The Abilene Reporter-News (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 81, No. 184, Ed. 1 Sunday, December 24, 1961 Page: 12 of 52
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Dec. 25--SAC Bases on Alert
CHRISTMAS WEATHER, CHRISTMAS DUTY — December weather, in some
climates, is warm and sunny. Unfortunately, this is hardly a prerequisite, for a
SAC base. As a result, some airmen will find themselves guarding B-47s or B-52s
in a Christmas snowstorm, like the airm an in the above picture.
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For most Americans, Christmas will be marked by
the usual aura of excitement, built to a peak by presents,
a brightly-decorated tree, and carols.
But some Americans will observe Christmas with
flight plans, check lists and a thermos jug of coffee.
They live in special alert barracks, within a few yards
of their loaded bombers. A sparkling Christmas tree
may have a prominent spot in their rooms — but it’s
difficult to feel the Yuletide spirit while wearing a
green flight suit, heavy black boots and a .45 caliber
automatic.
These men are the Strategic Air Command’s alert
force, continually ready for combat, 365 days a year.
The picture will vary but slightly at the 80-odd SAC
bases over the world: In England, Spain, North Africa—
and at Dyess AFB.
Overseas the alert system is called “Reflex.” The
operation rotates crews from stateside bases to overseas
stations for short periods of time.
Reflex crews of Dyess’ 96th Bomb Wing will spend
their Christmas in England, land of Charles Dicken's
“Christmas Carol.” And, like the story’s unfortunate
bookkeeper, Bob Crachett, they'll be working Christmas
Day, away from their homes and families.
At Dyess, alert crews will be served Christmas dinner
in their alert quarters, standard procedure at all SAC
bases. . .
SAC's first 24-hour-a-day alert system began Oct.
1957, when it became apparent that SAC must be able
to launch its strike force within minutes. .
At first, a limited number of bombers and tankers
were on constant alert at a few scattered bases. At that
time, one-third of SAC’s bombers were on alert.
Today, because of the world situation, SAC has
per cent of its forces on alert, as well as a number of
intercontinental ballistic missile sites.
This Christmas, as on previous ones, there will be a
common bond between the lowest ranking airman guard-
ing the flightline to the general officer commanding the
airborne command post: A genuine quest for peace.
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PEACE: A CHRISTMAS THEME, A MILITARY GOAL — A com- Christmas Angels, and the goal of the Strategic Air Command, ex-
posite picture using the Dyess Base Chapel, the Message of the presses SAC’s aim for the year 1962.
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FIX-PAGE
Official USAF Photos
ABILENE REPORTER-NEWS
Abilene, Texas
Page 12-A
Sunday Morning, Dec. 24, 1M1
THE ETERNAL SYMBOL — A three-story cross, made up of about 100 lights, il-
luminates the side of Dyess Hospital at night. The cross was erected as part of the
hospital’s Christmas decorations, which include the Nativity scene (below).
VEGIc
SAC MEMORIAL WINDOW — A stained glass me- dow is in the Offutt Base Chapel. Its theme was taken
DYESS NATIVITY SCENE — Bruce Jones. Dyess Christmas decorations inside the hospital were direct- morial at SAC Headquarters, Offutt AFB, Nebr., com- from Isaiah: “Whom shall I send and who will go for
Hospital engineer gives attentive care to final ad- ed by Miss Floanne Hadd of the Red Cross, memorates not only the fliers and airmen on Christ- us? Here am I! Send me."
justment of the Nativity scene outside the hospital. . mas duty, but hose on alert the year around. The win-
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The Abilene Reporter-News (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 81, No. 184, Ed. 1 Sunday, December 24, 1961, newspaper, December 24, 1961; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1672170/m1/12/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Abilene Public Library.