Strategic Air Command (SAC) was the pre-eminent military actor in US nuclear policy from start to the end of the Cold War. Its early years saw the introduction of new aircraft and early ballistic missiles, while after the Cuban Missile Crisis, there was a period of force consolidation with the it being dominated by the B-52 and the KC-135; this period also saw the introduction of second-generation missiles. The late 1960s and early1970s saw the bomber force involvement in Vietnam and the introduction of the FB-111A. This was followed by a period of stability in the 1980s, when SAC readiness reached its peak. Illustrated with over 180 photographs, this book looks at the aircraft, operations, people and locations of SAC, from its early history through to the end of the Cold War. It looks at new equipment, the importance of SAC strategic reconnaissance aircraft (RB-29, RB-45, RB-50, U-2/TR-1, SR-71, B-47 and RC-135), SAC readiness programmes (ORI), and its command and control mechanisms.

This title was first published in 2000: The aim of this text is to explore conventional arms control in Europe. The early chapters provide a primarily historical perspective, looking at the context, foundations, main provisions and institutional structure of the main agreements. The later chapters explore the continuing and likely future roles of the OSCE and NATO in the arms control process. The final chapters examine more contemporary developments by looking at the Adapted CFE Treaty and Vienna Documents agreed at the OSCE Istanbul Summit in November 1998 and the challenges posed to existing arrangements by the changing and emergent security threats that potentially face Europe.

This title was first published in 2000: The aim of this text is to explore conventional arms control in Europe. The early chapters provide a primarily historical perspective, looking at the context, foundations, main provisions and institutional structure of the main agreements. The later chapters explore the continuing and likely future roles of the OSCE and NATO in the arms control process. The final chapters examine more contemporary developments by looking at the Adapted CFE Treaty and Vienna Documents agreed at the OSCE Istanbul Summit in November 1998 and the challenges posed to existing arrangements by the changing and emergent security threats that potentially face Europe.

The Finnish Air Force operates at the world's most northerly latitudes in an often extreme climate. During the Cold War, it was overshadowed by the Soviet Union, but remained fiercely independent. Since then, it has worked hard to deepen cooperation with its neighbours. It modernised its aircraft fleet and intends to acquire a new generation of combat aircraft through its HX fighter competition. Illustrated with over 170 photographs, this book examines the development of the Finnish Air Force from the Cold War, concentrating on its modern organisation, training and operations. It also covers its increased cooperation with neighbouring countries and NATO, and the use of reserve air strips, along with wartime mobilisation and its reserve forces. Although concentrating on the Finnish Air Force, there will also be coverage of the Finnish Army's helicopters and HX Competition.

Devised by Kelly Johnson and initially operated by the CIA, the U-2 is the world's most famous 'spyplane.' It flew at unprecedented altitudes and carried the most sophisticated sensors available, all in the greatest secrecy. Operating from remote locations and without markings, they often took-off before first light. Ostensibly operated by civilians flying meteorological research missions, their bold overflights took them far across Eastern Europe, the USSR, Middle and Far East. However, many details of the aircraft's operational history remain vague and a considerable amount is still classified. Continuing national political sensitivities have meant that much about these early operations has still not been fully revealed even more than 60 years later. This book utilises a large number of recently declassified documents to explore the remaining hidden details. It provides in-depth examinations of some missions not previously fully described and include more about Norway's role in U-2 operations, and a breakdown of British U-2 overflights of the Middle East using recently released files from the British Ministry of Defence. It examines some of the U-2's extensive efforts to collect intelligence on Soviet ballistic missile test launches and space programme, on 'Fast Move' staging operations and lots more from these missions up to May 1960. Chapters explore some of the ground-breaking technology employed by the U-2 to photograph and eavesdrop on Soviet nuclear, military and industrial activities. These include revealing secrets of the Fili heavy bomber production plant, just five miles from the Kremlin. Overflights of the 'Arzamas-16' closed nuclear city, Vozrozhdeniya biological warfare centre in the Aral Sea and the mystery that was Mozhaysk. Over 90 photographs, maps and illustrations provide details of the aircraft, the cameras and electronic defensive and eavesdropping systems. The specialised nuclear fallout sampling role is explored and the 'weather packs' installed to substantiate the wafer-thin false cover story of the U-2's role as a 'meteorological research' aircraft. Maps, most never been seen before, record the detailed routes flown by U-2 pilots deep into denied airspace to reveal the secrets of Soviet military, nuclear, scientific and industrial sites.

The US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) rapidly expanded its presence in the 1980s, as it became the most dangerous decade of the Cold War. Most controversially, a new generation of intermediate-range nuclear weapons was deployed by both sides. As tensions between the East and West escalated, a new generation of aircraft arrived at bases across Western Europe - state of the art F-15 Eagle air superiority fighters were followed by the A 10 tank busters and the multi-role F-16 Fighting Falcons. Illustrated with over 180 images, this book examines the aircraft and bases of the USAFE during the 1980s. It also describes the vital support provided by other arms of the USAF, including Military Airlift Command's transport and tanker fleet. The part played by Strategic Air Command's iconic SR-71s, U-2s, and giant B-52 bombers is outlined, as is the role of Tactical Air Command, which would have rapidly reinforced USAFE in time of war.

Over Iran an RAF Canberra flies a feint towards the Soviet border, to provoke Soviet air defence radar operators to reveal their location. He will not deliberately enter Soviet airspace, but the possibilities for miscalculation, or misunderstanding leading to tragedy are always there. These flights cost the lives of over 150 US airmen by the end of the Cold War. Also cruising nearby in Iranian airspace, is a heavily modified US Air Force C-130 transport aircraft. Onboard 10 Special Equipment Operators are listening through their headphones for Soviet radio and radar activity. Hearing Soviet ground controllers scramble fighters to intercept the Canberra. The US operators alert the British aircraft to the closing MiG's and it quickly alters course away from the border. This was the life of crews involved in Cold War intelligence collection flights. Enormous resources were committed to these operations and they shaped the structure of much modern military intelligence collection, analysis and sharing. This book explores their scope, conduct, plus the politics and new technologies behind these operations that started in the dying embers of World War Two. It examines how these often complex missions were planned, coordinated and flown and is supported by first-hand accounts from pilots, aircrews and intelligence analysts. It utilises recently declassified British and US archive material and is illustrated with a wide range of images. The author examines European and Far East operations and a number of topics not previously covered in depth elsewhere. These include authorisation and coordination arrangements for conduct of overflight and peripheral missions; plus the part played by key third party states in operations in Scandinavia, Turkey and others. He looks at why Tyuratam complex was of such major intelligence interest and details the many resources targeted against it. He looks at some of the less explored elements of U-2 operations, including British involvement, plus the development of powerful lenses intended to enable very long range peripheral photography and why the long mythologised `Kapustin Yar' overflight probably never took place with new details and analysis. This comprehensive book links together the realities of flying, advanced technology and politics to provide a detailed and illustrated examination of Cold War aerial intelligence collection.