SAC Unit Emblems

CREATED 050517 GMT November 2000

STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND (SAC)

Strategic Air Command [SAC] was a United States Air Force [USAF] major command [MAJCOM]. It possessed two-thirds of America's nuclear TRIAD (bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles [ICBM]) while the United States Navy controlled the other third (nuclear powered ballistic missile launching submarines [SSBN]). SAC Headquarters [HQ] were at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.

As a MAJCOM, SAC had two numbered air forces [NAF] as part of their organization.

Eighth Air Force (8AF), Strategic Air Command (SAC)

Eighth Air Force [8AF] was famous as the aerial combat force which helped to bomb Hitler's Third Reich into submission during World War II. Assigned to SAC on 7 June 1946, 8AF HQ was last assigned to Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. Under 8AF were most of the Bombardment Wings [BMW] and Air Refueling Wings [AREFW] of SAC.

Fifteenth Air Force, Strategic Air Command

Fifteenth Air Force (15AF), Strategic Air Command (SAC)

Fifteenth Air Force [15AF] became the first NAF assigned to SAC on 31 March 1946. 15AF HQ was last assigned to March Air Force Base, California. Under 15AF were most of the Strategic Missile Wings [SMW] and Strategic Recommaissance Wings [SRW] assigned to SAC. 15AF also had responsibility for the SAC Airborne Command Post [ABNCP].

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