Chrome Dome 1960–68

The B-52s' high-stakes Cold War nuclear operation

Peter E. Davies, Adam Tooby

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English

Osprey
29 October 2024

History; Postwar 20th century history, from c 1945 to c 2000; The Cold War; Air forces & warfare; Nuclear weapons

Series: Air Campaign

In 1960, SAC’s B-52s began a nonstop, eight-year, nuclear-armed patrol. Fully illustrated, this study explains how one of the Cold War’s most challenging operations was conceived and flown.

Operation Chrome Dome was Strategic Air Command's unprecedented nuclear deterrence operation, a hugely elaborate and costly response to the perceived nuclear missile threat from the Soviet Union.

In this book, Cold War aviation historian Peter E. Davies explains how for eight years, Chrome Dome required 12 B-52 Stratofortresses to maintain a ceaseless airborne alert within striking distance of Soviet targets, orbiting over the Mediterranean and north of Alaska. Each bomber stayed aloft for 24 hours, flying for around 10,000 miles until relieved by another. In each cockpit a top-secret Combat Mission Folder contained details of the routes and procedures for a nuclear attack on a pre-determined Soviet target.

Dramatic and controversial, the years of unrelenting Chrome Dome missions saw several B-52 crashes and losses of nuclear weapons, most famously those in Greenland and off the Spanish coast. Drawing on first-hand information from the personnel who flew and supported these gargantuan efforts, and packed with archive photos, superb new artwork, maps and diagrams, this book offers an authoritative history of how SAC flew its most challenging operation of the Cold War.

By: Peter E. Davies
Illustrated by: Adam Tooby
Imprint: Osprey
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Volume: 46
Dimensions: Height: 248mm, Width: 184mm, Spine: 25mm
Weight: 454g
ISBN: 9781472860545
ISBN 10: 1472860543
Series: Air Campaign
Pages: 96
Publication Date: 29 October 2024
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Peter E. Davies is a specialist historian on US aircraft and operations of the Vietnam and Cold War periods, analyzing tactics, background politics and technologies in combat situations. Original first-hand interviews and unpublished illustrative material are a hallmark of his work. He has often sought to explore specific military incidents from past conflicts. Peter has written dozens of books for Osprey, and also contributed to Aeroplane Monthly, Aviation News and Aircraft Illustrated.