Overview/Objectives Know U.S. role in Berlin Airlift Know U.S. role in Berlin Airlift Know how Cold War Developed Know how Cold War Developed Understand air power developments during Cold War Understand air power developments during Cold War Post WWII Berlin Airlift & the Cold War

USAF Role in Berlin Airlift USAF Role in Berlin Airlift Allies learned lesson after WWI. When WWII ended … Allies learned lesson after WWI. When WWII ended … Wanted Germany to prosper this time!Wanted Germany to prosper this time! Soviets - different view: wanted to dominate Germany Soviets - different view: wanted to dominate Germany Germany divided - 2 parts: Germany divided - 2 parts: Soviets Soviets Controlled East Germany Controlled East Germany Govt: Govt: US, Britain, France US, Britain, France Controlled West Germany Controlled West Germany Govt:Govt: Communist dictatorship Democracy

USAF Role in the Berlin Airlift USAF Role in the Berlin Airlift Capital of Germany Capital of Germany Also split into 4 sectors: Also split into 4 sectors: Soviets –Soviets – US, Britain, France - West Berlin (3 sectors)US, Britain, France - West Berlin (3 sectors) Soviets wanted it allSoviets wanted it all since Berlin was located since Berlin was located in East Germany in East Germany Berlin East Berlin (1 Sector)

USAF Role in the Berlin Airlift USAF Role in the Berlin Airlift Soviets Decreed we could noSoviets Decreed we could no longer Berlin enter by ground longer Berlin enter by ground (no train, roads, canals) (no train, roads, canals) Allies had to get goods into their side Allies had to get goods into their side (West Berlin) or people would (West Berlin) or people would freeze & starve freeze & starve If not by ground transport, If not by ground transport, what about air? what about air?

Chapter 6, Lesson 1 USAF Breaks the Berlin Blockade Jun 1948, Allies prevented Soviet takeover of West Berlin Using a massive “AIRLIFT” Using a massive “AIRLIFT” Transporting of goods, material, personnel by airTransporting of goods, material, personnel by air Used 3 air routes over the Used 3 air routes over the “Iron Curtain” “Iron Curtain” Soviet border Soviet border Needed 4,500 tons of coal, Needed 4,500 tons of coal, oil, food per day oil, food per day

The Cargo Planes Douglas C-47 Skytrains or Douglas C-47 Skytrains or “Gooney Birds” could “Gooney Birds” could deliver 2-3 tons each deliver 2-3 tons each

The Cargo Planes Lt Gen Curtis LeMay: Lt Gen Curtis LeMay: Need larger, faster transport plane! Need larger, faster transport plane! Got new Douglas C-54 Skymasters - (10 tons each) By Oct 1948, 200 C-54s were shuttling cargo to the city almost 1 plane per minute! VIDEO By Oct 1948, 200 C-54s were shuttling cargo to the city almost 1 plane per minute! VIDEOVIDEO By May 1949, the Soviets gave in By May 1949, the Soviets gave in

Lessons USAF Learned From the Berlin Airlift Helped convince American leaders of need to build a stronger Air Force Helped convince American leaders of need to build a stronger Air Force Cargo planes – have critically important mission Cargo planes – have critically important mission Workhorses!Workhorses! Not as flashy as bombers or fighters, but it saved a city from a Communist takeover Not as flashy as bombers or fighters, but it saved a city from a Communist takeover

Chapter 6, Lesson 1 What was the “Cold War”? Lasted 4 decades (1948 – 1989) Lasted 4 decades (1948 – 1989) 40 years!40 years! Primary players: Primary players: US & USSR (Soviet Union)US & USSR (Soviet Union) Wanted to avoid “hot” war … Wanted to avoid “hot” war … … Another WWII shooting war … Another WWII shooting war It was a Political, economic, & military rivalry It was a Political, economic, & military rivalry How did it happen? How did it happen?

Chapter 6, Lesson 1 Air Power Vital in WWII Air Power Vital in WWII Air power was vital to Allies victory in World War II Air power was vital to Allies victory in World War II By 1947, most people convinced time for Air Forces to gain independence from Army By 1947, most people convinced time for Air Forces to gain independence from Army Courtesy of the U.S. Air Force

After World War II Military? Military? Shrank … again (like WWI)Shrank … again (like WWI) But still lots of aircraft & airmen around … But still lots of aircraft & airmen around … Atomic bomb forever changed warfare! Atomic bomb forever changed warfare! We needed to correct coordination problems that led to Pearl Harbor We needed to correct coordination problems that led to Pearl Harbor

Led to … National Security Act 1947 President Harry Truman signed into law President Harry Truman signed into law It created: It created: 3 equal military branches3 equal military branches Army, Navy & ….Army, Navy & …. 1 st USAF1 st USAF

National Security Act 1947 Also created: Also created: National Military Establishment (today’s Dept of Defense DOD)National Military Establishment (today’s Dept of Defense DOD) Secretary of DefenseSecretary of Defense National Security CouncilNational Security Council Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Chairman of Joint Chiefs of StaffChairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff

Chapter 6, Lesson 1 First Air Force Chief of Staff First Air Force Chief of Staff Gen Carl Spaatz Gen Carl Spaatz Oversaw 3 Major Commands MAJCOMS (created in 1946): Oversaw 3 Major Commands MAJCOMS (created in 1946): SACSAC Strategic Air Command Strategic Air Command TACTAC Tactical Air Command Tactical Air Command ADCADC Air Defense Command Air Defense Command Courtesy of the U.S. Air Force

A New Kind of War Atomic bomb would shape USAF mission Atomic bomb would shape USAF mission Which command had bomb? Which command had bomb? Lead to a new U.S. national Lead to a new U.S. national policy: “Nuclear Deterrence” policy: “Nuclear Deterrence” Leaders thought nuclear weapons could protect US from any and all aggression.Leaders thought nuclear weapons could protect US from any and all aggression. If you attack us – we can totally destroy you!If you attack us – we can totally destroy you! SAC

What really happened? USSR feared U.S.’s atomic bomb USSR feared U.S.’s atomic bomb So they started developing their own bomb So they started developing their own bomb Led to huge build up of atomic weapons and a 40 year arms race Led to huge build up of atomic weapons and a 40 year arms race

The Cold War But USSR’s greatest fear: But USSR’s greatest fear: Another war w/ Germany! Another war w/ Germany! So they set up “buffer” states in Eastern Europe So they set up “buffer” states in Eastern Europe To protect them in the East (map) To protect them in the East (map) With Communist governments With Communist governments

What is a Communist Government? Single party dictatorship Single party dictatorship No private ownership of: No private ownership of: Land, factories, businessesLand, factories, businesses Government owns allGovernment owns all production production Freedoms not permitted: Freedoms not permitted: Elections, speech, press, religion, associationElections, speech, press, religion, association

The Cold War U.S. had other priorities in Europe … U.S. had other priorities in Europe … Wanted to preserve freedom in EuropeWanted to preserve freedom in Europe Europe in bad shape after WWIIEurope in bad shape after WWII So Congress enacted Marshall Plan So Congress enacted Marshall Plan Strategy to rebuild Europe & repel Communism! Strategy to rebuild Europe & repel Communism! Secretary of State George C. Marshall

The Cold War U.S. also developed a 3-prong method of delivering nuclear weapons: U.S. also developed a 3-prong method of delivering nuclear weapons: Called the Strategic Triad: Called the Strategic Triad: BombersICBMs SLBMs

The Cold War In 1949, the U.S. also joined with 11 In 1949, the U.S. also joined with 11 Western European countries to form NATO Western European countries to form NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Currently 28 Countries Currently 28 Countries Currently 28 Countries Currently 28 Countries Purpose? Promised to protect & defend one another from Communist aggression

The Cold War In response, in 1955, the USSR drew up the In response, in 1955, the USSR drew up the Warsaw Pact Warsaw Pact To safeguard their friends against attack To safeguard their friends against attack  Tensions increased between the two nations Warsaw, Poland

Chapter 6, Lesson 1 How the Cold War Drove Developments in the USAF SAC was one of most crucial commands in USAF SAC was one of most crucial commands in USAF To deliver atomic bomb, SAC bought 100s To deliver atomic bomb, SAC bought 100s of long-range KC-135 tankers and B-52 bombers of long-range KC-135 tankers and B-52 bombers

Chapter 6, Lesson 1 How the Cold War Drove Developments in the USAF Eventually expanded to running aerial reconnaissance Eventually expanded to running aerial reconnaissance Looking Glass – 24/7 Command Center AWACS U2 Spy Plane

Chapter 6, Lesson 1 How the Cold War Drove Developments in the USAF As technology improved, each side launched spy satellites into space As technology improved, each side launched spy satellites into space To monitor actions (build ups, movements)To monitor actions (build ups, movements) To watch for missile launchesTo watch for missile launches

Chapter 6, Lesson 1 How the Cold War Drove Developments in the USAF How the Cold War Drove Developments in the USAF Faster speeds remained a challenge Faster speeds remained a challenge 14 Oct 1947, “sound barrier” broken 14 Oct 1947, “sound barrier” broken (670 mph at 42,000 ft)(670 mph at 42,000 ft) By Capt Charles “Chuck” YeagerBy Capt Charles “Chuck” Yeager In the Bell X-1 “Glamorous Glennis”In the Bell X-1 “Glamorous Glennis” After this breakthrough, aircraft got faster & faster After this breakthrough, aircraft got faster & faster Right Stuff Video