Editing Tactical Air Command (section)

=== Cuban Missile Crisis ===
{{Main|Cuban Missile Crisis}}
The [[Cold War]] took on a frightening phase in October 1962. Following the [[Bay of Pigs Invasion|Bay of Pigs fiasco]], Soviet Premier [[Nikita Khrushchev]] increased Soviet aid to [[Cuba]], including military supplies. In August 1962, the Soviet Union, with Cuban cooperation, began to build [[intermediate-range ballistic missile]] (IRBM) and [[medium-range ballistic missile]] (MRBM) sites on the island. The American intelligence community, suspicious of the construction on the island, needed tangible proof that Soviet ballistic missiles were being deployed to Cuba and called for photographic aerial reconnaissance.<ref name="CMC">{{Cite web|url=http://www.afhso.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-120823-012.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218200210/http://www.afhso.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-120823-012.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 February 2013|title=Air Force Historical Support Division > Home|website=afhso.af.mil|language=en-US|access-date=2018-07-16}}</ref>

Routine photo reconnaissance flights over Cuba revealed that the [[Soviet Union]] was, in fact, in the process of placing nuclear-armed missiles on that island. In response, the United States let it be known that any use of those missiles against any country in the Western Hemisphere would be considered as an attack on the United States and a full nuclear response on the Soviet Union would be the result. The United States and the Soviet Union stood eyeball to eyeball at the brink of a nuclear exchange.

====Photographic Reconnaissance====
[[Image:Rf-101b-363trw-shaw.jpg|thumb|[[F-101 Voodoo|McDonnell RF-101C-65-MC Voodoo]] AF Serial No. 56-0068 of the 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing. This aircraft is currently on static display at the [[Keesler AFB]], Mississippi Air Park.]]
On 11 October 1962, Headquarters [[Strategic Air Command]] (SAC) notified the [[4080th Strategic Wing]] at [[Laughlin AFB]], Texas, to "freeze" two officers, Major [[Richard S. Heyser]] and Major [[Rudolf Anderson]], Jr., for a special project. The pair reported to [[Edwards AFB]], California, where they received orders to conduct strategic reconnaissance flights over Cuba. On 13 October, Major Anderson deployed to [[McCoy AFB]], Florida, to join a U-2 aircraft ferried in for the special mission. Meantime, Major Heyser launched from Edwards AFB in a U-2 equipped to photograph suspect sites on the island of Cuba. Heyser arrived over the island during daylight on 14 October and the next day, Major Anderson made his first flight from McCoy AFB. Photographs obtained on these flights confirmed that Soviet/Cuban crews had launch pads under construction that, when completed, could fire nuclear-armed [[IRBM]]s with a range of approximately 5,000 miles and [[MRBM]]s with a range of approximately 3,000 miles.<ref name="CMC"/>

While the SAC U-2s flew high-altitude reconnaissance missions, the staff of the [[363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing]] at [[Shaw AFB]], South Carolina, was made aware of the potential need for low-level flights over Cuba. Mission planners at Shaw began planning such flights and preparing target folders. On 21 October, HQ Tactical Air Command ordered the 363d to deploy to [[MacDill AFB]], Florida. The wing began immediately to move [[RF-101 Voodoo]] and [[RB-66 Destroyer]] aircraft, personnel, and photographic equipment to Florida. By the next morning, the aircraft were at MacDill, cameras cocked, ready to carry out any reconnaissance missions.<ref name="CMC"/>

SAC and TAC reconnaissance aircraft were further augmented by reconnaissance aircraft of the [[U.S. Navy]]. [[Vought F-8 Crusader|RF-8A Crusader]] photo reconnaissance aircraft [[VFP-62|Light Photographic Squadron SIX TWO (VFP-62)]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vfp62.com/cuban.html|title=Cuban Missile Crisis|website=vfp62.com|access-date=2018-07-16}}</ref> operating from [[NAS Jacksonville]] and [[NAS Key West]], Florida conducted high-speed low level reconnaissance flights over the Cuban missile sites while additional [[P-2 Neptune]] and [[P-3 Orion]] maritime patrol aircraft operating from various bases tracked Soviet ships and submarines transiting to and from Cuba.

[[File:RB-66B.jpg|thumb|left|Douglas RB-66B, AF Ser. No. 53-0475 of the 39th Tactical Electronics Warfare Training Squadron, now at the [[National Museum of the United States Air Force]] at [[Wright-Patterson AFB]], Ohio]]
While aircrews went on alert, support personnel expanded the base photo laboratory facilities and installed additional photo vans and darkrooms. Because of a shortage of adequate facilities, aircrews and other airmen occupied temporary, inadequate, wooden barracks that hampered crew rest. After trying off-base housing, the aircrews moved to permanent airmen's quarters on the base for the remainder of the deployment.<ref name="CMC"/> On 26 October, the 363rd launched the first flight of two low-level reconnaissance RF-101 aircraft. For the next three weeks, wing aircraft, by photographic and visual reconnaissance, gathered vital data, including prestrike intelligence, air-surveillance verification of Cuban buildup, and subsequent dismantling of the IRBM and MRBM sites and Soviet [[Ilyushin Il-28]] jet tactical bombers. Because of the possibility of alternate sites and concealed storage facilities, the wing initiated intensive low-level aerial search efforts. Other flights returned with highly significant photographs of missiles and related equipment on docks at Cuban ports, the loading of Soviet freighters, and the deck cargo of Soviet ships entering and leaving Cuban ports. Consequently, the President of the United States was constantly aware of Soviet actions regarding the withdrawal of the missiles from Cuba.<ref name="CMC"/>

Analysis of the 363d photographs provided a wide range of essential intelligence concerning Cuba. Frequent sorties over major Cuban airfields provided daily information on the number, type, and specific location of Cuban aircraft. Photos also revealed the number and location of assembled, partially assembled, or unassembled IL-28 Soviet twin-engine tactical bombers with a range of 1,500 miles. This information was vital to establish immediate air superiority if strike forces went into action. On one of these missions, the 363d discovered the first evidence of the existence of infrared homing air-to-air missiles (Soviet [[K-13 (missile)|AA-2s]]). Surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites proved to be prime targets for low-level reconnaissance missions. The wing also garnered extensive intelligence concerning Cuban ground equipment, military encampments, cruise-missile sites, and possible landing beaches for amphibious assault by [[U.S. Army]] and [[U.S. Marine Corps]] forces.<ref name="CMC"/>

====Tactical Air Command combat aircraft deployment to Florida bases====
SAC ordered continual U-2 reconnaissance flights over Cuba and, at the same time, ordered the redeployment of its medium and heavy bombers and tanker aircraft from its three Florida bases, [[MacDill AFB]], [[McCoy AFB]] and [[Homestead AFB]], in order to make room for TAC fighter aircraft. In mid-October, the [[Nineteenth Air Force]] (19AF) moved from its home base of [[Seymour Johnson AFB]], North Carolina, to [[Homestead AFB]], Florida. Once at Homestead AFB, 19AF spearheaded the deployment of TAC units at the beginning of the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]], deploying numerous [[F-84]], [[F-100 Super Sabre|F-100]], [[F-105]], [[B-66 Destroyer|RB-66]], and [[B-50 Superfortress|KB-50]] units and aircraft to the SAC bases in Florida.<ref name="CMC"/><ref>Ravenstein, Charles A. Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947–1977. Office of Air Force History, 1984.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.afhso.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-100525-073.pdf|title=Air Force Historical Support Division > Home|website=afhso.af.mil|language=en-US|access-date=2018-07-16|archive-date=23 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123154335/http://www.afhso.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-100525-073.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

19AF's commander headed the main air operations center, the '''Air Force Atlantic Advanced Operational Nucleus''' (ADVON). Augmented by airmen and officers from other TAC air forces, Air Force Atlantic ADVON soon controlled nearly 1,000 aircraft and 7,000 men and women. During the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]] four primary Air Elements were organized and postured in Florida. Air Force record cards and historical records contain the following information:
[[File:12th Tactical Fighter Wing F-84F Thunderstreaks.jpg|thumb|12th Tactical Fighter Wing F-84F Thunderstreaks]]
[[Image:F-105-4fw-mycoy-1962.jpg|thumb|Republic F-105D-5-RE Thunderchief, AF Ser. No. 58-1158, deployed to [[McCoy AFB]], FL by the 4 TFW during the Cuban Missile Crisis.]]
[[File:F-100-363tfs-wc-354tfw.jpg|thumb|North American F-100F-10-NA Super Sabre, AF Ser. No. 56-3869, of the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, deployed to [[McCoy AFB]], FL. The aircraft is marked as the Wing Commander's aircraft.]]
* HQ, Air Force Provisional 33 (Fighter Recon). Organized at [[Homestead AFB]] and assigned to TAC, with attachment to Air Force Atlantic (Main). The Air Division Provisional 1, 2, and 3 were assigned as elements at the same time.
* HQ, Air Division Provisional 1 was organized at [[Homestead AFB]] and assigned to the Air Force Provisional 33 (Fighter Reconnaissance). On 29 Oct 1962, the division was relieved from assignment to Air Force Provisional 33 and assigned directly to TAC. At the same time, it was attached to the Air Force Atlantic (ADVON). Serving in the division were deployed elements of the following wings:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aviano.af.mil/Media/story_print/id/123322234/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203013913/https://www.aviano.af.mil/Media/story_print/id/123322234/|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 December 2021|title=News|website=www.aviano.af.mil|accessdate=18 April 2023}}</ref>
:: [[31st Tactical Fighter Wing]] (F-100), [[Homestead AFB]] Florida, 24 Oct-9 Nov 1962
:: [[401st Tactical Fighter Wing]] (F-100), [[England AFB]], Louisiana, 24 Oct-9 Nov 1962
:: [[474th Tactical Fighter Wing]] (F-100), [[Cannon AFB]], New Mexico, 24 Oct-9 Nov 1962
: Altogether, the 1st Provisional Air Division included a force of 181 F-100 fighter aircraft and over 1,600 personnel.
* HQ, Air Division Provisional 2 was also organized at [[McCoy AFB]], Florida, and assigned to AF Prov 33 (Ftr Recon). On 29 Oct 1962, the division was relieved from assignment to 33 AF Prov 33 (Ftr Recon) and assigned directly to TAC, with attachment to AF Atlantic (ADVON).
:: [[4th Tactical Fighter Wing]] (F-105), [[Seymour Johnson AFB]], North Carolina, 21 Oct-c. 29 Nov 1962
:: [[354th Tactical Fighter Wing]] (F-100), [[Myrtle Beach AFB]], South Carolina, 21 Oct–1 Dec 1962
:: [[427th Air Refueling Squadron]]: (20 KB-50J Superfortress), [[Langley AFB]], Virginia
* HQ, Air Division Provisional 3 was organized at [[MacDill AFB]], Florida, and assigned to AF Prov 33 (Ftr Recon). On 29 Oct 1962, the division was relieved from assignment to 33 AF Prov 33 (Ftr Recon) and assigned directly to TAC, with attachment to AF Atlantic (ADVON).
:: [[12th Tactical Fighter Wing]] (F-84F), [[MacDill AFB]], Florida
:: [[15th Tactical Fighter Wing]] (F-84F), [[MacDill AFB]], Florida
:: [[27th Tactical Fighter Wing]] (F-100), [[Cannon AFB]], New Mexico, 21 Oct-1 Dec 1962
:: [[363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing]] (RF-101), (RB-66), [[Shaw AFB]], South Carolina, 21 Oct-30 Nov 1962

Civilian airports in [[West Palm Beach]], [[Fort Lauderdale]] and [[Miami, Florida]] also received TAC Units.

Like the Navy's RF-8A Crusaders, TAC [[F-101 Voodoo|RF-101 Voodoo]] reconnaissance aircraft from [[Shaw AFB]] continued to fly high speed low level sorties over Cuba on a daily basis, photographing suspected missile sites and Cuban military bases. In some cases the films were flown directly to Washington, D.C., and onto President [[John F. Kennedy]]'s desk within hours of being taken.<ref name="CMC"/>

General [[Walter C. Sweeney, Jr.]], Commander of Tactical Air Command, proposed an operational plan which called first for an air attack on the surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites in the vicinity of known medium range (MRBM) and intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) launchers by eight fighter-bombers per SAM site. Concurrently, each of the Cuban MiG airfields thought to be protecting MRBM/IRBM sites were to be struck by at least twelve fighters. Following the air-strikes on SAM sites and MiG fighter airfields, each MRBM and IRBM launch site was to be attacked by at least twelve aircraft. General Sweeney's plan was accepted and, additionally, Cuban Ilyushin Il-28 "Beagle" bombers bases were added to the target list.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allworldwars.com/Cuban-Missile-Crisis-CIA-Documents.html|title=CIA Documents on the Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962|website=allworldwars.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-07-16}}</ref>

====Crisis resolution====
[[Image:Kennedy presents AFOUA to 363 TRW.jpg|thumb|left|President Kennedy presents [[Air Force Outstanding Unit Award|AFOUA]] to the 363 TRW in 1962 in recognition of the unit's actions associated with the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]].]]
While the invasion forces gathered in Florida, Kennedy ordered the [[United States Department of State|U.S. State Department]] to develop a plan for civil governance in Cuba. Former Secretary of State [[Dean Acheson]] and the [[Joint Chiefs of Staff]] favored an invasion, but [[U.S. Attorney General]] [[Robert F. Kennedy]] vehemently opposed that plan and instead advocated a blockade. The President listened to his brother, and on 22 October 1962, appeared on television to explain to America and the world that the United States was imposing a strict quarantine on offensive military equipment being shipped to Cuba. Kennedy also warned Khrushchev that the United States would regard any missile attack from Cuba as an attack from the Soviet Union and would retaliate against the Soviet Union.<ref name="CMC"/>

The quarantine began on 24 October and tensions mounted as the Soviets continued to work on the missile sites and their ships continued moving toward Cuba. Then on 26 October, Khrushchev sent another message in which he offered to withdraw or destroy the weapons in Cuba, provided the United States would lift the blockade and promise not to invade the island. The increasing tempo in the military, however, continued unabated. SAC ordered over sixty B-52 bombers to continue on airborne alert, while TAC forces in Florida assumed a one-hour alert and prepared to go to a fifteen-minute alert, which involved pilots waiting in aircraft for launch orders.<ref name="CMC"/>

After a heated debate Robert Kennedy met with the Soviet Ambassador to the United States, [[Anatoly Dobrynin]], and in effect, promised to remove obsolete American [[PGM-19 Jupiter]] MRBMs from Turkey. This promise was sufficient and the next day the Soviet Union informed the United States that the missiles in Cuba would be withdrawn. The Soviets began turning their ships around, packing up the missiles in Cuba, and dismantling the launch pads. As the work progressed, the Air Force started to redeploy aircraft back to home bases and lower the alert status.<ref name="CMC"/> The United States and Soviet Union stepped back from the brink, and the crisis was resolved without armed conflict. Never in the history of the Cold War had the United States and the Soviet Union come so very close to mutual nuclear destruction.<ref name="multi3"/>