Starting in 1957, the 28th Bombardment Wing at Ellsworth Air Force Base began to upgrade from the Convair B-36 Peacemaker to the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress.

[2] However, Strategic Air Command (SAC) was concerned that bases with large concentrations of the new jet bombers made attractive targets.

SAC's response was to break up its B-52 wings and scatter their aircraft over a larger number of bases, thus making it more difficult for the Soviet Union to knock out the entire fleet with a surprise first strike.

[3][4] At the same time, the reduced number of interceptors available to Air Defense Command (ADC) due to attrition and closing production lines made ADC bases along the northern tier of states available for expansion to accommodate SAC heavy bombers and tankers.

[note 3] On 20 October SAC had directed its B-52 wings, including the 28th, to put two additional planes on alert.

On 24 October SAC increased its readiness status to DEFCON 2, placing all its combat aircraft on alert.

[1] Between 1966 and 1970, the division's subordinate units loaned B-52 and KC-135 aircraft and crews to Strategic Air Command organizations in Southeast Asia in support of Operation Arc Light combat missions.

The 821st conducted numerous staff assistance visits, and participated in tactical exercises such as Operation Chrome Dome.

[11][18] This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency