Paul Marx

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.

4TH TFW

U.S. Air Force

Unit with 61 member associations.

The 86th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) was a prominent unit of the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), activated in 1948 and originally based at Neubiberg Air Base, Germany. Over the years, the wing flew a variety of aircraft including the F-84 Thunderjet and later the F-4 Phantom II, playing a key role in NATO’s air defense during the Cold War. In the 1970s and 1980s, the 86th TFW operated from Ramstein Air Base, supporting rapid deployment and readiness missions throughout Europe. The wing was eventually redesignated as the 86th Fighter Wing in 1991, shifting focus to airlift and support missions as the global security environment evolved.