Beyond The Wild Blue is an accurate rendition of the history of the United States Air Force. Using a combination of archival film research and personal interviews with many of the important figures in the history of the Air Force, Beyond The Wild Blue provides a vivid and fast moving portrait of a service which went from the ruins of World War II demobilization to become the principal weapon of the U.S. Armed Forces. Beyond The Wild Blue presents a comprehensive survey of all of the great aircraft and missiles of the United States, along with the crews and commanders that made the U.S. Air Force what it is today. Beyond The Wild Blue would be useful for classes on American History, Military History, and Cultural History and Civics. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

Korea, SAC and the ICBMS

An undeclared war flared up when North Korea invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950. The United States was not prepared, but it sent the USAF into action. Over Korea, F-86s shot down MiGs at a rate of 10 to 1, and air superiority saved the United Nations command. At home, the brilliant General Curtis LeMay fashioned the Strategic Air Command into an awesome weapon able to destroy the Soviet Union in hours. But even as he worked, the Soviets forged ahead in the race for the ultimate weapon, the ICBM. Only the incredible efforts of General Bernard Schriever enabled the U.S. to catch up and then pass the Soviet Union in the missile race.

Vocabulary

• predecessor
• dispelled
• intimidate
• obliterate
• fortuitous
• pax-Americana
• annihilate
• advocate
• reconnaissance
• deterrent
• logistics
• proximity
• derivative
• uncanny
• criteria
• annex
• contingent
• venerable
• ponderous

Discussion Questions

1. The conflict in Korea was an example of a "hot" war resulting from the "Cold" war. What is the difference between a "hot" war and a "cold" war? What are the different tactics used?
2. General Curtis LeMay is credited with the formation of the Strategic Air Command (SAC). What is meant by Strategic Air Command?
3. Why was the United States convinced that air power and air supremacy were the keys to world peace? How can military superiority maintain peace?
4. What was the contribution of General Curtis LeMay in building the strength of the USAF?
5. Korea was the first of what came to be known as "proxy" wars between the Soviet Union and the United States. What is meant by a "proxy" war? What were the causes of the conflict in Korea?
6. If the Berlin Airlift was the testing ground of the USAF, then Korea was the training force for the USAF. Why was the conflict in Korea considered the training force for the USAF?
7. How was the B47 aircraft a hybrid of old and new technology?
8. ICBM stands for Inter Continental Ballistic Missile, meaning a missile capable of traveling to other continents. What were some of the problems of the first ICBMs? How did the invention of ICBMs lead to the Cuban Missile Crisis?
9. What is the concept of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD), and how is it a deterrent to nuclear war?

Extended Activities

1. Imagine that you are a fighter pilot in the Korean war. Write a letter home to your family expressing your feelings and experiences during your tour of duty.
2. Fighter pilots design artwork to grace the noses of their planes, usually a name or slogan that has some personal significance. Imagine that you are a fighter pilot and design a logo for your plane.