Strategic Air Command's 10th Anniversary, March 21, 1956

Air display at Offutt AFB, Omaha, NE and talk by General Curtis E. LeMay, CINCSAC.
This prototype Boeing 707 (the Dash 80), was rolled 3 times by Boeing test pilot, Tex Johnson, on the day it was first demonstrated to major airline CEOs. The airplane is now on display at the NASM Udvar Hazy Annex at Dulles International Airport near Washington, D. C. (U. S. National Archives)

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  Autos & Vehicles

[abaguy1]

This is sad and disappointing. It makes me sick to think how great a military leader Gen Lemay was, but in today's politically correct, whimpy, liberal military he would not even be welcomed. We need more leaders, military and civilian like Curt Lemay. This country better wake up soon and get serious about DEFEATING ISLAMIC TERRORIST.

[newmexicoboy]

Rest in Peace General LeMay. America needs more men like you

[1938dmkdz]

Yes we do, served in Sac when he was in..

[Steven DuBose]

I loved being in SAC as well... The greatest job I ever had was being stationed at Minot AFB from 1974 to 1978... Only the best came north and I was one of them...

[Storm Trooper]

SAC was the greatest command, and military force ever assembled. It was a hard command that did not suffer fools or foolishness like todays commands. I was very proud to serve in SAC, and hated to see it do away with.

The soviets were scared to death of SAC and LeMay. They had no doubt, they mess with us, they turn to dust.

[1938dmkdz]

It was a pleasure to serve in SAC and for this man.

[lucabrasi1337]

True. Back in the 80's the PFE WAS Lemay. These days, it's all SARC and gays.

[RusticFederalist]

A great historical document that can accurately summarize the intent of the American nation, one that "was not built during the daylight hours of a five day week nor by the minds and hands of weak men" and that "rest upon self sacrifice on the work of men who to do their job refuse to acknowledge existing limitations or eight to five working hours."

[Mainsail76]

@andrew45dun, I guess not enough of them.

[steindaddie]

If you were born in 1956, why is it you spout off like a 19 year old?

Oh, and how many of those planes were used to bomb the Vietnamese? - most of them! Rolling Thunder/Linebacker - woohoo!

[hudson501]

Lemay did indeed want to go to war with the Soviets over the Cuban Missile Crisis of October, 1962. It's estimated we could have won such a battle, but at the price of about two or three of our own cities completely obliterated in a nuclear exchange. If WW3 took place back then, today, cities such as Omaha, Houston and New York City may still be uninhabitable.

[andrew45dun]

This was the day I was born!

"Peace through global air power" he says at the end. I wonder how many of those planes were used in the 'peaceful' slaughter of Vietnamese civillians a decade later.