“ THE STRENGTH OF SAC ” 1960S U.S. AIR FORCE STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND B-52 OPERATION BIG STAR 23414

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This 1960s film titled “The Strength of SAC” (Strategic Air Command) is presented by the United States Air Force (USAF). SAC was a United States Department of Defense Specified Command and a United States Air Force (USAF) Major Command responsible for command and control of the strategic bomber and intercontinental ballistic missile components of the United States military's strategic nuclear forces from 1946 to 1992. The film also features test firing of the LGM-30 Minuteman II missile in 1964, and clips from Operation Big Star.
Air traffic controllers (00:12). A pilot prepares for take-off in a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bomber plane (00:15). Air traffic control (01:11). Pilots flying a Republic F-105 Thunderchief fighter-bomber (01:51). USAF command post (02:05). “The Strength of SAC” (Strategic Air Command) title banner (02:28). Views of the SAC’s command post at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska (02:38). The duty controller presses a button and picks up the phone (03:17). Views of other command post locations (03:25). A man walks a dog in the snow (03:36). Factory workers (03:39). An airplane is de-iced (03:47). A flying Boeing B-52 Stratofortress (03:59). Views of Operation Big Star, a series of US military exercises using four trains, which SAC had operational control of (04:45). A flying Boeing B-52 Stratofortress (05:06). Views of one ‘Operation Big Star’ train (05:17). SAC command post (05:23). Views of a flying Boeing B-52 Stratofortress and the pilots (05:30). SAC command posts (05:56). Views of pilots flying an aircraft while communicating with the command post (06:04). The pilot speaks to the camera about carrying out SAC missions (06:32). The SAC’s command post at Offutt Air Force Base (06:57). One command post controller explains about the command post’s skills and tasks (07:13). Views of a flying Boeing B-52 Stratofortress and the pilots (07:24). A command post (08:34). One command post controller explains missile training procedures (08:37). USAF Minuteman training (09:39). Two men exit a Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw multi-purpose piston engined helicopter (10:00). They enter an underground silo (10:12). Two sets of command post controller switch shifts (10:20). A silo storing a Minuteman missile in a vast and isolated area (10:30). Views of the ‘Minuteman’ crew of specialized soldiers (10:43). One explains the skills and tasks of the Minuteman crew (11:01). A Minuteman missile is transported and prepared for test firing (11:15). A command post (11:53). Preparations for the test firing (12:32). The SAC’s command post at Offutt Air Force Base and other posts (12:54). The LGM-30 Minuteman II missile is launched (13:29). SAC senior officer speaks about the test firing (13:48). A flying Boeing B-52 Stratofortress carrying an airborne command post (14:24). Parked Boeing B-52 Stratofortress aircraft (15:44). One USAF soldier explains air fueling (16:09). Views of a flying Boeing B-52 Stratofortress and the pilots (16:36). Flying Republic F-105 Thunderchief fighter-bombers (18:15). F-105 Thunderchief dropping bombs (19:49) which explode on the ground (20:04). Flying Republic F-105 Thunderchief aircraft (20:29). SAC flying crew members do maintenance on a parked aircraft (20:36). Maintenance schedule (21:05). Debriefing between aircrew members (21:10). Maintenance controllers systemize the maintenance (21:26). Bomber and tanker crew arrive to initiate maintenance on a landed aircraft (21:51). SAC crew members receive alert briefing at the start of a work day (22:20). One crew member explains the upcoming tasks for the day (22:35). Crew members plan future missions (22:56). Views of the SAC command member’s accommodation and living arrangements (24:25). One member’s wife greets her husband at the SAC base parking lot (24:45). A group of airmen exit the ‘BX’ store together (25:07). An alert siren blasts (25:27). Air crew members scramble (25:30). Multiple Boeing B-52 Stratofortress aircraft drive on the airbase runway (27.01) and take off (27:27). “The End” (27:41).
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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFilm.com

[@djpalindrome]

Dismantling SAC was the biggest blunder politicians and bureaucrats ever made

[@murrygandy6546]

Totally agree.

[@gettotheGate]

Totally disagree. My understanding is not perfect, but given what I know, the organization started by general LeMay was not the organization that was disbanded in the 90’s at the behest of a former SAC commander in chief. It had become too bloated and hide bound to be effective, and the switch in prominence from SAC in Vietnam to TAC in the Gulf speaks for itself.

[@prsearls]

I was in SAC from late 1963 through 1964 as a weapons loading crew member on B-58's. This film is an accurate look at what it was like. Nuclear deterrence was, and still is, a very serious business.

[@stevestickmanhicks3247]

Another load toad.. I loaded F 15 F16,F 4, and F111 in the 80’s. Yes it was very serious!

[@nathanrichmondhoag1021]

have you been to the SAC museum in Omaha?

[@r.j.hackbarth1477]

Did you know John Denver’s dad was a Hustler pilot?

[@Monika-ft5bw]

Yeah ! Very serious people...

[@airforceveteran71]

Anybody who is offended or upset by this needs to find some coloring books and a safe room.

[@FordSeniorMaster]

AMEN!!!!! VERY well stated.

[@well-blazeredman6187]

Great film. Biggest surprises? That neat radar-station-on-rails, and that 7-day alert period for the aircraft crews.

[@samsamaniego3251]

I was in SAC 8th A.F stationed on GUAM 1971 -1972 ( involved with Operation Linebacker 1). 1976 retrained into Titan ll Missile mechanic , back in SAC 8th A.F.

[@painful-Jay]

That was a fascinating video. It’s great to hear from the people that were doing the work and not just a narrator.

[@scootertooter6874]

SACR 55-45 said it best back in the day: "In areas dealing with the critical withhold and release of nuclear weapons, there is no room for substandard knowledge or inadequate performance."

[@videographer1KIK]

I worked on the B-52 in Andersen AFB, Guam and on the C-130 in Little Rock AFB, Arkansas! SAC STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND Persian Gulf War

[@philipdiehl8264]

Thank you for your service...I was also stationed at Little Rock AFB...1988-1992 at 314th Medical Group, Outpatient Records

[@justforever96]

"wait, which missile were we supposed to launch again? It was number three, right?" "Number three? No! It was number two that was disarmed!" "Are you sure? I think it was three. Because we just launched number three. I hope it was number three.. ."😐

[@thetreblerebel]

My Grandpa was on a SAC base during the mid 50s. The first 10 years of its mission. Wish I could talk to him about it...

[@darcyhildebrand9286]

Hound Dog missile - one on each wing

[@russvoight1167]

Should you have any questions I would be happy to answer them, I was in SAC, and proudly so. Later on in the 70s, but it hadn't changed much

[@scottgordon6290]

what base?

[@luckynumber3165]

Love that B-52H in silver-paint. Not too many footage of the H model during its early days.

[@Monika-ft5bw]

In this film is more B-52G than H... - see the engines.

[@russvoight1167]

That is not silver paint but the natural bare aluminum

[@danbowman1637]

I was in SAC at Larson AFB, Washington 1963-1964 with the 568 Strategic Missile Squadron (Titan-1) until the base closed. I worked on the fuel system. Then went to Vandenberg AFB with the newer Titan-2.

[@jimc3708]

I was with SAC 379th & 43rd from 1976-1983 and they those planes would fly or there bettter be dead techs left trying to repair them there were on a mission, there no room for slack. SAC was a tough assignment with the USAF

[@lennygroff1717]

Was with SAC in 1968 at Westover MA air base. Ran the computer tracking systems at the notch an under ground place

[@j.sterling9167]

You'd be amazed how much smaller Westover AFB is now. It's now called Westover AFRB.

[@GrayFoxROU]

The B52 is still in service. Wow!

[@thetreblerebel]

The big, the bad, the beautiful B52 stratofortress

[@meatshield2682]

im getting it plz continue

[@lynnfield6428]

I grew up as a SAC baby. Dad was a boomer in 97 then 135

[@allgood6760]

A B-52.. a friend you can depend on! ✈️

[@thetreblerebel]

One of the B52s was carrying a cruise missile of some sort

[@darcyhildebrand9286]

AGM 28 Hound Dog missile

[@p71collector]

At 21:00 Is that Leslie Nielsen narrating? Lt. Frank Drebin from the "Police Squad" movies?

[@justforever96]

He was satirizing an existing and very common type of narration that was in use though the 20th century, so it would make sense that they sound like him. That's like seeing old footage of Elvis and saying "her this guy sounds like the lounge singer I heard in Vegas last year!" No, the singer sounds like the original.

[@Monika-ft5bw]

Tru tu tu tu, tru tu tu tu :)

[@wardaledillard8553]

Was there any blacks in sac in the 1960s ?

[@charlespole6123]

Yes

[@charlespole6123]

I was in sac for 1963 to 1967 around b-47 in kc-135

[@rolandmiller5456]

Yes. My uncle was.

[@allen480]

Trying to stir up trouble?

[@justforever96]

​@@allen480sounds more like a genuine question to me. Although yes, usually a good way to cause someone to get butthurt.

[@BruceAkaBRUISERCanady]

Hmmmm what happened to y'all on 911?

[@randymcnary308]

SAC was disbanded in 1992

[@jamesroberts2115]

@@randymcnary308 Not disbanded. Renamed.

[@joekoelker9038]

@@jamesroberts2115 Never the same! SAC Altus AFB 1966-70 transportation getting parts for base supply. (NORS-control) B52s & KC135. We kept them flying.

[@justforever96]

SAC didn't exist on 9/11 (I assume that's what you are talking about). And even if they did what the hell are they going to do about a terrorist attack on a US city? Launch a nuclear strike? At who?

[@cycleguy1943]

Stationed at Barksdale AFB ‘84-87 SAC SUPPLY SQUADRON 🇺🇸🫡

[@PeriscopeFilm]

Thanks for your service to our great nation.