Ralph Bailey

Strategic Air Command

U.S. Air Force

The Strategic Air Command (SAC) was a major command of the United States Air Force that existed from 1946 to 1992. Its primary mission was to provide strategic nuclear deterrence and global strike capabilities during the Cold War. SAC operated a large fleet of bombers, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and reconnaissance aircraft to fulfill its mission. The command played a key role in maintaining the balance of power between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

The 1st Combat Evaluation Group (1CEVG) was a United States Air Force unit established in 1961 to enhance the effectiveness of Strategic Air Command's (SAC) bomber and missile forces during the Cold War. The group was responsible for operational evaluation, radar bomb scoring, and electronic countermeasure tests, ensuring SAC aircrews maintained combat readiness and precision. Headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, 1CEVG operated numerous radar sites across the United States and abroad, providing realistic training and assessment. The unit played a vital role in improving U.S. strategic deterrence capabilities until its inactivation in 1992 following the end of the Cold War and the restructuring of Air Force evaluation programs.