Offutt AFB

• Strategic Location: Offutt Air Force Base is located near Omaha, Nebraska, and has been a vital military installation since 1896, originally established as Fort Crook. • Birthplace of Strategic Air Command: Offutt AFB was chosen as the headquarters for the Strategic Air Command (SAC) in 1948, making it the nerve center for America’s Cold War nuclear deterrence. • World War II History: The base was home to the Glenn L. Martin Nebraska Company, which produced over 500 B-29 Superfortresses during World War II, including the Enola Gay and Bockscar, the aircraft that dropped atomic bombs on Japan. • Presidential Command Center: On September 11, 2001, President George W. Bush was taken to Offutt AFB for security and to hold a National Security Council teleconference after the terrorist attacks. • Home of USSTRATCOM: Today, Offutt AFB is the headquarters of United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM), responsible for strategic deterrence, global strike, and nuclear operations. • Underground Command Bunker: The base houses a sophisticated underground command and control center designed to withstand nuclear attack and direct military operations. • Weather Squadron: The 557th Weather Wing, formerly the Air Force Weather Agency, is stationed at Offutt and provides worldwide weather, climate, and space weather information. • Flooding Impact: In March 2019, historic flooding caused significant damage to Offutt AFB, submerging a third of the base and prompting extensive rebuilding efforts. • RC-135 Operations: Offutt AFB is home to the 55th Wing, which operates the RC-135 "Rivet Joint" reconnaissance aircraft, conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions globally. • Notable Visitors: Offutt has hosted numerous U.S. presidents, military leaders, and international dignitaries due to its strategic importance and advanced communication facilities.