Strategic Air Command (GLb)
| Strategic Air Command | |
|---|---|
| Gūþcræft Lyftonbeodan (GLb) | |
| Active | March 12, 1949 |
| Country |  Federated Fire Territories |
| Branch | Fyrish Federal Airforce |
| Motto(s) | "Friþ geond oferrnægen" |
The Strategic Air Command (GLb)(Fēþisc: Gūþcræft Lyftonbeodan) was a branch of the Fyrish Federal Airforce responsible for command and control of airborne strategic warfare assets. From 1952 GLb managed the nuclear arm of the airforce, consisting of land-based strategic bomber aircraft, and later, intercontinental ballistic missiles. GLb also managed strategic reconnaissance assets, such as photo-reconnaissance aircraft and satellites.
Background
The Pan-Septentrion War demonstrated targeted air raids destructive potential, having disastrous consequences for the industrial capacity, infrastructure, and public of afflicted nations. Watching this unfolding, the Fyrish Directorate of Defence (DoN), chaired by Whitney Fairchilde, carefully tabulated developments in the air war over Casaterra. These observational war studies would provide the backbone of strategic military planning for decades to come.
Chiefly concerning the DoN, was the economic consequences from this mode of war. In 120 days the Ostlandic airforce had inflicted an estimated OSD$2.3B in damages upon New-Tyran and Sieuxerr. This devastation was readily apparent to Fairchilde, who proceeded to direct DoN air-raid defence development efforts from 1941. These efforts later provided the groundwork for integrated air defence development within Fyrland.
The 1945 Anglian nuclear bombing of Menghean Dongrŭng and Anchŏn, firmly ushered in the atomic era. Following this, extensive efforts, such as Project Fenix and Project Glas, set about closing the nuclear gap. The stability and relative economic strength of the nation bolstered these efforts, which bore the first atomic weapons test in 1951. Even before this time, however, it was apparent that commitment to a retaliatory strike capability was all but essential. Fairchilde's war studies hinted to the realities of atomic warfare, with any singular bomb potentially leading to millions dead. With this in mind, the Conservative government, under Fairchilde's advice and Liberal pressure, created the Strategic Air Command on March 12, 1949.