SAC in the 1980s

Overview

The lavishly illustrated story of Strategic Air Command in the 1980s. Take a step inside the day-to-day operations.

‘Fighter pilots make movies, bomber pilots make history’ - or so the bomber pilots say, anyway…

Strategic Air Command held a constant nuclear-armed vigil, ready to launch nuclear war at a moment’s notice 24 hours a day. SAC was responsible for two of the three components of the Nuclear Triad – manned strategic bombers and land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), alongside the Navy’s SLBMs. Also responsible for the USAF’s strategic reconnaissance aircraft, SAC maintained a large fleet of tankers to support its bombers and spy planes.

After a drawdown of strength in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, SAC rebuilt its strength throughout the 1980s as part of a wider revitalization of the US armed forces under President Reagan. New advanced bombers, tankers and ICBMs joining the fleet and with the promise of new stealth aircraft under development.

Take a step inside the day-to-day operations of SAC in the 1980s.

Author Biography

Adrian Symonds has been fascinated by military history, especially military aviation, since childhood. No doubt, frequent low-level RAF and USAF jets flying over his native Worcestershire during his youth planted the seeds of his ongoing passion for the subject. He has extensively studied the histories of the world’s air forces.