Strategic Air Command (SAC), former command of the U.S. air force (see
Air Force, United States Department of the) charged with organizing, training, equipping, administering, and preparing strategic air forces for combat; it was headquartered at
Offutt Air Force Base. From 1946 to 1992, SAC controlled most U.S. strategic
nuclear weapons. Its bombers and
guided missiles played a key role in the
nuclear strategy of the
cold war.
SAC was abolished in 1992 as part of the reorganization of the Department of Defense, and the Strategic Command was created. The Space Command was merged into the Strategic Command in 2002. The interservice Strategic Command, also based at Offutt, now coordinates nuclear plans for both the U.S. air force and navy and oversees all U.S. nuclear forces, conducts reconnaissance for strategic targets, oversees the radar and satellites that detect ballistic missile launches, and protects military computers and networks.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Copyright © 2004.
Licensed from Columbia University Press