An offensive command of the U.S. Air Force created in March 1946 and located at Offutt AFB in Nebraska, intended to deter possible aggressors from attacking the United States. SAC had numerous bases around the world by the late 1950s, in order to have bases as close to potential enemies, as well as numerous bases across the United States, to keep its aircraft as widely dispersed as possible. In June 1992, SAC was replaced by the U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM).

See the Introduction, Abbreviations and Pronunciation for further details.

The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. Copyright © 2001, 2002 by Oxford University Press, Inc. All rights reserved.