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BOATING TIME AT DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE

In their off duty time, airmen assemble a rowboat that will be used on a lake near Phoenix, Airzona in 1955. The presence of well equipped hobby shops were a positive morale factor in the Fifteenth Air Force. (Strategic Air Command archives)

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December 1954

IN THE CRAWL-WAY OF A B-47 AT MARCH AFB, five-year old Bobby Martinich stoops to get a better look at the machinery which makes a Stratojet tick. His dad, Major Louis Martinich, Jr., points out items of interest to the youngster. Bobby was a little disappointed because he couldn't keep the helmet as a souvenir of his visit. (Strategic Air Command Archives)

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WINGED MIGHT!

The immensity of the swept-back wing of the eight-jet B-52 Stratofortress is shown in this photo taken in 1951 while the airplane was under construction in Boeing's main Seattle factory. Note the security curtain which blocked off view of this experimental project. (Strategic Air Command archives)

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WELCOME HOME!

January 1957. The ladies greet their husband fliers upon their return from the round-the-world flight at March Air Force Base, California, January 18, 1957. Wives of SAC fliers have learned not to ask, "Where are you going?" or "Where have you been?" Too often its a secret that must be kept. (Strategic Air Command Archives)

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Around-the-world Flight, January 1957

THE GENERAL CONGRATULATES the crew chief on the lead B-52 of the record-breaking round-the-world flight completed January 18th at March Air Force Base, California. Major General Archie J. Old, Jr., Fifteenth Air Force Command and leader of the jet flight, singled out Technical Sergeant Donovan W. Higginbotham is his warm praise of all crew members. (Strategic Air Command Archives)

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First B-52 Stratofortress

Boeing Airplane Company's first B-52 Stratofortress is shown here as it neared completion in the company's factory in November 1951. Note that the airpane's 48-foot-high tail has been folded so that it can be rolled out of the factory for taxi tests. Castle Air Force Base was scheduled to receive to the B-52 in 1955. (Strategic Air Command archives)

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Around-the-world Flight, Jan. 1957

GENERAL CURTIS E. LeMAY, right, pins the Distinguished Flying Cross on Major General Archie J. Old, Jr., at March Air Force Base, California, shortly after the General completed a round-the-world flight in a B-52 on January 18, 1957. (Strategic Air Command Archives)

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SANTA RIDES IN STYLE

Twentieth Century progress requires a speedy vehicle for the Jolly visitor making his annual round-the-world trip from the North Pole in 1956. (Strategic Air Command archives)

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DISTINGUISHED VISITOR

June 1954. SAC Commander Curtis LeMay talks with students of the first 15th AF NCO Academy class. Shown in center is Major General Walter C. Sweeney, 15th AF Commander. Partly obscured by General Sweeney is Major Shea, Academy Commandant. To the right is Major General Armstrong Commander of SAC's Second Air Force. (Strategic Air Command Archives)

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MODEL PLANE BUILDER'S DREAM

A OQ-19 radio-controlled target plane is shown immediately prior to leaving its launcher. During the plane's flight gunners of B-29 and B-50 crews track and attempt to shoot down the midget plane. The OQ-19 has a top speed of 275 miles per hour. (Strategic Air Command archives)

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FLEDGLING ANGELS

Dependent youth manifest a variety of expressions while partaking in a Christmas natvitiy pagent at Altus Air Force Base in June 1956 (Strategic Air Command archives)

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SAC Archives

A COSMOPOLITAN CREW, January 1958. Three SAC crewmen who are of Chinese, African American, and Italian origin are greeted by their crew chief, who is of Spanish descent. The occasion was the end of a routine training flight at March AFB. (Strategic Air Command Archives)

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SAC Archives

FLYING THE CHAIR OF A B-47 SIMULATOR. This Captain at March Air Force Base checks on two pilots flying a simulated mission in Southern California. Sometimes during the mission pilots are asked to "bail out" when their B-47 is in trouble. (Strategic Air Command Archives)

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General LeMay arrives at Great Falls AFB, February 1954

SAC COMMANDER, GENERAL CURTIS E. LeMAY, arrives at Great Falls AFB, Montana, to greet Colonel Lester C. Harris. Colonel Harris is head of the 407th Strategic Fighter Wing which became a 15th AF unit on February 1st. (Strategic Air Command Archives)

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SAC archive

GURTIE GRABS A GUN. Cadet Roberta Wood, regional selectee to the International Exchange at Hawaii, receives instructions on firing an M-1 at Malmstrom AFB. Cadet Wood was attending her third encampment as a Civil Air Patrol member in Montana. (Strategic Air Command Archives)

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