Overview
"Always at War is the story of Strategic Air Command (SAC) during the early decades of the Cold War. More than a simple history, it describes how an organization dominated by experienced World War II airmen developed a unique culture that thrives to this day.Strategic Air Command was created because of the Air Force's internal beliefs, but the organization evolved as it responded to the external environment created by the Cold War. In the aftermath of World War II and the creation of an independent air service, the Air Force formed SAC because of a belief in the military potential of strategic bombing centralized under one commander. As the Cold War intensified, so did SAC's mission. In order to prepare SAC's ""warriors"" to daily fight an enemy they did not see, as well as to handle the world's most dangerous arsenal, the command, led by General Curtis LeMay, emphasized security, personal responsibility, and competition among the command. Its resources, political influence, and manning grew as did its ""culture"" until reaching its peak during the Cuban Missile Crisis. SAC became synonymous with the Cold War and its culture forever changed the Air Force as well as those who served."
Full Product Details
Author: Melvin G. Deaile
Publisher: Naval Institute Press
Imprint: Naval Institute Press
Dimensions:
Width: 15.40cm
, Height: 3.00cm
, Length: 23.10cm
Weight: 0.665kg
ISBN: 9781682472484
ISBN 10: 1682472485
Pages: 328
Publication Date: 30 March 2018
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Reviews
Melvin Dealie's Always at War examines the Air Force's Strategic Air Command, centerpiece of Cold War deterrence, through the lens of culture and leadership. His compelling approach puts the men of SAC at the center of the story, not their weapons. Key leaders like Curtis LeMay and Tommy Power built a command whose organization and culture primed it for instant war. From checklists and no-notice inspections to lead crews and alert procedures, the SAC mentality became the bedrock of the organization's effectiveness and identity. Dealie's careful scholarship places the focus squarely on the human element of SAC's success. --Edward Kaplan, General Hoyt S. Vandenberg Chair of Aerospace Studies, U.S. Army War College
Author Information
Mel Deaile is an Associate Professor at the Air Command and Staff College. Dr. Deaile is a retired Air Force Colonel who flew the B-52 Stratofortress and the B-2 Spirit. He has flown combat operations as part of Operations DESERT STORM and OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, including a record setting 44.3 hour combat mission. Dr. Deaile is the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and a distinguished graduate of the USAF Weapon School.
