Cold War Relics: Beale's bombing history Published June 14, 2013 By Senior Airman Allen Pollard 9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.- -- During the Cold War the U.S. Air Force scattered its B-52 Stratofortress heavy bombers throughout many bases, making it more difficult for the Soviet Union to destroy the fleet with a surprise attack. The B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber designed and built by Boeing. It has been operated by the Air Force since the 1950s and can carry up to 70,000 pounds of weapons. The B-52 was built to carry nuclear weapons for Cold War-era deterrence missions. As the Soviet Union increased its nuclear capabilities, destroying or countering the forces that would deliver nuclear strikes were of great strategic importance in this era. On Feb. 8, 1959, Strategic Air Command established Beale as an operational Air Force Base and activated the 4126th Strategic Wing. In May 1959, then Col. Paul Carlton, assumed command of the 4126th SW. The first two KC-135 Stratotankers arrived two months later as part of the 903rd Air Refueling Squadron, and in January 1960, the 31st Bombardment Squadron with the B-52E arrived at Beale to become part of the wing. Half of the B-52 aircraft were on a 15-minute alert status and were fully fueled, armed and ready for combat. In 1961, the wing began transitioning from the B-52E to the B-52G aircraft. In July 1965, the wing was redesignated the 456th Bombardment Wing and remained so until it was inactivated on Sept. 30, 1975. The B-52 has been in active service since 1955, and as of 2012, there are 85 remaining in service with nine in reserve.