Symonds, Adrian SAC in the 1980s

"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 moments notice, twenty-four 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 Navys SLBMs. Also responsible for the USAFs strategic reconnaissance aircraft, SAC maintained a large fleet of tankers to support its bombers and spy planes. After a draw down 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 joined the fleet with the promise of new stealth aircraft under development.

The SAC was also responsible for the U.S. Air Force's strategic reconnaissance aircraft and maintained a large fleet of tanker aircraft to support its bombers and spy planes. After losing strength following the Vietnam War, the SAC was rebuilt in the 1980s as part of a broader revitalisation of the US armed forces under President Reagan. New advanced bombers, tankers and intercontinental ballistic missiles were added to the fleet and new stealth aircraft were developed.