The North American F-100 Super Sabre served with the United States Air Forces in Europe for a total of sixteen years at the height of the Cold War. The primary mission of the USAFE units that flew the 'hun' was the delivery of tactical nuclear weapons on targets in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. The nuclear mission was practised on the gunnery ranges of Europe, the Mediterranean region, and North Africa. The pilots, called bomb commanders, sat alert all over Europe to take off at a moment's notice and fly alone into the heart of enemy territory carrying just one atomic bomb often more powerful than those dropped on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of the Second World War. These dedicated pilots acknowledged that many of their targets were situated so far away that there would be no prospect of return to their home base and their families and friends. The secondary mission of the USAFE F-100 units was to prepare for conventional war.

— With the recent invasion of Ukraine and a new Cold War between Russia and NATO, this is a timely evaluation of USAF operations between 1950 and 1992 — Aircraft of the period are covered in exhaustive detail from the F-86 Sabre to the Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt, including the F-84 Thunderstreak, the F-100 Super Sabre, the F-4 Phantom the F-111 Aardvark and more — Gloriously illustrated with 459 images (166 colour), many of which are rare or unpublished from private collections — Of interest to aviation and military historians, modellers, flight enthusiasts and gamers such as IL-2, War Thunder and DCS USAFE Tactical Units in the United Kingdom in the Cold War 1950 to 1992 contains a history of all United States Air Force Tactical Air Command flying units that were resident in the United Kingdom during the period 1950 to 1992. 'From the cockpit' testimony from aircrew who were assigned to the individual squadrons and wings is an integral part of the narrative, which is which is supported by 459 images, 166 of which are in colour. The tactical nuclear mission was central to the operations of many of the UK-based units and is covered in detail from its beginnings in 1952 with the arrival the 20th TFW and the 47th Bombardment Wing to the adoption by NATO of the doctrine of ‘Flexible Response’ and the eventual end of the Cold War. Also included are sections on the units that were temporarily deployed to the United Kingdom in support of the USAF and NATO operations. The comprehensive appendices contain essays on individual aircraft development, international events that had a direct bearing on the missions and deployments of the individual units, the support aircraft used by the wings, maps and tables.

This collection of squadron histories has been prepared by the USAF Historical Division to complement the Division's book, Air Force Combat Units of World War II. The 1,226 units covered by this volume are the combat (tactical) squadrons that were active between 7 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. Each squadron is traced from its beginning through 5 March 1963, the fiftieth anniversary of the organization of the 1st Aero (later Bombardment) Squadron, the first Army unit to be equipped with aircraft for tactical operations. For each squadron there is a statement of the official lineage and data on the unit's assignments, stations, aircraft and missiles, operations, service streamers, campaign participation, decorations, and emblem.