SAC : TAC : ATC : PACAF

• SAC (Strategic Air Command): SAC was established in 1946 and served as the United States’ primary nuclear deterrent force during the Cold War, controlling land-based strategic bombers and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). • Operation Chrome Dome: Throughout the 1960s, SAC maintained continuous airborne alert missions—B-52 bombers armed with nuclear weapons patrolled the skies 24/7 to ensure rapid retaliation capability. • Iconic Aircraft: SAC operated legendary aircraft like the B-52 Stratofortress, B-47 Stratojet, and the SR-71 Blackbird, each serving as technological marvels of their time. • TAC (Tactical Air Command): TAC was established in 1946 to provide tactical air support to ground forces, specializing in close air support, air interdiction, and tactical reconnaissance. • Vietnam War Operations: TAC units played a critical role in the Vietnam War, flying F-100, F-105, and F-4 Phantom II fighters for ground attack, escort, and air superiority missions. • ATC (Air Training Command): ATC was responsible for the basic and advanced training of U.S. Air Force aircrews and support personnel, ensuring America’s air power was always ready. • Women in Training: ATC oversaw the integration of women into pilot training in the 1970s, marking a significant milestone in Air Force history. • PACAF (Pacific Air Forces): Established in 1944, PACAF is the air component of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and has played a vital role in Korean War, Vietnam War, and ongoing regional security. • Operation Tomodachi: In 2011, PACAF led U.S. Air Force relief operations in Japan after the devastating earthquake and tsunami, delivering humanitarian aid and disaster support. • Unique Heritage: Each command—SAC, TAC, ATC, and PACAF—has a unique lineage and has been reorganized or redesignated over time. For example, SAC’s mission was absorbed into Air Force Global Strike Command in 2009, TAC merged into Air Combat Command in 1992, and ATC is now part of Air Education and Training Command (AETC).