THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 9, 1987
To the Men and Women of the Strategic Air Command:
In October 1957, aircrews of the Strategic Air Command went on alert for the first time. From that historic day forward, SAC's demonstrated readiness has been a cornerstone of peace and security for the free world. Today, strategic deterrence is still the foundation on which rest the peace of the world and the protection of freedom.
We look with pride on SAC's 30-year alert history. The men and women of SAC mastered the growing challenge of deterrence presented by the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, by burgeoning technology, and by an expanding Soviet threat. You who serve in SAC today share with your predecessors a noble tradition of dedication to the unrelenting demands of constant watchfulness, instantaneous readiness, and unyielding professionalism.
On this, the 30th anniversary of SAC's first alert, I extend to every member of the Strategic Air Command family the appreciation of a grateful nation, along with my personal congratulations on a job well done.