONUS and 1 in Guam
Things of Note in the Command's History:
* 7 July: First Operational B-1B delivered to the 96th BW at Dyess AFB.
* 12 April: The "Peace is our Profession" sign that had been in front of the SAC entrance gate to Offutt AFB, Nebraska since 1958 was removed. All gate and directional signs at Offutt were replaced by the standard Air Force signs. The 1958 sign was given to the SAC Aerospace Museum at Offutt.
* 4 February: CINCSAC authorized all-female crews for Minuteman and Peacekeeper. The first class of six female Titan II LCOs began traning at Vandenburg AFB in October; and were scheduled for assignment to the 351st SMW at Whiteman AFB in January 1986.
Things of Note in the Command's History:
* 3 February: 25th Anniversary of Looking Glass.
* 21 March: SAC Observed it's 40th Anniversary.
* 1 October: B-1B IOC with the 96th BW at Dyess AFB. Three of the 15 B-1Bs could not assume alert status because of a delay in the delivery of ECM parts.
* 7 October: The last AGM-86B ALCM was delivered ahead of schedule and $90 million under budget.
Things of Note in the Command's History:
* Early January: USAF confims that the first operational B-2 ATB base would be Whiteman AFB.
* January: SecDef Weinberger announced that the first ACMs would be deployed to K.I. Sawyer AFB in 1989 or 1990.
* 5 May: The last Titan II missile was taken off strategic alert at Little Rock AFB.
Things of Note in the Command's History:
* 1 January: Mixed-Sex ICBM crew policy was implemented; allowing both sexes to serve on the same launch crew.
* 20 January: 100th and Final B-1B rolled out two months ahead of schedule.
* 29 November: 60th and Final KC-10A rolled out.
1989
Things of Note in the Command's History:
* 10 July: Oldest Active B-52G (IOC 1959) retired to SAC Museum.
* 17 July: First flight of the B-2.
* 3 October: Last U-2/TR-1 Delivered to SAC.
* 8 November: First B-1B low level nighttime sortie.
* Late November: Females Eligible for U-2 and TR-1 Pilot positions.
* 29 November: USAF announced the seven bases for the Rail-Garrison Peacekeepers; Barksdale AFB, Grand Forks AFB, Fairchild AFB, Dyess AFB, Little Rock AFB, Wurtsmith AFB, and F.E. Warren AFB. 25 trains with 2 missiles each will be on alert in hardened shelters at each base. The first train is expected to be delivered in 1992 and the last by 1994.
Missiles
450 Minuteman II, 500 Minuteman III (200 with 335 kt warhead/300 with 300 kt), 50 MX Peacekeeper, 1,500 SRAM, 1,715 ALCM
Missile Units
5 Minuteman Wings
1 Peacekeeper/Minuteman Wing
Things of Note in the Command's History:
* 18 January: Final operational flight of SR-71.
* 13 February: 10-visitor delegation from the Supreme Soviet's Committee on Defense and State Security toured SAC HQ.
* 6 March: Final Flight of SR-71 from West Coast to East Coast to Smithsonian museum in 1 hour, 8 minutes and 17 seconds.
* 4 April: 60th and final KC-10 Extender completes it's flight tests.
1991
TBD
1992
TBD
Things of Note in the Command's History:
* 1 June 1992: Strategic Air Command stands down and is deactivated. US Strategic Command (STRATCOM) is established the same day.
