The Sac Mentality: the Origins of Organizational Culture in Strategic Air Command, 1946 -1962
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THE SAC MENTALITY: THE ORIGINS OF ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE IN STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND, 1946 -1962 Melvin G. Deaile A dissertation submitted to the faculty of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in partial fulfillment of the requireme nts for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of History. Chapel Hill 2007 Approved by Advisor: Richard Kohn Reader: Gerhard Weinberg Reader: Alex Roland Reader: Joseph Glatthaar Reader: Karen Hagemann © 2007 Melvin G . Deaile ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ii ABSTRACT MELVIN G . DEAILE: The SAC Mentality: The Origins of Organizational Culture in Strategic Air Command, 1946 -1962 (Under the direction of Richard Kohn) This dissertati on explore s the origins of Strategic Air Command ’s organization al culture. Organizational culture —the assumptions, values, and rituals of an organization — has an ideological and a material component. Formed in 1946, SAC inherited part of its organizationa l culture from the assumptions of Air Force leaders who believed that strategic air power should be organized under one independent commander. This provided the initial values and organizational doctrine for the command. The shared historical experiences of those who fought in World War II provided the formulation for the tactics and cultural rituals that became part of SAC culture. Constructing a ‘force -in -being’ meant preparing SAC to execute its war plan on a moment’s notice. Curtis LeMay put SAC on alert; war was not months or weeks but hours away. As SAC organized, trained, and, in the minds of its leaders and members fought the Cold War, other organizational routines, rituals, and symbols evolved. Many of SAC’s first cultural forms —stan dardized procedures, lead crews, and the survival school —grew out of the leaders ’ shared experiences. Other cultural elements — security, competition, and architectural designs —developed out of the command ’s involvement in the Cold War. Security and competition ori ented people towards an enemy and to vigilance. Although SAC tried to build a family friendly command, its atmosphere of iii competition ran counter to the cooperation needed at home to maintain a healthy family life . In 1957, the Soviet Union’s launch of Sp utnik I changed the circumstances of the Cold War and add ed new elements to SAC culture. Alert —the ability to launch bombers and ICBMs within fifteen minutes —became a cultural routine that lasted in SAC until the Cold War ended. The responsiveness requir ed of the alert force meant m istakes, especially with nuclear weapons, were not tolerated. SAC culture dictated perfection as the standard. Missiles , however, stood in stark contrast to the values and assumptions of the organization. These new weapons were ‘ pilotless.’ Therefore, S AC took measures to make sure this new SAC subculture espoused the same values and beliefs as the larger organization. SAC’s culture emphasized standardiz ation , perfection, and the physical presentation of power because this was the type of war the organization fought . iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS No work of this magnitude could have been accomplished alone. There is not enough space to thank everyone who encouraged, supported, or aided me in the completion of this dis sertation. The following only serves as a beginning and recognizes those who made completing this project in three years possible. Special thanks and app reciation goes to the Air Force’ s School of Advanced Air and Space Studies (SAASS), in particular C olonel Thomas Griffith and Ste phen Chiabotti (Colonel USAF, Ret.), for securing the funding and providing me the opportunity to attend UNC -Chapel Hill. Throughout these three years, SAASS has continued to provide financial and administrative support that allowed me to travel to the various locations throughout the United States to find the material necessary to finish this project. I would not have completed this academic journey had it not been for the guidance and direction of my advisor, and mentor, Dr . Richard Kohn. He opened my eyes to the greater purpose of history and skilled me in the proper investigation of the past. He is owed a great debt of gratitude for having to read and edit multiple versions of this dissertation to the point that he suffe red from ‘MEGO” (My Eyes Glaze Over). Dr. Alex Roland, likewise, provided incredible critical analysis of this project and challenged me throughout the entire history program to become ‘a thinker.’ The other members of committee —Dr. Gerhard Weinber g, Dr. Joseph Glatthaar, and Dr. Karen Hagemann —kept this dissertation true to its purpose and offered sound and crucial criticism. v As I gathered evidence for this dissertation my travels took me to many archival locations, individuals homes, and the sites of several SAC reunions. The people at the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and the Air Force’s Historical Research Agency (HRA) were always professional and helpful. One person, Toni Petito, at the HRA deserves special mention. Not only did sh e provide guidance and support while I was at the HRA, but she also must have gone through a box of black markers making sure that my documents were in compliance with “Safe Paper.” I truly appreciate those former Air Force leaders, Generals David Jones, Russell Dougherty, and John Shaud who shared their insights and recollections of SAC and its organizational culture. Those associations responsible for preserving the memory and experiences of former SAC members played a significant role in providing the anecdotal and historical evidence needed to uncover the culture of SAC. Specifically, the SAC Airborne Command and Control A ssociation, the SAC Association , the B -47 Association, the B -52 Association, and the Air Force Missileers Association provided terr ific support throughout this process. I had the support of friends and colleagues in the Duke and UNC -Chapel Hill history program. Tim Schultz, Robin Payne, and Kelly Morrow helped guide me through the highs and lows of this entire process. One perso n made this all possible. My grandfather (Melvin A. Deaile, Sr.) passed away during this past year and unfortunately never got to see the completed project. The need to work during the “Great Depression” prevented him from finishing his education but tha t did not stop him from creating and building a profitable family business and corporation. vi He always valued education and this dissertation is a testament to the ideals of hard work and determination he installed in me at an early age in the grape fields of Fresno, California. My wife of seventeen plus year s, Rachel, stood by through this endeavor as she has throughout my entire Air Force career. Her love, devotion, and understanding were always appreciated and needed to help me get through the program. My three children, Faith, Melvin, and Joy, were great supporters and showed understanding when research and writing kept ‘Dad’ confined to his officer for days on end. Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for Hi s Spirit, strength, and guidance not only these past three years but throughout my entire life. vii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ................................ ................................ ................................ .. ix INTRODUCTION ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................... 1 Chapter 1. FOUNDATIONS OF PILOT CULTURE ................................ ....................... 26 2. SHARED EXPERIENCES IN WWII ................................ ............................. 61 3. BEGINNINGS ................................ ................................ ................................ .86 4. IMPLEMENTING A NEW ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE ................... 118 5. TAKING CHARGE ................................ ................................ ....................... 161 6. SAC LIFE ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 197 7. LIVING IN THE MISSILE AGE ................................ ................................ .. 242 8. EPILOGUE AND CONCLUSION ................................ ................................ 290 BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................ ................................ ................................ .................. 322 viii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS 2AF Second Air Force 8AF Eight Air Force 15AF Fifteenth Air Force AAC Army Air Corps AAF Army Air Forces AEC Atomic Energy Commission AF Air Force Base AAF Army Air Field AFB Air Force Base ATC Air Training Command BW Bomb Wing BMEWS Ballistic Missile Emergency Warning System CCRR Combat Crew Rest and Recuperation CG Commanding General CC Commander CD Deputy Commander CEG Combat Evaluation Group CIA Central Intelligence Agency CSAF Chief of Staff of the Air Force DEFCON Defense Condition DOD Department of Defense EA M Emergency Action Message ix EBR Emergency Bomb Release ECM Electronic Counter Measures EP Emergency Procedures EWP Emergency War Plan FAEF Far East Air Forces GAO Government Accounting Office GHQ General Headquarters (of the AAC) ICBM Interc ontinental Ballistic Missile IFI In -flight Insertion IRBM Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile JCS Joint Chiefs of Staff JSCP Joint Strategic Capabilities Plan JSTPS Joint Strategic Target Planning Staff ORI Operational Readiness Inspection TA C Tactical Air Command SAC Strategic Air Command SECAF Secretary of the Air Force SIOP Single Integrated Operations Plan SOP Standard Operating Procedures UMT