The Strategic Air Command: Evolution and Consolidation of Nuclear Forces, 1945-1955

by William S. Borgiasz

Overview

This work analyzes the evolution of the U.S. strategic air force from 1945 to 1955. As commander of the Strategic Air Command (SAC) from 1948 through 1955, Curtis LeMay shaped U.S. strategic forces to survive the new world. He insisted that the Air Force have access to atomic energy information for strategic planning. He struggled to find, promote, and retain the most qualified pilots and support personnel in the Air Force. This work describes the evolution of Air Force strategic forces, describes the importance of personnel to the SAC mission and how LeMay addressed the problem, examines the development of specialized maintenance in SAC, traces the transition from the B-47 to the B-52, and explores the importance of intelligence and targeting.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275948610
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	01/09/1996
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.44(d)

About the Author

WILLIAM S. BORGIASZ is an Adjunct Professor of History at Northern Virginia Community College.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Air Force Strategic Planning, 1945 to 1953
The New Look
Evolution of SAC Personnel Policies
Origins and Evolution of SAC Maintenance
The Transition from the B-47 to the B-52
Intelligence and Targeting
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

Borgiasz (history, Northern Virginia Community College) describes how the SAC became what he calls the predominant military deterrent during the era, as much from wartime lessons in planning, personnel, aircraft development, and intelligence as from strategic analyses and bureaucratic bargaining. He also argues that SAC was not as strong as many people, including historians, have thought. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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