This book is dedicated to the Air Force officers, enlisted Airmen, and their families and thousands more civilians who served at Westover Air Force Base, located near Springfield, Massachusetts, from 1955 through 1974. By the mid-1960s, the base's population was more than 20,000, making it among the largest Air Force bases nationwide. Operation of USAF's Strategic Air Command bases, missiles, and aircraft -- east of the Mississippi River -- was directed from Eighth Air Force headquarters at Westover. Our uniformed men and women were part of the Cold War, an uncharted era of tremendous personal sacrifice which symbolized a collective determination to keep America secure. This book chronicles Westover’s impressive distinction and its contributions to the Cold War deterrence mission. Ultimately, the book is rooted in my original intention and motivation to honor Westover's role during the Cold War. Readers will learn about their fellow Americans' remarkable devotion to duty through countless missions, aircrews pulling 7 days straight of 24-hour alerts, weapons convoys, minimum interval takeoffs of armadas of B-52 bombers and KC-135 tankers, and airmen standing guard in sub-zero New England winter temperatures.