At the creation of the USAF in 1947, aircraft were normally guarded by security detachments formed from airdrome or air base squadrons.

[4] The exigencies of the Korean War imposed additional delays in retraining and reequipping SAC personnel.

In 1956, after the existing SAC Provost Marshal failed to act with sufficient dispatch in forming the new unit, LeMay replaced him, instituting changes in SAC security force structure that resulted in the creation of the Elite Guard in December that year.

Primarily, Detachment "A" would be responsible to provide stringent security for SAC Headquarters and its resources.

[10] Instead of the then-standard .45 M1911 pistol, at General LeMay's insistence the Guardsmen were armed with a special bone-handled, chrome-plated .38-caliber revolver secured in a black leather, open-top, cross-draw holster.