Member-only story

The Strategic Air Command and American War Plans at the Dawn of the Atomic Age

Rod Ward

·3k Followers· Follow

Published in Bigger Bombs For A Brighter Tomorrow: The Strategic Air Command And American War Plans At The Dawn Of The Atomic Age 1945 1950

4 min read

268 View Claps

41 Respond

Save

Listen

The Strategic Air Command (SAC) was a major command of the United States Air Force (USAF) responsible for conducting strategic bombing operations during the Cold War. SAC was established in 1946 and became a major player in American war plans during the atomic age.

Bigger Bombs for a Brighter Tomorrow: The Strategic Air Command and American War Plans at the Dawn of the Atomic Age, 1945-1950

by John M. Curatola

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4431 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	237 pages

Background

The development of the atomic bomb in the 1940s revolutionized warfare. For the first time, a single weapon could destroy an entire city. This new weapon had a profound impact on American war plans.

Before the atomic bomb, the United States planned to fight a long and bloody war against the Soviet Union. The goal of this war would be to defeat the Soviet Union and its communist ideology. However, the atomic bomb made this type of war much less likely.

With the atomic bomb, the United States could now deter the Soviet Union from attacking by threatening to retaliate with nuclear weapons. This new strategy of deterrence became the cornerstone of American war plans during the Cold War.

The Establishment of SAC

SAC was established in 1946 as a separate command within the USAF. SAC's mission was to conduct strategic bombing operations against the Soviet Union in the event of war.

SAC was initially equipped with a variety of bombers, including the B-29 Superfortress and the B-52 Stratofortress. SAC also developed a number of new weapons and technologies, including the hydrogen bomb and the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

SAC's Role in American War Plans

SAC played a major role in American war plans during the Cold War. SAC's bombers were the primary means by which the United States could deliver nuclear weapons to the Soviet Union.

SAC also developed a number of plans for how it would conduct a nuclear war against the Soviet Union. These plans included both large-scale attacks on Soviet cities and smaller-scale attacks on specific targets.

SAC's war plans were constantly being updated and revised. As new weapons and technologies were developed, SAC's plans were modified to take advantage of these new capabilities.

The Cuban Missile Crisis

The Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 was a major turning point in the Cold War. During the crisis, the Soviet Union secretly deployed nuclear missiles to Cuba. This deployment brought the world to the brink of nuclear war.

SAC played a major role in the Cuban Missile Crisis. SAC bombers were put on high alert and were prepared to launch a nuclear attack against the Soviet Union if necessary.

The Cuban Missile Crisis ended peacefully, but it showed the world just how close the United States and the Soviet Union came to nuclear war.

The End of the Cold War

The Cold War ended in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union. SAC was deactivated in 1992.

SAC's legacy is mixed. SAC was a powerful force for deterrence during the Cold War. However, SAC's war plans also raised the risk of nuclear war.

Today, the United States still maintains a nuclear arsenal. However, the United States no longer plans to fight a nuclear war. Instead, the United States relies on a policy of nuclear deterrence to prevent nuclear war.

Bigger Bombs for a Brighter Tomorrow: The Strategic Air Command and American War Plans at the Dawn of the Atomic Age, 1945-1950

by John M. Curatola

4.5 out of 5