The Boeing B-52 “Stratofortress” has been the principal bomber of the Strategic Air Command since the 1950s. In 1990, it was operated by 12 of SAC’s 18 bomb wings.

She displays the original B-52 finish, natural metal with white undersides. The latter was a high gloss paint designed to reflect the heat of a nuclear blast. The SAC milky way band is on the left side of her nose, with the SAC crest. The bomb wing's crest was normally painted on the right side of the nose.

The B-52, which was designed as a winged nuclear deterrent for the Strategic Air Command (SAC) in the event of war with the Soviet Union, has outlived SAC by more than 20 years.

SAC operations began at Westover in 1955 and the 1959 "mole hole," building 7450, was the first building erected as part of the SAC massive retaliation strategy. Here was where long-range B-52 bombers armed with nuclear devices were kept on continuous alert on a nearby runway, known as the Christmas Tree.

On February 1, 1963, it took over the B-52s and KC-135 formerly operated by the 4134th Strategic Wing at Mather AFB. The 320th was once again performing global bombardment training and air refueling operations to meet SAC commitments.

All eight aviators aboard B-52F 70173 the night of 28 February 1968 were assigned to the US Air Force's Strategic Air Command (SAC). SAC was originally formed within the US Army Air Forces (USAAF) on 21 March 1946 with the mission of providing air defense of …

In early 1962, the Stratofor-tress conducted a nonstop flight between Japan and Spain that broke 11 speed and distance records.4 The Strategic Air Command’s B-52s were a global alert force—on the ground and in the air—ready to conduct nuclear counterstrikes in the event of a …

2024年8月16日 · Strategic Air Command (SAC) received its first B-52B in June 1955 and deliveries continued until October 1962. The B-52 accommodated a crew of six (pilot and co-pilot, navigator, radar navigator, electronic counter measurer (ECM) operator and gunner).

In the decade before intercontinental missiles became dominant, the B-52 was SAC’s roundhouse punch, capable of flying from the continental United States and striking the Soviet Union.

2015年12月15日 · After learning of Mr. Eldred’s planned exposé, SAC leaders designed a counteroffensive to show that the B-52 was a safe and effective weapon system. The result was nicknamed “QUICK KICK,” an endurance flight involving eight B-52s, refueled by KC-97 tankers.