Operation Chrome Dome (jan 1, 1960 – jan 1, 1968)

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Operation Chrome Dome was implemented in 1960 as part of the Strategic Air Command’s deterrence strategy. Operation Chome Dome inforced B-52 Stratofortess bombers to patrol areas near soviet airspace constantly while loaded with nuclear arms. This operation ensured that the US could attack immediately if a Soviet retaliation were to occur. However, constantly having the B-52s in the sky required mid-air refueling technology and was costly. Some risks came along with this operation as well. One incident which occurred in 1968 when a B-52’s heating system malfunctioned resulting in a fire in the plane's cabin. The captain of the aircraft John Haug and the crew ejected from the cabin. One crew member was killed in this incident and the others were injured. When the aircraft crashed landed many of the explosives onboard detonated from impact but luckily none of the nuclear weapons detonated. When the aircraft crashed it however did leave behind widespread plutonium contamination (Swopes) . There were several other incidents from Operation Chrome Dome including one in 1966 where a B-52 collided with a refueling tanker over Spain. The plane dropped four hydrogen bombs but luckily none detonated but radioactive contamination spread in the area (Grant). These risky incidents and the steep price the maintaining armed aircraft in the air 24/7 led to the end of Operation Chrome Dome in 1968.

-Izzy Reid

Grant, Rebecca. “The Perils of Chrome Dome.” Air & Space Forces Magazine, 1 Aug 2011, https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/0811dome/. Accessed 19 Feb 2025.

Swopes, Bryan. This Day in Aviation, 21 Jan. 2025, www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/operation-chrome-dome/

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